The setting sun shone into the Tiandu City, gilding its ancient city walls. No one knows how many years ago this wall existed, the dynasties changed, but it has always been, repaired, and decayed, but it is still strong.

But there are also things in the capital that have not changed, such as the general who guards the city, who has always been surnamed Nangong.

A carriage slowly drove on the gravel road in front of the door, followed by dozens of personal guards, their serious eyes could not hide the tiredness on their faces.

Even the groom who was driving the carriage had no strength, and the whip in his hand was weakly lifted and hung from the reins beside him.

Yan Jinqi sent her subordinates to work day and night, and finally returned to the capital city.

"Your Highness, Tiandu City has arrived. The personal general knelt on one knee in front of the carriage, even though he knew that the people in the carriage could not see.

"Go back to the Imperial City directly, I'm going to see my father. The rich silk curtain was halfway opened, and a slender arm protruded from it.

"Yes. The general got up and gave the order to the guards who accompanied him.

In Tiandu City, Yan Jinqi's mansion actually has two places, one is in the imperial city, and the other is in the "spring" private room of the Yanliu Pavilion, only there can he be unrestrained and have no troubles, so every time he comes back, he will first go to the Yanliu Pavilion to indulge for two days.

But today he hurried back overnight, and he actually wanted to meet the emperor first, which is really rare.

But the general did not dare to question it, and the carriage and the accompanying soldiers scurried forward on the stone ground, and no one dared to stop them, and the people avoided them one after another, facing the man in the sedan chair reverently and respectfully.

In the imperial city, Daming Palace, the sunset sprinkled on the roof of the palace.

This is Yan Yushan's dormitory, and it is also the place where he reviews the folds. More than ten steps outside the dormitory, there were two guards with swords, and then down the steps, more than ten guards held spears all day long, guarding there day and night, just to guard the safety of Yanyu Mountain.

There is a row of low tiled houses on both sides of the Daming Palace, which is the residence of the guards, as long as an order is given, there will be thousands of troops and horses pouring out of these low houses, so that the emperor can rest assured.

At this moment, more than a dozen oil lamps were lit on the pillars in the dormitory, illuminating the dark room as if it were day.

On the rosewood chair sat a man in a dark brown robe, carrying a brush with a solemn expression.

Some people say that the reason why the Great Xia Dynasty was able to prosper so much was because of the encounter with the Ming Lord. Yan Yushan, the legendary emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, heard that he has not been fortunate to be a favorite concubine for several months, and every late at night, he can always see the oil lamp in the Daming Palace as bright as day, and it will not be extinguished all night.

From the hundred officials of the imperial court to the guards and forbidden troops, they are all full of admiration for Yan Yushan, but the only thing they can't understand is that Yan Yushan set up a terminally ill prince as the crown prince, some people say that it is because Yan Jinyu's mother is Yan Yushan's favorite queen, but the queen is dead, Yan Yushan poured all his love into Yan Jinyu.

There are two princes and one princess in Great Xia. Yan Jinyu is twenty-four years old this year, she has been riding horses in the palace since she was a child, and Yan Jinyu is very indulgent to him. searched for famous doctors, and they all said that he would not live to be twenty-five, although his illness was cured, but the hundred officials were not impressed by Yan Jinyu, and only felt that he was a rich and noble son who could only have fun.

The second highness Yan Jinqi is different, although he is a concubine, his mother is just a concubine with a low status. But he has read poetry and books since he was a child, and he is proficient in everything in Wen Taowu, and he often calls the ministers of the DPRK and China to go to his mansion or the Yanliu Pavilion to drink, and get acquainted with the relationship. Therefore, many ministers have a very good impression of Yan Jinqi, and they feel that this young man who talks eloquently, has unique insights and ambitions, should become the next emperor.

The third princess Yan Chengcheng embarrassed the ministers of the court, and the third princess, who was born out of nowhere, was most loved by Yan Yushan. Yan Yushan once ordered that Yan Tingcheng can enter and exit this imperial city at will, you must know that Yan Jinqi and Yan Jinyu have to ask for a jade plate to enter and exit the imperial city, and Yan Tingcheng doesn't even need a brand, because the people of the entire Tiandu City know this beautiful princess. Not only that, Yan Yushan also sent Yu Chen'an to protect this little princess closely. Everyone was convinced that if it weren't for the fact that the Nangong family was only born to guard the imperial city, Yan Yushan would definitely let General Nangong do the same thing as this nanny. Therefore, this stubborn princess is unimpeded in and out of the palace, and many ministers are afraid that their children will be taken by the princess, but they have to watch their children being abducted by the third princess and can do nothing.

Now they wish Yan Jinyu came back as soon as possible, because on weekdays, this delicate and willful princess is obedient to Yan Jinyu's brother, and only he can control this princess.

