On the night of June 18, 1003. The camp of the Ertegang Han army.

Hu Gong pinched a handwritten letter and said slowly: "Order, from tomorrow the army will be launched, the Fifth Army will attack Chagan County, the Sixth Army will attack Bayangeril, the Third Army will be stationed in the Orkhon Valley, and the marshal will camp to the south!" ”

The staff officers who were still discussing the battle situation on the sand table in the big tent turned their heads and looked at Hu Gong in amazement.

The handwritten letter in Hu Gong's hand was sent by Fang Cai Fei Cavalry Guard, what kind of news made Hu Gong suddenly give the order for a general attack?

After being silent for a while, Dianmu spoke first: "Marshal, the flying cavalry guards are still scattered in all directions, and they have not been concentrated, and they will launch a general attack at this time......"

Hu Gong put down the handwritten book and said in a deep voice: "Ben Shuai has his own opinion, the Flying Cavalry Guards do not need to return to Ertegan to assemble, and order them to fight separately, the goal is Feiyun Castle - tell Li Wu, Ben Shuai don't listen to him how many difficulties he has had, I just want the result, that is, before June 20, the Flying Cavalry Guard must arrive at the periphery of Feiyun Castle!" ”

Dian Mu was taken aback and said, "Marshal, but Feiyun Castle is almost unable to hold it?" ”

Hu Gong seemed quite tired, and did not explain, but picked up the handwritten book on the case, and said, "Don't ask more, just listen to the order!" ”

"Whoa." The staff officers bowed and saluted. Hu Gong returned to the back account on his own.

As soon as Hu Gong left, the staff officers of the Dianmu First Department surrounded him one after another and asked: "Dianxiao, the front of the Yue's army has obviously been torn apart by the flying cavalry guards, and it will definitely be crushed in a few days, and the general attack will add casualties at this time!" ”

"Yes, Dianxiao, didn't the marshal say yesterday that he wanted to slowly figure it out?"

"Dianxiao, we should persuade the marshal on this matter."

……

Zhuge Yun, who had been on the side, surprisingly didn't open his mouth this time. Seeing this, Dianmu asked, "What does Nanshan-kun think about this matter?" ”

Although Zhuge Yun and Dianmu are at odds, they will not abolish the public because of private affairs, and the two of them are still businesslike in the staff department. But it's strange to say, since Hu Gong moved to Ertegan. Zhuge Yun seemed to be silent a lot, and he no longer confronted Dianmu in the marshal's tent.

Zhuge Yun said lightly: "I wait for my subordinates, just obey orders." Ladies and gentlemen, the order of the Third Legion is passed down! After speaking, he asked the marching clerk in the tent for the military order to sign the seal, and ignored the stunned Dianmu, and directly left the marshal's tent.

Passing out of the heavily guarded marshal camp, Zhuge Yun walked straight to the garrison of the Third Army in the southwest corner of the marshal's camp. In the past few days, Zhuge Yun has often come here to drink tea and wine with Hou Jian. The relationship between the two is clear at a glance, but there is nothing to avoid. What's more, Zhuge Yun still has official business this time.

As soon as he entered the big tent, he saw Xu Dong and Baili Shu surrounding Hou Jian, pointing at the sand table.

See Zhuge Yun coming. Hou Jian was very happy and beckoned: "The virtuous nephew came just in time." We're negotiating. Let's see when it's time to enter the Orkhon Valley! ”

Xu Dong and Baili Shu next to him also bowed to Zhuge Yun with a smile. In short, there was a relaxed atmosphere throughout the tent.

Speaking of which, Xu Dong and Dianmu are one, and Dianmu also influenced Hou Jian through Xu Dong and Baili Shu, and gave Zhuge Yun a blow some time ago. But in the end, all this is just a lack of thinking, and it is not a big sin. In Hu Gongda, he marched into Ertegon. After Hou Jian made a match, Zhuge Yun didn't worry about Xu Dong and Baili.

As for the little contradiction with Dianmu, as long as he is still in the marshal's tent, it is inevitable. Even under Hou Jian's guidance, Zhuge Yun also matured quickly - Dianmu and Zhuge Yun restrained each other. This may still be what Hu Gong is happy to see! The way of the emperor is not like this.

With this level of cognition, of course, Zhuge Yun will no longer be easily angry with Dianmu, of course, it is impossible to be as close as a brother - Hu Gong will not allow the two major staff officers under his command to be like one person, and check and balance each other is the way of the general.

