Pushing open the dusty door, dust fell on Xue Bai's head.
Since there was no one at home, he didn't bother to clean up, so he rubbed his eyes and walked in. When he passed through the middle door, he suddenly heard someone say something to him.
"I thought you were going to live in the Du family, but you came back."
"I'm too sleepy. I'll go over for dinner later."
"Huh, I'm afraid you don't dare to go because you are concerned about your father-in-law?"
While talking, Xue Bai turned around the corridor and saw Li Yuetu standing there patting the dust on her skirt. He glanced at her, yawned, and continued walking into the house.
"Huh? Why didn't you say anything? Did I tell you what you said?"
"How did you get in?" Xue Bai asked casually.
"Forgot? You and I are neighbors. We built a ladder from my yard and climbed here." Li Yuetu was still patting her skirt. "You didn't leave anyone to look after the house. There is dust everywhere."
"Why should we care about these things when we are fighting a war?"
Li Yuetu was wearing a light robe that was stained with blood. He had just bathed and changed into a new dress. Naturally, he took care of it and said, "I'm not as slovenly as you. There is hot water in my house."
, Do you want to go over and take a bath?"
"don't want."
"A gentleman loves to be clean and cares about his appearance even when he is dying. You are not like a child of aristocratic family."
"I'm not a member of an aristocratic family."
"Have I heard that you are the son of the deposed prince? Is it true?"
After a lot of twists and turns, Li Yuetu finally brought the topic to the question she wanted to ask.
Xue Bai ignored her, pushed open the door and went in. She wanted to follow, but the dust on the door sprinkled her face, choking her and making her cough.
When she raised her head again, Xue Bai had already collapsed on the couch with his clothes on, and lazily wrapped himself in the quilt.
She had never entered a man's bedroom before, so she stopped hesitantly. But thinking that it was a time of war, she couldn't care less about some rules, and she was really curious, so she stepped over the threshold, not daring to get close.
Too close, talking there a few steps away.
"I will know about this sooner or later if you don't tell me. If he is really a descendant of the Li family, he will be pardoned by the saint soon, right?"
Li Yuetu asked like this for a while, and then Xue Bai finally answered in a daze in his sleep.
"Um."
"Really? Then, are you my brother?"
Xue Bai didn't answer anymore, and his breathing became even.
After waiting for a while, Li Yuetu thought he had fallen asleep, turned around and wanted to exit. But when he reached the screen, he stopped again.
"Actually, I'm very happy to know that you are my brother."
She lowered her head and rubbed the dust on her skirt that couldn't be wiped off, feeling a little annoyed that it stuck to them.
"My father and brother had a relationship with you before, but now it's over. We are close relatives of flesh and blood. And when the country is in trouble, we will work together, help each other in the same boat, and live in harmony..."
Behind her, Xue Bai had already opened his eyes and looked at her thin back.
Her words were very childish, but in order to stabilize people's hearts, before he could tell the world about Li Heng's rebellion, she thought that Li Heng's men were entering the city behind.
When she was far away, he murmured: "Where are there any close relatives? There are only enemies fighting for power."
Soon, Xue Baixin fell asleep. He knew that although his house seemed undefended, in fact nothing could escape Du Jin's eyes and ears.
~~
This night is Shangyuan night.
Although it was in the midst of war, this festival was too important to the people of Chang'an. In addition, the saint returned to the court, so the court still held a small lantern festival.
It not only calms people's hearts, but also deters the enemy troops outside the city.
"Boom - boom -"
Xue Bai was awakened by the explosion. When he opened his eyes, he saw Du Jin sitting on his couch, turning to look at the fireworks outside the window. The light outside illuminated her white neck and outlined the beautiful curves of her cheeks.
He still felt sleepy, so he put his arms around her waist, buried his head in her lap, and smelled the familiar fragrance.
"Dirty." Du Jin patted him in disgust, "Why don't you go to the neighbor next door and take a shower before going to bed?"
"Did you hear everything?"
"No." Du Jin said, "I'm talking about Yang Yuyao across the street. You went through all the hard work and brought her back as you wished?"
"Jealous?"
"I'm just jealous. I'm stingy and I don't like people coveting my man."
Xue Bai knew that she was nervous about him, so he smiled and said nothing. His relationship with Yang Yuyao was not a day or two, so he did not explain it more.
But Du Jin was not only jealous from across the street, but also from the neighbor next door. He asked again: "You asked that little girl to follow you into the house, but have you become interested in her?"
"No, I confirmed the relationship between brother and sister."
Du Jin then also lay down, leaned over Xue Bai's ear, bit his ear, and whispered: "It's strange that I believe you. Some people may appear to be siblings, but in fact they are related by flesh and blood."
