Li Laiheng watched Niu Xi leading the army away, but his thoughts drifted to that cold winter many years ago.
"If we want to die together, we must live together! Uncle Niu, Uncle Niu!" Laiheng choked while shaking the very burly middle-aged man in front of him. Because he was hit by an arrow each in his back and left shoulder, he lost too much blood from the wounds, and because he ran for more than ten miles in one breath, he fainted just after falling off his horse.
After a long while, Uncle Niu was finally awakened by Li Laiheng. As soon as he opened his eyes, he immediately became vigilant. He looked towards the road and saw that there were no pursuers. He saw that the sky was almost dark, the wind was howling, and heavy snow was falling. He knew that the boundary of Junzhou here was still hundreds of miles away from Xiangyang, not to mention that he had to go to Guizhou where General Li Guo was stationed. And in this kind of windy and snowy weather, there are very few people on the road. He was wounded by an arrow and had no chance of surviving. It was a pity that he had not repaid General Li Guo's great trust.
He tried to sit up with strong support, but suddenly there was severe pain from the arrow wound on his back, which instantly spread to his whole body, and he couldn't help but fall down on Leghorn.
"Little Laiheng, Uncle Niu is dying. Uncle Niu failed to protect you. I am ashamed of myself...I am ashamed of your father, General Li Guo."
Seeing him breathing heavily, with sweat oozing out from his cheeks, head and neck, and hair roots, Leghorn immediately choked up and said:
"Uncle Niu, stop talking and take a rest."
"Little Leghorn, good boy... let me... let me finish."
"In May of this year, I, Emperor Dashun, was indeed killed... at the foot of Jiugong Mountain. You... must truthfully tell your... grandma to save her from the pain of suspense. This time... the person who is chasing us this time is 'Shi' Wang Guangsheng of the Three Families, this person... is a capricious person, from now on... from now on... from now on." After saying "after" three times in a row, he couldn't catch it in one breath and spat out a large mouthful of blood. He grabbed Leghorn's arm with both hands, suddenly glared, kicked his legs, and tilted his head on Leghorn's body.
After all, Li Laiheng was still young, so he was scared to death. After a while, Lai Heng felt sad and couldn't help crying loudly. In the past thirteen years, the person closest to him suddenly left him at this moment. Grandpa, his father only strictly disciplined him, but Uncle Niu took care of him all the time. Sometimes, he even felt that Uncle Niu was his biological father. At this moment he was panicked and sad. He tried hard to drag Uncle Niu's heavy body towards the dead wood forest beside the mountain road...
When Song Qingping saw Laiheng standing still, perhaps recalling some past events, Song Qingping did not disturb him and stood quietly waiting.
After Li Laiheng hastily buried Uncle Niu, he finally returned to Guizhou after all his efforts. Later, after inquiring, he learned that Uncle Niu was his father's right-hand man, Ma Bian, whose surname was Niu and whose given name was Yichao. He was from Hanzhong, and only his mother and daughter were left in the family. A child struggles to survive. This child is Niu Xi. Lai Heng thought about Niu Xi's father's kindness to him many years ago, and he must remember the old friend's love.
He turned around and whispered a few words in Qingping's ear. Qingping nodded repeatedly, and then they walked side by side to the village.
…
The night is really dark! Because the towering ancient trees on both sides of the mountain road block the bright moon and the bright stars in the sky!
Wang Jincai and his group were as busy as a fish that slipped through the net, and as anxious as a bereaved dog, running one foot high and one foot low on the mountain road leading to Yiling. At this time, Wang Jincai was at a loss, just like the darkness on the mountain road, with no light in sight.
Yesterday afternoon, when Li Laiheng's Ma Bian led the troops through his camp, he had an ominous premonition that things were going to be bad. As expected, I was really surprised. Fortunately, I walked quickly, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable!
He tightened the reins to make the horse go slower, and while wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with his hands, he looked behind him with lingering fear.
"Langwu and the others probably didn't come after them. They had been running away for several hours." He thought to himself.
