"Many people have already persuaded me to persuade what should be persuaded, so there is no need to say anything more. Fan Xian smiled and patted Ye Ling'er on the shoulder, the two of them have always been afraid of anything.

Ye Ling'er did not habitually raise her eyebrows, but the expression on her face was a little gloomy, and she said, "There is always a discussion at home that will get into my ears...... I didn't want to hear about it, but my father was angry about what was going on in the north. She looked at Fan Xian, stopped talking, and said seriously after a while: "After all, you and I are Qingren." ”

Fan Xian nodded, didn't say anything, but his smile was a little bitter, after the members of the Qi Nian team sent to Dongyi City met with Mu Feng'er, they passed on his will to the past, and let the turmoil in Xiaoliang Kingdom burn again, so as to find a way to resist the will of the imperial court, so that the eldest prince could stay in Dongyi City.

But Northern Qi's reaction was really unexpected by Fan Xian, because counting the time, Wang Qinian should have just arrived in Shangjing, and in the message he asked him to bring over, he did not mean to let Northern Qi send troops in a big way, but just asked the little emperor to help Dongyi City for the sake of the relationship between the two.

There are many ways to help, and a practice like Beiqi's today is undoubtedly the most open-minded, and it is also the one that makes Fan Xian's situation the most embarrassing. He got rid of his contemplation, and while holding the silver charcoal, he whispered gossip with Ye Ling'er, wanting to find out if there was any movement on the Privy Council side from the few words in Ye's mansion.

Because His Majesty the Emperor in the palace was too indifferent to the war in the north, so indifferent that Fan Xian smelled a hint of danger, but he didn't know where this smell fell.

A few days after the winter solstice, the Fan Mansion held another family banquet, this time the family banquet did not invite the younger generation of people in the royal family like the Prince Mansion, it was a pure and pure family banquet, except for the master of the mansion. There were only four sons of Fan Men.

Yang Wanli was sent to prison from the position of a member of the Ministry of Labor, and was severely punished in prison, after the sentence was pronounced in Dali Temple that day. was taken back to the house by Fan Xian to recuperate, and he is still a little unable to move, but the resentful expression on his face has long been calm, and he just sits quietly in the position of the hand.

The fastest to climb the ground among the four sons of Fan Men is Cheng Jialin, he has achieved the Zhizhou of Suzhou, but now he is implicated by Fan Xian, and he is also very miserable to fall. was forcibly taken back to Beijing. In the past month, Fan Xian ran back and forth for him, worked hard, and finally saved his life, but he also lost his official position, and saw that there was no future. Cheng Jialin sat a little blankly below Yang Wanli, sighing for a long time.

There are two tables in the flower hall. The ladies were all at the table behind the screen, and only Fan Xian and Yang Cheng sat at the table outside, and they didn't move, but waited for someone. Outside the flower hall, snowflakes fluttered in the garden of Fan's mansion, waiting for those who returned.

didn't wait long, a person braved the wind and snow and entered the flower hall under the guidance of the servant. It was these years of leaving Nanqing, inheriting Fan Xian's will, and establishing the history of the great cause of unifying Qinglou in the world.

Shi Yanli entered the hall. didn't have time to dust off the snowflakes on his body, so he first bowed deeply to Fan Xian on the main seat, and then bowed to the master and wife on the table inside through the screen, then turned around, looked at Yang Wanli and Cheng Jialin smiled bitterly, and stepped forward to hug these two friends who had not seen each other for a long time.

He and Sang Wen are now co-presiding over the Baoyue Tower, so he naturally knows most of the news in the world, and he also knows that these two friends have met miserably in the past few months, and everything is silent, just a hug. has exhausted the feelings and comforts.

"If you are not in good health, don't get up. Shi Xianli consciously sat down under Cheng Jialin, and said to Yang Wanli, who was about to get up and speak, although he is now one of the richest businessmen in the world, he can be regarded as a hero wherever he is placed. However, the habit of studying the books of the sages in the early years has not changed. Especially the regret in the deepest part of his heart, which made him naturally envy Yang Wanli. Cheng Jialin and Hou Jichang, the three friends, always think that their status as a businessman should sit at the bottom.

