Zhang Ning immediately agreed to Lao Xu's request and asked him to take charge of the city's defense.
After leaving the Ordnance Bureau, Zhang Ning met again with Feng Youxian, the commander of the cavalry regiment. After hearing about the assignment, Feng Youxian asked in a deep voice: "If Lord Xu's order conflicts with the opinion of the humble post, should the humble post obey Lord Xu's order?"
Zhang Ning turned around, glanced at Feng Youxian and others, raised his sleeves and hesitated slightly in the air, finally patted Feng Youxian on the arm and said calmly: "You can act expediently when necessary."
"I understand my humble position." Feng Youxian bowed.
Zhang Ning had just appointed Lao Xu as the supreme commander of city defense, which was an extremely dangerous thing in itself. He immediately gave Feng Youxian the privilege of "acting cheaply", which was a bit unfair to Lao Xu and unworthy of his loyalty... But Zhang Ning actually
I also believe in Feng Youxian's talent and judgment. It's difficult to have the best of both worlds, and you have to make a choice.
He added: "The people from the Ordnance Bureau are ready, let them leave overnight. The cavalry regiment will mobilize two large groups, feed the horses and rest for a while, and hand them over to Wang Xian in the early morning of tomorrow."
"Yes." Feng Youxian responded.
After explaining the things outside, Zhang Ning returned to his home. As soon as he entered the gate and walked around the screen wall, he saw Zhou Zui's mother standing on the stone steps to greet her. Lianxiang and several maids behind them hurriedly bent their eyes when they saw Zhang Ning.
Look at the ground.
"Welcome your lord to return safely." Tuesday's mother showed proper etiquette in front of others. She gently bent her knees and held her hands in front of her belly to salute.
Zhang Ning said: "Let's talk after we go in."
Tuesday's mother's face was very serious, and she said softly: "Mrs. Yao just sent someone to say that we have to leave Changde as soon as possible and let me prepare. I think there is nothing to prepare, as long as I can bring Lianxiang with me."
Zhang Ning glanced at the maid behind her. Lianxiang had grown up with Zhou Niang, and she must have some feelings for her. She nodded in agreement. But Yao Ji was very well informed. She had not returned home not long ago.
, she already knew in advance that she was leaving Changde City.
After a moment, he said: "The battle on the South Road is no longer serious. Your father is in the camp, so you don't have to worry."
"My father is here for important matters, so I am considerate of him." Mother Zhou said.
Zhang Ning also told Zhou Niang to pack some important items in the bedroom. Then he went to see Yao Ji so that she could take charge of the internal affairs and arrange the people in the garden. He walked around the garden unimpeded until Yao Ji came to her residence.
Xiaoyue, the close servant, stopped me. Xiaoyue said timidly: "Madam just ordered that outsiders are not allowed to enter without permission."
"I'm not an outsider..." Zhang Ning pondered for a moment and then asked, "What is the concubine doing inside?"
Xiaoyue said: "It seems that I am packing some important things."
So that's it. We're not taking a shower or changing clothes, so what's the big deal. Zhang Ning said, "Then I'll go in and see her." After hearing this, Xiaoyue didn't dare to stop her.
Zhang Ning walked into the room and opened the bead curtain of the Nuan Pavilion, but saw no one. He only saw a nearby wing that was half-hidden, so he walked over and took a look inside. Sure enough, he saw Yao Ji doing something inside, neatly dressed.
There was nothing wrong. Zhang Ning reached out and opened the wooden door and said, "I'm back."
Yao Ji's face suddenly turned red and she said, "Why did you break into my room by yourself?"
"Time is running out, I'm here to talk to my concubine about a few things..." Zhang Ning felt a little awkward, and then carefully looked at the scene in the room. There was a brazier burning something inside, and there was a strong smell of smoke. Fortunately, the one at the back
A small window was half open to let in some air. She was holding a long toy in her hand, wrapped in silk, and filled with something unknown. It was bulging. At this time, she quickly threw it away.
He went into the brazier. There was also a qiguai soft chair in the room, a wooden frame, and a red rope, which looked like some kind of torture instrument. Zhang Ning looked at it for a while, and gradually understood.
Yao Ji saw the stunned look on his face and couldn't help but said angrily: "You don't know that a son has to avoid his mother? How unbecoming is it to rush into a woman's room when there is nothing wrong? Get out of here!"
Unexpectedly, Zhang Ning said: "With so many things, how long will it take for the concubine to clean up alone? Don't miss the business; and don't leave any clues. If outsiders find out, it will not only affect your reputation, but also our family's."
Good reputation. This is not the first time I have seen these things. Let me help you destroy them quickly. You have to arrange everything in the garden later; I will also go to the Senate later to see the city defense layout.
.”
