The team set off early in the morning. There was no guard of honor or the imperial flag. The common people who got up early in the morning saw a team of thousands of people and horses surrounded by many large carriages. They didn't think it was anything special. They just thought it was an army routine. line of mobilization. Transfers like this happen not only in Bianliang but also all over the country, so the people don't think it's anything strange.
The team left Bianliang City and headed east. Since the meeting date agreed with the Queen Mother of Liao was still two months away, there was plenty of time, so Yang Peng decided to head east first. After arriving in Shandong, he turned around and was taken to Yanjing. . At this time, winter turns to spring, the ice melts, thousands of trees turn green, and the originally silent birdsong echoes in the mountains and forests; the mountain streams that had become silent due to the freezing of the earth have also regained their vitality and flowed in the valleys. , making a clear and pleasant sound.
Children like Yang Rui were very excited. They stuck their heads out of the carriage, pointed and chattered. The mothers stood by to explain to them various things that seemed very novel to them.
Not long after the team left Bianliang, someone rushed up with a message and delivered a letter to Yang Peng.
Yang Peng rode on his horse, opened the envelope, took out the letter paper, unfolded it and read it. It turned out to be news about Xiliao forwarded by the cabinet. Not long ago, the Western Liao Dynasty suddenly invaded Khwarezm with 100,000 elite troops. According to the news from Xizuo and merchants, Khwarazm was caught off guard because it was conquering the Seljuk Empire. Therefore, the Liao army was invincible and unmanned. In the territory, cities in the east fell one after another, and many lords who were responsible for defending the territory surrendered. The entire eastern region of Khwarezm was in chaos. The situation was very favorable to the Liao army, but very unfavorable to Khwarazm.
After Yang Peng read the report, he thought to himself: "Kwarazm must have seen that the Seljuk Empire was in critical condition under the onslaught of the Crusaders, so he wanted to take advantage of it; he also saw that Xiliao was fighting fiercely with our army, and he expected that There was nothing going on in the east for a short period of time, so they could peacefully attack the Seljuk Empire. Yelu Longqing was indeed a talented and strategist. After losing in the eastern battlefield, he immediately discovered the fighter planes in the western battlefield, so he made a prompt decision to reach a peace agreement with our army and mobilized troops to conquer Khwarezm! This was a deliberate calculation but not intentional. Khwarazmo did not expect that Xiliao would mobilize a main force so quickly, so there was not much force deployed on the eastern border! If Khwarezm does not respond appropriately, big problems may arise! '
Yelu Hanyu rode up to Yang Peng and asked, "Brother, is there anything important?"
Yang Peng handed the letter to her. Yelu Hanyu took the letter, read it over, smiled, and sighed: "Yelu Longqing is really not simple! I didn't realize before that he is actually a hero!"
Yang Peng said: "The heroes will not expose themselves when they have no chance. However, once the opportunity comes, they will turn into dragons instantly like encountering a unicorn in the storm!" Seeing Yelu Hanyu looking at him with a smile, he looked puzzled. Asked: "What's wrong?" Yelu Hanyu smiled and said: "Brother, this seems to be talking about yourself!" Yang Peng ughed and then burst into laughter. The other women were very curious when they saw Yang Peng and Yelu Hanyu talking and laughing from a distance.
Yang Peng stopped smiling and looked at Yelu Hanyu solemnly. Yelu Hanyu felt a little surprised. Yang Peng said: "Mei'er, then Yelu Hanyu..." Yelu Hanyu guessed what Yang Peng wanted to say and smiled: "The Xiliao built by Yelu Longqing actually has nothing to do with Daliao! Besides, even if it is Daliao, Brother, you don’t need to have any scruples about the inheritance of Liao Dynasty! I, as well as the thousands of Khitan people, have been loyal to Yan Yun wholeheartedly, and consider themselves to be a member of Yanyun wholeheartedly! No matter what, big brother, Whatever the decision, we Khitan people will definitely support it with all our strength!" Then he smiled, put his palm into Yang Peng's big hand, and said softly: "Besides, we all feel that only in the big family of Yanyun can the Khitan people get True happiness!"
