Murong Ke praised the marching plan of the simultaneous flight and walked with him.

Seeing the army's eye path through the black swamp and rushing to the battlefield ahead, Murong Ke's worries grew day by day.

Although she talks and laughs on the surface, she leaves people with a calm and unhurried feeling everywhere, but in fact, she hides her fears and worries in her heart.

This concern was everywhere and grew with each step she took.

She was anxious during the day and couldn't sleep at night. Every edelweiss flying overhead made her worry even more.

She was worried about Wanghai City, and had no idea about her life and death and physical condition. Worried about the brothers and sisters of the Murong family who were guarding Haicheng to the death, if they had to meet the "King Slayer" Qingqiu Youyong on the battlefield, please be sure to protect them.

She is even more worried about her husband and her two daughters. Worried about his son Bu Yangming, who was left alone in the North Underworld.

However, there was nothing she could do about each of them, so she forced herself to put these thoughts behind her.

You'll have to do everything in your power to help Bu Yangfei, she said to herself. He's the only person you can help with.

Murong Ke, now you must be as resolute and strong as the northern realm, and you must become a person worthy of the name of the Buyang family, like your husband.

Bu Yang rode at the front of the procession, the white flag of the Northern Underworld fluttering in the wind above him.

Every day, Bu Yangfei invited a vassal to ride a horse and side by his side, taking the opportunity to discuss strategy. He invited each vassal in turn, without showing any personal likes and dislikes, listening to each other's opinions as carefully as his father walked into the dust, carefully weighing each statement.

Bu Yangfei learned a lot from his father. Murong Ke looked at his son and thought to himself: Is what Bu Yangfei has learned enough to deal with this war?

According to the news reported by the reconnaissance troops at the front, it did not alleviate Murong Ke's worries in the slightest. Although the army of Qingqiu's spiritual power was still quite far from them...... However, Xiahou Lei, the lord of Fengling Ferry, had gathered nearly 5,000 troops on the banks of his Green Water River.

"It's late again. When Murong Ke learned the news, he couldn't help muttering to himself. This man should really be cut with a thousand cuts, and now it is simply a copy of the past. Her father had already gathered vassals in Wanhai City, and it was said that this guy should have led his troops to join the Murong family's legions, but he didn't move.

"There are no thousand people," Bu Yangfei said silently, a little annoyed and even more confused in his words. "Lord Xiahou will never be able to deal with Qingqiu's spiritual power alone, is he waiting for us?"

"Do you really think?" Murong Ke asked rhetorically. She rode to the front of the group, walking with Bu Yangfei and his companion today, Kun Wurong. The vanguard army spread out and followed them, moving slowly like a forest of halberds, banners, and spears. "I don't think so. Don't hope for Xiahoulei, you won't be surprised when the time comes. ”

"But he was a vassal of my grandfather. ”

"Not everyone takes their vows seriously. What's more, the friendship between Lord Xiahou Lei and Qingqiu City has always displeased your grandfather. He has a son who is married to the righteous sister of Qingqiu Lingzi, although this doesn't mean anything, but we should be careful. ”

"Madam, do you think he intends to betray us to the Qingqiu family?" Kun Wurong said in a heavy tone.

Murong Ke sighed and said, "Seriously, I suspect that Xiahou Lei himself is not sure what he is going to do. He has both the prudence of an old man and the ambition of a young man, and has always been calculating. ”

"Mother, I don't understand, which side he will be on?" asked Bu Yangfei.

"The winner's side. Before the Buyang family and the Qingqiu family didn't decide the winner, this old guy didn't even have the courage to fight the team. Murong Ke looked at his son, "Therefore, if the Buyang family's war situation is unfavorable, the first traitor will be him." ”

"However, we must have the support of Lord Xiahou. Bu Yangfei's tone was a little rushed, "You also know that there is nowhere to cross the river except for this Fenglingdu." ”

"That's right, now you can rest assured. Xiahoulei is also well aware of this. ”

That night, they camped on the southern boundary of the swamp, right in the middle of the official road and the river.

