It was getting dark.
However.
Xu Yong's complexion at this time was even worse than the color of the sky.
"I often go in and out of the county government's archives to read the military records of the past thirty years."
"I often go in and out of the king's camp and stay there for a whole day."
"I often go in and out of various nursing homes outside Juyang City. I always wait until it gets dark before leaving."
Xu Yong made a fist with one hand and tightly clutched the secret message from Juyang City in his other hand.
At the same time, he kept murmuring several key words in the secret letter in a low voice.
After a while.
Xu Yong punched the desk in front of him.
The yellow pear wood desk trembled continuously.
It can be seen how powerful it is.
"That thief is studying the art of war!"
Xu Yong stood up suddenly, gritting his teeth with an extremely gloomy expression.
With his intelligence, it is not difficult to see the intentions behind Xu Yi's various behaviors.
In Xu Yong's opinion, the reason why Xu Yi read through the military records of the imperial court against the Xiongnu in the past thirty years.
It’s not about getting to know the Huns in depth.
But for the military tactics recorded in the military files.
I would like to ask, is there any military book in today's world that can be as detailed as what is recorded in the imperial archives?
It's not like Xu Yong hasn't read the imperial court's military records on the Xiongnu.
On the contrary, Xu Yong's first lesson in the art of war was to read the archives.
I especially remember that the Crown Prince and Tutor once said this personally.
"Read the files, reread them instead of flipping them over. Those who read the files should be immersed in the situation, use their own power to control the overall situation of the files, and defeat the enemies of the files."
Thinking of this, Xu Yong's face couldn't help but become more gloomy.
He didn't believe Xu Yi's intelligence could not see through this.
If he sees through the surface and goes deep into the files.
So with his intelligence, he and his art of war will inevitably become more profound with each passing day.
His subsequent frequent visits to Wang Daying and various nursing homes also confirmed this point.
In his opinion, the reason why Xu Yi frequently visited Wang's camp and various nursing homes was simply to seek solutions when he encountered doubts about the art of war.
After all, although the lonely old soldiers in the nursing home came from different military services, without exception, these people had been on the battlefield.
These lonely old soldiers may not understand what the art of war is.
But they can use their own personal experiences to answer Xu Yi's questions.
As for Wang's camp, there are a total of 21,000 young men there. With these people here, no battle situation can be recreated.
Thinking about this.
Xu Yong's expression suddenly became so gloomy that words could not describe it.
"We must not let that thief live anymore."
"Even if we pay a heavy price for it, we must nip him in the cradle as soon as possible."
"This... this thief is really too... too scary."
Xu Yong slumped down on the Taishi chair and slowly closed his eyes.
Although he was very reluctant to admit it, it was undeniable that in addition to hatred for Xu Yi, there was also countless fear in his heart.
I do not know how long it has been.
Crown Prince Xu Yong, who was slumped on the Grand Master's chair, suddenly slowly opened his eyes.
Then he stood up and walked to the window sill.
He reached out and slowly pushed open the half-open window sill.
His eyes, which were so cold and devoid of any emotion, looked through the window sill at the direction of Shanggu County.
A killing intent that was so strong that it could not be resolved suddenly burst out from his eyes.
"The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit!" Xu Yong clenched his fists tightly and murmured word by word: "Thief, you are the reason for this!"
The words are over.
Xu Yong closed the window sill.
Then he waved his sleeves,
He turned around and walked straight out of the study.
The night became darker and darker at this moment.
...
...
A night of silence.
At Mao hour the next day, the sky was bright.
Xu Yong appeared in the Jinluan Hall on time and on time.
Whether it is his words, deeds, or his dealings with the public, they are all the same as ordinary people.
The slight smile that pops up from time to time at the corner of his mouth gives people a feeling of spring breeze.
There was absolutely no trace of the gloom and ferociousness from last night.
However.
When the morning court dispersed, it returned to the study room of the Prince's Mansion again.
The breathtaking smile on his face completely disappeared.
What replaced it was full of coldness and rejection.
"Here comes someone."
Xu Yong sat quietly on the Taishi chair for a moment and then slowly called out.
At the same time, the cold feeling around his body completely dissipated in an instant.
A few breaths after the words fell.
The closed study door was gently pushed open by someone from outside.
Two young eunuchs with pale faces and beards walked quickly into the study with small steps.
"Your Highness, my servant is here." The two young eunuchs bowed in unison and said.
Xu Yong said expressionlessly: "It is said that the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty will come to see me immediately."
"Yes." The two young eunuchs bowed again and then slowly exited the study.
After the study door is closed again.
Xu Yong stood up slowly and walked towards the bookshelf.
