The sky was dark, and the Tiandu cherry blossoms were blooming in this cold winter.
Lu Xingkong breathed out a puff of mist as he spoke, making his expression look illusory and confused. Even though he was close at hand, it was difficult to see clearly.
Yan Xiangma really could not understand the old man in front of him. All the previous rumours and incidents — — were just a smokescreen that the old man had thrown to the world.
He had deceived the world, and also deceived his loved ones. As an outsider, what right did he have to say that he knew someone wrong?
"What does Defence minister mean?" Yan Xiangma deliberated over the words in his mind, before he slowly said: "The matter of fighting against the Peacock army has always been handled by the military. Moreover, General Xu Da has been in the army for many years, he is a victorious general — — with his' Iron Wall 'to guard the gates of the country and fight against the enemy, he will certainly ensure that the West Wind land is not lost, and the enemy will not be able to advance an inch. "
"Not lose the land? Not be able to advance an inch? " Lu Xingkong's lips curved in a ruminative smile, looking sideways at Yan Xiangma. "At such a young age, but like a veteran who has been in the officialdom for decades — — The Peacock imperial court has conquered several cities of my West Wind Kingdom, and even the most important North Gate Wind City has been occupied by them. You think this is not losing the land? Is Wind City not the land of my West Wind? "
"Defence minister — —" Yan Xiangma's face was full of smiles as he said flatteringly: "I think that is just General Xu Da's plan. Lure the enemy deep in, consume their troops and horses, lengthen their supply line, and when the time is right, we can defeat them in one fell swoop and capture the Peacock King Ying Boyan alive — — This lost city will eventually return to the hands of our Kingdom. "
"Impudent." Lu Xingkong's face darkened as he thundered: "This is a military matter, how can you treat it like child's play?"
The smile on Yan Xiangma's face gradually faded, bowing to Lu Xingkong. "Xiangma is young and impulsive, I ask Defence minister to forgive me. Xiangma did not know how to answer the question that Defence minister asked him. Xiangma had always worked in the Monitoring Division and had never entered the military headquarters, so he had no experience in fighting a war — — So, if I were to be in charge of fighting the Peacock Army, I'm afraid I would die. Xiangma's death was not to be regretted, but he did not dare to bring disaster to the country and the people. I ask Defense Minister to consider it carefully. "
Lu Xingkong's eyes were like an eagle's, scrutinizing Yan Xiangma's face and body.
After a long time, he finally said, "Are you afraid, or are you unwilling?"
"Xiangma does not understand what Defense Minister means."
"I don't dare. Naturally, I'm afraid of losing the war, of harming the country, the people, and even myself. As for unwillingness — — the Eldest Princess of the Peacock Imperial Court is Ying Qiandu, I'm afraid you care a lot about this person? Xiangma does not want to compete with him on the battlefield, that is also human nature. "
"Defence minister's words are absurd, I do not know the First Princess of the Peacock imperial court, why should I care? Why aren't you willing to fight him on the battlefield? "
"It's true that the two of you don't know each other, but you know Li Muyang …"
Yan Xiangma grinned. "I know this kid, we don't get to know each other without fighting. Now our relationship is iron, we wear the same trousers — — "
After a pause, Yan Xiangma looked up at Lu Xingkong. "But, no matter how familiar I am, I can't be more familiar than Defense Minister. Although Li Muyang's surname is Li, he has the blood of the Lu clan in his bones. Li Muyang is the grandson of Defense Minister, they are family — — Compared to Defense Minister, I am just an outsider, am I not? "
"Oh, I understand what Defense Minister means. I heard before that Li Muyang and the Eldest Princess of the Peacock imperial court have a close relationship, and some people said that the two of them are — — lovers. Of course, a lot of rumours cannot be taken as true. The information I know is limited, I don't know if this matter is true or not. Does Defense Minister know something? "
Lu Xingkong raised his eyebrows, saying aloud, "You should understand what I mean."
"Defense Minister, if it is because of the relationship between Li Muyang and the Eldest Princess of the Peacock imperial court — — I think you should be more concerned than me?"
"So, you are not willing to accept this position?"
"Forgive me for my lack of talent and knowledge, I am not qualified."
"Never mind." Lu Xingkong waved his hand. "You can leave."
"Thank you Defense Minister for your help." Yan Xiangma bowed, turning to leave the small courtyard. It was better not to see this person if possible. Every time he saw him, there was a chill running down his back. It was like being stalked by a ruthless beast, the slightest carelessness and he would be swallowed in one bite.
"Oh," Lu Xingkong suddenly thought of something, saying to Yan Xiangma who was about to step out of the small courtyard, "What do you think about your father Yan Bolai taking the position of the Left General of the Empire?"
Yan Xiangma's footsteps paused, slowly turning around, looking gloomily at Lu Xingkong. "Defense Minister — — you are making things difficult for me."