The messenger sent information from the Duanmu Mountain reconnaissance team. "That's good news," Bu Yangfei said with a white note in his hand, "the reconnaissance team led by Duanmushan and the pathfinders of the Qingqiu family had an encounter and slaughtered all a dozen of them. The enemy seems to know a little about the position of our troops, but they must not be allowed to know when we will split into two lines. ”

"Unless Lord Xiahou Lei leaks it out. Murong Ke's tone was sharp, and she instructed the messenger: "Go back and tell Duanmu Mountain, let him arrange his most powerful archers around the castle in Fenglingdu, monitor them day and night, and shoot them down as soon as there are carrier pigeons or crows out of the city, I don't want any birds to report the movements of our army to the Qingqiu family." ”

"Madam, Duanmu Mountain has already done this. "A few more blackbirds, and we can all use them for barbecue." Duanmu-sama will leave the feathers to make a hat for you. ”

Murong Ke nodded approvingly. He continued to ask, "Since the Qingqiu army set fire to the Xiahou family's fields and plundered their farmhouses, how did Xiahou Lei react?"

"It is true that there are small military clashes between the two of them," the Courier said. "Less than a day's ride, I found that two Qingqiu soldiers were tied up by the soldiers of the Xiahou family and lit the sky lanterns. Of course, Lord Xiahou Lei gathered most of his troops in Fenglingdu. ”

This is the old fox's usual style, Murong Ke thought bitterly.

Stand still, wait and see, the situation is unclear, and never take action.

"Since he has also started a war with the Qingqiu family, it is somewhat of a good sign, so that he will keep his promise. Bu Yangfei said.

Murong Ke was not so optimistic. "It's one thing to protect your own territory, but it's another thing to dare to go to war with the Qingqiu family, which represents the royal family. ”

Bu Yangfei turned back to the messenger and said, "Have you found any other way to cross the river?"

The Courier shook his head. "Now the water level is very high, and the current is fast, and Lord Duanmushan said that it is impossible to cross the river in such an upstream place. ”

"I have to cross the river!" "Hey, he Xiahou Lei dared to stop me, so I lit him a sky lantern." Bu Yangfei's face was distorted and terrifying.

"If Xiahou Lei wants to be worthy of us, it is self-defeating," Duanmu Ba said in his usual confident tone, "Even if our forces are separated, they are five times his, and if necessary, we will take Fenglingdu." ”

"I'm afraid it's not easy," Murong Ke warned them, "at least it's unlikely for a short time." While you are still erecting siege equipment, the army of Qingqiu's spiritual power will easily cover and kill. ”

Bu Yangfei looked at her, and then at Xiahouba, and lost his mind for a while.

For a moment, although he was wearing armor and a sword, and had a short beard on his cheeks, his true age of sixteen years was revealed. "What will my father do?" he asked his mother.

"Find a way to cross the river," Murong Ke could only tell him, "do everything you can to cross the river." ”

In the early morning of the next day, Duanmushan personally rushed back to report that he had already removed his heavy armor and helmet and put on a cloak.

Duanmu Shan turned over and dismounted with a heavy face. "There's a battle under Wanghai City," he pursed his lips, "we learned about it from a captured Qingqiu agent. The dragon slayer Qingqiu Youyong beat all the vassals gathered by Wanghai City and turned over on his back. ”

It was like a cold hand holding Murong Ke's heart. "What about my father?"

Duanmushan said: "Everyone else is trapped in Wanghai City, presumably your father is also among them, and Qingqiu has a brave army to surround Wanghai City. ”

Bu Yangfei looked anxious. "We've got to get across this damn river quickly, or it's going to be too late. ”

"We can't be sure of the news of the Xiahou family," Duanmushan said, "Lord Xiahou's troops are all in the city, but the city gate is closed. ”

"This guy should be damned," Bu Yangfei cursed, "If the old bastard refuses to let me pass, I have no choice but to attack the city." ”

"Fei'er, don't say childish things. Murong Ke said sharply, "What you say sounds like a gambling child." As a lord, your clear words can sometimes solve things that cannot be done with physical resources. ”

Listening to his mother's reproach, Bu Yangfei went from his face to his neck. "Mother, please tell me your opinion. ”

"The Xiahoulei family has been guarding the ferry for 500 years, and for 500 years, they have never forgotten to collect the river crossing fee. ”

"How much does the river cross?" asked Bu Yangfei, "what does he want?"

Murong Ke smiled and said, "It's their turn to think about what he wants." ”

"What if I'm not going to pay for the river crossing?"