Yao Ji's face was as red as a peach blossom, and she was very charming. She observed Zhang Ning's expression and found that this bad guy didn't have a trace of evil, as if he was talking about something that could be put on the stage. She said in a trembling voice: "I have already told you
It's over with you, don't mention it again."
Perhaps Zhang Ning was right. Once this person left, if someone discovered something, it would be more uncomfortable than death. So she did not refuse.
Zhang Ning pulled out his sword from his waist, cut off the red line between the shelf and the chair, took off some bells, jades and other objects on it and threw them aside and said: "These things can't be burned even if they are smashed.
It’s not bad...and it’s also a pity. If you want to buy it again in the future, I’m afraid it will be difficult to collect it, so it’s better to take it away.”
Yao Ji almost cried: "I don't want these things anymore!"
"But someone found it. A knowledgeable person can tell at a glance what it is used for." Zhang Ning said as he used his sword to chop the chair. Unexpectedly, there was hard wood under the soft cushion, and the sword's blade was not smooth and quickly hit the chair.
There are a few holes in it. Looks like I'll have to find an ax later.
He added: "You always live alone, it doesn't matter, I won't tell anyone..."
"Please stop talking!" Yao Ji reached out and pressed his mouth. Suddenly, a faint fragrance hit her nostrils.
Zhang Ning stopped talking and had to work silently. After a while, he said again: "It's just that my son and I are not in a good position to fight, and we have to let my mother and concubine run around like this."
Yao Ji's breathing gradually became calmer, and she sighed softly: "I have been used to it for a long time, and the situation now is much better than before." Zhang Ning remained silent, and she suddenly asked: "Since you are leading the army,
There is a war, why are you not in the army, but you are running back to Changde? You only need to send someone to deliver the news, and I will go to Chenzhou on my own."
"No matter what time it is, I will never leave you and my little sister alone." Zhang Ning said seriously, "Do you believe it?"
Now it was Yao Ji's turn to remain silent and noncommittal.
Suddenly, that vague figure appeared in Zhang Ning's mind, his sister from the past life; someone so close to him, but now he can't even remember what he looked like. That face was always blurry in his mind. But...
It left him with an unforgettable memory, which I am afraid he will not be able to dissipate until he is old. So he said with emotion: "I don't want to regret it anymore, and I don't want to live in my dreams anymore. I tell myself that I must know how to cherish..."
Yao Ji said with a straight face: "How can you achieve great things if you are always so forward-looking and hesitant?"
Zhang Ning shook his head slightly and sighed, and suddenly found something like a large white jade teapot above his head, with a slender bamboo tube tied on it, and the lower end was wrapped with something as soft as gelatin. He was curious for a moment and remembered
Why did you shake your head and think that it shouldn't happen, right?
Yao Ji's calm mood just now suddenly became agitated again. She grabbed it and smashed it on the ground. The jade pot shattered into pieces with a "clang" and said, "I don't want your help! You are clearly deliberately trying to humiliate me."
, get out of here, get out of here!"
Zhang Ning realized that this seemed to be a bit too much, and Yao Ji's wording was also very unkind. He stood up quickly and said: "My son, please retire. Your Majesty, the mother-in-law must arrange the internal affairs."
In the early morning, Zhang Ning went to the Ordnance Bureau to inspect the artillery fragments in person, and then he felt relieved. The long-barreled field artillery that he had tinkered with suddenly became as dangerous as a nuclear weapon, and he had to use caution. He also ordered Old Xu to wait until dawn.
Someone was sent to sink the fragments into the bottom of the Yuanshui River.
Two large groups of more than 200 armed cavalrymen deployed by the cavalry regiment escorted several carriages out of Nancheng. It was still dark, and the stars in the night sky made the whole world look extra peaceful. Lao Xu and others were escorted to the city gate, and Zhang Ning held his hand.
Holding the reins, he supported Lao Xu, who was holding the ceremony, with one hand. A few words came to his lips and he finally didn't say them out.
He originally wanted to say that if the city could not be defended and Lao Xu surrendered to the army, then he might be able to find a way to use the prisoners of the army and some property to see if he could get it back. But after saying this, it was better not to say it... Don't say it, Lao
Xu may choose to surrender when he has no choice; if he says so, he has no choice but to lose his life.
The group of people left the city and headed straight towards Chenzhou. At dawn, Zhang Ning discovered that there were two people who had not followed them out of the city, Gu Chunhan and Peach Blossom Fairy. He couldn't help but ride to the side of the carriage to ask.
Yao Ji opened the bead curtain and said inside: "I sent someone to call them, and they replied that they wanted to stay, so I didn't force them."
Zhang Ning was a little unhappy, but he had to give up. His mood became more and more depressed. Maybe heroes in ancient times also suffered from difficulties, but he felt that it was really unbearable to lose his own woman.