After Cao Chunhua received the abyssal wooden bird, he did not dare to delay. He handed over the matters at hand and quickly set off for the Liangjiang encampment.
As soon as he got close to the encampment, Cao Chunhua felt a murderous aura coming from the humid and cold air. There was a faint smell of gunpowder. He could not help but straighten his back, stop humming, and stop winking. He straightened his back and straightened his posture. He saw that the sentries here were strict. All the officers and soldiers on duty did not even whisper to each other. It was quiet everywhere. Only the shouts of killing from the routine training place not far away could be heard.
Cao Chunhua rubbed his eyes. For a moment, he thought that he saw another Black Iron Battalion.
As soon as he got close to the encampment, the guards on duty stopped him. Cao Chunhua did not dare to joke under the military might of Gu Yun. He quickly took out the pass from the Grand Council. The average age of the guards was only 18 or 19 years old. After checking the pass, they were neither flattering nor rude. One of them stepped out and led him to the commander's tent. Cao Chunhua looked back and saw that the guards just now had filled up the empty space in the blink of an eye. There was no gap at all.
The guard who led the way was a little shy at first. Later, when he heard that Cao Chunhua and Gu Yun had dealt with Bei Man's people, he opened up a little. "The westerners could not gain any advantage in the hands of the commander. They could not win in a frontal battle. These days, they have been circling around the ports of Liangjiang and constantly coming to harass us. I heard from the centurion that they might want to compete with us. Daren, didn't they say that our Daliang Empire has a large territory and abundant resources? Why are the westerners so rich?"
"Don't call me Daren. I am also an errand boy." Cao Chunhua waved his hand and said, "I don't understand these things, but I heard a few words from Du Gong. Look at their warships. They are specially designed to go out to sea and fight naval battles. Back then, didn't Jiangnan Port and Dagu Port get blown up by them? Our army is already like this, let alone those small countries at sea. When they flatten a place, they will completely 'eat' that place. They plunder the local resources, open factories that can't be opened in our country, and force captives to work for them. Over time, they will naturally become rich. "
The guard was silent for a moment. He led Cao Chunhua all the way to Gu Yun's tent. The personal guard at the door went in to report. The young guard took this opportunity to say to Cao Chunhua, "Daren, I used to hear the veterans talk about the Liangjiang Navy in the past. They said that when they were under General Zhao, their salaries were more and less. Every day, their training was easier than the garrisons in other places. When they were not on duty, they could even walk around the apricot flowers and misty rain on both sides of the river. I feel that I was born in the wrong time. If it was during the peaceful years, I might be able to become a 'military master'."
Cao Chunhua turned to look at him. The young guard smiled a little embarrassedly and said, "After hearing what you said today, I feel that my knowledge is shallow. A person who can pick up a sword is always luckier than a pig or a dog who is chased around by others."
At this moment, the personal guard in the commander's tent came out and said, "Young Master Cao, the commander invites you in."
Cao Chunhua came back to his senses and walked into the commander's tent. At a glance, he saw that Gu Yun was wearing a particularly coquettish colored glass mirror on the bridge of his nose. Behind the lens, there were carved and hollowed patterns that stole the show. It curled from the bridge of his nose to his temples and almost covered half of his face. It didn't look like a colored glass mirror, but more like a mask.
Cao Chunhua was stunned. His first reaction was, "What happened to the commander's eyes?"
However, the commander's tent was talking about serious matters, so Cao Chunhua didn't dare to go forward and disturb him.
Shen Yi and Yao Zhen were both there. Yao Zhen was reading a letter from a westerner, "The westerner said that they have the intention of being friendly and harmonious. They are very sincere in asking if the four counties in Jiangnan can be designated as a border area, allowing the garrison to be autonomous and protecting the interests of the westerners. In the future, this area can become a link for shipping and trade between the two sides … Oh, they also said that they deeply love this land and don't want this fertile land to be ravaged by war again."
Shen Yi said, "Yesterday, there were only three counties. Why is there another one today?"
Yao Zhen looked at him helplessly, "Maybe it's because of 'deep love'?"
"Fuck his mother." Gu Yun's face wore a refined and coquettish colored glass mirror, but his words didn't sound like a good person, "What blind love? Is it his turn to love? "
Shen Yi, "…"
He simply couldn't respond.
Cao Chunhua couldn't hold back for a moment and laughed out loud.