He took out a slightly heavy map from the deepest part of the bookshelf.
Xu Yong took a deep look at the map.
Then he closed his eyes slightly, as if he was weighing something deep in his heart.
After a while.
Xu Yong slowly opened his eyes, and then returned to the Taishi's chair with the map.
Fang slowly took his seat.
Haven't had time to look at the map yet.
There were bursts of hurried footsteps outside the study.
"Your Highness, Prime Minister Han has arrived." A young eunuch bowed and saluted outside the study.
In the study, Xu Yong then placed the map behind a thick stack of memorials.
Then he said calmly: "Come in."
Accompanied by a soft "creak" sound.
Han Xingrong slowly opened the study door and walked in.
The little eunuch with a white face and no beard gently closed the study door again in time.
"Your Majesty, Han Xingrong, pays homage to His Highness the Crown Prince."
Han Xingrong walked two steps away from the writing desk, cupped his hands and saluted.
"No need." Xu Yong raised his head and looked at Han Xingrong, then straight to the point he ordered: "Bring Liu Guixiang to see the orphan in the afternoon."
Han Xingrong's heart trembled when he heard this, and then he quickly raised his hands and saluted, "Follow the order."
"Go." Xu Yong waved his hands slightly.
"As ordered, I retire." Han Xingrong bowed his hands again and then slowly exited the study.
When Fang and his party arrived outside the study, Han Xingrong's expression changed visibly.
"Something big must be happening."
Han Xingrong said to himself secretly as he left slowly.
It should be noted that Liu Guixiang was originally a member of the palace, but he was demoted from the East Palace because of his mistakes.
But now, Xu Yong actually took the risk to recall him to the East Palace.
Based on his understanding of Xu Yong, he would never take such a risk if there was no big deal.
Thinking of this, Han Xingrong couldn't help but feel shuddered again.
At the same time, he secretly made up his mind: "We must disguise it well so as not to ruin His Highness's important affairs."
After he finished speaking, Han Xingrong couldn't help but silently speed up his pace.
In the study room of the Prince's Mansion.
After Han Xingrong's figure completely disappeared from the study.
Xu Yong reached out and took out the map again from the memorial.
Then the map slowed down
Unfold slowly.
The terrain and appearance outside the pass completely appeared in his eyes.
Xu Yong looked at the map carefully with a solemn expression.
After a while.
Xu Yong shifted his gaze to several border towns at the bottom of the map.
I do not know how long it has been.
Xu Yong put the map back on the bookshelf with a gloomy expression.
Then he turned back to the desk again.
After grinding the ink and laying out the paper, Xu Yong sat upright on the Taishi chair, picked up a langhao pen, and wrote slowly on the rice paper as white as silk.
After a while.
Xu Yong paused his writing and slowly wrote on the rice paper with an extremely ferocious look: "If he doesn't die, he may be in trouble for the rest of his life. Therefore, no matter the cost, he must be eradicated."
After the word was completed, Xu Yong slowly put down the langhao pen in his hand.
His eyes slowly wandered over the white, silky rice paper without any trace of warmth.
After checking again and again, it is correct.
Xu Yong sealed it in the envelope with great solemnity.
...
...
Noon.
A thin man with a short black beard followed Han Xingrong and slowly walked into the Prince's Mansion in the East Palace.
When approaching the study room of the Prince's Mansion.
Han Xingrong glanced around and saw that all the young eunuchs had been sent away.
So he quickly stepped forward and knocked gently on the study door.
"Your Highness." Han Xingrong silently stepped back half a step and softly bowed his hands in salute.
In the study room of the Prince's Mansion.
Xu Yong, who had closed his eyes to rest, slowly opened his eyes and then calmly said: "Come in."
"Yes." Han Xingrong agreed, gently opened the door, extended his hand to the man with short black beard behind him and said, "Please come in."
The man with a dark face and short beard said nothing, just nodded slightly, and then strode into the study.
After he entered the study, Han Xingrong slowly closed the door with color, then stood three steps away from the study and waited silently.
In the study room.
The man with a dark face and short beard walked two steps away from the writing desk.
After pausing, he bowed to Xu Yong and said, "Old slave Zhang Xian comes to see His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Eunuch Zhang, no courtesy." Xu Yong looked at the person in front of him and nodded slightly.
"Old slave, thank you, Your Highness." The man with a dark face and short beard bowed again and then stood up slowly.
Wait until he gets up.
Xu Yong said calmly and expressionlessly: "Eunuch Zhang should call himself Liu Guixiang in the future."
Upon hearing this, Liu Guixiang hurriedly bowed and saluted again: "Liu Guixiang, a common man, knows his mistake."
Xu Yong waved his hand slightly to indicate that the matter was over.
