The wind seemed to blow from all directions in an instant, and the body, which had already been condensed like cold iron in the bitter cold of the north, actually felt the cold to the bones at this moment.

What is a chess piece?

It is a cloud master who can sometimes carry the rolling trend and the scenery is incomparable;

But in the same way, it is also a useless object that can be ruthlessly discarded at any time when the overall situation is easier.

Northern Liang and Daxia peace talks, what can be discussed?

It's nothing more than bargaining over the ownership of the three places of Lieyang Pass, Phoenix City and Swift State.

For the subjects of the world, it is a good thing to be able to stop the war and rest the army, not to suffer from the disaster of war, and not to suffer from the evil of military expenses and food;

For the courts of the two countries, now that they have their own gains, it is also a good thing to be able to recover losses through peace talks and stabilize the situation in a balanced situation;

But for Dongfang Ping, who is a chess piece in the game, it is a complete bad news and tragedy.

He has his dreams and his persistence, he has his forbearance and means, but he has only one person, only tens of thousands of people, only one state, how to win the chance to survive between two behemoths!

He wrinkled his brows and thought, and finally only came to one conclusion: the people of Beiliang were unreliable.

For the sake of today's plan, only by further grasping the Swift State in his own hands can he avoid the dismal end of being swept out of the game without resistance.

But right now, even though he knew that Beiliang might abandon him, he still didn't dare to turn his face with the Beiliang people.

Because, if you offend the northern and southern dynasties at the same time, there is no reason to be spared only in the land of Swift.

He looked out the window, the sky was high and the clouds were far away, and his eyes were vast, but he could only stand in a small cage, like a trapped beast.

"Your Highness!"

At this moment, another guard hurriedly came, "Your Highness, Beiliang is here." ”

Dongfang Ping sneered in his heart, and his faint calculation became clear in an instant, but his face was full of surprise and joy, and he said excitedly: "Hurry up, please!" ”

In the lobby of the State Pastoral Mansion, Murong Long stood with his hands in his hands.

When there was a sound of footsteps, he didn't look back, but the sound in his ears still made him look curious.

"Oh, Envoy, Xiao Wang is looking forward to you!"

Dongfang Ping walked over with a humble face, bowed slightly, and looked excited, "Envoy, don't you know, since General Murong met with an accident, Xiao Wang is unpleasant to eat, and he can't sleep at night, not only regretting that he failed to dissuade General Murong from being careful, but also looking forward to the envoys coming to the kingdom again day and night to preside over the overall situation!" ”

Before Murong Long came here, he had already secretly gone to the Harrier Eagle Riding Camp that was now gathered outside the state city.

As the best young man in the Murong family, of course, he easily subdued the already leaderless Harrier Eagle Rider, and then came to this state pastoral mansion with His Majesty's order to temporarily stabilize and even control Dongfang Ping.

On the way he came, he made a lot of expectations and precautions, Dongfang Ping was domineering, cunning, and sleek, but he didn't expect the other party to put on such a posture at all.

He naturally didn't believe this, turned around and said calmly: "Your Highness laughed, this overall situation is naturally presided over by Your Highness, and we are just the guest army who came to help you on the orders of the emperor, and we can't afford this important task!" ”

Dongfang Ping was slightly stunned, and hurriedly nodded obediently, "Yes, yes, the envoy is right, but I hope you will help Xiao Wang more and let Xiao Wang and Yuyan Zhou get through the difficulties!" ”

Murong Long, who thought that Dongfang Ping would have a fight with him, was stunned again when he heard this, really what I said, the main obedient?

"Don't worry, this general has come with His Majesty's order this time, so as not to invalidate the covenant between you and me, so as to seek great things."