She hadn't been close to Xue Bai for a long time, so she was jealous, but at the same time she was moved. She reached down with her hand and soon touched his bones.
"Don't you think I'm dirty?"
"If I had known you were more evil-minded, how would I have ever thought of it?"
She circled her slender white fingers and asked in a low voice: "Don't you just like to pretend to be the emperor's grandson and then secretly touch them in private? Isn't it exciting?"
"It's not necessary." Xue Bai said, "It will delay the realization of our ambitions."
"Then why didn't you let Li Longji issue an order to report Li Heng's rebellion?" Du Jin said, "I have heard from Jiang Hai, Hu Laishui and others that most of the imperial army and officials were taken to Shuofang by Li Heng. You know
What will he do when he arrives?"
"Of course he ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, and planned to usurp the throne."
"Then why don't we take action first? We will use the imperial edict to kill him."
"Do you know what's the difference between me and them?" Xue Bai asked.
Du Jin untied his clothes and said, "You are smarter, you are more courageous, and you are much stronger than them."
"That's not it."
Xue Bai recalled the history that he didn't know much about, and knew that if the original historical trajectory was followed, after Li Heng became emperor, Li Mi came up with a good strategy for him to completely quell the Anshi Rebellion within two years. Probably Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi
According to Hedong, go out of Taihangxing, cut the rebels into three sections, and make them run for rescue on a long front. After the rebels are exhausted, they can directly take Fanyang and find their lair, and the rebellion will be eradicated naturally. But Li Heng usurped the throne and ascended the throne.
Worried about long nights and long dreams, he was eager to establish his prestige. After summoning the main force of Heshuo, he borrowed troops from Huihe and insisted on recovering the two capitals first. As a result, the northwest frontier army of the Tang Dynasty and the northeast frontier army fought a decisive battle at Baima Temple. The first battle allowed Li Heng to regain control.
The emperor of Chang'an also defeated all the elites of the Tang Dynasty in one battle.
From then on, the Tang court seemed to have had its backbone broken. It could no longer find the courage to frighten the barbarians and border towns. It promised the Uighurs time and time again that they would burn, kill, rob, and kidnap their own people in their own land.
Time and time again, the generals of the feudal towns were allowed to surrender and rebel again, and they rebelled and surrendered again. Time and time again, the capital was captured by Tubo and rebels.
Xue Bai has always been unwilling to reconcile with Li Heng, not only because he was buried alive by Li Jingzhong, but from the day he was buried alive, he saw through Li Heng's cowardice and selfishness under his "helplessness".
He looked down on Li Heng from the bottom of his heart.
"Is Li Longji conniving with An Lushan because he is stupid? He wanted to enjoy the emperor's power but did not want to assume the emperor's obligations. He was afraid of being replaced by his sons in Chang'an City, so he deliberately handed over military power to Hu in the border town.
Li Heng said that he would go to Heshuo to organize his army to recapture the two capitals. Didn't he know that Chang'an City had not been lost yet? He was waiting for us to die under the sword of the rebels, and then he would be the one to revitalize the Tang Dynasty.
The emperor. In the eyes of father and son, personal interests are far higher than the great justice of the country."
Xue Bai lay there on his back, feeling Du Jin's caress. He was most relaxed when talking to her in private, so he spoke without restraint.
"I finally understand that no matter what the situation is, the virtues of the father and son will never change. Even if there are loyal ministers and righteous people who work hard to make the situation better, once it goes against their interests, they will drag everyone into the abyss again. If
If we say that the root cause of this rebellion is the opposition between the aristocratic family and the common people, then the actions of this father and son can most vividly reflect the despicability of these so-called nobles."
After saying this, Xue Bai thought for a while, commented on himself, and said: "I am also despicable, ambitious, and unscrupulous."
He did not deny himself because of this, but became stronger.
"I am different from them. I believe that whoever can bring the Tang Dynasty back to life will be supported by the world. I am confident that I can do it. I don't need to be like the old Li Longji who can only rely on suppressing others to appear strong. I don't need to be like Li Longji.
Heng was so impatient to prove himself that he ignored the overall situation of the world. Therefore, when I returned to Chang'an this time, not only did I not tell the world that "the loyal king is plotting rebellion", I instead issued an order to appoint Li Heng as the military governor of Shuofang and lead troops back to Chang'an as soon as possible.
"
Du Jin was stunned and asked: "Why? Didn't you just let him conquer the elite soldiers of Heshuo justifiably?"
