Hearing that Tai Hao still insisted on his own ideas, Du Tong couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness in his heart, he knew Tai Hao's character very well, and knew that once he decided something, it would be difficult to change it. But he also understood that Her Majesty the Empress had very high expectations for Taihao, hoping to use his resourcefulness and martial arts to calm the disputes between the court.

He let out a long sigh and said slowly, "Lord Taihao, are you really not thinking about it anymore?" Her Majesty's trust and expectation of you is unparalleled. ”

Tai Hao smiled slightly, shook his head and said, "Lord Dutong, I appreciate your kindness." But I'm really tired of the strife in the court, and I just want to live a peaceful life with Xu Yuan. Please go back and tell Her Majesty that I have received her wishes, but I can no longer serve her. ”

When Du Tong heard this, he felt a sense of loss in his heart. He knew that no matter how much persuasion he continued, it would be useless, and he could only respect Taihao's decision. He stood up, arched his hand and said, "Lord Taihao, since you have decided, then I will not force it anymore." I will report your decision to Her Majesty the Queen. I hope you can take care of your health, the road is long, and be more careful. ”

After speaking, Du Tong led his men to leave Wurong City and embarked on the road back to the capital. His heart is full of helplessness and regret, but he also understands that everyone has their own choices and pursuits. He can only hope that Taihao can live the life he wants, and at the same time, he also hopes that Her Majesty the Empress can understand and accept this decision.

Du Tong returned to the bustling capital, but his heart was full of heaviness and helplessness. He hurriedly walked into the splendid palace and told the empress Changxiang what happened to him in Wurong City.

After hearing this, Changxiang's brows tightened, and after pondering for a while, she slowly spoke: "You said that Liu Xuande invited Zhuge Kongming to come out of the mountain and look at the thatched house, full of sincerity." So, should we go and invite Taihao again? Her voice was soft, but it was unmistakably resolute.

Du Tong smiled bitterly, shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, even I, the prime minister, have personally invited him, and if I invite him again, who will go?" Your Majesty, do you ......" His words were not finished, but the meaning was clear.

A hint of firmness flashed in Changxiang's eyes, she stood up, walked to the window, looked into the distance, and said slowly: "That's right, I decided to go to Wurong City in person." ”

When Du Tong heard this, he was shocked, and hurriedly dissuaded: "Your Majesty, please think twice!" Wurong City is far away from the high road of Thousand Winds City, and you are really not suitable for danger. If you have any trouble on the way, what should you do? ”

Changxiang turned around and looked at Du Tong, his eyes flashing with determination. She said lightly: "Dutong Aiqing, my decision will not change again. Taihao's resourcefulness and martial arts are very important to me. For the sake of the country and the people, I must personally go and invite him out of the mountain. All you have to do is arrange everything for me, and I have my own measure. ”

Du Tong looked at Changxiang's firm eyes, knowing that it was useless to persuade him, so he could only sigh helplessly and said, "Your Majesty, since you have decided, the minister will arrange it for you." However, please be careful and take precautions along the way. ”

Changxiang nodded, a smile on his face. She knew that this trip to Wurong City would be a journey full of unknowns and dangers. But she also believes that as long as there is faith and determination in her heart, nothing can stop her from moving forward.

In order to ensure the safety of this trip, Empress Changxiang carefully planned and did not make the news of her imminent departure from the palace public. In the entire court, only the prime minister Dutong knew about the empress's secret operation. The empress declared to the public that she was ill and needed to retreat for half a month, and all government affairs during this period were fully entrusted to Prime Minister Du Tong. This arrangement is not only to ensure the normal operation of the government, but also to cover up the true whereabouts of the empress.

Under the strict escort of fifty elite forbidden soldiers, two palace maids served Empress Changxiang and embarked on a journey to Wurong City. She was dressed in an ordinary official uniform and kept a low profile, trying to avoid attracting too much attention along the way. The people along the way only knew that an official was passing by, and no one would have thought that in this seemingly ordinary team, there was the current Empress Majesty.

The Empress knew that the journey was long and full of unknowns, so she was always vigilant and did not dare to be careless. Whenever night fell, she would order the Forbidden Army to be on higher alert in case of the unexpected. During the day, she took every opportunity to observe the customs and customs along the way, so as to better understand the people's feelings and public opinions, and accumulate experience for future governance.