"But what should we do in the future? Do we really want to surrender to the Manchus? With just these troops and guns, the bargaining chips are obviously not enough. They will definitely not take us seriously..." He regretted not recruiting more troops. He shook his head helplessly, suddenly stopped, and ordered the soldiers following him:
"Light the torch and tell everyone to take a rest!" The soldier obeyed. As soon as the torch was lit, two soldiers came over to help Wang Jincai dismount. (This is because Jin Cai is tall, fat and not good at bowing and horse training.) Two more soldiers came over and spread out a folding rattan table on the ground. Put the tablecloth on the table, take out a wine skin, a pair of silver cups, and several plates of snacks. The soldiers beside him filled the wine glass for him. I saw him sitting down on the ground, picking up the cup, drinking in one gulp, looking up to the sky with a long sigh, and muttering to himself:
"I, Mr. Wang, have been following Emperor Dashun throughout China for decades. Who would have expected that he would end up like this in the end? It's sad! It's sad!" He picked up the wine glass and drank another toast. At this moment, the soldier who was delivering the order had turned around. After hearing this, he boldly stepped forward and knelt down and said:
"Commander, don't worry too much. There is no perfect path for you. You, a lucky person, will have God's blessing. If you can be useful to the villain, the villain will go through fire and water, no matter how hard you die!"
When Wang Jincai heard this, he was slightly surprised. A gust of cool wind blew by, and the chill invaded his body, and he couldn't help but shiver. He took a closer look and recognized the leader of his own soldiers, so he said:
"You..." What was your last name, but he forgot it for a moment.
"I'm glad that I'm here, and I'm willing to serve the commander-in-chief!"
"Okay, okay, my love for you is not in vain. Laixi, please get up and talk." Jincai stroked the long beard under his chin with his hand and smiled at him.
This Laixi is in his early twenties, tall and plump, with a high nose, thick eyebrows and big eyes. He is indeed a talented person. Jincai thought.
"Thank you, Marshal!" Laixi stopped being polite and sat cross-legged on the floor opposite Jincai.
"Laixi, where is your hometown?" Jincai asked.
"The villain's hometown is in Mizhi, Shaanxi Province, Marshal." Laixi said.
"Oh, yes, yes, I remembered. I am from Yan'an, and you are more than half of my hometown." Jincai said as he handed the wine glass full of wine to Laixi. Laixi was so flattered that he even said "I don't dare".
Wang Jincai waved his hand, pondered for a moment, looked directly at Laixi, and said:
"I am fifty-two this year. I have been wandering around the world for half my life and have no heirs. I want to adopt you as my adopted son. What do you think?"
When Laixi heard this, he was so happy that he turned over and fell to the ground. Bow three times in a row.
Wang Jincai felt relieved:
"My son, no courtesy, please get up and talk!" He said while extending his left hand to help Xi up.
"Actually, it was not my intention to join the Hulu. I was forced by the situation and had to do it." He picked up the wine pot and was about to pour wine, but Laixi grabbed it and filled it first for his adoptive father. He then heard Jincai continue:
"That's fine. Now that I have a small army and few generals, I am at the end of my rope and I no longer think about taking refuge with the Manchus. Since my son recognizes me as his adoptive father, he will not make any detours with you."
When Laixi heard this, his heart moved, "Now let's get straight to the topic." He quickly sat up straight and said:
"Father, please speak!"
At this time Wang Jincai cleared his throat and said slowly:
"My father has two sworn brothers in his life, one is Ma Jinzhong and the other is Wang Yuncheng. These two are both heroes. They should also resist the Manchus in Huguang. You can go to surrender together after you find out what my father wants." , I wonder what my son has to say?"
After hearing this, Laixi looked hesitant and said:
"My son is willing to listen to his father's orders, but, just..."
"But it doesn't matter!" Jincai said.
"Where can father take a break after his son leaves?" Laixi asked.
"Haha, my son is worrying too much." After saying this, he waved his hand and all those standing and sitting nearby immediately retreated five feet away.
When Wang Jincai saw everyone leaving, he lowered his head, looked at Laixi and said softly:
"There is a big mountain not far to the north here, called Wangzhou Mountain. It is vast and rarely inhabited. There is only a temple at the foot of the mountain, named Guanyin Temple, and a temple on the mountain called Baiyun Temple. The owner and host of the temple are all the same as me. We are friends, so if you want to take a break, there is absolutely no problem!”
