At the foot of Tiandu Peak, when Shi Ling, the leader of the Wolf Cavalry, walked into the tent of the Zhen family camp, the face of Changxin Hou Zhen Huaqing was not good-looking.
"Master Marquis, the young master's mood has stabilized." Shi Ling stepped forward and said softly: "My subordinate said that Master Hou has been worried and just wanted to see him, but he didn't say anything."
Chang Xinhou pondered for a moment, and finally said: "What happened? How could Jiang'er suddenly become like this?"
"I also asked the Young Master, but the Young Master didn't speak at all." Shi Ling said: "The Yuwen family's explanation was known to the Marquis. It was said that the Young Master stayed in Lanyue Pavilion all night, and not only did he suffer from the pain in his eyes the next morning,
He was suffering from cold illness and was extremely frightened. He may have had a nightmare."
"Nonsense." Chang Xinhou sneered: "What kind of nightmare can frighten a person like this? Even if it is really a nightmare, why did he have a nightmare when he arrived at Fenggan Mansion?"
Shi Ling came closer and whispered: "Master Hou, do you suspect that the young master's behavior is related to the Yuwen family?"
"I have been thinking, if it is really the Yuwen family, what is the purpose?" Chang Xinhou gently stroked his beard: "How could the Yuwen family do this to Jiang'er at this time?"
Shi Ling nodded and said: "What the Marquis said is very true. My subordinates think that offering sacrifices to the mountain is a major event. This is not the first time that the young master has encountered Fenggan Mansion. For many years, the major families in Xiling have been living in harmony. The Yuwen family has not
The reason for doing such a thing to the young master at this time. And if it was really someone from the Yuwen family who did it, the young master would never be able to keep silent and say nothing."
"Yes." Chang Xinhou frowned: "What went wrong in the middle?"
"The doctor we brought took a closer look and found that the young master suffered from severe cold." Shi Ling said softly: "Just now, I asked the doctor alone. According to his statement, the climate in Xiling is not suitable for cold.
At this point, if the young master stays in Lan Yue Pavilion that night, it is impossible for him to catch the cold. He estimates that there is a possibility that the young master will catch a severe cold."
"What's possible?"
"Unless someone lets the young master get wet and then the night wind invades his body." Shi Ling said: "But the guards around the young master are very sure that the young master was in the room that night and did not leave even half a step. Subordinates
I think those people shouldn’t dare to lie, so...this thing is really strange."
Chang Xinhou was silent for a moment and said with a wry smile: "Did Jiang'er really see a ghost?"
"Master Marquis, would you like to go over and see the young master?" Shi Ling asked.
Changxinhou shook his head and said: "When he saw me these few times, he looked extremely frightened and trembled all over. I don't know what was going on. I have always doted on him and rarely beat or scolded him. Although he treated me
It’s quite scary, but it shouldn’t be like this.”
"Master Marquis, we will investigate this matter in detail after the mountain sacrifice. The young master has not recovered yet. Maybe after some time, when he recovers from his illness, he will be able to report to the Marquis Ming in detail what happened." Shi Ling said:
"The doctor said that the young master's cold illness can be fully recovered after a while of nursing, so the Marquis does not need to worry too much."
Marquis Changxin nodded and said, "I hope so." He asked, "The Fan family hasn't arrived yet?"
"They should still be on the way." Shi Ling said: "When we first enter Hai, it's still early before dawn. If they arrive before dawn tomorrow, they won't delay the mountain sacrifice."
Chang Xinhou frowned and said, "What is Fan Qingzong doing? In previous years, he was earlier than us in the mountain sacrifice ceremony, and he has never been so late as this time." He stroked his beard gently, as if he had something to say.
Thinking about it, there is a vague feeling of uneasiness rising in my heart.
At this moment, a voice came from outside: "Has Zhen Shibo not rested yet?"
Marquis Changxin winked at Shi Ling. Shi Ling went over to open the tent door and saw Yuwen Chengling standing outside the tent. He cupped his hands and said, "It turns out to be the young master. The Marquis is about to take a rest. I wonder what the young master is doing."
What are you doing?"
