In the dim light, Wang Shan frowned, his gaze wandering over Lan Gui.

The deputy in front of him knows that the relationship with him is okay on weekdays, and Her Royal Highness the princess also takes great care of him, although he is a supervisor sent by the imperial court, but he also treats each other politely, and this person does not report to the imperial court excessively, saying bad things about Her Royal Highness the princess.

Today, however, he suddenly came to visit and made a surprising suggestion that he should surrender to the imperial court.

"Lan Duzhi is joking, right?" Wang Shan tried to make his voice sound calm, but the hesitation in his words could not be concealed.

Lan Gui shook his head seriously, "General Wang, our family is on the emperor's order, how can we joke?" ”

He paused, and then added: "This is the meaning of the official family, and it is also for the sake of the general's future." ”

A wave of complicated emotions surged in Wang Shan's heart. He remembered that when he was cornered, it was Her Royal Highness the Princess who took him in and gave him a chance to start over.

Now, how could he betray His Highness's trust?

"Lord Lan, I appreciate your kindness." Wang Shan spoke slowly, "But when I wanted to take refuge in the imperial court, they regarded me as a grass coward. It was Her Royal Highness the Princess who took me in regardless of her past suspicions, which led to my achievements today. How can I be ungrateful and betray Your Highness? ”

Lan Gui did not give up, he continued to persuade: "General Wang, although Her Royal Highness the princess can ensure that you have no worries about food and clothing, but the imperial court can give you much more than that. With your merits and abilities, the court will definitely reward you with high-ranking officials, so that you will rise to the clouds and shadow future generations. ”

Wang Shan was silent for a moment, his heart was full of ups and downs, on the one hand, he was loyal and grateful to Her Royal Highness the Princess; On the other hand, it is the desire and pursuit of fame and fortune.

But he didn't make a rash decision, "Lord Lan, I am grateful for your persuasion. But everyone has their own ambitions, and they can't force them. Although I, Wang Shan, am not talented, I also know the truth of knowing the kindness of retribution. Please come back! ”

Seeing this, Lan Gyu didn't push him too much, so he stood up and said goodbye and left.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to turn around and persuade: "General Wang, think about it!" What a rare opportunity! ”

With that, he turned around and walked out of the tent and disappeared into the night.

Lan Gui's departing back gradually blurred in the night, but Wang Shan's heart was still turbulent.

He sat in the military tent, his thoughts were so great that he could not calm down.

The idea of surrendering to the imperial court was like a poisonous seed, taking root in his heart, but it was tightly bound by the thorns of loyalty and integrity.

He thought of Binh Duong Mansion, the land that once belonged to him.

Now, because of the concession of Her Royal Highness the princess, it was given to Guo Yan.

Every time he thought about it, he felt an indescribable sense of grievance.

Surrendering to the imperial court, maybe you can really be as Lan Gui said, seal your wife and son, and enjoy endless glory and wealth.

But how can he live up to Her Royal Highness's kindness and expectations?

What kind of face does he have to face the world's heroes who have fought side by side?

Between surrender and perseverance, Wang Shan wavered and stayed awake all night.

His heart seemed to be torn in half, half of which was the desire for fame and fortune, and the other was the insistence on loyalty and faith.

When the sky was white, Wang Shan finally made a decision, and summoned the core generals to tell Lan Gui about last night's visit.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what do you think about this?" Wang Shan's voice was a little hoarse and low.

He knew that this decision was not only about his own fate, but also about the future of these brothers.