"Good, good! That's good! Dongfang Ping patted his chest and changed his words, "To tell the truth, I heard that the pseudo-dynasty is strong, and Xiao Wang is worried all day long, lest His Majesty the Kingdom of God will not be willing to help Xiao Wang anymore, and now that he sees the general, he can finally sleep peacefully." ”

He said seriously: "General, although it is difficult for a while, but the swifts are vast and rich, if you can help each other with your country, the general trend is still there, please don't do short-sighted moves!" ”

Murong Long looked at the very sincere face in front of him, and suddenly felt that the information he understood was not enough, so he both tried and changed the subject: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will come here this time just to appease His Highness's heart." Later, Ben will go to the Harrier Eagle Cavalry camp to pacify the soldiers and re-stabilize the situation. ”

Dongfang Ping nodded immediately, "The general is hard, tonight Xiao Wang set up a dinner party in the city, invited the powerful people in the state, received the wind for His Royal Highness, and invited you to enjoy your face!" ”

Didn't stop it? Didn't send a few "guides" to spy on it?

Murong Long, who was accustomed to deceitful in the Liang Capital, felt that Dongfang Ping was a little easy to talk too much, and then instinctively didn't believe his words.

So, he waved his hand, "Your Highness is kind and kind, you don't need to catch the wind, and tomorrow Japan will come to see Your Highness again." Leave! ”

Dongfang Ping looked at him, opened his mouth, stopped talking a few times, and finally mustered up the courage to stop him, "General!" ”

Murong Long turned his head, his gaze slightly condensed, "What else is there to do with Your Highness?" ”

Dongfang sneered for a moment, but finally asked, "I haven't asked the general's name yet." ”

Murong Long felt that if what he showed at this moment was true, it would be too much, and immediately said coldly: "Murong family, Murong Long." ”

With that, he strode away.

After walking out of the state city all the way and returning to the Harrier Eagle Cavalry camp, Murong Long really breathed a sigh of relief, and looked at the soldiers beside him, "Go, several commanders in the army have called." ”

At the beginning, Murong Hu's personal soldiers were directly executed because the master was about to die.

Now among the harrier eagle riders, Murong Long is more trustworthy only these commanders.

When these people came over and sat down in the tent, after listening to Murong Long's doubts, they all smiled in unison, and Murong Long was stunned again.

"The general doesn't know that this Dongfang Ping is this virtue!"

"Originally, General Tiger was also a little confused, but when he got to the back, he no longer doubted it!"

Murong Long's eyebrows wrinkled into deep Sichuan characters, "How is it possible, the dignified prince of the Southern Dynasty and the commander of the border army, how can he be such a cowardly villain?" How could such a person be in power and in battle? ”

"The general doesn't know, this Dongfang Ping is not this posture at all in front of his subordinates and state officials, it is called a decisive killing, and he never hides from us, and is not afraid of our suspicion."

"According to the previous analysis of General Hu, this Dongfang Ping is not a mediocre person, but a capable person, and a person who can see the situation clearly and can endure what ordinary people can't endure. He managed his soldiers properly, so many people were willing to rebel with him, and he took down the entire Swift Prefecture in a very short time, which shows his talent. At the same time, he saw the overall situation thoroughly, knowing that after the rebellion, he could only befriend our Daliang and pay tribute to our court in the future in exchange for peace, so he was willing to grovel. ”

"The general doesn't know, in fact, this Dongfang Ping is not so flattering in front of us. His flattery is based on his ability to become the lord of a country and cut off his dominance, and with this condition, everything is easy to say, but if it threatens his rule over the Swift State, he will immediately show his vicious minions. At the beginning, when General Tiger was in a war crisis, he still didn't want to fight, so Dongfang Ping let go of the cruel words in person. ”

When Murong Long heard this, he finally felt that it made sense, "So, he doesn't care if he is a flattering lord or a wise lord, but he has to be a lord of the country?" Otherwise, he wouldn't mind being a ferocious wolf again? ”

The commanders hurriedly sent a flattery, "Yes, yes, yes! That's what it means! ”

"It's still the general who speaks clearly!"

