When Gu Yi entered the hall, Yuan Luo had not yet calmed down, her cheeks flushed.

Looking at the face of the imperial concubine, Gu Yi knew that he had come at the wrong time. He wanted to turn around, but Yuan Luo had already seen him, and asked grimly: "What are you doing with the pestle? Doesn't it feel an eyesore?"

Gu Yi could only bite the bullet and kneel on the ground, "I don't know where Cai Yunheng angered his mother, and the minister pleaded for him."

Yuan Luo narrowed his eyes, "please? You even know he is guilty, then tell me where does the sin come from?"

The tone is cold, and it makes people feel cold.

Gu Yi was dumb and hesitated for a long time before saying: "It's him who doesn't know how to be considerate..."

Yuan Luo slapped the table with anger, and the tea cup shook to her feet, "Where is he not caring? I think he is too caring!"

Gu Yi sweats coldly. Seeing Cai Yunheng's face just now, he should have been beaten? If you are also beaten, can you ask not to slap her face.

Yuan Luo squinted at him, suddenly curious: "You are good brothers. If one day, this palace orders you to attack each other, what choice do you make?"

Gu Yi said distressedly: "Please, Niangniang, don't make such a joke."

Yuan Luo snorted coldly and said no more. Cai Yunheng, that boy, if he teaches well in the future, there is still business that matters right now.

Gu Yi finally breathed a sigh of relief. He really came here to report business.

Now that he agreed to redeem the captives, Gu Yi also began to contact the informants left by the Nanyuan King. Yuan Luo is very interested in the name of the real spy mentioned in the transaction.

However, Gu Yi's report disappointed her. "The minister rushed to the agreed place, and the so-called informant has already left."

"It's been too long to wait, so have you left?"

"The minister can't be sure, but after checking the traces left on the scene, he should have left within the past two days."

Yuan Luo frowned. It was a coincidence that I left just these two days.

"Anyway, the envoys will go north immediately, so the empress does not need to worry." Gu Yi comforted in a low voice.

He said that Cai Yunheng would investigate the news, but Yuan Luo always felt a little worried. Like a shadow, lingering.

**

After Cai Yunheng led the team northward, the weather quickly turned cold.

The heavy rain that lasted for several months finally came to an end. Because Shen Dongliu's dam was built in time, it did not cause a large-scale flood.

Yuan Luo did not take it lightly, planning to use the time from the end of the year to the beginning of spring to rebuild the entire river course. Because the summer of the coming year is another season of continuous rainstorms.

Shen Dongliu submitted a plan for river reconstruction. The project is huge, but as long as it works according to plan, it will completely solve the flood crisis of the Huanghe River for hundreds of years in the future.

The entire renovation plan was designed by combining the river map plan left by his uncle Shen Hanzhi in his early years. There are still several difficulties, so I asked the court to dispatch experts from the Ministry of Industry and Water Conservancy for help.

Yuan Luo hesitated for a while holding the zhezi, then went to the Xiaolou to find Lian Yanqiu. If Lian Yanqiu is really Shen Hanzhi, then no one is more suitable for this task.

Contrary to her expectations, Lian Yanqiu readily agreed to this matter.

"The minister also studied the river course a bit in his early years. Since the empress has ordered, it is natural that she has no shirk."

Yuan Luo blinked, "The admiral is really an all-rounder, so I admire it." This guy knows whether he should take this incident is equivalent to acknowledging his identity, and Admiral Jinlin has never been in the river. Any performance.

Lian Yanqiu smiled and said: "The mother is also full of fantastic ideas, leaving the ministers beyond reach."

Yuan Luo wanted to pierce through that layer of window paper: "Admiral..."

As soon as he opened his mouth, Lian Yanqiu suddenly raised a finger and pressed it on her lips: "Manny, it's not a secret to say that something like a secret is broken."

The warm fingertips touched her skin, and Yuan Luo felt tremors all over her body. She leaned back slightly, staggering this intimate touch.

Lian Yanqiu put down his hands and looked at her deeply: "The empress does not need to worry, the minister's secrets will one day be known to the empress. Similarly, the minister is also full of curiosity about the secrets of the empress."

Yuan Luo was surprised: "I..."

"I hope that when the minister returns from this trip, he can discuss the wine with the empress and talk about each other's secrets." Lian Yanqiu smiled softly and affectionately.

The golden red light of the setting sun shone in through the lattice windows, coating his thin and elegant figure with golden glow. The whole person seems to be shining, making people dazzling.