Shen Yi hurriedly waved at him and said, "Xiao Cao, you're here! I've been waiting for you for a long time. Come and tell Sir, when will our 'Iron Long Worm' be finished? "
"Ah, Mr. Shen, you're really unpleasant to hear … It'll be finished soon," Cao Chunhua replied briskly, "What we don't lack the most is manpower. The northern sections are basically finished, and the southern section is even better. There's no need to stop work in winter. When the time comes, the steam cars will be able to run from the capital to the riverside. I heard from Old Du that if everything goes well, it'll be finished before the end of the year at the earliest. By the way, why is the commander wearing a colored glass mirror? "
"Isn't it beautiful?" Gu Yun smiled at him, and the corners of his peach blossom-like eyes were about to fly up. He said shamelessly, "I broke one two days ago. This time, I found someone to change the frame. I specifically asked a famous craftsman from Yangzhou to personally carve it. I really can't bear to hide the beauty, so I have to wear it every day for everyone to see."
Shen Yi had a stomachache, "Aiyo, my Commander, you should hide it well. Our eyes are really not worthy of such beauty."
Gu Yun ignored him and turned his face to let Cao Chunhua see everything clearly. He said without thinking, "If it really doesn't work, I'll personally go into battle and use the beauty trap. I'm afraid that a million soldiers won't be able to deal with it, but thirty or twenty thousand won't be a problem, right Xiao Cao?"
Cao Chunhua's face turned red.
Shen Yi and Yao Zhen each turned their faces to the side. They simply couldn't look straight at him.
"You came at the right time," Gu Yun jumped up and reached out to hold the red-faced Cao Chunhua's shoulders. He pushed him to the sand table, "I just happen to have something that I can't do without you. I want to ask you to run an errand. Do me a favor."
Marshal Gu's ingenious "beauty trap" didn't work on the westerners, but it was very effective on Cao Chunhua. His face suddenly turned red, and hot sweat broke out on the back of his neck. He felt that no matter what Gu Yun said to him, he would be able to agree "yes, yes, yes".
When Cao Chunhua came out of the commander's tent in a daze, he suddenly realized something. Wait, didn't Yan Wang send him to follow Marshal Gu?
Why was he fooled by the commander to the southwest border when he had just settled down?
Just now, Gu Yun specially told him that this matter was confidential and that he should rot in his stomach when he walked out of the commander's tent. He shouldn't even inform the Grand Council …
How was he going to explain this when he went back?
Shen Yi personally made arrangements for Cao Chunhua, who was in a daze, before he turned back to look for Gu Yun. Yao Zhen had already gone back, and the light in the commander's tent was very dim. Gu Yun put his two long legs on a bench next to him and crossed his arms in front of his chest. No one knew what he was thinking. Ever since he couldn't hear, he didn't have to look around and listen to his surroundings. It was easy for him to focus on his own thoughts.
Shen Yi pushed the door open and came in with a cool breeze that startled him. Gu Yun raised his head and looked at him, "Have you made the arrangements?"
Shen Yi nodded and asked, "Do you really want to use Xiao Cao, or are you afraid that he will leak information to His Royal Highness Yan Wang?"
"Am I such a person who can't distinguish between public and private matters?" Gu Yun raised his eyebrows. However, before Shen Yi could feel guilty and apologize, he said, "Both."
Shen Yi, "…"
He had never seen a person who could distinguish between public and private matters so well.
"Once we start the war, there will definitely be changes in the imperial court. In his situation, he shouldn't have to worry too much. Now that he is in this situation, he has no other choice. My small mistake here shouldn't distract him anymore. In addition, Xiao Cao's matter really needs to be handled by someone who is quick-witted and trustworthy, "Gu Yun said," Didn't that old man on the other side think that he was awesome when he fought his way over by himself? I'll let him see the difference between a general and a commander. "
Shen Yi was divided into two parts by his words. On the left side, he was a former member of the Black Iron Battalion and wished that he could follow his commander and die for him. On the right side, he was disgusted by Gu Yun's sincere boasting and had goosebumps. Once again, he was speechless and could only plead, "Zi Xi, even if you want to be blind, can you change to a normal glass mirror?"
Gu Yun put on his armor and prepared to go out to patrol the camp. The commander personally patrolled the camp every day, as if he was blind, was also a characteristic of the Liangjiang Barracks.
