The lights in the imperial study were bright, the fine silver silk charcoal burning in the gilded beast-faced ears exuded a faint red light, and the dew of the ocean on the high table quietly exuded a faint fragrance.

Zhu Xian frowned tightly, and looked at the battle report on the bookcase that was sent urgently from Juchong Pass for eight hundred miles. Although he had looked at it three times from beginning to end, he was still shocked and very angry.

Zhao Quan walked over quietly and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, it's time to serve the longevity pill." ”

"Hmm." Zhu Xian agreed. He finally retracted his gaze, and casually took out a pill of the fragrant pill from the big red brocade box presented by the palace maid and put it in his mouth. Zhao Quan immediately presented a white jade lotus bowl filled with clear water, and Zhu Xian took it and drank it all. After taking the pill, Zhu Xian wiped his mouth, waved his hand impatiently, and said, "Stand down!" ”

"Yes!" Zhao Quan quietly retreated with the palace maid.

Zhu Xian nodded at the battle report on the table, and said angrily: "Didn't you say that the Khitans had already been beaten and shrunk in the north and didn't dare to take the lead?" Where did these 100,000 Khitan cavalry that appeared at Juchong Pass come from? Liu Shangshu, aren't you going to explain it to me well? ”

Liu Yunlong saw Zhu Xian's anger, and with a flash of light in his eyes, he immediately knelt on the ground and replied: "Since the first emperor drove his own expedition and defeated the Khitans twenty years ago, the leader of the Khitan tribe at that time, Yelu Yezhuo Khan, submitted a letter of surrender to the first emperor. In all these years, this Yelu Yezhuo Khan has also been at peace and has not had any dissenting intentions. It's just that Yelu Daji, the younger brother of his mother's compatriot, has always been dissatisfied with his surrender to the court, so he led a group of cronies to defect from Yelu Yezhuo. And another portal proclaimed himself the Khan of Heaven.

In the following decade or so. This pseudo-khan has not been idle, and has been trying to unite those weak nomads of the steppe, such as Rouran. The Hui and Qiang tribes wanted to drive away Yelu Yezhuo and seize hegemony. So during that time, the grassland was still not peaceful, because they fought each other every year, and the Khitan population also decreased sharply.

It wasn't until five years ago that the puppet khan Yelu Daji died of an arrow wound, and the men and horses he left behind were inherited by his son. The prairie was completely quiet. ”

Zhu Xian's slender fingers tapped lightly on the bookcase, and after a moment of silence, he asked out loud: "In your opinion." The 100,000 Khitan cavalry that appeared in Juchong Pass were Yelu Yezhuo's men and horses? Or the centaurs left behind by the pseudo-khan? Or maybe they've already become one long before we don't pay attention. At this, a cold chill burst out of his dark eyes.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Yunbao said calmly: "About the origin of these 100,000 Khitan cavalry. Wechen really has no clue for the time being. It's just that Weichen is before returning to Chang'an City. I also sent spies to inquire. It is said that Yelu Yezhuo is now nearly seventy years old, and he has lost his previous ambitions. He felt pity for the nephew left by his younger brother, and wanted to take him back under his banner with family affection, but he never succeeded. ”

Zhu Xian snorted coldly and sneered: "What is compassion, most of them are bullying other people's orphans and widows, and they want to take the opportunity to collect the soldiers and horses that others have worked hard to save without spending a single soldier, and it is true to strengthen their own strength." ”

Liu Yunbao arched his hand. complimented: "The emperor is wise, this statement is reasonable." ”

Zhu Xian waved his hand with a headache. Said helplessly: "What Yelu Yezhuo thinks at the moment is not important, the important thing is to find out where the elusive 100,000 Khitan cavalry came from." They broke through the Great Surge Pass like a gust of wind, and burned and plundered the city. The people and wealthy families in the city suffered heavy losses, and the 5,000 stone military rations they had hoarded were also looted. Even the prefect who was hiding in the yamen was pulled out by them and divided the bodies of the five horses. Because of the suddenness of the incident, only the chief soldier Yang Yuanyi escaped desperately under the escort of a cadre of personal soldiers. It was also he who hid in the Dasheng Pass, which was the closest to the Giant Surge Pass, and sent me this battle report. ”

Guo Chengsi, who had been listening quietly, couldn't help but ask, "How is the Juchong Pass now?" Could it be that it was allowed to fall into the hands of the Khitans? ”

Changxing Hou Ming Kegang, who had followed the first emperor to fight countless battlefields, stroked the white beard on his chin, and said: "General Wuxian is young and doesn't know the details of those Khitans. They live on horseback for a long time, and even when they travel long distances, they can eat on the horse when they are hungry, sleep on the horse when they are sleepy, and it is not a problem to not get off the horse for several days and nights. Therefore, when they attacked the city, it was like a wind blowing, often catching those defenders off guard. But if they were to get off their horses and guard the city, they would be like tigers with their teeth pulled out, wolves without a head, and they would collapse at the slightest touch, and they would not pose any threat at all. So even if they ransacked the Giant Surge Pass, they didn't dare to stay longer. ”

