A group of more than a hundred riders galloped eastward along the Weinan Avenue. There is still a bit of tension in the air in Jingzhao in midsummer. As the county most affected by the chaos, the word "recovery" is not easy to talk about.
However, the weather has finally turned around, and you can clearly see the fields passing by, with farmers working hard to harvest under the scorching sun. Looking at the sweaty action, I couldn't help but feel the same, and my mouth felt dry.
At major traffic intersections, officers, soldiers and villagers still set up checkpoints to conduct spot checks on people traveling on the road. However, when they saw the galloping knights, they all honestly let them pass, and actively drove the travelers out of the way to let them pass.
"What a flamboyant and majestic cavalry!" Looking at the cries of the cavalry heading east, a young country soldier wearing light linen clothes beside the road sighed with envy and yearning. .
"How can you not be majestic?" The middle-aged man next to him should be the leader of this rural soldier. Hearing this, he immediately said: "Do you know who passed by just now?"
"Captain, do you know who it is?" The heroes under his command suddenly became interested.
"A certain person said that you young men are so illiterate that you don't even know the word 'xiang'?" Under the gaze of everyone, the captain of the rural soldiers felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart, and said in an old-fashioned way: "I saw that high-erected flag. Well, in Guanlong, there is only one person who can set up this banner."
After looking around, the captain's voice became more ups and downs: "That is Xiang Dushuai of the Southwest Capital. He is a frontier general who defeated the Shu thieves, captured Qin and Feng, and held tens of thousands of elite troops. Do you think he is powerful or not?"
"So, the general in the middle just now is the handsome Xiang Du in the rumors?" someone asked in surprise.
"It should be!" The captain said with some confidence: "There were many people around him just now, all wearing precious armor and brocade robes. In the army, non-senior generals cannot wear them. If not Xiang Dushuai, who else can wear them?" This guard."
As he said that, the captain couldn't help scolding: "You ignorant kids actually want to step forward to intercept and check. You are so ignorant and fearless. Can you check that? If I hadn't stopped you, I'm afraid your lives would have been in danger!"
"Sure enough, he is so powerful. Dushuai just looked at me and I was so scared that I didn't dare to move!" A rural soldier said fearfully.
"Okay, don't be lazy here, search those people quickly!" The captain took the lead, calling to Xiang Yong, pointing to a group of travelers who were taking shelter in the road.
"Nowadays, there are still thieves everywhere. Even if there are, do you dare to come out? Those people are just passers-by at first glance. The scorching sun can bake people dry. Aren't we suffering here in vain? We might as well go home and help We are threshing wheat at home..." A village warrior muttered, holding his knife upside down.
His concerns can be forgiven. It is the season for grinding wheat, and an adult male labor force plays a great role in the family.
But after hearing what he said, the captain couldn't help but slapped him on the head and cursed: "You still dare to complain, do you think a certain family is willing? Who dares to disobey the government's order. Remember, the emperor is coming to Chang'an, we guarantee Maintain public security so as not to scare the robbers..."
On the edge of Daoka, some businessmen were passing by. It was the farming season, and ordinary people could not escape from their fields. Of course, those who could drive their goods on the road were bold people who could stop the chaos. .
"What do you mean, you want to bribe me?" Faced with the small bunch of copper coins handed over by the leading merchant, the captain yelled loudly.
"I don't have any other intention. It's just that the weather is hot and brothers are working so hard. With this little money, I can just buy some tea to quench your thirst..." The merchant had a flattering smile and a familiar expression on his face.
"You don't know about the government's ban, but a certain family does! You are so diligent, but I want to check what kind of goods you are carrying!" The captain didn't seem to accept this, walked behind the pack carriage, and then skillfully moved The small bunch of copper coins was put into his sleeve.
"They are all local goods and leather goods, sold to Chang'an!" The businessman said with caution.
After a while, the captain's voice sounded: "No problem, let me go!"
Just as the captain of the rural soldiers had guessed, the cavalry passing through the border was deployed by Xiang Xun from the Southwest Capital of the Han Dynasty. In addition to the two teams of escorting cavalry, they were accompanied by a group of senior generals from the southwest including Gao Huaide.
"Commander, let's take a rest. If we keep running, humans can bear it, but horses can't bear it either!" Gao Huaide advised a group of people to rein in their horses on the west bank of Feng River in Hu County.
