Li Laiheng watched Niu Xi lead the army away, but his thoughts drifted to the cold winter many years ago.

"To die together, to live together! Uncle Niu, Uncle Niu!" Lai Heng choked up as he shook the very burly middle-aged man in front of him. Because he was hit by an arrow in his back and left shoulder, he lost too much blood from the wound, and he ran for more than ten miles in one breath, so that he just fell off the horse and fainted.

After a long time, Uncle Niu was finally awakened by Li Laiheng. As soon as his eyes opened, he immediately became vigilant, looked at the way he came, and saw that the sky was almost right, and the wind was shouting, and it was snowing heavily. He knew that the boundary of Junzhou here was still a hundred or dozens of miles away from Xiangyang, not to mention that he had to go to the residence of General Li Guo in Guizhou. And in this kind of snowy weather, there are few people on the road. He was injured by an arrow, and there was no possibility of survival, but it was a pity that he was ashamed of the trust placed in General Li Guo.

He tried to sit up with hard support, but suddenly there was a sharp pain from the arrow sore behind his back, which instantly spread to his whole body, and he couldn't help but fall on Lai Heng's body.

"Xiao Laiheng, Uncle Niu is dying, Uncle Niu didn't protect you well, I'm ashamed... Shame on your father, General Li Guo. ”

Seeing him gasping for breath, sweat on his cheeks, head and neck, and hair roots continued to ooze out, and he immediately choked up and said:

"Uncle Niu, stop talking, take a break."

"Little Laiheng, good boy,... You made me... Let me finish. ”

"In May of this year, my Emperor Dashun was indeed in... Yes, he was killed at the foot of Jiugong Mountain. You... I have to tell you the truth... Grandma, save her from the pain of suspense, this time... The one who hunted down us this time was Wang Guang Province of the 'Thirteen Families', this person... Be a capricious person, and you'll be ... You'll be in the future... Later", he said three "later" in a row, he couldn't catch it in one breath after all, he spurted out a mouthful of blood, grabbed Laiheng's arm with both hands, suddenly glared, kicked his legs, and tilted his head on Laiheng.

After all, Li Laiheng is still young, and he is only frightened. After a while, Lai Hengbei came from it, and he couldn't help crying loudly. For thirteen years, his closest and dearest people suddenly left him at this moment. Grandpa, his father only disciplined him strictly, but Uncle Niu cared for him all the time, and sometimes, he even felt that Uncle Niu was his biological father. At this moment, he was panicked and grieved. Trying to drag Uncle Niu's heavy body towards the dead wood forest next to the mountain road......

Song Qingping saw that Lai Heng was standing still, perhaps remembering some of the past, so she didn't bother and stood quietly and waited.

After Li Laiheng hastily buried Uncle Niu, he finally returned to Guizhou with great effort, and later learned that Uncle Niu was his father's right-hand man, surnamed Niu Yichao, a person from Hanzhong, and only the old mother and a child were left at home to live a difficult life. This child is Niu Xi. Lai Heng thought about Niu Xi's father's kindness to him many years ago, and the incense of the deceased must be remembered.

He turned around and whispered a few words in Qingping's ear, Qingping nodded again and again, and then walked side by side to the village.

……

Night, it's really dark! It's just that on both sides of the mountain road, the towering ancient trees block a bright moon and a bright starlight in the sky!

Wang Jincai, a cadre, was busy like a fish that had slipped through the net, anxious like a lost dog, running on the mountain road leading to Yiling with one foot high and one foot low. At this time, Wang Jincai's heart was at a loss, just like the darkness on this mountain road, and he couldn't see the light.

Yesterday afternoon, when Li Laiheng's horse Ben led the troops through his camp, he had a foreboding feeling that things were going to be bad. Sure enough, I was really expected by myself, fortunately I went fast, otherwise the consequences would be really unimaginable!

He took the reins and told the horse to walk slowly, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with his hands while looking behind him with trepidation.

"Langwu, they shouldn't have chased after them, they have been running for a few hours." He thought to himself.

