"No wonder Xiao Zhongwu and his wife fought for military power before the seventh day of their death. No wonder they didn't even bat an eyelid when sixty thousand people were drowned in the Battle of Guo Valley. In terms of ruthlessness, who in Da Wei can compare to Xiao Huaijin?"
The dungeon was silent for a moment.
Shen Han wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't say anything. The young man's back was facing the prisoner, and his hands slowly clenched into fists by his side.
But after a moment, they slowly relaxed. He turned around and looked at Lei Hou. He smiled indifferently and said, "It seems that you know what kind of person I am. Then you should think about it more clearly. "He walked out, his voice cold." I never give people a second chance. "
When he reached the door, he happened to see He Yan and Lin Shuanghe standing in the corner. He paused for a moment, then ignored them and left.
No one dared to chase after him.
Shen Han ordered people to lock Lei Hou back in. It was unknown whether it was the conversation with Xiao Jue that made Lei Hou despair or something else, but Lei Hou laughed bitterly. His laughter echoed in the dungeon, eerie and mournful.
Fei Nu walked out. When he saw He Yan and Lin Shuanghe, he was startled and said, "Young Master Lin, why are you here?"
"I wanted to say," He Yan looked inside, "I have fought with Lei Hou before. When the Governor interrogates Lei Hou, I might be able to help, so I came to take a look."
"No need, it's already been solved," Fei Nu replied quickly. "You can go back now."
Lin Shuanghe shrugged. When he saw Xiao Jue's cloak in Fei Nu's hands, he took the initiative to take it and said, "This is Huaijin's clothes. I'll send it to him. I don't think he wants to see anyone right now."
Fei Nu said, "No need to trouble Young Master Lin."
"It's no trouble at all." Lin Shuanghe said, "I was just about to look for him later."
Fei Nu stopped and nodded to Lin Shuanghe, "Thank you, Young Master Lin."
Lin Shuanghe smiled and said to He Yan, "Let's go."
The two of them walked out together.
When they came out, it was already snowing lightly. Now, the snow was even heavier. He Yan was injured, so he walked very slowly. He was still wearing Cheng Lisu's cloak. Although Lin Shuanghe called He Yan "Little Sister" intimately, he had a sense of propriety when it came to interacting with women. It was as if he was deliberately avoiding arousing suspicion. He didn't even lend his arm to help him up.
However, the two of them were not in a hurry, so they walked very slowly.
The snowflakes rustled down and hit them. He Yan thought about what Lei Hou had said in the dungeon. While he was deep in thought, Lin Shuanghe suddenly asked, "Have you heard of the Battle of Guo City's Long Valley?"
He Yan was startled, but he immediately replied, "I have."
The Battle of Guo City's Long Valley was the most important battle when Xiao Jue led the Nan Fu army to quell the chaos of the Southern Barbarians after Xiao Zhongwu's death. At that time, everyone in Da Wei was waiting to see Xiao Jue make a fool of himself. A sixteen-year-old boy leading so many soldiers against a foreign army that even his father couldn't defeat. No matter how they looked at it, he was bound to lose.
Who would have thought that he would win the first battle? Later on, the Southern Barbarians were forced to retreat. Xiao Jue only took half a year to quell the chaos of the Southern Barbarians.
"Do you know how he won the Battle of the Long Valley?"
"Water attack."
"You know?"
He Yan didn't say anything. Instead, he poked a small hole in the snow with his bamboo stick.
"Then you also know that during the Battle of the Long Valley, General Fengyun and Xiao Huaijin flooded Guo City and sixty thousand people died." Lin Shuanghe hugged Xiao Jue's black cloak tighter. "At that time, corpses were floating in the air, and the east of the city stank. Guo City was like hell on earth. It was unbearable." He smiled and asked, "What do you think? Do you think he's cruel and inhumane?"
He Yan said calmly, "War is cruel. Being kind to the enemy is being cruel to the people of your own country. Moreover, no one knows the truth before being in that position. If he wasn't cruel and inhumane, we might be the ones drowning now. "
Lin Shuanghe paused and turned to He Yan. "Why do you think so?"
"I just think that Military Governor Xiao isn't that kind of person."
Lin Shuanghe stared at He Yan as if it was the first time he had seen her.
He Yan asked, "Is there anything wrong with what I said?"
