After more than ten consecutive years of poor harvests, the imperial court inevitably fell into economic constraints. In order to make up for the deficit in the treasury, the wide mansion compound that was originally given to the princes and generals to live in was sold one after another, and even Yan Beixuan, who was the king of honor and knew that he would inherit the throne in the near future, could only live in a simple and narrow mansion and live a simple life of four dishes and one soup.

"I don't know if it's a serious illness, my father has become more and more radical in the past two years, and he always wants to get something through the war. This time too, if it weren't for my father's persecution, I would never have agreed to an alliance with the Hosdu Empire. ”

A cup of coarse tea, yellowing and slightly bitter, just like Yan Beixuan's expression at this time.

Chu Ci tilted his head and rubbed his cheeks, shaking the tea casually: "Your Majesty's idea is not wrong, the war is together, the people are naturally concerned about the victory and defeat of the Fox Hill Country, those who are not hungry will not continue to make trouble with the hungry people, but the idea of using the forces of Hosdu to open the gate of the Yuan Kingdom is unrealistic." If the Hosdu Empire had the ability to march long distances into the Great Abyss, how could it be possible to ignore the control and hand over the proceeds of victory to others? His Majesty thought that the fact that Hosdu did not border with the Yuan Kingdom was a weak point, and that cutting off its supply would keep the Hosdu army out of Zhongzhou, but he never thought that if the Hosdu Empire really had annexation ambitions, it would be enough to invade Duo Kingdom and Nanqing Kingdom as his own land first, and there was no need to worry about leaving his homeland and fighting long distances. ”

"I can't think of you thinking about these things, after all, you don't have much experience in the world, and your mind is not as ingenious as yours." Yan Beixuan smiled bitterly, but the light in his eyes was cleaner than when he was in the palace. Personally serving warm tea for Chu Ci, Yan Beixuan said with anticipation: "Xiao Ci, don't leave when you come back this time, now that the government of the Yuan Kingdom is in turmoil, and the traitorous ministers and demon concubines are in charge, what is the point of you going back?" It's better to stay at home for a peaceful birthday, no matter what, Fox Hill is your hometown after all. ”

"When I was treated by family, did you have anyone else besides my eldest brother?"

Chu Ci's tone was light and tasteless, but Yan Beixuan couldn't refute it, he was in a trance, and there were two or three bitter points at the end of his eyes: "Father is just confused for a while......"

"I've been confused for more than 20 years, how long will I be confused?" Chu Ci sat up straight, deliberately cutting off the topic, "Let's talk about the alliance with the Hosdu Empire." Your Majesty is probably instigated by the Hosdu Empire, and you can only see the benefits but not the risks, and you have talked to the Hosdu envoys, you should understand that their plans are far away. At present, Emperor Yuan is indeed stupid and biased, but there are still two princes here, as well as new and old generals such as Yun Jiuzhong and Ye Haochuan who can be sent to guard the border, and joining forces with Hosdu to attack Dayuan will only cause heavy losses to the Fox Hill Kingdom. You should also have your own thoughts on how to choose. ”

While the two were talking, Chunqiu and Nanrin had been listening from the sidelines. Chunqiu is not the slightest interested in any court and political forces, but Nan Rin is different, hearing Chu Ciqun's words, he frowned shallowly: "Your Majesty has always had the final say on national affairs and other matters, and Beixuan has no power to decide." ”

"Listening to His Majesty's words will only make Fox Hill fall into the quagmire."

"Then what do you want to do, let the prince's palace change, or seek power and usurp the throne?"

