Zhou Bingqian turned her head and glanced at Yang Peng tenderly. Her face flushed slightly and she lowered her head. Yang Peng was shocked and couldn't help but swallowed. Then he quickly put aside these thoughts and said with a smile: "Now you have me as your eldest brother and so many sisters. All of us will take care of you. You will never be alone in this world! You will have others in the future If you love a man who loves you and has a family of your own, your life will definitely get better and better!" Zhou Bingqian gave Yang Peng a gentle look and nodded gently.
Yang Peng's head was a little confused, so he quickly thought about Yan Ji and the others, and then he woke up. Zhou Bingqian's face was slightly red, and her voice was soft and authentic: "Although my little sister encountered misfortune and lost her parents early, she is also lucky to be able to meet her elder brother..." At this point, her expression became extremely charming.
Yang Peng sighed, looked at the sparkling lake, and couldn't help but murmured: "Actually, I'm afraid I'll never see my parents again in this life!..."
Zhou Bingqian couldn't help but her heart moved. Seeing Yang Peng's expression of sadness, she couldn't help but stretched out her delicate hand to hold Yang Peng's palm. Yang Peng suddenly felt a cold, soft hand grasping his palm. He couldn't help but come back to his senses and turned to look at Zhou Bingqian. Seeing Zhou Bingqian's eyes full of concern, she smiled and said, "Don't worry, brother won't have anything to worry about!" Zhou Bingqian felt relieved and smiled slightly.
Yang Peng said: "Sooner or later, we all have to experience these things. Just keep them in your heart, but don't always be sad about them! They are in heaven, and they certainly hope that you can be happy and carefree! "
Zhou Bingqian nodded, turned to look at the bright moon in the sky, and couldn't help but murmured: "Father, mother, are you looking at your daughter now?" A tender feeling couldn't help but surge into her heart, and she couldn't help but lean into Yang Peng embrace. Yang Peng hugged this poor woman without any nostalgia in his heart, only a feeling of pity.
After a while, Zhou Bingqian left Yang Peng's arms, turned around, and said shyly: "Thank you, brother, my sister is much better!" Yang Peng smiled slightly and said, "If you have any worries in the future, just come to see me! "Zhou Bingqian nodded. Then, not knowing what happened, her beautiful face suddenly turned red and she lowered her head.
Yang Peng felt strange when he saw her like this, and suddenly found himself holding her delicate hand. He couldn't help being stunned, and wanted to let go quickly, but he felt that doing so would leave too many traces, and he was afraid that it would embarrass the little girl. As soon as he thought about it, he pretended not to know and continued to hold Zhou Bingqian's delicate hand.
Zhou Bingqian said softly: "Brother, my little sister has gone back." Yang Peng said: "I'll give it to you." Zhou Bingqian looked at Yang Peng happily. The two held hands and walked toward the courtyard where Zhou Bingqian lived.
Arriving outside the archway of the courtyard, the two stopped. Zhou Bingqian said shyly but hopefully: "Brother, come in and sit down, and the little sister will make you tea." Yang Peng's heart skipped a beat, and he smiled: "It's too late! It's not good for the eldest brother to go in, otherwise it will harm the reputation of the little sister. OK!" Seeing Zhou Bingqian cast a resentful look, she couldn't help but be secretly shocked. Zhou Bingqian said quietly: "Okay, little sister, let's go in." Yang Peng nodded. Zhou Bingqian glanced at Yang Peng and walked into the arch. After taking a few steps, she stopped and looked back before continuing to walk inside.
Yang Peng didn't turn around and leave until Zhou Bingqian walked into the embroidery building. I couldn't help but recall Zhou Bingqian's expression and words just now, and I couldn't help but confirm my previous judgment that she was interested in him! Yang Peng became distressed, and then murmured: "Maybe I was wrong. She probably doesn't like me, but just a sister's feeling towards her elder brother. It's just a brother-sister relationship, not a relationship between a man and a woman!" At this point, he said, He couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief. Then he thought: "Yang Gui is coming soon. Let them meet and have a talk then. Yang Gui is so talented and brave, my little sister will definitely like him!" Then he thought of what happened next and said with a smile: " As a brother, I have to put a lot of thought into this wedding! As soon as the war in the south is over, I will hold a wedding for them, and it must be lively!" At this moment, Yang Peng was really worried about Zhou Bingqian. There is a bit of a brother-sister relationship, but Yang Peng himself may not have noticed it yet.