Yang Peng felt very relieved and looked back at Yelu Hanyu with a smile.
Yang Tong, who was sitting in the carriage behind, saw this scene and was filled with jealousy. He said angrily: "That vixen is seducing my husband again!"
The son Yang Yinglong sitting next to him said innocently: "Mom, Aunt Yelu is also my father's wife, so why is she a vixen?" Yang Tong turned around and said angrily: "Silly boy! If she wasn't a vixen seducing your father, why? She will become your father's wife!" Yang Yinglong was confused, blinking his big clear eyes and said: "Before mother became father's wife, she was not father's wife! According to mother's meaning, mother was also a vixen before, because of seduction Did Daddy just become Daddy's wife?" The maid sitting next to her couldn't help but laugh, and immediately realized that she shouldn't laugh out loud, and quickly covered her mouth. Seeing the empress coming over with a glare, she couldn't help but feel very uneasy.
Yang Tong turned around, poked his son's forehead with his finger, and said angrily: "Silly boy, can you say that about your mother?" Seeing his son's big innocent eyes open, he couldn't help but feel a shiver in his heart, and felt that he really couldn't You should say that in front of your children, it will teach them bad things. As soon as he thought about this, he quickly said: "Long'er, mother is telling a joke! Don't take it seriously!" Yang Yinglong suddenly realized, nodded his head and smiled: "It turns out that mother is telling a joke! No wonder Long'er thinks that mother is right. It doesn't make sense!" Yang Tong couldn't help but feel a little ashamed when he looked at his son's innocent appearance.
That night, the team camped in the wilderness. Bonfires were lit one after another, and Yang Peng and his wives sat together and chatted. The children were having fun on the grass by the stream under the care of the nannies and palace maids. Wei Ze was preparing food for tonight. The smoke was rising in the mountains and forests, and the aroma of the food was mouth-watering.
A Feifeng female guard walked up to Chen Xiao and others, cupped her fists and said, "Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen, the food is ready."
Yang Peng and others raised their eyes to look for the children, only to see the children playing happily on the grass. Several mothers shouted the names of their children, asking them to come back for dinner. Several children came back under the leadership of the wet nurse and the palace maid. They all looked excited and much more energetic than when they were in Bianliang. Several children threw themselves into their mother's arms, chattering non-stop! Rui'er dove into her father's arms, shaking her little butt and acting coquettishly! Chai Yonghui next to him said a little jealously: "Rui'er likes daddy the most, and he always leaves mom aside!"
Yang Peng chuckled. Rui'er immediately left her father's arms, got into her mother's arms, and said coquettishly: "Rui'er also likes my mother the most!" Chai Yonghui smiled and said angrily: "Little slick!"
Yang Peng clapped his hands and stood up, saying to everyone: "Okay, it's time to eat." Everyone stood up one after another, followed Yang Peng to a bonfire, and sat down around the bonfire. Naren and other female guards immediately distributed the prepared plates of temptingly fragrant barbecue to individuals, and then immediately delivered water and fruits to individuals.
Everyone chatted and ate and drank. Naren and other female Khitan guards danced their own ethnic dance around the bonfire. Everyone couldn't help but clap their hands in joy, and the atmosphere was very lively.
"Huh? What is that?" Yang Rui, who was sitting next to her mother, suddenly pointed to the dark place behind. Everyone looked in the direction of her finger and were startled when they saw a fluffy thing lying not far away. Naren and other female guards immediately drew their swords out of their sheaths and ran forward. After a while, Naren came back holding a fur ball. Naren said with a smile: "It's a little bear. Maybe he came here after smelling the aroma of food." The children's eyes lit up when they saw the fuzzy, chubby, cute little bear in Naren's hand. It’s like a child in modern society seeing a favorite toy.
