The war between the Rui Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty in Beizhili has begun.

The north, which had been quiet for less than a few months, was once again turbulent.

At first, a large number of displaced people began to pour from the north to the south, and this time the Rui Dynasty was unable to stop the population loss, and they were also happy to let the people evacuate Beizhili to avoid being captured by the Qing army......

On this day, Huang Dingmao's family finally walked to Texas.

Huang Dingmao is forty-one years old, a native of Hejian Province, and makes a living by striking iron. He has a mother-in-law named Niu Juan, who gave birth to two sons and two daughters, because of natural disasters and man-made disasters over the years, there are only two children left in the present, a boy and a girl, the daughter is named Huang Xiaohua, and the son is named Huang Xiaomu.

There are still four people left in the family now because Huang Dingmao's iron-striking skills are good and he is also clever.

Originally, he hoped that Da Rui Caotou Tianzi would take the world, and his life would be better in the future. But this time the Qing army entered the customs again, and Huang Dingmao thought about it and always felt uneasy.

The grass-headed emperor has only been in charge of the capital for a long time, and the foundation is unstable, and this battle is not easy to fight. Even ordinary people can understand this truth.

In addition, after the Qing army entered Gubeikou, it quickly sent a cavalry to bypass the capital and plunder grain and grass in all directions. After Gu'an was robbed, the people of Bazhou City fled to Hejian Province.

Huang Dingmao saw that the situation was not good, so he dragged his family and ran away.

Following the homeless people all the way, the rations had already been eaten, everyone was as hungry as beggars, and every day the homeless people were left behind or died, and Huang Dingmao gradually felt numb to these.

Fortunately, I finally dragged my children to Texas.

This is the boundary between the Rui Dynasty and the Chu Dynasty, and I don't know if the Chu Dynasty is willing to accept these exiles of its own, let alone how it will be treated next.

There were Chu soldiers on both sides of the road, standing neatly to maintain law and order. Looking up, there was a garrison in the distance, and the momentum was majestic. Everywhere there are watchtowers and beacon towers, and countless people are building walls and moats......

The world is vast, and Huang Dingmao suddenly felt that this scene was very spectacular.

After being stopped by the Chu soldiers, the speed of the wanderer's march slowed down a little, but they continued to move forward.

"All in line!" Some generals shouted to lead the troops over, and when they encountered someone who cut in line, they went up and reprimanded them twice.

There was no prohibition on people talking, but the homeless people were all quiet.

Walking slowly forward for a while, Huang Dingmao lined up in front, only to see a large row of long tables resting on the side of the road, and officials sitting behind each table.

"You, go over there." Some officers and soldiers pointed out.

Huang Dingmao walked over, and his mother-in-law Niu Juan pulled Huang Xiaohua and Huang Xiaomu to follow nervously.

The official carried a pen, asked a few questions like names and places of origin with a blank face, wrote them down on a piece of paper, and asked, "What did you do in the first place?" ”

Huang Dingmao was a little apprehensive and responded: "The little one is a blacksmith." ”

The official nodded, his eyes lit up slightly, and he nodded, "There is craftsmanship, right?" ”

As he spoke, he picked up another stamp and stamped it on the paper with a "snap".

"Literate?"

Huang Dingmao shook his head, their family of four was illiterate.

The official asked, "Is there a fellow villager who can vouch for your identity?" ”

"Yes, yes." Huang Dingmao nodded, looked around, and said, "Those are all small fellow villagers......

Then there are a series of questions to check whether they are meticulous and spying.

Finally, after the question, a young man came over again, showed a sign to the registered official, and said, "Lin Xiangyang of the Military Aircraft Department, come here to ask about the situation." ”

"Your Excellency, please."

Lin Xiangyang looked at Huang Dingmao and asked, "From Hejian Mansion?" Did you see Jiannu this time? ”

Huang Dingmao was scared and didn't dare to look at the other party, but just shook his head and said, "No...... No. ”

"A few days ago, what did you think of being under the rule of the Rui Dynasty?"

"And once upon a time...... It's about the same, it's one less tax ......"

Before Huang Dingmao spoke, he began to regret it in his heart, feeling that he should have scolded Rui Chao in front of Chu Guan.

Lin Xiangyang didn't delve into this, and casually asked a few more words about the situation in the river and walked away.

The official in charge of registration handed four pieces of paper to Huang Dingmao and said, "This is your household registration certificate, take it well, don't lose it." If you encounter an interrogation, you can't take it out, and you will be caught and killed as a fine work. ”

Huang Dingmao's family was so frightened that their faces turned pale, and they hurriedly put away the so-called household registration certificate.

Then another officer and soldier led them on, and after gathering a hundred people, they were sent to a shed, bathed, changed clothes, and ate a bowl of porridge for each of them.

"Most of these batches are craftsmen and sent to Laizhou ......"