The next morning, Yang Peng convened all the cabinet members who stayed in Bianliang for a meeting, and stated the intention and reasons for preparing to use troops in the south in advance, allowing everyone to express their opinions. Everyone discussed it and basically agreed with Yang Peng's decision. Seeing that the opinions were basically unanimous, Yang Peng proposed that Yelu Hanyu be the commander-in-chief to calm the war in the south. Everyone felt strange, and Yelu Hanyu asked, "The eldest brother asked the younger sister to lead the war in the south. What does the eldest brother do?"
Yang Peng said: "As I said just now, the war to pacify the south this time will not go smoothly. According to various signs, I am afraid that the Liao Kingdom and Tubo will come to intervene, as well as our internal hostile forces. Therefore, I am going to Yanjing. Deal with the Khitans." Everyone thought and nodded.
Yang Peng looked at Ye Qi Guanyin, who was making her first public appearance after giving birth, and said, "Guanyin will be in charge of Bianliang for me!" Ye Qi Guanyin was obviously much thinner than before giving birth. Hearing his elder brother's words, he couldn't help but stare. Glancing at Han Bing next to him, he asked Yang Peng: "What about Han Bing?"
Yang Peng said with a smile: "Han Bing is getting bigger and bigger, and his energy is getting less and less. Just rest at home and wait for the birth of your child!" Everyone couldn't help laughing, especially Han Bing's bold personality. , seeing my eldest brother say such things in front of everyone, I couldn't help but feel shy and irritated. Ye Qi Guanyin smiled and said, "Han Bing, just concentrate on having children, I will take care of other things!"
Han Bing's face turned red and she said angrily: "You are here to tease me too!" Ye Qi Guanyin laughed. Yang Peng looked at Yan Ji and said: "'Hua Xu' must work harder and report to me and the cabinet if there is any situation." Yan Ji promised with clasped fists. Yang Peng glanced at everyone and said solemnly: "This battle to pacify the south will not be smooth sailing! It is very likely that when we send troops to the south, many countries will attack us! Therefore, this time, we, Yan Yun, will We must do our best to successfully regain the south and unify the Han Dynasty, and at the same time, we must not let other opponents take even the slightest advantage!" Everyone nodded together, all looking serious.
Yang Peng said to everyone: "After the meeting, the cabinet immediately ordered the military governments in various places to mobilize and raise grain and grass to be transported to Yanjing, Datong and Hongzhou Tanzhou. Specifically, Huang Guang was responsible for the transportation of money and grain, Huang Qiaoyun was responsible for supervising the actions of all parties, and Zhang Xiang is responsible for the concentration and dispatch of the Junfu army, while Yeyi Guanyin is responsible for coordinating the actions of all parties. At the same time, he must also pay attention to internal problems. If an emergency occurs, Yeyi Guanyin can make decisions on the spot!" He glanced at everyone, "Everyone. Do you understand?" Everyone clasped their fists in agreement.
Yang Peng said: "Okay, if there is no problem, let's go down and do things." Everyone stood up, bowed to Yang Peng, and filed out of the hall. In an instant, only Yang Peng and the pregnant Han Bing were left in the hall. Han Bing said depressedly: "Hey, now I'm the only one with nothing to do!"
Yang Peng stood up, walked to Han Bing, and squatted down. Han Bing looked at Yang Peng with shining eyes. Yang Peng held Han Bing's slender hands and smiled: "Who said you have nothing to do! You are shouldering a very important task now! Give birth to a child for me, my eldest brother!" Han Bing was so embarrassed that he raised his right hand and gently He hit Yang Peng and said angrily: "What are you talking about? It's so unpleasant!"
Yang Peng tilted his head and put his ear against Han Bing's belly. When Han Bing saw this, she couldn't help but feel happy in her heart. Han Bing laughed and said, "I heard the little guy calling daddy!"
