"Quickly tell me, I'm from the princess's side." Since everyone knew that the Lian family relied on the princess, Dalang Lian didn't hide it anymore.
The thief Meng Junao made a sound, and then said it briefly again, almost drying up his words. After Lian Dalang listened, the plate he was holding was unstable and almost fell. Meng Jun had quick hands and picked up a plate of lychees. Saved.
"This, this..." Lian Dalang has no master. This is such a huge handle. Lian Dalang can't even think about it: "General, what did he say?"
Meng Jun was also a little surprised: "The general didn't say anything."
Lian Dalang was very anxious, and his mind was full of what bad things Wei Guogong wanted to do by using the princess. It was very likely that he would retreat, but at this moment, let alone retreat, how could he retreat? You must know that those who followed him had already been beaten. With the imprint of Zhou Youzhou on the line, all their wealth, life, and family's future were at stake. Once they retreated, those people would not be able to make a big fuss, but if they wanted to fight back, sometimes force could not permanently solve the problem.
No, he wanted to find out.
Lian Dalang hurriedly walked to the door and knocked on it: "Your Majesty, Lian Bowen, has something important to report to the prince."
"Lord Lian, please come in." Unexpectedly, Dalang Lian heard Cui Langjun's voice.
Lian Dalang walked into Luo Qi Pavilion's study with a plate of lychees. He bowed first and then said, "Someone from Lingnan has come, and they also sent some lychees. I thought of sending them to the prince."
Cui Shizi sat not far from the desk, looking at a plate of watery lychees. All the ice inside had melted.
Lian Dalang presented the lychees and did not notice the ice water dripping from the lychees on the desk. When he looked up, he was completely frightened by Zhou Youzhou sitting on the high chair at the back of the study.
Zhou Youzhou was sitting on the high chair behind the study. The sunlight filtered through the window lattice and painted uneven shadows on his face, dividing his face into pieces. His face was slightly twitching, and he could see the extreme rage. When he stood up, his eyes were cracked and his eyes were bloodshot. Lian Dalang felt the suffocating pressure and fell to his knees on the ground with a plop, cold sweat on his forehead.
Cui Shizi sighed secretly: "How is the Lingnan matter going?"
Lian Dalang wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied in a low voice. He briefly told the progress and results of the Luo family caravan in Lingnan, which was similar to what Gong Yangyan said.
Zhou Xu listened to Lian Dalang's report, his eyes moved slightly, still staring at the few pages of tissue paper on the table. Even though the fonts on the paper had different spacing, the handwriting in some places was blurred into a ball, like a single person. He could only see roughly what he was writing, holding the brush and slowly groping for it. It was crooked, but he still recognized the lady's handwriting at a glance.
But it was when he recognized it that he felt the pain in his heart.
Zhou Xu couldn't imagine how his wife would survive after losing her sight. A person's eyes are so important. His wife would be helpless, panicked, and scared if she lived in darkness all day long. No one around her would be kind to her, and even she wouldn't even be able to see her. I don’t know anyone…
It was so cold last winter. How did she spend it?
He was bullied and made things difficult for him, stayed in a deserted temple, was homeless, and had a hard life. In the end, he was even imprisoned in the enemy's palace, and fell into the hands of Wei Yanshan. According to Wei Yanshan's sinister and vicious temperament, his wife would only suffer more torture. .
Zhou Xu sat stiffly on the high chair, feeling a sweetness welling up in his heart, and even the gentle summer wind was filled with heart-piercing pain.
After Lian Dalang finished talking about Lingnan, he was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. He couldn't help but ask: "I heard that there is news about the princess?"
Zhou Xu looked at him, his voice hoarse and cold: "She is in Luoyang."
Lian Dalang's hands and feet trembled when Zhou Youzhou saw him: "The princess is in the enemy's hands. I dare to ask, what is the prince's plan?"
"What do you have in mind? Let me tell you." Zhou Xu narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Lian Dalang, with a violent look on his face.
"Wei Guogong will not let him go easily, but on the Jianghuai side, the prince has a broad mind and unparalleled benevolence and righteousness. This is why nearby states and counties have come to vote for him."
Lian Dalang first played the prince beautifully, but he couldn't explain clearly, so he could only say intermittently: "I believe that once the prince abandons Jianghuai, not only will all his previous achievements be wasted, but he will probably be betrayed by them."
"So." Lian Dalang planned to take precautions in advance and said, "We must not retreat."
Cui Shizi, who had been watching for a long time, also stood up and said: "Lord Lian's words make sense. My thoughts are the same as those of Lord Lian. If the Duke of Wei uses his mistress' threat to force the lord to retreat, retreating once can lead to retreating again and again. Please think twice, lord." .”
Zhou Xu chewed the word, and his cheek muscles twitched: "Retreat?"
He stood up, with a faded blue sachet hanging from the hilt of his sword. He stared at them with a stern look on his face, like a tiger with fangs spread out: "Who said I want to retreat? Not only will I not retreat, I will also spread the troops." Increase your troops!"