Nan Rin's words were full of mocking tones, but Chu Ci looked serious: "I don't want the Fox Hill Kingdom to be involved in the war and suffer losses, and it is inevitable to violate the wrong holy order." As I said earlier, I came here as a strategist of the Yuan Kingdom to discuss, and my first task was to cut off the alliance between the Fox Hill Kingdom and the Hosdu Empire. Your Majesty is hostile to the Yuan Kingdom, and it is inevitable that there will be some mistakes in judgment, in this case, I can only choose someone who can listen to my advice to talk, if the eldest brother does not want to watch the people of Fox Hill being devastated by the smoke, it is better to consider my suggestion more. ”

The monarch of Huqiu is old and frail, and he has been seriously ill several times in the past year or so, and it is a matter of time before Yan Beixuan takes over the throne. However, at this time, the loyal and filial Yan Beixuan was only the status of King Rong, and he had not even been officially canonized as the crown prince, so how could he accuse the monarch of Huqiu for his mistakes? If you want to forcibly change the status quo, you have to use some means that go against the way of loyalty and filial piety, and for Yan Beixuan, it is more difficult than letting him die.

It was impossible to make a decision immediately, Yan Beixuan understood Chu Ci's temperament and knew that he would not push himself too much, so he simply put down the problem that gave him a headache and asked about the situation in Yuanguo.

"Xiao Ci, last time you said that the second prince was riddled with illnesses and time was short, but now he still has to plan the imperial business for him, what is the reason? I know that the purpose of your two deigcension to be a counselor is to fulfill your aunt's wish and make the Yuan Kingdom peaceful and prosperous, and long-term peace and stability. On my previous visit, I saw that the fourth prince was also a talent, with strong blood and strength, and his brilliance was not inferior to that of the second prince! ”

Without waiting for Chu Ci to answer, Chunqiu scratched his head and said in a sullen voice: "The fourth prince is dumbfounded, not much smarter than me, so the master will not choose him." Besides, that boss Jun is also very annoying, and he sends people to monitor his movements at every turn, like being a thief. Anyway, His Highness's illness has been cured, and he won't die for a while, and I think it's best for His Highness to help him. ”

People who pay attention to the politics of the Yuan Kingdom will not know Jun Wunian's name, and after listening to Chunqiu's complaints, Yan Beixuan was stunned and smiled bitterly: "Chunqiu, why are you still like this?" I think Nan Rin should really teach you some common sense by the way when he teaches you kung fu, otherwise you will be disgusted sooner or later. ”

"No sooner or later, it's disgusting enough now, the lord has been angry with me for the past two days, and he didn't even bother to talk to me. On the way, I still thought that after I came, I had to ask the eldest prince to say two good words for me, so that the master could dissipate his anger and stop blaming me. ”

Chu Ci pretended to be angry, and glanced at Chunqiu with slanted eyebrows: "You can't protect yourself well, do you blame me for my small energy?" Worthy of someone's apprentice. ”

"Who is someone? Say it clearly. Nan Rin frowned.

"Whoever responds is whoever answers."

"Death does not change."

One tone was as light as the wind, the other was cold and proud, and the two eyes met in mid-air, and no one refused to back down half a point. Yan Beixuan was stunned for a long time, and gradually a light smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, shook his head and took a sip of tea, enjoying a rare moment of peace in the turbulent floating world.

In this situation, it seems to go back to the carefree days when they were children.

Ding Dong, a black and red pickled date fell into the cup. Chu Ci carefully put away the white towel wrapped in pickled dates, and his seemingly non-existent smile was unpredictable.

"This pickled jujube is only produced in Hunnan, the grain is large and full, the skin is thin and the meat is thick, a package can only hold seven or eight pieces, no matter how much you save to eat, it can only last for three days - before I can't bear to return to the Yuan Kingdom, I hope the eldest brother can give me an accurate answer. The war is on the verge of breaking out, and it can no longer be delayed. ”

※※※

In November, it seems that the end of the year is approaching.

Ruixue Zhaofeng year, wrapped in silver, but this year there are almost no people putting up lights to welcome the arrival of Chinese New Year's Eve, but there are more travelers on the road in a hurry, and there is a constant smell of tension everywhere.