Yang Wanli and Cheng Jialin glanced at each other, smiled bitterly, and didn't bother to pay attention to this pedantic guy, so they turned their heads and said some gossip, and no one talked about their miserable experiences in the past few months, and no one criticized the imperial court, because they didn't want to make the disciple Fan Xian anxious because of these things.

After waiting for a while, but no one came again, the faces of several people at the table began to become a little embarrassed and ugly, Cheng Jialin looked at Fan Xian's slightly condensed face, and muttered: "Maybe it's because of the heavy snow, and it's delayed on the road." ”

Yang Wanli pursed his lips tightly, sighed, and drank the wine glass in front of him. Shi Xianli glanced at Fan Xian with some puzzlement, and said: "According to the news I got here, Ji Chang should have returned to Beijing seven days ago, but the imperial court did not convict him, but just let him stay cold. ”

Fan Xian raised his eyebrows, smiled, and said: "At the end of the year, officials and colleagues have a lot of banquets, and it is normal to not be able to schedule time for a while. s”

Having said that, his mood is still inevitably a little gloomy, Hou Ji often returned to Beijing for a few days, but he did not come to Fan's Mansion to visit, and the eyeliner in the court also found the rumors, it seems that the palace has no intention of punishing him, all this has been explained.

In such a country, it is not that there is no such thing as betraying the teacher to seek glory, but it is just spread on himself, and Fan Xian's heart is still a little uncomfortable. His gaze slowly brushed over the faces of the three people on the table, and extremely complicated emotions flashed in his heart, Shi Xianli was still in the capital of the Song Kingdom, but this time he ventured back to Beijing to see him, Yang Wanli needless to say, said that he had already achieved Suzhou Zhizhou Chengjialin, Fan Xian always thought that his temperament was weaker, and he didn't dare to trust, but he didn't expect that this person would rather be robbed of his official position, but he would not deviate from himself. But Hou Jichang unexpectedly did not come.

"I heard that there is also a banquet in the Scholar's Mansion today. Shi Yanli's face was a little ugly, and he said: "Before you entered Beijing, the two of them were called the first of Kyoto's talents, and they also had some personal relationships. ”

Yang Wanli gritted his teeth and said angrily: "It's a good season, it's good to abandon the dark and turn to the light to do things quickly, and if we meet another day, we must praise it well." These words are naturally ironic, and Cheng Jialin only blindly smiled bitterly when he heard it. After a while, he sighed faintly and said: "I think that in the Tongfu Inn back then, Brother Ji Chang told me that Master Xiao Fan was the place to travel. I also have to pay attention to the fact that the rainwater on the umbrella drips into the oil pot of the vendor, such a person who loves the people is exactly the object that we should follow, but I don't expect him to be ...... Hey......"

With a sigh, Fan Xian smiled instead, beckoned the three of them to start eating, and said, "Everyone has their own ambitions, and now I can't do things in the court, Ji Chang wants to do things for the people." It's normal for Scholar Kazuga to get closer. ”

The words were calm, no one could see the coldness in his heart, Fan Xian actually knew that among the four sons of Fan Men, he was originally the most optimistic about Hou Jichang, but the world was so wonderful. I don't know if it's Fan Xian's arrangement that leaks, or it's a matter of luck, among the four sons of Fanmen, Yang Wanli has made meritorious contributions to repairing the embankment, and the sound shocks the world, Cheng Jialin sat in the position of Suzhou Zhizhou at a young age, and he is also one of the seven gentlemen of the New Deal who was personally called into the palace by His Majesty that day.

There is only Hou Jichang. Still living in Jiaozhou, unable to show his ambitions, now that Fan Xian has lost his power to the end, this Lord Hou is only afraid that he will be unwilling in his heart, and he will also be forced to find some other ways. Regarding this, Fan Xian was not unincomprehensible, but he was just unhappy, especially unhappy with the He scholar who was also having a banquet.