The official shouted so loudly, drove them into the donkey cart, and set off slowly under the watchful eye of the people.

Huang Dingmao sat ten people in this car, and there were two people in the car, both dressed in black, with a piece of cloth hanging on their arms, and four characters printed on the cloth, he didn't recognize these four words, but seeing that these two people were not like officials and looked vicious, Huang Dingmao couldn't help but be afraid, and signaled Niu Juan to protect Huang Xiaohua.

After leaving, the driver turned around and said, "You don't have to be afraid, although we are not officials, we are the imperial merchants of the Chu Dynasty." ”

He pointed to the words on his arm and said, "See, 'transportation construction', professional in charge of paving bridges, repairing roads and transporting things here in Shandong...... But you have to be honest, we used to be thugs of the Texas Gang, and whoever dares to make a mistake on this road, the two of us beat you ten. ”

"Be honest, you must be honest." Huang Dingmao hurriedly said.

"You are all craftsmen, doing carpentry and iron, so if you are sent to Laizhou, the family can still have a donkey cart to sit on. Some of the other people are soldiers and some are laborers, but they are not as comfortable as you, in short, they will work hard after they arrive in Laizhou. ”

Huang Dingmao said curiously: "What are you going to do?" ”

"How do I know? Anyway, you can do whatever you want. ”

"Yes, yes." Huang Dingmao hurriedly responded.

It is common for him to help the homeless, but this is the first time he has seen such a help, and he is uneasy.

When I turned my head to look, I saw that roads were being built everywhere on the road, and the people were waving hoes and looking hot.

The Texas gang said, "See, we also did this road repair." Our Texas gang has become the current climate from the Jianghu gang, which is not worse than the six major yamen...... By the way, how do you say that? What is the country? National business? ”

With that, he turned to the other person and asked.

"Enterprise."

Huang Dingmao didn't understand these things very well, and just looked at the flat and wide road ahead with a blank face......

After walking for a while, I suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves behind me.

"Get out of the way!"

The Texans shouted, and drove the donkey cart to the side of the road.

Huang Dingmao's family turned their heads to look and saw more than 100 cavalry officers and soldiers riding horses.

Huang Xiaomu's eyes lit up, and he only looked stunned, and there was a thought in his mind: "It's so majestic." ”

It's not that he hasn't seen officers and soldiers, but what he has seen in the past are some ruffian officials, or all kinds of rebels in various clothes.

At this time, the group of people passing by were all brightly armored and full of spirit, straddle the high-headed horses, and the murderous aura was overwhelming.

The people who built the road took refuge on both sides of the road, and their mouths were bursting with cheers.

The horse's hooves swept past Huang Dingmao's donkey cart like a torrential rain.

Huang Xiaomu glared, opened his mouth, and muttered, "What a majesty!" Why aren't other officers and soldiers so imposing? ”

The Texas Gang responded: "Of course, the one in the past was the pro-military battalion in the Guanning Iron Cavalry, the elite among the elites. ”

Huang Xiaomu exclaimed sincerely, then raised his hand and muttered, "I saw someone in the middle of the team just now, how did I ......?"

"Shut up!" Huang Dingmao was startled, patted Huang Xiaomu's hand and scolded: "Do you want to ask the east and the west?!" ”

He himself could clearly see that there was a dead general in the cavalry who was tied behind him. The son doesn't know whether he is alive or dead, and if he dares to muttered behind his back, this kind of thing may kill the whole family.

The Texas gang who was driving the car grinned and said, "Little brother is trying to ask Qin Dashuai, right?" Afraid of what? Yes, Qin Shuai just broke his hands and feet, but he was never afraid of people talking about it. Hey, what's there to be ashamed of being wounded on the battlefield. ”

Huang Dingmao was scared in his heart, waved his hand again and again, and said, "No, no, we didn't see anything just now." ”

"Don't be afraid. Qin Shuai is such a hero, can he still care about being talked about by you? Hey, the little family is angry......"

Huang Xiaomu looked up into the distance, and at the end of the heaven and earth, he could only see the dust raised by the cavalry.

For some reason, he was deeply impressed by what he had seen today.

The crowd is in full swing, the majestic cavalry, and the handsome man who is only half a body......

He didn't know how to describe the feeling.

The whole country is sinking, the twilight is deep, and the young man in exile can be attracted by the uplifting spirit at first sight.

~~

Jinan City.

The Mansion of the Kingdom of Yu.

Early in the morning, Wang Xiao yawned and sat down in front of the table with a mountain of official documents.

Even if Tang Qianqian and Chunning took care of a lot of paperwork for him, he still had a lot of things to deal with every day.

"I'm really tired of this kind of unpredictable life."

