Yao Kun looked solemn and said seriously: "This matter is no small matter. The general is not here. I have sent people to Tongcheng, Maojun, to learn more about the cause of the incident and the follow-up. I have written a memorial and handed it to the capital. I also ordered the whole county not to relax. Make a mess."

Long was silent.

Yao Kun frowned and asked, "General, is there any unusual movement on the front line?"

Long Da nodded: "Indeed. Our spy in Nanqin was killed. Nanqin sent me the heads of three members of his family along the river."

Yao Kun was taken aback: "It also happened in the past two days?"

"New Year's Eve."

Yao Kun stood up abruptly, walked back and forth uneasily, and said, "I don't know who the murderer who attacked the Dongling mission and killed the envoys of the two countries was. But it happened too coincidentally. Our spies from Yu Nanqin were arrested. So the envoys sent by Nanqin to meet with me, the Great Xiao Emperor, were killed. They can say that we are retaliating. If there is a war, they are well-known teachers. Not only did we send secret agents, but also killed their envoys..."

Yao Kun waved his hands and stopped suddenly: "The teacher is famous?! Yes, is this a conspiracy by Nanqin? They colluded with Dongling, sacrificed a few envoys, and then got an excuse to go to war. And Dongling's envoys were attacked. Dong Ling also killed and injured many people, Nan Qin can take this opportunity to join hands with Dong Ling."

Long Da thought about it, but didn't speak.

The more Yao Kun thought about it, the more angry he became: "They caught our spy work in South Qin, but we only caught Da Xiao himself, a spy who was bought by South Qin. It's incomparable to say that. Their empty teeth can be said to be ours. Fabricated the case and slandered him. However, the envoys of Nanqin and Dongling actually died in my Great Xiao territory. What did Shi Pingqing do for food? If we make a mistake, we have to let others decide. Ah, could it be Dong Ling’s conspiracy? If our two countries go to war, Dong Ling will be able to take advantage of the fisherman. After all, Nan Qin’s request to visit us here was rejected, so he was Dong Ling took advantage of the loophole. If we had granted the request of the Southern Qin envoy, maybe..."

"Master Yao." Long Da interrupted Yao Kun's soliloquy.

Yao Kun stopped and looked at Long Da.

Long Da's expression was calm, appearing calm and collected. Yao Kun breathed a sigh of relief and calmed down a bit. He sat down and waited for Long Da to continue.

"My lord, I'm not sure whether the envoy was killed by Nanqin, Dongling, or the other party, but one thing is for sure - the reconnaissance we placed in Nanqin has been defeated by the other party. We caught the secret agent and fought with the other party Negotiation, and the other party caught Xi Zuo, so he didn't say much, and killed him first for us to see. It is absolutely impossible to say that Nan Qin is innocent in this matter."

Yao Kun hurriedly said: "So it's actually Nanqin? They want to fight, they want to force Da Xiao to make concessions and get benefits, but they are afraid that they will not have enough fighting power, so they recruit Dongling. Dongling is a fool, and Nanqin So he killed the envoy to make Dong Ling make up his mind?"

Long Da did not agree with this speculation, he said: "My lord, no matter what, there is a hand pushing us to the battlefield. I am afraid this battle is inevitable. My lord, get ready."

Yao Kun let out a long sigh, and after a long while, he said: "Twenty years ago, I was here and watched the two countries fight, the soldiers fought and the people suffered. It took three full years for the war to subside." He looked at Long Da: " General Dragon..."

Long Dao: "Sit on a sword and sit on an armor, it is for peace. Bleeding and beheading, I will not hesitate."

Yao Kun looked at Long Da, stood up for a long time, and gave a salute.

Yao Kun and Long Da quickly discussed the arrangements, Yao Kun summoned all the officials and ordered Long Da to return to Ziyun Tower.

Enter Ziyun Tower, go to the Yatang, and call Xie Gang.

Ziyun Building is also a mansion and a government office. Long Da often handles his affairs in his own courtyard or study, and rarely opens a government office. It is obviously very serious to use the military office to handle affairs.

Soon, this matter spread throughout Ziyun Building. Everyone is apprehensive.

Xie Gang arrived soon, and other high-ranking military officers and generals in the building also rushed over.

Long Daduan sat in the hall and briefly talked about what happened in the past few days. Everyone was shocked when they heard the news. Long Da stared at Xie Gang, and said: "Xie Gang, you are a fourth-rank captain, and your rank is higher than everyone in this class, so you should be the most responsible. You are in charge of the reconnaissance team, the forward reconnaissance, but the spy leader in Zhonglan City escaped , There are spies in the army, the military information keeps leaking, and now even the investigative layout lurking in the Southern Qin Dynasty has been completely defeated. Say it yourself, what face do you have to enjoy the imperial salary, and what qualifications do you have to hold important positions in the army!!"