"In the matter of attacking Luo and rescuing the princess, whoever dares to suggest retreating will be punished with an inch of punishment!" Zhou Xu hit the table with his palm, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, with a ferocious and bloody murderous intention.
Lian Dalang lowered his head and felt a little relieved. After he left, Cui Shizi looked at his lord and bowed deeply: "The princess has a noble and special status. Wei Guogong has been hiding her traces before, and he obviously has some agenda. According to my guess, Duke Wei will not do anything unfavorable to the princess until he is in desperate situation."
How could Zhou Xu not understand temporary safety and lifetime safety? If he didn't rescue his wife from Wei Yanshan as soon as possible, he would never be able to feel at ease.
"The Xie family has been helping a lot recently. With their fanning the flames and instigating the emperor, many of the hostages in Chang'an have been killed." Cui Shizi said. This was his and his lord's recent plan, and it has begun to bear fruit.
The lord's treason had already caused him to fall into disgrace, and the suspicious Holy Emperor was dissatisfied with the various Jiedushi envoys, and then made frequent mistakes. The appointed time of the Jiedushi envoy had not yet expired, and the Holy Emperor was worried that he would form a family influence in the local area, so he wanted to put him under the influence. He was transferred to other places or given other positions, but it was obvious that some Jiedu envoys did not agree, so the Holy Emperor began to kill many of the hostages left in Chang'an. What's more, some Some families were wiped out.
Everyone in Chang'an was in danger, and some powerful military governors were also looking for a way out. It was at this time that the lord extended an olive branch.
Some Jiedushi were afraid of their lord's power and did not dare not accept the offer, while others sought cooperation with their lord.
For example, the youngest son of Jingnan Jiedushi who just left. He came here to seek cooperation on behalf of the elder Jingnan Jiedushi. He is also the target of cooperation that the lord is optimistic about this time.
Jingzhou is a famous military town, and Jingzhou's Jingmen is the choke point of all towns. Jingzhou is located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. This time, the youngest son of Jingzhou took a boat down the river, directly to Jinling. Going north from Jingzhou, he can attack Luoyang and Chang'an. .
The lord is also very friendly to this son of Jingzhou.
"The son of Jingzhou comes with sincerity this time." Cui Shizi felt that the atmosphere was a bit depressing, and he said slowly: "Old Jingzhou wants to get married, and uses the benefits of marriage as a bargaining chip for mutual cooperation. Does my lord have anyone to marry?"
This is a difficult question.
The lord does not have many children, just one son and one daughter. Since Old Jingzhou sent his youngest son to come in person, he is sincerely cooperating.
Otherwise, the youngest son of Jingzhou Jiedushi wants to marry Mrs. Xiao. If something happens to the legitimate son of Jingzhou in Chang'an, then the youngest son of Jingzhou will immediately become Jingzhou Jiedushi. With the marriage relationship, the lord can be even more powerful.
The other is that Young Master Youzhou marries the legitimate daughter of the old Jingzhou family. If she marries Young Master Youzhou, Jingzhou will also be closer to Zhou Youzhou in terms of blood relationship.
Therefore, Lao Jingzhou did not say anything absolute in his letter, but only praised the lord's sons and daughters for their beauty and Zhou Youzhou's good teaching.
But the implication is that you have to have one.
Cui Shizi's mind was spinning so fast that he almost immediately thought of the verbal promise his lord made to the Xie family many years ago. Now the Xie family has also helped his lord a lot in the court.
If he ever breaks his promise, Mr. Xie will definitely not comply.
Zhou Xu sat back on the high chair, a dark shadow covering his face.
In the evening, Zhou Xu went to Bomeng Xiaozhu to see his daughter. He learned from Xia He that his daughter was in a bad mood in the afternoon, so he asked the maids to go down. As soon as he entered the Xiaozhu, he found that his daughter was with Tuoba Mu.
Zhou Xu first looked at his daughter's slightly red and swollen eyes.
"Dad." Xiao Qingxue blinked and Tuoba Mu stood up.
"Eating sweets?" Zhou Xu sat down and saw a plate of sugar cane sugar on the table. It was reddish brown and produced in Lingnan. "There is honey in the kitchen. That kind is more delicious."
"No, I'm doing research to make the punishment from heaven more severe." Xiao Qingxue said seriously: "I want to save my mother-in-law."
Zhou Xu said happily: "Dad knows."
Seeing that her father did not stop her, Xiao Qingxue rolled her eyes. When she learned her father's order in the afternoon, she was already very happy. Her father had not given up on her mother-in-law.
"I will become very powerful." Xiao Qingxue fiddled with the things on the table.
Zhou Xu glanced at Tuoba Mu behind his daughter.
If Tuoba Mu felt something, he glanced in the direction of his lord and quickly lowered his head honestly.
"I asked Amu to accompany you. Are you happy these days?" Zhou Xu asked.