After a while, he shook his head and smiled. "I'm just surprised that you trusted Huaijin so much after spending less than a year with him. Why was I not as firm as you when I first heard about this? "
He Yan thought that it was because Lin Shuanghe had never been to a real battlefield. Only those who had seen fighting on the battlefield would know how difficult it was for a general to make a decision. Xiao Jue was smart and calm. If he didn't have a reason to do so, he wouldn't have done so. Instead, he would have left a bad name for himself.
After the Battle of the Long Valley, although Xiao Jue defeated the Southern Barbarians and was respected by many young people, he was also criticized by many scholars for being heartless and killing too many people. After all, there were also Southern Barbarians among the people who drowned in the Battle of the Long Valley.
"Doctor Lin, you seem to know why he did this." He Yan asked, "Why?"
"I didn't know it from the start." Lin Shuanghe sighed. "Tell me, what other way would he use three thousand soldiers to fight sixty thousand people other than a water attack?"
"Three thousand soldiers?" He Yan suddenly looked up. "Isn't it a hundred thousand Southern House soldiers?"
"A hundred thousand?" Lin Shuanghe smiled. "If he had a hundred thousand Southern House soldiers, he wouldn't have to use this method."
When Xiao Zhongwu died, Madam Xiao followed him. For a time, the Xiao Mansion was filled with cries and sorrowful cries. At that time, everyone knew that Xiao Zhongwu's defeat at the Battle of the Ming River was because he was stubborn and self-opinionated. He made mistakes in his command and caused tens of thousands of Da Wei soldiers to die on the battlefield.
His Majesty was merciful. He remembered Xiao family's many years of contributions and did not pursue Xiao Zhongwu's fault. At the same time, he took back military power. At that time, Xiao Jue was only sixteen years old and Xiao Jing had just turned eighteen. Bai Rongwei had married into the family for less than half a year before this disaster happened. For a time, everyone was in a state of panic and did not know what to do in the future.
Lin Shuanghe still remembered the first time he saw Xiao Jue after the Xiao family's disaster.
The young man was used to having a cold and lazy appearance, as if nothing was on his mind. But he also taught people that there was nothing in the world that could stop him.
It was just that if anyone's family suffered such a disaster, they would not be able to recover from it. Even if they were not able to recover, they would still be very different from before. But the Xiao Jue that Lin Shuanghe saw was not like that. Other than looking a little more haggard than before, he did not look dispirited or depressed.
"Do you have medicine that makes people sleep for a whole day?" Xiao Jue asked.
Lin Shuanghe said, "My family's medicine shop has it. If you want it, I can get it for you immediately."
The Lin family's medicine shops were all over the Da Wei. Just in the downtown area of Shuo Jing, there were a few shops. Lin Shuanghe ordered a servant to go to the nearest medicine shop and get two sets of medicine. He handed them to Xiao Jue and said, "Take it and you will sleep for twenty hours." He suddenly thought of something and said, "If you can't sleep at night, I can make a milder medicine for you."
Perhaps Xiao Jue was unable to sleep because of the sudden disaster in his family and wanted to ask for medicine to help him sleep.
Xiao Jue put the medicine back into his sleeve and waved his hand at him, saying, "Thank you." He turned and was about to leave.
"Huaijin!" Lin Shuanghe called out to him.
Xiao Jue stopped and looked at him.
"This medicine … is for you, right?"
The young man's eyes were exquisite and bright. He looked past him and into the distance. At the end of the distance, the lofty palace was faintly discernible. He said calmly, "I want to enter the palace."
Lin Shuanghe was not stupid. He immediately understood Xiao Jue's intention. He said in horror, "You want to enter the palace without telling your brother?"
"Why would I tell him?" The young man lowered his head and smiled, "It will only make him more worried."
"You're crazy!" Lin Shuanghe said anxiously, "Do you know that the court is in chaos because of General Xiao? No one dares to speak for General Xiao. Prime Minister Xu has been accompanying His Majesty every day. Do you know why? "
"I know." Xiao Jue said, "So what? The military power must be returned to the Xiao family. "
"You might lose your life if you do this!"
Xiao Jue turned his head and stared at him, "Then I will lose my life."
"You!"
"That's right, there's something I need your help with." He said.
