"咴"
The iron hoofs rumbled, trampling the earth, rolling up dust, splashing grass and mud, being picked up by the entrained airflow and scattered in all directions.
On the vast wilderness, two cavalry teams with bright armors and frost-like blades were seen in the east and west, like two sharp brushes, drawing iron-like traces on the green carpet, facing each other.
Before the knights could meet each other, in the cavalry to the east, the tall and majestic Black Horse King, who looked like a lion, neighed into the sky and made a thunderous snort.
One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, and one meadow cannot contain two horse kings at the same time.
Sensing a familiar aura coming from afar, Black Shama suddenly became frantic.
After a few months, it certainly remembered the young white horse that had confronted it in Zhenwuhou Mansion.
Weak and immature, but proud and conceited, unwilling to surrender to it.
In the face of its fierce pressure, he still held his horse's head high.
Ridiculous self-esteem, pathetic ignorance.
Having been on the battlefield for more than ten years, the Black Horse King is definitely a terrifying existence that scares the enemy.
It cannot even remember the number of enemy chieftains and war horses that died under its iron hoofs, and there are even more than its horse's hair.
What right does a newborn foal have to question its majesty?
Even at this moment, you actually dare to face its pressure and edge, and come straight towards it?
Where does it get the courage and confidence!
A cold light flashed in the eyes of the Black Horse King. He raised his head and looked forward. Amidst the rolling torrent of steel on the opposite side, a silver-armored jade horse with elegant horses and frost as white as snow came riding on the wind.
After not seeing each other for several months, this little white horse seems to have grown a lot. Not only has its skeleton become stronger and stronger, its tall body also has explosive power dormant, and it can explode at unparalleled speed at any time.
Even on the back of this white horse, which is not yet an adult, there is still a pair of armor with the Nine Nether Flame Bird engraved on it.
The Nine Nether Flame Bird is the emblem of the Great Zhou royal family. Only the mounts of the Great Zhou royal family and the meritorious marquis of adulthood are eligible to wear it!
"Meritorious achievement!"
Behind the black horse, the iron cavalry clanked.
Running at the end were three hundred and fifty tall horses wearing heavy silver armor. They were majestic and domineering, like a giant tiger coming out of the mountain.
On the horseback, a series of figures like Kuai sat firmly, covered with the same thick silver armor, wearing tiger-shaped helmets, crawling with sharp claws on their shoulders, hiding murderous intent.
The bow and arrow hang from the waist, the halberd tilts towards the ground, reflecting the cold light.
It was the Furious Tiger Guards, one of the three tigers that suppressed the Wuhou Mansion, and they were all powerful warriors in the Juqing realm.
In front of the Raging Tiger Guard, there were two more powerful cavalry running forward.
Among them, next to the Furious Tiger Guard were hundreds of soldiers wearing red tiger armor. Their armor was thicker and covered their whole bodies. Even their eyes were sealed by a kind of transparent jade.
Behind each person is a huge saber, the blade is covered in leather, the edge is faint, but the momentum is stronger.
They are all warriors in the Sixth Martial Meridian Innate Realm.
At the forefront of the run, closely following the black horse, were more than thirty tall men in civilian clothes, with empty hands and no weapons.
The blood energy on his body is as majestic as the sea, but it condenses and never disperses. All of them are great masters in the Ten Thousand Master Realm.
Jiang Shirong, the Marquis of Zhenwu, was riding a black horse, running across the wilderness. Except for three tiger guards and a burly soldier who looked like a black tower, there was no other figure around him.
The guest Qing from Yinwu Pavilion who had left the Hou Mansion together was no longer around and had gone somewhere unknown.
Sensing the aura coming from the opposite side, the black tower warrior and the three tiger guards looked up at the same time, and both saw the meritorious bird armor worn by the white horse Zhui Feng, as well as the handsome young man riding on Zhui Feng.
The young man was dressed in white, with a straight back, eyes as bright as stars, and an air of elegance like a fairy. He was not a strong body, but he had an indescribable magnanimity.
The purple gold crown on her bun and the jade belt fluttering in the wind make people dare not underestimate her.
According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, only princes can wear purple gold crowns.
