Shang Baiheng lowered his head, not panicking.

He kept communicating with Yan Xi and knew Yan Xi's movements. Even if Yan Xi didn't have time to say it, he could accurately guess the situation based on his understanding of Yan Xi and the situation.

With deep contemplation hidden in the corner of Shang Baiheng's mouth, he bowed to Emperor Tianxi and said, "Return to Your Majesty, the Western Region's defenses are empty right now, and Mo Di is eyeing them, and it is very dangerous. The places where the Dajing station has heavy troops are Jingdu, Dongling, and Beiyuan.The imperial guards guard Jingdu, and the Lin family army in Dongling has been harassed by the Japanese sea chaos in recent years. Only Beiyuan has the spare power to rush to help the Western Region. In my opinion, Governor Xuan's ability to borrow Beiyuan's soldiers is exactly the solution to the court's difficulties, should be rewarded."

What Shang Baiheng said pierced into the heart, and the bystanders were trembling when they heard it.

This is clearly speaking for Yan Xi.

Emperor Tianxi's eyes were deep: "You continue."

Shang Baiheng followed the emperor's scrutiny, and the pressure increased sharply, but his face remained calm: "At present, guarding the western border is a top priority. I think that everything that helps the defense of the western border should be supported. Moreover, the western border not only needs to borrow troops, but also recruits.I saw that it was not easy to recruit soldiers in the military newspaper of the Western Territory. I thought that the reason why it was not easy was that the original Jiangxi army had lost their hearts. Now that they want to recruit soldiers, they must rebuild their hearts. I thought that we had to do two things.Announce the conquest of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the western region; the second is to reorganize the troops and horses in the western region and re-establish the banner. The presence of the prince in person will definitely boost the morale of the western region."

Mei Ren answered, "Resetting the banner? This matter involves the establishment of the Han Family, the Snow-Treading Army, and the Western Region Guard Army. It involves a lot of things, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to handle. How much benefit will there be in such a big fight?"

Shang Baiheng said clearly: "Firstly, to show that they are different from Jiang Xi's army; secondly, to conceal the military prestige of the Han army and the Snow-Treading Army, Da Jing lost 60,000 troops of different surnames, and the imperial court got a new army."

Shang Baiheng spoke beautifully, and by the way, picked Yan Xi clean.

Emperor Tianxi smiled inexplicably and said: "Very good, then follow what Shang Aiqing said."

Pei Qingshi figured it out in an instant, the threshold of this matter was determined by the banner, he guessed a certain direction in his heart, and was immediately startled by that possibility.The more he was at such a moment, the less he could show panic, let alone communicate with anyone. He sat upright with his eyes downcast, his sleeves clenched tightly, and he shifted the topic: "But if it is revealed that Governor Xuan is the crown prince,I'm afraid it will endanger the prince's safety."

Shang Baiheng said: "Just say that His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived in the western region. When to reveal His real body is up to His Highness. The center is thousands of miles away, and we don't know the situation on the front line. Let's handle this matter with authority."

When Sun Chang heard about the new banner, he paid attention to it. He is the minister of the Ministry of Rites and has the right to be involved in the naming.alternate name."

Zhou Yu didn't know the inside story, so he was in a fog, and the matter of setting up the banner was out of his power, so he simply acted like a good old man, and said cheerfully: "Very good, very good."

Shang Baiheng had already guessed in his heart how Yan Xi would choose his name, what he had to do was to give a reason in line with etiquette and celestial phenomena before Yanxi's banner was embroidered on the military flag.

Canglong.

This will be a banner that can command those who are loyal to the prince and the lamp bearer.

Shang Baiheng lowered his eyes, he knew that the people who can enter the cabinet are all good people, except for Sun Chang and Zhou Yu, most of the people in the big field probably understand the deep meaning of the new banner about the power of the East Palace, Mei Ren is an old fox, Pei QingshiIt is obvious that the purpose of accommodating him is to show his loyalty to Yan Xi, and what the two of them said just now pretended to be ignorant.

Emperor Tianxi must not be able to hide it, but Emperor Tianxi's preference for Yan Xi is weird and weird, and even in such a matter that endangers the throne, he still responds to every request.

