Xiahou Qingcheng's clear eyes lit up even more, and she said excitedly: "I know, I know, it was General Black Feather who captured the Khan on a snowy night."

A smile appeared on the lips of the man in the bamboo hat, and he nodded and said: "That's right. The Xiling War lasted for more than two months, and it was already the cold winter. At that time, Xia Duhu had died in the battle, and General Black Feather led the few remaining soldiers and horses.

Being trapped in Heiyang City, it was lucky that there was a blizzard, otherwise Heiyang City would not have been able to hold out for long if tens of thousands of cavalry had surrounded it."

"That's because God blessed me in the Tang Dynasty, not only with General Black Feather, but also with that heavy snowfall." Xiahou Qingcheng said happily: "If it weren't for General Black Feather, Xiling would have been in danger."

While the two were talking, they had already turned into an alley, and the man in the hat said with a smile: "Did Captain Long Lin tell you?"

Xiahou Qingcheng nodded and said: "Brother said that Heiyang City was in danger at that time. A heavy snowfall fell for several days. The Wutuo people mainly used cavalry. With the heavy snowfall, they could not attack the city, so they had to besiege the city. Xiadu

Guard died in the battle, General Black Feather stepped forward and led the few remaining soldiers and horses to resist the enemy." Although it was a girl's family, Xiahou Qingcheng talked about the war that year with relish: "The Wutuo people were unable to attack the city.

Camping outside the city, General Black Feather observed the city for two days and determined the location of King Wutuo Khan. That night, Black Sun City quietly opened the city gate. General Black Feather led his thirty-man Black Feather Ye army.

The crows rushed directly to King Wutuo Khan's tent, and before the Wutuo people could react, the black-feathered night crows rushed into the king's tent and captured King Wutuo Khan alive."

The man in the bamboo hat smiled and said: "What you said is absolutely correct. Yes, General Black Feather's shocking move instantly reversed the situation in Xiling. King Wutuo Khan was captured. The Wutuo people no longer dared to move and withdrew to Kunlun Pass. The imperial court

He sent people to discuss peace, and King Wutuo Khan promised that Wutuo soldiers and horses would never set foot in the Tang Dynasty again during his lifetime, and redeemed his life with a huge number of cattle and sheep. The crisis in Xiling was thus resolved, and General Black Feather was also relieved.

Khan, the Snow Night Bird, is famous all over the world."

Xiahou Qingcheng said: "Uncle Wen, in this case, of course this Xiling is still my territory of the Tang Dynasty. Why do you say this is not the territory of the Tang Dynasty?"

"Lieutenant Longlin, can you tell me that less than two months after the Wutuo people retreated, General Heiyu led his troops to withdraw into Jiayuguan?" asked the man in the hat.

Xiahou Qingcheng nodded and said: "Eldest brother mentioned it, but didn't say much. Uncle Wen, didn't General Heiyu withdraw to the pass to rest? I heard that the five thousand soldiers and horses who fought against the Wutuo people withdrew to the pass.

, there are less than two thousand people left.”

The man in a bamboo hat shook his head and said: "I said before that when the Protectorate Army fought against the Wutuo people, the Protectorate of Xiling sat on the mountain and watched the tiger fight. He did not support the Protector Army at the beginning, and therefore once put the Protector Army into trouble. Saint

After sending people, the Xiling Clan sent people and food to support the front line." After a slight pause, he said: "It seems that the Xiling Clan is not really afraid of the imperial court, but that the imperial court has compromised with them."

"compromise?"

"To prevent the Wutuo people from controlling Xiling, we must rely on the Xiling clan. In that situation, the court can only choose the lesser of two evils." The man in the hat said calmly: "Xiling is divided into three counties, and the heads of the three clans also have to choose the lesser of two evils."

They were all granted the title of marquis, and it was hereditary. One marquis commanded a county, and they were nominally ministers of the court, but in fact they each controlled a county."

Xiahou Qingcheng frowned and said, "But the Protectorate of Xiling is still there, and there are still officials from the imperial court in Xiling."

"The tax revenue of each county is in the hands of the clans, and if there is banditry or even rebellion in Xiling, the three hereditary princes have the right to organize manpower to quell the rebellion." The man in the hat glanced at Xiahou Qingcheng: "This means that they have the financial and military power in their own hands.

In his hands, the Protectorate of the Western Regions is no longer the original Protectorate. Most of the officials sent by the imperial court to Xiling are in name only." He shook his head and sighed: "So this Xiling belongs to the Tang Dynasty, but it doesn't belong to the Tang Dynasty.

It’s not from the Tang Dynasty, do you understand now?”

Xiahou Qingcheng's beautiful eyebrows were furrowed and her expression was a little solemn: "Uncle Wen, then... the little brother just now is from the Duwei Mansion. Is he... can he be considered a member of the imperial court?"

The man in the bamboo hat nodded and said: "The imperial government's Duwei Mansion in Xiling is used to keep an eye on the Xiling clan. At least the Guicheng Duwei Mansion is indeed a member of the imperial court."

Xiahou Qingcheng seemed relieved and smiled slightly: "I knew he was a good person."

"Because he paid for your meal, he is a good person?" The man in the hat said angrily: "Every day you clamor to walk in the rivers and lakes. If no one protects you, you will not survive a day in the rivers and lakes. People's hearts are sinister, and bad people really do evil.

Before, I wouldn’t have let you know that he was a bad person.”

Xiahou Qingcheng smiled and said: "I knew he was a good person." Then he asked: "Uncle Wen, the Wutuo people no longer dare to invade the Tang Dynasty. They are seeking peace in southern Xinjiang. The Tusun people have not gone south in large numbers in these years. Why?