Yuan Luo admits that she has a little control over her face, and the beauty in front of her is not tired of looking at it.

Such beauties have been with me for a long time and are pleasing to the eyes. It is a joy on earth.

At this moment, Yuan Luo had this idea in her heart.

Soon after, Yuan Luo recalled this scene again, only hating herself for being stupid enough, and even more hating herself for being obsessed, knowing that this evildoer should be killed.

***

Everything is proceeding in an orderly manner.

After the winter, there is good news.

First, Miao Zifang teamed up with Zuo Bingfan to suppress the rebels of the East China Sea on the eastern front. The Zhengcheng has been recovered, and the current imperial army is besieging Yan'an. Once this place was captured, the rebellion was completely eliminated.

Immediately there was Beijiang. Unexpectedly by Yuan Luo, Bei Rong readily agreed to redeem the prisoners. And Gu Zhen was also included in the list without any objection. The two sides bargained a lot and set a fairly fair price.

In the middle, Wei Xi entered the palace again, wanting to invite the East China Sea. After a few months of rest, he improved a lot.

But Yuan Luo did not agree. The Donghai Kingdom's rebellion had come to an end, and there was no need to expend troops.

Wei Xi, who was rejected, could only leave sadly.

Later, when Prime Minister Wei entered the palace, he mentioned this incident and said with a smile: "The children are not worried, and the empress laughs."

"General Wei has lofty ambitions and is a man of affection. This palace also envy Empress Empress for having such a considerate brother." Yuan Luo said this sentence sincerely. Regarding Wei Xi, he admired Wei Xi aside.

Prime Minister Wei watched her expression and relaxed.

The two walked one after the other in the garden behind the Palace of Qianqing, talking about several major events in the court.

These days, Wei Cheng's unprecedented cooperation with Yuan Luo's administration made Yuan Luo overjoyed. As a person in charge of government for decades, Prime Minister Wei's ability has nothing to say.

I just don't know how long this cooperation will last.

After talking about government affairs, Prime Minister Wei brought up the affairs of Northern Xinjiang.

The military situation in northern Xinjiang is the focus of the court. It is reported every day. The focus of the recent report is naturally the redemption of prisoners. Yesterday’s memorial reported that most of the prisoners who were ready to redeem were disabled and injured, and the generals were particularly serious. Gu Zhen is no exception.

"I heard that the second son of Gu has a serious leg injury, but there is a good doctor in the old official's home, who is especially good at traversing the meridians, and can help the second son of Gu in the future." Prime Minister Wei touched his long beard and was quite diligent.

Yuan Luo said with a smile, "I heard that the prime minister was at odds with General Gu before, and I didn't expect to care so much about his descendants."

Prime Minister Wei seemed to be completely unaware of the meaning of Yuan Luo's words, and laughed, "Now and then at the same time. Just like a mother, didn't she also disagree with General Gu? Now he is kind to Young General Gu. Besides, he treats General Gu. This kind of loyal person who protects his family and the country is actually quite admired in his heart, but it is a pity that the current situation is difficult and it is difficult to make friends..."

The two talked briefly, and soon left.

Yuan Luo recalled that Prime Minister Wei said that Gu Liangyong had come with a calm appearance, and always felt that something was wrong.

Gu Yi said to her before that Gu Liangyong's defeat was another driving force, and it was suspected that it was a powerful influence headed by Prime Minister Wei.

There are even suspects for leaks. It was Liu Hanyin, the vice general next to Gu Liangyong. After Gu Liangyong was defeated, he indeed served the noble powers through marriage.

After Yuan Luo came to power, some time ago he had already found an excuse to transfer this person to the Ministry of War to be idle, seizing his military power, and taking advantage of the redemption of the prisoners, he gave his troops to Cai Yunheng.

But today, looking at the calm attitude of Prime Minister Wei, it really doesn't look like someone betraying Gu Liangyong. And in getting along these days, she can see that Prime Minister Wei is a cunning man and obsessed with power, but there is still a bottom line, even a bit higher than most of the nobles. Will you really do such a ruinous thing?

However, the military strategy formulated by Gu Liangyong back then was extremely confidential. Apart from Liu Hanyin, the only person who knew it was Cai Changling, the deputy general and counsellor, Cai Yunheng's father. Both of them were killed in battle.

When the spy is so damned, is there such a spy?

***

Tiangeguan is a city built on a mountain, with endless mountains on both sides. The thick city walls are made of black boulders, with the peculiar patterns of northern Xinjiang.