"I won't," he answered seriously, "I want to imitate the Prince of Lanling."
Shen Yi thought that this bastard probably didn't transfer him here to share his worries. It was completely for fun!
After Cao Chunhua fought his way to Jiangnan, he only had time to write a letter to Changgeng, saying that Commander Gu was busy with military affairs and bullying Mr. Shen every day and that there was nothing bad about it. After that, there was no news of him. He didn't know if he was sent out to do things by Gu Yun or if he was simply too happy to think of home. Changgeng thought of this person's infatuation. It was impossible for him not to feel sour in his heart. However, while he felt sour, he also felt relieved. No news was good news. To be able to make Cao Chunhua busy being infatuated all day long, Gu Yun's side was probably as easy as the monk Liao Ran said.
At the same time, Chen Qingxu arrived in the capital after Chongyang.
Changgeng had been in the Grand Council for more than a month. It was rare for him to take half a day off to go back and receive her.
The first time he heard from Gu Yun that a copy of the "Goddess's Secret Technique" had been found at Calais Yinghou's place, Changgeng's heart had been filled with anticipation and apprehension for a long time. He had the feeling of an old demon who had been hiding in the mortal world hearing that he could become a mortal. However, after returning to the capital, he had been preparing and planning like a storm while dealing with all kinds of political enemies like walking a tightrope. He really couldn't care about anything else. It wasn't until he met with Chen Qingxu that he picked up his old thoughts.
Chen Qingxu never kept people in suspense. As soon as he saw Changgeng, he didn't even greet him. Instead, he said, "It can be cured."
Just these two words were enough to nail Changgeng to the spot for a long time. It wasn't until the breath in his chest was exhausted that he slowly exhaled. He calmly criticized, "Can a deep-rooted disease be cured not long after coming out of the mother's womb be cured?"
Chen Qingxu nodded, "It can be cured."
Changgeng's hands, which were hidden in the wide sleeves of his court robes, twitched violently. His voice was still calm and threatening, "People say that the Evil God combines two people's flesh and blood into one. Then I was born as two people. How can … Miss Chen also be separated?"
Chen Qingxu gave a rare smile, "It will take a long time. I'm afraid Your Highness will have to suffer a little."
Changgeng's heart was in his throat, "Then Zi Xi …"
Chen Qingxu, "There are related records in the Goddess's Secret Technique. However, the medicine used is different from ours. I still have a lot of things to verify. You have to wait for me to sort out my thoughts."
Changgeng took a deep breath. His heart was beating so fast that it almost broke his chest. For a moment, he forgot what time it was. He turned around and wanted to walk out, wishing that he could let Gu Yun know as soon as possible. After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped and slapped himself on the forehead. He thought to himself, "I'm being silly. I can't let him know. Swords and sabers have no eyes on the battlefield. What if something happens when he is relaxed?"
What if something happens? "However, there was no one to share it with. His Royal Highness Yan Wang secretly did something that would make people blush. He settled Miss Chen down and sneaked back to the Marquis's Estate at night. He stayed in Gu Yun's room and wrote a letter. However, he didn't send it out. After drying it, he pressed it under Gu Yun's pillow.
This still wasn't enough. He dug out all the letters that Gu Yun had written in his secret collection. Lying on the bed, he went through the various words that person had said in his mind. He amused himself by piecing together a "reply letter" from Gu Yun. He played the one-man show very well.
For the next few days, Changgeng felt that Fang Qin was much more pleasing to the eye during the day.
Unfortunately, Fang Qin's days weren't very good.
For the past few days, Li Feng's desk was stacked with memorials to impeach the Wild Goose King. The stack of memorials was about two feet thick. If one were to look at them carefully, one would feel that the Wild Goose King was easily blamed. Even if he coughed while walking on the streets, there would be people who would accuse him of deceiving the emperor. However, in stark contrast, it wasn't clear whether it was because the Grand Council or because they were burdened by other matters, or because they simply went into hibernation. They changed their previous tit-for-tat attitude and began to give in unilaterally.
Li Feng's attitude was that he didn't have any attitude, especially when he encountered people who took advantage of their seniority to mention the previous Emperor or even the Martial Emperor.
In this kind of situation, the most anxious wasn't the Grand Council, who was treading on thin ice, but Fang Qin.