The young man's face rarely showed such a serious expression. Lin Shuanghe's heart was filled with an ominous premonition. He pursed his lips and asked, "What is it?"
"If I come back alive, then pretend that this never happened. If I die, "he paused," there's no need to collect my corpse. Imperial Physician Lin has some influence in front of the Empress Dowager. Please help my brother. This has nothing to do with him. "
"What do you mean … you die?" Lin Shuanghe heard his own trembling voice.
"It's very simple. After tonight, if I don't die today, then he will die tomorrow." His expression was calm, as if he was talking about someone else. "But I'm not sure of the result. So," he curved his lips, "you can pray."
"Xiao Huaijin!"
The young man bowed deeply to him. When he straightened up, he only said two words.
"Thank you."
Lin Shuanghe's eyes reddened.
Xiao Jue waved his hand at him, "Go back."
Lin Shuanghe didn't move.
He laughed and turned to leave.
That was a long time ago, but Xiao Jue's back seemed to stop in front of him. On the bustling streets of the city, the young man's back was tall and straight, but he looked especially lonely.
No one knew what kind of path he would take, but Lin Shuanghe was very clear about one thing.
Xiao Jue wouldn't turn back.
He Yan's words interrupted him while he was deep in thought. He Yan asked, "So later, the Governor entered the palace by himself?"
Lin Shuanghe came back to his senses and continued to walk forward slowly. As he walked, he said, "I didn't follow him into the palace. I heard about what happened later from my grandfather."
That night, it began to rain.
The autumn rain was cold, as if it wanted to soak into people's hearts. In a few days, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival. If nothing had happened to Xiao Zhongwu, the Xiao family would be busy preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. But now, it was bleak and mourning was everywhere.
The three people at the table were silent.
No one wanted to touch the food. Bai Rong Wei said warmly, "Eat a little. If you continue like this, your body won't be able to take it."
It was all simple porridge and side dishes. After a moment of silence, Xiao Jing picked up the bowl. He took a sip and put it down, "Huaijin, tomorrow morning, I will go to the palace with you."
Xiao Jue: "Okay."
Bai Rong Wei asked, "Go to the palace … for what?"
"Xiao family has lost their military power. Sooner or later, they will become meat on the chopping board, at the mercy of others." Xiao Jing said, "No matter what, the South Mansion soldiers must be returned to the Xiao family. Otherwise …"
Otherwise, the Xiao family didn't know how long it would last.
"Then, even if His Majesty returns the military power to us, what will we do in the future?" Bai Rong Wei said carefully, "Rubi, you are the Imperial Physician. Even if Huaijin joined the military, he is only sixteen years old."
Xiao Jing's movements stopped.
He had to admit that there was no one in the Xiao family. Even if Xiao Jue was talented, he was only sixteen years old. He was still a child. How could he lead tens of thousands of soldiers?
It would be difficult to convince the public.
"There are many things a sixteen year old can do." Xiao Jue carelessly picked up food. "Big brother, if you are afraid of everything, you will achieve nothing."
Xiao Jing sighed, "Forget it. Let's take one step at a time. Now, there is no other way. "
"Will His Majesty return the military power to us?" Bai Rong Wei said worriedly, "Now that Prime Minister Xu's power is overwhelming, he will not let go of this opportunity to deal with the Xiao family."
"He will." The youth lazily poured tea for them, "Don't be afraid. Xu Jingfu is only a mortal."
No one spoke again.
The night rain continued to fall. The servants helped Bai Rong Wei and Xiao Jing back to their beds.
Xiao Jue stood up, put on his outer clothes, and walked out the door.
Outside, Fei Nu was waiting. The rain fell on the ground, creating puddles and ripples. The white lanterns hanging at the door were completely soaked.
Xiao Jue stopped at the door.
Fei Nu said, "Young master."
He bowed his head and ordered the housekeeper, "Take care of them."
"Let's go."
They disappeared into the night.
The carriage drove to the palace. In the palace, the current Prime Minister Xu Jingfu was playing chess with the Emperor Wenxuan.
A servant came to report, "Your Majesty, the second son of General Guangwu's residence requests an audience."
Emperor Wenxuan stopped playing chess, "Xiao Huaijin? What is he doing here? "
"Probably because of his father." Xu Jingfu laughed, "Your Majesty, be careful." He picked up a black stone.
