The convoy marched through a curtain of snow that hung diagonally, the cavalry at the head leaned low on their horses, and the wind blew behind them, as if a pair of strong hands were pushing forward behind. The snow curtain obscured people's field of vision, and in the fluttering snowflakes, a black line on the distant horizon was faintly visible, which was the miracle that cut off the continent - the ancient giant mountain Guqi Mountains.

"It's great to meet Sister Shirakawa!" Since being rescued, Zi Chuanning has been in a state of excitement, with a layer of blush on her white jade-like cheeks, and she squeaked and chattered: "Surrounded by that group, we are all worried that this time is over, but we didn't expect Bai Chuanyou to save us!" Where are you going? What a coincidence! ”

Bai Chuan said respectfully: "Xia Guan has just finished performing the task of the lord and is about to return to the Far East. I didn't expect to meet His Highness Ning on the road. May I ask your Highness, who are the people who are besieging you? One of them claimed to be an officer of the Ombudsman, was he really a member of the Ombudsman? ”

"yes."

"It's just that bunch of people...... Very bad, not like the gendarmerie. ”

"The subordinates of the Inspectorate may not necessarily be the gendarmerie." The person who answered was Li Qing: "Di Lin has snared underworld heroes in various places for his own use. It may be that the local Inspectorate has not had time to deploy the military police, or it may be that the garrison is unreliable. Sometimes it is much more convenient to use gangsters than gendarmes. The bandits have never been subjected to the Zichuan family's fortune, and even if they know that it is the chief who is attacking, they will not waver. ”

"So, the rumors of Di Lin's rebellion are true?"

Zi Chuanning and Li Qing nodded together. Li Qing said solemnly: "Your Excellency Bai Chuan, today you are not afraid of danger, and you have made a great contribution to the family. This is a rare opportunity, and I hope you will continue to work hard to save your family's survival. On the day of recovery in the future, the family will reward and reward meritorious people like you. ”

"Lord Qing is serious. As a courtier of the family, it is my duty to protect His Highness. Do what should be done, and the lower officials do not have the luxury of rewarding. ”

"Humility is certainly the virtue of a courtier, but it is also the duty of a monarch to reward loyalty and punish adultery."

Shirakawa smiled, but there was a faint worry in his heart. She didn't know if she would cause any trouble to adults if she saved Zi Chuanning without authorization. The two people in front of him stared at themselves with blazing eyes. Especially Li Qing, from the beginning of the meeting, this civil official looked at himself with a little worry and vigilance in his eyes, and constantly emphasized that the chief minister would reward him. Although he felt that the other party's mind was ridiculously naïve, but in this situation, Bai Chuan also had some pity, and comforted him softly: "Your Highness Ning, Lord Qing." Although the traitor is arrogant, Weichen and his subordinates are still good at fighting, so you don't have to worry about it at all. ”

Zi Chuanning said softly: "Sister Bai Chuan, then please leave it to you." ”

"Your Highness, please rest assured. As long as Weichen still has a breath, the traitor will not want to hurt you. ”

It can be seen. The two fugitive women breathed a sigh of relief, and their expressions relaxed. Bai Chuan saw it in his eyes, and still sighed secretly in his heart: after all, they are all high-ranking officials and princesses in the deep palace, and they still don't know enough about the sinister rivers and lakes after all. She can imagine. For the two people in front of him, Di Lin will not hesitate to exchange the entire treasury. He only expressed his allegiance verbally, and the other party immediately believed it, which was also a little naïve and credulous. In the past few years, she has seen too many hypocrites with honey-bellied swords.

Looking up at the swarthy horizon outside the window, Zi Chuan Ning muttered, "It's almost dawn." ”

The three of them looked out, and they all felt that their eyelids were astringent and their brains were dizzy. Fierce battles, unexpected encounters. A night full of shock and surprise passed, but everyone did not feel the slightest sleep, and worried about the same question: there is a fortress of Valen ahead, how to pass through it?

