The sun sets in the west mountain, and the tired birds return to their nests. Seeing that it is getting late, Liu Min and his entourage are about to take advantage of the joy and return. A burst of rapid horse hooves comes from far and near. The flying hooves kick up dust and grass clippings. A man dressed in military academy uniforms He quickly ran towards Liu Min and others.
That was Liu Min's personal guard officer, who was always responsible for the management of the order troops and the transmission of messages. When he noticed this person, Liu Min stopped mounting his horse and frowned: "I wonder what happened?"
Guo Yi said: "Is it possible that the military situation has changed?"
Soon, the officer approached and jumped off his horse. Because his movements were too unrestrained, he staggered a few times and almost fell down. However, he didn't care about all that. He quickly walked a few steps to Liu Min and said, "Your Highness, an envoy from the capital has come to report urgently!"
"Capital?" This was somewhat beyond Liu Min's expectations. He looked at Guo Yi and said, "Is there something unexpected in the capital, or does the DPRK have other views on our Western Expedition?"
Guo Yi shook his head and said he didn't know. The officer said: "Your Highness, everyone coming here must wear plain clothes and wear linen and mourning!"
As soon as these words came out, Liu Min's expression suddenly changed. He looked at Guo Yi subconsciously, and saw that his expression was also solemn, with a little worry on his face. He stopped asking any more questions, took the reins and mounted the horse, galloped out, and almost ordered Drifting in the wind: "Go back to the camp!"
The Han army was stationed in a dense camp. In the central tent, the fire was burning brightly, but the firelight was a little deeper and dim. Sensing that something major had happened in the capital, Liu Min did not make any public announcement in order to avoid affecting the morale of the army. He only met with the angels along with several senior generals including Kang Baoyi, Guo Yi, and Xiang Deming to inquire about the reason.
The visitor, Liu Min, also knew Song Yuandu and was somewhat related to him. He was the fifth son of Song Yanwo, Duke of Huiguo. At this stage, he was serving as a gilder in the Dauchi army.
Noticing his mourning attire, Liu Min's voice became nervous and asked, "What happened?"
Song and Yuandu set out from Tokyo this time, traveling day and night, non-stop. It can be said that they went through a lot of hardships to rush to report the news. Taking into account the rest along the way and the delays caused by weather and road conditions, it took more than a month to arrive. arrive. Although the speed is not as fast as the court's post cavalry, it is not easy for Song Yuandu, who was born as a noble son.
It can be seen from his body covered with dust, his embarrassed figure, and his slovenly appearance. Facing Liu Min's question, Song Yuandu's bloodshot eyes responded. He bowed his body and said with a choked voice: "Your Highness, the Queen has collapsed!"
Upon hearing this news, the expressions of several other generals in the tent changed drastically and they were extremely shocked. If one of the big men died, it would have the greatest impact and shock. The first was Emperor Liu's words, and the second was Empress Fu. Even the prince had to lean back.
When Liu Min heard this, he was stunned for a moment, and a little confusion flashed on his face, and then he quickly woke up. He tried hard to restrain himself, but his voice trembled and he confirmed: "How could it be? When did it happen?"
"Back to Your Highness, the Empress passed away in the Kunming Palace in Tokyo on August 14th!" As he said this, Song Yuandu took a brocade box and presented it: "This is the imperial robe that the Empress embroidered before she passed away. Your Majesty specially ordered me to bring it to Your Highness." !”
Seeing this, the corners of Liu Min's eyes twitched a few times, and his tiger eyes quickly turned red. Opening the brocade box, what was inside was a rather thick fur robe, with an ink base and gold embroidered surface. The pattern was very beautiful. The embroidery work was not outstanding, but it was extremely careful. The most important thing was that it was incomplete.
Liu Min took out the fur robe, held it in his arms, and felt its softness. The robe was a dead thing, his hands were cold, and he couldn't feel the warmth, but an inexplicable impulse kept rising in Liu Min's heart.
After a while, Wei King Liu Min, who had shed no tears on the battlefield, cried. He was not hysterical, but his sadness could be imprinted in people's hearts.
Although Liu Min was adopted into the Palace of Wei at a very young age, the care and concern from his biological mother never ceased. Like other concubine brothers, he was also a prince with two mothers.
In his early years, Liu Min had a cold relationship with Emperor Liu, but his relationship with Empress Fu had always been warm. He had always respected Empress Fu very much. The connection between blood lines was often profound and the most provocative. human heartstrings.
Now, when the bad news came, Liu Min's indestructible inner defenses, which had been honed by the battlefield, were shattered without any resistance. Not long after Liu Min turned 30, he spent it in the army. At that time, he also thought about Empress Fu and missed his two mothers in the capital.
"Your Highness, please forgive me!" Seeing that Liu Min was so sad and several other people in the tent were deeply affected, it was Kang Baoyi who spoke up and consoled him. At this time, I don’t know what to say other than this sentence.
After crying hard and almost drying up his tears, Liu Min gradually regained his composure. He solemnly put his brocade robe on his body and looked at Song Yuandu: "Does your Majesty have any edict?"
Song Yuandu heard this and replied honestly: "Your Majesty just asked me to come to the army to announce the funeral and present the robes. In addition, I still leave it up to Your Highness to make the decision regarding the Western Expedition. Do not damage the military situation!"
"I understand!" Liu Min nodded when he heard this, and then said to the exhausted Song Yuandu: "You have traveled thousands of miles and worked hard, so go and have a good rest!"
"yes!"
After Song Yuandu withdrew, the tent suddenly became quiet, and Kang Baoyi and Guo Yi did not dare to speak rashly. I have to say that the death of the Queen is bad news, but at the same time, fortunately, it is just that
If we were to change the subject, I'm afraid even they would be at a loss. Although they were fighting in a foreign country six or seven thousand miles away, the hearts of these soldiers were always closely connected with the court and the country, and maintained all this. An important factor is the man sitting high in the Golden Palace. Nothing can happen to him.
"Your Highness!" Seeing Liu Min silent there, with his dark complexion uncertain and a bit frightening under the light of the fire, Guo Yi called out and said, "You still need to make an idea on what to do next!"
Hearing this, Liu Min raised his eyes and looked at the people in the tent, and said in a deep voice: "Go down and order the whole army to mourn and see off the empress, and then march into Broken Leaf!"
When giving this order, Liu Min's expression was particularly determined. He was holding the edge of his robe tightly with one hand, and he could already feel the warmth. He would wear this robe, and with his mother's care and expectation, he would immediately Trample Yecheng to pieces.
"yes!"
As soon as the commander's order was issued, the entire Western Expedition army was mobilized. Of course, the middle and lower-level soldiers did not have any deep feelings for the queen, but they also knew the seriousness of the matter. After all, they were on the same level as His Majesty the Emperor.
The white cloth in the military supplies was quickly cut and turned into white flags and plain flags. Everyone wore white cloth and wrapped it in white. A sad atmosphere was quickly created. After Liu Min held a grand and solemn memorial service in the army, he immediately ordered to head north. Three days later, with the support of Yang Yanzhao, and under the hateful and fearful eyes of the Black Khans, he entered their capital.