When Long Da spoke of his anger, he clapped the table, and everyone lowered their eyes and held their breaths.

Xie Gang pursed his lips tightly, with a face of shame, he knelt down with a plop. "General, this subordinate is convicted. This subordinate is willing to make up for my mistakes. I beg the general to give me another chance."

"I'll give you another chance. I'm afraid I'll give Nanqin another chance!" Long shouted angrily, "Now they're almost running to our army tent to **** and laugh!"

Xie Gang fell to the ground and kowtowed: "General, I will definitely find out the truth about the leaked news, find out the handle of Nanqin, and find out their vital points..."

"No need." Long Da yelled to stop him, and said, "How can I rest assured that I let you do this again. The spies lurking in Nanqin are so secretive and have spent so much effort. You can't even guard these things. We Defeated before a battle, lost all face, where is the military prestige? You should be punished!"

"General!" Everyone was shocked and shouted in unison. Xie Gang didn't say a word, bowed his head and didn't move.

Long stared at him, took a breath, and said: "Thinking of your meritorious service in the past, I will only punish you with twenty military sticks. Now is the time when the war is in danger, and I don't have time to deal with you carefully. You go to Cangnan for me. The Hyogo is on standby, and when the war with Nanqin is over, I will report to the emperor and send it to you."

"Think twice, general." Everyone shouted in unison again. Forget about twenty army sticks, Cangnan Hyogo is on standby? The Hyogo is in a remote and desolate place where criminals are punished to take in refugees, and let them farm and stockpile food and make iron weapons. If there is a shortage of troops in wartime, they will make up for it. Assigning Xie Gang there was nothing in name, but in fact he was directly sentenced to a felony of dismissal and exile.

Zhou Qun Zhou Changshi said: "General, Mr. Xie has made great achievements in the past and has always been loyal. Even if there is no fault, he underestimated the strategy of the Southern Qin Dynasty and was taken advantage of. General, now is the time to employ people. Such a heavy punishment Mr. Xie, if one finger is cut off in the army, the loss is too great. It is better to let Mr. Xie take the crime and make meritorious deeds, and after the war, we will discuss the punishment and fine-tune the punishment."

After Li Changshi's death, Zhou Changshi took over his position and handled various military documents and records in Ziyun Building. He was selected by Xie Gang himself. After what happened to Li Changshi, Zhou Changshi was grateful to Xie Gang for trusting him. He himself was conscientious and diligent, and he was afraid of making any mistakes. Now that Xie Gang is being punished, he is aggrieved on Xie Gang's behalf.

"Such a big mistake, if there is no severe punishment, what is the majesty of the generals, and what do the soldiers think? The military prestige does not exist, and the army's morale is slackened, as if all limbs are crippled. How can it be compared to being cut off with a finger?"

As soon as Long Da said this, everyone was speechless. The truth is so clear that it cannot be refuted. Heavy punishment and deterrence are indeed extremely effective means in the military.

Xie Gang said nothing, raised his head, his eyes were red.

"Drag it on." Long Da looked at Xie Gang with a sad expression on his face. These three words were spoken in a hoarse voice, and no one moved for a long time.

Long Da suddenly stood up and shouted angrily: "Drag it!" He slapped the table, the four legs of the table broke, and the table fell to the ground with a thunderbolt. Frightened, several guards hurried forward to drag Xie Gang up. Xie Gang stood up, shook off their hands, turned and left without saying a word.

The hall was silent. After a long while, Long Da kicked away the broken desk and walked down, stood in front of everyone and began to arrange military affairs. And so and so and so and so and so and so on, the work was divided and good things were assigned, and everyone took their orders, and then they dispersed.

Long Da returned to the house after leaving the Yatang, and told the guards to meditate, but no one was seen.

On the same day, under the protection of the generals, Xie Gang received the scribbled and light twenty-note military staff, packed his bags, rode on a horse, and was about to be "escorted" by several soldiers to the Cangnan Warehouse. Jiang Song sent him off and asked him to be patient, saying that after staying for a while, Long's anger subsided, and they looked for an opportunity to persuade Long Da to let Xie Gang come back. Get a few credits before returning to Beijing, and these things will be over.

Xie Gang kept looking gloomy, didn't speak much, and responded dully.

An Ruochen also arrived and prepared some food for Xie Gang to bring. She was more shocked than anyone. To her, Xie Gang was like a mentor, and the punishment in the army was decisive and harsh, which was more cruel than anything she had ever seen before.