As the most important military station in the north of Tianyu, the atmosphere here has always been solemn and quiet. In the past few days, it has become a rare lively. Cai Yunheng led the envoys and handed over the people from Beirong here.

In the eastern school field, the entire camp area was cleaned up and used as accommodation for the exchanged personnel.

Soon, the first batch of redeemed personnel were sent back, mostly generals from the previous army. Gu Zhen was among them.

Cai Yunheng personally took people to pick Gu Zhen back.

The moment he saw Gu Zhen, his face was not pretty.

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Gu Zhen came back in a wheelchair. Rarely, Bei Rong prepared this thing thoughtfully.

The second brother Gu in my memory is a handsome and humorous young man. Not only is he good at martial arts, he has many ideas, but also has a wide range of skills, from planting flowers and vegetables to wood and stone carving. When Cai Yunheng was a child of the Gu family, his favorite is Him.

Now it looks almost unrecognizable. He was very thin, with sunken cheeks, pale and haggard. The skin exposed to the outside was all covered with scars, and people's hearts were stunned.

Only those eyes are still bright and wise, indicating that this person's soul is still tough and sober.

Cai Yunheng's mind trembled slightly when meeting those eyes. He walked to the back of the wheelchair, and the soldier in charge of the cart immediately gave up his position.

"Second brother has suffered in recent years." Cai Yunheng said softly. He has been with Gu Yi since he was a child, and he is no different from Gu's brother.

"It's just a bit of injury. Those who have been defeated have a chance to return to their hometown. It's a blessing." Gu Zhen gave a low laugh, his voice hoarse.

After returning to the customs, it took a few days to settle these people.

On this day, the night went dark.

The lieutenant came to Cai Yunheng to report the handover of the coffers and staff. Cai Yunheng listened absently.

After talking about official business, the deputy general smiled and said: "The grace of the court has the opportunity for these people to return to their hometown." He has a brother who is also included in this redemption.

Cai Yunheng looked at his cheerful smile, feeling a little dazzling, and waved his hand, "Go get the money and supplies."

In the dead of night, he walked into the courtyard.

In Tiangeguan, the courtyard is full of uniform fences and stones, without aesthetic feeling. He wandered around, unconsciously, and stopped in front of a lighted room.

The attendant guarding the door bowed and quietly retreated.

Cai Yunheng didn't know why he wanted to come. He pushed the door into the room, and then saw that Gu Zhen was still awake, writing something at the desk.

"Second brother, it's so late, won't you rest?"

"I've been there for a few years, anyway, I have to leave something behind."

Cai Yunheng walked to the table and found that Gu Zhen wrote about the local customs and geography of Beirong. In the past few years, Gu Zhen was exiled by prisoners and changed several places. He also did hard labor. Coupled with the conversations with the jailers, he really collected a lot of information.

A thick pile has been written on the table.

"Why bother in this way?"

"I'm afraid if I don't write it down, there will be no chance." Gu Zhen put aside the pen and turned to look at Cai Yunheng.

His bright eyes trembled. Cai Yunheng did not speak.

Gu Zhen opened his mouth and said, "I'm in charge of the first army and my business is busy. Why do I have time to come over to me today?"

"I just want to find a place to talk." Cai Yunheng said plainly.

Gu Zhen showed a gentle smile: "It's rare for you to have this interest. You child, you like to bury your thoughts deeply since you were young. Although on the surface, you are more cheerful and cheerful than Ayi, but I know that you often depressed."

His tone is flat, as if he is talking at home.

Cai Yunheng listened, stepped forward and pushed his wheelchair, crossed the threshold, and entered the small courtyard.

The lonely moon is high in the sky, and the old furnishings in the courtyard are immersed in the silver light, and there is an added layer of poetic warmth.

"It's been a long time since I saw the sky outside." Gu Zhen raised his head and looked towards the sky, "When you were a kid, you followed A Yi to fool around, thinking about what to do when such a naughty guy grows up. In a blink of an eye you are already an adult. ."

"Second brother, don't worry, he is very good now, some people care, and some people love him." Cai Yunheng whispered.

"Really, I always thought he had a tougher temper than you, and I don't know how to work around, whether he has suffered enough in the palace."

"Ha, someone likes such a hard temper."

Cai Yunheng pushed Gu Zhen out of the courtyard and walked to the river. The two of them were talking gossip, Cai Yunheng's tone was dull, and there was no match, as if just came over to talk about gossip.

A trace of disappointment flashed in Gu Zhen's eyes. Looking at the frozen river, the two fell silent together.

After a while, Gu Zhen broke the silence first.