Pulling out a thick roster from his luggage, Li Qing flipped through it and said, "The guard of the Valen Fortress is ...... Lumas red-clothed flag book, this person, Your Highness, do you have an impression? ”

"I know him." Zi Chuanning replied: "He was originally my subordinate, the division commander of the Central Army. Later after the Wahnstad incident. Sent to guard the fortress of Valen. ”

"Do you have any subordinates? My lord. Dare to ask, do you know anything about this person? ”

"Understood?" Zi Chuanning smiled bitterly: "Have we ever known anyone?" Before the incident. Everyone is a loyal courtier of the family, and they are willing to go to the trouble for me. At that time, who could see the difference between loyalty and treachery? ”

Zi Chuanning's words contain a sense of vicissitudes that do not match her age. Bai Chuan glanced at her, and a trace of tenderness and pity floated in his heart. But she could not speak out to comfort her, although her heart was full of sympathy. What she can do is to protect her before she meets with adults.

In the midst of the sound of the car, Zi Chuanning was obviously tired, and a sleepy look appeared on his face.

Li Qing said: "Your Highness, you can rest here with peace of mind." Shimono and Shirakawa-sama went to the car in front. She winked, and Shirakawa said goodbye knowingly. The two stopped the carriage and got into one of the carriages behind. Driving the carriage was a young Praetorian Guard officer, Li Qing just nodded to him, and he sat down in front of the carriage consciously, closed the partition in the middle, and signaled that the two adults could talk with peace of mind.

Li Qing hesitated, his bright eyes looked at Bai Chuan from time to time, and he stopped talking.

Bai Chuan is a good girl who is empathetic, and she opened her mouth first: "Lord Qing, this is an extraordinary time. The pursuers could catch up at any time, so if you have anything to say, don't worry. ”

Li Qing nodded slowly: "Your Excellency Bai Chuan, we don't have much contact with each other, but I also know your name. Back then, Yang Minghua was arrogant and arrogant, and everyone was in danger, but at that conference, you were able to stand up and defend the royal power of the family, and your courage was admirable. It is our great fortune to meet you on the road, to meet a brave and upright family soldier, and it is also a great blessing for our family. This shows that God has not abandoned our Zichuan family, and the family's luck is still there. ”

Bai Chuan bowed politely, she knew that Li Qing's words were just foreshadowing, so she said very succinctly: "Lord Qing is serious, and the officials are just doing their duty." ”

"Shirakawa, you are an important minister at the side of the Far Eastern Commander, and you are familiar with him. I would like to ask you one thing, when all goes well, if we can reach the Far East. What will the Lord Archon do with us? ”

Shirakawa smiled: "It's too much to say that you want to deal with something." His Royal Highness Ning is not only the head of the family, but also a friend of Lord Xiuchuan when he was a child; And Lord Qing, you are also the widow of General Stirling. And General Stirling was a brother and sister to my family during his lifetime. My lord is a man who misses the old love, and I believe that in the Far East, the two of you will definitely receive the best hospitality and respect the guests. ”

Li Qing said softly: "What we want is not just hospitality. ”

Shirakawa was silent. She knew what the other party wanted, but that promise. Now she can't give.

"I'm sorry, but that's an adult decision. But I vouch for one thing with the honor of a family officer, that in the Far East, there will be no problem with the safety and freedom of His Highness. No matter how your Excellency decides, I am willing to do my best to protect His Highness Ning. If there is any need, you can just tell it. ”

After listening to Bai Chuan's answer, Li Qing had a smile on his face: "Thank you." Looking at the girl in front of her. Looking at the other party's pure eyes like crystal, she sincerely repeated again: "Thank you, Bai Chuan, on behalf of the Zichuan family, I thank you." Shirakawa. I don't like official promises, it's too vulgar. And we really can't come up with anything decent right now. I can only promise you that the family will not forget those who remained steadfast in the most difficult times. I believe. The family has been in power for 300 years, and although it has suffered a temporary setback, it will never decline. His loyalty will be richly rewarded one day. ”

"Lord Qing is serious. I'm a soldier of the family, and that's my duty, and I give it back or something—then I don't need to mention it. ”

From her tone, Li Qing heard sincerity. She realized that the female officer in front of her was not polite. She really didn't care about what she had promised. She saved Zi Chuanning completely out of public heart and compassion, not out of coveting future wealth and glory. There are indeed such people in the world. They are strong-willed, have no desires, are not swayed by any money and material things, and only uphold their beliefs and beliefs. For them, the world is simply black and white. They act attentively and stubbornly. It can often be done in a way that ordinary people can't.