Zhuge Yun even thought without a teacher that when Duke Hu sent Xu Dong out before the expedition, he might not have this meaning. After all, at that time, Xu Dong and Dianmu were too good, and they were nothing in peacetime, but when they were fighting, the entire staff department would have an adverse impact on the war.

The authorities are confused, Xu Dong didn't expect this layer before, but under the attention of Hou Jian and Zhuge Yun, intentionally or unintentionally, he also understood. So Xu Dong's mind of wanting to transfer back to the marshal's big tent faded. He knew that unless the war was over, it would be impossible for the marshal to transfer him back.

Xu Dong, who was unhindered, also saw it, and his mind was on the Third Army here, and here in Hou Jian, he regained his ability as a staff officer, but the relationship with Baili Shu became more and more enthusiastic. Fortunately, Xu Dong has the military position of the commander of the special editorial department, if he is Hou Jian's staff officer, he can't say it, Hou Jian has to think of transferring him or Baili Shu away.

To be honest, Zhuge Yun was a little disgusted, even disgusted, by this way of mutual checks and balances. This is also the reason why he has rarely spoken in the marshal's tent lately. He didn't understand why there were so many constraints in the world. Shouldn't the robes in the army work together and share life and death? He gave up his civilian position in Yizhou and ran to the army, just to avoid those intrigues and disputes, but in the army that he thought was simple and hot-blooded, he still couldn't get rid of these. This made him very distressed.

……

"Tomorrow to the Orkhon Valley? Wouldn't it be too rushed? Hou Jian took the military order and frowned.

"Yes, the Orkhon Valley was originally where the royal court of the Huns was located, and the flying cavalry guard drove the Yueshi people out like sweeping the caves, but it was almost impossible to completely master it, although the fifth army was already stationed there, but it will be pulled out tomorrow, it's still a bit hasty, right?" Baili Shu echoed.

Xu Dong blinked and asked, "Nanshan-kun, do you know why the marshal suddenly gave such a hasty order?" ”

Zhuge Yun shook his head: "The Flying Cavalry Guard just sent someone to send a handwritten letter, and the marshal gave the order after pondering for a while after reading it." ”

Hou Jian said: "The handwriting of the flying knights? Did you mean that the 1st Brigade of the Flying Cavalry Brigade was marching into Feiyun Castle? ”

"I don't know this little nephew." Zhuge Yun replied honestly, and suddenly said strangely: "Uncle Shi knows? ”

Baili Shu explained: "General Li had someone to prepare the horse with a warrant, so I asked casually. It's not a military secret, so someone told me. ”

Hou Jian suddenly exclaimed: "Could it be that Feiyun Castle has been lost?" ”

This may have taken everyone by surprise, especially Xu Dong. He said nervously, "Probably not, right?" Although the Fourth Army has defended heavy losses, there should still be tens of thousands of horses. It shouldn't be a problem to keep a flying cloud castle for a month or two! ”

Xu Dong was not nervous. Bohai Hou Shen Yun was under his command before. Before he didn't expect that there was such a big master under his command, think about it carefully, Hu Gong was able to set up such a bureau, and thanks to his mistake, he didn't transfer all the special parts back to the marshal's camp! However, it is precisely because of this that if Shen Yun, the Marquis of Bohai, is really killed or captured by the rebels of the Yue Clan, he, a major with the rank of commander of the special department, will not be able to run away from his post to be investigated, and if it is serious, it is not uncommon to kill his head - everyone knows that he loves the Marquis of Bohai very much......

Zhuge Yun shook his head and said, "It's not like it was because Marshal Feiyun Fort ordered a sudden general attack. ”

"Why is that?"

"I don't know." Zhuge Yun replied honestly, "It's just a little bit of my feeling." I always felt that it wasn't because of Flying Cloud Castle. After all, the three legions of the Yue clan were all betting on the southwest side and did not move at all, there is no doubt about it. If Feiyun Castle is really in an emergency, the marshal should not launch a general attack quickly, but will shrink the defense line and fight steadily. The life of a marquis is compared to the victory or defeat of the entire Northern Frontier Front. Which is more important? ”

Of course, it is the entire Northern Frontier Front, there is no doubt about this. Although I don't want to admit it. But it is. It can illuminate the tricky point of Ortegan in the chaos of the battlefield. Marshal Hu Gong, who completely reversed the entire battlefield situation, must not affect his decision for the sake of a mere Bohai Marquis.

So why exactly?