Wang Xiao tilted his head, thought for a while, and said to himself, "No wonder. ”

Tang Qianqian asked, "What's the wonder?" ”

"No wonder there were harem dictatorships, dictatorships of relatives, and dictatorships of eunuchs before...... You see, the system of celebrants and cabinets is very reasonable, and I know that the ancients are really smart when I am in it. ”

Tang Qianqian didn't bother to pay attention to him, casually spread an official document in front of him, and said, "This is an urgent document just sent, I can't handle this matter." ”

Wang Xiao looked down for a while and said with a smile: "I thought it was a big deal." ”

"Isn't that a big deal?"

"It is to be expected that North Korea will join forces with Jiannu against the defenders of our Phi Island."

"It's expected, but it's tricky, what are you going to do?"

Wang smiled: "I won't deal with it, I will repair a letter to Qin Shanhe, let him watch it, ask for money, soldiers, food, and artillery, just open your mouth." ”

Tang Qianqian frowned slightly.

Wang Xiao patted her hand and said, "You are used to doing things, you must bow down to everything, and you must always ask in person about everything, and you don't feel at ease when you hand it over to others." It's so tiring that there's no need to ......."

Tang Qianqian suddenly realized something, and asked rhetorically: "Then why don't you worry about Qin Shanhai taking command of the north?" ”

Wang Xiao raised his hand and pointed at her, a little speechless.

"Please answer." Tang Qianqian smiled again.

Wang Xiao suddenly leaned over and pecked her mouth.

"Nasty...... Don't make a fuss, get things done sooner......"

After a while, Wang Xiao threw away the official document in his hand and said impatiently: "Don't deal with it, you will live like an old man all day long." Come on, take these stacks of documents to the Qi Palace. ”

Tang Qianqian didn't stop him, but it was quite interesting to watch.

Wang Xiao's move seems childish, but with his current authority, as long as he has not neglected government for many years, it doesn't hurt to let go for a day or two occasionally.

After explaining that the officials sent all the documents to the Qi Palace, Wang Xiao took Tang Qianqian's hand and said, "I will take you to Daming Lake for a boat today." ”

"Really?"

Before the word "really" came out of his mouth, a sudden sound came from outside the door.

"Serve the country! Lord He sent someone to deliver the message......"

"Come in."

One person entered the lobby, it was He Fengshou, and he saluted with a dusty face: "I have seen Guogong, my family's ninth master's fleet will return to Laizhou in two days, and he sent a small fast boat to come first, this time things went smoothly, the goods sold were rich, and the artillery required by Guogong was also ready...... Specifically, he will come and report to Guogong as soon as he gets off the ship. ”

Wang Xiao groaned slightly, and said slowly: "You work hard, rush back to Laizhou first, and tell He Wan that you don't have to come." I'll go there myself......"

Tang Qianqian looked at it, and saw that Wang Xiao's face was solemn at this time, which was completely different from the tired appearance just now.

Wang Xiao talked with He Fengshou for a few more words, before He Fengshou stepped back, and someone stepped forward to report it.

After hearing this, Wang smiled slightly, looked at Tang Qianqian, and said, "I can't accompany you to go boating on Daming Lake this time." ”

Tang Qianqian smiled slightly, both expected and slightly regretful, and said, "It seems that my father-in-law's will has arrived." ”

"Not bad."

"That ......"

Tang Qianqian suddenly arched her hand and said, "Jiang Sui is fortunate to have the grace of the Duke of the Kingdom. Now I had no choice but to ask for resignation from the Guogong and beg Zhu for approval. ”

Wang Xiao looked at her for a while, and nodded helplessly.

He actually knew that Tang Zhongyuan's will to Tang Qianqian would arrive today, and he had the intention to take her out for a walk, but as a result, something was delayed, and he couldn't avoid it.

Tang Qianqian took off her official hat and put it aside, stepped forward to take Wang Xiao's hand, and said with a smile: "Okay, don't keep your face stuffy." I'll go to the inn first, and I'll see you again in the afternoon. By the way, you are ready to give me, the Seventh Highness of Da Rui, the number of courtesies......"

~~

After Tang Qianqian left, Wang Xiao stood alone in the lobby and looked at the sand table.

Not long after, there was another sound outside the hall, and the voice was urgent.

"Grandpa Guo, Qin Shuai asks to see you."

Wang Xiao was a little surprised, turned his head to look, and saw a tall and strong soldier striding into the hall, his armor was dusty, and his face was covered with sweat.

Wang Xiao didn't recognize this person.

Then, the strong man turned around and saw that it was Qin Shanhai on his back.

Wang Xiao hurriedly pulled out a stool to help Qin Shanhai sit down, and sighed: "Why is Qin Shuai here?" ”

Qin Shanhai had been on the road for a day and a night, his face was tired, and he looked more and more old.

He only had one hand, and he couldn't do any etiquette, so he just pulled Wang Xiao and said, "The last general left his post without permission, please forgive the country......