"Thank you, sir." An Ruochen didn't know what to say at all.

Xie Gang took the burden from her hand, and said softly: "Don't relax. The matter has just begun. Nanqin has the upper hand for the time being. You know the details of the situation in Zhonglan City better than anyone else, so you must not relax. "

An Ruochen was taken aback for a moment, looking into Xie Gang's eyes. Xie Gang nodded to her, then turned and left as if nothing had happened.

General Long didn't see anyone that night. An Ruochen heard that the general was in a bad mood, and also heard that maybe this was to prevent others from pleading for Xie Gang. An Ruochen didn't bother Long Da, but only handed the carefully prepared food to the guards. She walked in Ziyun Building by herself, digesting the many complicated and heavy news that she received that day.

Their Great Xiao's battle of elaboration was defeated.

An Ruochen looked up at the moon. Thinking of what Xie Gang said to her: Don't relax.

There must be a war. They all said that this matter is a certainty, just to see how long it takes.

An Ruochen looked at the starry sky and remembered what Long Da said to her: Once a war starts, even if you win, it will be at the price of blood and life.

"Why do you need to work carefully?" Long Da asked her at that time.

An Ruochen blinked, straightened her back, and walked back to the house along the path that Long Da led her through.

Early the next morning, An Ruochen heard that General Long set out for the general barracks outside the city before dawn. An Ruochen didn't care, and didn't mind that Long Da didn't greet her before leaving. She has a lot of business to do herself. She dealt with some trivial matters in the building, and while counting the vegetables in today's kitchen, she quietly made an appointment with Aunt Lu to meet at Zhaofu Restaurant. Now that Qi Zheng is working in a restaurant, Mrs. Lu often goes in and out there, and making an appointment there will not attract people's attention.

Before going to Zhaofu Restaurant, An Ruochen went to the prefect's mansion to look for Fang Yuan.

It was originally planned to take a leave with the general after the Chinese New Year to go to another county to help her sister meet her marriage, but now that this happened, An Ruochen naturally couldn't leave. But she asked Fang Yuan before, so she had to explain to others anyway.

Fang Yuan had already heard about the situation, and he knew it when An Ruochen mentioned it. He thought about it, and asked An Ruochen politely: "Dare to ask girl, how important is this matter?"

An Ruochen also thought about it, how should I say it, if it is important, it is extremely important, if it is not important, it can really be put behind all other things. She smiled wryly and shook her head: "It's really hard to say."

Fang Yuan didn't mind the ambiguous answer, he said: "Since that's the case, then I'll think about this for the girl, and the girl can go to more important matters. If there is any news, I will tell the girl."

An Ruochen hurriedly thanked her.

After leaving the prefect's mansion, An Ruochen went to Zhaofu Restaurant, thinking about things along the way. There were many people on the road, so she walked slowly, but someone was walking in a hurry, An Ruochen didn't pay attention to what was going on, she was bumped suddenly, she almost fell to the ground, she was stunned after she stabilized her figure, I found an extra note in my hand.

When he opened it, the hairs all over An Ruochen's body stood on end.

"An Ruofang is alive."

The five words exploded above An Ruochen's head like thunder on a sunny day.

An Ruochen suddenly turned around to look, there were people walking all over the street, jumping or walking slowly or making noise, but she couldn't tell who was the one who bumped into her.

An Ruochen's eyes widened, staring at the faces of everyone on the street, staring at the backs of everyone on the road.

No one paid her any attention, no one had abnormalities, and no one showed a guilty conscience.

do not know who. Can't see it at all.

But there is one thing An Ruochen knows, she can see it - the handwriting of these five characters is the same as the handwriting of "There are detailed works in Zhonglan City" that the general showed her. Some are graceful, but every stroke is very powerful.

An Ruochen's heart was beating extremely fast, the note was tightly held in her hand, she couldn't control herself at all, she just stood in the street blankly, staring at everyone on the road.

After a while, Tian Qing appeared beside her, and he realized something was wrong. "Girl, what's the matter?"

An Ruochen subconsciously rubbed the note into his palm, and asked him: "Did you see that someone bumped into me just now?"

"Never." Tian Qing frowned. There were so many people on the street that his sight was occasionally blocked by passers-by. "Someone hit you? Did you get hurt?"

An Ruochen shook her head slightly, her eyes were still staring at the street, her eyes rolled quickly, scanning everyone on the street.

"What happened?" An Ruochen's abnormality made Tian Qing nervous, and Lu Zheng ran over from the other side at this time.

An Ruochen said: "Someone bumped into me just now, and seemed to say something about my fourth sister's life. I couldn't hear it clearly. Please help me find out. Maybe it's Mr. Xie."

