After several months of tug-of-war, Qi Younian set up an ambush in the Eagle Sorrowful Stream thirty miles outside Zhenshan Pass, worshiped the Northern Barbarian United Army, and pursued the victory, went straight into the hinterland of the grassland, and captured the Northern Barbarian King Dadar.

The Northern Barbarians were defeated and completely surrendered, willing to be a vassal state of Great Qin forever.

When the news reached the capital, the court was almost boiling. Even in the previous period when Great Qin's military force was at its peak, it was just peaceful with the Northern Barbarians, but now when it was in internal and external difficulties, it was able to surrender the Northern Barbarians.

Qi Younian suddenly became a character praised in people's mouths, and the title of the god of war was well deserved.

At the same time that Qi Younian sent back the good news, he also asked the Empress Dowager Han and Emperor Longqing for instructions, saying that he wanted to continue to lead troops to go deeper, completely pacify the Northern Barbarians and the tribes in the Western Regions, and let these barbarians completely surrender to Great Qin and further expand the territory of Great Qin.

Although the Northern Barbarians and the Western Regions are sparsely populated, they are vast and geographically complex, and it is obvious that such a undertaking cannot be accomplished overnight.

No one thinks that Qi Younian is just talking about this to please Empress Dowager Han and Emperor Longqing, everyone believes that Qi Younian is serious, he is really ready to spend the rest of his life on the battlefield, and he doesn't plan to return to the capital.

But no one can deny that Qi Younian's plan is grand and attractive.

However, neither Empress Dowager Han nor Emperor Longqing had any hesitation on this issue. After receiving Qi Younian's recital, Empress Dowager Han immediately sent someone to Zhenshan Pass to pass the decree, asking Qi Younian to withdraw his troops immediately.

The task assigned by Empress Dowager Han to Qi Younian was very simple, didn't he capture the Northern Barbarian King. Empress Dowager Han told Qi Younian. There is no need to escort the Northern Barbarian King into Beijing, Qi Younian is the plenipotentiary representative of the Great Qin Emperor, and let the Northern Barbarian King write a letter of worship. It's okay to swear to use the world as a minister.

Empress Dowager Han also ordered Qi Younian to enter Beijing immediately after completing this matter. As for all follow-up matters, as well as the town guard after Zhenshan Pass, it will be in charge of the mighty Houye.

At the same time as the Empress Dowager Han went to Zhenshan Pass to deliver the decree, she summoned the mighty Marquis.

The mighty Marquis has been asking for orders and wants to return to Zhenshan Pass to guard the town. Now the Empress Dowager Han is as he wishes. Let him switch guards with Qi Younian.

The mighty Marquis went to guard the town of Shanguan to deal with the follow-up matters with the Beiman, while Qi Younian was transferred back to the capital. Accept the reward and take charge of the five battalions outside the capital in place of the mighty Marquis.

Empress Dowager Han gave Qi Younian an urgent will, and after summoning the mighty marquis, she immediately sent the mighty marquis out of the capital.

She seemed to be eager to meet Qi Younian.

On this day, Qin Zhen came down from the Great Dynasty Meeting. Return to the Xuan Chun Hall. I told Ji Xiaotang about it.

“…… Wei Wu Hou left in a hurry, it is said that he brought a burden with him, and many things had to be sent by the Hou Mansion later, and if he wanted to take Xuan'er and Ying'er to practice for him, he couldn't ......" Qin Zhen's brows furrowed slightly as he spoke.

"Strange." Ji Xiaotang opened his mouth and said.

"What's weird?" Qin Zhen immediately asked.

"I mean, the Queen Mother's decision is very strange."

"Xiaotang, tell me in detail." Qin Zhen's statement to Ji Xiaotang. Apparently very interested.

"The Queen Mother did not allow Ayou's army to go deep and completely conquer the Western Regions and the Northern Barbarian tribes. I can understand that. Ji Xiaotang told eloquently.

Even if Qi Younian stated in the recital that he would lead his troops deeply, the grain and grass would be raised by himself, and he would not let the court spend a lot of money, but Qi Younian's northern expedition would still involve all aspects, and he didn't know when he would be able to come back.

Great Qin already has a vast territory, and it is rich in products, since it has never looked at the wild land in the north, even if the northern barbarians surrender automatically, the court will dislike that place is too poor, and the residents are barbaric and uncivilized, it is not easy to send people to manage it, and the court will not gain any benefits from it.

To put it bluntly, the whole court is not interested in that place, as long as the barbarians do not invade the Central Plains, they can do whatever they like on that territory, and Daqin is too lazy to care.

As for Empress Dowager Han to recruit Qi Younian to return to the capital and reward him, Ji Xiaotang can also understand.

She felt strange that Empress Dowager Han was so anxious to recruit Qi You's annual meeting.

"I don't believe she's so anxious to see Ayou because she misses Ayou." Empress Dowager Han was in a hurry to recruit Qi Younian into Beijing, and she must have other plans.