Two large flags were hunting in the wind, and holding the flagpoles were two heavy-armored generals who were burly and no weaker than the black tower warriors.
Holding a thick flagpole about ten meters high with one hand, they galloped forward. The flagpole stood steadily and did not move at all, showing the powerful strength of the two heavily armored generals.
A large flag is painted with a pattern of stars in the sky, which is vast and boundless, as if it contains a universe of galaxies.
On the other flag, the three characters "Zhen Jun Hou" are clearly eye-catching.
After Hou Qi, there were two thousand elite soldiers in armor, with a chilling aura surrounding them. They were all brave men who had experienced hundreds of battles, and none of them were lower than the late stage of Tai Chi in the fourth realm of martial arts.
There are about a hundred riders among them, riding majestic deer beasts that are taller than ordinary war horses. They rush silently, and their eyes contain exquisite meaning. They are the yellow heavy riders who are both skilled in Taoism and law. They are in the middle stage of the giant realm and command thousands of people. The rest of the cavalry followed the military flag.
There are also five heavy-armored generals from the Ten Thousand Master Realm, commanding a thousand elite heavy-armored infantrymen carrying heavy hammers.
Beside Jiang Li, Shangguan Qingyan and Mo Yunliang, who were in the eighth level, were running on both sides, and two big demons, a dog and a deer, were guarding him.
What caught the eye was the green bull walking slowly behind Jiang Li, and the green-clad girl on the green bull's back.
Even Jiang Shirong, the Marquis of Zhenwu, couldn't help but take a second look.
The two cavalry teams were galloping closer and closer, and at the moment when they were about to collide, they turned their horses' heads at the same time and rushed towards the sword-shaped solitary peak where Emperor Jing's palace was located, racing abreast.
"Jiang Li, you surprised me!"
Jiang Shirong's voice was light and there was no trace of emotion. He looked forward, knowing that among his many famous descendants, none of them could cover up Jiang Li's star.
The scene of Jiang Li begging to come out of his house to worship the sages in the Confucian Temple in the cold night outside Yinwu Pavilion is still vivid in his mind.
But in less than a year, this concubine had grown up and became a prince who could sit on an equal footing with him in the court.
The military commander of Dazhou Town!
Although the strength of Jiang Li's subordinates is still very weak, it has surpassed the support provided by many powerful families.
Not only were there strong men above the eighth realm, great demons, and even two ghosts and immortals around him.
Now sitting in the northwest, with its own territory and army, its future development is unimaginable.
If it is not eliminated, it will be a big trouble in the future!
"Marquis Wu Liao Zan, Jiang Li is too ashamed to deserve it!"
Jiang Li smiled softly and did not look at Jiang Shirong. The two most eye-catching princes of the Zhou Dynasty took charge of their respective armies and galloped to the front of the Gufeng Camp.
"Greetings to Marquis Wu!"
"Meet the Military Marquis"
Countless Zhou sergeants in the camp sensed the tense atmosphere and walked out of the tent one after another. The sergeants who were practicing couldn't help but look out.
More than a thousand sergeants who were responsible for guarding the entrance of the camp opened the camp gate, knelt on both sides of the road, and let people pass without any inspection.
It's not that they were lazy and fearful. Looking at the Zhou dynasty, no one would doubt the loyalty of these two princes to the great Zhou Dynasty.
One person is the most powerful in the world, ranks among the twelve ministers, is a master of Neo-Confucianism, and has been loyal to the Zhou Dynasty for decades.
The other person is a young hero who has turned the tide in several overthrows and is the greatest contributor to the Northern Expedition so far.
Two teams of cavalry rushed past the camp gate. The sergeants kneeling on both sides of the road lowered their heads and looked at the iron hooves stepping in front of them. Their hearts were filled with emotions and emotions.
One school and two countries, what a glory and prosperity this is.
It can almost rival or even surpass the heritage of a thousand-year-old family with the accumulation of one generation.
It's a pity that the hatred and gap between the two princes are so strong and tenacious that they cannot be resolved.
Fortunately or disaster?