"Yes, Marquis Ming is worthy of being an old man who has followed the first emperor for many years, and he is well-informed." Zhu Xian praised: "The war report mentioned that the 100,000 Khitan soldiers were like ghosts, snatching and leaving, without stopping for a moment. Speaking of this, Zhu Xian became more and more resentful: "It doesn't matter if they rush and run, but they have left me with 100,000 hungry people who don't have a single piece of food, and now they are all waiting for the court to allocate food to help, it's really annoying!" ”

Liu Yunbao, Ming Kegang and a group of old ministers were silent. Only Guo Chenghe's newborn calf was not afraid of tigers, and he hugged his fist and said: "Yes, seeing that it is Chinese New Year's Eve soon, presumably the 100,000 people in Juchong Pass are waiting for the imperial court to allocate grain relief. ”

Liu Yunbao smiled bitterly and said, "General Wuxian is dedicated to the people, and the old man admires it." But there's a lot you don't know. In the past few years, there have been continuous droughts in the grasslands, and this year's winter was extremely cold, and a large number of cattle and sheep froze to death and starved to death, and they could not be self-sufficient in food at all. Presumably, this is also the reason why these Khitans will gather together and take risks to rob this one at the risk of angering the imperial court.

However, the military rations in Juchong Pass are only 5,000 stones, and the grain stored by the people will not exceed 50,000 stones. This grain was not enough for 100,000 Khitans to survive the harsh winter. The old man is worried that as soon as we have transported the relief grain, the 100,000 Khitan cavalry will appear again, and use Juchong Pass as a cornucopia to take and demand. ”

Guo Chenghe's neck stiffened, and he said proudly: "Could it be that they have 100,000 cavalry, and we can't do it without soldiers and horses?" Twenty years ago. The first emperor and the old generals were able to fight the Khitans, who were frightened and retreated. Twenty years later, we can still seize the old nest of those Khitans and drive them back to the depths of the grassland. ”

Mink's eyes widened when he heard this. He said sharply: "Yes, we can repel them once, and we can repel them twice, three times." The emperor, the old man is willing to regain control of the soldiers and horses and beat those Khitans back to their hometown. ”

Guo Chengsi hugged his fists and actively asked: "Not bad." The minister is also willing to obey orders under the old marquis. ”

Zhu Xian rubbed the corners of his forehead with a headache, waved his hand and said, "Okay, Rong Zhen will think about it again." Stand back! ”

"Yes." Everyone in the imperial study did not dare to continue to disturb, and bowed and retreated together.

When I got out of the courtyard of the imperial study, I saw Lady Yao wearing a cloak and carrying a lantern and was looking forward to it, and saw Guo Chengsi come out. Hurriedly smiled and saluted: "I have seen the prince of the world." Our queen is invited. ”

"Sister looking for me?" Guo Chengsi stopped, bowed his head slightly and said goodbye to everyone, then followed behind Female Officer Yao and took advantage of the night to go in the direction of Kunning Palace.

Not long after walking, I saw a group of palace maids and eunuchs slowly walking over with a luxurious soft sedan chair decorated with plum red and golden tassels embroidered with a hundred flower patterns. At this glance, I knew that it was a favored concubine in the palace who was preparing to serve the emperor. After all, Guo Chengsi is a foreign man, and it is inconvenient to meet with the palace concubine, so he has to stand sideways and avoid the side.

The sedan chair passed by him. A clear voice came out: "Wait, it's Guo Shizi standing under the corridor." ”

Lady Yao hurriedly bowed. said: "I have seen the beauty of the moon, it is Guo Shizi." Our queen is talking to him! ”

"Get off the sedan chair." The crisp voice of the moon beauty is particularly clear and beautiful in this snowy night.

As soon as the sedan chair landed, the palace maid immediately lifted the sedan curtain. The moon beauty was wrapped in a snow-white fox fur and walked out of the sedan chair with a smile. She gracefully walked up to Guo Chenghe, blessed slightly, and said with a smile: "Since the eldest princess met for the first time, I have always wanted to say thank you to Guo Shizi. I didn't expect that such an opportunity would not be available until today. ”

Guo Chengsi's eyes flashed, and he hurriedly returned the salute, and said: "Yue Meiren is polite, it's just a trivial matter, and the beauty doesn't need to take it to heart." ”

There seemed to be two clusters of flames burning in the moon beauty's black eyes like jewels, she hooked her lips slightly, and said, "It may be just a trivial matter for Guo Shizi, but for me, it is like charcoal in the snow." I don't thank you for my kindness, if I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay Guo Shizi. She glanced at the silent Yao female officer with the lantern, and then blessed Guo Chenghe, turned around and gently moved the lotus and stepped onto the soft sedan chair.

