Chapter 11: The Emperor and His Ministers Have Already Met with the Right Time (11)

In Luo Xiuqi's eager anticipation, after half a month, he finally saw the Daqi battle flag fluttering and roaring in the biting wind.

Shen An didn't know martial arts, so Shen Minghuan didn't take him with him on this trip.

Based on the principle that if his family didn't have it, no one else could have it, Shen Minghuan didn't let Luo Xiuqi bring the servants who accompanied him, including Lu Ren.

The sky in Mobei was gray, as if reflecting the yellow sand all over the ground.

The wind was mixed with gravel, which made people's skin hurt.

Shen Minghuan lowered the curtain of the carriage and covered it tightly, and then asked someone to pass on the message, asking King Rui to ride a horse and lead the troops at the front.

He made sense: "The first meeting is very important. If Your Highness rides in a carriage into the military camp, wouldn't the soldiers think you are spoiled? How can you subdue them then?"

Luo Xiuqi gritted his teeth and got off the carriage unwillingly.

The armor on his body had little effect on resisting the wind and sand, and Prince Pea felt pain all over his body.

Luo Xiuqi smiled bitterly. The master was good in every way, except that he was too strict.

Shen Minghuan's achievements during this period included but were not limited to: letting Luo Xiuqi practice riding in the scorching sun and when it was windy and rainy, letting Luo Xiuqi eat only steamed bread for three meals a day, and waking him up in the middle of the night by beating gongs and drums beside Luo Xiuqi's ears...

It was called "training the mind and adapting to the hard and simple life in the military camp in advance."

When the system first heard this, it hesitated: [Host, is it really useful? ]

If it is useful, it wants to arrange it for the good boy as well. It is a bit bitter, but after all, growth is hard. How can it not be bitter?

The good boy can't lose to anyone.

At that time, Shen Minghuan was comfortably nestled in the soft blanket and smiled and replied: [It is useful? Does it count as shortening my life? ]

The system was silent.

Zhuo Feichen led a team to meet him from a distance.

The general, who was nearly fifty years old, had white hair on his temples, and the wind and sand carved the traces of time on his face.

He is no longer young, but his eyes are still sharp, but because of the recent frequent turmoil, they are mixed with a touch of desolation and sadness.

The general who never compromised even under the threat of a sword and axe, who once disliked the dandy boys who relied on their family background to do evil, has now begun to learn to deal with things tactfully.

—— He has already implicated a crown prince who is expected by thousands of people, and he dare not drag others down again.

Luo Xiuqi was covered in dust, and when he saw the black figures riding war horses from afar, he suddenly became radiant.

"General Zhuo, I have heard of your great name for a long time. Although I have lived in Beijing for a long time, I have often heard of General Zhuo's bravery as a god of war."

"I dare not." Zhuo Feichen was unwilling in his heart, but he still spoke respectfully. These two short words were the biggest concession he could make.

Perhaps because he was tortured by Shen Minghuan, Luo Xiuqi did not care about the other party's "offense". He showed his respectful side very friendly.

From praising his demeanor to his clothes, from talking about poetry and songs to the philosophy of life, Luo Xiuqi spoke eloquently, but he never said a word of "thank you" to General Zhuo for coming thousands of miles to meet him.

Or rather, he didn't even realize it.

Isn't it right for His Royal Highness, who is high above, to be welcomed and seen off, and surrounded by people? If Zhuo Feichen didn't come to greet him, it would be disrespectful.

Luo Xiuqi rode in the front, and then came Shen Minghuan's carriage.

Shen Minghuan stretched out his hand to brush open the curtain of the carriage. His skin was exquisite in every way, and his fingers looked even whiter and slender in the dust floating in the sky.

Zhuo Feichen seemed to look back unintentionally, and a gust of wind happened to blow, rolling up the yellow sand on the ground and hitting everyone.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Zhuo Feichen tried to open his eyes despite the raging wind and sand.

The young man sitting in the carriage was dressed in white clothes, one hand still brushing the curtain, and the other hand playing with a folding fan. With a slight movement of his wrist, the folding fan drew a very beautiful arc that also implied murderous intent.

Shen Minghuan raised his eyes slightly, his eyes were stern.

He let go of his hand, and the curtain slowly slid down. He still held the folding fan in his other hand, like a sharp sword that cut iron silently.

When the curtain closed, Zhuo Feichen blinked and found that there seemed to be sand in his eyes, which was dry and uncomfortable.

He turned his head inconspicuously and thought, so this is Shen Minghuan, as Qu Zhengcheng said, he is extraordinary.

Based on the way he used the fan, Zhuo Feichen was sure that this man was a martial artist, and his martial arts skills were not low.

He knew that Shen Changqing had a grandson whom he loved very much. He also heard that the child was very talented in writing and was known as the incarnation of Wenquxing, but he had never heard of his achievements in martial arts.

No wonder Qu Zhengcheng's letter was written in a mysterious way. It turned out that he met a fellow who also liked to hide his skills.

Qu Zhengcheng also said that he could trust this person...

But he still believed in himself more.

The convoy drove into the military camp in a mighty manner. According to the law, all military officers in the army had to wait in front of the camp.

The one who deserved such treatment was not the second prince, not the King of Rui, and had nothing to do with Luo Xiuqi.

They paid respect to the Grand Marshal of the Army.

Unfortunately, Luo Xiuqi didn't know.

He passed between the two columns. Even though he tried his best to conceal it, his raised head still betrayed his inner excitement.

