The cold wind howled bitterly.
White snow is flying all over the sky.
In the hazy sky and earth, the black city is like a strong giant beast, entrenched with unyielding will.
Outside the four-gate city, large and small stone houses, wooden buildings, and tents stretch endlessly in circles.
There are still countless refugees in ragged clothes stumbling around, small and helpless.
On the city wall, Xia Xinzhu, who was wearing a big cloak, looked helpless and sad, sighing: "After this winter, I don't know how many more people will die."
The maid on the side hesitated a little and warned again: "Princess, we really can't let anyone into the city anymore."
Xia Xinzhu was silent and nodded slightly.
The huge Qingyang City is already overcrowded, and there are people everywhere in the streets and alleys under the eaves.
As soon as the designated porridge shed opened, people flocked to it.
On Fangshi Street in the South District, there were many monks and pedestrians.
"The City Lord's Mansion is really rich in financial resources. The refugee area has been expanded to five miles away."
"Do you really think the City Lord's Mansion and Xia Xinzhu have such strength? The Zhong Clan is behind them."
"I heard that Xia Xinzhu is Zhong Yan's woman?"
"Most likely, Xia Xinzhu is also selfless and courageous enough to devote herself as a princess to others for the sake of the people of Qingyang City."
"It's a joke. How powerful is the Zhong clan? Zhong Yan's current cultivation level is unfathomable. Is he not worthy of her?"
"It seems that a nationwide war is not far away. Qingyang City may not be able to defend itself. Should we change places?"
"It's the same everywhere! I heard that wars broke out in many countries in the Eastern Region. The Yan State is doing relatively well, but within the Yan State, I feel it is better to stay in Qingyang."
"Yes, you care about the refugees, but you still don't care about us capable monks?"
"It's better to join the Zhong clan and become a guest minister. It's safer."
"No, you didn't read yesterday's notice. The Zhong Mansion only needs to be in the Foundation Establishment Stage. During the Qi Refining Period, it is recommended to register at the Keqing Mansion."
"..."
Cangbao Street, Zhongfu.
The main hall of the second courtyard.
This is set up as the discussion department.
Wen Hong, the leader of the Dou Zhan Hall, and Jiang Yunruo, the director of the Supervisory Yuan, sit here every day, and people come in and out from time to time to report news.
Zhong Yan often comes for inspections to understand the latest situation in the outside world.
"Master, Qin Ben has faith!"
"Father!"
Zhong Xiaozhong and Zhong Qi came together.
Zhong Yan took the envelope, opened it, read it, passed it to Jiang Yunruo and others for circulation, and said with a smile: "Qin Ben really thinks highly of me!"
Zhong Qiyu said: "I also received a message from brother Qi Xiang this morning. There is another war in the northern part of Wei State. The armies of the four parties have gathered 1.8 million troops. Qin Ben has assembled an army of 200,000 people and is marching eastward to capture Qi King Xingmen. close……"
Zhong Yan moved to the wall and looked at the map.
Zhou Yunning said: "Counting the previous Yan troops that were deployed on Wei's battlefield, nearly half of them are moving eastward."
At this time, Ye Weiwei came in, looked at the others, and looked a little nervous: "Husband, Uncle Li sent a message to ask about the specific strength of the concubine's family. I said 50%, and did not mention the direct lineage of the family."
After the words fell, Qin Ziyue flew down to the courtyard with Tang Xiaoshu and quickly stepped inside.
Qin Ziyue: "Husband, have you received my brother's letter?"
Tang Xiaoshu said: "Shuai Qin asked about Qingyang's troop deployment, as well as our family's martial arts strength, resources, and food and grass reserves."
Jiang Yunruo raised the letter and said: "We can't mobilize the twenty people in the late stage of foundation building, and there are also prayer beads. If Wei's troops return to attack Qingyang, we ourselves will be stretched thin and we won't be able to sustain it for long."
Zhong Yan looked at Qin Ziyue and asked, "What do you think?"
Qin Ziyue: "My husband has made the decision. I think the family should come first. My brother is not only our supporter. If there is an emergency, it will not be too late to make plans."
