In the early morning, the rising sun slowly poked its head out from behind the Qinling Mountains in the distance, sprinkling ten thousand rays of light on the Guanzhong Great Plain, and this day was also the New Year of the third year of Xuanren.

On the official road west of Chang'an, a team of cavalry came from afar, the number of about 2,000 people, they were Zhang Huan and his party from Longyou, ten days ago, the Empress Dowager Cui Xiaofu ordered the canonization of troops to force back Zhu, Zhang Huan, who had made great contributions to the stability of the society, was the envoy of Longyou Jiedu, the champion general, and ordered Zhang Huan to enter Beijing to report on his work and be sealed.

There was a carriage mixed in the procession, and on the carriage was Cui Ning, who was going home to visit her father, and as the center of gravity of the entire Helong gradually moved south to Jincheng County, she also moved her Chunlei Hall to Jincheng County.

At this moment, Cui Ning is wearing a silver fox fur, her hair is combed into a delicate high bun, she looks very noble and elegant, but her face is a little pale, she had an illness a few days ago, although she has gradually recovered, but she has lost weight.

Cui Ning has been coming to Hexi for nearly a year, and compared with a year ago, she has matured a lot in both body and personality, especially after she ran a school independently, her mind has gradually become broader.

But at this time, her mood was a little heavy, a few days ago, Zhang Huan told her that her father was stimulated by the news of the defeat in Shuzhong, and had suffered a stroke and collapsed on the bed, for which Cui Ning's heart was full of anxiety and self-blame.

"Huan Lang, I'm very worried about my father's illness, do you think he Cui Ning has seen the towering city wall of Chang'an from afar, she can't help but worry in her heart. asked Zhang Huandao next to the carriage in a low voice.

"You don't have to worry, I specifically asked the master about this matter." Zhang Huan comforted her softly: "The master said that Xiangguo's situation is generally due to overwork, and he was suddenly stimulated violently, so he had a stroke, although this situation is very dangerous, but as long as it stabilizes, there will generally be no more danger to his life." ”

Cui Ning was comforted by Zhang Huan, and she sighed softly, "In the past, when my father was sick, I arranged his treatment, and he recovered soon." But if I'm not by his side, who will take care of him so wholeheartedly? ”

Speaking of this, Cui Ning hesitated, she looked at Zhang Huan with a hint of pleading, her lips moved, but she couldn't speak, Zhang Huan understood what she meant, so she smiled, pointed to the distant Chunming Gate and said, "I'll send you to see your father's condition first." More on that later. ”

After a short time, Zhang Huan and his entourage came to the outside of the city, and they waited at the gate of the city for a while, and a Jinwu Weilang general on duty hurriedly greeted him.

"Zhang Yuanjun has worked hard all the way, and under Sun Jian, he was sent by General Cui to arrange Zhang Yuanjun's entourage."

"General Cui?" Zhang Huan was slightly surprised. Is Cui Qinggong still in office?

Sun Jian seemed to know Zhang Huan's thoughts, and hurriedly smiled: "Cui Qinggong has been dismissed and returned to Shandong, and the current general Jin Wuwei is Cui Zhe, the envoy of Taiyuan soldiers and horses, and he only came to Chang'an ten days ago. ”

Zhang Huan nodded, "It seems that after a military rebellion, Chang'an has indeed changed a lot." ”

"Yes! This defeat in Shu has a far-reaching impact on my Datang, and everyone is very worried, I really don't know when the Zhu bandit will be exterminated? ”

At this time, Cui Ning on the side couldn't help but ask, "General Sun." What happened to our father? ”

Sun Jian knew Cui Ning, he hurriedly stepped forward and saluted respectfully, and replied: "Miss Hui, I only heard that Cui Xiangguo has been lying in bed, and I don't know the specific situation, Miss will know when she goes back to see it." ”

After that, he went to go through the garrison procedures with Zhang Huan's personal guard Lin Jiuhan, and Zhang Huan led 300 people into Chang'an City.

Today is the first day of the first lunar month, and the city of Chang'an in the morning is very quiet, and most people are still asleep. There had been a light snowfall last night, and the roads were crystal white, except for a few snow shovelers and hired laborers busy on the streets.

They soon entered Xuanyangfang, perhaps because of the more timid feelings of the hometown, Cui Ning's face was obviously nervous. She wrung her fingers restlessly. Biting his lip.