There is a difference between a warrior who is decisive in killing and a servant who is submissive in the capital. The more powerful one's submission is, the more vanity it can bring.

It was a little chilly in late autumn. In the howling cold wind of Mobei, Luo Xiuqi briefly felt the wonderful taste brought by the supreme power.

It really makes people unable to stop.

*

At the foot of Li Chengzhuo is Mangshan.

Mangshan has had many names, Ghost Mountain, Long Crying Mountain, Hopeless Mountain...

In historical books, this place has been trapped in war for a full seven hundred years, with corpses at the foot of the mountain and blood on the top of the mountain.

It was not until 167 years ago that Li Lan established a regime in the north of Mangshan, relying on the high and dangerous mountains to repel foreign enemies, that Mangshan was gradually called back to its original name.

Now that all countries are ready to move, Li Lan is weak, and the peaceful situation in Mangshan has been broken again.

It was late at night. Li Chengzhu frowned and looked at the map spread out on the table. The candlelight flickered. He suddenly looked up and smiled helplessly.

"Uncle, you should rest early. You don't need to accompany me."

The old man who nodded like a chicken pecking at rice shook his head vigorously, trying to make himself more awake, but the effect did not seem to be great.

Li Yue opened his hazy eyes and said stubbornly: "That won't work. I'm here. You can still find someone when you need to discuss."

Two years ago, in the battle with Kou State, all the young generals of Li Lan died on the battlefield. Although they repelled the enemy, they were also seriously injured.

It's a pity that there is no time for them to recuperate. Only two years is not enough for a new generation to grow up.

Li Yue has retired for many years, but Li Lan has fallen into a situation where no one is available, so he can only come out again.

He is very clear about his position.

Li Chengzhu's ability is not inferior to his. On the contrary, he is old, and the countless hidden injuries left by the previous years of fighting on the battlefield also roared for him to fall down.

He is now nothing more than a paper tiger, bluffing in a laughable way, hoping to give his nephew more confidence.

If there is any enemy who fears his existence, it would be meaningful for him to drag his old and weak body to Mangshan.

"Your Highness, Master." Someone opened the curtain, strode in, and handed over an envelope with both hands.

——At the moment of life and death, this is the most respectful etiquette.

"The second prince of Qi Dynasty has arrived. It is said that the other party does not respect the generalissimo very much. This is the news sent by our people."

Zheng Zhuo quickly explained the origin of the letter in a low voice, and then waited quietly for the two to finish reading it.

Li Chengzhuo's eyebrows, which had just relaxed, wrinkled again unconsciously. He pondered for a moment, turned his head and asked, "Uncle, if we take this opportunity and take the initiative to attack, what do you think is the chance of winning?"

Li Yue did not expect Li Chengzhuo to be so bold. A trace of surprise flashed across his eyes, and then he thought for a moment, "Less than three layers."

"Three layers... enough!" Li Chengzhuo slammed the table and said decisively, "If you sit and wait for death, there is no chance of winning at all."

That being said, he could not rush forward so rashly. Li Chengzhuo took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

He even glimpsed Zheng Zhuo standing aside, and he could squeeze out a smile to comfort him, "Azhuo, you go and rest first."

Zheng Zhuo was Li Yue's disciple two years ago. The old man wanted to burn out the last rays of his life to build another barrier for his country.

Unfortunately, God did not favor Li Lan, and secretly added another deadline to this inheritance.

Two years is too short.

If it weren't for helplessness, how could it be Li Chengzhuo's turn to go to the battlefield?

Li Chengzhuo is Li Lan's only heir.

The old emperor and the queen have a deep love for each other. He left the harem empty for her. Even though the queen has not been pregnant, he has blocked all the pressure from the previous dynasty.

No matter how the court officials force him, he is determined not to take a concubine.

The emperor planned to adopt a child from the royal family to raise, but he didn't expect that the "old" queen was pregnant, that is, Li Chengzhuo.

Having a son in old age, the emperor and empress Li Lan treasured him like a treasure, and his status as the crown prince was unshakable. The court officials had concerns at first, but after Li Chengzhuo grew up and showed his talent, they gradually felt relieved.

He should have inherited the throne smoothly, but now Li Lan is like a big piece of fat meat, everyone wants to take a bite, it has reached the point of life and death.

The soldiers were half dead and half alive in the front line, so how could he, as the prince, enjoy the glory in the back?

Zheng Zhuo nodded hesitantly, then bowed and left.

He realized that his mental state was not good, and he really needed to rest, otherwise he would only drag down his comrades.

Before leaving the tent, he suddenly hesitated and turned around, whispering: "Your Highness, can we win?"

They had won Qi Dynasty once, but the win was not beautiful, and they had paid a huge price for that victory.

How should the next battle be fought? Or, is there any need for them to struggle to the death?

The sleepiness in Li Yue's eyes faded away instantly. He seemed very dissatisfied with Zheng Zhuo's words that disturbed the morale of the army. He said in a cold and resounding tone: "We must win!"

Behind him is the country.

If Mangshan is lost, there will be no obstacles to the capture of Lilan.

Zheng Zhuo certainly knew this truth, but many times, unwavering determination is like a clay ox in a stone field in front of cruel fate.

He didn't want to give up, he was just a little confused.

"Don't worry." Li Chengzhuo said: "Even if I lose, I will definitely die before you."

The emperor guards the country's gate, and the king dies for the country.

He couldn't see Li Lan's demise, because before that, he must have closed his eyes forever.