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Chapter 77 The Mystery of Defense
Yan Xi and his party walked through a section of undulating mountain roads and entered the western region.
The entry is a canyon.
The carriage ran over the official road, and the sound of stones turning abruptly resounded in the middle of the night.
There was silence all around, not even the chirping of birds and insects.
It's too quiet.
Wei Chifeng squinted his eyes vigilantly, held the embroidered spring knife in his hand, and listened quietly to the movement in the mountains and forests.
Yan Xi's low voice came from inside the carriage: "Above and on both sides, there are hundreds of people. You take Jin Yiwei to deal with them. Look carefully at the people. If they are refugees who are unable to fight back, they will be kept alive."
Wei Chifeng listened to the direction indicated by Yan Xi, and indeed he heard dense footsteps deliberately lightened.
He was horrified, he never thought that Yanxi's five senses would be so sensitive.He is already a first-class master of Da Jing, and Yan Xi is far above him, it is really unfathomable and terrifying.
Wei Chifeng asked in a low voice: "Master, how many brothers should you keep to protect you?"
"No need, there are hidden guards." Yan Xi got up inside, "Furthermore, the incoming people may have counterattacks. The main car's defense is empty, just to lure them to attack."
Wei Chifeng didn't dare to take risks: "It's just—"
Yan Xi said in a deep voice, "Let's go."
Wei Chifeng took the order decisively: "This subordinate knows."
With a big wave of his hand, Emperor Tianxi allocated a Jinyiwei made by a thousand households to Yan Xi and sneaked into the night without sound.
The head of the dark guard consciously took the position of Wei Chifeng and sat in front of the car.
The dark guard sneaking in the forest opened his eyes even more.
The night became quieter, Jin Yiwei was best at surprise attacks, they ran fast in the mountains and forests, encountered animals and birds on the way, before they could make a sound, the Xiuchun Knife rose and fell crisply, killing any movement that might startle the snake before it made a sound.
The head of the dark guard also put his hand on the knife.
Yan Xi sat in the car and said, "Take good care of the accompanying officials, I will be fine with you."
The head of the dark guard hesitated and said, "Your Highness, this..."
Yan Xi said without hesitation: "Go."
The head of the dark guard immediately signaled to the brothers in the dark, and the dark guards surrounding the main vehicle dispersed.
Yan Xi listened to the movements of Jin's main guard and the hidden guards, and pushed the car window sideways.
The night in the western region was cooler than Jing, Yan Xi looked at the bright moon that was about to be full hanging in the night sky.
This is not a night for the burglary business.
Yan Xi lightly tapped his fingers, and the moonlight touched his chin through the window, his fair skin was like cold jade at night.
In this stagnant silence, Yan Xi stopped her fingers when she heard something.
The caravan passed through the valley, and the sound of swords pierced the night.
The civil servants woke up in the night and poked their brains out in confusion.
The guards beside the car comforted in a low voice, and persuaded the frightened adults to go back.
Yan Xi rested her hands lightly on her knees, and heard a series of footsteps coming straight towards the convoy hidden in the sword and the night wind.
Can be regarded as a master.
Yan Xi's fingers were slightly bent, and he didn't take Liushuang.
The head of the dark guard heard the movement a little later than Yanxi, waved his hand, and the brothers dispersed one by one, and stopped in front.
The guards at the back locked the doors of each car, but an adult came out with a sword in hand, and went straight to the front car, stopping outside Yan Xi's car.
Yan Xi was dazzled by the sword light, turned his head to see Mei Yun standing outside holding a sword, the other party probably sensed Yan Xi's gaze, his body was slightly stiff, and he held back his gaze.
Since the last time Mei Yun spoke with Yan Xi, she never took the initiative to get closer, and she never took the initiative to get close to her all the way here.
Even Yan Xi, as the governor, just missed talking to him, the governor directly under him, and he calmly faced everyone's probing eyes and whispering.
In the original book, Mei Yun never showed any martial arts skills. Yan Xi's eyes stopped for a moment on Mei Yun's sword-holding hand, and she looked away without saying anything.
Mei Yun is not only good at martial arts, but also a master.
Hidden enough, ruthless enough.
Wei Chifeng led Jin Yiwei to quickly approach the bandits who were in ambush.He made a gesture, and Jin Yiwei scattered in the forest without a sound.
The two bandits who were closest were talking in low voices.
Bandit A probed his head and said, "I see that the group below are the Qian family from Pingchuan."
