"There are those who agree with the marriage. Of course, there are also those who oppose the marriage. But what did they say after that? They are willing to let their own daughters replace Princess Ding'an in the marriage, or use court ladies or palace maids instead."
"But for the emperor, what's the difference between the princess and the palace maid when it comes to marriage?"
"The Emperor is a man who made an oath when he was young to clean up the desert! But now, who can inherit his unfinished business?"
Ning was silent for a long time.
Duke Dingguo casually opened the sedan curtain and looked at the bright moon in the sky with a confused expression.
There are also some things that he cannot say to his daughter.
When he was selected as the emperor's companion, the emperor's life was actually not very good.
The emperor is the legitimate son of the late emperor, but because the emperor and the queen were not on good terms and favored his concubines, the emperor was born very late. He had several older brothers in front of him, so he did not have to be the first. The emperor’s favor.
The late emperor's mother died early amid strife in the harem.
The late emperor soon established a successor, and the latter gave birth to a legitimate son, so the life of the late emperor became increasingly difficult.
Fortunately, the eldest princess was still there to take care of him at that time.
The eldest princess is not the emperor's sister. Her biological mother was a palace servant who served the emperor's mother. After being favored by the late emperor, she became pregnant, but she died during childbirth. Because she was a girl, she was He was raised at the knees of the emperor's mother.
Duke Dingguo closed his eyes and could still vaguely recall her appearance.
She has such a good temperament, she is open-minded and straightforward, and she looks so pretty when she smiles. She lets him call her sister, and she also teaches him how to practice martial arts in a decent way.
He and the emperor were sweating during the drill, and the eldest princess supervised them with her hands behind her back. She said proudly: "That means I was born a daughter, otherwise I would have gone to the battlefield! But there is nothing wrong with the daughter's house. Okay, wasn’t there a strange woman like Princess Ding’an in the past?”
later……
The eldest princess was ordered by the late emperor to be sent for marriage.
Throughout the reign of the late emperor, there were several marriages, but only that one time, he married a real princess.
It has to be said that the harem's pillow style played a role, and the root cause is probably because she has been taking care of the young emperor after the death of the queen.
On the day the eldest princess left the palace, the emperor did not go to see her off. The late emperor was very dissatisfied with this. He felt that his son was heartless. He took care of him when the eldest princess was there, but he did not go to see her before she left. One glance.
But the eldest princess just smiled, looked at him imploringly, and said, "Go and accompany him."
He also said to the late emperor: "That child has always been very affectionate, and he probably couldn't see each other apart."
Duke Dingguo found the emperor in the bamboo forest where the eldest princess taught them martial arts.
He sat on a stone in the forest, facing north, crying silently.
Duke Dingguo didn't say anything, he just stood aside silently.
I don’t know how long it had passed, but he heard the emperor calling his name, and his teeth chattered: "In my lifetime, I must level the desert so that there will be no more peacemaking in this dynasty! I can't do it. Come, my children and grandchildren must do the same, if they violate this, they will be killed by both heaven and man!"
Duke Dingguo said: "Okay!"
In the second year, Da Mo sent an obituary notice, saying that the eldest princess had passed away.
When she was in the palace, no one cared about her. Although she was the eldest daughter, she was still called the eldest princess. Even if she went out to get married, she was not given a title.
Now that she is dead, no one cares.
Even the emperor was silent for a few moments, then turned his head and continued studying.
But Duke Dingguo knew that he actually remembered the eldest princess.
Only he would personally copy the scriptures on the birthday and death anniversary of the eldest princess and send her to her death.
But even after he ascended the throne, there was no big fanfare. Instead, he was called to quietly go to the temple to offer lamps, or to copy scriptures and offer them together.
"Let others know what to do," the emperor said indifferently, "It's just using her as a raft to invite favors. She must be impatient to see this."
Because of his past experiences, he treated his married wife kindly. After the death of Empress Yuan, he did not establish another successor. Instead, he took the young prince to his side and raised him personally.
But the prince walked ahead of the emperor...
It was a few years ago that I recalled the eldest princess deeply again.
