On the second day after arriving, Yang Qing led Zhou Xing, Wu Que, Yue Zhao and others to return south to Chengdu with Wei Yan. They worked hard all the way and arrived in Hanzhong in only a few days.
At this time, Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, Yang Yi and other senior officials had already left for Chengdu, leaving only Ma Di, Jiang Wei and Wang Ping to lead the troops to defend Hanzhong.
Yang Qing stayed in Hanzhong for two days. In addition to entertaining Ma Su and other old friends and officials, the most important thing was to inspect the Wudang Feijun.
After more than half a year of rest and recuperation, the Wudang Fei Army was fully established, with more than 10,000 troops. Half of the army were Yi soldiers and half were Han soldiers. They were all elite men who were good at crossing mountains and using strong bows and crossbows.
After reviewing the military drills, accompanied by Wang Ping, everyone came to the big tent to rest.
Yang Qing was very satisfied with the personal martial arts and battle abilities of the sergeants. He smiled and said to Wang Ping: "It has been really hard for General Zijun for the past six months. Without the general's hard work day and night, I would not have been able to recover the combat power of the flying army." It’s so fast.”
"Your Majesty's words are serious. This is the responsibility of the general. How can we talk about hard work?" Wang Ping said modestly.
Yang Qing nodded slightly: "Prime Minister Zhuge must have told the general that before long, Wudang Feijun will be transferred to Guanzhong for garrison."
"Yes, the Prime Minister has already told the general, and the general has asked the army officers to make preparations these days." Wang Ping said.
Yang Qingdao: "That's good. We must do a good job in comforting the sergeants, especially the recruits, so as not to cause them any worries.
The imperial court may not launch a large-scale war this year, but Guanzhong is located on the front line against the enemy. The chance of the Wei army invading Wugong, Yicheng and other places is very high. Therefore, my Wudang Fei army must be prepared to fight. "
"Don't worry, Lord, my brothers have been gearing up for this moment. Hehe, not to mention the soldiers below, even the last general has been too idle for the past six months and has long wanted to go to the north to compete with the Wei army again. Wang Ping said.
Yang Qing smiled and said: "Haha, don't worry, there will be battles waiting for you when you get to Guanzhong."
Going south from Jinniu Road, traveling day and night, Yang Qing and Wei Yan arrived in Chengdu in less than ten days. Once inside the city, the two of them separated and returned home.
Xia Houyue had long been convinced and led a group of servants to greet him at the gate of the mansion in advance.
"We sincerely welcome you back to your home."
Seeing all the familiar faces, Yang Qing also felt very friendly. He quickly got off his horse and helped Xia Houyue, who was slightly bent at the front, up: "Madam, please get up quickly. You and I are husband and wife, why do we need to pay such a grand ceremony?"
After a pause, he shouted to the slaves behind him: "You don't have to be polite, just get up."
"Thank you, Lord."
Xia Houyue smiled sweetly and said: "My husband is one of the most important ministers in the imperial court, and he is also a marquis. He returns home in triumph today, so I should greet you with great courtesy, otherwise others will make fun of us in the Yang family for not knowing etiquette."
"Haha, Madam is so attentive. You know, my husband never likes red tape. These etiquettes bother Madam." Yang Qing said.
Xia Houyue said: "My husband is guarding and killing enemies in the north, and I can't help you much. Only by taking good care of the affairs in the house can my husband not have any worries."
"Madam, you are indeed virtuous. I'm not with you these days. It's really hard on you." Yang Qing said warmly as he took Xia Houyue's hand into the house.
Xia Houyue shook her head slightly and said: "How can Yue'er be so hard in this peaceful hometown of Chengdu? But my husband, you are fighting the enemy on the front line, with many dangers, which is really hard." When he said this, there was a hint of fear on his face.