"I really don't know what Marquis Wu is thinking. Is it true that as the outside world says, the eldest wife of Marquis Zhenwu is a jealous woman, and she is connived by Marquis Wu to bully his concubines and heirs? If Marquis Zhenjun and Marquis Wu don't have any quarrel..."
A commander-in-chief couldn't help but secretly raised his head and sighed in a low voice.
"Silence, you are dying!"
The Baihu official on the side quickly tilted his body, bumped into him, and cursed: "Is this what you can say? Jiang Xuanluo is still being pressed in the prison. You can imagine how Wu Hou feels!"
"Yes Yes!"
The general flag suddenly became alarmed, his neck shrunk, and he quickly covered his mouth. He was so frightened that he suddenly broke into a cold sweat.
The most disliked son was made a Marquis of the country.
As the eldest son, Jiang Xuanluo is about to face the torture of Ling Chi because he committed a serious crime...
"The Za family has met the Marquis of Zhenwu and the Marquis of Zhenjun. Your Majesty has been waiting for you for a long time!"
Eunuch Shang Bao and two eunuchs in yellow were waiting quietly under the solitary peak. When he saw the two teams rushing towards them, he smiled on his face and hurriedly greeted them.
"call"
With a soft shout, the two teams stopped at the same time. None of the knights on horseback swayed significantly, and they all showed superb horsemanship and strength.
"Father-in-law, please lead the way!"
Jiang Shirong dismounted, took off his armor, and walked directly towards the peak.
"Marquis Zhenjun, please!"
Seeing this, Eunuch Shang Bao could only salute Jiang Li first, then pick up his robe and run away to chase Jiang Shirong.
"Qingyan, Huyangu, Yingshan Xiong, and Yingshan Xiang, follow me into the palace to meet the Holy One!"
Jiang Li was neither impatient nor impatient. He took the Whispering Magpie from the fox demon Yuntao and walked slowly towards the peak with Shangguan Qingyan and others.
Beimang has more plains and fewer mountains. The terrain is gentle and the wind is stronger than in the Central Plains.
Going up the steps, the view gradually broadens, as if the entire earth is being trampled underfoot.
Although he didn't see many imperial guards along the way, as soon as Jiang Li stepped onto the stone steps, he felt many vigilant eyes and qi locked on him.
The pressure fluctuations emitted by some qi machines made it impossible for even Jiang Li to accurately judge the level of the people behind these qi machines.
Shangguan Qingyan and others felt even more pressure. As they got closer and closer to the palace, their expressions gradually became serious.
As the monarch of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Emperor Jing ruled over the three most prosperous states in the world of Kyushu. He was the most powerful person in this world. He also had the luck of a country, making it difficult for ghosts and immortals to approach and for warrior saints to invade.
Climbing to the top of the peak, there is a platform with a length of 49 meters and a width of 49 meters, with Imperial Guards wearing golden armor standing on both sides.
Seeing Jiang Li appear, the guards all clasped their fists and saluted, their eyes reverent and fiery.
The war on the West Road has calmed down, and Jiang Li's many deeds have already spread throughout the armies. He is regarded as a role model by many sergeants and has a great reputation.
"My minister, Jiang Shirong, failed to teach his son well. Xuanluo left his post without permission and acted on his own initiative, which resulted in the complete defeat of the army on the west route and almost affected the overall situation of the Northern Expedition. My sin is unforgivable. Please punish me!"
When Jiang Li walked into Emperor Jing's palace, Jiang Shirong had already knelt down and apologized to Emperor Jing.
On both sides of the hall, dozens of civil and military officials stood in rows.
"Shi Rong, of course you are guilty, and so am I. I feel guilty for the 300,000 innocent Zhou soldiers who died in the battle. If Jiang Li hadn't turned the tide at the last moment, these soldiers who died in the battle, even if they gave their lives for the imperial court, would not be guilty of the army. However, his identity has been determined. According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it will bring disaster to his family members. Three generations of descendants will not be able to study and become officials, and they will have to pay more taxes and servitude!"
Emperor Jing Sima Yi waved his hand and said: "That's all, you have no way to teach your son, and you have raised a criminal like Jiang Xuanluo, but you also have a good minister like Jiang Li who is loyal to the country, civilized, Taoist and military. Your merits and demerits are equal to each other. Get up!"