"Then you'd better retreat to the swamp and prepare for the army of Qingqiu's spiritual power...... Otherwise, they will grow wings and cross the river. I don't think there's any other way. After Murong Ke finished speaking, he brandished his horsewhip and ran forward, leaving his son to think about her words.

Murong Ke didn't want to point fingers at his son in front of everyone, making him feel that his mother was robbing him of command.

My husband is walking in the dust, in addition to courage, have you taught your son to strategize? Murong Ke secretly thought, have you taught him to bow his head?

In the tombs of the Seven Kingdoms, there are too many bones of those who bow their heads to fight fiercely.

It was nearly noon, and Fenglingdu entered the sight of the vanguard troops, and this place was the base of the lord of the Xiahou family.

The river here is deep and fast, but the Xiahou family has been able to cross both banks for centuries and have made their fortune on the fees paid by those who cross the river.

Although Fenglingdu is a ferry, it is not a boat to cross the river, which is the name left a long time ago.

Hundreds of years ago, the Xiahou family built a huge smooth greystone arch bridge here, wide enough for two carriages to travel side by side.

The moat is just a stone's throw away from the bridge, and there are so many of them standing in the river that you have to take a boat to pedal the tower. The perimeter of the tower is covered with archery holes and murder holes. It took the Xiahou family three generations to complete the arch bridge.

When the bridge was completed, they built stone-walled forts on both sides of the river, so that they could not cross the river without their permission.

Now, after generations of construction by the Xiahou family, the twin cities – two square, ugly but balanced castles that stand exactly the same on both sides of the river, and the bridge, which spans between them, has guarded the Fengling Ferry for centuries.

It has towering walls, deep moats and heavy oak-clad tin gates. The entrances to both sides of the bridge are located in a well-guarded inner city, with bridgeheads and iron gates on both sides, and a moat in the middle of the river guarding them.

Murong Ke only needed one glance to see that the castle in front of him could not be quickly captured. At this moment, the city walls were full of swords and crossbows, and every battlement was guarded by archers, and the drawbridges had been raised and the gates had been lowered.

The gates of the city were shut, and the latches were fastened.

When Duanmu Mountain saw it, he immediately began to curse loudly. Yu Wencheng glared silently. "Ladies and gentlemen, such a castle cannot be taken in a short period of time. The Hundred Miles Absolute Lord said.

"If we don't have an army on the other side, we won't even be able to surround it," Lord Chisongyang said gloomily. On the other side of the deep and rushing green water, Hexi Castle is like a reflection of the castle in the west. "Even if we have time, it's not easy to take this place, especially if we are short on time. ”

Just as the northern princes were observing the castle, a side door suddenly opened, and a wooden plank bridge stretched out across the moat, and a dozen knights came towards them.

They were led by the four sons of Lord Xiahou and carried the banner of a silver-gray background and a dark blue bridge. Xiahou Hu, the heir to the Fenglingdu territory, spoke on behalf of the group.

Everyone in Xiahou's family looks like weasels. Xiahou Hu, who is over sixty years old and has grandchildren of his own, looks especially like an old and tired weasel, but he is still quite polite. "My father sent me to ask, dare to ask who is leading this army?"

"It's me. "Step up and hurry forward. He was covered in silver armor, and the wailing snow wolf emblem of the Northern Underworld was embroidered on his chest, and the north wind followed lightly.

Xiahou Hu's cloudy gray eyes flashed with interest, but his mount took two steps back uneasily, avoiding the snow wolf. "My father has prepared a dinner party in the city, and it will be a great honour if you will go and show him what you are doing. ”

His words were not loud, but they were like a thunderbolt out of thin air, and they exploded among the princes of the northern realm. The people were dissatisfied, and they cursed, they argued, and they shouted at each other.

"My lord, you must not go," Yu Wencheng was the first to say to Bu Yangfei. "You can't take risks alone. ”

Lord Chi Songyang nodded. "If you go to an appointment alone, you are at his mercy. He can sell you to the Qingqiu family, throw you into the river or cut your throat, and everything is as happy as he pleases. ”

"Just let him come out and feast here, in front of everyone. Kun Wurong said.

"If he wants to talk, tell him to open the gates of the city, and let us all go in and have dinner with him. Duanmu Ba announced loudly.

