The march of thousands of miles was very difficult, and it became even more difficult when we left the Tang Dynasty and entered the desert.
Lin Xuan had never been to the desert in his previous life, and it seemed strange at first.
After a few days, Lin Xuan lost the sense of novelty.
When the wind blows, the sky is filled with yellow sand, and your mouth is filled with sand when you open your mouth.
Coupled with the hot weather, the entire army lost the high mood it had when they first set off for the expedition.
"General, there is an oasis not far ahead." Cheng Chumo said excitedly while looking at the map.
Lin Xuan said happily: "Notify everyone to speed up the march and rest in the oasis."
"Yes!" Cheng Chu replied silently.
Lin Xuan asked Xue Rengui: "How far away is the Chinese army from us?"
After entering the desert, Lin Xuan had already led the vanguard and separated from the larger army.
Xue Rengui said: "Back to General, the news from two hours ago is that the Chinese army is about fifty miles away from us. It seems that they will not be able to reach the oasis today."
"Ignore them, we will rest in the oasis today." Lin Xuan said.
As long as he didn't get separated from Hou Junji, Lin Xuan didn't bother to care where they camped.
The soldiers knew that the oasis was ahead, so they cheered up and speeded up their journey.
Not only can you rest at the oasis, but most importantly, you can replenish your water supply.
Half an hour later, Lin Xuan saw a touch of green in his eyes.
After walking in the bare desert for three days, I finally saw an oasis. The feeling was like a thirsty person having a clear spring flowing in his heart.
"Notify us, enter the oasis, set up camp, and replenish water sources." Lin Xuan said loudly.
…
After the army set up camp, Hou Junji called each battalion to understand the situation and then let them go down.
After all, it was still early before Gaochang, and there was nothing to discuss.
After the generals left, Hou Junji asked, "Where is Lin Xuan now?"
Hou Qing, the commander of the soldiers, said: "My lord, the vanguard army has just sent people to report back. Now they have arrived at the oasis in front. We will camp in the oasis today."
"That boy is lucky." Hou Junji's face was gloomy.
Because he was carrying provisions, his marching speed was not very fast.
He also knew that there was an oasis ahead, so he hurried and drove slowly. There would still be dozens of miles to go before dark.
Marching at night in the desert was too dangerous, so he had no choice but to camp where he was.
Thinking that Lin Xuan was in the oasis while he was here blowing yellow sand, I felt unhappy.
Hou Qing said flatteringly: "My lord, you are the general and he is the vanguard. It is not easy to deal with him."
Hou Junji shook his head and sighed: "It's not appropriate, it's not appropriate."
He knew that Hou Liang's intention was simply to let him use his identity to let Lin Xuan take the lead in attacking the city.
But Gaochang is too young. If Lin Xuan is sent there, it will be equivalent to giving him a chance to make meritorious deeds.
Hou Qing asked: "What is the Duke's plan?"
Hou Junji smiled faintly and said: "He did a good job of opening the road, didn't he?"
Hou Qing didn't understand what Hou Junji meant, but seeing that Hou Junji didn't mean to explain, he didn't dare to ask any more questions.
…
Chang'an, Cuijia
Cui Hao and Cui Zhifeng were discussing things in the study, when Cui Yuxiu pushed the door open angrily.
Cui Hao gave Cui Zhifeng a look and said, "Yu Xiu is here, why are you so angry?"
Cui Yuxiu frowned slightly and said: "The family suddenly sent a group of dead soldiers for what purpose? Are you hiding something from me?"
Cui Zhifeng said quickly: "Sister, it's okay. We have to go back to the family in a while. They are sent to protect us."
"Protect?" Cui Yuxiu sneered.
They already had someone to protect them, so why would they suddenly send someone here? She really thinks she is a fool.
Cui Zhifeng said nervously: "Isn't this a war?"
Cui Yuxiu glanced at Cui Zhifeng expressionlessly.
Cui Hao knew he couldn't hide it, so he said: "Okay, Yuxiu, a few people already know about it, so I will tell you."
"We discussed with several others to obtain colored glaze, immortal drunkenness and papermaking methods while Lin Xuan is away in Chang'an."
