In the second year of Longshuo (662 AD), on the twenty-second day of the sixth month of summer, six o'clock in the afternoon.

Baekje rushed the military situation and arrived in the capital yesterday, and Li Jiu convened his ministers to discuss the situation in Haidong again. In the battle report, Liu Renyuan bluntly said that the Tang army was lucky, and the Baekje army had internal strife. The big leader Onimuro Fuxin, the second leader of the fire and the two leaders Daochen Monk, the morale of the rebels and the fighting spirit, suffered a heavy blow.

There are different intentions inside, like a plate of scattered sand, and the overall strength has decreased sharply. The Tang Silla coalition captured the fighters in time and made concerted efforts to counterattack. Liu Renyuan, the governor of Xiongjin, led his army to break through Zhiluo City, Yin City and Dashan City, and captured many people.

Fuxin stuck to Zhenhyeon City, led the Fangzhou assassin Liu Renliang, led the main force of the Silla army, and took advantage of the night to break through the city and open up the Silla grain road. The pressure on the remaining army dropped sharply, and Yoo Inren was willing to continue to ask for help, and he had received news that the Japanese army would enter Baekje.

The court responded quickly and requisitioned Zizhou Qingzhou and Laizhou Haizhou guards, totaling more than 7,000 people, to support the defenders. Wu Kang breathed a long sigh of relief, and the big stone on his chest finally rolled down. The Tang army stationed in Baekje was anxious to return home, and in addition to the lack of baggage, they basically lost their fighting spirit.

The situation is extremely passive, and it is no exaggeration to say that there is only the ability to parry, and there is no power to fight back. Just before yesterday, Wu Kang was worried, fearing that the Tang army stationed in the Tang Dynasty would be completely annihilated by the Baekje people. Li Jiu and the center of the imperial court had tried to abandon Baekje and allow the Tang army to withdraw to the country.

Fortunately, Baekje's infighting gave him a chance to breathe. It was determined to send reinforcements and select the leading commander, and Wu Kang took the initiative to ask for help. Things are going well, the main opponent, Xu Yushi, has been imprisoned, and the rest of the prime ministers have expressed their support. The military did not object, and with the recommendation of the Su Dingfang, they finally got what they wanted.

Li Jiu promulgated the edict, the left Fengchen general, the Zhuguo Jinhua County Gongwu Kang, the right Wuwei general, the general of the Xiongjin Road march. Sun Renshi, the general of the right Wuwei, the deputy head of the march of Xiong Jundao; Yuan Gongyu, a native of Xitaishe, a doctor of Sixian, and the chief of the march of Xiongjin Road.

He led 7,000 Xiongjin soldiers to set out from Chengshan in Laizhou, crossed the Yellow Sea by boat, and reached the mouth of the Xiongjin River. The Bearjin River, also known as the Baekgang River, is the Geumgang River in South Korea. The route of this march, exactly like the last one, also landed at the mouth of the White River.

Wu Kang was very excited, and for the first time he took charge alone, although he did not have many troops, he was confident that he would win. The guards are all from Shandong, who live by the sea all year round and can adapt to sea-crossing operations. At this moment in Baekje, 30,000 Tang troops were left behind, plus Silla reinforcements, and the strength was close to 60,000.

All the rebels in Baekje, plus the Japanese reinforcements, are estimated to be in the 150,000. The rebels are fighting among themselves, and their combat effectiveness will be weakened, and the main blow to the opponent is 70,000 Japanese soldiers. As long as they are defeated, the rest are not to be feared, and they can be completely crushed, and the dream of the Baekje people to restore the country can be completely crushed.

The assembly document was issued, and the day after tomorrow at the Taimiao, a departure ceremony will be held. Yesterday, I went to the military department, accepted the general Huang Yue, and received the official document for the transfer of troops. Receive war horse equipment, arm the Wu camp guards, and settle the family at the same time, because after the ceremony, they will go to Zizhou.

I entered the palace early today, came to the North Xuanwu Gate, looked for the long history of Zuo Yulin Duan, and handed over the work of the Yulin Army. After leaving the office, the eight captains of the forbidden army sent their blessings to the expedition: their subordinates congratulated the general, added brilliant military exploits, put down the Baekje rebellion, and annihilated the Japanese bandit army.