"Qin Shuai just say, why do you want to come over in person."

"Jiannu and the rebels are fighting in the north, the news came a few days ago, what are the plans of the prince?" Qin Shanhai said slowly, "I heard that the envoy of the anti-thief has been in Jinan for a few days. I discussed with the Military Aircraft Department, and we all thought that we should join forces to resist the capture at this time, but I don't know what the public will of the country do? ”

With two questions in a row, he didn't really want Wang Xiao's answer, he just wanted to determine the strategy.

Wang Xiao nodded and said, "Yes, I mean the same thing." ”

"The last general thought that the lord would summon us to discuss, but after waiting for a few days, I didn't see the summons, so I came uninvited."

Wang Xiao frowned slightly, paced two steps, and said slowly: "I haven't thought about it yet." ”

"The military situation is like fire, and it is ...... to make a decision quickly" Qin Shanhai said this, suddenly stopped, and said: "Actually, Guogong has already made arrangements, right?" Phi Dao and Laizhou should have received orders to prepare at this time, and the grain and grass were also being shipped. The only thing that Guogong has not decided is that there is only the matter of 'who will lead the troops'? ”

Wang Xiao was silent for a moment, nodded and said, "Not bad." ”

Qin Shanhai sighed and said, "My body is bone, which makes Guogong feel uneasy." ”

"Qin Shuaixiu wants to say so." Wang smiled, "It's not that I can't trust Qin Shuai. ”

"That being the case, the old man asked for his life to take command and asked the prince to agree."

……

After a while, Wang Xiao shook his head and said, "This battle is not easy to fight. ”

"The old man vouched for his life and vowed to stop Jiannu from outside Shandong."

"Qin Shuai came overnight, can we rest for two days before talking?"

"The old man just doesn't understand, what is Guogong worried about?"

Wang Xiao was silent for a while, and said slowly: "I can't say it, but I have a bad premonition." ”

He looked at Qin Shanhai's old face and said, "If I go in person, I think I can come back alive." ”

Qin Shanhai smiled, the wrinkles next to his eyes were deep.

"Grandpa Guo is worried that the old man will die on the battlefield?"

"Qin Shuai should know, this time Jiannu entered the fortress, and it was a decision to capture the Central Plains ......"

Halfway through the joke, Wang looked at the determined look in Qin Shanhai's eyes, and couldn't say any more words in his mouth, so he changed his words and said, "Qin Shuai came overnight, isn't he afraid that I will be in charge in person, and he will never come back?" ”

"Not bad." Qin Shanhai said, "The old man can die, but the prince can't die." ”

"What if I say I'm lucky? You see, I came back alive that time. ”

"The old man doesn't believe in luck." Qin Shanhai looked resolute.

Wang Xiao thought to himself: "I don't believe in luck either, but I have an old friend over there, and there is still a chance of life in case of defeat......

~~

At this time, Sister-in-law Zhang was sweeping the floor in Wang Jue's yard.

She didn't know that her master was Wang Xiao's old friend, and she didn't know that Wang Xiaozheng described her master as a 'glimmer of life'.

The sound of a carriage sounded outside the courtyard gate, and Sister-in-law Zhang knew that it was Wang Jue's wife Bi Yi who had returned, so she hurriedly put down the broom and opened the door.

Bi Miao went back to Wang's house today, saying that she was going to praise Wang Jue in front of her sister-in-law in the lobby, so as to save her time from going back to the Wang family's master to find trouble with Wang Jue.

Sister-in-law Zhang wanted to follow and inquire about the situation of the Wang family by the way, but unfortunately, Bi Miao didn't take her, and she didn't say why.

In fact, Bi Miao thought that Sister-in-law Zhang's appearance was rustic and embarrassed to bring it back to the Wang family......

opened the door, and sure enough, it was Bi Miao back. A maid poked her head out of the carriage and said, "Sister-in-law Zhang, come and help carry it, Madame has brought a lot of things from the master's house." ”

Sister-in-law Zhang has also been a servant for a while, and needless to say, she has already consciously moved things. However, as soon as the curtain was lifted, she was stunned for a moment.

I saw a little girl holding a little girl in her hand.

"This is Sister-in-law Zhang, don't be afraid." Bi Miao said a word to the little girl, and then turned to Sister-in-law Zhang and said: "Today I went out and scared the horse, thanks to this little girl's uncle saved me, she is called a dumb girl, her life is not good, I met a bad-hearted aunt who refused to let her uncle raise her, and she followed us in the future......"

Sister-in-law Zhang was stunned, her eyes were a little straight.

The little girl in the carriage looked like she was in her teens, her face was dirty, her head was bowed, and she looked timid...... But Sister-in-law Zhang was stunned at first sight.

This is clearly Tana.

- Dead dwarf, what are you doing here on your own?