Chapter 13: Battles Continue

With Ni Yuan's successive defeats, the entire harem of Daqi was also shrouded in dark clouds, although Qi Long's mood was still cheerful, but most of the time, he had to make a sad and anxious appearance, on the one hand, before the overall situation was decided, he didn't want the news to leak, and on the other hand, it was naturally because of the death of the Queen Mother. But after the news of the northern border pass came, Qi Long was really a little angry.

The war in the south has not yet been resolved, and hidden dangers have arisen in the north.

Beiliao is ready to move!

Liao is located in the northern grassland, the land is barren, difficult to cultivate, all of them live on nomadic herding, so almost all young and strong men are good at riding and shooting.

Every year in the autumn and winter, they will go south to plunder the border passes, rob the grain and wealth of the harvest of the Southern Dynasty to survive the winter, but there has been no news this year, but the northern line newspaper just sent today mentions that the Northern Liao has begun to show signs of troop build-up, but I am afraid that it will be done again.

This is almost the norm for the annual battle, but this year's offensive came much later than in previous years.

"I thought these barbarians had changed their minds this year. Qi Long said hatefully throwing the fold aside. Normally, the attack of the Northern Liao began in September and October, when the autumn harvest began, but this year it was uncharacteristically delayed until November, when I heard the news of the gathering of troops and horses.

Su Mi was puzzled: "It's just a collection of soldiers and horses, maybe Beiliao has no intention of sending troops this time, otherwise, it would have started a long time ago, why wait until now, now the harsh winter is coming." It's not the most favorable time. ”

"It's this time to be hateful! These barbarians go to the border every year to burn and loot, but this year there has been no movement, and I thought that they knew that they could not break through the pass, and they had self-knowledge. I didn't expect to pick us to start when we were nervous about fighting with Nan Chen, presumably it was premeditated, and we couldn't draw troops and horses at this time. Qi Long said.

Is it because of this? Su Mi was slightly puzzled for a moment, the land of Liao was barren. Only a very small number of people in the southern frontier live on the land, and the vast majority are nomadic tribes. It has become almost customary for people to go south every year to loot grain and grass. There were also several years of no action, all because the domestic wind and rain in Liao were smooth, and the water and grass were abundant, so there was no shortage of food. But this year, I heard that the northern part of Liao was suffering from a major drought, and I should have started earlier, and I was able to endure it until now?!

"Fortunately, I have been guarding against them for a long time, and I have issued an order to urgently dispatch soldiers and horses and grain and grass from the capital to reinforce the border passes. No matter what, there can be no mistakes. Qi Long said: "The Liao people are ferocious and cruel, and they always rob my children and wealth, but unfortunately because of the urgency of the war in the south, they have not been able to free up their hands to deal with them." This time, let go of this group of barbarians, wait until I have solved Nan Chen, and then go all out to deal with them in the future. ”

For such a routine offensive by the Liao people, Daqi has long been accustomed to it, although the war in the south is now in full swing. Nor did the slightest relaxation of vigilance against the north. Juyu Pass is difficult to overcome, there is plenty of grain and grass, even if the Liao State Iron Cavalry is fierce, it can only be hoped that the pass will sigh, Qi Long is confident that this group of Liao people who will come to attack will be blocked from the pass, so that they can at most loot around the area as in previous years.

"The emperor is really clever. Expect things like God. The concubines have to congratulate the emperor here in advance on the completion of the hegemony! Su Mi said with a smile.

"It's still far away," Qi Long smiled, "It will take at least a few years of hard work to truly and completely pacify the southern and northern frontiers." It's too early for Mi'er to say this now. Although his words were prevarications, his expression still couldn't hide his spirit. Now that the country of Great Qi is flourishing, as long as there is no accident, the world will be controlled by him sooner or later. Thinking of the prospect of grand hegemony, a little anger in Qi Long's heart was like a dark cloud in summer, which was slightly blown by the wind and then dispersed.