Murong Ke had the same doubts as them, but she only glanced at Xiahou Hu, and she could see that he was quite unhappy with what he had seen and heard, and as long as he said a few more words, the old man would turn his head back.

Then, the opportunity is fleeting. She had to act, and the sooner the better.

"Let me go. Murong Ke said loudly.

"Madam, are you going?" Yu Wencheng frowned.

"Mother, you're not kidding. Obviously, Bu Yangfei felt that it was inappropriate.

"Of course I have to go. Murong Ke said softly, "The Xiahou family is a vassal of Wanghai City, I have known Lord Xiahou Lei since I was a child, and he will never do anything to me. "Unless it's profitable, Murong thought secretly in her heart, but she didn't say anything about it.

"Madam, if you can go in person, it will be a great honor for our family. Xiahou Hu said. "In order to ensure that we have no bad intentions, my younger brother Xiahou Leopard will stay here and know that Lady Murong has returned safely. ”

"We will treat them like guests. Bu Yangfei said. Xiahou Leopard, the youngest of the four brothers from Xiahou's family, dismounted and handed the reins to his brother.

"Lord Xiahouhu, I hope my mother will come back before sunset," Bu Yangfei said, "I don't want to stay here." ”

Xiahou Hu nodded politely: "My lord, do as you ask." ”

Murong Ke kicked the spur lightly and ran forward without looking back. Xiahoulei's sons and guards followed.

On the short road, Murong Ke remembered that his father once said that looking at the Seven Great Countries, Xiahou Lei was the only lord who could give birth to an army by himself.

When Murong Ke entered the city, the huge Xiahou family that welcomed Murong Ke in the hall of Hedong Castle still shocked her deeply.

Lord Xiahou Lei is ninety years old this year, and he lives like a shriveled pink weasel, his hair has long since fallen out, and he is covered with age spots. Because of the ventilation, if there is no one to support you, you can't stand. His latest wife, a sixteen-year-old girl, pale and thin, came in with him on a stretcher.

And surrounding Xiahou Lei are the twenty sons who are still alive by his side, not including the Xiahou leopard outside the city. and his thirty-eight grandsons, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and many daughters, granddaughters, illegitimate children, and illegitimate grandchildren.

There are too many Murong Ke to count. She finally understood what her father's words meant.

"Lord Xiahou, I haven't seen you for many years, but your health is okay?" Murong Ke said.

The old fellow squinted at her suspiciously. "Yes? I'm skeptical. Lord Murong Ke, oh no, Mrs. Buyang, I'm old, let me say your sweet words. Why are you here? Could it be that your son is too noble to come to me in person, and what should I do with you?"

The last time Murong Ke came to Fenglingdu, he was still a little girl, and Xiahou Lei at that time was a short-tempered, mean-spoken and unruly person, and it seemed that the years had made him even more unbearable.

Murong Ke realized that his words had to be extremely cautious, and did his best not to care about the offense of his words.

"Father," Xiahou Hu said, reproachfully, "have you forgotten? Mrs. Buyang came at your invitation. ”

"I'm asking you, I'm not dead, you're not the patriarch of the Xiahou family. Do I look like a dead man? I don't need to listen to you. ”

"Father, this is not hospitality, is it?" said his other young son.

"Even my bastard is teaching me a lesson now?" complained Lord Xiahoulei, "you all deserve to die, I can say whatever I like." Xiahou Yu, I have entertained three kings in my life, and the queen does not need to mention it, do you think I need you to teach me hospitality? When I first planted seeds on your mother, she was still herding sheep. With a wave of his hand, he chased away the red-faced young man. Then he instructed the other two sons to help him to the chair.

They helped Xiahou Lei off the stretcher and carried him to a high position in Xiahou's house to sit down. It was a mahogany chair with a carved back in the shape of a bridge connecting the twin cities.

His young wife timidly came over and covered his feet with a blanket.

After the old man sat down, he beckoned Murong Ke to step forward.

Murong Ke looked at the old weasel in front of him, and there was an indescribable disgust in his heart.

But she had no choice, for the sake of the Buyang family in the Northern Underworld City, and for the Murong family in Wanghai City, she had to make trouble first to understand what this old thing wanted?

What she understands is that no matter what price the other party offers, she has no room for bargaining.

Murong Ke made up his mind, met Xiahou Lei's gaze, and stepped forward.