"The general is worthy of being the dragon and phoenix among the cowardly Xue Wei, we muttered so much, you can summarize it in one sentence."

Murong Long ignored these cheap boasts, and thought about it with a frown.

His Majesty meant to let him appease and try to control Dongfang Ping, now it is impossible for Dongfang Ping not to know what is happening, and the way he wants to question today but does not dare to open his mouth shows that the other party still has illusions about Da Liang, for fear of angering himself, if he follows this line of thought, he should be able to appease.

At that time, he will complete His Majesty's plan and make great contributions, which will also make the Murong family, whose strength has been greatly damaged, breathe a sigh of relief.

As soon as he had a thought, he opened his mouth to summon his own soldiers, "Go and tell Dongfang Ping that I will go to the city for a banquet tonight." ”

——

"To what feast? It was freezing on this day, so I was reading at home. ”

In the city of Liangdu, King Jing Xue Yi leaned against the warm room, pouted speechlessly, pulled the blanket on his lap, and leaned to the side.

The housekeeper of the palace laughed on the side, "Lord, tonight the prince called all the princes for a banquet, except for King Mu, who was patrolling outside, the rest of the princes have gone, it's not appropriate for you not to go, right?" ”

King Jing was slightly stunned, held his forehead, thought for a moment, and then slowly closed the manuscript of "Xia Gaoyang's Poetry and Essays Collection" collected by a bookseller with a keen sense of smell who did not know which one was only circulated among the nobles of Liangdu, put it gently on the table, and then lifted the blanket and sat up.

The handmaiden who was interested in the side hurried up and put on a cloak for him.

Where did a prince have the courage to convene the prince for a banquet, it must be a secret order from his father.

Hey, let's try out the new dishes in the Prince's Mansion.

King Jing sighed, opened his arms, and let the maid dress himself in a fox fur to protect him from the cold, and then walked out of the palace with the guards.

In the East Palace, many princes of Emperor Liang are gathering together.

Many days ago, they had also gotten together like this, but that was on the day Emperor Liang vomited blood and fell unconscious, and the room at that time was full of panic and vigilance.

But today, everything is back on track, and the atmosphere of warmth and joy is beginning to be created very vividly by these nobles.

Xue Yi sat in it, absentmindedly echoing the bursts of impassioned or laughter that the prince had guided.

Halfway through the feast, an attendant slowly appeared at the door.

Seeing each other's faces, all the princes, including the crown prince, stood up and saluted together.

He Zhong, the great eunuch beside Emperor Liang, did not entrust him, returned the salute, and then said with a smile: "Your Royal Highness, Your Majesty knows that you are drinking and feasting here, so you sent the old slave to ask, Your Majesty wants to choose one person to go to Lieyang Pass to discuss the charter of peace talks with the people of the Southern Dynasties, for the purpose of formal peace talks, but which of His Highnesses volunteered?" ”

When everyone heard this, they looked at each other and fell silent.

If you don't have any idea about the throne, you will make up your mind to rely on the blessings of your mother's womb and enjoy yourself for a lifetime, so you will naturally not take the initiative.

If you have an idea about the throne, who would not know that this time the peace talks are actually the downfall of the imperial court, and even if it does, it is not a good thing, but it is a reputation of losing power and humiliating the country, maybe it will make many big clans and outstanding people who want to support them give up themselves and lose their big bargaining chips, how can they take the initiative to ask for help.

The palace was silent for a while, and the crown prince sighed, "Father-in-law He, as a prince alone, he should share his father's worries, so let him go." ”

He Zhong shook his head, "Your Highness is the prince, and this matter is still inconvenient. ”

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, and in the nervous and evasive looks of everyone, he fell on Xue Yi's body, "His Royal Highness King Jing, are you willing to share your worries for Your Majesty?" ”

Xue Yi: ???

It's too troublesome for me to even come to the East Palace to drink, you let me go to Lieyang Pass?