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

Put aside Zhuge Yun's speculation for the time being. Let's say that Hu Gong walked from the front of the tent to the back of the tent, and hatefully threw the handwritten book in his hand onto the marching bed, but the anxious and angry look on his face was revealed.

At this time, a voice came from outside the door of the back tent: "Marshal, my subordinates have something to ask to see!" ”

Hu Gong was stunned. Immediately packed up his mood, restored his former majesty, and raised his voice: "Come in." ”

The people who came in were wearing the standard armor of the army, and the sword badge was shown. Just a second lieutenant.

When Hu Gong saw this person, his majestic expression relaxed, and he said, "Gong Si, the patrol is over?" ”

Gong Si bowed his head and said: "Yes, the subordinates are marshals and guards, and patrolling the camp is a daily duty!" ”

"What's the matter with Ben Shuai?" Hu Gong casually flipped through the book in front of the marching bed and said casually.

Gong Si said: "Well, it's still the ...... mentioned to the marshal before."

Hu Gong frowned inadvertently: "You mean Bai Xiaosheng and Shi Qian?" ”

"Not bad. The marshal also knew that since the news of Bohai Hou being besieged by Feiyun Castle spread, Bai Xiaosheng and Shi Qian were extremely restless, and they had already said in the ears of their subordinates several times that they were going to rescue Feiyun Castle. Today's ......" Gong Si hesitated for a moment and said, "Today's subordinates passed by their camp tent, and they heard that they were discussing their plans to leave the camp without permission tomorrow and go to the Marquis of Bohai by themselves, so they specially rushed to inform the marshal." ”

Hearing that some subordinates were going to leave the camp without permission, Hu Gong was not angry, his frowning brows relaxed, and he smiled and said: "These people are not at ease when they enter the barracks." ”

Gong Si saw that Hu Gong didn't mean to blame, so he also said: "No, I've made trouble several times before." However, after all, they are from the rivers and lakes, and it is normal for them to have a little bit of Jianghu on them...... Marshal, do you want to beat them with a few military sticks, just military law? ”

Hu Gong waved his hand and sighed inaudibly: "No need." Tomorrow our army will march south, let them follow. However, leaving the camp without permission must be in accordance with the law of desertion, you should watch carefully, don't go wrong. ”

"Whoa." Gong Si is extremely respectful. He didn't ask why he was going south suddenly, it wasn't a question he should ask as a head of the guard. After a pause, Gong Si suddenly said again: "There is one more thing ......"

"What?" Seeing that Gong Si was a little stumped, Hu Gong couldn't help but be a little impatient and said, "Gong Si, you have also been with the old man for many years, what can't you say directly?" Why hide! ”

Gong Si smiled and said: "Your Highness is magnanimous, and he does not use his subordinate status as a pestle, but as a confidant, and his subordinates can only repay him with death......"

Hu Gong hurriedly waved his hand: "Don't die at every turn, die, your palace family is loyal to only the Han Emperor, the palace family is full of honors, and the heads of the previous generations are in charge of the feather guard, which is more respected by the royal family than Tu Xiaotian's secret guard." Your words of allegiance should be left to Your Majesty. ”

Gong Si smiled and said, "No matter how much the palace family receives royal grace, it is not as good as His Royal Highness's current status in His Majesty's mind." If it weren't for that, Gong Si wouldn't have been able to come to His Highness's side, right?! ”

What Gong Si said was the truth.

The palace family, since the time of the Holy Ancestor, has been the royal internal guard - the Holy Ancestor named "Yuwei". This is an existence that is even more mysterious than the Feather Forest Dark Guard.

After all, the Yulin Secret Guard is a guard within the national establishment, and it is famous and prestigious. There are many people who know, such as Rome, Yueshi, Xiongnu and other countries know the existence of the Yulin Secret Guard.

As for Yu Wei, he is actually the emperor's domestic slave. It is said that when the Holy Ancestor first founded Yuwei, he taught a set of exercises and secrets to the palace family. So much so that the Gong family has produced martial arts masters for five hundred years. The palace family will conduct an internal competition every ten years, and the person with the highest martial arts will be purified into the palace and become the shadow of the emperor! This is the greatest favor to the Gong family!

For 500 years, the palace family has resisted many secret assassinations for the emperor, and it is this kind of protective behavior regardless of casualties and self-harm. Let the palace family always get the favor and trust of the royal family!