Han Bing chuckled, "Nonsense! The child hasn't been born yet, how can he call him daddy!" Yang Peng raised his head and said, "I really heard it! There are two children, one boy and one girl!" Han Seeing Yang Peng's serious look, Bing couldn't help but believe it, and said eagerly: "It's a pity that I can't listen like you!" Then he asked angrily: "Why do the children only call me daddy? How about calling me mom?"
Yang Peng listened again against Liang Hongyu's belly, raised his head and said with a smile: "Now I call you mom!" Han Bing said happily: "It's you who said it anyway, and I can't hear you!" The two said. With those thoughtful words, time passed by unconsciously. Han Bing felt a little tired. Seeing this, Yang Peng immediately helped her out of the hall.
After settling Han Bing, Yang Peng returned to the hall. At this time, Zhang Defang and Wang Kai, who had received the order long ago, were already waiting in the hall. Yang Peng gave the instructions to the two of them, and they agreed and left.
Attention turns to Guangzhou. Zhao Heng received a report from the imperial envoy from Zhangzhou, claiming that Zhang Jun was plotting a rebellion. He was shocked but could not believe it. After all, Zhang Jun's performance could be described as perfect. Even if he said he was going to rebel, the emperor would not believe it. No one in the civil and military dynasties could trust him.
However, not long after, rumors spread in Guangzhou that Zhang Jun had been in contact with Yan Yun and was plotting a rebellion to join forces with Yan Yun to take over Guangzhou. Rumors spread quickly, and some of the people spreading these rumors claimed to be refugees from Zhangzhou and claimed to have witnessed it with their own eyes.
When these situations spread to the court, Zhao Heng and the civil and military officials of the entire court became frightened, and their confidence in Zhang Jun was shaken. Combined with the previous imperial envoy's report, I felt that Zhang Jun was really going to rebel. With this idea, the emperor and the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty panicked. Grand Master Huang Cong said: "Your Majesty, we should take measures immediately! Otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous!" All the ministers agreed. Shen Yuqiu suggested: "We should mobilize the army immediately to attack the rebellion!"
When Shen Yuqiu said this, many ministers agreed. Everyone was shouting hysterically, as if they wanted to cut Zhang Jun into pieces.
Zhao Heng looked at Huang Cong and asked, "What do you think, Grand Master?" Huang Cong thought for a moment, clasped his fists towards Zhao Heng and said, "Your Majesty, soldiers must be quick. I guess Zhang Jun didn't expect that we would attack him so quickly. In response to the rebellion, this is the time to put down the rebellion with lightning speed! My emperor is wise, he should immediately send the king's army to Zhangzhou! At the same time, send the imperial envoy to make him surrender! Under the pressure of the army, he can still What choice is there? The only way to go is to honestly apologize to the court!"
All the ministers praised him one after another, one said that the Grand Master had a perfect plan, and the other said that the Grand Master knew everything well. Amidst all the disturbances, Zhang Jun's matter seemed to have been solved. Zhao Heng could not help but feel relieved and said: "Then do what the old lady wants! Let Cao Yong be the general marshal to quell the rebellion, and immediately lead the army to Zhangzhou. At the same time, he ordered Shen Yuqiu to be the imperial minister, and went to Zhangzhou to recruit Zhang Jun. !" Shen Yuqiu came out and immediately returned to his original position.
Zhao Heng put the matter behind him and said to the ministers: "My dear friends, if you have nothing to do, please retreat from the court." All civil and military officials sang in unison: "Long live, long live, long live!" Then they filed out of the hall. . Zhao Heng called out: "Old Master, you stay." Huang Cong stopped and made a promise.
After all the officials had retired, Zhao Heng asked Huang Cong excitedly: "Old Master, how is the construction of the palace going?" Huang Cong smiled and clasped his fists and said: "Because His Majesty's holy virtue moved the sky, it has been sunny for several days, and the construction progress is very fast. At present, The general framework has been completed, and with the current progress, I believe it will be roughly completed before the end of next year!”
