Under the gray sky, next to a few plum trees in the courtyard, a middle-aged man in a green shirt and a fox coat was staring at the red plums on the branches. Snowflakes as big as nails almost covered his silver-white mink hat, and even some of them adhered to his thick and long lying silkworm eyebrows, but he seemed to be so indifferent that he looked at Mei for a long time.

"Daddy!" The middle-aged man was distracted, and a sound came from the corridor, and at the same time, a young man with sword eyebrows rushed to the courtyard in three steps and two steps, and opened the oil-paper umbrella in his hand to block the snow for the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man looked back and smiled slightly, "Qian'er, why are you here?" The energetic young man in front of him was his sister-in-law Lu Qian, and he was the owner of this courtyard, Lu Daqi.

There were a few snowflakes floating under the umbrella from the side, and the careful Lu Qian saw this, tilted the oil-paper umbrella to that side a little, and then replied: "I can't sleep, I see that the sky is dawning, so I want to come to my father to say goodbye." As he spoke, he sighed lightly, his eyes slightly shifted, "Shen Shui didn't keep it, all because the child was good at making claims." Every time I think about it, I can't sleep and eat......"

Lu Daqi smiled, patted Lu Qian's shoulder with his hand, and said warmly: "Didn't Dad say that it is not your responsibility for Shen Shui not to abide by it." You don't have to worry about it. Speaking of this, he paused, nodded and said, "However, since you have this self-pity, it means that my son has grown up and matured a lot, and my father is very pleased in his heart." ”

"But, Daddy......" The more Lu Daqi said this, the more unpleasant Lu Qian's heart became, in the past two days, as long as he closed his eyes, unfamiliar faces would appear in his mind, and they all seemed to be questioning why they had made up their minds to send troops to the west bank of the Fujiang River, so that they fell into Zhao Ying's plan to divert the tiger from the mountain, and finally caused the Shenshui defense line to disperse.

Lu Daqi shook his big sleeves, turned around and put his hands behind him, his wide clothes and the snow in the sky made him full of elegance and clarity, only to listen to him half-look up to the sky and chant softly: "Without a cold bone, how can you get the fragrance of plum blossoms." Then he bowed his head and continued, "Things in the world are not as good as they should be." You need to remember that at any time, what you have done is what you have done, and since you have done it, how can you do it again? ”

"Daddy......"

"Even now, Shen Shui can no longer be defended, and if you think about it for three days and three nights, Zhao Thief's men and horses may not necessarily retreat to the north bank of Shen Shui as you wish. Now that the wood is already in the boat, it is better to focus on the things in front of you. ”

Lu Qian nodded as if he had realized something.

Lu Daqi said again: "You have been familiar with Wang Maha's poems since you were a child, don't you hear the words 'go to the poor place of water, sit and watch the clouds rise'? Don't panic in case of trouble, don't panic in distress, and your heart is like stopping water, so you can face it calmly. ”

"The boy wrote it down."

"Well, you're a good boy, smart and hardworking. But there are some truths, if you don't experience it personally, even if you have a thousand words in the book and ten thousand words on my lips, it will be difficult for you to comprehend. Therefore, I am not worried about you when I am killed by this calamity. Lu Daqi's face was calm, and his voice was like Lin Laiquan's rhyme, which was quite tempting. Since he was a child, Lu Qian has admired his father, who is knowledgeable and well-versed in the past and the present, and all his words are regarded as golden rules.

However, even though he enlightened his father a lot, the young Lu Qian was still a little worried: "Now that Zhao thief soldiers are coming to the city, how should they deal with it?" "Yesterday's military report, Zhao Yingbing Feng has reached Beiba, although there has been Lu Daqi's prior arrangement to go to the empty building, but after all, it is where Zuji is, and the thought of the land there being stepped on by the rogue, Lu Qian is very heartbroken.

"Although the Zhao thief came, it was a long snow, and there was no food left, so they couldn't hold out for long." Lu Daqi said without thinking, "My previous arrangements are all preparations for today's situation. At that time, the whole clan was indignant, thinking that he was greedy for life and afraid of death, and there was a great tendency to attack and annihilate him. But he did not flinch, and under great pressure, he finally persuaded the whole clan to move into the county seat. Now when I look at those tribesmen, they are silent one by one, and they seem to have become dumb.

Lu Qian knew the bitterness behind his father's fluttering words. This is one of the reasons why he admires his father very much. At any time, on any occasion, the responsibility will be shouldered, the pain will be held in the heart, and all the pressure will be borne silently. There is no complaint, merit is not arrogant, this is the quality that a man who stands up to the sky and the earth should have.

