"Lu Shijun is indeed astute. As you said, His Majesty has indeed set off to return to the capital!" Zhao Xiuji stroked his old beard and replied: "And, he set off this morning!"
Hearing this, Lu Duoxun showed a look of pity: "That's really unlucky!"
"You two have returned from hardships and are tired from traveling and riding. You can rest in Chang'an for a day. After you have regained your energy, you can go east again and send someone to report your return to the camp!" Zhao Xiuji suggested.
Lu Duoxun thought for a while, shook his head and said: "Thank you Mr. Zhao for your warm hospitality. I am very grateful. Now that I am eager to pay you a visit, I will not stay in Chang'an any longer. I will go as quickly as possible, catch up with the camp, and kowtow in front of the emperor!"
"Your Majesty wishes this, and I can't stop you!" Zhao Xiuji pointed at Lu and Wang, who were covered in dust and dirt, and said with a chuckle: "You two, you can take a bath in the mansion and change your clothes!"
"I have learned a lot about this official's mission and gained a lot. I need to report it to Your Majesty. You are in sight, but you don't care about this much!" Lu Duoxun said excitedly: "I accept your kindness!"
His eyes briefly glanced at Lu Duoxun, and Zhao Xiuji laughed: "Since Lu Shijun is eager to return to life, I will not force him to stay!"
"I have a merciless request from you!" Lu Duoxun said with cupped hands.
"But it doesn't matter!" Zhao Xiuji waved his hand: "You are a meritorious official and a hero who went on an envoy to the Western Regions, so you don't have to be so polite!"
"Xiaguan and his party have been traveling for days. Their horses are exhausted and they can no longer catch up. I kindly ask you to prepare five strong horses for us to march eastward!" Lu Duoxun said.
"This is easy to hear!" Zhao Xiuji's old face suddenly filled with a breathtaking smile.
As for Chang'an City, within an hour, Lu Duoxun led five of his entourages, carrying important documents, records, and atlases, and flew eastward in order to catch up with the emperor. The rest followed the crowd and returned with vehicles and supplies.
"I said to Lu Langjun, there are many people in the camp and it is midsummer. If you can drive eighty miles a day, it is already fast. Even if you rest for a day in Chang'an, you can catch up tomorrow. Why are you in such a hurry? Just now Zhao Zhao Mr. Fu, why should you refuse such kindness? Besides, even if you have to leave, shouldn’t it be more comfortable to take a bath and change into clean clothes?” After resting for a while in Chang’an, I was full of wine and food, and rode several horses. On the official road under the bright sun, Detective Wang couldn't help but mutter to Lu Duoxun.
As he spoke, he smelled himself, with a look of disgust on his face, and said: "Zhao Fujun didn't say anything, I haven't felt it yet. When I reacted, my whole body was filled with filth, sweat, and disgusting smell. How can I face you?" Let’s just wait for the rough guys, don’t you literati pay attention to the description of your demeanor?”
After hearing what he said, Lu Duoxun had a calm and confident expression on his face. He urged his horse and did not answer directly. Instead, he asked: "Do you think our mission to Hexi this time is difficult?"
"That's natural!" Detective Wang immediately said: "I have walked so many roads, encountered all kinds of dangers, walked on the edge of life and death many times, lost so many people, and endured all kinds of hardships. It's hard to describe in one word!"
"Yes! But these, you know, I know, everyone knows about the journey to the west, others may not think so. Most people in the court do not understand the situation in Hexi, and some people may still think that we are serving the country. When you go on a mission and head westward with integrity, it will be a smooth journey, and you will be welcomed by hundreds of tribes." Lu Duoxun still had a smile in his tone, raised his hand and pointed at Detective Wang and himself, and said:
"The sweat, stench, and dust on our bodies are the testimony of our experiences in these 20 months. The more embarrassed and embarrassing they are, the more prominent they are. Furthermore, we have not deliberately lied, we have only conveyed the most truthful Show your side in front of His Majesty and the ministers!"
After finishing speaking, he saw that Detective Wang was a little dazed, and he raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and continued: "Your Majesty has long-term ambitions. Once he unifies Yunei in the future, he will definitely send troops to march north and west, pacify the border and bind the invaders, and restore the old land of the former Tang Dynasty. The year before last, he sent Our group is heading west to reconnoiter the current situation in Longyou, Hexi and the Western Regions, and also to prepare for the future westward march of the Han soldiers!"
Lu Duoxun's eyes glowed brightly, and he waved his hands subconsciously a few times, saying: "You have also silently recorded and drawn pictures along the way, so careful, cautious, and treasured. I'm afraid you have also suffered. Give it a secret order. Even though I am a scholar with little knowledge, I can still see that it is a military map."
"We have gone through hundreds and thousands of twists and turns, and now that we have achieved something, we have been able to return to the court. To put it bluntly, we are all meritorious officials. How can Your Majesty treat the meritorious officials lightly just because they are in such embarrassment?"