"The people of the north have always been like this, because there are often bandits in rebellion, and their hearts are always at peace, and they are panicked at the slightest disturbance." Ye Ling Xi, who was dressed in light armor, skillfully tied his horse, and his two apricot eyes were full of curiosity, "Worry, how is the imperial capital, and like the people here, do you discuss when to fight every day?" Seeing your letter saying that I left a month ago, I thought I would arrive a few days earlier, but I didn't expect it to be so many days later than expected. ”

The dusty Yan turned back to look at Wen Moqing, and shook his head with a wry smile: "According to the plan, I should have arrived four days earlier, but because I turned to Dongchuan on the way to deliver a message for someone, I didn't want to get into some trouble, so I delayed until now." ”

"She didn't listen to her nosy, she had to seek justice for the strangers who were beaten on the street, and it was not surprising that she was calculated by others, and she was thrown into the government after losing more than a dozen taels of silver." Wen Moqing unreservedly told all the mistakes made by Yan Liwu along the way, until Yan Liwu's face was red and his ears were red, and he didn't want to stop until Yan Liwu twisted his arm fiercely, and Ye Ling Xi on the other side had already smiled and bent over.

"Worry, do you still want to fight for others with your experience? Do you understand the sinister rivers and lakes? If you encounter something in the future, ask your family Wen Shaoxia, don't rush up as soon as your head is hot, there are not many people like my brother, sooner or later you will suffer. ”

Back then, Yan Liwu and the Ye family brothers and sisters met because they were acting for the exiles, and Ye Lingxi's words seemed to be ridiculous, but in fact they reminded that ninety percent were out of good intentions, and the only remaining one percent was to ridicule Yan Liwu and Wen Moqing's intimate relationship - holding hands in broad daylight and refusing to let go, only these two would be so high-profile.

After getting off the horse, he was tightly pulled in his hand by Wen Moqing, for fear that no one would be able to see their relationship, which made Yan Li very annoyed and helpless, and had to rack his brains to interrupt when his face was so red that he was about to drip blood: "Don't say so much, hurry up and take me to see Your Highness, the sooner you take the medicine, the sooner you take the medicine, the sooner you take it, make an appointment." ”

"Come with me in the Lord's tent."

Wen Moshu's dispatch to the north is both a bad thing and a good thing, the bad thing is that such an abrupt arrangement makes Chu Ci, who is in Monan, unable to deal with it in time, and Yu Wen Moshu's condition and safety are threatened; Fortunately, the commander of the border army in the north is Yehaochuan, which can take care of many aspects, but it is safer than other places.

"The second prince went all the way to the north to adapt to the water and soil, and when he arrived in the camp, he began to have a fever and drowsy, and the snow was slightly cold in the past two days, and he coughed and vomited blood several times. The senior medical officer gave several prescriptions one after another, but there was no one around here, where to get medicinal herbs? It's going to drag you here. Ye Ling Xi said as he walked, and soon brought Yan Liwu and Wen Moqing to the main general's tent, opened the curtain and whispered, "Brother, Liwu and the son have arrived." ”

The main general's camp tent was originally used for the living and discussion of Ye Haochuan, and after a holy decree, it became the nominal marshal Wen Moshu, but this dilapidated camp tent really did not fit the identity of Wen Moshu's prince, even if there was Ye Ling Xi's careful dotting, after squeezing into the high medical officer, Wen Moqing, Yan Li's worries, and the night family brothers and sisters and the sleeping Wen Moshu, it still seemed very crowded.

After greeting Ye Haochuan, Yan Liwu first asked the senior medical officer Wen Moshu's condition, and when he heard the slightly pessimistic answer of the senior medical officer, he couldn't help but feel a little gloomy. Moved the brazier close to Wen Moshu, who was cold, and turned around and stretched out his hand to Wen Moqing: "Moqing, medicine." ”

When the sturdy square wooden box was handed over, the senior medical officer's eyes were about to look straight, and his complicated expression was both surprised and delighted: "This is a ghost python strain?" Did Miss Yan really get it for His Highness? ”

"Hmm." There was a quiet and soft light in Yan Li's worried eyes, and several slender fingers that had not disappeared touched the surface of the box, and gently placed them beside Wen Moshu like a treasure, "The medicine that can save him, even if it grows in the ghost domain on the edge of the sky, I will take it." I've never done anything for him, but I won't give up on letting him live. ”