"If we don't issue this decree, we will have enough power to prevent him from conquering Heshuo's elite soldiers?" Xue Bai said: "The most important thing is to protect Chang'an. Announcement of Li Heng's rebellion will only shake people's hearts and will not do any good in defending the city; and using the emperor's edict
The order to recruit soldiers and horses from Heshuo can not only boost the morale of Chang'an, but also provide resistance to Li Heng. If he accepts it, the northwest generals will inevitably urge him to come to the rescue. If he does not accept it, how can he be justified? He will definitely say our
The saint is a fake, but why would a fake saint give him an official title?"
"You are still thoughtful." Du Jin nodded, and then said after a moment, "I thought you were doing it for Li Yuetu, and I will not mention her grandfather's rebellion today."
"We can only defend Chang'an first and then announce this. Who dares to question it then?"
"What about your title? Based on your merits and background, Li Cong should make you a county king and a marshal."
"Having guarded Chang'an, how dare he deny it?"
"Yeah." Du Jin put her head against Xue Bai's chest, thought for a moment, and said, "Is Bian Lingcheng obstructing this?"
"No." Xue Bai said, "Essentially, Li Cong is afraid of me and doesn't want to give me the name and power. Bian Lingcheng is just a character who advises Li Cong. Eunuchs are like vines, attached to his stems
.”
"Is Lingcheng still going to kill you over there?"
"Kill." Xue Bai said, "Find a way to let Bian Lingcheng know that I want to kill him."
"Um."
Du Jin no longer wanted to talk, so Xue Bai turned over.
"come over."
Bones and flesh were connected, Du Jin closed her eyes and bit her lips...
~~
The rebels did not launch a sneak attack on Shangyuan night, which gave the Chang'an defenders a rare sleep.
They have been guarding the city day and night since the beginning of the new year. Compared with a Lantern Festival night without curfew, they really need a good night's sleep.
In short, the return of the saint gave the city a reassurance, although the gap in military strength between the inside and outside of the city has not narrowed.
The next day, there will be a small court meeting in Daming Palace, Hanxiang Hall.
What we are discussing today is a confidential matter, and those who came to discuss it are all important officials.
A map was spread out, and Xue Bai pointed in various directions.
"The saint has ordered King Zhong to go to Shuofang and recruit the border troops. They will arrive soon to support... In order to enable King Zhong to supervise this matter as soon as possible, the seal and military talisman have also been handed over to King Zhong."
Li Cong felt a little surprised when he heard this.
After Xue Bai left yesterday, he first went to the Taiji Hall to ask for an audience with the saint. He originally wanted to see the prestige of the prince, but he was blocked by Gao Lishi and Chen Xuanli. The saint was burned like this, so of course he couldn't make the decision.
.In other words, Gao Lishi and Chen Xuanli are now acting according to Xue Bai's wishes.
After returning, Li Cong stayed up all night, thinking for a long time, and thought that he could admit Xue Bai's life experience. In exchange, Xue Bai should support him in ascending the throne. He originally planned to chat with Xue Bai about this matter today, but unexpectedly, Xue Bai
Bai immediately announced the news and instead of taking the opportunity to get rid of Li Heng, he handed over Shuo Fang.
Over there, Yan Zhenqing, Wang Sili, Li Chengguang and others were re-arranging the defense of Chang'an based on the reinforcements. Li Cong left the specific affairs to them with confidence. He had more important things to consider in his mind, so he didn't listen too seriously.
"We only need to hold on to the city. Within half a month, reinforcements will arrive and we can fight the rebels decisively."
"The top priority is Chang'an's lack of food and grass."
"The sage has sent envoys to Shu County to collect grain, which will be transported to Chang'an via Chencang. By the way, speaking of Chencang, the sage has renamed this place 'Baoji' because there was auspiciousness when passing by this place..."
While talking about the country's major plans, a small matter of changing the name was suddenly involved. However, the ministers were not surprised at all. On the contrary, their suspicions about the saint's disfigurement were alleviated a lot. Who knows that the saint likes auspiciousness the most.
Gradually, a fairly complete strategic map was drawn and handed to Li Cong for review.
"Your Highness, I believe that we can act according to this strategy and live in peace and security."
Li Cong then encouraged them, and finally left Xue Bai to talk alone.
He did not beat around the bush, but said: "Abai, tell me the truth, did the saint order Li Heng to go to Shuofang, or did he defect?"
"Don't worry, Your Highness." Xue Bai said, "He will definitely lead troops to save Chang'an."
"I'm afraid that once he arrives with his troops, our lives will be in danger."
"Your Highness, there is no need to worry. With the saint here, how can the loyal king dare to act randomly?"
