In early February, Heshuo Jiedushi Xiao Ling personally led 30,000 elite troops to Youzhou, and joined forces with General Ye Longxi who was stationed in Youzhou. At the end of February, they had a head-on confrontation with the Turkic cavalry on the south bank of the Sanggan River.
When he left Weizhou, Huan Xuan was still General Xiao's "face-lover", Xiao Lu Lang, a little-known refugee leader. Except for a few of Xiao Ling's personal guards who knew his true identity, the soldiers all thought that he brought a group of rabble to follow General Xiao to the battle, just to pick up some military merits that General Xiao slipped through his fingers to save face. Although General Xiao was suspected of not distinguishing between public and private, she had a high prestige, and this little guy was leading the refugee army he brought with him, so it didn't bother anyone anyway and was harmless.
However, when the armies clashed, this ignorant little brat actually volunteered to serve as the vanguard and confront the Turkish cavalry head-on. It is well known that the Turkish cavalry was very fierce, and many people did not say anything out of consideration for General Xiao's feelings, but only gave him euphemistic advice. In their hearts, they all thought that he was ignorant of his superiors and was greedy for merit and was seeking his own fate.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Ling nodded without hesitation and let the male favorite go to see her off.
Almost everyone thought that a hero could not resist the temptation of a beautiful woman, and General Xiao's heroic reputation of more than 20 years was about to be ruined. However, that young man made a stunning move and killed the enemy commander in battle. The 5,000 refugee soldiers under his command were trained by him to be as skilled as his own arms and obey his orders in just a few months. Xiao Ling personally led the left army to cooperate with him. The two of them had such a tacit understanding that they seemed to have telepathy and defeated the proud Turkic cavalry and made them flee in panic.
After the battle, all the soldiers of the three armies remembered the name "Lu Ziheng".
General Xiao rewarded him according to his merits and immediately ordered him to lead the Chengde Army. Many of the generals in this army were Xue Zhi's old comrades. Although they were now subservient to Xiao Ling, they were not as loyal as the Wei Bo Army and the Youzhou Army. Xue Zhi had changed three main generals since then, but none of them could suppress that group of old scoundrels with their own thoughts.
The Chengde Army had been plagued by problems for a long time, and even someone as strong-willed as Xiao Ling could not act rashly. She had no choice but to appoint Xue Zhijiu as deputy general, and she would concurrently lead the army. However, her main focus was on Wei Bo, and the Chengde Army was only under her command remotely. Ignoring it like this was always a hidden danger.
It seemed a bit hasty to hand over the Chengde Army to a young man who had just started out. Her trusted old friends, including General Ye, were quite dissatisfied. Although Lu Ziheng had just crushed the Turkic cavalry, being brave and good at fighting on the battlefield was one thing, and the intrigues in the camp were another. Several experienced veterans had suffered losses in the Chengde Army. This young man might be eaten to the bone by those old guys.
Unexpectedly, Lu Ziheng performed unexpectedly again. As soon as he took over the Chengde army, he immediately did something that stunned everyone - he volunteered to lead the Chengde army to pursue the victory, go deep into the grassland, and directly attack the Turkic Khan's tent.
This proposal was too bold. When fighting against the Turkic tribes, the main strategy was usually defense. Turning defense into offense and penetrating deep into the enemy's hinterland was a bit reckless. However, unexpectedly, General Xiao still nodded despite the opposition.
At first, almost no one in the army was able to stand up, but by the time the autumn grass turned yellow, no one could say a word, because the main force of the Chengde Army led by Lu Ziheng had already advanced to the east bank of the Hunyi River. During the march, they encountered Turkic cavalry several times, and both sides suffered casualties, but the casualties were all former members of Xue Zhi. These people vowed to give that little brat a warning, but in the end they ended up with a broken halberd.
By the time September approached the Turkic Khan's tent, the Chengde army had been thoroughly cleansed inside and out. This method was exactly the same as when Xiao Ling took over Heshuo that year. Everyone suddenly realized that this little brat was not a deer spirit or a fox spirit at all, but a vicious wolf king. General Xiao was also blinded by the color of his face and turned into a wise eye for talent.
Gradually, no one dared to call him "Little Deer Boy", but the nickname "Jade-faced Shura" spread throughout the grassland and the three towns.
The Turkic cavalry suffered heavy losses in several battles, and the Uighurs and Karluks were eyeing them covetously. The Khan struggled to hold on for half a month and finally sent envoys to ask for peace.
In October, the two sides held a meeting on the south bank of the Dule River.
