Outside the cold wind pass, the autumn grass is yellow everywhere. The wind wrapped in sand and gravel blew on the face like a knife cut, and Yan Changfeng and his party could barely open their eyes.

Unlike Daning, there are prefecture villages where you can settle anywhere, except for the capital Beiye and the tent groups of some tribes, there is only an endless wasteland left at this time, the climate is so harsh, even Yan Tunan, who has always disliked riding in carriages, has chosen to compromise.

But Yan Changfeng is different, it is almost more difficult to let him get into the carriage for no reason than to ascend to the sky, and he is unruly and still rides at the front of the team despite the wind and sand.

Finally, he saw the person he wanted to see the most at this time, Yuan Su Zuoxian Wang Yanshanhu.

Yan Shanhu has always been so thoughtful, when Yan Tunan's father and son were still some distance away from Beiye, he had already led the team to greet him, and he also specially brought the imperial chariot used to transfer Yan Tunan.

"Uncle!" Yan Changfeng, who had been away from Beiye for nearly half a year, was naturally very happy to see his relatives again.

"Changfeng, let your father Khan change to this chariot, it will be more comfortable." Yan Shanhu jumped off his horse and said with a smile.

The chariot with the fire was wide and warm, which greatly relieved Yan Tunan's fatigue on the way, and Yan Shanhu carefully told Yan Tunan about the big and small things that had happened in the Yuan Su Khanate in the past six months or so, and it could be seen that he was very pleased from Yan Tunan's constant nodding. From the beginning of the army to the current governance of the country, his younger brother has always been so trustworthy.

However, the blood gushing out of Yan Tunan's mouth and the sudden fainting broke the warmth of this moment.

When Yan Tunan, who had been in a coma for several days, opened his eyes again, he was already lying in Beiye's bedroom, Yan Changfeng and Yan Shanhu were both kneeling in front of the couch with red eyes, and there were some imperial doctors and concubines standing beside them.

"I can't hide it from you now." Yan Tu Nan said weakly.

"Father Khan, you are...... When did the child get this disease, why did the child never know! Yan Changfeng choked up, he never thought that his father Khan would fall ill so suddenly.

"It's been a few years, but it wasn't so serious at first." Yan Tu Nan's wry smile was tinged with apology.

"Brother! If you know you have a lung disease, why do you go all the way to Daning? It's only going to make your condition worse! Wouldn't you let me go for you? Yan Shanhu said regretfully.

"You don't understand...... This matter can only be safed by myself. ”

"Brother......

"Help me up."

Some people look as tough and upright as a big tree on weekdays, but they are often the same people, and once they fall, it is difficult to stand up again, Yan Tunan...... That's the kind of person you are.

He barely sat up on the couch with the support of many cushions and blankets, the wrinkles on his face magnified a lot in just a few days, and his eyes, which had always been embarrassed, were sunken. It wasn't until this moment that Yan Changfeng understood that Daning and his father Khan had tried their best to get the last of their lives.

"You don't have to worry about me, what you have to care about is the future of the Yuansu people." Yan Tunan was relieved, "Feng'er, do you know what kind of life Father Khan and your uncle lived when they were your age? ”

"I slept in a sheepfold...... He eats leftover soybean meal from the stables, and worries about when the butcher's knife will fall on his head. Yan Shanhu said sadly.

"But now...... We Yuansu people have our own country name and our own capital, and we will never use it again...... It's a slave day. Birth, old age, sickness and death, human nature. You should have the entire Yuansu nation in your heart, you know? Yan Tunan's eyes flickered faintly like the afterglow of the setting sun.

"Child...... Got it. Yan Changfeng burst into tears.

"Leading the Yuansu people to today's step, I can be regarded as having completed my mission, and the matter of Daning's field has been decided, I will rest assured, after I leave, you will treat your uncle like me, discuss everything with him, and do not be reckless in everything...... Feng'er, the Yuansu nation will be handed over to you. ”

Yan Tu Nan still didn't survive that fall. In front of Yan Tunan's coffin, Yan Changfeng, who had a broken liver and intestines, finally understood why his father Khan would say so many words to himself seriously along the way......

After nightfall, Yan Changfeng carefully looked at the military map of the twenty-first state of Daning in the north on the table, which was left to him by his father Khan before his death, and also told him the name of a person - Mu Zhixun, the king of Daning, and the map was obtained from this person, and he wanted to take the northern border...... This person is crucial.

In the autumn of the twenty-ninth year of Chengping, the Yuan Khan Yan Tunan died, the young Khan Yan Changfeng ascended the throne, and the right virtuous king Yanshan protected the auxiliary government.

Yunjing, Xiaohe Palace.

Emperor Ning of the early dynasty has put on a warm coat, it may be that the weather in Yunjing is cold earlier this year, since the beginning of winter, Emperor Ning's spirit seems to be worse day by day, and he is not interested in anything, and the twists and turns in the state capitals are also let the cabinet and the prince deal with it as appropriate, and rarely ask in person.