After three rounds of drinking, several people chatted about what they had done in their respective positions over the years, and Yang Wanli talked about how those white flowers and silver had become boulders and earthworks on both sides of the river. Cheng Jialin talked about how he protected the territory and the people during his tenure in Zhizhou, how through the help of Lord Xiao Fan, he put those salt merchants and imperial merchants into obedience, how he raised money for his wife to enter the Hangzhou Society, and how many poor people he helped. Shi Xianli smiled and talked about what he had seen and heard in the world. and those miserable women in Qinglou are living a slightly better life now. I also told an interesting anecdote, which is said to be in the back cabinet of some Baoyue Towers. Now it is actually a statue dedicated to Lord Xiao Fan, because Lord Xiao Fan has blessed the lives and safety of many girls......

As soon as these words came out, everyone except Shi Yanli himself squirted out the wine.

Although the three of them are chatting about their own affairs, they are actually all related to Fan Xian, and they are all talking about some things that Fan Xian has done in his life to benefit the country and the people, Fan Xian is not a saint, just a mortal, so he is naturally a little happier. He looked at the three of them with a smile, and after a pause, he said: "Wanli has been living in the mansion these days, anyway, he doesn't have a serious family house in Kyoto, Jialin, your family is still in Suzhou, so just move to the mansion." ”

As soon as the door master spoke, the three of them quieted down at the same time, put down the chopsticks in their hands, and looked at him.

"I have arrangements for things at home in Suzhou, don't worry. Fan Xian looked at Cheng Jialin and said gently: "Just get through this time." I called you here today, because I was afraid that you would have a grudge against the court and a grudge against me, and you would harm yourself. ”

He smiled bitterly and said, "Of course, now it seems that Ji Chang doesn't need me to take care of it." ”

"But you know that I have never asked for anything else from you, just those eight words, so even if the court wants to catch my guilt from you, it is impossible, Ji Chang has his own considerations, but he will not betray me out of nothing. Fan Xian's expression calmed down, and he said slowly: "The four of you follow me as officials in the world, but it is a peaceful season, so you need to contribute." And if it's not peaceful today, so you need to be patient, I know you want to help me, so I went to find some good colleagues in private, but don't do it in the future, my matter is not a problem that the court officials can solve. ”

Cheng Jialin responded with a wry smile, they all remembered clearly that when they were released, Fan Xian left them the eight words - be a good person, be a good official.

"Now that you can't be an official, you have to be an honest man. There was a faint pain between Fan Xian's eyebrows, His Majesty knocked everyone around him into the dust, and he really let himself look left and right, a little anxious, this hand was really too vicious.

After the family banquet, Yang Wanli and Cheng Jialin went to the back garden apartment to rest, Fan Xian left Shi Xianli behind, and he summoned Shi Xianli back to Beijing thousands of miles, naturally it was not as simple as just eating one meal. There were only two of them left in the study, and Shi Yanli no longer had to hide anything, and scolded Hou Jichang angrily.

Fan Xian shook his head and said: "Ji Chang is just a scholar and an official after all, even if he has only learned to drill the camp now." And how did you know that he had made a big mistake? ”

Shi Yanli's heart was cold, he knew too many secrets of the door master, and naturally knew that the door master was not just a simple minister. The power of the sect master is even more outside the power position, and Hou Ji's frequent betrayal actually angered a king in the dark.

"Don't worry I'll kill him, I don't have that idleness. Fan Xian lowered his eyes slightly and said, "How did I ask you to check the matter?"

"There is no difference between Dongyi City and the north, and there is no conflict with the war on the surface. Shi Xianli added a sentence first, and then replied seriously to Fan Xian's question, "The matter of the palace canon you want to investigate is indeed a bit strange, and the Privy Council issued an order to the Nanzhao two months ago. It's just that the level of secrecy is extremely high, and the building has only detected the rumors, and now without the cooperation of the hospital, a lot of news can only touch the surface. ”

"Nanzhao, what's the problem there?" asked Fan Xian with a frown.

