The journey from Sky Domain Pass to Sky Wolf Pass was twice as slow as before. Because Pang Xiao was afraid that Qin Yining would catch a cold, she used the most spacious and warm carriage as a prince's guard of honor. Along the way, they would stop to rest whenever there was a nice scenery or a market in a small town.
Along the way, it didn't seem like they were returning to the capital to atone for their crime, but more like they were taking their wangfei out on a trip.
Yi Binghu was so angry that his head hurt the whole way, but the people around him were especially respectful of Pang Xiao and would echo Pang Xiao's every word.
Qin Yining lifted the warm curtain of the carriage and looked out. Seeing Yi Binghu's taut face, which seemed to have lost a lot of weight in the last few days, she couldn't help leaning back into Pang Xiao's arms and saying softly, "If this goes on, I'm afraid that General Yi's tall and strong figure will disappear. I've seen him barely eat these days. "
Pang Xiao leaned back against a large pillow and half reclined with her long legs bent. She held a military book in one hand and hugged Qin Yining to her chest with the other. The two of them were covered in a thick blanket together. Qin Yining even held a small heater in her arms, which was very warm and comfortable.
"That person has evil intentions and thinks he's infallible. It's a good thing if we can temper his character this time, but if not, we can't do anything about it. The reason why the Tiger Army kicked him out back then was because his character was too unstable and could easily affect the overall situation in the army. "
Hearing this, Qin Yining couldn't help laughing. "It seems that you know your subordinates very well. This is what they mean by knowing how to use people wisely. "
Pang Xiao smiled and kissed the top of Qin Yining's head. "It's like playing chess. You always have to be clear about the role of each chess piece and what they can do on the board."
Qin Yining nodded and turned over in Pang Xiao's arms. "That's why I said that person isn't as good as you."
Pang Xiao was amused by her praise. "You're biased towards me, so you think I'm better in everything."
"That's not it. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell who was more outstanding. If you weren't really outstanding, would those brave men in the army acknowledge you? "
Ten thousand words of praise from outsiders were not as comforting as a single word from Qin Yining.
Pang Xiao happily kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, "Your husband is very happy with your praise."
Qin Yining buried his entire face in Pang Xiao's arms. He couldn't hide the smile on his face as he said, "What a glib tongue."
"How can it be glib? Every word comes from the bottom of my heart. "
The blanket was too warm, and the "pillow" was too comfortable. Qin Yining hugged the heater in his arms and felt a little dizzy. His eyelids gradually became heavy.
Seeing Qin Yining curled up in his arms like a kitten, Pang Xiao felt even more tender. He patted her back slowly with his big hand and whispered as if coaxing a child, "Go to sleep. I'll watch over you."
Qin Yining closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep unknowingly.
The group traveled slowly for seven or eight days and finally arrived at the second checkpoint of the northern border, Tian Lang Pass.
When Pang Xiao approached Tian Lang Pass, he changed to riding a horse and followed beside Qin Yining's carriage.
Yi Binghu secretly cursed Pang Xiao for being so cunning. He usually enjoyed himself in the carriage like a woman, but when he saw the soldiers at the border, he changed to riding a horse. He seemed so manly.
Pang Xiao noticed that Yi Binghu's gaze was not right, but he didn't care. He led the group to the gate. Immediately, someone on the gate tower of Tian Lang Pass asked loudly, "Who are you?"
Huzi said loudly, "This is Prince Zhongshun's group returning to the capital. They are passing by Tian Lang Pass. General, please open the gate.
”
The sound of disorderly footsteps came from above the gate tower. Not long after, someone leaned out to take a look. After confirming that there was no mistake, he stomped down the tower. Not long after, the gate was opened.
A group of guards came out first and stood on both sides. Soon after, a tall and strong middle-aged man with a scar on his face wearing armor and holding a saber quickly came out.
When Pang Xiao saw that the other party was walking, he also dismounted from his horse. Jinghu Wei, who was behind Pang Xiao, also dismounted.
Yi Binghu curled his lips and snorted. He muttered, "Pretentious."
Wei Erbao, Li Daniu, and Qian Dong had been dissatisfied with Yi Binghu for a long time, but they couldn't do anything about it. Just like the Elite Tiger Guards, they dismounted and followed Yi Binghu.
Yi Binghu sat alone on the horse and seemed unsociable. In the end, he had no choice but to dismount with a dark face.
The General Garrison of Celestial Wolf Pass was a tough guy. Yi Binghu didn't believe that this man would defy an imperial order and be polite to Pang Xiao!
Thinking this, Yi Binghu quickly stepped forward and passed Pang Xiao to salute the man with clasped fists. "General Tao."
"General Yi. So you've already found Prince Zhongshun's team and are coming back with them? "
These words simply made Yi Binghu's heart, liver, and lungs explode with anger.
What did he mean by coming back with them? He was escorting a traitor back!
But when he looked back, the gorgeous carriage, the spectacular team, and the ceremonial procession of a prince on a journey were all proof that he was indeed accompanying them and not being escorted.
Yi Binghu's face was as black as the bottom of a pot and he said stiffly, "Yes. We've already found Prince Zhongshun. General Yi, have you arranged accommodation for Wang Ye and his party to stay for the time being? “
"The courier station has been arranged and you can check in at any time. However, Wang Ye's status is honorable. In a moment, this general will immediately order people to tidy up the rear court and invite Wang Ye and the Princess Consort to stay."