But when he heard the news of Yan Tunan's death, he was still shocked, "No, I saw his spirit very well before." ”

"It is said that he died of illness due to overwork." Shoufu Yang Tiandong said.

"Oh, that's a pity." Emperor Ning sighed, "In the spring of this year, he personally came to Yunjing to celebrate my birthday, and now that he is gone, this dynasty should not be rude, who do you think I should send to mourn." ”

"Yan Tunan is the lord of Yuansu, and he is also a prince, and the minister thinks that it is most appropriate for someone with the title of king and marquis to go to mourn." Yang Tiandong said.

"Erchen suggested that the king of Beiyang be sent to mourn." Mu Zhice paced forward, "The king of Beiyang has lived in the north for a long time, he is familiar with the grassland customs, and he has the prince with him, so Erchen thinks that it is most suitable for the king of Beiyang to go." ”

Emperor Ning frowned, and after a little thought, he said, "No, the King of Beiyang is old, and I can't bear to suffer from the trek anymore." In fact, Emperor Ning felt that the King of Beiyang had always been hostile to Yuan Su, and he was afraid that after the King of Beiyang went, he would create unhappiness and add unnecessary trouble to the two countries.

Just when Emperor Ning hesitated, Mu Zhixun suddenly spoke: "Erchen is willing to go." ”

As soon as the words fell, everyone looked sideways, they wondered how this idle prince, who had always been lazy, could beg for such a meaningless drudgery in a good manner, except for Zheng Guan, they all showed incredible expressions.

"Oh? Do you know that the climate outside the customs is severe, and Beiye is nearly a thousand miles away from Yunjing. Emperor Ning was also a little unconvinced.

"Erchen knows, Erchen has been dull since childhood, it is difficult to achieve great things, thanks to the royal brother often taught Erchen to think more in private, and in addition to hatred, he naturally wants to do something for his father, but he has been suffering from talent and shallowness, and the national politics is also unable to help, just have this opportunity, one can solve the worries of his father, and the other can experience and see, I hope that my father can agree to the request of his son." Mu Zhixun said respectfully.

"Haha, okay, then I will promise you, when you return to the court, I will be rewarded." Mu Zhixun's words made Emperor Ning very happy. He was even happier that the prince's teaching was able to change the mind of the always lazy King Chang, which made him very pleased with the prince's ability to control people.

"Thank you, Father."

Early the next morning, when Mu Zhixun was about to set off, he was stopped by Hua Zhuyue.

Even if the beauty is so good, no matter how affectionate the man is, Mu Zhixun has long lost the joy and patience he had at the beginning.

"Childe, where are you going?" Hua asked Moon by Month.

"This king is going to Beiye for a trip." Mu Zhixun said casually.

"Beiye? The capital of the Yuan Khanate, wouldn't it take more than half a year to go back and forth. Hua Zhuyue frowned.

"Hmm."

"But Gongzi promised to be a concubine before, and after His Majesty's holy birthday is over, he will denounce Zheng Guan, and later said that he is busy with affairs and will wait for the winter, but now he wants to go to Yuansu, it is bound to be delayed for another year and a half, and Zheng Guan already knows that I am still alive, if he does something before us, how can it be good?" Hua Zhiyue anxiously grabbed Mu Zhixun's arm.

"Let's wait until the king returns." Mu Zhixun impatiently broke free from the pull of the blossoms month by month, and walked towards the door without looking back.

"Childe......" Hua Zhuyue's voice was mixed with helplessness and desolation, "If Childe is unwilling to help, return those letters to the concubine, and the concubine can figure out her own way." ”

Hearing this, Mu Zhixun stopped but did not look back, and said coldly: "Do you still want to go back to Yunujiao to pick up guests?" Cheap or not, huh? The woman this king has touched, even if she has no reputation, others don't want to touch it again. Don't forget that you are a remnant of sinners...... He is not qualified to negotiate terms with this king. Mu Zhixun paused and said, "Oh, by the way, you are not allowed to call this prince in the future...... Call Your Highness. ”

“…… You. Hua Zhuyue looked at the man who had made her tremble in disbelief.

Mu Zhixun's words that deliberately humiliated her were whipped like a whip on Hua Zhuyue's heart, and she stood there motionless as if she had lost her soul, her heart was broken.

The snowflakes that fell from the sky slowly fell between her buns and wet the fox white warm fur, the red lips had been bitten and began to ooze blood, watching Mu Zhixun step by step away from the back, she found that she never seemed to know this man, tears slipped from the corners of her eyes drop by drop, this was the first time she had shed tears since she was thirteen years old. At this moment, she was surrounded by despair and sadness.

Mu Zhixun is right, she is a criminal remnant, a lowly Qinglou woman, where is she worthy to negotiate conditions with His Royal Highness King Chang, who is high?

After a while, she laughed like crazy again, and she laughed at the moment when she left her nationality. She really thought she had met her lover, she laughed at the fact that she had seen so many men, but she still believed in men's nonsense.