"I obey!"
When Jiang Shirong heard the word Jiang Li, his body was obviously shaken. He nodded silently, stood up slowly, and waited for Emperor Jing's punishment order for Jiang Xuanluo.
"Meet the Holy One"
Jiang Li, Shangguan Qingyan and others also walked into the palace hall at this time to meet the Lord of Zhou Dynasty.
Jiang Li bowed and saluted.
Shangguan Qingyan, Hu Yangu and others knelt on the ground.
"You are all heroes of the Northern Expedition. No need to salute, just get up!"
When Emperor Jing saw Jiang Li, his mood couldn't help but improve, and his originally cold face revealed a rare gentle smile.
Li Province was recovered, but after all, more than 300,000 soldiers died in the battle, which was an unbearable huge loss for Emperor Jing.
Not only was the military strength greatly reduced, but also a huge amount of money and property was needed to provide compensation to the families of the soldiers who died in the war.
"Jiang Li, you have made great contributions to the Great Zhou Dynasty, and you deserve to be heavily rewarded. However, the Northern Expedition is very heavy, and the families of the more than 300,000 soldiers and soldiers are in urgent need of pensions. When the Northern Expedition is over, I will compensate you!"
Emperor Jing closed the memorial and rubbed his forehead tiredly.
As the leader of a country, there are too many things to consider, and it is by no means the comfort and luxury that ordinary people and ordinary soldiers imagine, and they can do whatever they want.
"Your Majesty, in order to make up for the sins Xuan Luo committed, I have begun to sell off all my property and property to use as military expenses and to support the widows of soldiers. This can be regarded as my contribution to the court!"
Jiang Shirong, the Marquis of Zhenwu, stepped forward and spoke proactively.
"That's all right. This can also be regarded as a wake-up call for other ministers of the imperial court. The training of officials and marquis' heirs is related to the future stability of our Great Zhou Dynasty. If there are more people like Jiang Xuanluo, how many more people will be added to the Great Zhou Dynasty. Ordeal!”
Emperor Jing looked at Shangguan Qingyan, Hu Yangu, Yingshan Xiong and others, and said slowly: "Jiang Li has submitted a letter about your affairs a few days ago. You have made great contributions to the Great Zhou Dynasty, and you should be rewarded!
"I have ordered people to draw up an edict to summon Shangguan Qingyan to the court as an official, and to confer the fifth-grade Ningyuan female general, exempting the Mo family from being a guest minister. At the same time, I have ordered the Mo family to send your brother Shangguan Yingxing to Shengjing safely. You can rest assured Stay in Li Province!"
"Huyan Valley, the yong is the strongest cavalry and archer under the command of the former Qin Dynasty. This time, the pacification of Li Province is not small. From today on, I abolish all restrictions on yong in the Great Zhou Dynasty. In the ten prefectures of Yunjing and the Great Wall of Beidi, There are also some remaining 狃狁 survivors, and I have ordered all localities to send all the 烃狋 survivors to Li Province!”
"Ying Shanxiang, the Five Barbarian Kingdoms are adjacent to the southern border of the Great Zhou Dynasty. There have been many frictions in the past, but there is no irresolvable hatred. I have ordered the soldiers on the southern border to support and protect the barbarian tribe from which you were born. In case of any inability to If you have any difficult problems to solve, you can ask for help from the armies of Southern Xinjiang!"
One after another decrees were passed down from Emperor Jing's mouth, and Shangguan Qingyan, Hu Yangu, Yingshan Xiong and others happily accepted the decrees.
"Jiang Li, it is up to you to pacify Li Province, and you are also the governor of the Anmang Protectorate. Do you have any suggestions for how to deal with Jiang Xuanluo?"
Emperor Jing issued his decree and looked at Jiang Li with questioning eyes.
"Jiang Xuanluo violated military orders and left his post without permission. He should be punished by military law. I have no objection!"
Jiang Li shook his head slightly and said: "Although I am appointed as the governor of Li Province, I have no subordinate relationship with Jiang Xuanluo. Marquis Wu is the minister of the Ministry of War and one of the twelve ministers. How to deal with Jiang Xuanluo may be more suitable than me." Some!"