"A subordinate of the Far Eastern Commander. There are so many talents! Li Qing sighed secretly. She asked, "Excuse me, Lord Shirakawa." Based on what you know about Hidekawa-sama, what decision do you think he will make? ”

Bai Chuan glanced at Li Qing and said lightly: "My lord's decision, my subordinates don't dare to speculate. ”

Li Qing smiled: "My late husband told me before his death that the Far East soldiers are the best in the world. With the current level of domestic combat power, as long as the Far Eastern Army leaves the Valen Pass, it will be easy to sweep them away. This is the best opportunity to protect the country's affairs and quell the rebellion. The family is prosperous, in this move, the brilliant deeds of Lord Xiuchuan will go down in history! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, shouldn't it be seized? ”

As soon as Li Qing said impassionedly, Bai Chuan just looked at her calmly, and saw that her heart was furious. After a long time, Bai Chuan asked softly, "Lord Qing, you are also the person next to the first chief." I ask from my heart, how did my family treat my family back then? ”

Li Qing's face turned red all of a sudden, and she said hesitantly: "Back then, there were quite villains by the side of the former chief. Although the ancestor is a saint, he has been deceived and provoked, and he may have some misunderstandings about Lord Hidekawa......"

"His Royal Highness the Chief of the Stars is most trusted by none other than Luo Minghai, Lord Di Lin and Master Sterling. I would like to ask, who among them is the villain who sows discord between His Highness and my family? ”

Li Qing was speechless. Everyone understands people, and you can't hide it from talking nonsense with your eyes open. Di Lin is now rebellious, but he had a very good relationship with Zichuan Xiudi back then, and he has defended Zichuan Xiu openly and secretly many times, which everyone knows. Luo Minghai was at odds with Zi Chuanxiu back then, but he just acted impartially and did not make any trouble for Zi Chuanxiu in private, and now he is also martyred with Di Lin, and Li Qing is unwilling to arrange his rights and wrongs; The only thing left was Sterling - but it was a joke.

The facts are clearly in front of us, and the only one who was single-mindedly suspicious and suppressed Zichuan Xiu was Zichuan Sanxing himself.

Looking at Li Qing's embarrassed expression on his face, Bai Chuan sighed lightly: "Lord Qing, my family is a great man who is not born in the world, he has a broad mind, and he may not care about the things of the year. But as our subordinates, we are very upset about him and feel that it is not worth it. Lord Kiyoshi. I'm just a little woman, narrow-minded and short-sighted, I didn't say hello to this sentence, this is not what my family adults meant, please forgive me for my rudeness. ”

Although the other party did not say anything unpleasant, and also stated that he did not reply unofficially, this meaning has already been expressed: In the past, the Zichuan family treated our Far East as a thief and was as wary as an enemy, and now when it is in trouble, it has come to ask the Far East to send troops.

Why?

On one side are the sworn brothers who have silently given themselves support and care for many years. On the one hand, there is the Zichuan family who suppresses and bullies themselves, if they are Zichuan Xiu - if they don't tie up Zichuan Ning and Jiao Dilin, it is already benevolent and righteous.

Li Qing nodded with a bitter face: "I'm sorry......" She really didn't know what to say.

