In late October, there was light snow in Chang'an, and the grass and trees were frosty.

Yanshoufang, Wang Zhonghe's house.

Wang Yunxiu, who has already been married, came back today and arranged for servants to sweep the courtyard in order to prepare for Wang Zhonghei's return to Beijing to report his work in the future.

The reason why she has been anxious recently is because Yang Qian deliberately let Yuan Zai scare her, "Pei Mian's case may implicate General Wang, so hurry up and defect to the Yang Party to save her life."

The news of the capture of Shibao City made her breathe a sigh of relief, hoping that things were really as Li Jingzhong said, and that the border town used the strategy of the Hu people just to motivate the Hu generals and supervise the war.

Now that the war is going well, everything will be fine.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves sounded.

Wang Yunxiu could hear that there were dozens of horses, and the speed of riding horses through the alleys was very fast, which was not something ordinary people could do.

The heavy door, which had not been opened for a long time, was slowly pushed open, kicking up dust.

The neighing of horses and the sound of footsteps came, Wang Yunxiu turned his head and saw the figure of the dusty servant, and was so surprised that he shouted with a crying tone.

"Grandpa!"

She quickly ran to Wang Zhonghe, clenched her fists, gave a military salute, suppressed her crying, and said, "Why did Grandpa come back?" ”

is worthy of being the daughter of the gate, her movements are neat, and she has no appearance of a little daughter.

"The saint was called urgently, so he hurried back overnight."

Wang Zhonghe's face was calm and resolute, his eyes were black, and his body was still covered with armor, and the blood stains on the armor were stuck with the dust on the road, and they were completely dry. It is conceivable that he should still be in Shibao City when he received the holy decree, and rushed back from Longxi before he had time to change his armor.

Most people didn't know that he was going back to Beijing.

Chang'an City is still preparing for the next month, Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing and other Anxi generals will report their merits and sacrifice prisoners. At that time, the little Bolu King and the Tubo princess will be detained and dedicated to His Majesty, what kind of national prestige is that?

In contrast, the battle to break through Stone Castle City, which was originally pinned on high hopes, lost expectations due to procrastination and did not make too many waves.

"Grandpa has gone to face the saint?" Wang Yunxiu asked.

"Nope." Wang Zhongji walked into the courtyard and personally settled his war horse, "The saint has compassion for me and is far away, so let me rest for two days." ”

Wang Yunxiu was uneasy again when she heard this, and opened her mouth several times, but stopped talking.

The soldiers who returned to Beijing began to carry their things, and there was no other luggage, fodder for the horses, more detailed battle merit books, and the ashes of the soldiers from Jingzhao Mansion.

If the aftermath of these war dead is not completed, the imperial court will have to collect rent from their families in the future, so Wang Zhongsi attaches great importance to this matter and personally counts it again, and there are no ashes and relics.

"If you go to do it tomorrow, you must see the government officials cancel their registrations with your own eyes...... The armor was removed and returned to the military department, you can return home first, I haven't seen my wife and children for a long time. ”

"Whoa!"

Tian Shenyu took off the armor on his body and found that the wound had broken again, the blood was stuck to the underwear, and it hurt for a while when he ripped it open.

"Still baring your teeth, now I'm afraid it hurts?" Tian Shengong stepped forward and slapped his younger brother lightly to help remove his armor.

"How many people are there, and you still have to send the armor to the military department?"

"I heard that a veteran soldier of the border army killed someone a while ago, and such a thing happened at the feet of the Son of Heaven, so take strict precautions, it should be."

Tian Shenyu said disdainfully: "Under the command of Zahu, the military discipline is not as strict as ours. ”

"Shut up, woe will come from your mouth." Tian Shengong seemed to know more about the inside story, and there was some thought in his eyes.