"I need you to personally escort a secret letter outside the customs."
Xu Yong slowly leaned forward, placed his arms on the desk, stared at Liu Guixiang and spoke word by word.
Upon hearing this, Liu Guixiang bowed and saluted again: "The common people will not give up even if they die."
Xu Yong nodded slightly, then slowly stood up and walked towards Liu Guixiang.
When approaching him.
Xu Yong took out a tightly sealed letter from his sleeve.
Hand it over to Liu Guixiang with great solemnity.
Then he warned: "Remember, this secret message must be handed over to the general with your own hands."
Liu Guixiang's face straightened when he heard this, and he said, "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will hand it over to the general with my own hands."
Xu Yong nodded slightly, and then said calmly: "Come here."
"Yes." Liu Guixiang agreed, and then quickly approached Xu Yong.
After some whispering.
Xu Yong patted Liu Guixiang's shoulder with a very solemn expression and said solemnly: "This is a matter of personal wealth and life, so I hope you will be cautious."
Liu Guixiang solemnly promised: "Your Highness, please rest assured, I would rather die than live up to Your Highness's trust."
Xu Yong nodded when he heard this, then patted Liu Guixiang's shoulder again and said, "Live."
Come back soon and I'll be waiting for your good news. "
Liu Guixiang's body trembled slightly, and then he bowed and saluted with great care: "Please rest assured, Your Highness, Your Highness... This old slave is gone... Please take care of yourself."
"Go." Xu Yong solemnly patted Liu Guixiang's shoulder again.
After Liu Guixiang's figure disappeared from the study.
Xu Yong slowly closed his eyes and stood quietly for a moment before turning and walking towards the Taishi's chair.
...
...
Time flies.
September 15th.
Around noon.
A cavalry of more than 2,000 people drove countless cattle and sheep slowly toward the distant camp.
Between the cavalry and the cattle and sheep.
There are still more than a thousand people present.
Among the more than a thousand people, few were well-dressed.
Most of them were unkempt and wore sheepskin jackets whose original color could not be seen.
More than a thousand people were connected from front to back by ropes, and were driven by cavalry like livestock.
More than an hour later.
More than two thousand cavalrymen slowly drove more than a thousand people in shabby clothes and countless cattle and sheep into a huge camp.
After the leading general entered the camp, he immediately drove his war horses towards the Chinese army's tent located in the center of the camp.
When there are still more than a hundred steps away from the Chinese army's tent.
The general jerked the reins with one hand and waited until the horse slowed down.
The general jumped off his horse suddenly.
"Lao Xiang, you've gained a lot from this posture."
A general wearing the same armor next to him greeted him with a smile.
"No, no, the positions assigned to me this time are basically full of old, weak, sick and disabled people."
"I haven't even met a young Huns."
The general, who was called Lao Xiang, cupped his fists in greeting and replied with a smile.
"You kid, you really don't know how blessed you are when you are in the midst of blessings."
The general couldn't help but laugh and curse after hearing this.
Xiang General smiled and asked, "What about you, General Zheng? How was your harvest this time?"
"Me?" General Zheng smiled and shook his head, then said: "Don't mention it. This time we encountered several groups of Xiongnu elites and lost more than 700 brothers."
The words are over.
General Zheng smiled again and said, "Fortunately, I won in the end and got 1,500 horses. Otherwise, it would have been really difficult this time."
"Fifteen hundred war horses?!" General Xiang asked with disbelief.
General Zheng said with a smile on his face: "There are only 1,500 war horses, which is not worth mentioning."
General Xiang couldn't help but roll his eyes when he heard this.
It has been a full month since the army left the border.
The Xiongnu tribes encountered were either empty or full of old, weak, women and children.
After advancing for more than two hundred miles, they should not have encountered even the slightest resistance.
How about killing the enemy? How about capturing the war horses? What about military exploits?
It should be noted that in the Zhou Dynasty, the military merit of capturing a war horse was equivalent to the military merit of killing two Xiongnu cavalry.
General Zheng's capture of 1,500 horses was equivalent to the feat of killing 3,000 Xiongnu.
This... is really enviable.
General Xiang's eyes seemed to glow green.
General Zheng's face straightened slightly, then he waved his hand and said, "Okay, okay, don't look at me like a thief."
"I have a hunch that it won't be long before we meet the main force of the Huns."
General Xiang's face paused slightly when he heard this.
After pondering for a few breaths, he nodded slowly and said, "It seems like it won't take long."
The words are over.
The two stopped joking and walked silently towards the Chinese army's tent.
On the endless prairie.
A large banner with Li characters was slowly fluttering in the wind next to the Chinese army's tent.