Things turn against monsters, after today's temptation, Shang Baiheng did not breathe a sigh of relief, but felt that there was some invisible danger approaching.

The royal family is weak, and even father and son are difficult to get along with each other. There has never been an overlord as an ironclad proof.The emperor and the crown prince may have more affection than other princes, but mutual coercion and precautions are inevitable.Emperor Tianxi, who has a preference for Yan Xi so far, is more like some folk fathers who prefer youngest sons, but definitely not like an emperor.

Since Shang Baiheng entered the cabinet, he observed Emperor Tianxi at close range, and he couldn't understand more and more.Emperor Tianxi was contradictory and mysterious, the more he tried, the more unfathomable he became.

Shang Baiheng felt faintly suffocated in the dullness of going to the study.

After the discussion, the ministers of the Inner Pavilion escorted Emperor Tianxi out of the upper study.

The Qianqing Hall is just to the north of the upper study room. The five people from the Inner Pavilion knelt outside the upper study room to see off the emperor. When the voice of welcoming the emperor came from the Qianqing Hall, the five people got up.

Shang Baiheng stopped at the same spot, his eyes fell on the wall of the Hongde Hall on the west side of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, he saw that the small door on that side was closed every day, and no one approached it today.

Shang Baiheng was cold and cold, and he was a gentleman's friendship, insipid as water when he got along with others. The senior scholars next to him greeted each other and left first, only Pei Qingshi stopped and waited for him.

Since Pei Qingshi worked with Shang Baiheng in the Inner Pavilion, he couldn't help admiring Shang Baiheng's decisiveness and neatness in his actions; he also saw Shang Baiheng protecting Yan Xi in everything.It has completely dissipated, and now he follows Shang Baiheng all the time, and he doesn't mind at all that Shang Baiheng took their place.

Pei Qingshi didn't know what Shang Baiheng was looking at. Seeing that there was no one around, he asked, "Dao Zhi, will the Ministry of Officials issue a recruitment order for the Western Region today?"

Shang Baiheng turned his head slightly and replied: "The Ministry of Officials will start the regulation immediately, and it will be issued around today."

Pei Qingshi reminded: "But now there is a shortage of talents, and there are nearly half of the vacancies in the Sixth Division, and the situation in various places will only get worse. Those who are talented are mostly staring at the position of the Sixth Division, afraid that they will not go to the Western Region. The Western Region this timeRecruiting talents, I am afraid it will not be easy."

Shang Baiheng said confidently: "Da Jing experienced the pain of the four surnames, and a thousand wastes are waiting for prosperity. The six departments have opportunities, and the western region also has opportunities. It depends on each person's choice. Everyone has their own ambitions. Some people look up to the official ranks, and someBow your head and look for a way out. Scholars who want to realize the ambition of "carrying on to the sages and creating peace for all ages" must first "build a heart for the world and a life for the people①". Golden House, Qianzhong Su and Yan Ruyu are certainly good.But there are also people like Wen Gong who are willing to be poor. I think this recruitment order is really good, and the big waves wash away the sand, just to pick out the mainstay of Dajing's officialdom in the future."

Pei Qingshi's face turned green and pale when he heard it, because he had a competitive heart at the beginning, he regarded every encounter with Shang Baiheng as a confrontation, and he had to compete with each other; the more times he lost,Then subtly changed into a mentality of learning from Shang Baiheng.

He is a person who is very good at learning, after working together for a while, Pei Qingshi has become better and better, but every time he is in some details and cognition, he will always be compared ugly by Shang Baiheng.

Fortunately, he quickly learned to resolve his embarrassment, smiled lightly and said: "Daozhi is right, there must be people with real talents, practical learning and hard work in the western region, and people with impure intentions.It's a drag, let's see who recommends himself."

Shang Baiheng nodded while listening, his eyes turned from Hongde Hall to Pei Qingshi and said: "Zhiyou, you are now watching the Ministry of Households for Ling Han, and you need to pay more attention to the matter of food and wages in the western region."

Pei Qingshi nodded sternly: "In the letters that Ling Han sent me, he often reminded me of the problems in the western region. The western region is difficult, and I know the pros and cons."