Cui Yuxiu was not surprised and asked: "Why did you hide it from me?"
Cui Hao smiled and said: "Yuxiu, you are too worried. These things of fighting and killing, thinking that you are my daughter's family, I am not going to tell you, and tell you whether to hide it or not."
"Haha." Cui Yuxiu smiled and said, "You are so confident that you will definitely succeed?"
Cui Hao frowned and said, "Yuxiu, what do you mean?"
Cui Yuxiu said coldly: "You can think of taking action at this time, but Lin Xuan can't think of it? And this is Chang'an, with so many people coming, Li Shimin will not notice it? Who knows that this is not a game? I am just waiting for you to enter the network."
Although she and Lin Xuan had only met twice, through this period of understanding, she knew that Lin Xuan was not that simple.
Was he prepared before leaving Chang'an?
Cui Hao said: "Don't worry, the people sent this time are all well-trained soldiers from various families. Even if they fail, they will not find our family."
Of course they considered this possibility when they decided to take action, but in the end greed defeated reason.
When Cui Yuxiu saw Cui Hao's expression, she knew that he didn't mean what she said, and said coldly: "I hope you can succeed. If not, just wait for Lin Xuan's revenge."
After saying that, Cui Yuxiu turned around and left.
Cui Hao said hesitantly: "Is Yuxiu really in love with Lin Xuan?"
"Uncle, as I said before, my sister has always wanted to cooperate with Lin Xuan, which is a bit abnormal." Cui Zhifeng said with a guilty conscience.
The family sent him and Cui Yuxiu to come to Chang'an, but the person in charge was Cui Yuxiu.
If he can't make the decision, he will be reprimanded by Cui Yuxiu.
After much deliberation, Cui Zhifeng secretly sent a message back to his family, saying that Cui Yuxiu might have fallen in love with Lin Xuan.
Although the Cui family didn't believe it, they didn't dare to take risks, which is why they hid Cui Yuxiu.
…
royal palace
It was already dark, and Li Shimin was so lost in thought with the memorial in his hand that he didn't even notice Empress Changsun walking in.
Empress Changsun put the clothes on Li Shimin and said softly: "Your Majesty, it's still a bit cold at night, so you should wear more clothes."
Li Shimin came to his senses, grabbed Empress Changsun's hand, and said with a smile: "Guanyin, you are still not sleeping at this late hour?"
Empress Changsun said softly: "Your Majesty is probably worried about sending out an army."
Li Shimin put away the smile on his face, sighed, and said: "It's better that you understand me. Gaochang is not something to be afraid of, but the Western Turks worry me."
Empress Changsun put her hands on Li Shimin's head, massaged him gently, and said, "Didn't Your Majesty already send Duke Su and Duke E to guard against the Western Turks?"
Li Shimin closed his eyes in enjoyment and said: "This is just a precaution. I am not sure of standing with the Western Turks now. If it takes another two years, I won't be so worried."
Although he is rich now, it still cannot change the fact that Datang is short of food.
Once a war breaks out with the Western Turks, the war will not end in a short time.
If in a few years Zhenguan rice becomes popular and the country becomes stronger, he won't worry anymore.
"Your Majesty!" Li Mu shouted outside the palace.
Empress Changsun said: "Your Majesty, please go to bed early after your work. I will take my leave first."
Li Shimin nodded without opening his eyes.
Li Mu walked into the palace and said, "Your Majesty, there is something going on over there with the aristocratic family."
Li Shimin sat upright suddenly, opened his eyes, flashed a trace of murderous intent, and said: "Say."
"In the past few days, the Five Surnames and Qi Wang sent a total of 132 people to sneak into Chang'an secretly. The old slave has sent people to monitor them closely." Li Mu said.
Li Shimin pondered for a while and said: "Remove all those under surveillance!"
"This..." Li Mu was stunned.
"They came to Chang'an just for Liuli, Shenxianzui and the Papermaking Workshop. They just need to arrange manpower in these places." Li Shimin said.
These people must have been very alert before taking action. If they found out that they were being watched, they might not take action.
In this way, it would be difficult for him to take action.