"The Tang soldiers have come to report many times, saying that the total number of Liukou outside the city is less than 5,000. There are more than 3,000 troops in the city, plus 10,000 people, and it is not a problem to defend the city. Moreover, the wind and snow are intensifying at the moment, and it is impossible for the rogues to spend too long under the city. ”

Lu Qian listened, nodded yes, he also knew very well that even if he successfully crossed Shenshui, with Zhao Ying's troops, the possibility of capturing Suining was very slim - this confidence was not only Lu Daqi, he also had it. Speaking of a thousand ways and ten thousand, the only thing he is worried about now is Kuang Wan.

"It's just, it's just Wan'er, Wan'er she ......" In his heart, Lu Qian couldn't help but mention this stubble. After all, the other party is inextricably linked with himself, and his heart is still full of longing.

When Lu Daqi heard this, his face sank, and he did not respond immediately. Lu Qian waited anxiously for a while, only to hear him sigh leisurely: "You think about her, why don't you want to do it?" You were young and couldn't remember some things clearly. Dad clearly remembers that Wan'er loves snow the most, and every winter when it snows, the first one to rush out of the house is her. And she especially likes to shuttle and jump between this plum forest in the snow. The reason why I stopped here was because I saw these plum blossoms by chance, and I was touched by the scene. ”

Lu Qian's eyes were hot, and he said sadly: "Are we just ignoring her like this?" When he came back this time, he went to see Kuang Zhao, but Kuang Zhao refused to meet him on the grounds that he was unwell. He knew in his heart that this was part of the reason why he didn't guard Shen Shui, but Lu Daqi had not given a clear attitude on Kuang Wan's matter so far, which must have been one of the important reasons why Kuang Zhao was angry with him.

"When people are emotional, they are prone to do wrong things." Lu Daqi said slowly, his eyes were deep, "Wan'er, I grew up watching, and I also deeply understand your Uncle Kuang's calf licking." It's just that you also understand that we have sent so many people to investigate, and so far we have not found any clues about Wan'er. Even if Wan'er is in the hands of Zhao Thief as your Uncle Kuang insisted, we still don't know where she is, and we rush to fight, but without a clear goal, it will be fruitless. ”

"However......" Lu Qian bit his lip and said astringently, not wanting to give up so easily, he just wanted to argue, but he finally had nothing to say.

"Qian'er, you remember, everything is decided and then moved, the so-called plan, you must have insight into the situation of the enemy and us. Let me tell you one thing first, in addition to dividing troops to attack my Suining, Zhao Thief still has a large army heading southeast. Looking at its movements, the purpose should be in the area of Dingyuan County. ”

Lu Qian didn't know what he meant: "What does Dad mean?" ”

Lu Daqi stroked his long beard and said: "It stands to reason, I am not far away, should I send troops to intercept it?" ”

"I'm afraid, I'm afraid it's not appropriate." Lu Qian shook his head and replied, "Since his ambition is not mine, why should we provoke myself?" ”

Lu Daqi shook his long sleeves: "However, the target of his strategy is my Daming County, we are the people of Daming, and we are close neighbors, we should be loyal and dedicated, how can we be a wall-to-wall watcher?" ”

Lu Qian's face turned red and argued: "But if I wait for it to come out lightly, Suining will be taken advantage of by the enemy!" ”

"Good!" Lu Daqi's face suddenly changed from serious to a light smile at this time, Lu Qian was puzzled, but he listened to him, "Just now between you and me, you have been able to perceive the situation of the enemy and me, and understand that although in terms of morality, our army should not sit back and watch the rogue drive to Dingyuan, but considering the situation, our army really should not act rashly!" ”

"I ......" Lu Qian's heart was shocked and he realized, "Father means ......"

Lu Daqi said abruptly: "Replace Dingyuan with Wan'er, and the same is true." Your uncle Kuang is eager to save his daughter, and I am considerate. It's just that everything is big and small, and Wan'er's situation is still unclear, how can I put the safety of the people in the whole city at risk because of her? Don't send troops, it's not that my father is ruthless, it's forced by the situation! ”

As soon as he finished speaking, a cold wind blew in the air, piercing the bones and penetrating the marrow, which immediately caused both father and son to shiver. Lu Daqi even sneezed out. Lu Qian hurriedly changed the position of the oil-paper umbrella and blocked the cold wind of hunting for his father again.