Li Cong was anxious, walked up to Xue Bai, and said in a low voice: "The saint you brought back has a completely ruined face. It doesn't matter if you appease the ignorant people, but can you suppress Li Heng? By then he will have military power, and he has established a plan to support Chang'an.
Great work, who can stop him?"
"Your Highness is the eldest son, the Crown Prince." Xue Bai said, "When the thieves came, Your Highness never abandoned the city and fled. He stayed in the isolated city. When the time comes, who can allow him to harm Your Highness?"
"Everything will be successful if it is prepared, and if it is not prepared, it will be ruined... Do you understand what I mean?"
It is self-evident what the word "establish waste" represents. Li Cong said it with great expectations.
However, Xue Bai still shook his head and reminded sincerely: "Your Highness only needs to guard Chang'an, then the hearts of the people in the world will be with Your Highness, and your prestige will be established."
~~
Bian Lingcheng has always been trusted by Li Cong since he took refuge with him, but as soon as Xue Bai came back, he was not allowed to enter the palace today.
Therefore, Bian Lingcheng, who was waiting outside Hanxiang Hall, felt uneasy.
"General Bian." Suddenly someone called him.
Bian Lingcheng turned around and saw a close eunuch, so he asked, "What's the matter?"
"My servant has something important to report. Today, Princess Hezheng went to the Yeting Palace to pick up Wei Shi. I went to inquire about it and heard a little eunuch from the Yeting Palace tell me a secret."
"Going round and round, what news?"
"The little eunuch overheard Princess Hezheng saying that Xue Bai wants to get rid of you, General Bian."
Bian Lingcheng raised his eyebrows, frightened but not surprised, and said: "What did you say? Bring him here and I will meet him."
"Here."
"You go to Tai Chi Palace again. I want to see the saint. If you can't, you might as well meet General Gao."
"Here."
Half an hour later, Bian Lingcheng asked the little eunuch, but did not see Gao Lishi. He then realized that he was in danger.
When Li Cong sent someone to look for him, he immediately jumped up like a frightened bird and asked, "What do you want your highness to do with me?"
"Just asking General Bian to come over."
Bian Lingcheng felt a little relieved. After passing by, he saw Li Cong sitting by the imperial desk, rubbing his head, looking very thoughtful.
"Your Highness, what are you worrying about?"
"Look at this." Li Cong pointed to the strategic drawing on the case and said, "I thought Xue Bai was someone I could rely on, but when he came back this time, he seemed to have reached some kind of tacit understanding with Li Heng."
Bian Lingcheng's eyes wandered over the drawings, and he spat out his best divisive words without thinking.
"My servant just heard from the people in the Yeting Palace that Princess Hezheng had a private meeting with Xue Bai yesterday evening."
"Private meeting?"
"I guess, if His Highness can promise Xue Bai, so can Li Heng." Bian Lingcheng said, "Xue Bai may not have betrayed Your Highness, but he can be invincible if he has two boats."
Li Congsui asked: "How do you think I should respond appropriately?"
Bian Lingcheng paused and thought to himself: "Your Highness, if you don't live up to your expectations, what can I, a slave, do?"
He has been making wild claims all this time, but it is actually a way for him to protect himself. How can he know about national affairs? Looking at the current situation, Li Cong is obviously unable to protect him.
Thinking of this, Bian Lingcheng looked at the strategic map with more concentration.
That night, after serving Li Cong, he summoned again the young eunuch who had given him the news.
"What's your name?"
"Li Ji'er."
"Did you tell me how you got into Yeting during the day?"
"My maidservant was originally a servant in Princess Rongyi's palace. Princess Rongyi married the Anqing clan, and my maidservant also married him. Later, when Anlu Mountain rebelled, the saint beheaded the Anqing clan, and my maidservant was imprisoned together with Princess Rongyi.
After the saint fled, His Highness brought back the princess, but forgot about the slaves."
Bian Lingcheng asked: "So, do you know anyone from the rebels?"
"The mother of Anqingzong often sends people back and forth to Fanyang, and I have met some of them."
"In your opinion, will Chang'an City be captured by the rebels?"
"I don't know, but... I have also seen An Lushan's generals, and they are all extremely fierce. These forbidden soldiers in the palace are like fighting cocks. They look mighty and majestic, but they can't peck the birds in the wild."
Bian Lingcheng only knew that if he didn't fight, he would be killed by Xue Bai.
He then lowered his voice and asked, "I'm going to write a letter. Can you help me deliver it outside the city?"
~~
That afternoon.
Xue Bai was still following Yan Zhenqing in distributing food and grass in the city, when a subordinate came over and quietly reported to him.