Several children screamed for joy and rushed to Naren. They stretched out their hands and shouted: "Give me a hug! Give me a hug!" This made Naren embarrassed. They were all princes and princesses. Who should I leave it to? . She had an idea and said, "This is still a bit dangerous." Then she walked to Yang Peng holding the little bear and handed the little bear to Yang Peng. As for which child His Majesty would give the little bear to, it was not her concern.
Yang Peng saw the little bear's eyes staring straight at the steaming barbecue, his little paws stretching towards the barbecue, and a low cry coming from his mouth. It looked like he was hungry. Yang Peng put the little bear in front of him, took the remaining plate of barbecue and put it in front of it. The little bear cheered, sat on the grass, held the barbecue in his two paws and started gobbling it up, looking very cute while eating. .
Several children gathered around, watching the little bear eating with big eyes, looking very fond of it. Yang Rui suddenly stood up and ran to her food plate. She picked up her food plate with both hands and ran back. She also placed it in front of the little bear and said eagerly: "Little bear, be good! I'll bring you some delicious food." !" Seeing this, the other children quickly brought their own food to the little bear. However, the little bear was very small and naturally did not eat much. Yang Peng was full before he could finish the remaining plate of barbecue, so he did not touch the food brought by the children. The children were extremely disappointed when they saw this.
The little bear moved his chubby body to Yang Peng's feet, put his head on Yang Peng's calf, and purred, looking very affectionate. Yeqi Guanyin laughed and said: "It regards its eldest brother as its mother!" Everyone laughed. Yang Peng laughed and said, "No way!" Yedi Guanyin said, "That's what animals are like. Whoever nurtures them will recognize whoever is their mother."
Yang Peng smiled and said: "This little guy's mother must be nearby. He only likes me because he ate my food."
Ye Qi Guanyin nodded and said: "It is also possible." Then he frowned and said: "If the big bear is nearby, it will not be safe at night!" Turning to Na Ren, he said: "Go tell Wang Kai and search the surrounding mountains and forests carefully. If If you find a big bear, don't disturb it, come back and report it immediately." Naren responded and ran down. After a while, the hidden killers on the periphery took action.
Yang Rui and the children squatted on the ground to play with the little bear. The little bear looked very scared and clutched Yang Peng's trousers tightly. The children only think that the little bear looks even cuter like this. They really want to hug it, but they dare not.
Not long after, Wang Kai came back and reported: "Your Majesty, the surrounding area has been searched, and no trace of any wild beast has been found. Not even a trace."
Yang Peng looked at Ye Qi Guanyin. Ye Qi Guanyin glanced at the little bear that was holding on to Yang Peng's trousers and said, "The mother of this little bear may be dead, otherwise the mother bear would never be nearby!" Several women who already had children suddenly felt that this was The little bear is so pitiful!
Yang Peng lowered his head and glanced at the little bear. Yang Rui pulled Yang Peng's sleeve and begged: "Dad, this little bear is so pitiful! Let's just adopt it!" The other children also looked begging. Yang Peng originally had this intention and said with a smile: "Okay, let's adopt it!" The children immediately cheered. Little Bear hugged Yang Peng's calf and looked at the cheering Yang Rui and others with an innocent face.
In the days that followed, the group of people marched slowly, enjoying the spring scenery along the way. The children had already played with the little bear, and they were filled with joyful laughter.
In the afternoon of that day, the team passed through a village in Hebei. Yang Peng remembered that he had been here when the Liao army invaded south. At that time, the place was devastated, the houses were destroyed, the rice fields were barren, the wilderness was full of corpses, and vultures were everywhere. Hovering in the sky. But now, the scene is completely different. Exquisite wooden houses are in the mountains and rivers, small bridges and flowing water, farmland, pastoral songs melodiously echoing in the fields, and everyone's face is filled with happy smiles. In the distance, a group of naughty children were not afraid of the cold and were swimming in the stream, laughing and singing along with the gurgling sound of the stream. In fact, the places we passed along the way were all so peaceful and beautiful. Today's Central Plains land, it is difficult for people to imagine that within a few years it has been a chaotic and noisy killing ground where blood and flesh are everywhere! The changes in a few years can be described as a vast ocean, which makes people sigh with emotion!