Fang Qin was actually very opposed to this kind of behavior. "The Emperor's heart is as clear as a mirror. Everyone, aren't you afraid of losing the Emperor's heart by being overbearing at this time?"
At that time, someone replied, "Master Fang keeps talking about the Emperor's heart, but his vision is limited. Back then, the previous Emperor was only the son of an unremarkable Junwang from a side branch of the Li Clan. What right did he have to smoothly enter the Imperial Palace? Back then, when we supported the previous Emperor, our ancestors stood against all opposition and took the lead. What kind of merit was that? The Red Ink Iron Certificate is still in my family. What, now that their descendants have stabilized the country, they want to put away the bow after the birds are gone? "
Another person said, "If they really force us into a corner, we might as well bring out the previous Emperor's memorial tablet. Could it be that the Son of Heaven dares to defy universal condemnation and ignore the laws of his ancestors?"
Fang Qin took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Everyone, please be careful with your words!"
Everyone gave him face and didn't say anything for a while. However, their expressions didn't look very convinced.
Daliang's aristocratic family officials, regardless of the position of the head of the family, were all born in a family that could fool people's faces. Many of their ancestors were related by marriage, and the strong worked together. Their ancestors were inseparable from the power disputes of the royal family. For their family to be able to prosper to this day, at least every generation stood on the right side. Over time, they had the illusion that "the Emperor was supported by my family."
Usually, they felt that the Fang Family gave them face and were willing to listen to him. However, when it really came to a fight, although the Fang Family was vaguely the head of the aristocratic families, it was difficult for them to really effectively suppress anyone. They were all relatives, and no one was nobler than anyone else. Why should the Fang Family make the decision when it came to their own lives and personal interests?
Fang Qin could only try to reason with him. "His Majesty is fond of grandiose achievements and can't tolerate others challenging his authority. This time, the westerners' large-scale invasion inevitably reminded him of the time when the capital was besieged. If he was hesitant before, now he must be determined to fight this battle. Why do we have to risk our reputation of causing harm to the country and the people at this time to look for trouble? I also ask everyone to put themselves in his shoes and think about it! "
He sighed and softened his voice, "If we can endure this for a while, when the war is over and there is no war in the country, the Grand Council will inevitably be reorganized or disbanded. Those people may not be willing and will definitely take action. When the time comes, can't the Emperor see that they have stretched their hands too far? Everyone, think about the drumming order and the gold melting order of the past. You will know what the Emperor is really thinking. At this time, using these lowly merchants is just a stopgap measure. When they are no longer useful, will the Emperor still protect them? I'm afraid that when the time comes, even Gu Yun's Xuan Tie will have to be obediently handed back. The small Grand Council can't always cover the world with one hand. "
Fang Qin thought that he was trying his best to explain the situation in detail.
However, not all of the nobles in the room would look forward. The one who had boasted that he had the Red Ink Iron Certificate asked, "Lord Fang, you have reason and evidence, but you are too idealistic. You said that after the war? May I ask when the war will be over? In one or two years, it will be him. In ten or twenty years, it will also be him. Don't tell me that we have to swallow our anger and wait for the yellow earth to cover our heads? "
In fact, Fang Qin was very displeased with these motley crew. A large number of these people were the biggest rats of the country who had no achievements. They thought that they were extraordinary and deserved to be caught red-handed. However, he couldn't express it because he could gather these people together for the sake of benefits. Every day, no matter how loudly he yelled about "serving the country and the people", no one cared.
"Let's not talk about being angry. If the war really lasts for ten or twenty years, the country's strength will be exhausted. Not to mention others, even the Emperor won't agree. It can't be that long." Fang Qin had to change his words and said, "Let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart. With Yan Wang's identity, as long as he doesn't rebel, no one can kill him. However, with your family background, as long as the Emperor is on the throne, as long as we don't panic, who can touch our roots?"
This sounded much better than "If you don't court death, no one can kill you" — although it had the same meaning — and it also scratched the itch of these officials. Fang Qin was worthy of being the first person of the Daliang aristocratic family. He had dealt with this group of people for decades and was very experienced.
Sure enough, under his efforts, the imperial court was much more peaceful. The two factions seemed to have temporarily stopped fighting. All the conflicts were moved under the table. Daliang welcomed a short period of peace for a few months.
For more than three months …
Then, an accident happened that ruined all of Fang Qin's previous efforts.
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