"But what about the future? Do you really want to submit to the Manchurians? With these guns, the chips are obviously not enough, and people will definitely not pay attention to themselves......" He regretted a little that he didn't pull more people out. He shook his head helplessly, suddenly stopped, and instructed the soldiers who followed him:

"Light the torches and tell everyone to rest!" The soldier went as ordered. Waiting for the torch to be lit, two personal soldiers immediately came over to help Wang Jincai dismount. (Just because Jin Cai is tall, swollen and fat, and he is not good at using bow horses.) Two more soldiers spread out a folded rattan table on the ground. Put a tablecloth on it, take out a leather bag for wine, a pair of silver cups, and a few plates of snacks. The soldiers next to him poured a full glass of wine for him. I saw him sit on the ground, pick up the cup, drink it in one gulp, look up to the sky and sigh, and say to himself:

"I want my Wang to follow Emperor Dashun to China for decades, but what expected, which one expected to end up like this, sad, sad!" Grab your glass and toast again. At this moment, the pro-soldier who had given the order had already turned around, and when he heard this, he boldly stepped forward and knelt down and said:

"Don't worry too much, there is no endless road, and you have your own blessing. If it is useful to the villain, the villain will definitely go to the soup and die! ”

When Wang Jincai heard this, he was slightly surprised, a cool breeze blew, and the cold invaded his body, and he couldn't help but shiver. He looked closely, recognized it as the leader of his own soldiers, and said:

"You ......." What was his surname, but he forgot it for a while.

"The little one is happy, and he is willing to serve the big handsome!"

"Okay, well, I finally didn't hurt you in vain, come to Xi, you get up and talk." Jin Cai ran his hand through the long beard on his chin and smiled at him.

This is in his early twenties, burly, born with a full heavenly court, a high nose bridge, and thick eyebrows and big eyes, he is indeed a talent. Jin Cai thought to himself.

"Thank you, Boss!" Laixi was no longer polite, so he sat cross-legged opposite the material.

"Laixi, where is your hometown?" Jin Cai asked.

"The villain's hometown is in Shaanxi Mizhi, handsome." Laixi said.

"Oh, yes, yes, I remember, the old man's hometown is Yan'an, you are most of my fellow countrymen." As he spoke, he handed the glass full of wine to Laixi. Laixi was flattered and even said "don't dare".

Wang Jincai waved his hand, pondered for a moment, looked directly at Laixi, and said:

"The old man is fifty and two this year, the rivers and lakes have been floating for half his life, he has no heirs, and he intends to accept you as a righteous son, what do you think?"

When he heard this, he was overjoyed, and he threw himself over and fell to the ground. Three prostrations in a row.

Wang Jincai was immediately pleased:

"I'm not rude, get up and talk quickly!" While stretching out his left hand to help him up, he said in his mouth.

"In fact, it was not my intention to go to Hulu, but because of the situation, I had to be heard." He picked up the flask and wanted to pour the wine, but he grabbed it and filled it for his father-in-law first. Listen to Jin Cai and continue:

"That's fine, now that I'm outnumbered, I'm at the end of my rope, and I don't want to take refuge in the Manchurians anymore. Since my son recognizes me as his father, then his father will not go around with you. ”

Lai Xi heard this, and his heart moved, "This is going to go straight to the topic." "Quickly sit up straight and say:

"Father, please speak!"

At this time, Wang Jincai cleared his throat and said slowly:

"For my father, I have two righteous brothers, one Ma Jinzhong and one Wang Yuncheng. These two are both good men, and now they should also resist the Manchus in Huguang, and the father's will can be voted for after you inquire clearly, I don't know what my son can think? ”

When Laixi heard this, his face showed hesitation, and he said:

"The son is willing to listen to his father's dispatch, but it's just ......"

"But it doesn't hurt to speak!" Jin Cai said.

"Where will my father rest after his son leaves?" Laixi asked.

"Haha, I'm too worried." After saying that, with a wave of his hand, those who were standing and sitting nearby immediately withdrew from the five zhang distance.

When Wang Jincai saw everyone leaving, Fang lowered his head, looked at Lai Xi and whispered:

"There is a big mountain not far from the north here, called Wangzhou Mountain, the square is vast, there are few people, there is only a temple under the mountain, the name Guanyin Temple, there is a view on the mountain, the name Baiyun Temple, the view of the Lord and the host are friends with the old man, there is no problem to come and rest for a while!"