Shang Baiheng said with a relaxed expression, "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's all part of my job. Don't talk about hard work. Daoist words are important." Pei Qingshi looked at Shang Baiheng, even if he saw him every day, he would still be startled by Shang Baiheng's white hair.

Shang Baiheng is only twenty-nine this year, two years younger than him, but his hair has turned gray first.Pei Qingshi looked at Shang Baiheng's bluish-white hair that couldn't be covered under his official hat, and couldn't understand why his hair suddenly grew prematurely.

Recently, he got closer to Shang Baiheng, and gradually started to have some private conversations, so he asked: "Daozhi, I see that you have added some gray hair recently, didn't you ask the doctor to take a look?"

Shang Baiheng slightly lowered his gaze.

A little westerly wind has been mixed into the wind in early August, and he has been separated from Yanxi for more than a month.He had never been separated from Yan Xi for such a long time, so that after daily official duties, especially at dawn and dusk, he would always look in the direction of the west for a long time.

Where does the white hair come from?

Shang Baiheng smiled lightly and said: "Probably because it was blown by the wind, turning white doesn't hurt the body, it doesn't get in the way."

These words were obviously prevarication. Pei Qingshi couldn't figure out what was wrong with Shang Baiheng's smooth progress, but it was too inconvenient to ask further questions, so he could only remind him: "It's still abnormal to suddenly have a premature birth. Now Inner PavilionThere are many affairs that cannot be separated from you, if you hold on to your body, you are holding on to official duties."

Shang Baiheng smiled and said: "Thank you Zhiyou for reminding me, I will go see the doctor when I have time."

What he said was polite, and the doctor didn't need to look at it.

He has even broken his drinking ring recently, he can't even say a word of miss in the letter, the only indulgence is drinking alone in the dead of night.

Don't dare to drink too much, just a few cups, still far from drunk, but it can give him some warmth.

His illness was in his mind, and if he stopped worrying about his mind, he would never go back in the dark, and his nights became colder and colder, without wine to warm him up, it was difficult to sleep at night.

Unable to quit drinking, and still unable to break his mind, Shang Baiheng knew that he probably couldn't be a saint anymore.

If you can't do it, you can't do it. There are nine out of ten unsatisfactory things in life, and Shang Baiheng is already content.

Shang Baiheng seldom releases the emotions in his heart during the day, but at this moment when his will is a little loose, he realizes his own looseness and keenly blocks his mind.

He turned his eyes back to Hongde Hall, pondered and said, "Zhiyou, how long has it been since you saw the eldest princess?"

Pei Qingshi was stunned for a moment, terrified that Shang Baiheng knew that he had had a relationship with Yan Zhen, he was ashamed for a moment, coughed lightly and said: "Since the ceremony of establishing the crown prince, the eldest princess has been unable to recover from illness."

Shang Baiheng stared at the Hongde Hall and said: "Yes, the ceremony of establishing the crown prince is a major event of the court. No matter how seriously ill the eldest princess is, she will try her best to show up to watch the ceremony. Zhiyou, tell me, the Hongde Hall is getting tighter every day., is there anyone in there?"

It's the beginning of autumn, the heat has not subsided, and the sun is just right at this time, but Pei Qingshi feels a hidden and biting chill from Shang Baiheng's questioning.

Before the end of the day, a recruitment order for the Western Region was issued from the Ministry of Officials.

There were so many students in the Guozijian, it exploded immediately.Everyone had a round of discussions outside, and after some passionate speeches, they all conservatively did not make a statement, and returned to the dormitory with different expressions, discussing in a small area with lowered voices:

"Western Region has a lot of vacancies now. As long as you go there, you can honestly start from the county magistrate, and you will be promoted in a short time. Moreover, the chief officer is still His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Working under the Crown Prince, it will be a great contribution to the future.help."