Shirakawa bowed politely: "Where, the one who is rude is me." ”

Next, neither of them spoke, and with different thoughts, both of them looked out the window in a daze as they flew over the field. Because he was tired, he leaned back on the seat of the carriage, and Shirakawa fell asleep dimly. In the bumps of the carriage. She woke up from time to time, and every time she dimly saw Li Qing sitting in front of her, holding her chin in her hand, staring at the scenery outside the window. In Shirakawa's hazy eyes, the woman's thin body was tired and haggard. There was a tiredness between his eyebrows.

Looking at her, a thought suddenly flashed through Bai Chuan's heart: The person in front of him was a woman who had just lost her favorite husband. Her heart tightened at once: no matter how she looked at it, she couldn't associate the resolute woman in front of her with the eerie word "widow".

Stirling. It's no longer in this world!

Thinking of the heroic young general, who was once an idol he admired, such a flesh-and-blood person, he left forever and never appeared again. Thinking of the heroes withering like fallen leaves, Shirakawa couldn't suppress a burst of sadness. In the rhythmic shaking of the carriage, she fell asleep. In her sleep, a young man was smiling at her. In a trance, the man was vaguely Zichuan Xiu, but his face became more and more blurred, and suddenly he became Stirling again, and suddenly became Dilin again...... His figure changed in the thick smoke, and finally suddenly solidified into a familiar and unfamiliar face of Shirakawa, and he smiled and spoke to Shirakawa, and those words seemed to be important...... Shirakawa thought desperately. But he couldn't remember who he was......

"Get up. It's all up! ”

Shirakawa was woken up from her state of confusion, and she opened her eyes. The stout body of a half-orc soldier blocked out the light coming in from the door of the car, and he shouted in a gruff voice, "Ladies! You have entered the patrol area of the Valen Fortress, which is the territory of the Far Eastern Army! Hand over your documents and explain your intentions! ”

When did the Valen fortress become the jurisdiction of the Far Eastern Army?

Bai Chuan came back to her senses, she straightened her clothes and jumped out of the carriage: "I am Bai Chuan, the red-clothed banner of the Far Eastern Army." Soldier, let your lead captain come to me. ”

The convoy arrived at the outskirts of the Valen Fortress, and in the distance, the blue walls of Valen City were already in sight. At this time, in addition to the Shirakawa Ground Guard, there were also patrols and patrol posts of the Far Eastern Army encountered along the way, and the number of people was as high as hundreds.

The Valen Fortress is built on the side of the mountain, and it overlooks the Gucci Gorge, the only passage through the Gucci Mountains. On the flat ground, the whole fortress seems to be built on the edge of the sky, the white clouds float on the side of the cyan city wall, and countless arrow towers and city towers are towering into the sky, especially the towering giant tower with the spire at the top of the fortress, so that people can't see the top when they look up.

Zi Chuan Ning and his entourage were the first to see the Wallen Fortress, the strongest defense line in the east of the family, and they were all shocked by the majestic giant city embedded in the majestic mountains. Especially when they learned that in the past thousand years, it was this Valen Fortress that effectively blocked the thousands of armies of the demons, and the land under their feet, I don't know how many fierce battles had taken place on it, every inch of brown soil was full of absorbing plasma, and behind every piece of sand and gravel was hidden an unyielding soul of war death.

The carriage traveled up this wide brown avenue, and the gates of the Valen fortress were halfway up the mountainside, and the carriage went very slowly upward. But now that the fortress was close at hand, there was no need to worry about safety, so everyone put aside their worries and walked slowly along the canyon in the Gucci Mountains, enjoying the scenery along the roadside.

Because the sentinels who went ahead had already informed the fortress that Bai Chuan was about to return, a simple welcome procession was already waiting outside the fortress gate, and Bai Chuan saw that Lin Bing, the deputy marshal of the Far East Army, and Du Yafeng, the deputy director of the Far East Intelligence Bureau, were in charge inside.

She jumped out of the carriage and walked briskly towards Lin Bing.

"Shirakawa, all the way. You've worked hard. Lin Bing's expression was always calm and calm, and she smiled and said, "I heard that you are in trouble on the road back?" Someone dares to obstruct our convoys in the Far East? Who is so bold? ”

Bai Chuan hurriedly saluted, and then whispered: "Lord Lin, the lower official has a confidential report!" ”

"Huh?"