After going to Lieyang Pass, can I run for formal peace talks?

Although he doesn't have the idea of competing for the throne on weekdays, his brain is not stupid, and he understands when he looks at this posture that He Zhong's words are not what he meant, but what his father meant.

Can the will of the Emperor be disobeyed?

The answer is obvious.

Therefore, in the gloating eyes of the brothers around him, Xue Yi had no choice but to stand up, "As a prince, I should contribute to the country and worry about the monarch. ”

Three days later, a team of no small size slowly walked towards the Lieyang Pass in the wind and snow, but in their hearts, they did not have half of the warmth close to the scorching sun.

"What the hell is this weather!"

King Jing Xue Yi leaned on the charcoal stove, sighed a few times towards the cold palm, and scolded with a sad face.

What made him even more depressed was that his brothers could all enjoy happiness in the high-walled compound of Liangdu, but he had to run around and suffer outside.

But he didn't put it up purely, and still planned to do his best to do this thing, so he was studying the information brought by the Embroidery Bureau in his hand, and at the same time asked the officials of the Enemy Lie Madu Division who were accompanying him about many etiquette regulations.

Let's talk about it, this time I faced a deputy envoy of the Southern Dynasty alone, and it was not a big problem.

When the official peace talks are held, the sky will fall and there will be the king of Dingxi, and he may be able to pick up a Jane in the emperor's heart!

With this in mind, he leaned towards the stove and pondered half-heartedly.

Half a day's journey away from the fast horse of Lieyang Pass, there is a city called Huaishuo City, and in the afternoon, King Jing and his party entered the city.

The biggest and best place in the city is naturally the courtyard of Xue Zonghan, the king of Zhennan.

When he was not at war on weekdays, he sat in this Huaishuo city.

It's just that with his earth-shattering operation, Huaishuo City, which was originally prosperous and stable behind the Lieyang Pass, suddenly became the forefront of resistance to the Southern Dynasties.

All of a sudden, there was a lot less prosperity.

King Jing, as a prince and concurrently on official business, went directly to the city to settle down.

As soon as he entered the room and sat down, his entourage came to report a news that surprised him.

"What? Cousin Wenlu is also here? ”

King Jing was surprised and delighted, although the king of Zhennan is now in prison, but as the brother of his father, it is very likely that he will be able to preserve his wealth in the future, Xue Wenlu, as the prince of Zhennan, compared to him, an ordinary prince, his status is not bad or even excessive.

And both of them are somewhat interested in Wenmo's affairs, and their personal relationships are okay on weekdays, but how can they not like it when they meet at the border in this poor and remote country at this moment.

King Jing hurriedly got up, rushed out with his entourage excitedly, and only reacted halfway up, turned his head and glared at his entourage, "Lead the way!" ”

Soon, in the courtyard of King Zhennan, he met Xue Wenlu.

"Cousin Wenlu, why do you look so depressed?"

King Jing looked at Xue Wenlu and the people behind him with a shocked expression.

In his mind, Xue Wenlu is a more noble and calm figure than many of their princes, and the demeanor of one of the four horses of the Northern Liang is not boastful.

At the beginning, I also went to the Southern Dynasty with enthusiasm and hope, why did I come back like this, as if I had been castrated?

Xue Wenlu and the others knew that they were warm and cold, and although they returned to the territory of Daliang, they were tormented one after another, again and again, and it was so easy for this heart to come back.

What's more, Xia Jingyun and Bai Yunbian actually followed them again as if they refused to let go of their evil ghosts asking for their lives.

They may not be able to see each other again, but what if?

In case Your Majesty says, "Eh, as long as you are familiar with each other, let's go with the mission."

When I think of those accidents, the food in my hometown is no longer fragrant, and I can't sleep well.