Wu Kang smiled dumbly, this is my dream, I will do my best, and I will also borrow your auspicious words. Say goodbye to the captains, leave the Xuanwu Gate, pass through the inner gate, and enter the harem of the imperial city. Feng Chenwei, who patrols, all know him, and he is unimpeded.

The harem is heavily guarded, and there are open posts and secret posts everywhere, and if it is an intruder, it will not survive for three minutes. The emperor's back garden is too luxuriously decorated, and the landscape gardens are dense, like a fairyland on earth. The only bad thing is that the yin is prosperous and the yang is declining, except for the sentry guards, there are only eunuchs and palace maids.

The eunuch Li Deguan led the way, along the wide road, to the south of the Ganlu Temple. The queen is waiting to give birth there, and this expedition to Baekje will take at least half a year. Li Dan's full moon wine, you definitely can't drink it, let's go say goodbye first.

By the way, I entrusted the queen to help take care of the family, especially beware of Wu Shun. That time he opened his heart, and the result was satisfactory to him, and Wu Shun kept his promise to stay at home all day and no longer contact Li Jiu. It's just a matter of joining the family, but Yang refused, she didn't want to move over, and she didn't let her move over.

I feel that this old woman is very partial to Wushun, digging into the corner of Mei Niang's wall, she doesn't care. Wu Kang said that he understands that all parents in the world will favor those children who are not satisfied. Wu Shun lost her husband at an early age, with two children, and her life was very difficult, so she naturally favored her.

As soon as I walked into the manna gate, I was confronted by several palace people, running wildly with the corners of their skirts, all panicking. Wu Kang couldn't help frowning, the German officer stopped Baliang, and asked in a male duck voice: "What's the matter with a panic, don't serve in the palace, what are you doing running out?" ”

Baliang was impatient, instructed the palace people to leave, grabbed Wu Kang's wrist, and dragged him inside: "The queen saw red when she was young, and her amniotic water broke just now, and she was about to give birth." Now the abdominal pain is unbearable, and she is crying, and the general is going to go with the slave. ”

Contractions are red and watery, which is a sign of childbirth, but the time is not right. Wu Kang carefully estimated that the expected date of delivery was July, so it wouldn't be premature. I didn't have time to think about it, so I immediately instructed the German officer: "Go and ask Wen Po quickly, send someone to my house, and get analgesics." ”

The German officer turned around and ran, and Wu Kang strode forward, throwing eight taels behind him. When I came to the door of the main hall, I heard Mei Niang crying out in pain, mixed with thick crying. The palace people panicked, like headless flies, crashing in all directions, and shouting everywhere.

The sword frowned even tighter, followed the source of the sound, and soon entered the inner hall. The bedside was full of palace people, some prepared hot water, some lit a stove, Siqian cried and comforted: "Queen, bear with me, Wen Po will be here soon, and the slave has already sent someone to inform the saint." ”

Li Jiu is not there, there is no meeting today, his daughter-in-law is waiting to give birth, and he is not guarding his side, this one who kills a thousand knives. Finding that the palace people were messy, Wu Kang ordered in a deep voice: "Don't pestle beside the bed, prepare brown sugar and hot water, and then urge Wen Po to inform the saint quickly." ”

The tone was undoubted, the palace people were soon quiet, and Mei Niang cried even more. When Wu Kang heard the call, he immediately came to the bedside and ordered Siqian again: "Undress the queen and hold two more quilts." Still stunned what to do, don't delay any longer. ”

It was another chicken, flying and dog jumping, Mei Niang's face was pale, and she suffered great pain. His left hand was clenched into a fist, his right hand was holding his stomach, and his forehead was covered with cold sweat. Turning his head with difficulty, tears suddenly welled up: "Where is the saint, Kang Lang go and find it, my stomach hurts so much..."