Due to the chaos in Shu in Guanzhong, Xiang Xun personally arranged for the maintenance of stability. He went out to inspect the army and was summoned by the emperor to make a document. He had already visited Xingyuan Mansion. However, he did not dare to neglect the emperor's call, so he hurried east to pay him a visit and notified the senior generals.
Everyone was tired after galloping all the way. After hearing the advice, Xiang Xun said: "It's not appropriate to keep your majesty waiting for a long time!"
However, seeing that everyone was sweating profusely and panting, Xiang Xun calmed down and said, "We have reached Fengshui. We can cross it with a light horse. Let's take a rest and drink some water!"
"yes!"
A group of people walked to the water bank under the shade of the trees to cool off for a while. Pointing to his buttocks, Xiang Xun smiled bitterly and said, "I haven't been in such a hurry for a long time. The fat between my legs can't stand it anymore!"
Gao Huaide responded pointedly: "Since the battle between Qin and Feng, everyone has been resting for a year and a half..."
"It seems that you are eager to achieve great results by hiding it!" Xiang Xun couldn't help but smile: "This time I am paying homage to you, maybe I can ask your majesty for a fight!"
"Speaking of it, I haven't seen His Majesty for four whole years!" Looking at the golden Fengshui River under the scorching sun, Xiang Xun felt a little emotional, and his eyes couldn't help but feel a little more composed.
Leading the army outside and holding great power is no doubt prominent and majestic, but as the years go by, these concerns also increase, and it is far less relaxed and comfortable than serving as the general of the imperial army and the garrison of the imperial city in Tokyo.
The Han border army, where heavy troops are gathered, is located in Hebei and the southwest. Compared with Hebei, the southwest has much greater autonomy due to preparations for the war to destroy Shu. Similarly, the power in Xiang Xun's hands also Much heavier.
Although there is a saying that the military and political affairs are separated and each performs his own duties, how can the local officials not give some face to the commander-in-chief of the Southwest?
In the past two years, as his status and power have increased, Xiang Xun has become more and more uneasy, and he has become more cautious and careful in his actions, not daring to overstep his limits. Of course, having a sense of urgency and knowing awe is not a bad thing, especially for a border deployment and army commander like him.
At sunset, the sun sets in the west, and the light it emits is no longer so bright. There was a lot of excitement in Prince Yong's palace. In front of the court and behind the courtyard, a group of southwestern generals led by Xiang Xun took off their armor and clothes, and took a shower under the waiters of the palace. That's right, when the generals came, Liu Chengyou personally ordered the palace servants to wait on them and help them wash away the dust and relieve the heat.
The well water that has been exposed to the sun is poured on the body, and it is refreshing. It washes away not only the smell of sweat, but also the fatigue from the journey.
"Go get me some cold water!" Murong Chengtai couldn't help shouting, shirtless, standing in the sun.
The servant at the side carefully reported: "Your Majesty has ordered that cold water is harmful to the body and should not be used by the generals. However, the young ones have prepared ice drinks. You can enjoy them after taking a bath!"
Hearing what he said, the generals couldn't help but say: "I never thought that the emperor would be so thoughtful!"
As the sun set, the generals, who had washed away the dust and sweat odor and put on the summer clothes given by the emperor, entered the garden in unison and saluted Liu Chengyou together. The scene did not seem that serious. Liu Chengyou sat comfortably on a stone bench, with daggers prepared on the lawn, and gestured to the generals to take their seats in a friendly manner.
"How's it going? Are you satisfied with my reception?" Liu Chengyou glanced at the dozen or so southwest frontier generals in front of him.
After hearing the question, Xiang Xun took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, I came at a gallop after being summoned. The heat in Chang'an is strong. For me, there is nothing more enjoyable than a few buckets of bath soup and a few glasses of iced drinks!"
After hearing his answer, Liu Chengyou looked at Xiang Xun and said with a smile: "It's better if you don't think it's simple! If it weren't for the fact that Huaqing Palace is in disrepair and is in decline, I would definitely invite you to take a dip in the Huaqing Pool!"
"I'm so sweaty that I'm afraid I'll dirty the royal pond!" Xiang Xun said humbly.
"What the Star Citizen said is wrong!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "You guys do not shy away from hard work and fight for the country and guard the borders. Even if you have the extravagance of Hua and Qing Dynasty, it is difficult to match the merits of you guys!"
"Your Majesty is serious!"
Looking at Xiang Xun, he was in his prime, and his beard was much thicker than before. Liu Chengyou pointed at the generals present and said: "There are some familiar faces among the generals here, and some I don't recognize. Xingmin, you won't introduce them to me. introduce?"