Bai Chuan lowered his voice: "His Royal Highness Ning is in the carriage behind. ”

Lin Bingxiu's eyebrows furrowed suddenly, and her eyes widened. She immediately walked to the carriage behind, but Shirakawa stopped her: "My lord, it's a matter of confidentiality. Now there are many people, and I am afraid that there are rebels' eyes. Xia Guan has already explained to His Royal Highness Ning, and he will see it later. ”

Lin Bing glanced at Bai Chuan and hesitated. But soon, she obviously made up her mind, and said in a deep voice: "Since Bai Chuan's You has been attacked, the rebels must know that His Highness Ning is in the hands of our army, and there is no point in concealing it. ”

"But ......"

Lin Bing no longer explained to Bai Chuan. She walked straight over and opened the door of the carriage. Seeing the people in the car, she showed a surprised expression and slowly knelt down on one knee: "Weichen Lin Bing, see Your Highness!" The incident happened in a hurry. Weichen can't escort His Highness out of trouble, he is really incompetent. Weichen has been worried about His Highness, and God is fortunate to see that His Highness is safe and sound. The family will not be cut off from life. ”

In the shocked gaze of the audience, a girl with bright eyes and bright teeth jumped out of the carriage. Immediately, someone exclaimed: "His Royal Highness Ning, she is His Highness Zichuan Ning!" ”

"His Highness Zichuan Ning!"

The sound spread as quickly as ripples in the water, and at this time, even those present who had never seen Zichuan Ning understood this fact, and the head of the Zichuan family had been exiled to the Valen Fortress. At this moment, after the shock. The first feeling of the crowd was not surprise or disappointment, but confusion.

Although the officers in the Far East have long been "only aware of Zichuan Xiu, but not the Zichuan family", no matter how you say it, everyone is still nominally a subordinate of the Zichuan family, and many officers of the Xiuzi battalion were born in the family army in their early years, and they were under the prestige. Seeing that even Lin Bing, the deputy commander of the Far East Army, knelt down. Under the hesitation, many people also hesitated to kneel down.

A man fell on his knees at the gate. He shouted unevenly: "Wei Chen see His Royal Highness Ning!" ”

"Get up!"

Zi Chuanning walked over quickly, took Lin Bing's hand, and hugged her in his arms with both hands. After hugging for a long time, she was so excited that she didn't say anything, but tears fell down her cheeks. She embraced Lin Bing in her arms, she was not a peerless general, and her endowment and intelligence were not necessarily outstanding, and she had made many mistakes before, and was even repeatedly suspected by the former chief, but this person's loyalty to the family's righteousness and courage had never wavered. Since the beginning of the Imperial Capital Incident, Lin Bing has been running in many ways, trying to save his life. Although he was in a remote frontier, Lin Bing's loyalty to his family was greater than that of any high-ranking official.

"Your Excellency Lin Bing doesn't have to feel guilty, it happened too suddenly, and the traitor was ruthless, no one expected it. Now the country is in ruins, and the rebels are in the center, using the name of my family to deceive all parties and oppress the good. Rather incompetent, endure humiliation and exile to this ......"

Speaking of this, Lin Bing immediately picked up: "Your Highness, please rest assured, the Far Eastern soldiers are fiercely loyal to the family. Here, you can be sure of your safety! ”

"In this way, there is His Excellency Lau Lin Bing and all the adults." Zi Chuanning nodded to everyone, in exchange for everyone's chaotic response: "Your Highness is serious, please rest assured." ”

"Your Highness, please introduce it to you. Those here are all the elite figures of my Far Eastern Army, the sincere ministers of the Zichuan family. This is His Excellency Du Yafeng, Deputy Director of the Intelligence Department of the Far Eastern Army. ”

Lin Bing introduced diligently. Zi Chuanning smiled, but in his heart he was very grateful for Lin Bingdi's intentions, this deputy marshal of the Far Eastern Army was indeed a loyal servant of the family, and she was creating opportunities for herself. The Far Eastern Commander is now ambiguous, and no one knows what he will do. Now, the more generals of the Far East Army that Zichuan Ning can win, the more her safety will be guaranteed.