"Slender and tall, in his twenties or thirties, with good features, gentle and polite?" Tian Qing quickly recited the appearance description on the wanted poster. Lu Zheng and him looked at each other, and the two quickly ran away in two directions to search for someone.

An Ruochen leaned against the wall and tried to find a quiet corner where no one would notice.

Well, now her guards are gone. Since she left a note, she must have something to say later, because there is no one around her. Come on, come on, come to her.

An Ruochen even left her back on purpose to create conditions for the opponent to approach her.

She put her hands in her sleeves and hid the note. She slowly regained her composure.

"Why didn't Xiwei kill me?" She asked Long Da at the beginning. She has the answer in her heart. Because she has value.

The general fell in love with her, and he hugged her in front of the guards.

Then this note came.

The front line is about to fight.

Then this note came.

An Ruochen became more and more calm. She is looking forward to, no matter who, no matter what to say or do to her, do it.

Are you going to use Simei's life and death to threaten her to do something? Come on, come and blackmail her.

An Ruochen waited.

We've lost the war of fine-tuning—everyone says so.

Don't relax - Xie Gang said so.

An Ruochen lowered his head, saving the opportunity to approach her from the front. She doesn't let up. If there is a situation, there will be a turnaround. It's better than nothing happens. She remembered Xie Gang's teaching, even if you find something you think is useless, it is better than finding nothing at all.

An Ruochen's heart was beating fast, but she was calm.

However, after a long time, she was disappointed.

Tian Qing and Lu Zheng came back, but the mysterious man did not appear. Of course, Tian Qing and Lu Zheng didn't find any clues either. An Ruochen didn't say anything, only said that she wanted to go to Zhaofu Restaurant.

In the private room of Zhaofu Restaurant, An Ruochen sat alone. When she entered the gate, it was Qi Zheng who greeted her, Qi Zheng blinked for a while, An Ruochen understood what he meant, Aunt Lu had already arrived. She just needs to find a private room, and Aunt Lu will come in when no one is looking.

After a while, Aunt Lu flashed in quickly and closed the door again. She and An Ruochen looked at each other, An Ruochen said bluntly: "The front line is about to fight. I'm afraid there will be some news in the market in two days." She briefly explained the matter.

Aunt Lu asked, "What do you need me to do?"

"My fourth sister may still be alive, maybe I'm the next target of Essay."

Aunt Lu was taken aback.

An Ruochen is still recalling those people and their backs on the street, filtering them in his mind - bearers, woodcutters, shopkeepers, nuns, scholars, young ladies, women, children...

The font is correct, and he is a calligraphy practitioner. It was light when it hit her, and there was no cargo on it. Children will be noisy and will not bring children. Women want to be beautiful when they write, and they won't be the ladies who hang out with them. It is a way to cover up with companions, but they are too brightly dressed.

Yes, the clothes are too bright. An Ruochen tapped silently on the table with his fingers, thinking. The moment she was hit, what did she see?

Aunt Lu stood aside quietly, not disturbing her.

At this moment, An Ruochen raised his head and said, "Ma'am, do you know what kind of nuns' nunneries are there in the inner and outer counties of Zhonglan City?"

"Miss, do you want to change the talisman?" She meant the ones they used to communicate.

An Ruochen shook her head: "I want to go for a walk and look for clues." She saw the gray and plain color, either the clothes of the monks or the commoner clothes of the bearers. The bearer was carrying the sedan chair at that time, and she couldn't find other passers-by in gray clothes, but the nun could. Unless it's a fake aunt.

Aunt Lu told all the temples and nunneries she knew, and An Ruochen kept them in her heart.

"That's all, I'll inquire about the rest."

An Ruochen thanked him, and said: "Mr. Min must have fled. Since Nanqin dared to attack, the organization in the city must still be there. Maybe someone replaced him. Maybe it was a newcomer from the city recently, maybe Ru Liu This is the case that was hidden in the first place, but his recent behavior will be different from usual. He is more curious about the things in the city than the things on the front line. Officials. Only make friends who don't attract attention." In other words, it's another Mr. Min, with a different appearance and the same demeanor.

Aunt Lu nodded. Said to be noticed.

"If I'm the target, he'll find a way to get close to me. I'll come out and walk around often to give him a chance. The aunt told the girls to keep an eye on me, and those who approach me."

At the gate of Zhaofu Restaurant, a man looked up at the signboard of the restaurant, then at the opposite street, then turned his head and entered the restaurant.

Qi Zheng stepped forward to say hello, "The guests are welcome."

The man smiled and nodded, and headed towards the elegant room where An Ruochen was.

He is of medium height, with slender eyes and a round face.