"It's early, the concubine has to say it first. When the emperor really completed the great cause of reunification. I'm afraid that when the time comes, the concubines will want to congratulate the emperor, and they won't be able to squeeze in. Su Mi smiled jokingly: "The concubine is also the first person to congratulate the emperor." Doesn't the emperor have any rewards for his concubines? ”

"You greedy little thing. If you want a reward, just say it, why bother beating around the bush like this. Qi Long's mood improved, and he joked: "Even if you are the first person to give me good news, I will remember this credit, and I will definitely be rewarded at that time." ”

"There are many rewards, what does the emperor want to reward? Say it first and let Mi'er hear it. Su Mi smiled mischievously.

"What's the hurry, it hasn't worked out yet. Qi Long smiled.

"It's just a matter of time, the emperor is pushing back like this, Mi'er is worried that the emperor will pay the bill. Su Mijiao smiled and said angrily.

"Then Mi'er, what do you want, even if I reward you in advance, it doesn't matter. Qi Long smiled heartily.

"This ......" Su Mi thought for a while, and said with a smile: "The concubine really can't think of it, or the emperor will talk about it first, what are other people's rewards, and the concubine can also refer to it." ”

"What reward is there for others? Just a little money glut came to me and asked me for something. Qi Long said indifferently.

"The emperor is coaxing the concubines, the concubines don't believe that the emperor hasn't thought about General Ni's reward. Su Mi said seemingly unintentionally: "The matter of rewarding the concubines is a trivial matter, and how to reward these heroes who have made great contributions is important." ”

The smile on Qi Long's face froze.

"What's wrong with the emperor? Su Mi asked with a light smile.

Qi Long smiled bitterly and said, "Speaking of which, this battle, when Ni Yuan wins, is a lot of credit!" I don't know what to do with him. Thinking about it these days, I'm also worried. ”

"If this is really the kind of merit, I will not only reward him, but also reward his children......" Qi Long couldn't help but become more and more worried in his heart. Such a great achievement as destroying the country has always been the first class merit in troubled times. And unlike small countries such as Wei and Shu, Nanchen is a big country that stands side by side with Daqi, although now the national strength is declining. However, its national lineage is long, its long history is far better than that of Daqi, and such a merit is indispensable to increase the official promotion and the title of wife and child......

"Speaking of this, there is a reward right now, but it's just ......" Qi Long's tone had a hint of hesitation. He picked up a bright red fold next to him and said.

"What is the emperor's dilemma?" Su Mi looked at the letter and asked, looking at the cover, he knew that it was presented to the ground by the harem concubines. Rewarding children? Could it be Ni Guifei?

"This is the queen's excerpt a few days ago, hoping that I will give a decree to give marriage. gave his sister Wang Ningshuang to marry Ni Tingxuan. Qi Long sighed and said: "This is also the Queen Mother's last wish when she was dying." ”

Marriage?! To Ni Tingxuan.

When he heard such news, Su Mi's heart was in a trance. I can't tell what it tastes like, but I feel a sour and astringent feeling in my heart.

Ni Guifei's position in the harem is now the highest among the concubines, unless the queen is abolished, she can't be promoted, she can only be rewarded with some gold and silver property, and these small rewards can't be on the table at all, like this. Only start with Ni Tingxuan. Marriage is indeed a gift of dignity and beauty......

After being silent for a while, Su Mi asked tentatively, "What does the emperor mean?" ”

As early as when the news of Wang Hao's death had just come back, the queen mother's condition worsened, and for the sake of such a face, Qi Long did not add any guilt, but issued an edict to comfort him. The rest of the Wang family's forces have not been greatly affected on the surface, and it seems that they are still the first gate lord of Daqi, but those who are familiar with the government in private can guess that the days of the Wang family's glory have long passed. Once the Queen Mother dies, I don't know what the situation will be. The Queen Mother's far-reaching vision naturally realized this, so she asked for marriage when she was dying. It can be regarded as leaving one more way back for the Wang family. If the Ni family stands tall, it can be regarded as one more relationship, and if the Ni family finally escapes the doom of the master, Qi Long will definitely not do anything to the declining Wang family, and what the Wang family has lost is just a daughter.