"You, don't play tricks while I'm distracted." Emperor Wenxuan laughed and scolded, "Sly."
Xu Jingfu also laughed, "Your Majesty is letting me win."
The two of them continued to chat and play chess. They seemed to have forgotten about Xiao Jue. After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the servant came in again to remind, "Your Majesty, second son Xiao is still waiting outside the palace. It's still raining outside."
"If it's raining, then go back." Emperor Wenxuan was worried about the chess game in front of him, "What's he waiting for?"
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry." Xu Jingfu said, "Second son Xiao's family has undergone a great change. He's still a child. He must be feeling wronged. Why don't you let me go out and persuade him? It's best if I can persuade him to go back. "
"Go." Emperor Wenxuan waved his hand impatiently, "Attending court is Xiao Zhongwu's business, but he can't leave court. Xiao family, Xiao family, I'm tired of hearing it. Let him go back! Go quickly and come back quickly. When you come back, you still have to play this game with me. "
Xu Jingfu stood up and bowed respectfully, "Yes."
When he walked out of the palace, he saw Xiao Jue kneeling at the door.
Xu Jingfu was over sixty years old. When he was young, he worked in the Hanlin Academy and had students all over the world. Da Wei's outstanding young man was more or less related to him. Even though Xiao Jue was not his student, he had heard of Xiao Jue's outstanding performance. He had seen Xiao Jue once during the Imperial Hunt. He also remembered that the white-robed young man's beauty was captivating. He was like a dazzling pearl, and everyone else paled in comparison.
Xu Jingfu had also sighed in his heart. It would be great if such an outstanding young man was part of the Xu family. Unfortunately, Xiao Zhongwu, that barbarian, took advantage of him.
He stood in front of Xiao Jue and said, "Second son Xiao."
The young man raised his head and looked at him, "Official Xu."
"It's raining so heavily outside. Why is Second son Xiao waiting outside without an umbrella?" He ordered the left and right palace servants, "Come, bring Second son Xiao an umbrella."
The palace servants held umbrellas and stood behind Xiao Jue. Xu Jingfu made a gesture to help him up, as if he was an elder concerned about the younger generation. He said, "Why are you still kneeling? Hurry and get up."
Xiao Jue did not move and said, "I want to see His Majesty."
"His Majesty is busy right now. If Second son Xiao really has something to say, you can come back tomorrow. It's already very late. His Majesty still needs to rest after finishing his work. It's not a good time to see His Majesty. "
The young man did not move and only repeated, "Official Xu, I must see His Majesty today."
Xu Jingfu took two steps back and looked at him with his hands in his sleeves. He also had a benevolent smile on his face, "Second son Xiao, His Majesty is benevolent. Xiao family used to do meritorious deeds and favored you greatly. Now that your father failed in his duty and caused the Da Wei soldiers to suffer a crushing defeat at the Battle of Mingshui, he should have pursued this matter. It was His Majesty who gave him a way out on account of their past relationship. How can you be so insatiable and not know what's good for you? "
The night rain drifted in from below the umbrella and soaked the young man's clothes. His eyebrows were extremely handsome and his expression was calm. His voice was no longer lazy and dissolute as he said, "Official Xu is right."
Xu Jingfu's smile did not change.
"So," Xiao Jue raised his head and looked at him, "I implore Official Xu to make an exception for His Majesty. Xiao Jue wishes to see His Majesty."
"Second son Xiao must be joking. Why should I make an exception for His Majesty?" Xu Jingfu asked.
The young man looked at him and lowered his head slightly, "Please grant my wish, Official Xu."
A young man's pride was the most fragile. Sometimes, his spine would bend slightly and he would not be able to stand up again.
If Xiao Zhongwu knew in the underworld and saw his second son, whom he was so proud of, kneeling in front of him and begging for his mercy, what kind of expression would he have?
In an instant, Xu Jingfu did not want to immediately force him into a dead end. It was much more interesting to see a proud person fall into the mortal world, be trampled into the mud, and have his pride trampled until it was worthless.
He raised his head slightly and said in distress, "Second son Xiao, it's not that I don't want to help you. It's just that His Majesty is angry at the Xiao family right now. Even I can't interfere in this matter. "
Xiao Jue only said, "Please grant my wish, Official Xu."
