Volume 1: Painting Hall Spring Chapter 69: Meeting
Beiwang Mountain is located northwest of Beisu City and is the main camp of the most elite Tianlang Battalion of the Northwest Army.
The commander of the Tianlang Battalion is Xie Changxin, Zeng Ji’s old subordinate. All the soldiers of the Tianlang Battalion led by him are brave and adept at fighting, as unyielding as wolves.
After Zeng Qidao arrived in Beisu more than half a year ago, he was thrown into the Tianlang Camp by Zeng Ji and trained as a soldier from the lowest level. Although everyone in the army knew that he was Zeng Shuai's youngest son, they all called him Major General.
But no one really gave him special treatment. Speaking of which, he really endured a lot of hardships and committed a lot of crimes. But he came from the general's mansion, and since he was a child, he accepted that men should not bring Wu Gou and collect Guanshan Fifty States.
He has a good education and is not a weak scholar. Therefore, these days of training are quite effective and he has won the sincere admiration of everyone in the army. Now he serves as Xie Changxin's deputy.
When Xiao Yizheng and Zeng Jichi rushed up the mountain and entered the Tianlang military camp, Xie Changxin and Zeng Qidao were discussing important matters in the army. The sergeant came to report that His Highness King Heng and Zeng Shuai were coming. The two looked at each other and hurried out of the tent to greet them.
Xie Changxin wore thick armor and strode into the wind. After saluting, he said hurriedly: "It is difficult to travel on the mountain road after the snow. If anything happens, Your Highness and the Marshal will call my subordinates to report."
Xiao Yizheng took off his fur cover and said with a smile: "If a war starts at this time, will the brothers in Tianlang camp stop marching and fight because the mountain road is difficult after snow?"
Xie Changxin was stunned for a moment, but he immediately understood what he meant and raised his eyebrows to give way: "Your Highness, please, Commander-in-Chief, please."
Xiao Yizheng looked at Zeng Qidao behind him with a smile, nodded slightly and greeted him.
This was the second time he met Zeng Qidao after coming to the northwest. The last time was during the combat command meeting on the eve of sending troops to Gaofan Kuli. Since they were discussing business matters at the time, the two of them did not exchange a single word alone.
After Zeng Qidao came to the northwest, his skin became tanned, his figure became more erect and powerful, and the edges and corners of his whole body became more distinct, showing more resemblance to the fortitude shared by countless nameless peaks in the northwest. He lowered his head slightly and bowed in salute.
After the four of them entered the main camp, Zeng Ji had no time to take off his cloak. He walked straight to the hanging map, pointed at a place and asked: "Yuanyi, your military newspaper wrote about the place where there are a lot of traces of ice mining.
But here?"
"Yes" Zeng Qidao's voice was loud and clear. "It's very close to Guiping Country."
It is almost an unwritten tacit understanding that all countries in the Western Region will not use troops to fight in winter. The main reason is simply that the weather is bad, which is not suitable for fighting. Not to mention the battle between the two armies, even traveling in wind and snow is extremely risky.
"Judging from the traces left behind, the scale of ice harvesting is very large, and my subordinates are worried that its purpose is ulterior." Zeng Qidao continued.
Xiao Yizheng took off his cloak and was standing by the stove, drying his hands. When he heard this, he asked lightly: "Why do you see it?"
Xie Changxin was the first to answer: "Your Highness does not know. In the northwest, people will also collect some ice after winter. It has many uses. It can cool down and reduce swelling, stop bleeding and treat burns. But people will never collect ice.
Such a large amount. And according to Yuanyi's survey, the tools used to harvest ice here are not from the private sector."
Xiao Yizheng pulled up his sleeves, walked to the map, nodded and said: "I have read Major General Zeng's briefing." He turned slightly sideways and asked Zeng Qidao: "Do you suspect that this is the Danda Army in Guiping Middle School collecting ice?"
piece?"
Zeng Qidao nodded without hesitation: "To make weapons."
Xie Changxin was afraid that Xiao Yizheng would not understand, so he added: "Solid ice can be used as a sharp weapon."