— —
"Left General — —" Cui Xiaoxin put down the scroll in her hand, looking at Yan Xiangma's young and handsome face, and said softly: "At such a young age, and already in such a high position, most likely cousin is the first person since the founding of West Wind Kingdom, right?"
"What do I count as? Someone became the prime minister at the age of eight, a Left General, and was forced to do something beyond his abilities — — "Yan Xiangma had a helpless look on his face, pretending to be angry at Cui Xiaoxin." I did not come here to listen to your praise. "
"Then what is cousin here for?"
Yan Xiangma studied the environment of Cui Xiaoxin's residence, sighed softly: "Compared to the old mansion, it's really a far cry, you — — are you used to it here?"
"What's not used to? It's just that it lacks those complicated and flashy things. Although the old mansion is luxurious, but I can't sleep well every night. Although it's a little simple here, it's delicious to eat, comfortable to live in, and is more suitable for reading and writing. I've read a lot of books recently, they are all classics that I wanted to read before but couldn't calm down. I've been longing for Mr. Liu Shu's' Notes of Quiet Study 'for a long time, and yesterday I finished reading it word by word. I've benefited a lot, if only I could read it earlier. And my handwriting is much better than before — — Cousin, do you want to have a look? "
Yan Xiangma waved his hand. "Not now, write well, I'll read it when I come back — — if I can come back."
"Cousin — —" Cui Xiaoxin's expression flickered.
"What? Are you worried for cousin? What's wrong with that? Going to the battlefield to kill the enemy, it's also possible to be killed by the enemy — — what is that sentence again? Drunken lying on the battlefield, Lord Grim, since ancient times, how many people have returned from battle? How many people have returned, how many people have returned — — and how many people can come back? "
"Is the Peacock Imperial Court so terrifying?"
"The Peacock Imperial Court has a strong army and is a formidable enemy of West Wind. The Peacock King Ying Boyan is a great strategist and a wise ruler. Ying Wuyu is the leader of the Orthodoxy and has the support of the people. The Peacock Imperial Court is a combination of politics and religion. Everyone regards the Peacock Imperial Court as their home and is proud of being a member of the Peacock Imperial Court. They are willing to sacrifice for their empire, and even scramble to sacrifice for their country — — Is such an opponent not terrifying enough? "
"This time the Peacock King has mobilized the military forces of an entire country, and has a powerful helper like the Dark Flame Empire. Wherever the soldiers go, they are invincible — — It is not so easy to block the Peacock King's sword. After all, this is a man who wants to become the ruler of the divine continent and unify the nine countries. "
"If that's the case — — then you still want to go?"
"If I don't go, it's my father who is going." Yan Xiangma let out a deep sigh. "My father only has the skill to defend the city, but not the ability to expand the land. Give him a comfortable and comfortable little city in Jiangnan, and he can govern it well. But if he is allowed to lead tens of thousands of soldiers into battle, the odds are against him. If he is allowed to go, not only will his life be in danger, but the family will also be implicated — — The Yan family is at a critical stage of steady growth. If the important figures of the family were to suffer a defeat and suffer heavy losses, the accumulated credit will be swept away. Isn't this the result that some people want? "
"Grandfather is already old, it's not easy for him to travel far. Eldest Uncle has to stay in Tiandu, how can a civil official lead troops? Second Uncle wholeheartedly cultivates and does not care about the affairs of the world. The Yan family needs someone to stand up — — At this time, if I don't stand up, who will? "
Cui Xiaoxin no longer tried to persuade him. She knew that being born in an official's family, there were many things that were beyond one's control. For example, when had they ever done anything bad? Weren't they also in such dire straits?
Many times, your fate is linked to the fate of the country and the power of the family. Whether it's good or bad, it's not up to you to choose.
"Heaven helps the worthy, I believe cousin will return safely. From today on, I will chant for cousin every day, asking Bodhisattva to bless cousin's early return. "
Yan Xiangma looked at Cui Xiaoxin with a smile and said, "When Li Muyang entered the illusion, it was unknown whether he was alive or dead. I know that sister Xiaoxin has been fasting and praying to Buddha for that boy for more than half a year — — I didn't expect cousin to chant for me today. In cousin's heart, I am as important as that boy. This is really my great blessing as her brother. "
"Cousin — —" Cui Xiaoxin was ashamed and annoyed, angrily rolled her eyes at him and said, "Why are you still mentioning those things? It's all in the past. "
"Xiaoxin — —" Yan Xiangma sighed softly, looked at the woman's beautiful face, and said in a hoarse voice, "If I can choose, I really don't want to be the General of the Left — — If one day you meet Li Muyang on the battlefield, you tell me, will you ask Bodhisattva to let me come back, or will you let him come back? This kind of thing, even Bodhisattva will find it difficult, right? "
"— —"
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