Zhao Heng was very happy and couldn't help but praise: "The Grand Master is indeed my most important minister! Such a big thing is handled so appropriately!" Huang Cong quickly bowed and said: "Serving your Majesty is my duty. !”
Zhao Heng nodded happily, and suddenly remembered something, and said: "Yesterday, I received two more memorials. One was from Cao Yong. He hoped that the court would increase revenue and reduce expenditure, stop building the palace, and use the funds for military expenditure. What can I say in today's world? The situation is tense, I should not just focus on my own enjoyment, but use my limited resources to prepare the army for war! Do you think what Cao Yong said makes sense?"
Huang Cong raised his eyebrows and said angrily: "Cao Yong is so rude! As a minister, how can you speak like this? Everything your father does is justified, how can you allow your ministers to make irresponsible remarks!" Zhao Heng was delighted and praised : "What the old master said couldn't be more correct!" After a pause, he said: "Then I will reject Cao Yong's proposal!" Huang Cong said: "Not only that, your majesty should also reprimand him severely! Or he can be cited. I am here to warn you not to say such disrespectful words again! It is also a warning to all civil and military officials!"
Zhao Heng nodded and said: "There is also a memorial sent by Li Te. He talks about the sufferings of the people and believes that the court should not increase taxes and cut unnecessary taxes. The old master thinks this statement is acceptable. Makes sense?”
Huang Cong said angrily: "Li Te really deserves to be killed! These remarks are clearly deceiving the public! His words clearly mean that His Majesty does not care about the suffering of the people. Doesn't this treat His Majesty as a coward? As a minister, such remarks are really unacceptable. Anyone who has neglected his duty as a minister should be punished! It is a matter of course for the people to support His Majesty. It is said that if the king wants his ministers to die, they must die, let alone the people! Moreover, the taxes levied by the court are also to protect the Song Dynasty. Isn’t defending the Song Dynasty just about protecting their people! All expenses can be said to be necessary! Although the people’s lives are a little difficult now, Your Majesty is even more difficult! Your Majesty can endure it, shouldn’t the people endure it?” He cupped his fists towards Zhao Heng and said, "Your Majesty, please arrest Li Te and punish him for his evil words and deceiving the public!"
Zhao Heng said warmly: "What the old master said is absolutely true. However, although what Li Te said is hateful, it is a letter to the people after all. It would not be a good idea if I punished him. So I issued an edict to reprimand him. That's it." Huang Cong sighed: "Your Majesty is so kind!" Then he said angrily: "It's a shame that some people just don't know how to be blessed despite being blessed!" Zhao Henglong looked delighted.
Cao Yong felt very depressed when he saw that his petition was not only rejected but also reprimanded. At this time, another imperial edict came, ordering him to immediately gather some troops and horses, and together with soldiers and horses from other places, go to Zhangzhou to attack Zhang Jun. Cao Yong was taken aback and quickly asked the imperial envoy for details. However, the imperial envoy was arrogant and refused to say anything. He bowed his hand to Cao Yong and left.
Cao Yong held the imperial edict and frowned tightly. Finally, with a long sigh, he ordered his soldiers to summon all the generals and told them about the imperial edict ordering them to lead an army to attack Zhang Jun. The generals looked at each other in disbelief.
On that day, Cao Yong led his most elite 30,000 soldiers and horses to leave the station. As for the defense of the Nanling line, he left it to several important generals under his command. He is not worried about the front line of Nanling, because various signs show that Yanyun will not send troops until next year, and even if they attack, they will be able to withstand it with the dangerous terrain of Nanling's Ten Thousand Mountains. What really worried Cao Yong was Zhang Jun's matter. He was worried that Zhang Jun would really rebel, and the consequences would be disastrous. In fact, based on Cao Yong's understanding of Zhang Jun, he was not worried at first. However, rumors of Zhang Jun's rebellion were rampant, and he also received reliable information that Zhang Jun had many excuses for the imperial court summoning his family to Guangzhou. If these two things It's easy to explain the matter with only one thing, but when two things appear together, it really makes people doubt that his rebellion is true!