Xiao Ling personally led his personal soldiers to Dule River. As the commander of the Turkish army, Lu Ziheng was also indispensable to the meeting.
After haggling over the price, the couple went on to feast as usual at night, with both hosts and guests enjoying themselves. The magnificent tent was set up with a banquet, and both sides were seated at the table.
For some reason, the Turkic Khan brought with him, in addition to his ministers, his youngest daughter, Princess Tang Suhesi. The princess was 28 years old and was known as the Pearl of the Grassland. She was said to be the most beautiful woman in the Turkic region.
Huan Xuan was impatient with such occasions of feasting and drinking, especially today - Sui Sui had been delayed for two days on the road due to bad temper, and as soon as he arrived at Dule River, he went straight into the big tent, chatted with the Turks, and had a banquet at night. They had not had even a moment of private time together for several months.
At this time, he just wanted to take his wife back to his tent, and he had no patience to deal with these Turks.
But this banquet was about important matters, so he couldn't leave rashly. He could only endure it on pins and needles.
But it was impossible for him to put on a good face. Apart from the necessary rewards, he just drank by himself.
However, he had an innate air of nobility, and even though he was taciturn, he still attracted everyone's attention. Princess Tang Suhesi's beautiful eyes were glued to him as soon as the banquet began.
At first, she pestered her father to bring her to the banquet, just to see what the Han Chinese who defeated her fiancé, the most courageous warrior on the grassland, looked like. But as soon as she saw this "Jade-faced Shura", her reluctance instantly disappeared. The herdsmen who grew up on horseback were brave and good at fighting. There was no shortage of warriors on the grassland, but none of them was like him, sitting among the crowd yet feeling like he was in the clouds.
The grassland women are not as introverted and reserved as the plain women, and they do not hide their admiration at all.
The Turkic Khan saw this and naturally knew what his beloved daughter was thinking. This young man led his troops to the doorstep of his home and almost overthrew his family. He was naturally gnashing his teeth in hatred, but even he had to admit that he was extraordinary. No wonder his daughter, who was very picky, fell in love with this man at first sight.
However, he naturally knew the relationship between this man and Xiao Ling. Even if he had a hundred guts, he would not dare to snatch the son-in-law from this killing god man - not to mention that this man himself was also a killing god.
However, Princess Tang Suhesi was spoiled by her parents and was naive. She was also very young. She relied on the fact that she was the favorite daughter of the Turkic Khan. She wanted the moon and no one dared to give her the stars. As long as she wanted something, no matter if it was the most beautiful horse or the most precious pearls and gems, there was nothing she could not get.
Besides, although Xiao Ling is good-looking, he is old after all. It would be unfair for her to have a boy like him as her male favorite.
Her big eyes flickered twice, and she stood up to make a toast: "Tang Suhesi would like to toast General Xiao with this cup to wish him eternal youth."
Sui Sui seemed not to have heard her hint, and took it with a smile, saying to the Turkic Khan: "If I remember correctly, 'Tang Su He Si' is the same as Zhen Bao's, right?"
The Turkic Khan said: "General Xiao is very knowledgeable."
Sui Sui nodded: "The little princess is so romantic, she is really the treasure of the grassland."
How could the Khan not hear her thoughts? He winked at his daughter, telling her not to act rashly. Now they were under someone else's roof, and although they called it an "alliance", they were actually the one surrendering.
Tang Suhesi did not understand his father's thoughts. He thought that Xiao Ling was not as terrible as rumored. He raised his cup to Huan Xuan again and said in broken Chinese: "This cup is for General Lu's everlasting blessings."
Huan Xuan's mind had always been on Sui Sui, and it was not until she toasted to Sui Sui just now that he noticed this person at the table.
A young girl wishes a woman who is already past the prime of her life eternal youth. Anyone with a reasonable mind would know what she means.
His knife-like eyes scraped across the girl's pretty face twice. He was thinking about how to say something rude and sarcastic without losing his dignity, but Sui Sui interrupted and said with a smile, "General Lu has a small capacity. Let me drink this cup for him."
As he said this, he reached out, picked up the wine glass in front of him and drank it all.
The little princess returned to her father and sat down unhappily, and did not cause any more trouble until the end of the banquet.
After the banquet, Sui Sui and Huan Xuan returned to their own tent. Huan Xuan could no longer suppress his longing for her, and as soon as he let down the felt curtain at the door, he was about to embrace her, but something suddenly blocked his way.
Huan Xuan lowered his head and saw the golden wave pattern on the black scabbard shining brightly. It was the sword Luanhai that he once carried.