"When will the child leave?" Laixi asked again.
"My son will take a short rest before setting off. He must dress up like a merchant, bring few companions, and bring more gold and silver. Be careful on the road, as my father is here to watch and wait for good news!" After saying that, he stood up and shouted. road:
"Xiaowuzi, come here!"
"Yes, Master!" Following this agreement, a handsome young man walked quickly from a distance.
"Go and get three hundred taels of gold and two hundred taels of silver, and give them to him in two bags." He pointed to Laixi. Xiaowuzi didn't look at him, agreed, and left. Not long after, he came over with a sack in one hand and placed it in front of Laixi.
"My son, go ahead and prepare. If you want to choose some companions, it's up to you."
"Yes, let's get ready, kid." Laixi bowed and left with fists in hand.
After a while, I saw Laixi followed by two people approaching.
Wang Jincai pointed to a short, middle-aged man next to him and said to Laixi:
"This person is from Wuling, Huguang. He is also familiar with Yuezhou, Wuchang and other places. My son needs to be careful all the way here."
Then he pointed at the other people. "You also need to be careful."
"Yes" everyone agreed, then got on their horses and galloped eastward behind Laixi towards Yiling Ferry.
Wang Jincai watched the group of people disappear from sight. Suddenly a voice sounded:
"Master, can this be done?" Xiao Wuzi snuggled into Jincai's arms quietly.
Wang Jincai gently stroked Xiao Wuzi's delicate cheek and sighed noncommittally:
"Oh, I wish!"
…
At the time of application, Baiyangzhai big tent.
Song Qingping was writing furiously in front of the writing desk, translating and interpreting the "Book of Heaven". Li Laiheng was looking through today's newspapers, and suddenly he heard a report from his own soldiers:
"My lord, someone from Ciqing Palace has come to see you."
"Well, tell him to come in." Li Laiheng put down the newspaper in his hand and said.
When the door curtain was lifted, the sound of jingling rings could be heard, and a gust of fragrant wind hit my face. Laiheng took a closer look and recognized it was Chen Min'er, the Queen Mother's maid. She is the sister of Chen Qiaoer, the general manager of Ciqing Palace, and one of the only girls who was raised by Feng. This girl had just turned eighteen. She had a delicate face and a graceful figure. Together with her sister, she was known as the "Two Flowers of Maolu Mountain". She was very fond of the Queen Mother, Mrs. Gao, and Laiheng regarded her as her own sister.
I saw her walking lightly in front of Laiheng, feeling slightly blessed and saying with a smile:
"I've met the general." He wished Qingping another blessing.
"I've met Military Advisor Song."
Qingping quickly put down the brush in her hand and returned the gift. She said she didn't dare and glanced at Laiheng.
Leghorn laughed and said:
"Naughty! What are you doing here?"
Chen Min'er walked over and took a Tang newspaper in her hand, flipped through it and put it down. Then she bent down, looked at Leghorn with evil intentions, smiled mysteriously and said:
"Brother Laiheng, guess what?" Laiheng scratched his head with a helpless expression and said:
"I'm not a worm in your belly, how do I know?" As soon as he finished speaking, he knew that he had slipped up.
Unexpectedly, all she heard was "Hahaha, you are the worm in my belly!" Chen Min'er pointed at Leghorn and burst out laughing. The laughter like silver bells attracted many soldiers nearby!
At this time, Laiheng was embarrassed and looked at Qingping for help. Qingping put her right index finger to her mouth and said "Shhh...". When Chen Miner saw this, she knew something was wrong and quickly stopped laughing and said:
"Brother Laiheng, Military Advisor Song, the Queen Mother has ordered you two to go to Ciqing Palace for a banquet today at Youzheng time. We have important matters to discuss. The words have been brought, I'm leaving!" After saying that, he turned around and left, as if Somewhat unhappy!
Strange, no one offended her, how could this girl's face become faster than the sky? The two of them murmured in their hearts.
…