Wu Kang took the towel, wiped the sweat on his face, took away the hand on his abdomen, and comforted him softly: "Sister, don't worry, it's contractions, it's not an ordinary stomach pain, it's gone after giving birth." There is no political affairs today, the saint is in the palace, and they have gone and will be back soon. ”

The towel was handed to the left hand, the right hand opened the calculation bag, took out the personal seal, and stuffed it into the hand of the four coins: "Quickly go to Zuo Fengchenwei, find Zuo Qianniu to prepare himself, Li Yang or Du Huaigong." Ordered to mobilize the whole guard, find the saint as soon as possible, and notify as soon as possible. ”

Siqian took the seal, and his lips kept squirming, as if he wanted to say something. Wu Kang quickly understood that the palace people were stripping their robes, and they had to avoid suspicion. put down the towel and got up, but her wrist was pulled, Mei Niang no longer shouted pain, and begged with a crying voice: "Kang Lang, don't go, I'm so scared..."

Wu Kang sat down again and comforted her in a low voice: "I won't leave, don't be afraid, I'll stay here." You are about to give birth, take off your clothes first, and wait for Wen Po to deliver the baby. Don't worry, sister, I promise you, everything will be fine. ”

Take her hand away and put it in the brocade quilt to encourage a smile. Get up and leave the bed, stand with your back on your back, and command the palace people to be busy. In less than half an hour, Mei Niang shouted pain again, and Wu Kang frowned again. The contractions are very short and are delivered immediately.

Search your mind hard to get useful information: After the water breaks, in order to prevent the fetus from being affected, try to lie flat no matter what the occasion. Thinking of this, he instructed the palace people: "Unbuckle the robe, don't take it out of the back, don't move the queen's body, let her lie flat." ”

I don't know when, the palace people brought Wen Po, and immediately dominated the palace people, and invited idle miscellaneous people. Wu Kang came to the door, and Baliang hurriedly reported: "Zhu Mingmen said that about three o'clock in the morning, the saint left Zhu Mingmen and never came back. ”

Outside Zhu Ming's door is the Taiji Palace, and on both sides are the east and west platforms, did he go to the political affairs hall, I haven't heard of political affairs. The shouting in the room was louder, mixed with vague shouting, and Wu Kang shouted through the door: "Sister, don't be anxious, I'm just outside the door, and I won't leave." Keep your mind calm and don't get nervous. ”

It's a pity that there is no use for eggs, and it is said that it hurts very much for a woman to give birth to a child. There was silence outside the door, and the door was heartbreaking, and Wen Po kept appeasing. Wu Kang stood at the door, staring at the crack in the door in a daze. Suddenly, there was a hunch that Li Jiu was very likely to be in the palace.

The government hall is far away from here, and it takes ten minutes to run at most, and the palace people have already gone to report the news. His brows condensed into pimples, and after another quarter of an hour, the eunuch Qin You reported: "The saint is not in the political affairs hall, the east and west platforms and the Sheren Courtyard, as well as the Hongwen Pavilion History Museum, there is no trace of the saint. ”

The sense of foreboding was even stronger, and when Siqian came back, Wu Kang was completely sad. The left and right Fengchen guards, all of whom do not know their whereabouts, and the right Fengchen chief Shi Cui Shenqing reports the worrying news: At five o'clock today, the saint took the power and the good talent, left the Chengtian Gate, and may have left the palace.

Wu Kang struggled for a long time, found pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and quickly wrote a note. Together with his personal seal, he handed it to Siqian and instructed: "Bother the lady again, go to the right prison guard, see General Li Mengwei, and ask about the whereabouts of the saint." You told him like this, if you help, Wu Kang owes him a favor. ”

Siqian promised to leave, and the wailing in the door was louder, and Wen Po shouted harder. Having entered production, Wu Kang folded his hands, closed his eyes and prayed sincerely. The women gave birth to a child and entered the ghost gate with one foot, and now the medical treatment is not good, and I hope she can survive.