The brothers limped out of the palace with each other, Tian Shenyu looked up at the sky, and whispered: "Brother, it's too late before curfew to visit Lang Jun and let him know that we are back?" ”

"Speaking from you?" Tian Shengong said, turned his head and glanced back, "Go back to see your mother-in-law, you should know that you will let you know." ”

~~

Wang Yunxiu helped Wang Zhongsi to sit down in the lobby, and when she looked at it, her tall and mighty grandfather had many wrinkles on her face, the knife was generally carved, and her beard was gray.

"Grandpa, do you know that something happened to Chang'an?"

Wang Zhongsi said: "Tianbao has been six years, and there are few things. ”

Come to think of it, Huangfu Weiming was guilty at the beginning of the fifth year, but he lasted from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, and captured Shibao City with as few casualties as possible, and he has no regrets...... I thought I would have no regrets.

"Yuan Zai heard some news, I'm afraid that Brother Nu is going to be unfavorable to Grandpa." Wang Yunxiu whispered.

Wang Zhongsi closed his eyes and recuperated, as if he was asleep.

Listening to his daughter finish talking about Chang'an City, he thought about it and asked first: "Yang Yun has been added to the title of 'Tongzhongshu Menxia Pingzhang Shi'?" What is the political performance? ”

"Do you want Genro to talk to Grandpa?"

"Ugh."

Wang Zhongsi doesn't seem to like this son-in-law very much, and as soon as Yuan Zai comes, he will definitely persuade him to switch to Yang Chen.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Since you have been to Shaoyang Courtyard, do you know what His Highness thinks of Yang Chen's worship of the prime minister?" ”

Shaoyang is the meaning of the East, because the prince can not live in the East Palace, these people who respect the prince often refer to the prince's residence with "Shaoyang Courtyard".

Wang Zhongsi asked a question that was important to him, whether Yang Dang cooperated with the East Palace to deal with the crisis, or whether he just wanted to win him alone.

Wang Yunxiu really knew this question, and responded: "His Royal Highness hopes that Yang Yun can support the East Palace, but Yang Yun is unwilling to express his position. Yuan Lang said that Uncle Guo wanted to have a separate banquet for Grandpa. ”

Wang Zhongsi waved his hand and did not answer. He had received a letter from his daughter before, and he had never said anything.

Not long after, Yuan Zai hurried over, wearing a light green official robe.

In just half a year, he has become a high-ranking official from the sixth grade, and he is no longer the poor child who had nothing and was despised by his father-in-law's family.

However, Wang Zhongsi's attitude towards him was still a little indifferent.

"Don't be polite, let's say first that you are talking to the old man as the son-in-law of the Wang family or Yang Chen's confidant?"

Yuan Zai said: "Don't blame the father-in-law, how can there be absolutes in the world?" The son-in-law is naturally the son-in-law of the Wang family, and it will not hinder the cooperation with Yang Xiang in handling state affairs. The father-in-law may have some prejudice against Yang Xiang, but in fact, since Yang Xiang took power, there have been two political achievements, one is to implement salt, in order to slightly slow down the disadvantages of rent and mediocrity, and the other is to popularize bamboo paper to solve the shortage of paper in the world. Although it is a small matter, it benefits the people of the world......"

Wang Zhongsi couldn't bear to listen, raised his hand to interrupt Yuan Zai's talking, and asked, "What does Uncle Guo want me to do?" ”

Wonjae was silent for a while, a little disappointed.

What he expected was that the tongue and lotus could tell Yang Yan about the goodness of the prince and the weakness of the prince, so he warmly invited Wang Zhongsi to the Qujiangchi mansion to attend the banquet, and the guests and hosts were happy at the banquet, and then they would talk about the conditions. In this way, it is completely different from saying it now.

But Wang Zhongsi obviously has made up his mind and does not want to accept this kind of co-optation and corrosion.

"If you don't want to say it, it's okay." Wang Zhongsi said: "The old man is tired, you can go back with Twelve Niang." ”

"Father-in-law, listen to the son-in-law."

Yuan Zai walked to the door first, waved his hand to let the little guy guard it, and then paced and continued to talk.