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"My father couldn't sleep, so he prepared some food and wine. He felt bored drinking alone, so he asked the younger generation to come over and see if Zhen Shibo had rested." Yuwen Chengling was polite and said with a smile: "My father said that if Zhen Shibo can't fall asleep for a while,
Please come over and have a few drinks with me."
Marquis Changxin said with a smile: "Your father is already this old. He drinks in the middle of the night and doesn't know how to take care of himself." He got up, walked out of the tent, glanced at the Yuwen camp, and said, "It's too late, forget it tonight, wait.
I will invite him again tomorrow."
Yuwen Chengling said softly: "Uncle Shi, actually...!" He looked a little embarrassed and hesitated to speak.
"What's going on?" Chang Xinhou noticed something was wrong and asked, "Did your father lose his temper?"
Yuwen Chengling smiled bitterly and said: "Shibo is indeed my father's old brother. You know that he has a hot temper. He really lost his temper just now and made us afraid to come close. When he asked me to come over, he was still angry. I
.....I'm afraid that I can't invite Shibo, and I'll have to be reprimanded again. Shibo, could you please go over and give him a few words of advice? He's getting older, and if he keeps being angry in his heart, it's not good for his health.
"
Changxinhou smiled and said: "His temper made us all afraid of him back then. Now that he is older, he should give me, an old guy, some face." He put his hands behind his back and asked, "Yes, why did he lose his temper?"
"
Yuwen Chengling hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said: "Fan Shibo has not arrived for a long time. My father said that he did not take the mountain sacrifice to his heart, so he was angry. We persuaded him that Fan Shibo might have been delayed on the way, and Fan Shibo has never been absent from the mountain sacrifice.
There will definitely be no ceremony this time. Although he didn't say anything, his anger has not subsided."
"So that's what happened." Changxinhou said with a smile, "If I had known he was so angry, we should have come here later." He raised his hand and said, "Let's go over and take a look."
"Master Marquis, it's already getting late, do you want to go there tomorrow?" Shi Ling said from the side.
Marquis Changxin said: "That old guy is very stubborn. If he doesn't get rid of his anger tonight, he won't sleep that night." Seeing Shi Ling's wink, Marquis Changxin hesitated and then said: "Shi Ling, please accompany me."
Let me go there together."
Shi Ling raised his hands and said yes.
When they arrived at Yuwen's tent, Chang Xinhou saw that he was surrounded by elite tiger cavalry soldiers with bright armor. He turned around and glanced at Shi Ling. Seeing Shi Ling's stern expression, he hesitated for a moment and took Shi Ling into the tent together.
.
In the big tent, Old Marquis Yuwen was sitting at the table, with Yuwen Chengchao standing next to him. When Yuwen Chengchao saw Marquis Changxin come in, he immediately raised his hands and saluted. Marquis Changxin had already smiled and said: "Brother, I heard that you are in a good mood.
No, I'll come over and have a drink with you."
Old Marquis Yuwen raised his head and said, "You can come as soon as you come, why are you bringing people with you? Are you afraid that I will harm you?"
Marquis Changxin was startled, and then he smiled and said: "Where did your words go, brother? I know that your White Tiger Camp is well-trained, and the soldiers you train are all elite soldiers. Shi Ling is the commander of the Wolf Cavalry. I asked him to come over and report to you."
Please ask Commander Yuan for advice on how to train troops."
"Let's drink without anyone else." Old Marquis Yuwen said with a face: "Yuan Shangyu stayed at the White Tiger Camp and did not come this time."
"Oh?" Marquis Changxin was startled, then turned back to Shi Ling and said, "Then you and Chengchao go and wait outside the tent."
Shi Ling looked at Yu Wen Chengchao but did not move. When Yu Wen Chengchao saw this, he cupped his hands to Marquis Changxin and then stepped out of the tent. Shi Ling also cupped his hands and followed him out of the tent.
"You, Commander Shi, are very careful in everything." Old Marquis Yuwen said, "I am loyal to you."
Marquis Changxin reached out to pick up the jug, poured wine for Old Marquis Yuwen, and sighed: "We haven't drank together for some years. Do you still remember that when I was young, I often came to Fenggan Mansion, and we
When we go hunting in the mountains, we build bonfires and barbecue at the foot of the mountains. We eat wine and meat at that time, which is really enjoyable."