After seven days of arduous trekking, Empress Changxiang finally arrived at Wurong City. She stood at the gate of the city, looking at this strange and mysterious city, and couldn't help but feel an inexplicable excitement in her heart. She knew that the purpose of this trip was to invite Taihao to help her, and whether she could succeed depended on her next efforts.

The Empress found a quaint and inconspicuous inn in the city, although the inn was not large, but it was quiet, which just met the secret requirements of the empress's trip. The Empress and her entourage chartered the entire inn, and all the guests in the inn were properly arranged elsewhere, while the forbidden army was divided into pieces, secretly protected, and ensured the Empress's safety, while keeping her identity strictly secret to avoid leaking the news.

The lord of Lotte City, the ruler of Wurong City, heard that an official from the DPRK and China had quietly arrived, and he couldn't help but be suspicious in his heart. He is well aware that when officials of the DPRK and China travel, they often make a huge noise, calling for them to hug each other, but this time they are so low-key, which is really strange. In order to fulfill the friendship of the landlord, but also to find out, Lotte decided to go to the inn to meet in person.

He came to the door of the inn, but was stopped by the forbidden army guarding the door. Lotte identified himself and said: "This official is Lotte, the lord of Wurong City, and I heard that an official from the DPRK and China has arrived, so I came to pay a visit. There was a bit of sincerity and respect in his words.

However, the forbidden army guarding the gate replied expressionlessly: "Our chief is low-key this time, and you don't have to come without her summons." Lotte Castle Lord, please come back! Their tone was firm and cold, clearly non-negotiable.

Although Lotte was unhappy in his heart, he also understood that these forbidden soldiers were acting on orders, and he could not force them. He frowned and asked tentatively, "Dare to ask which official it is?" He hoped to hear something from the Praetorian Army, even if it was just a small clue.

However, the forbidden army guarding the gate was still tight-lipped, and they responded lightly: "Lotte City Lord, you don't have to ask. Our chief does not want to be disturbed, so please respect her wishes and leave quickly. With that, they ignored Lotte and continued to stay at their posts, their eyes vigilantly scanning everything around them.

Lotte had no choice but to go home. He secretly guessed in his heart that this official of the DPRK and China was so mysterious.

At this time, the Empress Changxiang, due to fatigue from walking, was sleeping peacefully in the guest room, her breathing was even and deep, as if a worldly master was in retreat and cultivation. As the sunset sun shone on her face through the gaps in the curtains, the Empress slowly opened her eyes, and there was a hint of determination and wisdom in those bright eyes.

The two ladies were already waiting outside the door, and when they heard the movement in the house, they walked in lightly, knelt beside the bed, and respectfully waited for the empress's orders. Empress Changxiang sat up and stretched, feeling refreshed, as if her whole person was refreshed.

"Serve me to change clothes and wash up." The Empress said lightly. The two palace maids immediately got up, one of the palace maids picked up the gorgeous clothes on the side, and the other brought a copper basin and towels, and carefully served the empress to change clothes and wash.

After washing, the empress changed into a bright yellow dragon robe, and the whole person looked majestic and noble. She walked to the window, pushed it open, and looked out at the bustling street, but she already had a plan in mind.

"Go and call Taihao, and say that I have come to Wurong City to see him." The Empress turned to the two Forbidden Soldiers and commanded. Her voice was not loud, but it exuded an unmistakable majesty. When the two forbidden soldiers heard this, they immediately took the order and left, they knew that this time the empress came in person, there must be something important to discuss with Taihao.

Soon, the two forbidden soldiers arrived in front of the Xu Mansion like the wind. They were dressed in black suits, with swords at their waists, and their faces were solemn and solemn. Tai Hao was meditating on cultivation in the study, when he suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps outside the door, he frowned slightly, and said secretly in his heart: "Why are you so flustered?" ”

He put down the scroll in his hand, got up and walked out of the study, only to see two forbidden soldiers standing in front of the door, with solemn faces. Tai Hao's heart moved, and he stepped forward and asked, "Two generals, what's the matter?" ”

One of the forbidden soldiers took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Lord Taihao, Her Majesty Empress Changxiang has arrived in Wurong City and is resting in an inn in the city at the moment. Your Majesty has a decree, please go to the audience as soon as possible. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, he was immediately surprised. He didn't expect Her Majesty the Empress to come to Wurong City in person, let alone find him so quickly. A complex emotion surged in his heart, including respect and gratitude for the empress, as well as guilt and helplessness for not being able to get out of the mountain.

