Longtan Town was reduced to ruins in the fire, but the fleeing people returned one after another to rebuild their homes. People gathered together, and Longtan Town slowly regained its vitality. However, the tattered city walls and the few passers-by inside and outside the city were all missing. It gives people a feeling of depression and desolation, but after all, it does not have the original prosperity.
At this time, an army was stationed outside the city.
This army was surprisingly 20,000 elite men led by Shi Dakai.
After the army set off from Nanjing, it went all the way north. When it passed Longtan Town, it temporarily rested outside the city. Shi Dakai sat casually on the ground, holding a military book in both hands, and was reading it carefully. He looked focused and devoted himself to it. , the soldiers around did not dare to speak loudly, and whispered quietly.
Suddenly, Shi Dakai put away the books in his hands, raised his head and asked, "Why hasn't the scout come back yet?"
Shi Dakai attached great importance to scouts.
No matter where he goes, the first person he sends out is the scout. Once the scout fails to return in time, Shi Dakai will immediately step up his guard. Although he is a reader, he is thinking about the scout in his heart, so he asks.
"Your Majesty, in another quarter of an hour, the scout will be back."
The guards beside Shi Dakai counted the time and immediately answered.
Shi Dakai nodded and continued to immerse himself in reading. Time flashed, and a quarter of an hour passed quickly through his fingertips, but the scout had not come back to report the news. Shi Dakai's expression became serious, but he still waited for another quarter of an hour, but the scout When he still didn't come back, he stood up and said in a deep voice: "Wang Li, please send troops to investigate the situation of the scouts."
"The general will obey his orders."
Li Wangdao responded with clasped fists and immediately turned around to deliver the order.
"Da da,."
At this time, the sound of horse hooves hitting the banana plate was heard, and the scout who was inquiring about the news came back. Li Wangdao stopped and returned to Shi Dakai. After Shi Dakai waited for the scout to approach, he asked in a deep voice: "Why are you so late?" A quarter of an hour." As for the time, Shi Dakai was very accurate and asked immediately.
The scout replied: "Reporting to the prince, because the latest news came back from the Jiangbei camp, I came back a little late."
Shi Da said: "What news?"
The scout replied: "The prince arranged for the scouts around the Jiangbei Camp to send back the news that Li Zhen suddenly left the Jiangbei Camp with thirteen people, and the group of people went all the way north, towards Beijing."
Shi Dakai frowned and said: "There are only these people, there are no other soldiers following."
The scout said with certainty: "Yes, there are only Li Zhen and thirteen followers."
Shi Dakai waved his hand for the soldiers to retreat, and then sat down alone, lowering his head and thinking. Shi Dakai was sure that Li Zhen knew that he came with 20,000 elites, but Li Zhen left the Jiangbei camp at this critical moment. What kind of thing was going on here? That's tricky.
"Li Zhen, Li Zhen, what tricks do you want to play?"
Shi Dakai murmured in a low voice and fell into deep thought.
However, no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't figure out why Li Zhen wanted to leave. In the end, Shi Dakai could only regard Li Zhen's behavior as a pretense and did it to scare him. Shi Dakai regained his confident and calm expression. , stood up and said: "The army is setting off for the Jiangbei Camp. No matter what tricks Li Zhen uses, we must go to the Jiangbei Camp."
Li Wangdao made arrangements, and 20,000 elite men set off and quickly left Longtan Town.
…
Li Zhen left with Long Ao and others. They all traveled day and night with one person and two horses.
Li Zhen and the Thirteen Dragon Guards are all people with martial arts skills, excellent physical fitness, and they can ride horses. The speed of riding the horses is simply crazy. Li Zhen got the order in September, September 29 We arrived in Beijing on the same day. When the group arrived at the gate of Beijing, they were all dusty and tired, and their faces were full of fatigue.
Li Zhen slowed down at the city gate and advanced slowly.
Long Ao breathed a long sigh of relief, hunched his back slightly, and said: "Commander, we have been running for about half a month without even getting a good sleep, and we finally arrived in Beijing."
Li Zhen nodded and said: "I came back after half a year, and this time I am indeed in a bit of a mess."
At this moment, Li Zhen and his party were indeed in a very embarrassed state.
Whether it was Li Zhen or Long Ao and other members of the Thirteenth Guards, they all had chapped lips, rough cheeks, dark circles under the eyes, and bloodshot eyes. Not only that, new hair grew on the top of everyone's bare head, but it was too late. The grooming, coupled with the random stubble, looks very miserable.
"Let's go into the city."
Although Li Zhen was very tired, he was in high spirits. He waved his riding whip with joy and rode into the city. A group of people entered the city. Several people at the city gate saw Li Zhen and left quickly.
…
Forbidden City, Chuxiu Palace.
After Xianfeng finished his official duties, he went directly to Chuxiu Palace to accompany Cixi. Except for the time when he went to court and a few times when he went to the palaces of other concubines, he spent most of the time with Cixi. The two of them seemed to have endless stories. If so, at this time, a eunuch quickly came to Xianfeng's side and whispered something.
"Hahaha……"
Xianfeng laughed heartily, with a bright smile on his face.
Cixi asked inexplicably: "Your Majesty, what happy event has made you so happy?"
Xianfeng asked the eunuch to leave and said, "My dear concubine, Li Zhen has returned to Beijing."
"Oh, so fast."
Cixi was surprised and said, "Your Majesty, it's been so long since Li Zhen returned. Why are you so happy?" Because Li Zhen's return was a common thing and not funny.
However, Xianfeng's attitude made Cixi inexplicably confused.
Xianfeng explained: "Li Zhen is back, but Han Laiyu is not. Obviously Li Zhen couldn't wait to see Zhilan, so he came back day and night. You don't know Li Zhen's situation now. This Li Zhen is dusty and his clothes are shabby." , with a tired look on his face, dark circles under his eyes, bloodshot eyes, and dry lips. It seems that Li Zhen really cares about the child in Zhilan’s belly, so he ran back without any trouble."
Cixi said with a smile: "Your Majesty, Zhi Lan has not given birth yet, and Li Zhen came back at the right time. Now, Li Zhen must be inexplicably grateful to the Emperor."
Xianfeng waved his hand and said, "This is all my concubine's good idea."
After a pause, Xianfeng said: "Lan'er, Li Zhen looks so embarrassed now. Anyone who sees him can't help but laugh. If Li Zhen returns to Guiliang's mansion, he will definitely wash up and rest, and he will not be seen by then. Li Zhen's appearance is not as good as I sent an order for Li Zhen to come to the palace immediately to see him. Take a look at what he looks like now."
"Really."
Cixi looked happy, but suddenly shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, let's forget it. After all, they meet as husband and wife. If the Emperor continues to pass on the decree, it may be a bit inappropriate."
Xianfeng shook his head and said: "Huh, we must let him come and let him know my existence. I can give him a great favor and prevent him from seeing Zhilan. Come here, it is said that Li Zhen will come to the palace immediately to pay an audience."
"twitter."
The eunuch's voice came from outside the palace. Xianfeng held Cixi's hand and said, "My beloved, just wait and see. This guy is really in a mess now."
Cixi nodded and sat obediently.
ps: I’m too tired from work today. There are only two updates left. Let Xiaodong take a rest and sort out the outline. Sorry.