Xue Wenlu sighed when he heard this, "What is King Jing doing here?" ”

"In your wisdom, don't you understand this? Of course, I came here because of the matter of Lieyang Pass! ”

Xue Wenlu and Yelu Wende's faces changed slightly, and Xue Wenlu swallowed his saliva, "Could it be that you are the person sent by the imperial court to Lieyang Pass to discuss peace and discuss various matters?" ”

King Jing smiled, "What, do you think I'm not competent?" ”

Xue Wenlu pondered slightly, "You are the prince, you have come to be the advance this time, and I want to have you as the deputy envoy of the mission in the future." ”

King Jing snorted, "This is nature. ”

Xue Wenlu's expression was solemn, "Other things, I don't know the intentions of His Majesty and the imperial court, so I can't say much." However, you must remember to be careful of Xia Jingyun and Bai Yunbian. ”

King Jing couldn't help but put away his frivolity, "I know these two people are very powerful, but looking at your expression, there seems to be something unique?" ”

Xue Wenlu waved his hand, "Anyway, you must remember my words." Xia Jingyun is okay, as long as you don't take the initiative to provoke him, then it's fine. ”

King Jing asked a little unconvinced: "Then what if he takes the initiative to provoke me?" ”

Xue Wenlu was silent for a moment, "Even if he takes the initiative to provoke you, you'd better not fight back, just be honest." ”

The corners of King Jing's mouth twitched, "You guys"

Xue Wenlu ignored his muttering and continued: "As for that white cloud edge"

He couldn't help but have a painful look on his face, "Do you know that kind of cowhide syrup that boils so thickly? Oh no, it's all about lifting him, it's a mouthful of thick phlegm spit out by a person with severe asthma, accidentally sticking to the sole of the boot, rubbing it off, wiping it inexhaustibly, even if it washes it, it feels disgusting, and the only choice is to not have the boots. ”

King Jing looked Xue Wenlu up and down, just as he wanted to glance at Yelu Wende and Yuan Wenjing behind him, and asked if there was something wrong with his brain, but he found that these two people both agreed.

？？？

Xue Wenlu also said solemnly: "In short, just one word, don't provoke those two people, just follow the errand honestly." ”

Looking at this cousin who was once high-spirited, but now he is like a grassland magnate who has been relegated to slavery, and he has never seen the glory of the past, King Jing is excited.

"Okay, I remember, thank you cousin, thank you, you have worked hard all the way, I won't bother much, farewell."

Looking at the back of King Jing leaving, Xue Wenlu and the three of them knew that the other party not only disagreed with their words, but also despised them, just like Pei Bingchang, who left alone after entering the customs.

The three of them looked at each other and couldn't help but sigh.

Yeluwende said softly: "If they are really deflated, they must be able to let the court understand some of our suffering." ”

Yuan Wenjing sighed, "When have we become so unbearable!" ”

Xue Wenlu smiled bitterly, "Don't think about it so much, drink a bar, get drunk, you don't have to think about anything." ”

Back in the Thorn History Mansion, King Jing was still thinking about Fang Cai's affairs, what Xue Wenlu and the others said was too unbelievable, how could he be cowardly like that!

That Xia Jingyun is indeed a good poet, and Baiyunbian can also be called a young talent, but after all, he is just a young man of the same age as himself, why is this!

It seems that most of it is because of the defeat at the front line and the matter of Uncle Wang of Zhennan, which is frightened.

I also thought that after the prince of Zhennan returned to Beijing, he would be able to make the Zhennan Wangfu take a turnaround, and now it seems that the Zhennan Wangfu is afraid that it will withdraw from the court dispute!

He shook his head and sneered, leaving the ridiculous words behind him.

At the same time, the Marquis of Huai'an in Great Xia, the Emperor Zhongcheng in the Imperial History, and Lord Bai of Baiyunbian, with his entourage escort, arrived at Lieyang Pass, which he was not loyal.

In the west, more than 20 miles away from Lieyang Pass, a cavalry team broke through the wind and snow and was about to reach the end of the road home. (End of chapter)