After so many years, the imperial court no longer sends troops to attack Xiling? As long as our Tang army comes, how can the Xiling clan resist it? "

"Since the imperial court made an agreement with the Xiling clan back then, unless a big change happened, it would naturally not break its promise." The man in the hat said calmly: "We are a country of etiquette in the Tang Dynasty, with virtues all over the world. The Xiling clan did not make any big mistakes, and neither did the court.

Will do it easily."

Xiahou Qingcheng's eyes lit up and he said: "I understand. The imperial court is waiting for the Xiling clan to make a mistake. Once it seizes the opportunity, it will send troops to take back Xiling."

"They also know in their hearts that the imperial court is watching them." The man in the hat said softly: "So over the years, they have been very careful not to let the imperial court find excuses." It seemed that they felt that they had said too much, and said in annoyance: "After being treated like this by you,

If the little guy is delayed, the boss will be impatient. Damn it, why don't you leave quickly."

The man in the bamboo hat quickened his pace, but Xiahou Qingcheng still asked: "Uncle Wen, do you think the little brother from the Duwei Mansion will go to the noodle shop tomorrow?"

The man in the bamboo hat stopped suddenly, came back to his senses, stared at Xiahou Qingcheng's beautiful face with sharp eyes, and said word by word: "You went out privately today, the boss is already very angry, and will not let you come out again. Even if

You can really come out again, and you must never come into contact with these people again."

"Why?" Xiahou Qingcheng said immediately: "He is a good person and a member of the imperial court. Why can't I contact him?"

"There is no reason." The man in the hat said coldly.

Xiahou Qingcheng bit her lip and then said: "But I still owe him money. He said that I can pay him back if we meet again."

"In this world, not all kindness can be repaid, and not all revenge can be repaid." The man in the hat said calmly: "Some things will be over when they are over, and a small servant is not worth your waste.

"Energy, forget what happened today as soon as possible." Seeing Xiahou Qingcheng's unwilling look, he sighed: "If your father knows what happened today, have you ever thought about the consequences?"

Hearing this, Xiahou Qingcheng immediately showed a hint of awe in his brows.

"Let's go." The man in the bamboo hat turned around and left: "In two days, we will leave here. If you really want to pay back his money, I will send someone to help you do it."

Xiahou Qingcheng's pretty face suddenly showed a look of distress. Although she had already walked a few streets, she still looked back and glanced back. It seemed that she was still thinking about the righteous young man in Duwei Mansion. She hesitated for a moment and finally followed the man in the hat.

He left and never looked back.

The night was as dark as ink, and there was already deathly silence in Mumu Alley.

Xiahou Qingcheng was thinking about the debt she owed Qin Xiao, but Qin Xiao didn't think too much about Xiahou Qingcheng's affairs.

Dou Li and Xiahou Qingcheng are obviously not ordinary people. Qin Xiao was born in the market. Although he has no hatred towards the high-ranking officials and nobles, he also has no admiration for them.

When the old man was alive, he told Qin Xiao that the most invisible thing in the world is the human heart. The thoughts of those high-ranking officials and nobles, let alone ordinary people, can be guessed. If you can avoid contacting them, try not to contact them, so as not to hurt yourself.

Bring disaster.

The dead branch at the door was still there, and the person I was waiting for still didn't show up.

"One hundred and ninety-eight days." Qin Xiao thought to himself.

The old black dog was still huddled under the plum tree as before, making no movement.

When he brought back the abandoned and dying old black dog from the street, Qin Xiao felt that at least the yard was alive.

Whenever night falls, it is when Qin Xiao is alone and lonely.

Although he has become accustomed to a lonely life, it will not be a bad thing after all if he can add a little life to his lonely life because of the old black dog.

Lonely people, deep down in their hearts, always hope for some comfort.

Back in the house, Qin Xiao untied the wine gourd and put it on the table. Without even lighting the oil lamp, he walked to the bed and lay down on his back, spreading his arms to relax his body.

This was his habit. Every day when he returned to his cabin, he would relax his body, empty his mind, close his eyes and relax for a while.

The old man said that Bajiquan can strengthen the body, and relaxing like this can make one's blood flow more smoothly. Although it does not last long, it can nourish Qi.

Suddenly, Qin Xiao sat up suddenly.

He felt something was wrong, but he couldn't remember what was wrong for a moment. He frowned, and soon he discovered the problem.

The old black dog under the plum tree is very old and no longer as agile and energetic as when he was young.

But after spending some time with Qin Xiao, it has obviously accepted this new owner. It is an old black dog that is used to lying under the plum tree. Whenever Qin Xiao returns to the courtyard, it will bark at its owner twice.

The sound is used to comfort the owner who has returned from hard work.

Maybe it is already a conditioned reflex habit that never breaks.

But something was obviously wrong today. When Qin Xiao entered the yard, he didn't hear the old black dog barking. At that time, he was still thinking about the Golden Gou Gambling House and didn't care. But after he relaxed, he realized

Something is wrong.

Why didn't the old black dog bark?

Qin Xiao instantly became alert. Whenever something unusual happened, he would be on full alert and not dare to take it lightly, because this was what the old man had taught him and he had never forgotten it.

The old man asked him to memorize the so-called Six Wisdoms from a very young age.

The six wise men are the wisdom that must be possessed in six situations.

One of them is that once you find that the things and people around you are different from usual, even if it is only a slight change, you must be on guard, because you may have been in danger.

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Chapter completed!