Yang Peng and his party enjoyed the scenery all the way and did not arrive in Yanjing until late February. After arriving in Yanjing, we settled down in the palace. The so-called palace refers to the former palace of King Yan, which was originally the palace of the king of Nanyuan of Liao Kingdom.
Yang Peng met with Yang Jiumei, the governor of Yanyun's sixteen states and the general manager of the march, in the study. Yang Jiumei bowed Yingying: "I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Why do we need so many false courtesy between the two of us!"
Yang Jiumei straightened up and looked at Yang Peng, with a strange look in her beautiful eyes, and her red lips parted slightly: "Your Majesty, we have received news from the Liao Kingdom a few days ago that the Queen Mother of the Liao Kingdom has led 30,000 escort troops. Arrived near Gubei Pavilion." Yang Peng nodded, remembering what Handerang had said to him before, and couldn't help but be very curious about the purpose of Wang Jun's trip.
Yang Jiumei said: "Your Majesty, I think this matter is a bit strange."
Yang Peng nodded and motioned for her to continue. Yang Jiumei continued: "There is really no reason for the Queen Mother of the Liao Kingdom to take the initiative to meet with His Majesty! And they are not worried that His Majesty will suddenly attack during the meeting? The Queen Mother of the Liao Kingdom is just a delicate woman, and His Majesty, as everyone in the world knows, He is a hero with unparalleled bravery and power that shocks the world! If Your Majesty suddenly attacks, the Queen Mother of Liao will be nothing more than a lamb under the paws of a tiger and a wolf, with no room for resistance!"
Yang Peng teased: "Jiu Mei, in your eyes, am I just such a rotten man who bullies women?"
Yang Jiumei's face turned red and she said angrily: "I'm just discussing the matter. Shouldn't the people of Liao country be worried about this?"
Yang Peng stood up, walked to Yang Jiumei, looked at her and thought, "You mean, the Liao people might have some conspiracy?"
Yang Jiumei frowned and said: "I do have such worries, but the strange thing is that our scouts and agents did not find any suspicious signs! The Liao people do not seem to be plotting! But..."
Yang Peng held Yang Jiumei's delicate hand. Yang Jiumei felt reassured and couldn't say the next words. She raised her head and looked at Yang Peng, with a sea of affection and deep resentment in her beautiful eyes. Such a look seemed to contain a thousand words. Yang Peng Already understood her thoughts. Yang Peng couldn't help feeling tender and couldn't help but hold her in his arms.
Yang Jiumei couldn't help but feel emotional. She subconsciously stretched out her hands to hug Yang Peng's waist and murmured: "I miss you so much!"
Yang Peng's heart immediately turned into countless silk threads, tangled in thousands of twists and turns.
Yang Jiumei suddenly felt a chill in her heart and quickly pushed Yang Peng away. Seeing Yang Peng looking at him with a puzzled expression, he lowered his head and said with a blush, "It's not good to let them see it!"
Yang Peng smiled and said, "I'll go find you tonight." Yang Jiumei's heart was filled with excitement and she didn't express any objection. Thinking of business, he quickly put all his thoughts behind him, rolled his eyes at Yang Peng, and said, "I'm really worried about meeting Wang Jun! Don't be careless!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "It will be okay. We are well prepared. Even if the Liao people have any conspiracy, it will just shoot themselves in the foot!" Yang Jiumei nodded, but she still felt uneasy. Recalling some intelligence received not long ago, he said: "A red report was sent from Bianliang, about the west and the Yue Li Dynasty. In addition, I recently received a report from the Japanese country."
