Night has come, and the moon and stars are in the sky.
The entire Cloud City was as bright as day.
Phoenix lanterns are flying all over the sky, and the shadows of phoenix lanterns are swimming on the lamp wall.
Floats parading through the streets, cloud platforms displaying rare treasures, jugglers, lantern riddle guessers, hawkers...
Pedestrians are everywhere.
Jiang Anan was sitting in the largest phoenix lantern, with the shadow of the phoenix in front of her eyes, the stars in the sky above her head, and the fireworks in the world below her head.
The previous New Year's Eve was spent in Fengxi Town. The town was also very lively, with delicious food, red lanterns, and the sound of firecrackers... Last year's New Year's Eve was in Barren Mountain, and her brother set off fireworks for her.
This was the first time she had experienced such a grand bustle. It was like being in a beautiful dream, which made her linger and forget all her worries. For a moment, she could not think of those copybooks that she could never finish.
For Jiang Anan now, those copybooks are her only sorrow.
Ye Qingyu was watching over her, pointing out some interesting places to her from time to time. Occasionally, he would use Taoism to sprinkle light and rain, and celebrate New Year's Eve with the people of Yuncheng.
Jiang Anan smiled happily and asked in spite of her busy schedule: "Where is my brother?"
"I don't know." Ye Qingyu was also very confused: "Have I prepared a New Year gift for you?"
"Oh." Jiang Anan held her little face in anticipation: "I also want to prepare a New Year's gift for my brother."
"Then let's go down and buy it for him after we play for a while... Look over there!"
"Wow! So beautiful!"
…
…
Innocent children are carefree.
The boy with the sword flew quickly under the night, flying over Maplewood City, which had become a dead zone, flying over the 800-mile Qingjiang River, flying over Wangjiang City, and flying towards Hualin County.
On New Year's Eve, there was not much festive atmosphere in Zhuang State. The whole country was enveloped in a heroic mood.
People were full of hatred for their neighbors to the north, and the war that took place in Yiyang Mansion of Yong State touched the hearts of every Zhuang State person. They are anxiously waiting for the results and eagerly looking forward to the ending.
Zhuang State dispatched an army of 300,000 troops this time. In addition to the necessary border garrison troops, almost all military forces were mobilized. The forwards had just broken through the defense line, and the army behind them had already followed.
In the early days, small-scale frictions with Mo Country were used as an excuse to train the army in Hualin County one after another. It is probably only today that the real reason can be seen by those who are interested.
Zhuang Gaoxian's national war against the Yong Kingdom was definitely planned for a long time.
The country of Mo, which ceded ten cities in the First World War, was not considered an important opponent by the country of Zhuang for a long time. If the Mo court had not paid a huge price to gain the support of Qin, Zhuang Gaoxian would have broken the Mo palace long ago.
So from the very beginning, the frictions at the border of Zhuang Mo and the trials of new recruits were all just a cover-up, all for preparation for this battle against Yong.
It is said that the troops on the front line of Zhuangmo are all training and rotating in Hualin County. In fact, only the top officials of Zhuang State know how many troops are stationed in Hualin County, how many are dispatched, what are the routes of each department, and how many troops are in Qinghe County.
Before the start of the national war, a large number of troops were transferred to Qinghe County in the name of rotation.
Here Zhuang Gaoxian smashed the dragon chair and became furious, while over there the entire Zhuang Kingdom's army descended from the mountain... This was by no means something that could be prepared overnight. This kind of preparation may have even started many years ago, when Zhuang Gaoxian was still hiding in the palace to recover from his injuries.
Otherwise, this cohesion and efficiency cannot be explained.
…
Xin'an City.
High candles were burning in the Wenhua Pavilion, and people were constantly coming in and out, either eunuchs or guards, conveying various messages.
There are six rows of tables in the pavilion, three rows on the left and three on the left. The fluent officials in Xin'an City are all writing furiously here to complete official duties one after another.
