Yunzhou, Xing'an Prefecture.

Since the news of the barbarians crossing the border and capturing nine military stations spread, the atmosphere in the city has gradually become solemn, because it is only more than 200 miles away from the border. It is said that the barbarians are two feet tall and look like beasts, and can run barefoot in the ice and snow.

Tirelessly, he could rush from the border to the city gate in five or six hours.

He also said that those barbarians were barbaric and cruel, and would kill Liang people like livestock at every turn. No matter how powerful or talented you were, you could not escape the consequences of beheading. As the rumors became more and more intense, some well-educated people came out to refute, saying:

To the north is the Jiuli Pass, which controls the only way to pass through. The barbarians can only look forward to it and sigh when facing such powerful passes. Moreover, there is news from Huazhou that Commander Ge Shu of the Xuanhua Camp has dispatched his troops and will definitely annihilate all these passers.

Barbarians who have eaten the heart of a bear and the guts of a leopard.

It is difficult for ordinary people to distinguish between true and false, so people's hearts become increasingly panicked.

There is no garrison in the city, so the prefect Fang has become the hope of most people. However, people with a little knowledge can't help but shake their heads secretly when they think of this prefect. Although he is an official from the capital, he was demoted from Kyoto.

Going to Yunzhou, a bitter and cold place, is enough to show that this person has either offended a big shot in the court or has a problem with his character.

It has been four years since Fang Zhifu took office in Xing'an, and his family members have also been brought here.

In the past few years, he has been considered diligent, but due to the conditions and climate here, he has been unable to make outstanding political achievements and has generally maintained a mediocre state.

In the side hall of the government office.

Magistrate Fang stood under the east wall, looking at the simple map hanging on the wall, his brows furrowed into the character "Chuan".

"Have you received any reply from Marshal Geshu? How is the recruitment progress in the city?" he asked without looking back.

But she never imagined that her girl would actually think about Pei Yue.

Chen Xizhi's eyes showed a bright look, and he said softly: "A close relationship does not mean that the positions are completely consistent. Everyone will have their own considerations and plans."

After hearing this, the prefect turned around and glanced at the two of them. With a calm expression on his thin face, he said calmly: "If you don't fear ten thousand, just be afraid of the worst. If you don't make some preparations in advance, when the barbarians appear under the city, who can the people in the city count on?

"

The two of them said they didn't dare, and then continued to discuss the details of city defense.

It's still cold in the north at the end of March, and you can see white mist when you breathe out.

Standing solemnly behind him were two middle-aged staff members, both of whom he brought from Kyoto. Their loyalty was no problem, but their ability was lacking.

Nongyu smiled and said: "Young lady, just be patient and bear with me. After a while, you no longer need to wear thick clothes. I will accompany you on an outing outside the city."

Upon seeing this, Aunt Chen asked worriedly: "Girl, is this really Mr. Pei's method?"

When Xiangyun was first created, under the pressure and instigation of the eldest prince and Qibao Pavilion, Fang Xun and Sun Dacheng, the former Minister of Household Affairs, tried to persuade Emperor Kaiping to return Xiangyun to the imperial court.

After the defeat, Sun Dacheng was only called to the imperial study room by Emperor Kaiping to reprimand him, but Fang Xun was demoted from the imperial censor Zhongcheng to the prefect of Xing'an. It can be said that he fell from the clouds to the bottom. However, things are always unpredictable. Later, Sun Dacheng was beheaded and his house was confiscated.

Xun is still the fifth-grade prefect. Although there is no hope of leaving Yunzhou for the time being, there is at least a glimmer of possibility.

Chen Xizhi said with a complex expression: "Ye Qi is now Pei Yue's wife. If Pei Yue is involved, she will definitely not be able to escape due to her temperament. If Ye Qi has a shortcoming, how will I face my mother and master in the future?

?After all, I only have this junior sister. Although she was unwilling to recognize me before, I cannot deny her."