"In the fifth year of Tianbao, Huangfu Weiming returned to Beijing to report on his work, and secretly brought dozens of dead soldiers, waiting for him to be convicted and degraded. These dead soldiers have always been the East Palace's cultivation......"

When he heard this, Wang Zhonghe's eyes were already full of anger, and his fists were clenched.

"Don't be annoyed, what the son-in-law said is the truth." Yuan Zai was not in a hurry, walked closer, and said: "Li Jingzhong once instructed the dead man to kill Xue Bai, and Yang Shenjin's case was concocted by Pei Mian, a henchman of the East Palace, to cover up the dead soldier. Don't you know this? ”

Wang Zhongsi's face was ugly, he shook his head, and said, "The old man won't believe you." ”

But Wang Yunxiu had already believed it, and for a moment her back was cold, and she understood that Li Jingzhong said that she was coaxing people to worry about the sky, and this matter was far more serious than she expected.

"Wei Jian's case, Huangfu Weiming case, the brother slave did not wronged the East Palace, the prince has ill intentions, the saint is like a mirror in this heart, but the impact of the Sanshu case has not disappeared, the saint is generous, unwilling to abolish the reserve, give the prince a chance again and again, I hope that the prince will repent and be guilty of the world. But how did the prince do it? Again instructed the dead man to kill Pei Mian and extinguish his mouth! ”

Yuan Zai suddenly became excited, pointed to the sky, and asked, "Don't you still understand?" Where does your suspicion come from? The prince covets the artifact, and the Son of Heaven can't be at ease, so he will give you another chance to express his position. Uncle Guo worshiped the prime minister, and was appointed at the last moment, in order to eliminate this disaster, how to eliminate it? Husband, you should give the saint a reassuring pill. ”

While speaking, although he was a son-in-law, he dared to look directly into Wang Zhonghe's eyes.

"The father-in-law did not participate in these conspiracies in the East Palace, and he will not cooperate with the prince to usurp the throne, so far, we must show our determination to be loyal to the monarch and the country!"

Wang Zhongsi looked at Yuan Zai calmly, and there was no shame in his eyes.

After that, his majesty was so overwhelming that Won Jae gradually lost his breath.

"Who told you to frame the prince like this?"

"Son-in-law didn't." Yuan Zai said: "Uncle Guo is not a slave, Uncle Guo has seen through this matter, and he is still dedicated to maintaining the stability of the society......"

"He is trying to win over the border towns, and you are the official position of the drill camp, and the old man can't see it."

"Nope!"

But when Wang Zhonghe's eyes suddenly showed murderous aura, Yuan Zai was still a little weak-hearted, and instantly made a move to shrink his neck.

"Nope!"

Yuan Zai Zhengse shouted again, looked at Wang Yunxiu, and said in a sincere tone: "The son-in-law only wants to protect the Wang family, out of the bottom of his heart, heaven and earth can be learned." Everything that is said is true. ”

"Grandpa, just listen to Yuan Lang's advice." Wang Yunxiu urged: "Yuan Lang, what do you say?" ”

"Please ask the father-in-law to play and report the matter of the East Palace raising the dead......"

"Smack!"

Wang Zhongsi directly slapped Yuan Zai and said, "You might as well say it directly, let me give Yang Yan a vote." ”

"Son-in-law ......"

Yuan Zai lowered his head, his tone was even calmer, and he said slowly: "The father-in-law can discuss with the uncle, if you don't want the society to be turbulent, you can also refer to everything Li Jingzhong, as long as you kill one Li Jingzhong, the uncle will take action to protect the father-in-law." ”

At the end of his speech, his tone seemed very demagogic.

Wang Zhongsi said: "Yang Zhen can write a book by himself and kill Li Jingzhong." ”

"Nope."

After Yuan Zai was slapped, he seemed to have become official, and said: "It must be the father-in-law who personally wrote to kill Li Jingzhong." A eunuch, the uncle of the country does not put it in his eyes, as long as the father-in-law has an attitude. ”

The hall was quiet for a long time.