Constantly praying, Li Deguan hurriedly entered the door, and the analgesic in his hand was no longer useful. Sighing helplessly, he continued to pray, and the German officer reported in a low voice: "General Zhao Tonu told me that at seven o'clock today, a small carriage drove out of the back door of Rongguo Mansion. ”

Wu Kang turned around abruptly, his gaze locked instantly, with a strong murderous aura. The German officer's scalp was numb, and he hung his head and reported: "General Zhao also said that on the way to follow the guards, they were stopped by Jin Wuwei. Without saying a word, they took the man to the guard house, where they were detained for nearly half an hour. ”

At this point, it has been clearly understood that the person in the carriage must be Wu Shun. Li Jiu quietly left the palace, Wu Shun quietly went out, and they were cheating again. The oath she made didn't seem to be at ease, wasn't she afraid of retribution?

The smile is getting more and more eerie, damn Li Jiu, it's not a thing. Your wife gave birth to a child, but you had a tryst with your lover, it's like a wolf's heart. At this time, Siqian came back, knelt in Wu Kang's ear, and reported in a low voice: "General Li didn't see the slave, and he said that he didn't know where the saint went." ”

Wu Kang sneered even more, closed his eyes again, and recalled the outing that day and the conversation with Wu Shun. It's that I'm too naïve, and my handling of this matter is too idealistic. Wu Shun has no opinions, and her mind is not strong, if Li Jiu is entangled, she can't refuse.

Mei Niang is based in the palace, and her status today depends on the position of the queen. She would never allow others to get involved in the back position, even if this other person was her sister. She will not allow Wu Shun to enter the palace as a concubine.

This is a farce, and if it is not handled well, the consequences will be unimaginable. Wu Kang gritted his teeth hatefully, his sister was about to give birth, and his brother-in-law would go to meet his lover, and whoever he put on him would be like thunder. If he weren't the emperor, I'd call the door. beat him half to death first, then took away the property and forced them to divorce.

Suddenly the baby cries, interrupting his thoughts, and the birth is complete. Everyone breathed a long sigh of relief, all of them looked excited, some clenched their fists, and some shed tears. Baliang was so excited that he wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and ordered the palace people present to wait outside the door.

The door of the house soon opened, and Wen Po said hello again and again, and the queen's mother and son were safe. Wu Kang opened the calculation bag, took out all the gold leaves, stuffed them into Wen Po's hand, and walked into the inner room. The prince was still crying, his voice was very loud, and the two palace people, one holding the swaddling clothes, the other laughing and coaxing.

Four dollars and eight miles into the door, add a quilt and pour hot water, clean up the indoor hygiene. Mei Niang was in a state of low spirits, her face was very pale, her lips were biting out tooth marks, and the two tear stains were clear. When he saw Wu Kang, he cheered up and said weakly: "Kang Lang is right, what a prince, hug your nephew." ”

Wu Kang nodded and smiled, sat quietly on the edge of the bed, and carefully took the swaddling clothes. Looking at the ugly doll, he said: "As soon as I hugged it, I knew that it was at least six pounds, and the body was absolutely tough." He has dense hair, a nose that resembles you, and a forehead that resembles a saint. ”

Mei Niang smiled miserably, turned her head sideways to look out of the door, and stared at the door in a daze. The mood was very abnormal, Wu Kang could feel it, she was suppressing her sadness. couldn't help but sigh lightly, and whispered to the palace people: "You all go out, I'll take care of it here, there will be no problem." ”

The palace man hesitated for a moment, took the lead, and Yuguan withdrew from the inner room. Looking at the closed door, Mei Niang's eyes were red, and tears were dripping: "Didn't you find the saint, Kang Lang, tell me, he is not in the palace, where did he go?" ”

Wu Kang shook his swaddling clothes lightly and tried to calm his tone as much as possible: "The saint is in the political affairs hall, convening all the prime ministers to discuss military affairs. My sister may not know that the imperial court is preparing to send troops to support the Baekje defenders. I am the head of the march, and the day after tomorrow I will go to Zizhou to worship at the Taimiao. ”

Mei Niang shook her head slowly, stared at Wu Kang with her back face, and burst into tears for a while: "I know the saint very well, I know that I am going to give birth, and I will definitely come over." You once promised that you would not deceive me at any time, can you still be trusted? ”