Cao Yong led an army to Zhangzhou City, and immediately received news that Zhang Jun had captured the prefect, and closed the city gates to prepare for the attack. Yan Yun's two-winged flying tiger war flag was also hung on the city wall.
Cao Yong was very angry and immediately sent his troops to Bo City. Cao Yong rode his horse between the two sides and shouted to the top of the city gate: "Zhang Jun, come out and speak!" Soon the city gate opened, and Zhang Jun rode out alone and came to Cao Yong's face. When the two met, they couldn't help feeling emotional. Zhang Jun clasped his fists and said, "Old friend, how are you?"
Cao Yong said angrily: "I didn't expect that after half a year, the loyal minister who was so impassioned and loyal to the death would turn out to be a traitor to the court and His Majesty! Zhang Jun, what else do you have to say?" Zhang Jun sighed and said, "Old friend , you and I swear to be loyal to the Zhao Song official family to the death, why on earth are we here?"
Cao Yong was stunned for a moment, then frowned and said nothing. In the past, he would have naturally said that being loyal to your king and father is the right and moral principle of heaven and earth, but he could not say this now. After going through so many things, it is really difficult for him to continue to believe this nonsense. "I want to repay Your Majesty for your kindness!" Cao Yong finally said these words.
Zhang Jun smiled and said, "In order to repay this so-called kindness of knowing you, you don't care about the life and death of the people, the future of us Han people, and the lives of thousands of soldiers! In order to repay this so-called kindness of knowing you, you are willing to be a member of the Zhao family I am a slave who is willing to put the lives of his parents, wife, and children into the hands of the Zhao family!"
Cao Yong could only feel cold sweat dripping from his ears, and his whole body was trembling slightly involuntarily. Zhang Jun frowned and said resolutely: "I can't do this! I will never sacrifice the lives of my whole family for a corrupt Zhao Song! What's more, I have repaid the so-called Zhao family's kindness. I don’t owe anything to the Zhao family!" He glanced at Cao Yong and said sincerely: "Old friend! Loyalty has great loyalty, and righteousness has great righteousness! You must not betray your great loyalty to the whole world just for the sake of small loyalty to the Zhao Song family. Righteousness and responsibility to one’s loved ones!”
Cao Yong frowned, raised his head and said sternly: "No! If loyalty can be changed, can it still be called loyalty? Maybe you are right, but loyalty is the foundation of one's life. In life, if one chooses the object of loyalty, I can't change it! Maybe Zhao Song's official family is indeed not good, but I can only be loyal to him!"
Zhang Jun sighed helplessly.
Cao Yong said: "Zhang Jun, you have no possibility of victory. I advise you to surrender early, and your life will be ruined!" Zhang Jun said seriously: "I have no choice! I know the style of housekeeper Zhao Song. If I can't keep In this city, I don’t know how many people will be dead because of the so-called crime of collaborating with the enemy, including the family members I care about most! We can only fight to the end with the Zhao Song official family to find a way out!"
Cao Yong frowned, "Why bother, you have no chance of winning! I can promise you that as long as you surrender, I will try my best to ask Your Majesty to forgive your sins!"
Zhang Jun said categorically: "It's better to have your destiny in your own hands!" Then he said: "Old friend, you and I have broken all ties today, and there will be no mercy in the future war!" Cao Yong sighed, clasped his fists and said, "In that case, take care of yourself. !" Zhang Jun also clasped his fists and said, "Take care of yourself!" The two looked at each other, turned their horses around, and returned to their respective camps.
Then the Song Army's war drums sounded loudly, and the Song Army troops began to attack the city. To Cao Yong's expectation, the soldiers and civilians in the city turned out to be very tenacious. His side had been unable to make any progress despite their fierce attacks for several days, and the war entered a stalemate.
Unconsciously, the time has arrived in July, the sun has become scorching, the earth is bright, pedestrians on the road are coming and going sweating like rain, and the streets and alleys of Bianliang are even more lively like this weather.
In the tea shop, several porters who had just sat down were drinking tea and talking. I saw a man in a brown undershirt curiously asking his companion opposite: "Has anything big happened recently? Why do I see troops being mobilized from time to time when I come back to Bianliang?"
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