"Ye Shuaidi's son is on the front line of Nanzhao, according to the practice of the imperial court, there is no war in Nanzhao now, and the new lord has succeeded to the throne for three years. That side of the road should be half turned back to Beijing to report the merits......" Shi Yanli glanced at him and continued: "According to the time, it should have arrived in Kyoto at this time, and then returned the major battalions, but the border army along the way has never arrived. ”

"You mean to say...... Is it possible that they have gone to the west?" Fan Xian's heart was shocked, and he suddenly thought of an extremely terrifying possibility, shook his head and said, "With such a large military mobilization, how can it be hidden from the rest of the world?"

"If we started out, we focused on the south, even the southern line of Weizhou. With the help of the charming women, you may be able to find out the movement. Shi Yanli blamed himself and said: "It's just that Baoyuelou has been paying attention to Kyoto, Dongyi, and Northern Qi in the past few months, and has not been careful enough to sort out the information over there." ”

"It's none of your business, it's my focus. Fan Xian rubbed his temples with a little headache, and said to himself, "Ye Ling'er, his brother...... This guy hasn't been in Kyoto for many years, and I forgot that there is such a person. According to the calculation of time, if the Nanzhao border army really pulls back, it will pass through Kyoto and not enter. If it's really going west...... Haven't you already arrived in Dingzhou?"

Fan Xian raised his head and took a deep breath, his eyes were full of uneasiness and exhaustion, he knew that he had made a big mistake, but he had been under house arrest in Kyoto for all these months. The Supervision Yuan is under the supervision of Yan Bingyun again. Relying only on Baoyue Tower, it is indeed impossible to accurately grasp the military movement of Qingguo.

"Gong Dian left Beijing. went to Dingzhou to summon Hongcheng to return to Beijing...... Took away 10,000 Kyoto garrisons and 2,000 forbidden troops. Shi Yanli reminded: "This is something that was found out before. ”

"I know that. Fan Xian's heart gave birth to a frustrated emotion, his palm lightly slapped the desk, and sighed: "I just didn't expect that Your Majesty would have such a big hand, and he would actually transfer troops from the south to the south, across thousands of miles, and the army changed guards, isn't he afraid of chaos in the world?"

Shi Xianli understood this sentence, his body was cold, and he forcibly analyzed calmly: "As far as the imperial court is concerned, the new lord of Nanzhao is young, and the domestic ministers are mostly interested in Daqing, so there is no need to be wary at all, leaving half of the army all the way in the south is enough." And the situation of Yanjing City and Beida Camp dealing with Northern Qi and Dongyi City, although it seems that because of the subsequent impact of the rebellion that year, the commander of the Beida Camp has some influence, but in fact there is no danger...... Therefore, for His Majesty, as long as Xiliang can be pacified, and there is no cause of chaos in the world, he can go all out to prepare for the Northern Expedition. ”

"Pacifying Xiliang is to deal with those people on the grassland...... Fan Xian's brows furrowed, and he sighed softly, knowing that he was still counted dead by Emperor Lao Tzu, after all, he didn't turn over the other party's palm, and an indescribable sense of exhaustion and disappointment filled his body, making him sit on the chair indifferently and unable to move.

He finally knew why His Majesty maintained such an indifferent attitude towards the war in the Northern Lands, and was not angry and vigilant at all because of the possible collusion between Northern Qi and Fan Xian, it turned out that His Majesty the Emperor had already sorted out the possible actions of his illegitimate son, and concentrated all his spirit and all his strength in the West. His Majesty the Emperor did not dance with Fan Xian's layout at all, but instead took advantage of the situation and smashed his fist into Dingzhou City.

"The prince must be informed immediately. Shi Lili said in shock.

Fan Xian sat on the chair tiredly, and said after a while, "It's too late." ”

In winter, the grassland is filled with a chill, and the wind from the north, through the North Sea, carries a slight wetness, has long been in the northeast of the grassland in those desert Gobi deserts. Blindly dry and cold, the autumn grass on the ground has long been gone, and all that remains is sand. As far as the eye can see, the ground is so hard that even the horse's hooves feel uncomfortable frozen ground.

