In the winter of Chang'an Weiyang Palace, although the snow is close to dusk, the palace does not look dark. Dozens of glass lamps burned quietly, and the light evenly illuminated every corner. Dongfang Shuo, who tried to stabilize his emotions and began to report to the emperor, did not know whether it was due to hallucinations or reasons in his own heart, this important minister of the imperial court, who was known for his wisdom, found that the emperor's expression seemed to be very abnormal.

The news that Shang Shutai received earlier was very general. Including the losses caused by the Great Plague to the Han army, the attack on the Han army's camp by the remnants of Persia, and the subsequent actions of the Han army, the current situation of the entire Western Continent...... And so on.

Chang'an and Persia are separated by thousands of miles, coupled with the turning point in the middle, what they see now may have happened a long time ago. But when I told it at this time, it seemed that there were some magnificent pictures happening right in front of me. It's exciting, empathetic.

The whole palace seemed quiet. Except for some of the emperor's attendants, no other courtiers were present. The snow outside was already very deep, and there was some solemn atmosphere, which seemed particularly oppressive.

"Your Majesty, these are the latest battle reports. I didn't expect that the soldiers would suddenly suffer such serious losses when the overall situation was decided...... However, Your Majesty does not need to worry...... In the end, we won completely. ”

Dongfang Shuo tried to be as tactful as possible. This is not that he wants to decompose Yuan Zhao, who is the commander of the Western Expeditionary Army, nor is it that he wants to hide anything. All wars are full of uncertainties, and no general can achieve perfect victory. Unless he is God.

The emperor sat in the back of the lamp, and the soft light enveloped his body, looking a little blurry. And his face became more and more obscure.

There was silence in the palace. The emperor did not speak, and no one would make a noise easily. The close attendants watched nervously and secretly, His Majesty the Emperor's mood was abnormal, and they were the first to notice it. I don't know what the reason is, but since two hours ago, everyone has become more careful.

Under the cornices of the palace, someone sighed silently. The figure in white reflected the snow, and the sword was hidden. A young man named Park Yongyeol looked up at the gray sky, and the scene of flying out of Chang'an City in red makeup inexplicably appeared in his mind.

"I don't know if she has found Master...... And now? ”

Snowflakes fell one by one on the vermilion jade railing in front of you. I don't know how long it took for Park Yongyeol, who was wandering thousands of miles, to finally hear His Majesty the Emperor start to speak. He gathered his attention and listened sideways. The Emperor's tone was a little low, as if he was trying to suppress something.

"Shang Shuling doesn't need to say more. Although I am not accustomed to military affairs, I also know the cruelty of war. Originally...... Alas! Now that I think about it, I regret agreeing to my plan to go west. So many good men are buried in a foreign land, and I ...... in my heart. ”

"Your Majesty, don't say that. The sacrifice of all is worthwhile. They are all warriors who have made significant contributions to the long-term stability of the Han Dynasty and the glorious future of the Chinese nation. Whether it is now or in the future, the name of every sacrificed soldier will shine in history and will always be remembered...... This glory will outweigh all feats. ”

Dongfang Shuo knelt on the opposite side, he bowed his head and arched his hands, and every word he said was a fair evaluation. Hearing the emperor just let out a low "um", he continued.

"Since the Persian army entered the Western Regions and invaded the territory of the Han Dynasty, the two countries have fought dozens of battles, and although our dynasty has achieved an absolute victory, the Han army has also paid a heavier price than previous wars...... According to preliminary statistics, tens of thousands of soldiers were killed or wounded. And this includes Li Kang, the general of the Western Regions, Su Jian, the Marquis of Pingling, and more than ten other generals. Such a sacrifice has never been made since Emperor Wu pursued the policy of making great efforts to govern the country and expanding the territory. In any respect, these soldiers deserve the honor and posthumous title they deserve. Therefore, the responsibility of Wechen is to preliminarily formulate a national pension standard. Please look at it and make a decision. ”

After finishing speaking, Dongfang Shuo respectfully put a piece of music written overnight in front of the emperor with both hands. Every name on it represents loyalty and bravery. They are the backbone of the country and the pride of the nation.

The emperor didn't open it to see it. He waved his hand slightly, and someone took the piece away. It seemed that a little more on the desk would burn his heart to ashes.

"All the martyrs, how to posthumously praise the martyrs, you go and discuss it...... I'm all right. ”

Dongfang Shuo hurriedly bowed his head and accepted his fate. Since the emperor has already made such an attitude, of course, the officials of the department must formulate it according to the highest standards. Dongfang Shuo thought for a while, raised his head again and said softly.