Bandit B nodded and said: "It must be them. I heard that Mrs. Qian is seriously ill, and the whole family is rushing back. If it wasn't for the time constraints, how could these elders be rushing in the middle of the night?"
A showed joy on his face: "Then we can catch a big fish this time. This trip is enough to support the brothers for half a year."
B said: "When they come back from this trip, they will probably have to stay for a long time, and they will inevitably spend money."
A said: "Besides, this Qian family is just a wealthy gentry, and they have no important officials in the court. It is not easy to rob them."
B admired and said: "Chai Touer's news is accurate this time."
While they were talking enthusiastically, a knife was quietly placed on the back of their necks. They shivered in the coolness of the metal, swiped their legs to fight back and raised their necks to raise their voices to warn, but before they could make a sound, they were knocked unconscious and dragged behindin the grass.
Jin Yiwei are all masters, they made a move, and in this remote village, they took down the bandits without too much effort.
Wei Chifeng saw that these people were dressed in rags, so he didn't dare to strike too hard, and most of them survived.
The king of the mountain who cut the road in the canyon bone was very skilled. The head of the secret guard, seeing that Yan Xi was nearby, didn't dare to trust him, and joined forces with his brothers to take down more than a hundred people.
The King of the Mountain was crushed in front of Yan Xi's car.
Jin Yiwei's knife was fast, and Wei Chifeng also came soon.Reported: "There are more than 500 people ambushing on the mountain, and their skills are still good. They look like they have practiced military boxing and saber. Listening to them, the lair is dozens of miles away, and there are hundreds of people in there..”
Yan Xi said through the door curtain: "These people are troublesome on the road. The king of the mountain and a few leaders followed the convoy and tied them up. For the other small ones, take them back and take them back to their lairs. Lock them all in their lairs first..”
Wei Chifeng saluted and said: "Yes."
Yan Xi paused, his voice was cold in the middle of the night: "These people only choose the entrance of the Western Region to do business, and they chose such a night that is not easy to hide, to find out where these people come from and what their plans are."
Wei Chifeng took the lead.
The secret guard dragged King Shan to the back of the car. Unconvinced, Doctor Shan yelled at the window of the main car, "Who are you? Such a big show! Are you from Beijing?!"
Yan Xi sat in the dark, looked down at the man pinned down on the ground and asked, "You are a military household? What's your name?"
The king of the mountain heard a cool and clear voice, which was like the sound of heaven, and he couldn't help but raise his head to distinguish it.
But it was too dark in the car, King Shan couldn't see the appearance of the people in the car, he looked up vigorously and could only see a figure sitting elegantly.
This is a noble man, obviously only separated by a window, but seems to be far away among the clouds.
The King of the Mountain was taken aback suddenly, thinking that he might have met a legendary figure, he moved excitedly and shouted, "You...are you the Governor?"
Yan Xi stared at him: "The news is quite well-informed, are you looking for Ben Du?"
"Caomin Chai Wanren has seen the governor!" The king of the mountain was so excited that he smashed his knees to the ground and bowed vigorously: "We are all dilapidated military households with nowhere to live. We are here to beg for food. I beg you to make decisions for us."what!"
Yan Xi's eyes were cold: "It's a capital offense for military households to leave the garrison without permission. Why don't they guard the frontier, instead they become bandits and harm the village?"
"A military household?" Chai Wanren showed bitterness, "My lord, if a military household has no land or property, is it still a military household?"
Yan Xi narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "The imperial court allocated military land to military households to cultivate for generations, and also exempted military households from other taxes. Why do you say that there is no land and no property?"
When Chai Wanren talked about this, he was trembling with anger, and his voice was loud: "The land is under the name of the Western Army, and it's all up to the officers. We planted the land now, and the harvest does not belong to us, and the land deed is not in our hands."Come on, we are going to fight and die, and we can’t even eat enough. Where are we going to farm and where are we going to give birth?"
Yan Xi pondered for a while with an unclear expression, and then asked: "The western region has reported grain shortages to the imperial court in recent years, and the imperial court allocates grain to the western region every year. Why can't the military households have enough to eat?"
Chai Wanren was so angry that he blushed and said thickly, "We haven't eaten a grain of the imperial court's food!"
"The governor will order people to investigate carefully." Yan Xi stared at him, "If one word of what you said is false, the crime will be aggravated."