Qi Long frowned and said, "It's the Queen Mother's meaning when she was dying, and I can't say anything." ”

Listening to Qi Long's tone, Su Mi knew that Qi Long was unwilling in his heart.

For Qi Long, now Ni Yuan commands the three armies, and the troops are strong, if he marries the Wang family again. In the future, it may even be possible to subdue the power of the Wang family. At that time, the Ni family's power was too huge. Back then, Qi Long promoted Ni Yuan not only because Ni Yuan was a peerless general. Another important reason is that Ni Yuan's foundation is shallow, which can be used to fight against the gate valve forces led by the Wang family. Now that the Wang family is about to die, the big trouble is gone, of course, I don't want the Ni family to become the second Wang family, which will bring new hidden dangers to the imperial power of Daqi.

The marriage between the Ni family and the Wang family is a good thing for himself. Looking at Qi Long's words and deeds every day, he is not without suspicion of the Ni family, this marriage is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire, which is bound to make Qi Long's scruples about the Ni family deeper.

He should be happy to see this wedding venue, but Su Mi felt uncomfortable in his heart. The word "marriage" is like a small snow particle, ice slag, which falls on my heart and refuses to melt away.

Qi Long didn't pay attention to Su Mi's expression, and said worriedly: "In this way, I really can't say it." And Ni Yuan is about to make a great achievement, and the marriage at this time is also a just right reward. ”

Su Mi didn't speak, she looked out the window, the winter in the north always comes very early, and the steps of autumn have passed unconsciously, I remember that the branches outside the window yesterday were still full of green, but it seemed to become empty overnight, showing a sense of desolation.

Su Mi's heart was also empty and uncomfortable, and before she knew it, another year had passed like this.

"Ni Tingxuan has been sick at home because of the last competition, and I heard that he has not recovered so far, I have always felt that I owe something, and he has always worked tirelessly, rigorously and thoroughly, so ......" While thinking about the gains and losses of the marriage, Qi Long pondered for a moment and said: "I plan to wait for him to return to the palace after he recovers from his illness and entrust him with the duties of the commander of the guards." At the same time, this happy event was also decided, which could be regarded as a reward for Ni Yuan's loyal labor. ”

Qi Long's voice recalled Su Mi's thoughts, and after hearing these words, Su Mi pursed the corners of his lips imperceptibly, I'm afraid that what made Qi Long decide like this was not because of some guilt.

Ni Yuan is now leading half of the soldiers and horses of the Great Qi Tai, and the power is overwhelming, Qi Long doesn't say anything, but he must not be at ease in his heart. Although Ni Guifei is in the palace, her daughter is not as important as her son after all, and Ni Tingxuan is Ni Yuan's only son. Only by firmly grasping it in the palace can Qi Long be reassured. Of course, this cannot be said on the façade, otherwise such behavior will not chill the hearts of the courtiers, and they must choose a high-sounding reason to be able to summon people into the palace.

"What the emperor said makes sense. Su Mi smiled reluctantly: "That's right." ”

Qi Long nodded and said: "I am having a headache with Mu Qinghan now, I see that since he became the commander of the internal guard, he has always been loyal to his duties, there is no dereliction of duty, and it is unreasonable to be rashly demoted." ”

"What's so hard about that?" Su Mi said with a smile: "Didn't the emperor just say that he would increase troops to the northern border pass?" Mu Qinghan can also be regarded as a general, so it is better to let him receive this mission and rename him as a deputy general, which can be regarded as letting him have more experience and experience, and he will be promoted in the future. Guarding the border pass can also be regarded as a meritorious service to kill the enemy, but I am afraid that it will be too late for him to be happy, so naturally everyone is happy. ”

"Good idea," Qi Long said with a smile, "Let's do it." ”

Spreading out the golden silk used in the holy decree, Qi Long took the pen and pondered for a while, and then finished writing a few holy decrees.

Su Mi smiled indifferently, Mu Qinghan was originally determined to fight on the battlefield and make meritorious contributions to the enemy, and this time it can be regarded as fulfilling his wish...

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