After introducing the Far Eastern officers present, Zi Chuanning turned his head and asked Lin Bing: "Your Excellency Lin Bing, may I ask where is the commander of Xiuchuan?" I would like to meet him. ”

Lin Bing was slightly stunned, now Zi Chuanxiu's attitude was unclear, she really didn't want to let Zi Chuanning meet him immediately.

She said vaguely: "Your Highness has worked hard all the way, Weichen suggests, you better rest and settle down first." Please come with me, we have prepared a rest room, meals and hot water, Wechen will take you over to rest first. ”

Under her leadership, a group of Far Eastern officers surrounded Zi Chuan Ning and his attachés into the city, and the result was that Bai Chuan, the protagonist who was originally greeted today, became a bystander. Looking at Lin Bing, the deputy marshal of the Far East Army, who had always been known for his calmness and elegance, was so excited that his face flushed, Bai Chuan was thoughtful, his eyebrows gradually frowned, and his eyes also showed a cold glow.

Du Yafeng came over to greet Bai Chuan, and his expression was a little embarrassed: "My lord." ”

"Huh?"

"Welcome back from afar. We originally prepared a room and meals for you, but now, Lord Lin has taken them to greet His Highness Ning. You'll have to wait a minute. Du Yafeng's expression was a little panicked, although he has now become the general directly under Zichuan Xiu, but his attitude towards his old boss Bai Chuan is still respectful, as if he is afraid that Bai Chuan will reproach him: "I'm really sorry, I'll arrange it right away, let them tidy up the room and meals." ”

He peeked at Bai Chuan's face with anxiety, but saw Bai Chuan's calm expression, his eyebrows frowning slightly, obviously preoccupied. She asked, "Your Excellency is in the fortress?" ”

"Exactly."

"So," Bai Chuan gritted his silver teeth slightly, and seemed determined: "Du Yafeng, I'm still the director of the Far East Intelligence Bureau, right?" ”

Du Yafeng was taken aback, thinking that the former boss was suspicious of him, and hurriedly said: "Of course, the lower official is just temporarily presiding." Your Excellency, you are the head of the Far Eastern Intelligence Service, there is no doubt about that! ”

"Then, you immediately carry out my order!"

"Please make it clear!"

"You immediately send someone to monitor Chief Lin Bing for me! You have to report her every move to me! ”

"Ahh Dua was taken aback. Lin Bing is an important assistant to Zichuan Xiu and the most qualified veteran of the Far Eastern Army. She is usually fair, cares about her soldiers, and has a very high prestige in the Far Eastern Army, and her rank is even higher than that of Shirakawa, Ming Yu and other important ministers, and she can be called the second person in the Far East below Zichuan Xiu.

"My lord, although the Intelligence Bureau is a secret service department with very high authority, but if we want to monitor Chief Lin Bing, we must have an order from Lord Xiuchuan, otherwise it will ......."

"Hidekawa-sama, I'll talk about it." Shirakawa interrupted him without saying anything: "I am the director of the intelligence bureau, what responsibility there is, I will take it!" What you want now is action! ”

Du Yafeng also wanted to defend a few words, wanting to say that this was not in accordance with the procedure. At this moment, Shirakawa glanced at him—a faint, unfathomable glance. Between the lightning and thunder, Du Yafeng came to his senses: even if he said one more word, he would be completely finished!

"Got it!" He lowered his head: "I'll do it right away!" ”

"Excellent! She must not be noticed. Send loyal and reliable people—you know what I mean? Reliable people! ”

Du Yafeng broke out in a cold sweat: "Understood! ”

Shirakawa nodded, and she said easily, "Where is Lord Xiuchuan?" I'm going to see him. ”