"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness is asking to see you at Wuxuanmen. Yan Yushan was distressed by the matter of the twist, and suddenly a eunuch walked to the door and knocked lightly on the bolt.

Yan Yushan in the house didn't answer immediately, as if he was asleep.

The eunuch did not dare to urge or leave, and still bent over to stand

At the door, waiting reverently, just like Yan Jinqi was waiting at the gate of Wuxuanmen, nearly half a mile away.

After a long time, Yan Yushan exhaled and set the brush in place.

"Xuan. ”

The eunuch left in a hurry to convey the Holy Order.

The outside of the house was much cleaner, Yan Yushan rubbed his temples vigorously, he felt that his nerves had been tense for too long.

Although he already knew about the demons coming to Tiandu City, these days, countless letters and folds have come from flying pigeons from all directions, and they are inseparable from demons.

The Valley of Ten Thousand Demons has been lost, and the matter of the demons in the world has caused a sensation in the world. But no matter what happened to the imperial court, it couldn't ask the Tianshan Sect Xingshi for guilt, so Yan Yushan had to send Yu Chen'an to the Four Great Sects, hoping that they could send their disciples down the mountain to capture these demons who took advantage of the opportunity to make trouble.

What's even more terrifying is that this commotion has not only set off a wave of demons descending into the world, but also many cunning and sinister people who are taking advantage of the chaos in the world to do evil, which makes Yan Yushan really have a headache.

He looked at the closed door, and in a trance, he seemed to see the door open, and the blood-like sunset shone in, and a general in gold armor strode in, and his bearing was extraordinary. He bowed to himself and said to himself.

"There are ministers guarding the Central Plains, and the emperor can sit back and relax. ”

The Gu family has been the founding hero of Great Xia for generations, and the head of the Gu family, Gu Yuanxuan, is even more prominent. It was precisely because of him that he repelled the Jin country, so that the desert did not dare to attack. As the peak of Xuan Xian, when facing the emperor's will, he did not resist, but ordered his family not to resist and die bravely.

Now he seemed to be back again, which made Yan Yushan burst into tears, but he finally held back because the door was opened. It was not the general who had walked through the door, but a young child.

"Jinqi is back. Yan Yushan said softly.

There was no anger he had when he first learned that Yan Jinqi had left Tiandu City, on the contrary, he was extremely kind, they were father and son after all, and Yan Yushan would not be too harsh on him.

"Well, Erchen went to Bikong Valley to incense his mother. Yan Jinqi bowed and replied in a low voice, he knew that after all, he had been away from Tiandu City for almost a month, and he should also tell his father about his whereabouts.

"Hmm. Yan Yushan nodded, he didn't say that he knew where Yan Jinqi went, just replied with a word. The father and son were silent, and the air looked unusually awkward.

"Do you want to play chess? You haven't played chess with me in a long time. After all, it was his father who broke the deadlock, and Yan Yushan pointed to the table in front of him.

"Does Father want to play Go or Xiangqi?" Yan Jinqi did not refuse, he walked to the table with a calm step, and found a chair to sit down.

"Chess, Go is really a bit tiring, just let me see how much you have grown over the years. Yan Yushan said and took out the ivory chessboard on the counter.

When she was very young, five-year-old Yan Jinqi liked to play chess with Yan Yushan, and the two of them spent one night at a time. Later, Concubine Hua died, and Yan Jinqi became withdrawn and stuffed herself in the palace. In this way, the two of them have not played chess for nearly two decades.

"I'm not going to let you do it again this time. Yan Yushan smiled and put on the red chess pieces, at this moment he didn't look like a majestic emperor at all, looking at his child with loving eyes.

"Hmm. Yan Jinqi nodded and put on her black chess pieces.

The decisive battle was carried out in an orderly manner, and the sword and sword shadow on the ivory chessboard were carried out in a bloodless battle.

"Watch out for your pawn. Yan Yushan said that he used the red horse to eat the black soldier, Yan Jinqi did not panic and continued to jump forward.

In the next step, Yan Yushan ate Yan Jinqi's soldiers again, and as soon as the chess game began, Yan Jinqi lost two soldiers.

"You're still the same as before, you don't pay any attention to pawns. Yan Yushan put the two black chess pieces together.

"A soldier is a soldier after all, and there is no comparison between a general and a carriage. Yan Jinqi said and placed the invading black horse between the red rook and the general.

"The general pumped the car. This is Yan Jinqi's usual technique, so his face is expressionless, not proud, and not excited.

"Ha, I haven't played chess with you for too long, and I'm careless for a while. Yan Yushan patted his head, and had to watch his car being eaten in front of his eyes.

"The loss of the pawn is just the loss of a few pawns in the way, and the loss of the rook is the loss of your general's right-hand man, which is more important than the loss of the pawn. Yan Jinqi replied in a deep voice.