A complicated look appeared in Magistrate Fang's eyes, and he shook his head and said: "Although Pei Yue is cruel, he will not do this, and he probably doesn't remember my name."

Another aide named Li Zheng continued: "Master Fu, a thousand soldiers have been recruited in the city, and soldier training and preparations for weapons and supplies are also in progress, but..."

Aunt Chen asked slightly confused: "Master Shen is obviously on the same side as Mr. Pei, so why did he contact the girl alone? If it weren't for the close relationship, Mr. Pei would not have revealed the news that the girl was still alive to Mr. Shen.

.”

Aunt Chen looked shocked. Her persuasion just now came from her heart. She didn't want her peaceful life to be broken, but she was also worried that Chen Xizhi would make a reckless decision.

Fang Xun listened to the two people's various suggestions, but his mind drifted to far away places.

Chen Xizhi signaled with his eyes, and a few moments later Nongyu walked in holding a wine bottle.

Now that Nong Yu is getting closer to her, she couldn't help but spat softly when she heard these words. She gritted her teeth and said with a smile, "Is this what a young lady can say?"

Aunt Chen sighed.

…

Li Zheng still remembered those past events and pondered: "What the governor said is true. Marquis Zhongshan seems to be arrogant and domineering, but in fact he has a basis for advancing and retreating. Furthermore, your majesty will not allow him to interfere with the transfer of civil servants as a martial artist."

"Your Majesty, your words are serious."

Chen Xizhi blinked and asked with a smile: "Master Shen? Is he testing me again for Pei Yue?"

Nongyu nodded in agreement, turned and left.

In a residential house in Xing'an Fucheng, Chen Xizhi was nestled on a warm couch, watching Nongyu and Aunt Chen setting out the dishes, and sighed: "Northern Xinjiang is colder than I thought. It's almost April.

It’s hard to even get out of the door.”

Both staff members sighed deeply.

Aunt Chen nodded and said: "That's the truth, but...girl, Mr. Pei Marquis has not broken his promise after all. If he knows about the connection between you and Mr. Shen..."

Li Zheng said worriedly: "Although the governor was concerned about the safety of the city and reported it to Marshal Geshu in advance, this matter is against the rules after all. The main force of the barbarians should still be on the border of Huazhou, and there are people to the north of the city.

Jiuliguan serves as a barrier. In the absence of written notes from the two governments, the government directly recruits and trains troops. If the government and the government start to argue, it may be detrimental to the government."

Chen Xizhi frowned slightly and said, "What's the matter?"

Unlike Nong Yu, she still calls Chen Xizhi "girl" like the old people in the Chen family.

Chen Xizhi was about to retort a few words when he saw the look in Mrs. Chen's eyes and changed his words: "Nongyu, there is a pot of spring bamboo leaves brought from Kyoto on the Duobao Pavilion in my room. Go and help."

I'll get it. It's too cold today, let's have a few drinks to warm ourselves up."

The scribe named Huang Zongyu on the left said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Marshal Geshu has not replied yet, but I have found out some information. The barbarians crossed the border more than half a month ago, and Marshal Geshu started after receiving the urgent report.

Deployed soldiers to try to control the barbarians

The clan soldiers were all captured in one fell swoop. However, those barbarians were very cunning. Not only did they not fall into the encirclement of the Xuanhua camp, they actually won a few small victories. Now that Marshal Geshu is stationing troops on the border, the barbarians sometimes go south and sometimes return to the wilderness, and the battle situation is a bit anxious."

The prefect nodded slightly.

This official position has always been noble and respected, and it is one of the important routes for promotion of civil servants. The Kaiping Dynasty had two important ministers, Luo Ting and Jian Rong, especially the latter who was considered a descendant of Fang Xun.