After hearing what Lu Duoxun said, Detective Wang blinked, shook his head and said with a bitter smile: "You literati are so thoughtful..."
Lu Duoxun also smiled and said to Detective Wang: "Brother Wang comes from the army, he is bold and open-minded. We have shared hardships all the way back and forth, and we are close friends in life and death, so we tell each other from the bottom of our hearts!"
Detective Wang nodded: "Mr. Lu Lang, as you said, have we made great achievements when we came back?"
"Indeed!" Lu Duoxun nodded: "And we have three great achievements! One is that we brought back the current situation of Hexi and the Western Regions, including various tribes, enemies and friends, tribes, cattle and horses, customs, products, trade, etc.; the other Second, the map of Hexi's terrain, cities, and transportation that you drew was of great use to the Han Dynasty when they marched; third, even if you brought back those cotton seeds, you also saw them in the Western Regions, and cotton quilts were very popular. To keep warm, if cotton could be popularized in the Central Plains, it would be of great benefit to the Han people..."
Detective Wang also became interested and complimented: "Listening to Lu Lang's words, I feel refreshed and clear-sighted. Tell me, can I be promoted now?"
Facing his expectant gaze, Lu Duoxun touched his somewhat scattered stubble and said, "According to my estimation, at least everyone in Wude Division knows about it!"
Detective Wang's eyes lit up: "Seriously?"
"Seriously!" Lu Duosun raised his head slightly and chuckled: "Brother Wang, don't underestimate yourself!"
"By Lu Lang's words, if I really get promoted, you know that after I return to Kaifeng, I will definitely invite you to Qingyufang, where you will eat for three days, play for three days, and sleep for three days..." Detective Wang Laughed.
"Let's speed up!" Lu Duoxun also smiled, smacked the horse's butt hard, and ran eastward.
Detective Wang and others followed him, looking at Lu Duoxun's high-spirited and galloping back, the smile on his lips slightly turned away, his eyes became deeper, and he sighed in his heart: "This Lu Lang is smart and astute. , highly knowledgeable, far-sighted, able to endure hardships, and ambitious. Unfortunately, he is too young after all. We are friends in life and death, but after all, I am a member of the Wude Division..."
Pegasus galloped, chasing after him all the way. By the time Lu Duoxun's five horses caught up, the imperial driver had already arrived in Weinan. The traveling camp was set up in the west of Weinan County, and their group of riders were intercepted ten miles away from the traveling camp by the rangers who were patrolling the surrounding area. They were interrogated to confirm their identities before being brought back to the traveling camp.
The entire camp was shrouded in bright lights, and the summer night seemed to be rendered dreamy by the brightness. In the imperial tent, Liu Chengyou was summoning Zhao Hongyin. He also thought of this veteran who had been used in many roles by him.
Zhao Hongyin is a strong and brave man. Although he is old, his style is still tough. It's just that at this time, the whole person looks a little old, and his face also has a sick look.
Liu Chengyou noticed it and asked with concern: "I heard that Zhao Qing is sick. How is the disease? What is the doctor's diagnosis?"
Facing the emperor's concern, Zhao Hong thanked him deeply: "Thank you for your concern, your majesty. It's just an old illness. It won't be a problem!"
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou shook his head and said seriously: "As a veteran on the battlefield, when your body is weak, you will inevitably get sick. However, there is nothing to be afraid of. Do not hide your illness and avoid medical treatment! If you are not feeling well, you should seek medical treatment in time to avoid delays. !”
Liu Chengyou spoke with some sincerity, because he mentioned Hu Zai, which is a living example nearby.
"The matter of Hu Zai is still in front of you. I feel sorry for him. Zhao Qing really should take care of him!" Liu Chengyou resisted.
Zhao Hongyin felt something. He also thought of himself. During the previous turmoil, he went into battle even though he was sick, and he kept supporting his illness, which made it worse. He opened his mouth, became serious, and said with cupped hands: "Yes!"
Sighing, Liu Chengyou told Zhao Hongyin the focus of the conversation: "I know what happened in Guanzhong, and the fault is not yours. It was the oversight of the government and the court, and the arrangements were wrong. You suppressed the chaos and stabilized the place. On the contrary, you You have merit. I understand in my heart that I have wronged you a little this time!"
Seeing the emperor's frankness, Zhao Hongyin smiled and responded: "The cause of the chaos may not be with me, but I failed to stop the chaos in time, but made it expand. I also neglected my duty, which is not without fault. Furthermore, I am indeed old. , if you are physically ill, you can take care of yourself, and wish you a comfortable old age!"
Liu Chengyou was obviously very satisfied with Zhao Hongyin's awakening. His tone became gentler and he said: "After returning to the capital, Zhao Qing can rest quietly. You and your son are both loyal ministers and good generals of the Han Dynasty. I will still be of great use in the future." of!"
When Zhao Kuangyin was mentioned, Zhao Hongyin became more submissive.