It was the same trick again!
Yi Binghu secretly wondered what these people's brains were made of. Why was it that Kang Qiong, as the Grand Marshal of the Dragon Legion, had said that Pang Xiao should stay at the courier station, but had actually invited him to stay at the rear court? And now, this upright and plainspoken General Tao was also doing the same?
Pang Xiao stood on the side and fiddled with his horsewhip. He couldn't help laughing as he watched Yi Binghu's expression change.
When General Tao's gaze fell on the horsewhip in Pang Xiao's hand, he stared blankly for a moment before he stepped forward and saluted respectfully.
"This general, Tao Jun, pays his respects to Prince Zhongshun."
This was Tao Jun?
Pang Xiao saw that there was a scar on this man's forehead that extended all the way to his brow bone. He also had an opium pipe on his waist. His skin looked rough, and he looked a little old. But, he looked like he was in his early thirties. These characteristics were the same as what Ji Zeyu had said. Pang Xiao understood.
This man was the leader of Ji Zeyu's hundred or so trusted aides. He had probably become even more respectful after seeing Ji Zeyu's horsewhip.
"Rise. This King has yet to congratulate General Tao on your honorable promotion. "
When he had left, Ji Zeyu had said that Tao Jun was a military officer. Now that he had become the main general guarding Tian Lang Pass, he must have been promoted recently.
Tao Jun knew that he was a minor character. Pang Xiao had never interacted with him before, so it was impossible for him to know who he used to be. Now that Pang Xiao mentioned his "honorable promotion," and that he was holding Ji Zeyu's keepsake, Tao Jun knew that this person must be someone that Ji Zeyu valued. Ji Zeyu must have told Pang Xiao about his matters.
Thus, Tao Jun treated Pang Xiao respectfully and cordially: "Wang Ye's group must be tired from the long journey. It must have been hard on you. Why don't you have a good rest? This general will immediately order people to prepare food and wine to welcome Wang Ye. "
Pang Xiao smiled and said: "Many thanks, General Tao."
"Wang Ye, Wang Fei, this way."
Tao Jun stepped to the side and allowed Pang Xiao and Wang Fei's carriage to walk in front. He walked in front of Jinghu Wei's carriage and followed them in very respectfully.
Wei Erbao, Li Daniu, and the others couldn't help but laugh. They whispered: "In the end, it is our Wang Ye who shakes the world. Look, even the Dragon Stallion Army treats Wang Ye with great respect."
"Isn't that right? Some people don't think that they are so great just because they are a minor official. In the end, they are just like clowns jumping around. They really make people laugh their heads off. "
When Yi Binghu saw that Tao Jun treated Pang Xiao the same way as Kang Qiong, he was already very angry. Now that even the people who came with him were saying this, he was so angry that his face turned red and the veins on his head popped out. If he didn't have to show his authority, he would have scolded them.
"Don't be impudent! Quickly enter the city! " After reprimanding them and regaining his face, Yi Binghu led his horse and followed Jinghu Wei into the city gates.
Wei Erbao and the others looked at his back and couldn't help but laugh again. They chatted and laughed as they followed in. The atmosphere was so relaxed and happy that it was like the new year.
Qin Yining was once again arranged to rest in the back office.
Pang Xiao still brought people to attend the banquet. At the banquet, he also brought Ji Zeyu's whip with him. He saw many people who were very respectful and close to him when they saw him.
After the banquet, in the main hall of the back office, Tao Jun respectfully bowed to Pang Xiao and said: "Wang Ye, since Master Bi is willing to give the token to Wang Ye, he is also giving over one hundred of our brothers to Wang Ye. If Wang Ye has any orders, just say it. We will die ten thousand times to help."
Pang Xiao felt even more grateful to Ji Zeyu. He supported Tao Jun with both hands and said with a smile: "You don't have to be so courteous. This King needs to return to the capital to be interrogated. He doesn't have anything to do for the time being. "
Tao Jun heard this and said: "Wang Ye, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. Your return to the capital this time is not optimistic. Your Majesty might want to kill you."
Pang Xiao saw that Tao Jun was actually so honest. He knew that this was Ji Zeyu's subordinate who saw the whip and treated him as his master. He couldn't help but admire Ji Zeyu's ability to control his subordinates.
"While I was away, did anything major happen in the court?"
Tao Jun said: "The trivial matters in the court have all been written in the court bulletin. Most of them have nothing to do with Wang Ye. The most important thing is that the Tatan people are restless. Their intention to attack Da Zhou is very obvious. Although they lost the first batch of provisions to start the war, the Tatan Utejin Khan seems to be very insistent on starting the war. It seems like he is preparing provisions again for the war.
"To put it bluntly, the state treasury is empty. It is already difficult to complete disaster relief. Your Majesty has made a series of arrangements for the start of the war. This general was previously only a military officer. It was also this time that I was promoted to the position of general in charge of defending the city.
"However, although the transfer of personnel can be carried out smoothly, what the court lacks the most right now is money. If we want to start the war, we will have to use the country's capital. Tatan's attitude is firm. They say that they want to avenge their A Nari Khan. I don't know what Your Majesty is thinking.
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