"I think I think the external troubles have been eliminated, and I want to eliminate the internal worries." Qin Zhen smiled.

Ji Xiaotang raised his eyes and looked at Qin Zhen, and sure enough, Qin Zhen had already thought of it.

"Yes, Your Majesty's body, I'm afraid it won't last long. She couldn't help but hurry. ”

The couple looked at each other and smiled, tacitly understanding.

"Ayou is coming back, after a few years, I really want to see him soon." Finally, Qin Zhen said with a smile.

Qin Zhen wanted to see Qi Younian, but Qi Younian didn't necessarily want to see him, even if they did, I was afraid that Qi Younian wouldn't have a good face for Qin Zhen. Qi Younian dared to beat Qin Zhen back then, and now he has made immortal achievements, and is regarded as the god of war by the court and the people of Daqin, and is also the most relied on by the Empress Dowager Han.

……

On the third day of the ninth month, Qi Younian led 100 personal soldiers and 1,000 elite soldiers to return to the capital.

The government and the opposition shook.

However, Qi Younian did not bring him into the city, but sent a thousand elite soldiers and all his relatives to the fifth battalion thirty miles away from the city, and only brought four or five personal soldiers into the city.

The courtiers were immediately relieved.

Empress Dowager Han met with Qi Younian in the Jinluan Palace, and even Emperor Longqing dragged the sick body to the Jinluan Palace and personally rewarded Qi Younian with a few words.

Qi Younian was crowned as the Duke of Zhenguo.

After the dispersal of the dynasty, the Empress Dowager Han also summoned Qi Younian into the Cining Palace to speak for a long time, and then the Empress Dowager Han issued a will, not only let Qi Younian command the five battalions of soldiers and horses outside the capital, but also the imperial city army patrolling the city under the command of Qi Younian.

However, Empress Dowager Han's will said that this is only temporary, and she hopes that Qi Younian can train the Imperial City Army well, if the Imperial City Army has the combat effectiveness of the elite soldiers of Zhenshan Pass. Then this capital will be more stable and safe.

As for Qi Younian bringing elite soldiers back to Beijing, whether it was Empress Dowager Han or Emperor Longqing, they didn't mention a word.

Only then did the courtiers suddenly realize.

Qi Younian led the elite soldiers back to Beijing. It's not arrogance, let alone any disobedience, but it should be the will of the emperor.

These elite soldiers were used to expand the five battalions of soldiers and horses and strengthen the combat strength of the Imperial City Army.

Even the most sluggish courtiers slowly had some thoughts in their minds.

The war in the north has just stopped, and I am afraid that the wind will rise again in the capital~ waves.

The dark tide was surging up and down the court, but it was extremely peaceful on the surface.

Ji Xiaotang never saw Qi Younian and asked about Qin Zhenlai. Qin Zhen had only seen Qi Younian a few times in the court, and he ...... in private

“…… He didn't deliberately avoid me, he just refused to talk to me. Qin Zhen smiled bitterly.

Speaking of whether there has been any change in Qi Younian. Qin Zhen's smile became a little complicated.

"I can't say it. Xiaotang, when you see him with your own eyes, you will know. ”

Obviously, Qi Younian has changed a lot.

Qi Younian refused to deal with Qin Zhen. It was not what the idlers expected and expected. Come to King An's Mansion to see Ji Xiaotang. However, it also made many people breathe a sigh of relief.

Qi Younian has been fighting abroad for a few years, but he is still alone, and he doesn't even have a concubine by his side. It was only a few days after he returned to Beijing, and the people who came to say goodbye almost broke through the threshold of the Mighty Marquis Mansion.

Qi Younian is the Duke of Zhenguo, and the Empress Dowager Han gave him another mansion, but it still needs to be cleaned up, and the wife of the Marquis of Weiwu, Qin, also hopes that this long-lost son can stay by his side for a long time. It is best to set a family affair for Qi Younian during the period.

After all, the huge Guogong Mansion. If there is no hostess, it is also very unseemly.

Ji Xiaotang has never seen Qi Younian, but she can always know the news about Qi Younian as soon as possible.

On October 16, Emperor Longqing sent a decree to see Xuan'er, originally Qin Zhen should have taken Xuan'er into the palace, but at this time, Qin Zhen was sent by the Empress Dowager Han on an errand and couldn't get out, so Ji Xiaotang had to lead Xuan'er to the palace.

As soon as Ji Xiaotang entered the palace with Xuan'er, he was first led into Cining Palace. Seeing the radiant Empress Dowager Han in the main hall, Ji Xiaotang was not the slightest surprised.

Now that Emperor Longqing is seriously ill, many of the decrees issued in his name are actually the meaning of the Empress Dowager Han.