The two looked at each other, Wu Kang pulled out a wry smile, and said honestly: "If the expectation is not bad, the saint may be out of the palace today." As for where it went, there is no real evidence, and I can't say nonsense. Li Deguan has been sent to inform Zuo Jin Wuwei that it will not be too long before the saint will return to the palace. ”

Mei Niang's tears were like rain, her expression was extremely complicated, full of despair and helplessness: "We all know where he went." Every time the saint gives a reward, I choose a part and give it to my mother. Just half a month ago, I mentioned to the sage that Minzhi should change his surname to Wu, be the heir of Grandpa, and take the title of Duke of Zhou. ”

Wu Kang smiled even more bitterly, gently put down the swaddling clothes, took out the silk brocade handkerchief, and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. The tears flowed faster and faster, and the words were like tears: "The saint has promised that after his coronation, he will be appointed as the doctor of Zhongsan." Kang Lang said in good conscience, I don't treat her well, right? ”

This is really not thin, from the first product of the country, can be hereditary, I am a county prince. The doctor is a loose official, and the official rank is on the fifth grade, and there is no specific position, but he has substantive treatment. Under normal circumstances, as long as you don't make a big mistake, you can be sure that you will have no worries for generations.

Mei Niang continued to confide: "Knowing that they were having an affair, I cared about the feelings of my compatriots and couldn't bear to punish her. As long as I cut off contact, I will not blame the past, and I will treat it as if it never happened. But she turned a deaf ear, broke off the connection with the saint, and completely betrayed me. ”

Covering his mouth and whimpering, his body twitched violently, Wu Kang hurriedly comforted: "Sister, don't get excited, if you fall ill in confinement, you will carry it for life." She is a white-eyed wolf, and she can't let herself suffer physically because of her. When I get back, I'll try to persuade her..."

Mei Niang shook her head slowly, her eyes aggressive: "She has broken her word and gained weight, I don't believe her anymore." My sister betrayed me, who else can I trust in this world but you? You look me in the eye and swear with your conscience that you will never betray. ”

Wu Kang did as he said, without hesitation, and said warmly after swearing: "Don't think nonsense, in fact, our sisters and brothers have long been connected by fate, if you are well, I will be safe." I will be on your side, never have two hearts, and you can trust me whenever and wherever you are. ”

Mei Niang stopped her tears, looked at him for a long time, and pulled out a trace of relief: "Li Chunfeng is right, you are my lucky star, you will always keep me healthy, and you will never betray." I don't want to see her, never will, can you do it? ”

This is a bit difficult, Li Jiu has already found out, I am monitoring Wushun, and I must have taken precautions. Today, Zhao Sheng followed and was arrested by Jin Wuwei, which was his warning. If Wu Shun goes missing, he will definitely suspect me.

Frowning and pondering for a long time, Wu Kang nodded heavily, leaned over and lowered his voice: "Sister, don't worry, I will send her away before I leave." And I think that if you can't go to Bingzhou, it's better to send it to Wuzhou, and Zhang Cambodia will help. ”

Mei Niang smiled lightly, and was about to explain something, when the door was pushed open. Li Jiu was in a hurry, and as soon as he entered the door, he explained: "I'm in the Sirong Arsenal, checking the armaments for the expedition, and I just got the news. Mei Niang gave birth to a prince, the temple has appeared, where is the emperor, let me hug it. ”

The baby boy cried, Li Jiule blossomed, picked up the swaddling clothes and teased. When the crying stopped, Li Jiu and Yan Yuese: "Protect the queen on my behalf, the Wuqing family has worked hard, go back and rest." The day after tomorrow, the temple worships the ancestors, you have to wear a military uniform, and you must be victorious. ”

Wu Kang bowed down and agreed, and immediately his mind turned around, and he said earnestly: "The minister is in command for the first time, and when the Taimiao worships the ancestors, he wants to be fully armed. I have an iron mask, and when I used to fight on the battlefield, I used to buckle my face to prevent stray arrows. I also ask Your Majesty to agree, wear gold armor and masks, and show confidence in victory. ”

Li Jiu didn't think about it, and nodded directly in agreement...