Lu Daqi coughed twice, showed a peaceful smile, and said, "Qian'er, you are a good boy for your father, but your father can't treat you as a child forever." There are some things that Dad doesn't know who to talk to, so he can only tell you. I'm afraid there are a lot of them that you don't like to hear, and you can blame me? ”

These words, in the past ten years, Lu Qianke had never heard his father say them, and he couldn't help but be shocked. He was accustomed to obeying a strict father who constantly gave him expectations and demands, and he did whatever he said, but he never imagined that one day, his father would test his reaction with a consultative tone and an uneasy gaze.

At this moment, he was both encouraged and saddened. Encouraged by his father's eyes, he is finally no longer an ignorant and milky hairy boy, and has been recognized as being able to gradually pick up some heavy burdens and take on responsibilities that only adults are qualified to bear; The sadness lies in the fact that at this moment, through his father's deep eyes and slightly hoarse voice, he found that his father seemed to be really old.

This morning, the wind and snow are getting more and more intense.

Yang Zhaofeng wrapped his head tightly with linen, revealing only two eyes to observe the road ahead. It is said that it is the road ahead, but in front of the vast snow, it is almost difficult to describe the road ahead. Therefore, the best way not to get out of touch with the troops is to keep an eye on the backs of those who have gone before you, and step on their footprints, one step at a time.

Because of the heavy snow, the previous march from Suining to Pengxi was hindered, after discussion, Xu Hui divided the front camp of the first army into three, and himself, as well as Guo Ruke, the general manager, and Song Houzhen, the staff officer, led a thousand people along three different roads, and agreed to meet at the Baofan Temple in the south of Pengxi County. Now, Yang Zhaofeng's team is Song Houzhen's team.

It is reported that after a short walk, you will be able to reach Baofan Temple for the night before sunset at the latest. This sky is covered with snow, even with thick clothes and thick armor, Yang Zhaofeng can still continue to feel the invasion of the cold. And he felt that his feet were already frozen as ice, and if he didn't find a fire to bake and bake, he was afraid that he would lose consciousness forever.

From the front of the line came a high-pitched horn, one after the other, quite rhythmically, for a long time. Yang Zhaofeng knew that this was Song Houzhen cheering up the soldiers, which meant that if he held on for a while, he would be able to rest.

He listened to the sound of the trumpet, squinted his eyes, endured the cold wind that swept like a knife, and silently followed the movement of the large army. Along the way, he kept reminding him that as long as he passed this battle, he would be able to meet Kuang Wan again. This little thought was like a small flower blooming in the ice and snow, bringing him the only warmth in the wind and frost sword.

The cowhide boots were trampled one after another in the thick snow, and the boots from the arsenal of the county looked good, but the bottom seemed to be a little cracked, otherwise Yang Zhaofeng would not have felt the cold in the boots that kept spreading from the bottom to the whole body.

Maybe it's time to find a chance to grab a new pair of boots, oh, by the way, I have to find a pair of women's boots for Kuang Wan, the weather is so cold, she is still wearing cloth shoes, but she is afraid that it will be cold enough.

Yang Zhaofeng was bored with cranky thoughts to pass the long and boring marching time, not wanting to step out in one step, and it seemed that someone was stepping on the snow in a hurry. He was alert for a moment, then stopped, and tapped someone on the shoulder.

"Huh?" He didn't speak, frowned and turned his head to look, only to see a person with an anxious face, panting, and white gas constantly spurting out of his nostrils and mouth, and his face was quite familiar.

"Why are you ......" The next moment, Yang Zhaofeng ignored the cold, took off the linen cloth used to cover his mouth, and asked in surprise.

He talked to the man for a short moment, and suddenly his soul flew out of the sky, as if he had gone mad, first pushing the man away, and then using his hands and feet together, he stepped on the snow and rushed straight to a horse not far behind.

"Staff Officer Yang!" The soldiers on the left and right were surprised when they saw him, but Yang Zhaofeng ignored their sight, staggered to grab the horse, pulled the reins and left. The snow in this area was thick, and Song Hou Zhenjun ordered that he should not ride a horse, and Yang Zhaofeng grabbed the horse, obviously preparing for the journey after leaving here.

Seeing his abnormal expression and behavior, all the soldiers were shocked, but Yang Zhaofeng, as a staff officer, was on the same level as Song Hou Zhen, the supreme leader of this army, so they could only let Yang Zhaofeng take the horse, but they did not dare to make any action to stop him. The organic spirit took advantage of the gap to report to Song Hou Zhen, who was at the head of the queue.

When Song Houzhen learned the news that Yang Zhaofeng had left without saying goodbye and taking the horse, he was also surprised, but when he came in person, Yang Zhaofeng, who was born in the horse army, had already taken the horse and didn't know where to go. And the footprints left by a man and a horse are also gradually disappearing in the overwhelming snow.