It was also a palace banquet. The emperor looked dissatisfied and asked the princess: "Why do you ask your daughter to learn those things about fighting and killing? Telling it will make people think that the Tian family is young."
The princess was helpless: "That child has a bad temper, and my daughter-in-law can't persuade her."
The emperor then ordered that the granddaughter who had always been disliked by him for bringing down his compatriot brother be summoned to the palace.
Duke Dingguo didn't pay much attention at first, until he heard a little girl say crisply: "In ancient times, Hua Mulan joined the army for her father. In the previous dynasty, Princess Ding'an guarded the pass for her father. Her grandfather was the son of Shengming. A Mulan, what’s so strange about it?”
Duke Dingguo loosened his grip and dropped his chopsticks to the ground.
He suddenly came to his senses, bent down to pick it up, and looked at the young girl with a complicated expression.
In fact, her eyebrows don't look like those of a princess.
But the personalities are really similar!
After that, the emperor still rarely saw her, but often rewarded her. He said that the girl's family was not easy to learn those things of fighting and killing, but he still sent his close guards to teach her.
Therefore, at the palace banquet that day, when the emperor mentioned the matter of marriage, everyone in the palace had different opinions. Only Duke Ding was convinced.
The emperor's neck has been stiff for decades, how could it suddenly become soft?
And it is even less likely that the emperor will let the lord of Ding'an County marry outside the Great Wall.
Duke Dingguo was in a daze, recalling what the eldest princess had said before she left the capital.
That child has always been very affectionate, probably because he couldn't bear to be separated...
Chapter 90
As the long drive continued, Liu Che's eyebrows showed a hint of nostalgia: "The emperor is old, but his ambition is still there."
Ying Zheng realized and said: "That's why he sent General Zhongwu with 10,000 soldiers and 3,000 cavalry to give the bride. In fact, these are not the people giving the bride, but the soldiers who are ready to fight on the battlefield at any time. , and also dispatched internal guards to escort Princess Ding'an nearby. Firstly, they hold the emperor's order and are ready to take charge of the overall situation. Secondly, when things are done here, they can take advantage of the situation to welcome the princess back..."
Li Yuanda stroked his palm and said, "No wonder Princess An was chosen. She is good at martial arts and has always been quick and bold. She will not cause trouble at critical moments."
Li Shimin added: "Don't forget, Princess Ding'an's biological uncle Xie Shu is in Beiguan. If something really happened, how could he ignore it?"
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but clicked his tongue and said: "There is a strange saying that old people and treacherous horses are slippery and old rabbits are difficult to handle! This old guy is getting older, but his brain is still very good!"
The further they advanced, the more depressed the atmosphere of the farewell team became. Tang Zuo's lips were pursed tightly, his face was as heavy as water, and all the followers behind him were silent, and they could not help but tighten the weapons in their hands.
And Xie Shu was even more worried - if he went forward, it would be too late!
Tang Zuo couldn't stand the gloomy atmosphere and turned his horse's head to inspect the rear troops. Xie Shu took his place and urged his horse to inspect the front troops.
The wind in late autumn can easily make people feel desolate, but the autumn wind outside the Great Wall is in another form, rolling up yellow sand all over the sky and attacking people's seven orifices, which makes people irritated, but there is nothing they can do about it.
The procession of sending off the bride drove all the way through the wasteland and passed by an oasis. A sparkling river meandered away, shining brightly in the sun.
Xie Shu urged his horse forward for half a quarter of an hour, and his eyes suddenly condensed slightly - there was a line of Qingqi in the distance coming towards his Pegasus!
He suddenly raised his hand to signal the team to stop and be on guard. Then when he took a closer look, someone came forward and said, "General, he is the scout sent out earlier!"
Xie Shu's heart moved, and he recalled the calm appearance of his nephew Chunlang in his mind. Could this matter have anything to do with him?
He did not let anyone relax their vigilance. Who knows if one of our scouts was attacked and the other party took away their horses and clothes for disguise?
After all, you have to meet a real person and verify your identity before you can make a judgment.
But at this time, what will happen...
Just as he was thinking like this, he suddenly heard a moderate commotion coming from behind. Xie Shu looked back and saw a young princess wearing a big cloak and riding on a horse, with her face covered with a veil. , came to him steadily and calmly.