Of course, Yuwei is just a house slave. It is not allowed to interfere in any specific matter. Even the identity must be kept secret. Once he can't hide his whereabouts, he will say that he is the one who is the secret guard - this is a matter of record in the Yulin secret guard in the hands of the Tu family, and he is not afraid of gangsters.

In addition to protecting the royal security, Yuwei also has a major function, that is, to protect the people the emperor values! For example, the current Hu Gong and Yi Gong, and even Gongfu Xiao!

For the minister of faith. The emperor would send a member of the palace family to them to serve as a servant and provide close protection - of course, these people did not need to be purified - and having a palace family member as a bodyguard was equivalent to enjoying what only the emperor could enjoy. In the feudal era, of course, it was a great honor!

Of course, the martial arts masters of the Gong family are not mass-produced, the number can be described as scarce, and the people who can be protected by the palace masters sent by the emperor in the past generations are also loyal people - the disloyal ones have been killed by the Gong family - so until now, few people know the name of Yuwei.

Today, the palace is sent to Hu Gong's side, of course, it is the meaning of protection - needless to say, the surveillance hidden under the protection is well known, but it is never broken. Anyway, as long as Gong Hu has no objections, no matter what he does, Gong Si will help.

……

Hu Gong saw that Gong Si was going to be polite again, and said directly: "Okay, don't be polite, if there is any news, just say it together." ”

Gong Si was stunned and immediately said: "I just received news that His Royal Highness Yinggong has led the hussar guards and trap guards to Guyan, and tomorrow he will be able to pass through Wolf Juxu Mountain." ”

Hu Gong was stunned, but he didn't doubt the authenticity of Gong Si's news, but asked, "When did Ying Gong set off?" ”

"A month ago!"

"When the Third Legion Chagan was besieged?"

"Yes."

Duke Hu stared at Gong Si with burning eyes, and suddenly said, "You informed Your Majesty?" ”

Gong Si still looked like he bowed his head and listened to his ears, and said respectfully: "Yes." This is the secret method of the Gong family's messenger, and the number of words passed each time is not much, just a few words. ”

The Gong family has a secret method that can pass on books for thousands of miles, which is not a secret at the level of Hu Gong, and Hu Gong is not surprised, but just asks: "What words did you pass on?" ”

Gong Si said: "It was His Royal Highness who asked me to send back the letter to the imperial court, but my subordinates shortened it, and there were only ten words: 'The army is surrounded, and Rome is suspected of participating in the war'." ”

Hu Gong was not angry, thought about it carefully, and nodded: "Well, you did a good job." However, you should now pass on a few more words to Your Majesty. ”

Gong Si was stunned, what else is there to do now, what urgent matter is there to pass on the book through the secret method of the palace family? In today's world, only a few people such as the palace family and the emperor, Hu Gong, Yi Gong, Ying Gong, Zhi Gong and so on know about this secret method, and the emperor also specially instructed Hu Gong that unless it is urgent, it will not be used lightly, because it is easy for the enemy to detect this method, and once it is leaked, it will be a big trouble......

Hu Gong looked at Gong Si with an unwilling expression, and couldn't help but be happy, and said with a smile: "What, do you think the old man is embarrassing you?" ”

"The subordinates don't dare." Gong Si said that he didn't dare, but the expression on his face was too daring.

Hu Gong was not annoyed, he wrote a few words in front of the desk with a smile, and then threw them to Gong Sidao: "Just these five words, do you like to pass them on or not!" ”

After speaking, Hu Gong also walked back to the front tent with his sleeves brushed up.

Gong Si took the note and looked at it, and his eyes suddenly widened, as if he had eaten an egg that he couldn't swallow. Then he screamed and hurried out of the tent door.

Hu Gong listened to the movement behind him, and a helpless wry smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

The imperial capital of the Han Dynasty, the Forbidden City.

Although it was already night, the lights in the Zichen Hall were still bright. Emperor Liu Ju is still writing at the desk, and the approved readings on the dragon shore are piled up like a hill.

"Ahem, cough, cough ......" The emperor coughed lightly, and the eunuch who was a little drowsy on the side quickly cheered up, took the ginseng soup and handed it to the emperor, and said softly: "Your Majesty, do you want to drink ginseng soup?" ”

The Emperor shook his head. Putting down the Zhu Piyu pen, he exhaled a mouthful of turbid breath and said: "Ginseng soup replenishes qi, but I am too hot at the moment!" Alas, is there still a military report from the Privy Council? ”

The eunuch shook his head and said, "Not yet." The slave and maid have sent someone to the Privy Council at any time. As soon as there is a forward military report, it will not be delayed for a moment. ”

"Hmm." The Emperor nodded solemnly. Then he said, "Who is on duty in the cabinet today?" ”

Since the departure of the Great Army. The Cabinet is manned at all times, and the Government Council and the Public Prosecutor's Office can be dismissed, but the Privy Council is in three shifts, and there is no time to rest at all.