Xiao Yizheng nodded, and he thought that this is also a distinctive sharp blade in extremely cold places. "Shu Le seems to be not in Guiping at the moment."
Zeng Ji replied: "Now the representative of Danda in Guiping is Huhurle's youngest daughter Qiqina. Huhurle's royal tent is in Ulantu. I have ordered people to investigate the situation of Danda tribe again."
Xiao Yizheng was silent in thought.
Xie Changxin considered: "Our army defeated Danda's army in Gaofan and Kuli in one fell swoop. It would be impossible for Su Le to endure the defeat willingly. But I still think that we should go to war with Dacheng head-on. He
It also takes a lot of thinking, it’s never easy.”
Zeng Ji nodded in agreement.
Xiao Yizheng turned around, changed from his seriousness, his expression became much more relaxed, and with a smile on his face, he asked Zeng Qidao: "I wonder what General Zeng has to say?"
Zeng Qidao's throat twitched and he was silent for a while before he spoke: "When General Mo first arrived in Beisu, he often talked to Brother Xie." He glanced at Xie Changxin and hurriedly explained: "What General Mo said is General Xie's nephew. Now
Xie Zhi, the eldest son of Beisu Xie Zhizhou."
Xiao Yizheng glanced at Xie Changxin and thought that Xie Changwen, now the magistrate of Beisu, was Xie Changxin's elder brother. The brother Xie mentioned by Zeng Qidao should be Xie Badou in the mouth of the people in Beisu City, which means he is eight times more talented.
He nodded and let him continue.
Zeng Qidao continued neatly: "The last general and Brother Xie have discussed the situation in Danda. Khule was able to sit on the throne of Danda through iron-blooded means. In fact, although all the Danda tribes came under his command, they were both afraid and intimidated, and there were many internal contradictions within him.
In fact, he urgently needed an external war to strengthen the unity of the various ministries in Danta. Therefore, he occupied Gaofan and Kuli. He may also bet that Dacheng would not send troops to help, but our army quickly attacked, breaking his plan and even damaging the country.
His majesty. If the Danda tribe is united, maybe they will accept this result and return to Ulan Tu; but they lost both battles, and the general believes that this is even more unfavorable to his rule over Danda. At this time, he needs a battle
A higher-level war to consolidate the rule within the tribe. Therefore, the general believes that even if he knows that this is a big gamble, he will suddenly use all his strength to attack Beisuzhou."
Zeng Ji put his hands down and frowned, while Xie Changxin clicked his tongue and thought.
Xiao Yizheng looked at Zeng Qidao with great admiration. After a long time, he said slowly: "General Zeng has extraordinary insights. I have learned from him."
Zeng Qidao immediately leaned over and said humbly: "Your Highness is serious."
Xiao Yizheng took two steps forward and walked to him: "Tomorrow, I would like to go out on inspection with the Major General. Major General, please prepare."
Hearing this, Zeng Ji hurriedly stopped him: "Your Highness, no, the weather is very cold now and it is not suitable to travel. Besides, if we go in the direction of Guiping Country, your Highness's safety is a big deal."
Xiao Yizheng smiled faintly and said, "Old General, there is still trade in and out of this city. Traders can travel, but I can't? Old General, don't forget that I have traveled south and north. Besides, it doesn't matter if Major General Zeng is here."
I was just looking around."
Xie Changxin also wanted to help, but Xiao Yizheng raised his hand to stop him. "That's it. If you are worried, you can arrange for more people to follow me, as long as you think this team is not so eye-catching." After that,
, without waiting for their reaction, he took out the big cloak that was placed on the bed, and said with a smile: "Not everyone has the opportunity to view the scenery of the Western Regions from Beiwang Mountain. The beautiful scenery is right in front of you. Don't miss it."
." After saying that, he strode out of the camp.
Beiwang Mountain was covered with white snow, and the north wind howled by, causing pain in the face. However, the soldiers guarding the camp remained motionless and did not move even an inch.