"Lang Jun, Bian Lingcheng took the bait."
After that, a letter was handed to Xue Bai.
He read it and ordered: "Make a copy and send this copy out of the city."
"So, this map?"
"Let's go together."
After saying this, Xue Bai walked to Yan Zhenqing again.
"What's wrong?" Yan Zhenqing asked.
"The road map for reinforcements and supplies has been handed over."
Yan Zhenqing nodded first, then stroked his beard and said, "I'm just afraid that the enemy general may not be fooled."
Xue Bai said: "If the enemy general believes that our supplies will come, he will naturally send troops and horses to intercept them."
"But what if Prince Zhong comes to Shuo and dismantles you?"
"Then send another group of envoys to contact and convince Li Heng to put the overall situation first?"
"Can he agree?"
"Definitely not," Xue Bai said, "but by delaying time and making it appear that there are frequent correspondence between the imperial court and Shuofang, it will be enough to deceive the rebels. I am only worried that it will be too late, or that the rebels may have captured Chang'an before then."
Yan Zhenqing looked up to the north and murmured: "Since the saint has returned to Chang'an, Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi's troops must also be returning to King Qin Jing soon, right?"
Speaking of this matter, Xue Bai only felt regretful that because of Li Longji's selfish motives, the good situation in Hebei must have been abandoned again.
~~
The herbs were pounded in the medicine bowl, and someone scraped them off and spread them on her fair thighs.
Li Yuetu looked at Shen Zhenzhu's legs and became distracted.
"Princess Princess?"
Shen Zhenzhu called her twice, and when she saw that she was still looking at him, a blush appeared on her face. She crossed her legs, turned sideways, and pulled up her dress.
She was scratched because she encountered a bad guy on the road the day before yesterday. Fortunately, Li Yuetu arrived in time.
"Oh, this way there won't be any scars." Li Yuetu said.
"You just said that King Zhong was ordered to go to Shuofang to organize the army. Are King Guangping and Tiao Lang also in Shuofang?"
"Of course."
Shen Zhenzhu felt relieved after receiving the news about her husband and son, and said: "He has always had ambitions in the world, and now he can finally help the country."
Li Yuetu hesitated for a moment and suddenly asked: "Do you want to see brother?"
"Is that okay?" Shen Zhenzhu was a little surprised, then a little uneasy, and said, "I am a weak woman, and I am walking around in the chaos of war. I am afraid that I will cause trouble for him."
Li Yuetu said: "If you don't want to go, I can..."
"I want to go." Shen Pearl's eyes lit up and she whispered, "What woman doesn't want to be with her husband and children?"
"Um."
"Is the princess going too?"
"I can't leave. Xue Bai will send someone to escort you." Li Yuetu sighed and said, "Let's leave now."
"Now?"
Shen Zhenzhu was a little surprised, but she knew that it was like this in a war, and it was impossible to do everything according to her wishes. So she didn't care about cleaning up, and followed Li Yuetu out to the city gate.
There is already a group of cavalry lining up at the city gate, accompanied by envoys and many items.
"Wait a minute, there will be soldiers and horses in the east city to attack the rebel camp to help you break out." Li Yuetu walked to Shen Pearl, helped her fasten the saddle, and said: "We will fight in a while, you bend down and clip the horse , just follow it and run. It will be dangerous, so be careful on the road."
"I'm not afraid of danger."
"You..." Li Yuetu hesitated, and finally said: "When you see your father and brother, give them my letter and say hello to them on my behalf."
"Don't worry, Princess, they will come back with troops to rescue you soon."
After a while, the war drums sounded in the east and the city gate in the west opened wide. Li Yuetu then slapped Shen Zhenzhu's horse hard and watched it go west.
She herself immediately turned around and rushed to the east of the city.
After looking at the top of the Chunming Gate for a long time, I finally saw Xue Bai's flag coming back accompanied by dust and smoke.
The general guarding the city gate immediately went out of the city to meet him and rode alongside Xue Bai.
"Don't worry, the rebels still don't know our reality. Going out to attack them like this will only make them think that the saint has brought back the elite of the border army..."
Xue Bai was talking when he turned around and saw Li Yuitu coming, so he reined in his horse.
"Sent away?"
"Sent away."
"Did you also give me the letter?"
"Yeah." Li Yuetu said: "But you clearly know that my brother doesn't like Sister Shen, why do you still..."
"I don't know." Xue Bai said: "If he doesn't like her, why would he have a child with her? I only know that I have given your father and brother the greatest sincerity. Regardless of emotion and reason, they did not stop the border troops from following the order. The reason for coming to save Chang’an.”