"Everyone else is easy to say. And the old general Li Guang, the Marquis of Zhenbei, was a general all his life, and he fought on horses. Of his three sons, only Li Kang was left, and the other two sons were all killed on the Xiongnu battlefield in previous years. And this time, Li Kang unfortunately died in the battle against the Persian army...... It can be said that the family is full of loyalty. Your Majesty, for the Li family, the ministers and others think that they should be treated specially. ”

"Exactly. I heard that the Li family has a young lonely talent, Li Ling, who has already visited the generals to the west. And he fought bravely and made many meritorious deeds. In that case, let's put all the glory that the Li family deserves on him. ”

"Wechen obeyed. Your Majesty, in addition to the Marquis of Zhenbei, there is also the Marquis of Pingling, Su Jian, who died heroically outside the Persian royal city. Yousi and Weichen agreed to choose their sages among their sons and inherit the title of Marquis of Pingling to comfort the loyal soul...... And to investigate the sons, only his young son Su Wu is a material that can be made, and ....... ”

The Emperor coughed a few times. The eunuch not far away hurriedly came over to serve. The Emperor frowned, and motioned for them to put aside the water and hand towels they had brought over so as not to disturb Lord Shang Shuling's work.

Although Dongfang Shuo didn't raise his head, the corner of his eye was faintly glanced back, and his heart couldn't help but skip a beat. Then he casually finished talking about the other people who needed special commendations and pensions. After hearing the emperor's clear reply, he waited for a while, and seeing that there were no other instructions, he stood up and said goodbye to the palace.

Stepping out of the door of the palace, Dongfang Shuo did not walk through the passage of the corridor, but walked directly down the steps one by one, and then crossed the square, walking in the snow with his heart full of worries. The palace is heavy, and the snow is blowing. The footprints left behind him seemed so lonely and heavy.

Although he didn't say anything just now, he could clearly see that the emperor's violent cough was tinged with a bright red color

。 Even if he covered it up well, it did not escape the sharp gaze of this wise man.

From the emperor, Dongfang Shuo didn't get what he wanted to know most. Even if he was aware of everything, he did not dare to speculate on the emperor's heart. I didn't dare to think about what His Majesty the Emperor wanted to hide. Therefore, when he walked out of Weiyang Palace, the panic in his heart was as messy and heavy as this fluttering snow.

The turbulent waves in the emperor's heart, before many things are understood, no one in the world knows. Although he likes literature and dislikes martial arts since he was a child, he has a pure and kind heart, but he has a heart that is good at patience. And, at some point, it becomes persistent and tenacious.

Through the snowflakes fluttering at the gate of the palace, I watched the figure gradually walking away in the light and shadow of the thousand palaces. Emperor Liu Ju slowly spread out his palms, the wisp of red pierced his eyes, and he wanted to cry, but he finally held back.

He is no longer the prince who only studied the books of the sages seriously, nor is he the boy who followed someone. He is the emperor of the Han Empire, and the spiritual power of the subjects of the world lies. And, the man he had always believed would guide him through his entire life as emperor, he ...... Maybe it's no longer in this world!

When he finally figured this out, the emperor's heart ached like a knife. He couldn't believe that the separation of his hands when he left Chang'an would become the last picture in his memory. Since the rescue in the dense forest, the huge figure that he thought was omnipotent, would suddenly disappear after they had been in the same boat for twenty years, and they would never be seen again!

However, even if he didn't believe it. At this moment, he had to start shaking his previous attachment. Because, just two hours ago, the emperor received a top-secret urgent letter. He had to believe what he had said.

If it is said that the whole world, the emperor can choose not to believe it. Well, the handwritten letter of this person whom he personally bestowed the privilege, he had no way to doubt.

Because, this person is Wei Qing. Carrying him on his shoulders since he was a child, protecting his uncle who grew up.

In fact, the messenger from Yumen Pass was not an ordinary soldier in Dongfang Shuo's eyes. He is the confidant of the great general Wei Qing and the person he absolutely trusts. After the messenger went to Shangshutai to report the military situation, he soon met His Majesty the Emperor through secret channels. Then, Wei Qing's handwritten letter was delivered to the emperor in person.

"The situation in the Western continent is serious...... Yuan Zhao was seriously injured, and his life and death are unknown...... The two kings took advantage of the situation and wanted to divide the territory and cause chaos...... Your Majesty is in Chang'an, it is advisable to make arrangements as soon as possible! ”

The actual situation that all the people of the world do not know is in the hands of the emperor. He hesitated again and again just now, but finally didn't tell Dongfang Shuo. This is not to say that he can't trust his ministers, but before the decision in his heart is officially deployed, he doesn't want to cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.

The letter's handwriting was stained with blood, making it even more shocking. The Emperor sat dumbfounded for a while, and he finally made his final decision.

"Brother Yuan...... Whether you are still alive in this world or not, what I owe you must always be repaid. ”