Chai Wanren knocked his head a few more times, and swore to the sky: "I, Chai Wanren, if one word is false, the sky will be struck by lightning, and I will die a terrible death."
"Even if what you said is true," Yan Xi said coldly, "you shouldn't leave the military field without authorization, otherwise if there is a war, who will guard the border?"
"War?" Chai Wanren seemed to have heard some big joke. He didn't know what to think of, and said with a resentful and mocking expression, "We are military households for generations. If there is a war, it is for the ancestors' teaching., I dare not betray my faith and become a deserter. However, there have been no wars in the western region for many years!"
This sentence was like a thunderbolt from the blue sky, which shocked the people present.
Wei Chifeng warned: "Speak well, don't talk nonsense!"
Mei Yun was stunned for a moment in the night, and then she did not know what to think of, showing a thoughtful expression, and cast her eyes on Yan Xi in the car.
Mei Yun's gaze was clear about public and private, and Yan Xi did not avoid it.
Yan Xi understood Mei Yun's indistinct affirmative judgment, and turned to Chai Wanren and said, "Western Region reports wars to the imperial court every year and asks for food and wages, which is inconsistent with what you said."
Chai Wanren listened to the governor's mixed emotions, feeling cold all over his body for no reason, he bit his tongue to calm himself down, and said: "Jiang Xijun is rotten to the root, what was reported to the court is far from the actual situation, GovernorAfter arriving in the western region, go down to the military fields and look around, and you will know."
Yan Xi remained silent with a sullen face.
As soon as the Governor-General didn't speak, everyone's hearts beat and they didn't dare to breathe.
Midnight has passed, and the night is even cooler. On the mountain road, the shadows of the trees are whirling, clusters of black shadows, and the mountain wind rushes through the valley, blowing the curtains of the car, and shattering the moonlight, leaving Yan Xi immersed in the moonlightA snow-white chin is indistinct.
Yan Xi's voice was cooler than Night Breeze: "The governor knows."
Chai Wanren breathed a sigh of relief, only to realize that his legs were numb from the tension just now.
But Chai Wanren didn't have time to relax, and when he heard Yan Xi's next words, he couldn't help but tense up again.
Yan Xi suddenly sternly said: "In any case, it is against the law to rob a house. The brothers of Jin Yiwei will greet you next time. If you can carry it, come and talk to Ben Du."
Chai Wanren went inside without knowing it.
Mei Yun reminded: "I still don't thank you, Governor."
Chai Wanren suddenly realized, and said with joy on his face: "Little one, the little one is always in good health and can handle it! Thank you, Governor, for giving the brothers a chance!"
Yan Xi hummed lukewarmly, and didn't say any more.
Chai Wanren was covered in cold sweat for no reason.
Beiyuan camp.
In the conference hall of the Marshal's Mansion, Song Yuexiao sat behind the desk in a red army robe, facing the generals standing in a circle.
She glanced at the generals, her eyes fell on Song Beiming and said: "The key to the siege of the Snow-Treading Army this time is the loss of Niangziguan. Do you know why?"
Song Beiming came out and said, "Elder Sister, I'm going to Niangziguan—"
Song Yuexiao looked at Song Beiming, and said with a tiger face, "What elder sister is there in the barracks! It's called Dashuai."
"Marshal!" Song Beiming immediately understood, and said briskly, "When we finally arrived at Niangziguan, the corpses of the Western Army were all piled up under the tower. It seemed that there were only a few thousand people. The defense was very empty, and the combat power was extremely worrying.They were wiped out by thousands of Mo Di troops."
Song Yuexiao's expression froze, she pointed her fingers at the table, and pondered: "After the Jiang family fell, the military equipment in the western region has been ruined to such an extent?"
"Marshal, the general has some clues." Song Beiming thought quickly, searching for information quickly in his mind and said, "Jiang Xijun used to lend us the red cannon every year in order to ask for our rent; we got it from Jiang Xijun.There is no need for firecrackers, and Jiang Xijun asked the court for a lot of money for those firecrackers. Where did all the money go?"
Xiao Chen, Song Xinghe's deputy general, delayed his return to Beiyuan last night. He also went out and added solemnly: "The general also has some clues. Going to the western region, he will encounter a group of bandits and several others."Mo Di who wandered about for thousands of years, we delayed our return time because of fighting with them. The western border can make bandits and enemy bandits feel like they are in no one's land, so there is indeed a big problem with the defense."
These clues caused the soldiers present to fall into dead silence.