"I still remember
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"At that time, you always said that you wanted to do something big." Old Marquis Yuwen sighed: "Decades have passed in the blink of an eye, and we are all old, and it seems that we have not accomplished anything big."
"At least we have kept the inheritance left by our ancestors." Marquis Changxin said: "We are still alive, and Xiling is still in our hands."
Old Marquis Yuwen said: "Did you know that the White Wolf King was assassinated, and now the White Wolf tribe is in turmoil. Once Brother Nalusheng takes power, the next step will be to point the sword at Xiling. Where will we go at that time?"
"You know, for many years, I have followed you no matter what you do." Chang Xinhou said: "We can be as stable as Mount Tai in Xiling. In the final analysis, the three of us work together, and the whole Xiling is only ours."
"If the Wutuo people come back, even if the entire Xiling unites, they will not be the opponent of the Wutuo people." Old Marquis Yuwen sighed: "The Wutuo people regard Xiling as fat meat, and the Tang Dynasty has never given up on Xiling.
, one wolf and one tiger, it is not easy to live a stable life for more than ten years." He picked up the wine cup and said softly: "Maybe these days will come to an end soon."
Marquis Changxin looked at Old Marquis Yuwen and asked: "I have been thinking about this for a long time. Brother, naturally we can't sit still and wait for death. The reason we came to offer sacrifices to the mountain this time is to discuss with you what to do next.
"
"Do you have any countermeasures?"
"It's nothing more than war or peace," said Marquis Changxin.
"Then do you want to fight or make peace?"
"I said, you are the only one who will follow the lead." Changxin Hou said solemnly: "No matter what decision you make, the Zhen family will stand with the Yuwen family."
Old Marquis Yuwen smiled slightly and said: "If it is a war, what should we do? If it is a peace, what should we do?"
"If there is a war, start hoarding money, food and equipment now, recruit soldiers and train them bravely." Marquis Changxin said: "In addition, recruit civilians to strengthen the defense of Kunlun Pass. Although it will not be able to stop the iron hoof of the Wutuo people in the end, it can be stopped for a while. In addition,
The cities in our three counties must be reinforced by recruiting civilians. The Wutuo people are good at field battles, but not good at attacking cities. When they come, we will clear the fields and defend the city. As long as the city is strong and there is enough food, they will not be able to attack the city.
Easy. If the Wutuo people enter the pass, the Tang army will definitely send reinforcements if they want to protect Xiling. We don’t have to fight to the death with the Wutuos, we just need to wait for the Tang army to come for reinforcements."
"Recruiting soldiers, strengthening the city, building fortifications, hoarding money and food, and forging weapons and armor all cost money, and it's a lot of money." Old Marquis Yuwen looked at Marquis Changxin: "If it is really possible, we can
It doesn't matter if we go bankrupt, but what if the court doesn't allow it? You and I both know that the court has never relaxed its guard against us in the past ten years. There are many eyes and ears of the court in Xiling. Without the will of the court, we can recruit troops and build armor without authorization.
, someone will immediately accuse us of treason, and if that is the case, it will give the imperial court an excuse to march into Xiling."
Chang Xinhou said: "We will naturally ask the imperial court in advance and tell the imperial court that the Wutuo people are ready to move and Xiling must prepare for war as soon as possible. If the imperial court agrees, everything will be fine. If we suspect that we have treason and refuse to prepare for war in Xiling, then
.....!" He sneered and didn't say anything else.
"If the court objects, do you mean that we have to ask for peace from Wu Tuo?" Old Marquis Yuwen asked.
Marquis Changxin said: "If the Tang Dynasty regards us as treason and lets us sit back and wait for death, there is no need for us to continue to be loyal to the Tang Dynasty." He looked sternly: "Xiling is in our hands, and we can only decide who to hand it over to.
." Seeing Old Marquis Yuwen staring at his eyes, he smiled and said: "Of course, I have said that I should follow my brother's instructions on how to make decisions."
Old Marquis Yuwen sighed: "It seems that you are really rebellious!"