"However, we came to Guozijian for the purpose of taking the Jinshi examination. The conditions in the western region are difficult and there are so many official affairs, so there are some people who are too busy to study. 'You can't enter the Hanlin unless you are a Jinshi, and you can't enter the Inner Pavilion unless you are an Hanlin'.To make a difference in the official career, you have to take the Jinshi examination first. If you enter the official position as a juzi, you will be meritorious, and you will not be able to go far. Whether you can return to Beijing in the future is still a variable. There are two years to go to Chunwei.Going to the western region will definitely waste time."

"Besides, it is taboo for an official to have close contacts with the crown prince. Your Majesty is still in his prime..." The next words were self-evident, and the man turned around and said, "Life is short, and the best time is just like this."In a few years, you have to be cautious when going to the Western Region.”

"Nowadays there are many vacancies in the Sixth Division, and even the Inner Pavilion is not full. If you pass the Jinshi exam, you will have to stay in the Sixth Division to practice. As long as you work hard, why worry about promotion?"

Such conversations were going on in every dormitory, but there was one person who quietly packed his bags, and when he opened the door, the classmate saw him and asked, "Qingling, where are you going?"

Dong Zhengfu stepped out of the door and stood in the sunset light: "I have written a post and handed it over to the sacrificial wine. The western region is short of people, and the journey is far away. I will go to the Governor's Mansion without waiting for the appointment of documents by the Ministry of Officials.I'm here to report. Students, see you tomorrow."

A friend asked: "You passed the exam in the exam, and you are very praised by the teacher in your studies. Jinshi is like picking something out of your bag. Wouldn't it be a pity to abandon your studies?"

"If there is no border, how can there be a country; if there is no country, there will be a family; if the family is not peaceful, how can I have me? Now the western region is full of devastation, and the people are suffering. I can't wait. I read books to save the world.Today, the world is afraid of injustice, but I am hiding in my comfort zone. Isn’t it a failure of my life’s ambition? I can wait for the exam, but I can’t.What are you afraid of?" Dong Zhengfu said with a cheerful smile, "I'll go first, all students, we will return by different routes, see you in the court."

Dong Zhengfu did not reprimand or despise his classmates. Everyone has different backgrounds and different responsibilities, so their actions are naturally different.

He picked up his bags and bid farewell to his classmates.

It was dusk now, and he couldn't wait even one night, so he took his horse, left the city, and walked on the road to the Western Region alone.

He once took the lead in asking "Has the world changed for the better?" in the Wen Lan incident.

It started to get better, Dong Zhengfu saw it.

The oath of that day is still in my ears-the servant will continue, and I will never hesitate to die, just look at me!

Dong Zhengfu finally understood "Zhi Deng Zhi" and became "Gu Yu".

When the green hills are the thickest, it is the end of spring.Jing Zhe had already led the way, Dong Zhengfu looked at the west and smiled boldly.

Zhou Ci hurriedly rushed to the western region, but did not see Yan Xi at the governor's mansion, Wen Yan said that the governor had gone to the Yue Xi military camp.

Zhou Ci thought about it, and felt that it would be good to see Yan Xi sooner. He hadn't checked Yan Xi's pulse for a long time. These two days are the beginning of autumn. Once the season changes, there will be new changes in Rong, so he can't rest assured."Rong", went to the Yue Xi barracks overnight.

Wen Yan arranged a carriage for Zhou Ci's escort, and Zhou Ci rushed to the Yue Xi Military Camp without hesitation. After walking for more than an hour, he finally arrived at the Yue Xi Military Camp.

Yue Xi Barracks.

In Yan Xi's tent, the candles were lit brightly, the military doctor put Song Beiming on the wound medicine, and retreated.

Song Beiming got up from the couch with his upper body bare.

Yan Xi extinguished half of the candles and turned around, only to be caught by Song Beiming.

The candlelight was flickering, Yan Xi took off his official hat and stood in the dancing candlelight, his black hair flowed all over his shoulders, his gentle movement of pulling his hair seemed to stir up ripples in the night, he stood by the lamp a few steps away from Song Beiming,He asked softly, "Ah Ming, is it still hurting?"

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Note ①: "Build a heart for the world, establish a life for the people, inherit the knowledge of the sages, and create peace for all generations"——Zhang Zai's "Hengqu Quotations", which are called "Hengqu Four Sentences" by later generations.