Song Beiming took the lead to break the silence: "Commander, is it possible that the military equipment in the western region has always been poor?"
The military discipline is bad, and the defense is empty. It is impossible to go without a master for half a month. It is so ridiculous. When the generals heard Song Beiming's words, they exchanged glances to express their agreement, and they were all secretly shocked.
"If this has always been the case, how did Jiang Xijun defend against Mo Di?" Song Yuexiao pondered for a moment, then said decisively, "Song Tongzhi, go and investigate."
Other than Song Yuexiao, the only person surnamed Song present was Song Beiming.
Song Tongzhi?Song Beiming looked at Song Yuexiao puzzled.
Song Yuexiao announced calmly: "Song Beiming listened to the order. I think you have won the first battle. This commander appointed you as the commander and the commander of the Shenji Battalion. You should build the Shenji Battalion first, and other military affairs will be appointed."
All the generals were taken aback.
Everyone knows that Song Beiming is very skilled, and he is a good material to be a striker.Regardless of Song Beiming's military exploits when he was young and the protection of Beiyuan's reserve in the past five years, let's just talk about this Beiyuan victory. Song Beiming used 5,000 people to break through the Niangziguan, and rescued the trapped Snow-Treading Army at a critical moment.Well, it took enough time to wait for the army to arrive.With this ability, Song Beiming is not allowed to go to the battlefield and build a magic camp that can't be bought with money?
Blind people can see that Song Beiming is determined to be a striker and is bound to win, Song Yuexiao's arrangement is still her own sister?
Song Beiming's expression froze, and he pursed his lips tightly. He wanted to open his mouth a few times, but when he saw Song Yuexiao's warning gaze, he held back his words.
The generals present all knew that Song Yuexiao said what he said, but Song Beiming was the king of Beiyuan, who was the Xijue, and they watched him grow up, so they couldn't bear it, and wanted to help Song Beiming pass a ladder.
Shi Yuan first said: "Marshal, little prince, he has provided both silver and food for the Snow Walking Army in the past five years, and he has made such achievements in battle, why don't you give him another job?"
Jiao Wuxin answered bluntly: "Young master is so skillful, it's a pity not to let go of the striker, Commander. Besides, do we have the Shenji Battalion? There are only ten cannons, and there is no firecracker, and we need to install a battalion commander."what?"
Song Yuexiao's face darkened, she raised her eyebrows and pressed her palm on the desk, which was a sign that she was going to curse someone.
Seeing her action, Xiao Chen, who was about to help out with a few words, immediately kept silent in self-preservation.
The other generals also shut their mouths tightly in fear.
The generals shrank their necks and smiled embarrassedly at Song Beiming: Brothers can't help you anymore.
Song Yuexiao put her hands on the table, and suddenly sternly said: "How many times have you brothers been born and died on the battlefield, what's the matter, you are new here, and you are still picking jobs? Who didn't you get promoted from level to level? From the third-rank commander to the same knowledge, you are wronged.Are you the first-rank county king?"
Song Beiming twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "The last general... dare not."
Song Yuexiao looked at the others again: "This commander is doing things unfairly?"
The generals who were familiar with Song Yuexiao knew what she meant. This was not only to beat Song Beiming who had just arrived, but also to warn everyone not to make unwarranted criticisms and not to spoil the military style of the Snow-Treading Army.
How fair Song Yuexiao is doing things now, and how quickly Song Beiming will be promoted in the future if he makes great contributions.
Everyone is relying on their ability and has to obey.
This is what it means on the surface.
There are also unspoken considerations.
Song Beiming is the king of Beiyuan, but the Ministry of War is organized by the Snow-Treading Army, and the two sides cannot be confused.After the old prince Song Qing left, the imperial court deliberately separated the king of Beiyuan from the commander of the Snow-Treading Army, and the intention was very intriguing.
No matter whether Song Yuexiao was protecting Song Beiming or the Snow-Treading Army, it was impossible for Song Beiming to soar in the Snow-Treading Army and become the target of public criticism.
Moreover, Song Yuexiao looked further, Song Beiming would not stay in Beiyuan all the time.
Whether it is Emperor Tianxi's intention, the position of all the officials in Jingdu, or Song Beiming's own way out, they are not in Beiyuan.
If Song Beiming stayed in Beiyuan, Beiyuan would suffer another unwarranted criticism and fiasco like five years ago.