The eunuch thought for a while and said, "It seems that today is Lord Yuwen's duty in the Liuli Pavilion. ”

The emperor thought for a moment and said, "Hmm." Send someone to send a bowl of ginseng soup to Yuwen Aiqing, and every official on duty must deliver it. ”

"Wow. Your Majesty is benevolent! ”

The eunuch patted his ass slightly, and just as the eunuch wanted to turn around and go out to deliver the decree, a strange and dark figure emerged from the shadow behind the emperor's throne.

This is a tall and slender man. Looking at the costume, he is a eunuch, but the brim of the eunuch's hat is extremely low, and he can't see his face clearly. At this moment, the Zichen Hall was brightly lit, but the eunuch who was about to deliver the decree didn't seem to see him at all—or pretended not to see him. When the eunuch saw this person appear, he was startled, and his steps were paused, but he immediately accelerated his pace and hurriedly trotted out of the Zichen Palace.

The emperor was not surprised to see this person, but smiled slightly: "Gongda, is it your duty today?" What's the matter? ”

The person named Gong Da didn't speak, but just took out a note and handed it to the emperor.

This palace is the shadow of Emperor Liu Ju, the top master from the palace family. In addition to him, there is also a palace two, who is also responsible for the emperor's security duties.

From the time the emperor ascended the throne ten years ago, Miyadai and Miyaji were in charge of protection. In the past ten years, even when the emperor was going to the toilet, bathing, and even performing the Zhou Gong ceremony with his concubines, the Gong brothers never left the emperor.

However, the Gong brothers uphold the ancestral precepts of the Gong family and will never interfere in the government. So later, even when they met the emperor, they rarely spoke, as if they were really shadows who couldn't speak.

In the face of the silence of the palace, the emperor did not care, but when he saw the note, it changed color a little - every time this note appeared, it represented a hundred thousand urgent events.

The last time it appeared, it was Hu Gong who had a big incident, but there were only ten words on the note: "The army is surrounded, and Rome is suspected of participating in the war", which can make the emperor work hard for a while, especially the word "doubt", which broke the emperor's heart.

And what about this time? What's the bad thing?

Well, it seems that there is never a good thing on Yuwei's note, it is like a talisman.

For some reason, such an untimely idea popped into the emperor's mind. Instead, the emperor shook his head, threw away all these thoughts, and took the note and looked at it, on which were written five words:

"The prince wants to be trapped!"

The emperor suddenly crumpled the note and smashed it, and then threw it into the sky, his originally calm face was full of anger, and he shouted: "Someone, someone!" ”

The little eunuchs and palace maids who were waiting outside the hall were already drowsy, and suddenly heard the emperor's thunderous roar, and they were startled, and crawled in from outside the palace, knelt in front of the emperor one after another, and said in their mouths: "Your Majesty, the slaves and maids are here." ”

The emperor was furious and shouted: "The book of the Ministry of Rites, no, summon Honglu Siqing to enter the palace immediately to see me!" ”

"Huh? Right now? ”

The leading little eunuch looked at the emperor in surprise. He wanted to remind the emperor that it was almost time now, and in the middle of the night, the palace was locked, how could he call Honglu Siqing in? What's more, in the middle of the night, what are you calling Honglu Temple Qing to do?

"Yes, right now." The emperor roared and hissed: "Summoning Honglu Temple, immediately." I will declare war, I will declare war on Rome!! ”

The little eunuch was frightened and trembled all the time.

Now that the emperor has been on the throne for ten years, how could he ever be so angry? How did the Romans provoke the emperor?

It can be seen that the Emperor of the Han Dynasty is really angry this time! Everyone has reverse scales, not to mention the emperor who is rich all over the world and a brilliant man! He is the Son of Heaven and the master of trillions of Han people! The people are angry but blood splashes five steps, but when the Son of Heaven is angry, there are millions of corpses, and the blood can be drifted!

In the face of the emperor's thunderous anger, Gong Da adhered to the consistent practice of the Gong family, standing silently in a dark corner, watching this most noble man in the whole world angry, without the slightest idea and action of wanting to stand up and persuade a few sentences. (To be continued......)