The palace maid who was waiting on the side put down the sedan curtain and said crisply: "Get up the sedan chair!" The strong eunuch immediately lifted the soft sedan chair again, trembling and headed in the direction of the imperial study.

Yue Meiren stopped abruptly this time, and walked abruptly, as if she was really thanking for thanks. Guo Chengsi was a little baffled, but after Yue Meiren left, it was Lady Yao who solved his confusion.

It turned out that since Yue Meiren entered the palace, she had secretly helped Queen Guo and Concubine Shu against each other several times. Although Empress Guo had her help, she was puzzled by her behavior. After all, she and Concubine Shu are close relatives, and it stands to reason that it should be her own family to help her family. Therefore, Empress Guo took good care of Yue Meiren on the surface, but secretly did not dispel her doubts, let alone rely on her as a confidant.

Female official Yao guessed that Yue Meiren's words expressed her gratitude to Guo Chenghe, and she also secretly expressed her loyalty to Queen Guo.

Guo Chengsi pursed his lips disdainfully and said, "Can't the women in the palace say anything directly?" If you guess like this, you won't be too tired to panic. ”

Lady Yao chuckled and said, "The prince naturally likes to be happy in the rivers and lakes, and smiles at enmity. But we can't, who makes there more women in this palace! I don't bend my intestines a few times a day, and I guess how to spend this long day for a sentence or two! Guo Chengsi was stunned, and there was an illusion that seemed to be very reasonable.

Fortunately, the queen's Kunning Palace is very close to the imperial study, and it didn't take long to arrive.

"Uncle Chenghei!" The prince, who had been waiting in the dormitory for a long time, immediately pounced happily like a little tiger when he saw Guo Chenghe. Guo Chengsi smiled and lifted him, threw his small body high, and then caught it steadily. The prince giggled loudly, this was his favorite game, but unfortunately no one dared to play with him like this except Guo Chengsi.

After throwing it back and forth like this a few times, Guo Chengsi put him down. The prince was still unsatisfied, and pulled Guo Chenghe's sleeve and twisted the candy-like coquettish saying: "Uncle Chenghei, Hou'er still wants it, Hou'er still wants it." ”

"Hou'er still wants? What else does Hou'er want, do you want this? Guo Chengsi made a gesture to go to his armpits, and the prince was afraid of itching, so he immediately smiled and hid behind Lady Yao. One big and one small suddenly laughed and rolled into a ball. Empress Guo had to smile helplessly and shake her head.

After they laughed for a while, Empress Guo was afraid that the prince would be too excited to play at night and would go sleepy, so she still asked Lady Yao to forcibly take him away.

After the prince left, the dormitory immediately fell silent, and only the copper dripping sound seemed to be in the huge dormitory. Guo Chengsi suddenly had a hint of an epiphany about what Lady Yao said about the women in the palace when she was half-joking before, and he couldn't help but look carefully at Empress Guo, who had been with Zhu Xian for more than ten years.

Her face was still pink and smooth, and a handful of black silk was straight and smooth. But under her delicate makeup, he still saw the traces of the years between the corners of her eyebrows and eyes. It seems that the fine silk that has been put for a long time has the same color, but it has lost the most moving dazzling luster.

Empress Guo touched her face in surprise and said, "Chenghei, what are you looking at?" ”

Guo Chengsi smiled slightly and said, "I'm looking at my sister, I have been a queen for so many years, and she is still peerless and radiant." ”

Empress Guo was stunned for a moment, and then chuckled: "Stinky boy, I ate honey today, why is my mouth so sweet." She stroked her face happily and said, "Mother sent a few boxes of Peach Blossom Beauty Pills last time, and I also felt very good when I ate them, both my complexion and my skin were much better than before." ”

When Guo Chengsi heard this, he couldn't help but show a touch of pride on his face, and he smiled with honor: "That's natural, this peach blossom beauty pill is now a popular beauty product in Chang'an City, I heard that even in a rich place like Jiangnan, it is also sought after by all women." ”

Empress Guo looked at him with a smile in surprise and said, "I don't know when you were so interested in women's beauty products?" ”

Guo Chengsi's smile immediately narrowed, he coughed lightly, and said, "I don't know if my sister called me at night, what's the matter?" ”

He turned the topic a little stiffly, and Empress Guo stared at him suspiciously for a few times before she said slowly: "I heard that Juchong Pass sent a battle report today, saying that the Khitans are starting to make trouble again?" ”

"Not bad." Guo Chengsi said calmly: "Today, the emperor temporarily summoned a few of us into the palace to discuss this matter. ”

Empress Guo frowned, she unconsciously turned the round mutton fat jade bracelet on her wrist, opened her lips and asked, "Then what are you going to do?" ”

Guo Chengsi smiled heroically and said: "Raising troops for a thousand days and using soldiers for a while, now that the border has restarted the war, I, as General Wu Xian, naturally have the duty to ask for my life." However, with my qualifications, I am afraid that I will not be able to be a general, but even if I am a pioneer officer, it is good. (To be continued.) )