The Daning mission to the northern Ye of Yuan and Su slowly sailed out of the north gate of Yunjing. Mu Zhixun did not close the partition of the carriage, the curtain that was blown up from time to time by the cold wind mixed with snowflakes, and his cold side face could still be glimpsed.

This is the first time he has left Beijing, and it is also the first time he has run an errand, he has been different from Mu Zhice since he was a child, Mu Zhice is the son of the queen, the eldest son of Emperor Ning, and his mother is just a palace maid named Niyan, a palace maid who has no name of her own until she dies.

Matters between the emperor and the palace maid are not allowed in this dynasty, even if there are ...... It is categorically not public.

After Niyan gave birth to Mu Zhixun that year, she was sent to Shuyun Pavilion to be imprisoned, and Mu Zhixun was sent to another concubine for foster care.

But the concubine didn't treat him well, because he was not from his own background, and his background was very humble, and it would be difficult for him to be of any use in the future.

If it weren't for the fact that when he was young, the mother who took care of him looked at him pitifully and secretly told him the identity of his biological mother, he still thinks that his biological mother is just the deceased concubine in someone else's mouth.

When he learned about his mother's background, at a young age, he climbed over the wall overnight and went to Shuyun Pavilion, and when he fell off the wall, he screamed in pain.

At that time, the night of Shuyun Pavilion was gloomy, and he was very scared.

Until he saw a woman dressed in white and unkempt, but at that moment, all the fear dissipated, and a kind of kindness and sadness that he had never felt before came to his heart, and he blurted out: "Mother~"

The woman raised her head at the sound and looked at him with slightly stunned eyes. After a while, she ran over like crazy, hugged the young Mu Zhixun tightly, and stroked his face and shoulders excitedly, the big tears of the bean couldn't stop dripping down, and her mouth kept stumbling, but Mu Zhixun couldn't hear what she was saying.

Because he didn't know at the time that her mother had been doused with dumb medicine on the day she was imprisoned in Shuyun Pavilion.

With her mother's tearful eyes and a smile, Mu Zhixun will never forget it for the rest of her life.

Soon, the guards and the palace people were alarmed by the crying, and then Emperor Ning also came, and he asked the palace people to pull them away with a blank face, and the struggle and crying of the mother and son made everyone present cry one after another.

That was the only and last thing he saw with his mother, because the next day Niyan was dead, and when he was found, he had already committed suicide.

Later, the heartbroken Mu Zhixun rushed to Emperor Ning's bedroom with a short knife, he was naturally stopped by the guards, and was beaten with a wooden stick and his skin was cracked, and he passed out.

Since then, his heart has changed greatly, compared to the prince who is two years older than him and the princess of the same age, he seems to be a little talker, always looking careless, unlearned.

Parents are on their knees, and they don't have a day of joy. From childhood to adulthood, whether it is care or attention, he cannot be compared with Mu Zhice and Mu Linxiao. He believes that in the final analysis, the tragedy of himself and his mother comes from the humble background, so from then on, he made up his mind that one day, he must sit in the supreme position of the Daning Dynasty...... No matter what the cost.

In fact, Mu Zhixun is not only not stupid, but also extremely intelligent, and when the master preaches the scriptures during the day, he pretends to be stupid. At night, he stayed up all night in order to study the art of war.

The reason why he did this was because he knew that Emperor Ning would not allow a prince to be better than the prince in terms of ability.

Therefore, visiting Yu Nujiao was also done by him to the crown prince and some courtiers, but unexpectedly met Hua Zhuyue, and it was not until the moment he grabbed Zheng Guan's handle from Hua Zhuyue's mouth that his plan really began to be implemented.

Yan Tunan's real intention of requesting the opening of the field in Qinzhou naturally could not be concealed from Mu Zhixun's eyes.

Under the instruction of Mu Zhixun, Zheng Guan asked the Imperial City Division to find a reason to investigate the head of the treasury department of the Ministry of War. Under coercion and temptation, the head of the Treasury Department quickly compromised and secretly exchanged the military map of the 21st state in the north.

In order to show his sincerity, Mu Zhixun directly sent someone to send this Kanyu map to Yan Tunan's hands without saying a word. and motioned for him to come to him.

Yan Tunan was naturally quite shocked after seeing this Kanyu map, so he went to Chang Wang's Mansion alone in the rain overnight.

"Is Your Highness mistaken, please take back the secrets of your dynasty, Xiao Khan has not looked at them."

"Since you haven't seen it, how do you know it's confidential?"

"This ......"

"This king knows that you are thinking about the twenty-one states in the north of Daning, but being able to garrison in Qinzhou is only the beginning, even if you break through Qinzhou, bypass the Rinfeng Pass, and capture the remaining twenty state capitals is not as easy as you think, at that time, the imperial forest army of the imperial court and the Beiping army of the Rinfeng Pass will attack from the north and south, I am afraid that you will not be able to ride in and out."

"This ......"

"Do you wonder why this king will help you?"

“…… Be. ”

"Don't worry, since this king gave you the Kanyu map, it means that this king will help you get the twenty-one states in the north smoothly. As for the rest...... That's not what you should know. ”