Xiao Qingxue raised her head and glanced at her father, wondering why his question was so strange.
"Would you be happier with Amu by your side?" Zhou Xu asked again. Tuoba Mu's whole body tensed up, and he looked at Mrs. Xiao.
Xiao Qingxue thought for a moment: "Happy." Without Amu, she couldn't have persisted for so many days. When she was sad, it was Amu who always comforted and encouraged her.
Zhou Xu touched his daughter's head and said with a smile, "That's good."
"Dad, you are very strange." Xiao Qingxue was puzzled.
"Nothing, there is a banquet tonight, I'll go and get busy first." Zhou Xu stood up and left.
In the evening, all the officials who had been in close contact with Zhou Youzhou recently knew the news of the attack on Luo. Instead of retreating, they were aggressive. What they feared most was that the imperial court would settle accounts in the fall. Now Zhou Youzhou has made it clear that he will not retreat. When they left Jianghuai, they were greatly encouraged, and at the same time the biggest stone in their hearts fell. Huge interests bound them tightly together, and no one could withdraw.
As for sending troops, all parties said it was their duty to rescue the princess.
As the banquet came to an end, Zhou Xu sat at the head of the table, stood up with a glass of wine in hand, and spoke with heart-stirring words: "Everyone, I am the winner!"
"Drink with you!"
Everyone was drunk with wine and in high spirits, and they paid their respects one after another.
Chapter 308
Tuoba Mu stood in a dark corner and looked at the banquet in the lobby in front of him. The banquet was hosted by the general to entertain the officials and generals who had surrendered and showed their good will. They were far away, and his keen hearing could still hear the sounds of people drinking and drinking. , the guests rejoiced.
Not to mention what those people's real thoughts were, but they looked well-dressed and the hall was full.
Tuobamu looked at those people carefully through the shadows of flowers and trees. When he met younger husbands, he could not help but stop and observe them. Most of these husbands were the sons of officials from aristocratic families, young talents, and they followed the footsteps of their fathers and ancestors. On the side, his speech and behavior are quite elegant.
Among them, a young man with handsome appearance and good appearance won the favor of the general. Tuobamu found that the general praised him several times at the banquet.
Tuoba Mu recognized him.
He Jinchao, the youngest son of Jingzhou Jiedushi, has a great reputation and a prominent family background. His father holds great power and commands the military town of Jingxiang, the west gate of the South. This time he took a boat to Jinling and was treated with great courtesy as soon as he arrived. And the youngest son of Jingzhou himself behaved as he was praised in the world, a humble gentleman, as gentle as jade.
Such a handsome man, such a family background...
Tuoba Mu thought about what the general said in the evening. Did he mean something or was he simply concerned about Madam Xiao's mood? Tuoba Mu was completely confused and could not control his thoughts.
Since the great victory of Lujiang, General Jin Benjin led his troops to take control of Xuzhou. He is still stationed in Xuzhou, and he was transferred back to Jinling.
As a result, he spent more time with Mrs. Xiao.
His love for her inevitably deepened, and he drank poison to quench his thirst. Every time Miss Xiao opened her heart to him and told her sorrows, joys and anger, he sank deeper into the quagmire of love. No one knew, when When Mrs. Xiao relied on him, Tuoba Mu's heart beat like a drum. He only hoped that she could rely on him a little more, a little more, and it would be best to never come into contact with other husbands.
Because he can't compare.
Everyone can be kind to Mrs. Xiao.
Anyone can replace him.
Mrs. Xiao is the apple of Zhou Youzhou's eye. As long as she wants, there are many people who are willing to relieve her worries, and countless people come one after another to please her.
Tuoba Mu stared closely at the youngest son of Jingzhou at the banquet. As early as when He Jinchao came to Jinling, Tuoba Mu had a vague premonition. Thinking about the geographical location of Jingxiang, the lord has now taken the After conquering Xuzhou, Jinling, Guangling, as well as Shou and Luzhou, as long as Jingxiang is captured, the south is already in the lord's pocket.
Then it was time to take control of Chang'an, and it was decided to pass on the transfer.
Everyone is vying for the power of the dragon. Families that were invisible in the past appear one after another. Everyone hopes to get a share of the hot and life-threatening power.
He Tuobamu can use his life to gain a future.
However, how could he win over those famous young men from aristocratic families.
Will the general marry the Jingzhou He family? Tuoba Mu thought of this possibility uncontrollably. In ancient times, in-laws were the best alliances. After becoming in-laws, the Jingzhou He family would naturally be on the same side as their lord.
What's more, He Jinchao has extraordinary appearance, funny conversation, good personality, and his family background is second to none. Will Miss Xiao like him? If the lord wanted to marry Mrs. Xiao, what should he do?
Tuoba Mu tasted the smell of blood in his mouth and took a step back. The banquet was over and the guests in the hall were about to disperse.
The night is already dark, and the remaining candles are shining brightly.