Yang Peng said: "You can tell me these things later in the evening." Yang Jiumei blushed and said angrily: "Are you still interested in listening tonight?" Yang Peng chuckled, picked up Yang Jiumei's chin with his right index finger, and smiled. Said: "I am not a fool. While entertaining, I will never forget to do business!"
Yang Jiumei said angrily: "Are you staying with me just for entertainment?"
Yang Peng said seriously: "It's for the emotional integration between the two of us! For our feelings to be sublimated in this kind of activity!"
Yang Jiumei chuckled and glanced at Yang Peng, "That's nonsense!"
Yang Peng hugged Yang Jiumei and couldn't help but said: "Jiumei, I miss you a lot these days!" Yang Jiumei sighed, "I miss you a lot too! Especially after a busy day!" Yang Peng said excitedly: "Jiumei, Let's not torture each other!" Yang Jiumei frowned and shook her head, "No!" She looked up at Yang Peng and smiled: "Didn't I say it before? I am very selfish and don't want to share with other women. My own man! Just let me be your lover. That way, whenever we are together, you will belong to me completely!" Yang Peng smiled bitterly: "I really can't understand your thoughts. !" Yang Jiumei smiled sweetly.
He gently pushed Yang Peng's chest and said, "I'm going to see my eldest sister." Yang Peng suddenly kissed Yang Jiumei's red lips. Yang Jiumei's heart trembled, and she couldn't help but kiss back crazily. Yang Jiumei used all her willpower to restrain her desires and gently pushed Yang Peng away. The two looked at each other, their faces so close that they could even feel each other's breathing clearly. Yang Jiumei said angrily: "Stop making trouble! Let me go!" Yang Peng let go of Yang Jiumei.
Yang Jiumei walked out of the study, her back looking very graceful and moving. Yang Jiumei suddenly stopped, looked back with a smile, and said, "I'll wait for you tonight! Don't let me not come!" Yang Peng's heart skipped a beat, and when he came back to his senses, the beauty had disappeared.
Yang Peng couldn't help but sigh, thinking back to the many enchanting people around him, each with their own beauty, but they all had a deep affection for him. Yang Peng couldn't help but worry that his luck was so good, would God make him sick in the future? He shook his head and threw these messy thoughts behind him. Thinking that he had not seen the appearance of Yanjing City for a long time, he called the guards, gave some instructions, and then left the palace.
Yang Peng wandered on the streets and found that the city of Yanjing was very quiet, which was in sharp contrast to the noisy and lively Bianliang. Only occasionally when merchants traveling from south to north pass by, there will be a little noise. No matter whether they are merchants going south from the north or merchants going north from the south, they will not stay too much in Yanjing City, because their final destination is not Yanjing. The final destination of merchants from the north was Bianliang, while the final destination of merchants from the south was Shangjing City in the Liao Kingdom. Yanjing is no longer the center of Yanyun, but has become a very comfortable place. When people are in it, they will subconsciously feel lazy. The city under the sunshine is so peaceful and quiet.
"Brother!" A surprised call came from behind Yang Peng.
Yang Peng stopped and looked at the sound, and saw a beautiful woman in white mink velvet running towards her with a face full of joy. It turned out to be Zhao Xiangxiang, whom she hadn't seen for a long time! Yang Peng couldn't help but feel very happy.
Zhao Xiangxiang led her personal maid Ju'er and ran to Yang Peng and said excitedly: "I didn't expect to meet my eldest brother here!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "I didn't expect to meet our talented woman here!" Zhao Xiangxiang's cheeks turned red. Yang Peng looked around and saw a restaurant not far away with the Fan Lou sign. It was a branch of Fan Lou and was also a government-owned property. He pointed at the Fan Lou and said, "Let's sit there. Sit down!" Zhao Xiangxiang nodded. Everyone then walked towards Fan Tower. The secret guards responsible for protecting Yang Peng on the periphery also followed suit.
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