Zhou Yunning: "Husband, the princes from all sides are in trouble. Is it possible that there will be a war after the New Year?"
Zhong Yan shook his head: "Not so fast, there is still some time."
After pondering for a while, he continued: "Select one from the Douzhan Hall to build the eighth floor, and four to build the foundation. When Yun Mei comes back from Liusha Island, take eight million prayer beads to the Wei Kingdom."
Wen Hong: "Good husband."
Qin Ziyue breathed a sigh of relief. It was difficult to allocate combat support, but he was given three million more prayer beads, which was an explanation to his brother.
Zhong Yan looked at Bai Siyuan and said: "Brother Taoist, contact Wentai Lai. Once these batches of prayer beads are harvested, we can rob them and pick a place farther away to do it."
Bai Siyuan: "Okay!"
Jiang Yunruo said worriedly: "Husband, sister Hsinchu has taken in too many refugees. Sister-in-law Liu'er mentioned it yesterday and the expenses are scary. Now the situation is already economically depressed, coupled with the cold winter..."
Zhong Yan said directly: "Let Liu'er find Wan Tang and the Caoyun Gang. If you want to stay safe and sound under our wings, please contribute money and effort!"
"..."
After some arrangements, everyone took orders and went about their business.
Zhong Yan stopped Tang Xiaoshu and walked out of the hall together.
Being alone with his colleagues, Tang Xiaoshu was a little nervous and took the initiative to report the content of the summons in detail.
"It was General Liang from Nanmen who contacted me. He had already reported to Ding Zhan before, and the contact information of the three spies had also been reported..."
Zhong Yan nodded, took her hand and flew high into the sky, flying towards the deep courtyard.
Tang Xiaoshu lowered his head and looked down. Such behavior was rare. Although she had confessed, she had always felt that there was a gap between her and her husband over the years.
Zhong Yan said: "I have worked hard for you these years. Now you don't have an important position. You just have time to have a child."
Tang Xiaoshu was slightly startled, his nose felt sore, his eyes instantly turned red and sparkling, "Husband..."
Zhong Yan stroked her cheek and said with a smile, "I know what you mean, no need to say more."
When he came back last time, he checked and found that the other party's loyalty reached 95, which was among the forefront among the many wives, concubines, and heirs.
"Um!"
Tang Xiaoshu nodded vigorously, his smile blooming in tears.
Thirty-fifth courtyard.
"Husband, do you practice here on weekdays?"
It was Tang Xiaoshu's first time here. His beautiful eyes sparkled with curiosity, and the warmth flowing in his heart seemed to melt the winter snow in the world.
"right."
After walking through the courtyards and corridors, a burst of laughter came from the hall.
Yu Qingyao and others gathered around and talked and laughed.
Tang Xiaoshu hurriedly saluted and greeted them one by one.
Zhong Yan saw that Jiang Ping was there and asked, "Ping'er, how much common money does the clan have in its treasury?"
Jiang Ping said hurriedly: "The current silver is over 300 million taels, and there is also a large amount of food and animal meat in storage... I have calculated with Yun Ning's sisters that if there is no major war, the family's registered population of more than 7,000 can be maintained at least Forty years."
There are more than 7,000 people, including the elite warrior army of Fuyang Town.
Zhong Yan frowned. If you include the Qingyang City defenders, these supplies are far from enough.
"Secondly, we need to prepare more food and money."
Jiang Ping nodded and said: "Well, the harvests in the farmland around Qingyang have been good in the past two years, and a large formation has been constructed in the Fuyang Granary for long-term storage."
Yu Qingyao said: "The crops in the medicinal field are growing well and can be harvested in another year. By then, Sister Siyu will refine a batch of Bigu Pills, which can cover part of the cost."
"good."
Zhong Yan nodded and asked, "What are you talking about so happily?"
Jiang Ping smiled and said: "It's about the wedding banquet, nine of them together, nine Vajras!"
Zhong Yan twitched the corner of his mouth.
