At that time, there was a local legend that said, "In the twelfth lunar month, the river water was so solid that boats could not cross it, so they had to walk on the ice, which is called the ice bridge."
At the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, a group of people walked on the ice.
The horse's hooves were wrapped with cloth to prevent them from slipping. Li Xia led the horse and crossed the Yellow River on ice. When he looked back, he was still shocked.
This was his first time crossing the Yellow River on ice.
In the year when Guanzhong was recaptured, it was still autumn when I took Zhang Wenjing back to Tongguan from Fenglingdu, and the Yellow River in Tongguan was so fast that it was impossible to walk on ice... I missed Zhang Wenjing a little, and then I missed even more people.
It's rare to feel a little melancholy.
Pulling back my thoughts, the place where ice can be walked on the Yellow River in the east is probably near Hancheng in the upper reaches. The "four fortresses in Guanzhong" are not easy to defend.
After walking for a while, they finally set foot on the ground, which made people feel relieved. Li Xia got on the horse again and galloped for a while before arriving in Lanzhou.
The soldiers at the city gate informed that someone came up to him soon, it was Lian Xixian.
At the critical moment, Lian Xixian could help Li Xia the most. Although he did not personally lead the troops into battle, he had written a defense strategy as soon as he got the news.
Including how to mobilize troops, which areas should be fortified and cleared, and how to prepare supplies...
When the information was passed from Hanzhong to Gongchang and then to Liangzhou, Li Xia came back from Liangzhou and directly received Lian Xixian's strategy to defend against the enemy.
It seemed both tacit and hurried.
After entering the Lanzhou government office, Li Xia had seen Lian Xixian's strategies for fending off enemies and was able to directly issue the prepared transfer order.
"Fortunately, we have Brother Shanfu, otherwise we would have been caught off guard."
"It's good that the information came in time." Lian Xixian said: "Wang Xun used it well. A waste chess piece sent back to Shandong can be of such great use."
“Unexpected harvest.”
"Li Fen is incompetent, otherwise he wouldn't be rushing like this." Lian Xixian looked at the wind and frost on Li Xia's shoulders and sighed: "This year has been really non-stop."
"This battle will definitely have to be fought until next spring." Li Xia said: "Shi Tianze is still gathering troops in Kaifeng. If it is quick, it will be ready in the first month."
"Consider it a New Year gift for us."
"I thank him."
Compared to Liangzhou, his discussions with Lian Xixian were much more relaxed. After all, they were both young people with similar abilities and vision.
"How about sending another envoy to ask the Song Dynasty to send troops for support?" Lian Xixian said: "I have selected the candidates, Dong Kai and Dong Zhengshu."
Dong Kai was also a Jinshi in the fourth year of Xingchang. When Li Xia brought the group of Jinshi to Dashan Pass, Lu Xiufu was the first to come to him to talk about official affairs to show that he understood how to become an official in Hanzhong. Dong Kai was the second at that time.
.
"Lin'an may not be willing to send troops."
"Let's give it a try."
"good."
Li Xia stamped a document with a big seal.
Lian Xixian has already prepared many things. He is just waiting for Li Xia's approval and sealing, and the official documents will be sent to various places by express.
On this day, Li Xia discussed the defense of Longxi with Lian Xixian in Lanzhou, and rushed to Chang'an the next day...
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, a postal booth was set up between Chang'an and Jincheng County, that is, Lanzhou. Over a distance of more than 1,450 miles, it only took seven days to deliver official documents back and forth.
But this was a quick change of people and horses, and Li Xia changed horses without changing people, so it took four days.
With his body almost falling apart, he finally returned to Chang'an on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Both the enemy and ourselves are preparing for war, and the war is likely to start in the first month.
Everyone in the city was in a hurry, and Wu Qian was already making preparations for the battle, strengthening the walls and clearing the fields, and settling the people and supplies.
After leading the horse across West Street, Li Xia suddenly felt that this situation was very familiar.
Just a few months ago, he defeated A Shu and entered the city from here.
This year, after guarding the east and guarding the west, and finishing guarding the west and guarding the east, there have been countless comings and goings, but the war has not stopped yet.
The soldiers were also exchanged, one group went to Nanyang, and another group guarded Tongguan. But Li Xia didn't stop for a day, and unknowingly ran around for a whole year.
I felt very depressed for a moment.
But only for a moment, Li Xia quickly calmed down and still showed a perseverance in his eyes.
…
When they arrived outside the office, Li Xia was about to see Wu Qian when he suddenly saw a somewhat familiar figure poking his head by the gate.
He was slightly stunned and called his soldiers to call the maid over.
"I met A Lang and finally waited for A Lang to come back."