"Don't you? Drowning in ice water is also a good ending."

As if a sharp needle pierced into the air bubbles, the calm and serene atmosphere was instantly shattered and the ground was broken.

Cai Yunheng held the wheelchair and tightened his hand, almost strangling blood.

After exposing the hypocritical illusion, Gu Zhen's tone is still flat: "I have always wanted to ask why I chose such a path. I want to ask your father this question, and now I want to ask you again."

The answer to him was silence, only the cold wind blowing through the woods.

"Don't want to say? Even if you face a dying person."

Cai Yunheng finally laughed, "I know, you are eager, I am here to see you tonight to repent."

"Yeah, I said so many childhood things along the way. I thought it would be a glimmer of life." Gu Zhen laughed and talked about his life and death with an indifferent attitude.

After staying in Bei Rong's hands for several years, he had long been bearish on life and death. But he always had a thought, he sincerely hoped that he could stop and choose a different path.

"Seeing that I don't want to repent, you expect that I'm here to kill you." Cai Yunheng continued.

"Yeah, I would rather you kill me, then set a fire, burn it all up, or put something poisonous, and plant it on Beirong's head. This way, at least than you sacrifice the entire Tiangeguan, the entire northern Xinjiang It’s better to bury this mistake all over the world."

Under the night wind, Gu Zhen's voice was hoarse and extremely heavy. The hand on the wheelchair gradually tightened, and finally returned, but he could only watch everything develop in the worst direction, without even the slightest chance of redemption, which made him wish he hadn't survived until now.

"Why did you choose this path?" He asked repeatedly and stubbornly. "Are you father and son worthy of these colleagues who fought side by side? Are they worthy of the sacrifices made by frontier soldiers for so many years?"

There was a question, like a whip on the body under the quiet night sky.

Cai Yunheng listened quietly, without refuting.

The noise gradually came from a distance.

He knew that the Bei Rong soldiers who pretended to be exchanging prisoners this time had already begun to do it!

Looking at the approaching firelight and the boiling noise. He closed his eyes.

Why did you choose such a path? About a person, as long as it starts to sink, it is like falling off a cliff and sinking continuously.

***

Yuan Luo received the news of the defeat at the front line late at night. Cheng Wei rushed into the hall, forgetting to close the door behind him.

The cold wind rushed in, mixed with snow particles.

Yuan Luo got up with sleepy eyes, and hit the head hard.

"Niangniang, the big thing is not good, General Miao and General Zuo have suffered a crushing defeat outside Yan'an City!"

Cheng Wei's voice trembled, and Yuan Luo instantly woke up and seized the military report.

Obviously the military sentiment that came yesterday, the court's soldiers and horses still had the upper hand, why did it suddenly fail?

On the night three days ago, the court's soldiers and horses carried out a second general offensive against Yan'an, preparing to take down the city in one fell swoop and put the war down completely.

The battle continued from day to night, and the imperial army had been advancing, and Zuo Bingfan's vanguard army had even seized a city gate.

The turning point occurred in the second half of the night. The elite soldiers and horses from the rear rushed into the main camp of the imperial army, and suddenly smashed the camp.

Miao Zifang ruled the army rigorously, and left some guards to guard against sneak attacks. But this time, it was not a few thousand soldiers and horses, nor tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, that came to attack. According to a rough estimate in the battle report, the strength was still above the court's counterinsurgency forces.

Thousands of guards certainly couldn't resist such a fierce attack, and quickly defeated. At the same time spread to the main force of the siege.

At the same time, the soldiers and horses in Yan'an City took advantage of the situation to fight out, and the soldiers and horses who attacked outside should join forces outside. Miao Zifang and Zuo Bingfan, even if they were peerless generals, could not resist such an offensive.

After a hard day of fighting, the two can only command the remnants to break through and retreat to Mocheng in the east.

Where did the reinforcements of the East China Sea come from?

Yuan Luo thought blankly and suddenly realized.

It's Beirong! Only Bei Rong can have such an elite and powerful cavalry, hundreds of thousands of cavalry smashed the line of defense laid by Miaozi in a short period of time, pressing Tianwuwei's elite soldiers to this point.

"How could the elite soldiers of Beirong cross the Tiange Pass and appear here?" Cheng Wei murmured.

"It's the Tiange Pass broken!" Yuan Luo gritted her teeth and said the only answer.

The author has something to say: 　　 Well, don't you be too busy drawing conclusions, about the choice of Lian Yanqiu and Cai Yunheng, there will be more follow-ups.