Xu Jingfu stared at him. After a while, he said, "If Second son Xiao insists on seeing His Majesty, why don't you accept your punishment first? Xiao family is already guilty. If Second son Xiao is willing to go all out and His Majesty sees it, the anger in His Majesty's heart may dissipate a little. This old man will also speak up for Second son Xiao. "
"Please advise me, Official Xu."
"You're still young and it's difficult for you to bear more punishment. Go and receive 50 paddles first." He said.
These words were said very casually, as if Xiao Jue was already very lenient. The palace servant next to him lowered his head and did not speak, but he could not hide the surprise in his heart.
50 paddles, if one's body was weak, would be enough to kill. Even if it was an ordinary person, 50 paddles would take half their life. It would be difficult for them to recover without recuperating for at least a year.
Xiao Jue said, "Okay."
Xu Jingfu smiled, "Second son Xiao is indeed like his father." He turned and ordered his servants, "Take Second son Xiao away to receive his paddles."
In the night rain, 50 paddles fell on a person. It was not as easy as imagined, especially the palace servant who carried out the punishment. Xu Jingfu had specially "instructed" him.
The youth did not make a sound. He gritted his teeth and endured it. After 50 paddles, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and slowly propped himself up to stand up.
When he stood up, his footsteps were a bit weak and he almost fell. The palace servant next to him could not bear to see him like this. Back then, Second son Xiao was dressed in brocade and fox fur. He was elegant and gorgeous. Who would have expected him to be in such a sorry state? No one would have expected this.
Xu Jingfu was not interested in watching Xiao Jue receive his paddles. He entered the hall and first went to speak with Emperor Wenxuan.
Emperor Wenxuan said, "Didn't you say you wanted to chase him away?"
"Your Majesty," Xu Jingfu shook his head, "Second son Xiao insisted on seeing Your Majesty. This old official could not persuade him otherwise. Young people are full of vigor. If they really want to do something, even nine bulls cannot pull them back. Now that General Guangwu is no longer here, and his mother … this old official also feels sorry for him. Your Majesty, why don't you see him and hear what he has to say. If he doesn't speak well, ask him to leave. Next time, we won't meet again. "
Emperor Wenxuan sighed, "My dear official, your heart has softened."
"It is Your Majesty's kindness."
"Forget it," Emperor Wenxuan ordered the palace servant, "In any case, I have watched him grow up. Ask him to come in."
The outside of the hall was extremely cold, but the inside of the hall was extremely warm. There was no place to hide from the night rain. There was only the fragrance of flowers that made people dizzy. The lights were bright, and someone walked in.
He knelt down in front of Emperor Wenxuan and said, "This official kowtows in salute to Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities." Emperor Wenxuan said casually. He raised his eyes to look at Xiao Jue. When he saw Xiao Jue, he was stunned and asked, "How did you become like this?"
It had been raining outside. The umbrella that Xu Jingfu asked the servant to hold up only lasted for less than 15 minutes. His entire body was wet and he looked extremely miserable. Because he had just been hit 50 times, his body was extremely weak. His face was pale and his lips were pale. It seemed like he would faint at any moment.
He was completely different from before.
After all, he had watched him grow up. Emperor Wenxuan couldn't help but feel compassion for him. He was genuinely concerned. He softened his tone and said, "Tell me, did someone bully you?"
"No." Xu Jingfu stood at the side and answered, "Second Young Master Xiao knows that the Xiao family is guilty. He took the 50 strikes to make himself feel better. He also wants Your Majesty to know that the Xiao family is remorseful."
Emperor Wenxuan looked at him and sighed, "50 strikes … is too much."
"Second Young Master Xiao is also grateful for Your Majesty's kindness," Xu Jingfu said with a smile.
"Why did you come to find me?" Emperor Wenxuan said, "I don't want to talk about the Xiao family anymore."
Xiao Jue's gaze swept across the chessboard on the table. On the chessboard, the black and white pieces intertwined. Under the warm light, it was gloomy and cold.
Just like how life was strange, no one could predict what would happen in the future.
But the past was the past. Since it was impossible to predict, the future could only be created.
The young man prostrated himself. His voice was calm, but with an unstoppable stubbornness, he said word by word.
"This official, begs for Your Majesty's permission. I am willing to personally lead the Southern Army into Mingshui and fight against the Southern Barbarians."
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