Xie Shu subconsciously wanted to frown, but realized that he was under everyone's gaze at this moment, so he couldn't help but hold back, and bowed in greeting: "Why did the princess leave the carriage?"
Liu Che didn't answer and asked: "What happened?"
Xie Shu paused for a moment, and finally told the truth: "There are people suspected of being scouts running back on horseback. It's probably because something happened..."
After hearing this, Liu Che raised his eyebrows and said calmly: "In that case, I will wait for the news with my uncle here."
There was a difference between the ruler and his ministers, so Xie Shu had no choice but to obey his orders.
After half a quarter of an hour, the group of Qingqi finally came closer accompanied by the rolling yellow sand. After verifying their identity, they were led to Liu Che and Xie Shu.
"General, ten miles ahead we met several tribes that brought their children and elders to join us. There are about a hundred or ten people in total..."
The scout was panting, and the flesh on his face was reddened by the sun, but his eyes were dancing with excitement: "They said that the Great Chanyu is dead, and the three tribes above and below are fighting for the throne of the Chanyu. There has been internal fighting, and now Dragon City is in chaos!"
Xie Shu was shocked: "Are you sure?!"
With the death of the Great Chanyu, this marriage must be abandoned. And since Longcheng is in chaos, and they have more than ten thousand elite soldiers on their back, can they take the opportunity to get a piece of the pie? !
But is this true?
What if it's Rong Di's plan? !
It was a matter of great importance, but the scout did not dare to be completely sure. He only said: "General, please stay for a while. There are still a few brothers behind. They have brought those tribesmen with them." When people come over, you can ask questions in person."
Xie Shu said three times: "Okay, okay, okay!"
The unusual movement in front of the team attracted everyone's attention, and the appearance of "Princess Ding'an" was like a ray of light in the dark night, attracting the attention of people around her.
From the corner of his eye, Liu Che saw the deputy commander of the inner guard who had taught Princess Ding'an since she was a child approaching. He looked away with a calm expression. After waiting for another quarter of an hour, he saw several scouts riding in pairs, leading several grassland soldiers. Come here and dress up.
The first thing he said was: "Hu Tu is dead for supporting the plow!"
Xie Shu explained to Liu Che in a low voice: "Zhang Li means 'Heaven' in Rong Di's language. Hu Tu means 'child', and supporting Li Hu Tu means the emperor of Rong Di, that is, Dadan." At."
Liu Che nodded and remained silent.
The old man wiped away the turbid tears on his face with his chapped palms: "Hu Tu, who was holding the plow, died, and the whole Longcheng was in chaos. The people from the upper three divisions suddenly led their troops to kill, and did not follow. The people from the lower three tribes took action and began to plunder small tribes like ours. They took away cattle and sheep, and many children and women suitable for childbearing were also taken away..."
Liu Che asked gently at this moment: "How did Dadan die?"
The old man said "Huh?" in confusion: "How could we, little people, know? I only vaguely heard that he seemed to have been killed by someone. The people in the upper three departments said it was the lower three departments. Instructing people to do it..."
Rongdi is also divided into factions. The upper three tribes and the lower three tribes are not divided into higher and lower grades, but are purely divided by geographical regions. Apart from that, the most important thing between the two is The difference lies in the completely different political demands of both sides, that is, whether to go south or west.
The Great Chanyu was born in the upper three tribes and always advocated Zhang's march to the west, while the lower three tribes always advocated Zhang's southward march. The reason is simple and simple - the pastures and land occupied by the lower three tribes are farther away from the current dynasty. Recently, if there is a natural disaster or if livestock is infected and die on a large scale, they will go south to Kou Pass.
For the upper three tribes, if they want to go south to plunder, they must pass through the territory of the lower three tribes. Not only is it tiring to travel, but also it is easy for someone to steal their homes if they go too far.
No matter how many cities were conquered in the south, it would still be a matter of losing a boot across the territory of the lower three tribes. There would be no pleasure in going directly to the Western Regions to grab them!
Not to mention that the resistance in the Western Region was not as intense as that of the powerful country in the south.