Zhang Huan smiled slightly and patted the back of her hand. Signaling her not to be nervous, at this time, Zhang Huan saw that a grocery store in an alley had just opened, he suddenly remembered the past, and whispered to Cui Ning: "Do you remember the scene when I sent you back the year before last?" In the end, I was caught by your father. ”

Cui Ning nodded, a flush flew on her face, and she couldn't help recalling the scene of her first acquaintance with Zhang Huan at that time, a burst of sweetness surged in her heart, she sighed, and said quietly: "At that time, you sent me back alone, knowing that you were going to be caught by my father but were not afraid, but now you have a large army and horse guard, and you are a high-ranking official, which seems to be very majestic, but the feeling that makes me worry and make me unforgettable is gone." ”

Zhang Huan was silent, and walked about a hundred steps, Cui Ning suddenly said: "Huanlang, can you accompany me to Zhongnan Mountain in two days?" I want to make a wish for my father. ”

Speaking of this, there was a hint of shyness in her eyes, and she said in a low voice: "Just the two of us, is it okay?" ”

Zhang Huan was overjoyed and nodded heavily.

At this time, they had already come to Xiangguo's mansion, someone had already rushed in to report, Cui Ningdi's eldest brother went out early in the morning to pay New Year's greetings, not in the mansion, and waited for a while, Cui Ning's sister-in-law and Cui Yuan's several wives and concubines flew out, everyone hadn't seen each other for a year, and they were so excited that they hugged each other, crying and laughing.

Zhang Huan shook his head with a smile, and then led his soldiers to Xuanyi Fang.

Cui Ning entered the house, only to see that there was no New Year's atmosphere in the house, it was deserted, all the scenery was still the same, but things were wrong, and I couldn't help but feel sad again, and couldn't help but shed tears, everyone comforted for a long time, Cui Ning wiped away the tears and said: "Where is Daddy?" I'm going to see him. ”

At this time, Cui Yuan was lying in a quiet room in the outer study, the room was filled with a strong smell of medicine, and a concubine stood in the corner of the room, like a puppet.

After this serious illness, Cui Yuan's body has completely collapsed, he is lying there on his side, his head is lying on a high pillow, his face is not bloody, his originally round cheeks have become very thin, his mouth is slightly open, his mouth is slightly open, his mouth is shiny on his gray beard, his hair has completely turned gray-white, and there is a pair of long sunken eyes that open and close on his high cheekbones, he looks very weak and pitiful, and he can't see that he was the face of a country that is in power in the Tang Dynasty.

His two legs have been semi-paralyzed, that is, there is still a little consciousness, but do not listen to the call, this is actually rescued, he woke up at that time, the lower half of the body has been completely unconscious, after nearly a month of acupuncture treatment, only barely improved, but the imperial doctor clearly told him that he has now stepped into the ghost gate with one foot, if he does not recuperate well, he will not have a chance next time.

Although his body collapsed, Cui Yuan's mind was still very clear, he was lying on the couch, his eyes were staring at a plum hair outside the window, he was thinking about the current situation.

After this chaos, the Datang Dynasty has faced a re-arrangement, the first of which is that his body can no longer bear the responsibility of the right minister, of course, he will not give up the position of the right minister to Pei Jun, he must find a successor in the family, this person only appears in the court on behalf of himself, appears in the family, he is a puppet held by himself.

From common sense, this person should be his own son, but his son's qualifications are not enough to serve the public, and his ability and talent are far from meeting the requirements of the right minister, let alone Pei Jundi's opponent, Cui Yuan naturally thought of his brother Cui Yu, he is the second person in Cui's family, he has been an official for more than 20 years, he is already an old qualification in the court, he has always been cautious and cautious, and he is also very talented, but the only regret is that he has always been a real power official, let him represent the Cui family as the right minister, I am afraid that sooner or later he will get out of his own control, And there is also a worry that he is at odds with Cui Qinggong, who is in charge of the military, and may eventually cause civil strife in the Cui family.

But if you don't let him take over, it's even more inappropriate to let someone else do it, so be it! Think about it for a few more days at this point.

Putting down Cui Yu's matter, Cui Yuan unconsciously thought of the rebellion in Shuzhong again, this was a pain in his heart, although Zhu was forced to retreat to Shuzhong, he would make a comeback, and it would be more violent, a big war would happen sooner or later, this is like a knife hanging over his head, you know its existence, but you don't know when it will fall.

But what can be done to curb his strength? Cui Yuan's heart was anxious, did he really have to let Longyou Zhang Huan deal with him?

As soon as his thoughts turned to Zhang Huan, at this moment, there was a sudden sound of fast footsteps at the door, and then someone walked into the room, this is an extremely familiar footstep, how many years ago this footstep would always sound secretly behind him, Cui Yuan only felt a sour look in his eyes, he knew who was back.

"Daddy!" Cui Ning looked at her father in a daze, her eyes were full of shock, although she was mentally prepared, she was still stunned by her father's weakness and old age.

Cui Ning's tears poured into her eyes, and she pounced! knelt down and said sadly: My daughter is not filial! Then he fell beside his father and wept silently.

"Don't cry, child! Don't cry! Daddy doesn't blame you. At this time, Cui Yuan was already in tears, he trembled his withered hands, and gently stroked his daughter's hair, "Daddy is actually very good, nothing is wrong." ”

"Daddy!" Cui Ning finally burst into tears.