For the imperial court, there is no Beiyuan Prince in Beiyuan, and it is Beiyuan of the imperial court.
Emperor Tianxi was able to condone His Highness the Crown Prince to release Song Beiming from Jingdu because the Crown Prince was able to tie Beiyuan King.
If Song Beiming was not by Yan Xi's side, Emperor Tianxi would never be relentless.
The imperial court has been refusing to give Song Beiming an official position, and Song Yuexiao, the elder sister, is willing to give it even if she violates Emperor Tianxi's taboo.
The official rank from the third rank is a tacit agreement that all parties can reach, and Song Beiming is really wronged if it goes down, and she can't make the decision when it goes up.
All the generals could only understand the superficial meaning, they all put away their smiles, and said in unison, "The commander-in-chief is fair!"
Song Yuexiao finally said meaningfully: "Song Tongzhi, quickly fix Shenjiying! There are other appointment matters, we will discuss them later."
Don't you just buy it?!
All the generals feel sorry for Song Beiming.
It is said that Shenji cannons cost one hundred thousand silver, so how many cannons and firecrackers do you need to assemble the equipment of a Shenji battalion?Originally, the little prince supplied the armaments with cash, but now he has to build the Shenji Camp. Can the Beiyuan Palace be emptied to collect enough money?
This eldest sister is really ruthless.
The generals feel sorry for the little prince even more.
After the meeting, Song Beiming was at the pond behind the Marshal's Mansion, biting a reed and looking west.
"What are you looking at?" Song Yuexiao's long robe was curled up in the strong wind of Beiyuan, and her long, tall hair was blown into a mess, but it did not conceal her sharpness at all.She stood against the wind and stood in front of Song Beiming, "I can see it with my eyes."
"Report to Commander." Song Beiming replied with his head tilted, "The last general didn't look at anything."
"Call me elder sister." Song Yuexiao straightened her younger brother, and laughed, "What's the matter, you're still angry with me, and you won't call me elder sister in private?"
Song Beiming said distressedly: "You women change whatever you say, what do you want me to call it?"
"I asked you to change your name, so you think I'm too busy?" Song Yuexiao snorted, taking advantage of it, a lightning-like jujube stone hit Yaodi's forehead, she got it, and said happily,"Some people change their identities in front of you without seeing you say a word."
Song Beiming covered his head, grinning in pain, and didn't dare to fight back, so he could only reason: "Can it be the same?"
Song Yuexiao threatened: "I'm your own sister, can't it be the same?"
"Sister!" Song Beiming begged for mercy, "Let me go."
"Okay, I'll let you go." Song Yuexiao raised her eyebrows neatly, "Get lost."
Song Beiming was taken aback for a moment, and suddenly understood something, fearing that he might make a mistake, he asked, "What?"
Song Yuexiao wanted to reach out to hit someone again, but this time Song Beiming dodged vigilantly, her hand was empty, knowing that once this kid was on guard, she would not be able to get him, so she simply raised her hand out of sight and out of mind: "Another appointment is the commander-in-chief who asked you to investigate the emptiness of the western border defense, so hurry up!"
"Master!" Song Beiming jumped up, "You are my own sister!"
Song Yuexiao watched Song Beiming run away, and she let out a forced smile.
Her younger brother can't go back to Beiyuan right now, so we don't know when we will see each other again this time.
Song Yuexiao felt very lonely.
Song Yuexiao missed her father, queen, mother and concubine, and the burden of the Snow Walking Army fell on her, so she dared not neglect for a day.
The pressure from Emperor Tianxi, the courtiers, and the border made her breathless. She wanted to tell Song Beiming everything, but she often only got halfway through.
Song Yuexiao could see clearly that the position of King Beiyuan used to be the check and balance of the four surnames, but now that there is no check and balance, Emperor Tianxi can no longer tolerate it.
If it weren't for His Royal Highness's love, Beiyuan King would be the next target after the four surnames.
Song Yuexiao couldn't help herself, but Song Beiming was in chains.
Song Beiming was bitterer than her.
Song Yuexiao once vowed to let her younger brother continue to be a carefree and unrestrained son just like her mother and concubine took care of Ah Ming, but she failed to do so after all.
In Jingdu, which she couldn't take care of, Song Beiming became a big tree in the sky, and no longer depended on anyone.In these years, it was Song Beiming who was raising Beiyuan.
Song Yuexiao said lightly to the direction Song Beiming left, "Ah Ming, elder sister is waiting for the day you come back."