During the national war, all kinds of affairs made people anxious. Maintaining the operation of an army of 300,000 people is not an easy task.
Only the most important matters will be summarized and handed over to the short-bearded middle-aged man sitting at the top.
Mr. Zhuang Guo's deputy prime minister sat upright and serious, his eyes occasionally moving as if to penetrate people's hearts.
Behind him stood a young monk holding a sword.
Everyone in the pavilion knows that this young monk with clear features is Li Jianqiu, a direct disciple of Vice Prime Minister Dong A. It is said that he had a master-disciple relationship in the Maple Forest City Taoist Academy in his early years, and he is highly regarded by the Vice Prime Minister.
Just seeing how Dong Ah would quietly ask for his opinion from time to time when handling official duties, one can see how carefully he cultivated him. Many people are secretly jealous.
You must know that Dong Ah, as the deputy prime minister, is in charge of criminal affairs. He has real power and his status is not lower than that of the head of the Criminal Investigation Department. No matter how you calculate it, in the entire power structure of Zhuang State, it can be firmly ranked in the top ten.
This time the Zhuang Kingdom fought with all their strength, Emperor Zhuang ordered Dong A to stay in Xin'an City and sit in the rear, which showed his trust. It is also regarded by many as a signal to assume the role of the next Prime Minister. His status has surpassed that of the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department. Looking at the entire civil and military ministers of the Zhuang Kingdom, they are probably only below the Prime Minister Du Ruhui and the General Huangfu Duanming.
You must know that Du Ruhui has paid too much for the entire Zhuang country and worked too long. He has enjoyed the national destiny of Zhuang country, but has been burdened more by it. Now Zhuang Guo is rising strongly. When a top god like him comes, it's time to take off the burden and focus on practice. If it can be revealed, it will be even greater luck for Zhuang Guo.
Du Ruhui himself has repeatedly expressed his preference for Dong Ah to succeed him as prime minister.
Being valued by such a powerful man, one can imagine how jealous this boy named Li Jianqiu was.
"There should be nothing going on. Let's leave ten people on duty and let the others go back and rest first."
After approving the last official assignment, Dong A straightened up and walked out first: "I'm going to inspect the city affairs."
He knew that if he didn't leave first, no one would dare to rest first.
A civil servant immediately stood up and said: "How can I do anything for you, Deputy Prime Minister? I can just go down and take care of such small things."
Dong Ah waved his hand to stop him: "This battle will determine the fate of the country for a hundred years. You are all the pillars of the country. At this historical moment, doing your part well is a great contribution to the country. There are some things I can do Just do it yourself.”
All the officials were already familiar with the deputy prime minister's character and knew that he would not change his decision, that he was upright and did not like false etiquette. No one gave me any more advice. Ten officials were left on duty while the others dispersed first. It is said to be a break, but in fact no one can take a break. Every official has his own things to do.
Zhuang Gaoxian made a desperate move to fight for his country. Even the White Feather Army was transferred to the front line. Xin'an City was at its most empty.
Dong A was very hands-on in everything, even inspecting city affairs in person, because he was afraid that everyone would be focused on the battlefield of Yong State and neglect domestic affairs.
The head of the Criminal Investigation Department, whose whereabouts are hidden, is quietly sitting on the front line of Zhuang Mo to prevent Mo Guo from taking advantage of the situation. If Mo Guo dares to have thief intentions, he will have to find a hard nut to crack. There are also troops ready on the border with Chengguo.
Dong Ah was walking on the broad streets of Xin'an City, thinking about a myriad of things.
Li Jianqiu, who was following behind him, rarely spoke. He only answered Dong Ah's questions.
The long street stretched into the distance, between a row of houses plunged into darkness. There was a red lantern hung in front of the door of a house.
In Xin'an City, which is immersed in the atmosphere of the national war, these two red lanterns to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new seem a bit awkward.
Untimely celebration.
"Tonight is New Year's Eve." Dong Ah said.
On the frosty long street, Li Jianqiu said "hmm".