Xiao Yizheng was moved in his heart. He looked at the faces of the soldiers wrapped in fur hats around him one by one. He just stepped forward and stopped under a poplar tree. He looked around. The mountains in the distance were covered with snow, and there were no birds flying.
There are no traces of people, but the earth is vast, the sky is high and the clouds are light, clean and clear.
He took a deep breath, and the smell in the air made people think deeply and brightly, and make them open-minded. Then he looked up at the branches of Populus euphratica around him. They were also dressed in silver winter clothes. Their beauty was proud and unique in the wind. It is said that Populus euphratica will live for thousands of years and will never die.
It will last for a thousand years, and it will not die for a thousand years. It is truly a life that is unyielding and tenacious and lives a wanton and unrestrained life.
For some reason, Qingxi's bright and bright smiling face appeared in front of his eyes. His Ah Heng actually lived a lively and bright life. If she were here, she would definitely be in love with this pure and romantic world in front of her.
"Your Highness turns out to be really enjoying the beautiful scenery." Zeng Qidao's voice came from behind.
He tilted his head slightly and said with a smile: "Yuan Yi is definitely not here to see the beautiful scenery." He raised his hand to signal Zeng Qidao to come forward. "We can catch up on old times first."
Zeng Qidao walked up to him and said with a smile: "I was full of expectations when I learned that His Highness was coming to the northwest. Thinking about it, I can vividly remember all the things that happened during the day. But His Highness did come, but I never had the chance to have a good chat with him.
.”
Xiao Yizheng patted his arm twice and looked into the distance again.
"Why did Your Highness want to inspect it in person? Do you want to confirm something in person?"
"If I said I wanted to see the beautiful scenery that would make Ah Heng cry, would you believe me?"
Zeng Qidao was stunned. Ah Heng? It’s Qingxi.
Xiao Yizheng glanced sideways at him and said with a smile: "She once cried when looking at the paintings you sent her."
A soft color appeared on Zeng Qidao's face carved by wind and frost, and the light in his eyes was no longer single and firm, but became complicated and soft. "Heng'er, she..." He couldn't help but utter these three words before he suddenly realized something.
He hurriedly closed his mouth, bowed and explained humbly: "Your Highness, please forgive me. The general has known the princess for a long time, and it was disrespectful to ignore the etiquette and justice just now."
Xiao Yizheng reached out and patted his hand that was cupped in front of him, and said gently: "When we met, you didn't have so many etiquette."
"This moment, that moment. At that time, I didn't know His Highness's identity, so I could call him a brother. After I learned His Highness's identity, I had a lot of respect in my heart."
"Can we still be honest with each other and be close friends now?" Xiao Yizheng turned sideways and looked at him deeply.
Zeng Qidao tightened his hands, was silent for a while, raised his eyes and replied: "Yes."
Xiao Yizheng's eyes were slightly curved, and he laughed heartily and without concealment. After a long time, he whispered: "She misses you very much."
Zeng Qidao's heart moved, the corners of his mouth moved, his throat swallowed, and he finally asked: "Is she okay?"
Xiao Yizheng fluttered his eyelashes, looked at Populus euphratica next to him, and said in a deep voice: "Actually, I don't know how to answer your question."
"Is she bad? What happened?" Zeng Qidao's tone was undisguisedly anxious.
"Yuanyi, that day you suddenly left Shangdu and came to Beisu because of my marriage to her, right?"
Zeng Qida paused, looked at Xiao Yizheng, and saw only sincerity on his face, which was reflected by the pure white color behind him. He nodded slightly and said frankly.
"Is it because he doesn't want to see her marry into the palace, or because he wants to come to the northwest and make some achievements before going back?"
Zeng Qidao opened and closed his mouth, but he didn't know what to say and seemed embarrassed.
"Yuanyi, the person standing in front of you right now is only your friend Xiao Yizheng, not the King Heng of Dacheng."
Seeing that Zeng Qidao was silent, he laughed to himself and said, "Perhaps it should be said that I am just like you at this moment, just an ordinary man who loves her, desires her to pursue her, and wants to accompany her."