“…… I've been too busy these days, and I've long wanted to summon your mother and son into the palace to talk, but I haven't made time for it. Empress Dowager Han asked Ji Xiaotang to sit down with a smile on her face, but said angrily, "You are the same child, are you still separated from me?" If I don't call you into the palace, you won't come. You're also ruthless, shouldn't you bring Xuan'er to see me. ”

“…… has the filial piety of his grandmother, and he is afraid that he will be disrespectful to his mother and His Majesty when he enters the palace. I also know that the queen mother is busy, and I have nothing to do, how can I bother, can I let the queen mother delay national affairs in order to accompany me and Xuan'er. ”

"You, a clever mouth, are not hated, nor is love." Empress Dowager Han smiled, and stopped mentioning that Ji Xiaotang did not enter the palace to see her.

"Xuan'er seems to have grown taller again?" Empress Dowager Han looked Xuan'er up and down, and the joy in her eyes was true.

"The queen mother sees it." Ji Xiaotang smiled, "Xuan'er can grow up fast now." ”

"Children don't grow up fast, almost every day." Empress Dowager Han asked Xuan'er to step forward, "Let me take a good look." ”

Xuan'er was now able to walk very steadily, so Ji Xiaotang put him on the ground, while holding his hand, and brought him to the close of the Empress Dowager Han.

Empress Dowager Han leaned forward and looked at Xuan'er's face for a long time, and the expression on her face was a little complicated.

"The longer Xuan'er grows, the more she looks like the first emperor!"

After saying this, Empress Dowager Han did not ask to get closer to Xuan'er, but told Ji Xiaotang that she could take Xuan'er to see Emperor Longqing.

"Your Majesty is a little better today, thinking about seeing you and Xuan'er. Go ahead. ”

Empress Dowager Han sent Yang Pianpian and escorted Ji Xiaotang and Xuan'er to Qianqing Palace.

"Pianpian, this is not the way to the Qianqing Palace......" Seeing that he was about to enter the imperial garden, Ji Xiaotang stopped and asked Yang Pianpian.

Yang Pianpian always kept a straight face, without any obvious change in expression.

"Princess Qi'an, this is the way to Qianqing Palace. Go to the Qianqing Palace today, you can only go to the Imperial Garden, last night the wind blew, a big tree fell, that road can not go today. Yang Pianpian explained to Ji Xiaotang in the same flat tone as her face.

"Oh, last night's wind, it didn't seem to be too strong." Ji Xiaotang looked at Yang Pianpian.

"Princess An is in the palace, and what she knows is naturally the wind in the palace, where do you know the wind in the palace. I will never deceive the princess, even if the princess is willing to spare me, the queen mother and His Majesty will not spare me. What else is the princess worried about......"

Ji Xiaotang looked at Yang Pianpian and smiled.

"Pian Pian is right."

Yang Pianpian led Ji Xiaotang into the Imperial Garden, turned left and right, bypassed a rockery, and a pavilion appeared in front of him.

There are people in the gazebo.

The man stood in the gazebo with his hands in his hands, as if he had heard movement, and was turning his head.

The distance was a little far, and the sun was shining on the man's face, Ji Xiaotang couldn't see the man's face clearly, but his heart moved. At this time, the man had already strode out of the pavilion and walked over to Ji Xiaotang.

I didn't see how fast his pace was, but in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Ji Xiaotang.

"Xiaotang ......" is a familiar, but somewhat unfamiliar voice.

"Ayo!" Ji Xiaotang naturally recognized the man in front of him a long time ago.

Ji Xiaotang looked left and right, Yang Pianpian was gone, and he didn't know where he had been hiding for this meeting.

"Xiaotang ......" Qi Younian looked at Ji Xiaotang and shouted again.

"Ayou, no wonder the prince and uncle said that you have changed a lot."

Ji Xiaotang was originally tall, but he has been taller in the past two years. And Qi Younian is of medium stature, not much taller than Ji Xiaotang, but now, Ji Xiaotang is standing in front of Qi Younian, but he has to raise his face slightly to look at Qi Younian's eyes.

Qi Younian has not only grown much taller, but his shoulders and chest also seem to be thicker, and his face has also changed slightly, becoming more angular.

However, the biggest change is Qi Younian's style.

Qi Younian is no longer the gentle teenager he was back then, but an adult man who can hardly hide his decisive spirit, although this is the case, Qi Younian's bearing is still restrained.

Qi Younian heard that Ji Xiaotang had changed a lot, so he curled the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a very clear and faint smile.

"Does Xiaotang think so too, I've really changed, Xiaotang can't recognize it?"

"Of course not." Ji Xiaotang replied without hesitation. Even if Qi Younian was in the pavilion, the two were far apart, Ji Xiaotang couldn't see Qi Younian's face clearly, and Qi Younian's figure had also changed dramatically, but Ji Xiaotang still recognized him at first sight.

"That's good." Qi Younian's smile widened a little, and he stretched out his hand to Ji Xiaotang, "Here, Xiaotang, let's go to the pavilion to talk." ”

Ji Xiaotang nodded and glanced back. (To be continued.) )