Sui Sui said: "Draw your sword, let's practice."
After a few months of separation, Huan Xuan wanted to melt into her body right away, so he had no time to practice swordplay. He took a step forward and said, "Why practice swordplay so late at night?"
Sui Sui sneered, drew his sword from its sheath with a clang, threw the sheath to the ground, and slashed at Huan Xuan's left side.
The blow was fast and fierce. Fortunately, Huan Xuan reacted quickly and dodged it unconsciously. The blade cut through his brocade robe with a "hiss". If he had dodged slower, his flesh would not have been spared.
Huan Xuan was surprised and asked, "What's wrong?"
Before he could finish his words, the second knife came at his chest.
Huan Xuan could only draw his sword to block.
The blades struck each other, sparks flew, and a sound made one's teeth ache.
They used to practice swordplay together, but they always stopped at the proper point and focused on learning from each other's skills. He had never seen Sui Sui look so murderous.
"What's wrong?" He didn't understand. "Did something happen during the months we were apart?"
Sui Sui said: "It's okay, my hands are itchy."
She said she was fine, but her face didn't show it at all, and her attacks became more and more fierce.
Not far away, two figures were sticking together under the moonlight. Guan Liulang turned his head and looked at the main tent breathlessly: "Is that General Xiao's tent? Why are there sounds of swords? It must be an assassin, I'm going to go find him..."
Tian Yuerong grabbed him and said, "Where did the assassin come from? The young couple was practicing swordplay."
Guan Liulang was surprised and asked, "We've been separated for so long, and you're practicing swordplay as soon as you meet?"
He sighed thoughtfully: "General Xiao and our husband are both so talented and hardworking, no wonder we can't catch up with them even if we try our best." As soon as they met, they were so affectionate that they had no time to practice with their swords.
Tian Yuerong held her belly and laughed until she was out of breath: "Guan Mu, you are such a treasure..."
Guan Liu blushed: "Did I say something wrong again?"
Tian Yuerong asked: "Do you know why they are fighting?"
Guan Liudao: "Why?"
Tian Yuerong asked: "Did you see the Turkic princess at the banquet just now?"
Guan Liulang nodded: "Princess Tang Suhesi."
Tian Yuerong's face darkened, she raised her chin, and glanced at Guan Liulang with a half-smile: "I remember it very clearly."
Guan Liulang said: "I have heard many people mention her, saying that she is the most beautiful woman in the Turkic region."
Tian Yuerong asked: "Do you think she is okay?"
Guan Liulang nodded: "It's pretty good."
Tian Yuerong asked: "So you know why the general and your husband had a fight?"
Guan Liulang frowned. Wasn't he talking about the beauty of the Turkic princess? Why did he suddenly jump back to the fight
Just as he was confused, Tian Yuerong had already unsheathed her sword: "Because I want to hit you right now!"
Huan Xuan took hundreds of moves without knowing what was going on, and suddenly an idea flashed in his mind: "Are you jealous?"
Sui Sui got angry and frowned, saying, "No way!"
Her hand paused, and Huan Xuan saw a flaw. He took the opportunity to grab her wrist and gently pinched it. A sore and numb feeling spread from the wrist to the whole arm. The knife slipped out of her hand in an instant and fell to the ground with a clang.
He held her wrist, pulled her into his arms, and said in surprise, "Xiao Sui Sui is actually jealous."
Sui Sui said: "I said no!"
Huan Xuan's eyes were full of smiles: "That princess is so ugly, not even a hair of yours is as ugly as her..."
As he spoke, he took off her hairpin, and her satin-like black hair fell down. His fingers threaded into her hair, and he stroked the back of her neck and slowly moved to her earlobe.
He gently rubbed the other earlobe with his lips, and when the body in his arms slowly softened, he immediately turned to an eager attack: "You know I don't care about you..."
Sui Sui groaned: "I just hate it when people look at you like that..."
Huan Xuan asked: "What kind of look?"
Sui Sui patted him heavily on the chest: "It's like I'm going to rip your clothes off with my eyes..."
Huan Xuan couldn't help laughing.
Sui Sui snorted coldly: "It seems that General Lu is quite useful."
Huan Xuan threw her onto the bed and said, "General Xiao is jealous of me, how can you not be happy?"
As he spoke, he used his fingers to open her skirt, lowered his head and said vaguely: "I just want to return the favor and let General Xiao enjoy it as well."
General Xiao really benefited from it. When he got up the next day, his waist was still sore. So she returned the favor by asking the Turkic Khan for another thousand war horses.