Zhu Zhenhai, the vanguard general, was the first to speak, "Ladies and gentlemen, I think we should accept the imperial court's edict. We have always been the personal soldiers of Her Royal Highness the Princess, and if we are not right, we will not be right. ”

When Captain Zhang Feihu heard this, he immediately expressed his opposition, "General Zhu, how can you say that? Her Royal Highness the Princess is the pillar of the Great Song Dynasty, but the court blindly surrenders to the Jin State, is such a court worthy of our allegiance? ”

Liu Rui, who joined the army, took a neutral attitude, "In my opinion, we should maintain the current situation and wait and see what happens." Now Her Royal Highness the princess is powerful, and there is a clear trend of strengthening. The imperial court and the Jin state were in decline. Under the influence of one another, the forces of all parties have reached a state of equilibrium. It may not be wise to make a choice at this time. ”

As soon as the three of them expressed their attitude, the military tent immediately fell into a heated argument.

Other generals also expressed their opinions, some supported the acceptance of Zhao'an, and some advocated loyalty to Her Royal Highness the princess.

Wang Shan sat on the throne and listened silently to the arguments of the generals.

His heart is also full of entanglements and struggles, and no matter what decision he makes, it will have a profound impact on the future of himself and this army.

In the end, Wang Shan took a deep breath and made a decision, "I decided to adopt the opinion of Liu Rui, who joined the army. We will ignore the imperial court's edict for the time being and continue to maintain the current situation. Wait and see what happens, and wait for the time to come. ”

……

The news about sending Lan Gui to surrender Wang Shan was tightly covered, and Zhao Yingluo, who was in Kaifeng, naturally had no way to know.

She was still immersed in her own strategic planning, and the successful transaction with Wanyan Zongyi won her 10,000 precious war horses.

In the conference hall of her mansion, Zhao Yingluo and Yue Fei discussed the distribution of these war horses.

She frowned slightly and asked, "General Yue, how to dispose of these 10,000 war horses?" ”

Yue Fei pondered for a long time, his gaze wandering on the map, and finally landed on the location of Luoyang, Xijing.

"Your Royal Highness Princess, Xingzhou's soldiers are strong and strong, and there is no need for reinforcements for the time being. However, Luoyang, Xijing, is closer to Kaifeng, and the strategic location is extremely important, so we can consider handing over these war horses to General Wang, who is stationed in Luoyang. ”

Zhao Yingluo nodded in agreement when she heard this.

She immediately ordered Li Yan, the chief bookkeeper, to lead 5,000 elite soldiers to escort these war horses, as well as 100 newly made artillery, 1,000 firecrackers, and 100,000 stone grain and grass to Luoyang, Xijing.

Before leaving, she specially told Li Yan to be careful along the way to ensure that these materials could be delivered safely.

Li Yan agreed, "Your Royal Highness the princess, rest assured, with these 5,000 soldiers and horses, the formation will be able to ensure that the materials are foolproof." ”

After bidding farewell to Li Yan, Zhao Yingluo stood at the gate of the city, looking at the team that was gradually disappearing in the distance, and an inexplicable uneasiness surged in her heart.

She shook her head and tried to shake the emotion away, only to find that the uneasiness was as difficult to shake off as a maggot attached to the bone.

"Maybe I've been too tired lately." She told herself in her mind.

……

Li Yan led 5,000 elite soldiers, escorting grain and grass supplies, all the way to the west.

Two days later, at dusk, they successfully arrived at the Tiger Prison Pass, the choke point leading to Luoyang.

Along the way, the wind and waves were calm, Li Yan gradually forgot Zhao Yingluo's solemn warning before leaving, and ordered to set up camp and let the soldiers rest for a night.

As night fell, campfires burned brightly and lit up the makeshift camp.

The soldiers sat around the fire, enjoyed a simple dinner, and talked about interesting things about their hometown.

Li Yan sat alone on a high ground, looking at the looming Tiger Prison Pass in the distance, and couldn't help but think of Zhao Yingluo's parting advice, "Be careful along the way to ensure that these materials are delivered to Xijing without fail." ”

They've made most of the way, and it's been going well, so there shouldn't be any problems, right?

In such self-comfort, Li Yan gradually let down the guard in his heart.

After ordering his soldiers to intensify patrols and vigilance, he returned to his tent to rest.