"When is the boy leaving?" Let's ask again.

"My son can set out after a short rest, and he must dress up as a merchant, and bring less companionship and more gold and silver. Be cautious on the road, and wait for the good news for my father!" With that, he stood up and shouted:

"Little Wuzi, come here!"

"Yes, sir!" With this promise, the little guy with clear eyebrows walked briskly from a distance.

"Go and fetch three hundred taels of gold and two hundred taels of silver, and give them to him in two bags." As he spoke, he pointed to Laixi. Xiao Wuzi didn't look at him, agreed, and went by himself. After a while, he brought a blanket in one hand and put it in front of Laixi.

"My son will prepare first, and if you want to choose any companion, you will make your own decisions."

"Yes, boy, go get ready." Laixi bowed and left with his fists clenched.

After a while, I saw that Lai Xi was followed by two people in front of him.

Wang Jincai pointed to a short middle-aged man beside him and said to Laixi:

"This person is from Huguang Wuling, and he is also familiar with Yuezhou, Wuchang and other places, so I need to be careful all the way here."

He pointed to the rest. "You need to be careful, too."

"Yes" everyone agreed, and then turned over and got on the horse, followed Laixi and galloped eastward, towards the Yiling ferry.

Wang Jincai watched the group disappear from sight. Suddenly, a voice sounded:

"Master, can this be done?" Xiao Wuzi quietly snuggled into Jincai's arms.

Wang Jincai stroked Xiao Wuzi's delicate cheeks and sighed noncommittally:

"Well, I hope so!"

……

At the time of the card, the big tent of Baiyang Village.

Song Qingping is working hard in front of the bookcase, translating and interpreting the "Book of Heaven". Li Laiheng was looking through the newspapers in various places today, and overheard the report of his own soldiers:

"Grandpa Guo, someone from Ciqing Palace is here to ask to see you."

"Well, tell him in." Li Laiheng put down the Tang newspaper in his hand and said.

When the door curtain was lifted, the sound of ringing ding dong entered the ears, and a gust of incense swept the face. Lai Heng took a closer look and recognized it as the Queen Mother's maid Chen Min'er. She is the younger sister of Chen Qiao'er, the head of Ciqing Palace, and one of the few girls who were raised by Feng. This girl has just turned eighteen, her face is delicate, her body is graceful, and her sister is called "Maolu Mountain Double Flower", which is very loved by Mrs. Gao, and Lai Heng also treats him as his sister.

I saw her come to Laiheng with light steps, and she was slightly blessed, and said with a smile:

"I've seen the general." blessed Qingping again.

"I've seen Song Junshi."

Qingping hurriedly put down the brush in her hand, returned the salute, said she didn't dare, and glanced at Laiheng.

Laiheng smiled and said:

"Naughty! What are you doing here? ”

Chen Min'er walked over and took a copy of the Tang newspaper in her hand, flipped it over and put it down, and then she bent over, looked at Lai Heng with ill will, smiled mysteriously and said:

"Brother Laiheng, guess what?" Lai Heng scratched his head, showed a helpless expression, and said:

"I'm not a worm in your belly, how do I know?" As soon as I finished speaking, I knew that I had slipped my mouth.

Unexpectedly, I only listened to "Hahaha, the worm in my belly, you are the worm in my belly!" Chen Min'er pointed at Lai Heng and laughed out loud. The laughter like a silver bell attracted a lot of soldiers nearby!

At this time, Lai Heng was embarrassed and looked at Qingping for help. Qingping put her right index finger to her mouth, "Shhh...", Chen Min'er saw this, and knew that it was wrong, so she hurriedly stopped laughing and said:

"Brother Song Junshi, the queen mother ordered, so that the two of you will go to Ciqing Palace on time today to have a banquet, and there are important matters to discuss. The words have been brought, and I'm gone! After saying that, he turned his head and walked away, seemingly a little unhappy!

It's strange, no one offended her, how could this girl's face become faster than the sky? The two muttered in their own hearts.

……