In the winter of previous years, birds looking down from the sky might have found some tempting green colors beside some lakes, but today, even these poor habitats, they cannot be found, because these hardy ones. The eyes of the birds who do not want to go to the south for the winter are all blood-red, the roots of the frozen dry ground are blood-red, the round gravel is blood-red, the sand that crumbles when pinched is blood-red, and even the voles that come out of the burrows seem to be blood-red.

This is the Red Mountain Pass, a place that must be passed through from the grassland into the territory of Daqing, and the mountains and rocks are all red. However, today's red is not a different color given by God, but is dyed red by the Hu people on the grassland and the soldiers of Daqing.

There are corpses everywhere, there is blood everywhere, the earth-shattering killing sound that scared the vole out of the cave and shocked the big bird has gradually stopped, but beside some barren hills, there is still a brutal battle, and some stubborn Hu warriors gathered into a few small circles. In the siege of the soldiers of the Qingguo who were dozens of times their own, the last blood was sprinkled.

A year ago, Li Hongcheng, the general of Dingzhou and the son of King Jing, was in the Red Mountain Pass to meet the black cavalry and Fan Xian who escaped from the grassland, and he was expecting to be able to fight a beautiful ambush here, but the Hu people were not stupid, and they never gave Qingjun such a chance.

In previous years, in such a cold season, countless tribes in Xihu would follow the banner of the king's tent. Slowly dodging the cold air, we made our way deeper into the grassland, until we reached the bottom of the unclimbable mountain, and after surviving the bitter cold of the year, the whole grassland was replanted in the early spring of the following year.

It is very rare that Xihu will choose to attack the Xiliang Road of Qingguo in the thick of winter. In previous years, except for those tribes who had lost ground in the fighting within the grasslands. Except for the crazy attempt to cross the border and loot the winter food of the soldiers and civilians of Qingguo Tuntian, there has never been a major military operation.

But this year is different. I don't know what's going on, Lord Hu Ge, who inherited most of the cattle and sheep warriors of King Zuoxian, suddenly brazenly led the tribe to move to the east, and bravely or recklessly launched an attack on the territory of Qingguo.

What is even more incomprehensible to the Xihu people is that the great and far-sighted Shan Yu, after meditating in the king's tent for a day and a night, expressed his appreciation for Brother Hu's behavior, and braved the severe cold to dispatch the most elite grassland iron horsemen, trying to cross the Red Mountain Pass, bypass Qingzhou, and attack the inner abdomen of Xiliang.

No one could have imagined that in the wilderness near the Hongshan Pass, there were actually 20,000 Qingguo iron cavalry and 70,000 Dingzhou troops in ambush! These Qingguo soldiers seemed to have known the direction of the Hu people's attack on the grassland, the number of people attacking, and the time of attacking, but in fact, the most terrifying thing was that they expected that Xihu would brave the severe cold to attack this year!

The attack of the Hu people was completely unreasonable, and the ambush of the Qing army was even more unreasonable, these unreasonable things came together in one place, and this Qingzhou victory recorded in the history books was achieved, and this Shura field where tens of thousands of people sacrificed their lives.

Beside a barren hill, already filled with corpses, blood flowing in the sand, this group of Hu warriors had fought to the last man, surrounded by the Qing army. From the previous battle, the Qing military officer knew that this person must be a master of the grassland, so he no longer urged his subordinates to step forward, but slowly raised his right hand and indifferently prepared to fire arrows.

"To descend or not to descend?" The cold voice echoed in the cold air of the grassland, Hu Ge, who was covered in injuries, breathed heavily, his eyes were full of crimson, he stared at those Qingguo's cold soldiers, suddenly screamed, and stabbed himself in the chest, so deep that he had no handle.

Hu Ge is dead, his eyes are still open, looking at the sky with resentment, even if he is dead, he will become a resentful spirit, and ask the young man in Kyoto who caused all this unjustified blood, why?