Although it has experienced a war, the festive atmosphere in Chengdu has not diminished much. The main street under the palace is already bustling with people. There are jugglers shouting, people selling couplets and spring cakes, and even the Qingguan.
The flower girls inside all put on the most eye-catching clothes, applied two layers of rouge, waved bright red handkerchiefs, and tried their best to attract patrons.
"Sanniang, she pushed the husband, her voice was trembling, her face was shy——"
Xu Mu raised his hand and swallowed a chestnut. Han Jiu, who was singing about Sanniang, said "Ah" and hurriedly stopped his voice.
"You go back to your house and sing by yourself. When others come to pay homage to me, the King of Shu, you sing pornographic songs next to them. What's going on?"
"My lord, I can't help it... I still ask my lord to punish you."
Xu Mu sighed. He knew in his heart that Han Jiu's "condemnation" was not about Huang Qu'er, but about the fall of Chengdu.
In fact, this reckless man didn't know that he and Sun Xun were both involved in Jia Zhou's plan. Of course, Xu Mu was ecstatic that Han Jiu was still alive.
"Okay, Han Jiu, tomorrow you go to the house on the left side of the backyard and dress nicer. There are three old men eating and drinking there. You can sing there for the whole day first. I think these three old men will be very happy.
of."
"I'm afraid I can't remember the words."
"Sing as much as you remember. Once you've finished singing, forget about it and don't mention it again in the future."
"My lord, I can also sing the song Little Flower Lady, the widowed sister-in-law in Shu——"
"What a mess." Xu Mu rubbed his head, "When you have time, go to the general hall and learn more skills. How old you are, the official is not young anymore. You can't even get a lady from everyone."
Han Jiu stood there with a hurt expression.
"Han Jiu, you fucking keep up!"
In the past two days, Si Hu took Mrs. Luan Yu to Fuyang County to have a wedding. It is said that when he left the city, he vacated all the steamed bun shops in the city.
There was no other way, Xu Mu could only let Han Jiu accompany him.
As for Nanlin County, Han Jiu's injury will take some time to recover, so Sun Xun will be allowed to pass first.
Following the avenue under the palace, there were many people coming to pay their respects. Xu Mu originally thought that his popular support might decline due to the military disaster in Chengdu, but unexpectedly, the popular support was still there.
Of course, in the past, in order to avoid trouble for the Wei family and to appease the people, seven or eight scapegoats were killed at Caishikou.
"The king of Shu is young and strong. There are only two concubines in Shu state. This is not possible. I have a daughter at my knees who is well-educated and can be a good wife."
"If the King of Shu goes to the Qing Palace, Aunt Qin will give me ten good ladies to enter the hibiscus tent."
"King of Shu, my lord! Our Shu state has been rejuvenated for a hundred years, and it is now!"
…
Xu Mu returned the greetings one by one, and finally walked through the crowded crowd and exited the city gate. He did not go to Nanlin County, but stopped his horse at Qishili Tomb Mountain and descended.
The guards of three hundred people also dismounted one after another.
"Chief Commander, the ashes of all the soldiers who can be collected have been sent back." Yin Hu, who was handling the matter, had a faint cry in his throat.
This time when he went on an expedition, he saw with his own eyes how brutal the fighting was.
Xu Mu closed his eyes. No matter at any time, paying homage to the fallen soldiers was a top priority. So, when the ashes were returned, he rode out of the city.
In the future, if Shuzhou is conquered, then this morale of daring to be the first in the world will continue.
"Raise a glass and give me the son of Shuzhou!"
Not only the soldiers, but also many common people, and even the passing vendors, silently clasped their fists and bowed towards the seventy-mile graveyard.
One general's success will destroy ten thousand bones.
In this troubled world, so many heroes have turned into pots of ashes and handfuls of loess.
“Drink together!”
After half a bowl was gone, Xu Mu picked up the wine cup again, raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.
Beside him, the old Confucian Wang Yong began to raise his hands to the sky and read a tearful eulogy into the cold wind.
…
Different from the cold wind in Shuzhou, the cold wind in Laizhou is even more freezing.
"The eggs have been frozen and shrunk!" In the temporary palace in Laizhou, a middle-aged man wearing a rough dragon robe sat on the dragon chair and cursed.
Below him, the so-called civil and military officials only paused and laughed wildly.
"Don't laugh." Fang Ru took a breath and slumped on the dragon chair in a daze. When he first became emperor, he was still somewhat interested in teasing the palace maid next to him. But now, his face is only full of solemnity.
color.
"Zuo Shiren, this traitor, dares to gather an allied army to attack me! I have obviously made him the Grand Lieutenant of Jing Dynasty."
This is nothing more than an excuse. Fang Ru also understands that most of his subordinates are from humble backgrounds and do not have much ability.
His army of hundreds of thousands, which did not even have standard weapons and armor, was defeated by Zuo Shiren's 20,000 vanguard battalion.
"If this continues, my situation will be in danger."
"Your Majesty, do you remember what I said earlier?" At this time, a thin old man suddenly came out of the queue.
Fang Ru thought about it, but couldn't remember it, so he had to cough.
"Xiang Zhou, please tell me again."
The old prime minister hurriedly clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, my previous intention was to let your Majesty use generals who are good at fighting."
"Where is the good general?"
"Your Majesty, your noble man is too forgetful. I have... recommended him. If your Majesty is interested, he will still stay in Laizhou. I will order someone to summon him."
"Go quickly!"
…
Since Fang Ru proclaimed himself emperor, the four counties of Laizhou have imposed heavy taxes, and people's livelihood has gradually declined. Countless people have fled at one time.
At this time, in a small house in a partial county, there was an old man with flying silver hair in the yard, holding a long bow in his hand and shooting forward with a "shoo" sound.
Hitting the copper target, a "dang" sound resounded throughout the yard.
"My father's archery skills are unparalleled, and he is always strong and strong!"
The old man didn't reply. He sat on the ground with his upper body naked in the cold wind. After a long time, after a gust of wind and snow blew, he spoke in a deep voice, his voice like thunder.
"Yan Chong, are there any officials coming these days?"
"Father, no." The middle-aged man beside him shook his head, and suddenly remembered something, "With father's ability, why would he surrender to Fang Ru, a fake emperor?"
The old man smiled and said, "Yan Chong, you almost forgot your last name."
"Father, how dare I forget that my surname is Yuan from the Ji Dynasty."
"That's right." The old man looked up to the sky, his voice full of loneliness, "It's Yuan, not Yan. Yuan Chong, I think of your uncle again."
"If things had been more stable that year, maybe something big would have happened. Emperor Ji Xiao was also lucky and deceived all the Qin Wang troops."
Beside, Yuan Chong listened quietly.
"I am already old, nearly eighty years old. If you are too old to die, you are a thief, but people all over the world have called me Yuan Song a thief for decades."
"I was once a false emperor, so I can naturally understand Fang Ru's fears."
"Father, do you really want to surrender to the false emperor?"
The old man smiled faintly in the wind.
"It's my surrender, but I want to occupy the magpie's nest even more. I'm not old yet, so what's the harm in being the emperor again."
"In the past hundred years of our Yuan family, except for a man who is unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness, how have you ever seen a second person like me!"
"If you don't obey the old age, you will be called a hero! It's time for my son Yuan Chong."