"Shi Rong, what's your opinion?"
Emperor Jing nodded and looked at Marquis Zhenwu.
"Your Majesty, Jiang Xuanluo's crime is unforgivable. According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he shall be executed in Lingchi and all nine clans will be put to death!"
Jiang Shirong's fingers flashed, and an iron coupon engraved with the Nine Nether Flame Bird was presented to him with both hands and held high.
Jiang Li looked around and saw that the iron scroll was shaped like a tile, more than a foot tall and three feet long. The scroll was inlaid with gold, recording the titles, official positions, and achievements of Jiang Shirong, Marquis of Zhenwu.
At the bottom, there is another line of small words engraved: "I forgive you for dying or committing regular punishment. No one will be punished. I forgive the nine tribes..."
"This is Wuhou's iron scroll to avoid death. I remember that this was given to him by the Holy One after he killed Tuoba Xiongzai in Tianjian Gorge and saved the siege with hundreds of thousands of Zhou soldiers!"
"It's time and destiny. Back then, Marquis Wu made meritorious service in Beimang, but today he has to use this scroll to plead for mercy for the crimes committed by his legitimate son!"
"Speaking of which, the reason why Marquis Wu was able to cross the border and kill Tuoba Xiongzai was because of the help of a woman in white..."
"There are rumors that Jiang Li was born to the woman in white and has the blood of the descendants of the former Qin Dynasty!"
As soon as the iron scroll came out, there was an immediate commotion. Some of the courtiers in the palace had experienced the Battle of Tianjian Gorge, and the past events came to mind again.
"The Holy One has given me an iron scroll to avoid death. Today, I will return it to the Holy One to avoid the punishment of being executed by the nine Jiang family clans!"
But I heard Jiang Shirong say respectfully: "As for Xuan Luo, although I can't bear it, the crime he committed is too great. If he is not punished severely according to the law, neither I nor the Holy One will be able to face the civil and military forces of the dynasty and the people of the world!"
He said this, took a step forward, clasped his fists respectfully and said: "I ask the Holy Lord to inflict the punishment of Lingchi on Jiang Xuanluo in accordance with the laws and military laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the court was shocked.
As a master of Neo-Confucianism, who in Shengjing City did not know the importance and expectations that Marquis Wu had for his eldest son?
All the courtiers thought that Jiang Shirong would plead for his son. Even if there was no way for Jiang Xuanluo to escape the death penalty, they could at least ask Emperor Jing to spare Ling Chi from suffering.
Marquis Wu had served the Zhou Dynasty for many years and had made many meritorious deeds. Emperor Jing made an exception and showed mercy to him. Even though it was against justice and people's hearts, it was not incomprehensible.
Who would have thought that Marquis Wu could be so righteous!
Ashamed, ashamed!
The courtiers were imagining themselves in the situation. If I were standing in the position of Jiang Shirong, the Marquis of Zhenwu, I would definitely not be so decisive!
I thought he rushed to the wilderness at starry night to plead for his beloved son, but who would have thought that Wu Hou actually wanted to seek justice and justice!
Admire, admire!
He is truly worthy of being my martial arts master and the master of Neo-Confucianism in the Great Zhou Dynasty!
"Shi Rong, you are truly my most loyal minister in the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
Even though it was Emperor Jing, he couldn't help but feel moved at this moment.
The slight dissatisfaction I had with Jiang Shirong's use of influence to interfere in the military affairs of the Northwest Road was all gone.
"I am first of all the ministers of Zhou Dynasty, the minister of the sergeants, and finally my father!"
Jiang Shirong's eyes did not flash, his expression remained unchanged, and he said: "I only ask the Holy One to allow me to meet him before executing Xuan Luo. When the punishment is over, I want to take Xuan Luo's body back to his ancestral land for burial!
"As a condition of exchange, I will lead the three guards of Nu Hu, Xue Hu and Tian Hu tonight to the Second Royal Court at starry night to remove obstacles for the East Road and Da Luo coalition forces, kill the Dugu patriarch of the Beimang royal family, and take his head with his head. Replace Xuan Luo's body!"
(End of chapter)