Wang Yunxiu looked at Yuan Zai for a while, and then looked at Wang Zhongsi.

"Grandpa, my daughter thinks it's ......"

"Go back."

~~

Now Yuan Zai does not have a mansion in Chang'an, and rents a small courtyard in Yanfufang.

When the husband and wife returned to the small mansion from the huge royal mansion, they saw a big hole in the old and dilapidated roof.

Yuan Jae stopped in front of the door, raised his head, and couldn't help but be distracted.

"It doesn't matter." Wang Yunxiu comforted softly: "I will repair it tomorrow." ”

"Yun Niang." Yuan Zai took her hand and said, "You don't have to fix it, I wanted to tell you later...... Actually, Uncle Guo said that he would give us a house in Anrenfang. ”

"So generous?"

Wang Yunxiu understood after thinking about it, and asked: "He hopes that Grandpa will switch to his disciples, and you must do this?" ”

"That's the only way for the bodyguard."

"It's so serious, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Wang Yunxiu withdrew her hand, a little displeased, "You also coaxed me to say that the court is not here for Grandpa." ”

"I'm afraid you're worried." Yuan Zai said in a gentle tone, "What if you know it in advance?" If it is leaked in the letter, it will make people prepare in advance, and you and I will also be in danger. ”

"What's at stake? Who can do it to us? ”

Yuan Zai didn't answer, first vigilantly bolted the courtyard door, pulled Wang Yunxiu back to the house, and said in a low voice: "I didn't tell a lie to my father-in-law, it is true that the East Palace is raising dead soldiers, and it is also true that Xue Lang is killed." ”

Wang Yunxiu's heart froze, and after thinking about it again, she suddenly understood why Li Jingzhong was mysterious and refused to let the prince meet.

"I heard that the sage ordered the prince to investigate Pei Mian's case, but is it true?"

"Yes." Yuan Zai lowered his voice and said, "You shouldn't go to the prince, it's too dangerous." You and I just need to persuade my father-in-law. ”

These roles have been assigned to the core of the Yang Party. Although the Wang family wants to be disappointed in the East Palace, it can't be Yuan Zai, the husband, to go to the East Palace to plead, so Xue Bai said.

Wang Yunxiu was simple-minded, but not completely stupid, and after thinking about it at this time, he asked: "These things are secret, you have never been involved, and your uncle is not a powerful minister, how can you know so much?" Xue Bai was deeply involved in it, no wonder the prince and the right minister wanted to kill him before, was he the idea he gave you? ”

"Yes, he told me the secrets of the East Palace, and I persuaded Uncle Guo to help." Yuan Zai said: "Xue Bai confided the truth and pointed out a way to save his life; Uncle Guo agreed, and the father-in-law made a statement. You've done your best, you know? ”

"Grandpa must make a statement, are they willing to help?"

"Again. They can help, but they can't help in vain; And the father-in-law also has to save himself and draw a clear line with the East Palace, otherwise he won't be able to help. ”

Yuan Zai said, sighing: "I am the son-in-law of the Wang family, and I will not hesitate to die for this matter." They are different, they are outsiders, and their father-in-law refuses to express their position, what else can outsiders do? ”

Only then did Wang Yunxiu fully understand why Xue Bai had the attitude of staying out of the matter.

Thinking about Donggong's ill-intentioned intentions and Grandpa's foolishness, the balance in her heart finally completely tilted towards Yang Dang's side.

"Yuanlang, let's persuade Grandpa together."

~~

Wang Zhongji was obviously tired, but he still slept unsteadily this night. Xu has not returned to Chang'an for too long, and he is not used to the soft bed in the house.

The next day, after thinking about it, he actually sent someone to invite Xue Bai to meet him in the mansion first.

There was fine snow outside the window, and it was to be expected that there would be a heavy snowstorm in the depths of winter.