"But a soldier also has the role of a soldier, a soldier who has not crossed the river can only move forward without hesitation, but a soldier who crosses the river is like a car with no way out, it can still be unimpeded, so never underestimate the role of a soldier. ”

Yan Yushan said, the chess game has been

Towards the end, there were only a few black chess pieces left on the field, but the rooks and horses were still alive. On the other hand, on Yan Yushan's side, the two red soldiers had already approached the black general, so Yan Jinqi had to raise his vigilance, he frowned slightly, and held a red cannon in his fingers, as if he didn't know where to place it.

"There is no turning back, it is precisely the limitations of the soldiers. Let's ask my father, how can a person who is bound be compared to a carriage and horse that can come and go freely, general!" Yan Jinqi said to herself, the red chess pieces settled on the chessboard, Yan Yushan's offensive did not play any role in him, and his handsome man was still able to advance and retreat freely.

Yan Yushan looked at the black cannon on the chessboard and smiled silently.

"Remember when you were a kid I asked you a question? It was your brother's birthday. Yan Yushan looked at the chess game in front of him and suddenly remembered what happened a long time ago.

"If one day the enemy comes to the city, the army will be overwhelmed. And we have less than 1,000 soldiers defending the city, but there happen to be nearly 1,000 death row inmates in the prison, how will you, as the emperor, choose? Do you remember your answer?"

"The only way to win is for the criminals in the prison to form a death squad and use their lives to attract enemy fire. Yan Jinqi whispered that after so many years, his answer still hasn't changed.

And Jin Yu's answer was to open the prison door wide, willing to stay in the city together, and choose to leave the city if he was unwilling, he handed over the power of life and death to the prisoners themselves. ”

"But they are sinners, and isn't it what they should do to exchange the lives of a group of sinners for the lives of more ordinary people? Not to mention those death row prisoners, who deserve to die, die early on the battlefield, and there is more value. Yan Jinqi was stubborn.

"Prisoners are human beings, and even if they are death row inmates, we can't arbitrarily end their lives early. Only by letting them go to the battlefield willingly can they become truly useful people for the country. Have you ever thought that the prisoners who were forced into battle could turn their swords against us at any moment?"

"Then force them with arrows so that they cannot turn back. ”

"What if they surrender directly and join the other side's army? ”

"So your personality is more suited as a strategist. ”

"What about the eldest brother?" Yan Jinqi groaned and continued to ask.

Yan Yushan sighed softly, "Your eldest brother is kind-hearted and has a rare cohesion and guiding power, which is what a monarch should have. And you have been brilliant since you were a child, and you are familiar with military books and the art of war, if you assist your eldest brother, then the people of Daxia will definitely be able to enjoy a peaceful and prosperous world. I will die one day, and I hope that you two brothers can work together to protect the people of Great Xia. ”

Yan Yushan suddenly coughed violently, and even the ivory chessboard began to tremble, but it was finally calmed down, and a pair of dark brown eyes looked at Yan Jinqi tiredly.

"Seeing that his father worked hard for the country day and night, Erchen went to Bikong Valley this time to specially ask Master Faye of Jiulong Temple for soothing incense. Yan Jinqi did not continue Yan Yushan's words, but diverted the topic.

He took out a purse-sized incense tray from his sleeve cage and placed it on the table in front of Yan Yushan.

"My son has a heart. Yan Yushan knew that Yan Jinqi couldn't easily listen to her words, so she had to reluctantly accept the plate of soothing incense.

"Father. Yan Jinqi suddenly spoke.

"Huh?" Yan Yushan came back to his senses from his contemplation.

"You've lost, General. Yan Jinqi's car, horses, and cannons clamped down on Yan Yushan's handsome, so that his general could no longer move a single inch.

"Alas, Qi'er has grown up, and her chess skills have improved greatly. Yan Yushan admitted defeat, he put away the chessboard and put it back in its place, his face regained its original solemnity again.

"Since the mind has been brought, the minister will go back first. Yan Jinqi asked Yan Yushan to resign.

"Okay, you go, you must be tired from the journey. Yan Yushan waved his hand, sat down on the chair, and watched Yan Jinqi's back gradually disappear at the door.

He clearly had a lot to say, but he still couldn't say it after all, he felt that Yan Jinqi was no longer the lively child he was before, and the relationship between their father and son was getting colder and colder.

Yan Yushan originally wanted to persuade Yan Jinqi to give up the struggle for the throne and assist Yan Jinyu well, but Yan Jinqi didn't seem to want to mention this matter at all.

He shook his head, and reviewed the mountain-like stacks of pieces again, but fortunately he was still alive and did not have to think about these troubles for the time being.

"Father, a soldier is always just a soldier, and you know that the prince that your courtiers love more is me!" Yan Jinqi strode out of the Daming Palace, watching the black clouds press from afar, and the sky became hazy and bleak.

He whispered in his heart what he didn't dare to say in front of Yan Yushan.

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