Yu Qingyao followed: "Cymbidium is on Liusha Island. She said she would make up for it later, but Zhiluo and the other mortals said they would no longer join in the fun at this age.
Then only Sister Siyu, Sister Yunruo, Wei Cen, Dong'er, Youbai, Shuang'er...
There are also three members of the Five Elements Sect, all of whom have true spiritual roots. They have also tested the specific purity of the spiritual root essence and have excellent qualifications.
Sister Ziyi has searched the souls of the three of them. She is a very nice girl. Do you want to meet her first? "
Testing the purity of spiritual root essence requires special magical tools, which many major forces do not have.
The possessions of the Zhong Mansion came from the Ding Family and Peng Jiayun at the expense of the Five Elements Sect.
Zhong Yan thought for a moment and said, "Then call everyone over and have a look."
Beauty, qualifications, etc. are secondary. They are both true spiritual roots, so how different are they from each other?
For him, it is better to choose someone with high loyalty and easier to bind.
"I go!"
Gu Dongdong rushed to the door, staggered on his flying sword and flew away, causing a burst of cute laughter.
Yu Qingyao blinked and said: "Zhong Lang, what are you going to do with Miao Miao?
As for her Dzogchen, she only needs one Spirit Fusion Pill to form it. If she can conquer it, she will get a lot of help.
Moreover, Sister Siyu said that Miao Miao had good character and was an outstanding disciple of the Six Peaks. His cultivation aptitude and talent were no worse than Nan Jin's.
She is one of the few in Liufeng whom Siyu's sister likes, and the two have some friendship in private. "
After a pause, Yu Qingyao smiled and said: "You can still be so angry that you can reach the Six Peaks!"
Zhong Yan had a strange look on his face, and suddenly remembered that Wei Siyu had mentioned lobbying Su Yong. If Su Yong was really stabbed, all the seven peaks would be captured in one fell swoop, and the remaining female disciples could be picked at any time.
As for Miao Miao, he originally planned to let him charge into the battle and be used as cannon fodder during the war.
"Let me think about it. We don't need to have a big wedding banquet. We can just invite some friends and celebrate it in Taoyuan."
Jiang Ping nodded, took out a list of names from her purse and handed it over: "Take a look."
Zhong Yan glanced at the main figures from the Ding family, Peng family and the governor's house, as well as a few personal friends.
"Can."
Not long after.
Gu Dongdong brought nine female cultivators from the Five Elements Sect, and four more had tasks in the later stages of foundation building and were not in the house.
Nine people stood in a row, with pretty faces, different styles, and a little shyness.
Yu Qingyao called aside the three selected ones with more outstanding looks.
Zhong Yan glanced around and found that the loyalty of the nine people was above 70. There was not much difference, but one who was not selected reached 83, with his head slightly lowered.
"you."
Hearing the sound, the girls looked left and right.
The woman in green was stunned for a moment, her heartbeat quickened and her pretty face turned red. She bowed and clasped her fists and said, "Zhu Xinyan has met the master of the house! I have gold and water true spiritual roots. I am twenty-seven years old. I have been practicing for sixteen years and have built the third floor of the foundation." territory……"
Yu Qingyao and others were surprised. Although this girl was beautiful, her appearance was only average among the sisters in the Zhong Mansion. She didn't know why her husband took a fancy to her at first sight.
Immediately, everyone's eyes fell on the majestic chest. Could it be because of the extraordinary talent and tolerance?
After introducing her situation in detail, Zhu Xinyan's ears turned red and she added in a low voice: "Subordinate, I am devoted to cultivation and have never had a man I like."
Zhong Yan said: "Just the four of you."
The other five people couldn't help but look envious and disappointed.
Since she has sincerely submitted, the higher her status, the better. If she becomes a Taoist concubine, she can soar into the sky, not to mention that the other party is such a handsome, charming and powerful male cultivator.
Yu Qingyao smiled and said: "Ten Great Vajras!"
At this time, Qin Youbai flew down to the door, rushed in and said urgently: "Husband, Huan'er has been kidnapped!"
…