The fine snow fell slowly, and for a long time, Xue Bai came with snowflakes, showing the temperament of a noble son.

"I haven't seen him for months, Xue Lang is tall and strong."

Wang Zhongsi stood up, a faint smile on his face, as if looking at a nephew.

His attitude towards Xue Bai is indeed better than that of Yuan Zai, after all, the requirements for an outsider and son-in-law who help are different.

"Congratulations to General Wang for capturing Stone Fort City." Xue Bai asked, "I wonder if the boulder cannon and the stone grease fireball can help?" ”

"Yes, yes." Wang Zhongsi's eyes flashed with memory, "For the Tibetan army, this battle is like hell, the boulder cannons throw fireballs out of their range, and if they fall down, they will be raging, if they are extinguished by water, the city wall will crack, and if the fire is burning, it can still burn the city wall at night...... The Fan army is fighting and making up, after all, it can't make up for the broken city wall, watch out for it night and night, haha, let the Tang soldiers find an opportunity to kill in the city, and lead one of the death squads is the Tian family brother you recommended, who is a good man! ”

Xue Bai wasn't too surprised, as if he had already known about the situation of this battle.

"I don't know what the casualties are?"

Wang Zhongsi did not answer in detail, but said: "There are nearly 10,000 casualties. ”

Xue Bai nodded, he couldn't tell whether he was disappointed or relieved, and he didn't know how much the boulder cannon had played.

Wang Zhongsi stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, and said, "I have kept my promise and written your name on the registration book, presumably the result is about to come down." ”

"Thank you, General Wang."

"Please come today, there is still something to inquire." Wang Zhongsi asked, "Do you know about Pei Mian's case?" ”

"It seems that Brother Gongfu has told General Wang." Xue Bai knew that Wang Zhongji could guess that he was planning for Yang Chen behind his back, so he didn't hide too much, and said, "Some hidden secrets are indeed what I said. ”

Wang Zhongsi listened patiently, as if he wanted to see if Xue Bai could persuade him with any words that were different from Yuan Zai, but Xue Bai didn't persuade him at all.

"Does Xue Lang have evidence to prove that everything was instructed by His Highness?"

"Nope."

Xue Bai didn't plan to let Lao Liang and Jiang Hai testify, and once he presented any evidence, he would be bitten back by Li Heng.

Speaking of which, he is just an outsider, there is no need to be too concerned, it is enough to put on a cold sideline posture. Yuan Zai is a son-in-law, and he can persuade him bitterly, but he will not persuade him.

"How dare you say that you didn't slander Your Highness out of selfishness?"

"I have only said what I know, and I ask for peace of mind."

Xue Bai was not suppressed by Wang Zhonghe's momentum like Yuan Zai, but showed some impatience and said: "If you are selfish, I am busy with the imperial examination, so I shouldn't be involved in this matter." The general doesn't believe it, forget it. ”

Wang Zhongji had a lot to say, but seeing that his reaction was so flat, he realized that things might not be as complicated as expected.

Yang Dang was not plotting to disagree, it was more like reaching out to pull him at will, but he didn't force it. In this way, the credibility of Xue Bai's words was slightly higher.

"The old man is annoying." Wang Zhongsi said: "Can you be a peacemaker......

"No need."

Xue Bai immediately got up and said, "Don't worry, even if the general refuses Uncle Guo's kindness, Uncle Guo will not report the East Palace." I risked my life to say more, but because of a relationship with the general. How to decide is a private matter for the general, and it has nothing to do with me, so I will leave. ”

He was resolute and did not give Wang Zhongsi and the mud a chance. If you don't draw a line with the East Palace, you don't have to talk about anything.

When he left the palace, he remembered that he had said that Wang Zhongji would give him a poem when he returned from victory, but today he forgot it.

Forget it, forget it, at this time, the other party is not in the mood to talk about any poetry and songs.

As for later? I have done my best to do what I should do, and if I really don't have the opportunity, I don't give it away.

(End of chapter)