Chen Xizhi stood up and stretched, walked closer, raised his hand and gently scratched the tip of Nongyu's nose, and joked: "In my opinion, it's you, a little girl, who can't stand the loneliness, and wants to take advantage of the opportunity to go on an outing to see a few of them."

A handsome young man."

The dark clouds in the sky were as thick as felt, and the cold wind came from the wilderness, as if snowflakes would fall at any time.

Chen Xizhi fell into silence.

Aunt Chen nodded in agreement but stopped talking.

Aunt Chen, who was standing next to her, turned around and said with emotion: "Girl, it's good now that she is like this. She doesn't have to work as hard as before. It makes us feel sad to see her."

Magistrate Fang said calmly: "If you have anything to say, just say it."

In the past four years, he has not wanted to return to Kyoto all the time, but he also knows that this matter is extremely difficult. How can he change the emperor's mind without truly impressive achievements?

There is a chance now, but if the barbarians really come, can I resist them?

At this moment, he didn't even know what he was thinking.

Fang Xun suppressed the faint regret in his eyes and said slowly: "I can't blame anyone else for that matter. It was me who was obsessed with it, thinking that by betting on the eldest prince early, I would be able to save time. That's all, let's not mention the old things. Since Marshal Geshu is busy with military affairs

If you have no time to look east, then the government office must do its best. You don't have to worry, I will be responsible for recruiting soldiers. If the court blames you later, I will stand in front of you."

Chen Xizhi said calmly: "Don't worry, ma'am. When Silent Cloud asked his confidant to find me, although I didn't give him a definite answer, I also made a few requests, the first of which was that Pei Yue must be excluded."

Chen Xizhi glanced at the door and lowered his voice: "The people from Silent Cloud will definitely come to you again. Then you can tell him that whether the proposal can be achieved or not does not depend on how I choose. It only depends on what step Master Shen can take."

The magistrate who was demoted to Yunzhou and never recovered was named Fang Xun. He once lived as the censor Zhongcheng, and his rank was the fourth rank. He was only one step away from the minister in clothes and purple, and his status in the censorship was second only to

Censor doctor.

After pondering for a long time, Chen Xizhi suddenly smiled and said calmly: "He is not that boring. Now to him, I am just a piece of fish on the chopping board. He can do whatever he wants. If it were not for Ye Qi's sake, why would he need it?

So troublesome, let those who protect or

He said that the personal guard who was monitoring us would take action and kill me with one knife to avoid future troubles. Shen Danmo went to the back alley of Qinyuan to look for me. On the one hand, he guessed the identity of his mother, and on the other hand, he might have been influenced by Silent Cloud.

The implication is that she just didn’t think of that level herself.”

Huang Zongyu frowned and changed the topic: "The Marquis of Zhongshan is powerful and powerful. In recent years, he has become more and more important to your majesty. He is feared by everyone in the government and the public. He must have been the one who got in the way. Otherwise, how could the prince of the government have been transferred here so early after wasting four years?"

Elsewhere."

She was just a maid of the Chen family back then, and was released to get married when she became an adult. She luckily escaped the night the Chen family's mansion was attacked, and she respected Chen Xizhi's mother very much.

Aunt Chen shook her head and said: "The man said that Mr. Shen wanted to ask the girl whether she had made up her mind about the proposal he asked Mr. Gu to tell you."

Aunt Chen lowered her voice and said: "Girl, when I went to buy groceries this morning, I met the person sent by Mr. Shen. He told me a word without alerting the guards of the Hou Mansion."

She paused and said meaningfully: "This is getting more and more interesting."

As soon as I opened the bottle, the refreshing aroma of wine lingered on my nose.

Nongyu smiled and said: "Miss, there is actually a fine amount of snow floating outside. It will snow at this time of year, which is really unexpected."

"Then let's have two more drinks today."

As he spoke, Chen Xizhi asked for the wine flask, took the initiative to refill the three glasses on the table, and drank with them with a smile, looking as usual.
Chapter completed!