"Your name is...Miaolan, right?"
"Yes, yes, Alang remembers the slave's name." The slave was very happy. When Li Xia got off the horse, he tiptoed up and reported in a low voice.
"Nonsense."
Li Xia gave a rare scolding and gave a few instructions to arrange for the maid to wait while he went to the government office to discuss matters.
…
It was already late at night after discussing the matter. After leaving the second hall, Li Xia went to the side hall.
I saw the maid named Miao Lan sitting there with her head propped up and asleep. When she heard some movement, she woke up and said happily: "It's finally better. I'll take Alang to see the master."
This is a beautiful small courtyard, right next to the government office. There are plum blossoms planted in the courtyard, with sparse shadows and a faint fragrance.
During the war, this beautiful scenery seemed out of place.
Because of this incompatibility, Li Xia's face gradually became unhappy.
Miao Lan was very happy at first, but then she felt that Li Xia was unhappy, so she peeked at him and became cautious.
After turning around a courtyard wall, you will find the main house in front of you. The house is lit with candles, and the silhouettes of the people in the house are printed on it.
The displeasure in Li Xia's eyes faded slightly.
He stepped onto the stone steps and opened the door.
The woman sitting in the room turned around, looked at him, and immediately rushed towards him.
She hummed unconsciously, stood up on her tiptoes, and pressed her face into Li Xia's neck. Her breath was scented on Li Xia's skin, and she hugged her whole body.
The two hugged each other for a long time.
"Damn it, you figure it out for yourself, how long it will take for you to be away from home... I miss you so much."
He started out cursing, but by the end of his words, his tone had softened.
Li Xia still had a straight face.
"Who asked you to come?"
"I can come whenever I want, but who will agree?"
"There's going to be a war soon, do you know?"
"I don't know, I just know that I miss you and want to fight with you..." Yan Rong said, turning to Miao Lan and ordered: "Get out."
She pushed Li Xia, pressed against the door, bolted the door, and rubbed her body against him like a cat.
"You shouldn't make your own decisions and come to Chang'an to cause trouble for me."
"I made a mistake, please forgive me this time, okay?"
Yan Rong admitted his mistake, but was not afraid of him.
The skirt would hang around Li Xia's waist from time to time, and Yan Rong knew that although he looked like he wanted to teach others a lesson, he was not really angry.
So she continued to act coquettishly, her breath gently blowing into Li Xia's ears.
"It took a lot of effort to get here, but it's so embarrassing."
Li Xia couldn't help but feel soft.
Of the wives and concubines in his family, it is true that only Yan Ronghui came here on his own. Zhang Wenjing might also dare, but now he has to take care of the children. The others are all well-behaved.
He didn't pick them up because he was afraid of danger, but he actually missed them.
"The war is about to begin. You will return to Hanzhong in a few days."
Yan Rongruan said: "I also want to be obedient, but you have been out for too long this time... Let's fight. If you lose, you will be the overlord. I am here to be your Concubine Yu."
"I will not lose."
Li Xia never likes to lose.
Yan Rong then smiled.
Li Xia looked down at her smile, and couldn't help but have a smile in his eyes.
"If you're not comparing yourself to Bao Si, you're comparing yourself to Yu Ji. Why don't you compare yourself with something better?"
"Beauty is important. I like beautiful people." Yan Rong said matter-of-factly.
She put her arms around Li Xia's neck, leaned into his ear and said, "Stop annoying me. I feel sorry for you. I'm afraid you'll be working too hard, so I want to take care of you."
"take care of me?"
"Well, I want to take good care of you."
"I'm afraid it will be harder for me if you come."
With just one sentence, mist filled Yan Rong's eyes. He put his jade hand on Li Xia's chest and bit his lip.
She seemed a little ashamed for still pestering Li Xia at this time, but after thinking about it, she whispered: "People think that your physical strength is inexhaustible, and they want to see it used up...
…Well."
With a soft cry, her whole body was picked up.
After missing her for several months, she was able to rub elbows with her sweetheart again.
"Li Lang...Before I came, I was also afraid that you would be angry..."
"I'm not angry anymore."
Yan Rong was overjoyed.
She then raised her head and enjoyed it with peace of mind, but she still muttered: "But I think you must miss me too... We are always fighting, and after fighting for so long, you must also miss me..."
Li Xia also leaned into her ear.
"Yes, I actually miss you very much too."
Yan Rong felt that these words were sent directly to the bottom of her heart...
"Li Lang...Li Lang..."
The next day, Li Xia put on his armor and went out again, mentally prepared not to go home for the New Year this year.
I was really feeling war-weary at first.
But after a slight adjustment like this, Li Xia was able to reset his mentality.