After a moment's thought, he said to the two forbidden soldiers: "Please wait a moment for the two generals, and I will go with you after a little preparation." After saying that, he turned around and went back to the study, cleaned up briefly, and then followed the forbidden army out of Xufu.

Along the way, Taihao had a lot of thoughts in his heart. He remembered the past with Empress Changxiang, and also remembered that he had almost killed Empress Changxiang. He knew that Her Majesty the Empress must have something important to discuss with him when he came this time. Although he was a little apprehensive in his heart, he was also full of anticipation.

Soon, they arrived at the inn where the Empress was staying. Taihao looked up and saw that although the inn was inconspicuous, it was heavily guarded, and it was obviously protected by the empress's forbidden army. He took a deep breath to calm down, and then followed the forbidden army into the inn.

The inn was quiet, only two palace maids were busy. Tai Hao followed the forbidden army through the corridor to the room where the empress was. He stood in the doorway, straightened his clothes, and walked in respectfully.

In the room, Empress Changxiang was sitting at the table, her eyes deep and bright, as if she could perceive people's hearts. As soon as Taihao saw the empress, he knelt on one knee and saluted: "Grass people Taihao, see Her Majesty the Empress." ”

Empress Changxiang nodded slightly and said, "Taihao, you are finally here." I have come here to discuss with you something important. Do you know why I came to you in person? ”

Tai Hao raised his head and met the empress's gaze, his heart moved, and said: "The grass people are stupid, please ask Her Majesty the empress to make it clear." ”

Empress Changxiang sighed lightly and said, "I know that you have the idea of being born, but the country is in an eventful time, and I hope that you can come out again to help me." ”

When Tai Hao heard the empress's words, his heart was like a wave. He was silent for a moment before he spoke, with a hint of helplessness and determination in his voice: "Your Majesty, the rivers and lakes are to me like fish can't do without water, and the grass people have long been accustomed to that freedom and unrestrainedness. As for the affairs of the DPRK and China, after the First World War, I was deeply tired, and I just wanted to stay away from the disputes in the court and live an ordinary life. ”

Seeing Taihao's resolute attitude, Empress Changxiang couldn't help but feel a sense of regret in her heart. She took a deep breath and tried to impress Tai Hao in a more sincere tone: "Tai Hao, I know your concerns. But now that the country is in an eventful season, and although there are many good generals in the court, I still feel that without you, a wise and brave general, it is like missing a sharp sword. If you can help me, I will do everything in my power to repay you. ”

Taihao listened to the empress's words, and although his heart was moved, he still insisted on his choice. He bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, the martial arts and resourcefulness of the grass people may still come in handy in the rivers and lakes, but they are of no use in the court. I also ask Your Majesty to forgive your sins and let the grass people leave. ”

Empress Changxiang stared at Tai Hao, her eyes flashed with a sharp light, she slowly spoke, her voice with a bit of majesty and expectation: "Tai Hao, I ask you, how do you feel when you hear that I am the empress?" ”

Tai Hao took a deep breath, his eyes met the gaze of Empress Changxiang honestly, and he said in a deep voice: "At that time, I was really surprised to learn that His Majesty had ascended the throne as the empress. His Majesty was originally a princess, but now he was ordered to take on the heavy responsibility of the entire empire, and this courage and determination made the grass people admire. ”

When Empress Changxiang heard this, a satisfied smile appeared on her face, and she chuckled: "Taihao, you have always been a person who understands the general situation and understands the truth. In the past, although you were excluded from the court, I have always seen your talent and wisdom. Now that I have ascended the throne as the empress, it is the time to employ people, and I hope that you can come out of the mountain again to help me. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, he couldn't help but feel a complicated emotion in his heart. He hesitated for a moment before he said slowly: "Your Majesty, there are many talented people in the DPRK and China, and officials who are more capable than me abound. They can also serve His Majesty and contribute their strength to the Empire. ”

Empress Changxiang bowed slightly, and said, "Taihao, what you said is true. But I ask you, do you have the right choice in mind? ”

Tai Hao thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, Lotte the city lord of Wurong City is a rare loyal minister. He has been guarding Wurong City for many years, and he has been well governed, and is deeply loved by the people. There is also Lord Chengfan, who was once demoted to Yichuan City, although he was degraded, he has always been loyal and dutiful for the imperial court. They are all usable talents, and Your Majesty may wish to consider using them. ”