Yang Qing knew at a glance that his wife was worried about his safety on the front line, so he patted Xia Houyue's hand and said comfortingly: "It's because of my husband that I made Yue'er worry. But Yue'er can rest assured, with De Mao and Shu Qi and the others will protect you, and no one among the Wei thieves will be able to hurt your husband."
"My husband is absolutely right. If it weren't for De Mao and Shu Qi by your side, Yue'er wouldn't be so relieved. They have really worked hard this year. I have ordered people to prepare a banquet. Today our family will really have a good time. Give them a reward." Xia Houyue said.
Yang Qingdao: "I wonder if Yue'er has cooked the food herself? It's been a long time since I've eaten Yue'er's cooking. I miss my husband so much."
ah. "
"This... of course there is, but I haven't cooked for a long time. I was in a hurry because I was afraid that my husband would not find it delicious." Xia Houyue said with some embarrassment.
Yang Qing smiled and said, "My husband still trusts Yue'er's craftsmanship. Besides, no matter how it tastes, as long as it is made by you, I like to eat it."
"Husband..." Xia Houyue was very moved when she heard this, looking at Yang Qing's autumn water full of tenderness and sweetness.
Leisure and calm days are always rare. Yang Qing only had one day of leisure at home, and had to get busy again on the third day.
His current status can be regarded as a high-ranking minister in the Ji Han Dynasty, so although deep down he wants to live a few days of idle clouds and wild cranes, the objective reality still has to force him to spend most of his energy to entertain the various ministers and nobles. visit.
Moreover, no matter what, since he returned to Chengdu, he always had to go to Zhuge Liang's house for both public and private purposes, not only to visit Huang Yueying and Zhuge Qiao, but also to discuss government affairs with Zhuge Liang.
"Tomorrow is the time for the great court meeting. The emperor will first reward the meritorious officials of the Northern Expedition, and then the court will discuss the strategy for the next stage."
In the quiet and elegant study, Yang Qing and Zhuge Liang sat opposite each other, drinking tea and talking.
Yang Qing smiled and said: "Although our army still won the second Northern Expedition, the results were not as good as the first Northern Expedition, so this round of rewards from the imperial court should not be too heavy."
"This is natural. The rewards this time are mainly concentrated on the middle and lower-level officers. You important ministers and generals will not reward you too much. After all, you have greatly promoted your officers and nobles last time. It is impossible for the imperial court to reward you in one year." There will be another big reward.
Why, you are already a former general and governor of Yongzhou, and you still want to be promoted in less than a year? Zhuge Liang joked.
Yang Qing replied sheepishly: "Hey, of course I want to be promoted, but my qualifications are shallow. If I am promoted to a higher position, I may cause criticism from the government and the public."
"It's good that you know. Now you are already one of the few ministers in the imperial court. If you don't have achievements that shock the world, it may be very difficult to go further." Zhuge Liang said.
Yang Qingdao: "Yes, it's clear. By the way, Prime Minister, I heard that the Soochow envoy is also in Chengdu?"
"Well, the envoy to my Han Dynasty from Soochow this time is my brother." Zhuge Liang said.
Yang Qingdao: "I'm afraid Mr. Ziyu came here not just to congratulate our army on their victory, right?"
"You are quite well-informed."
Zhuge Liang glanced at him with a smile, then sighed and said, "Yes, Sun Quan sent his brother over this time with the intention of testing my great man. Sun Quan already has the intention of overstepping his bounds and proclaiming himself emperor!"
"Soochow defeated the Wei army in the Shiting area last year. Sun Quan must be very proud of himself. This man has long had the intention of arrogance. Now that he has achieved such great military success, it is normal for him to plan to become emperor." Yang Qingdao.
Zhuge Liang said: "Yes, the Sun family has established a country in Jiangdong for three generations, just for the day of becoming emperor. I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to stop Sun Quan from overstepping his power."
"Cao Pi's usurpation of the throne has already been a serious blow to the Han Dynasty's orthodoxy. If Sun Quan succeeds in proclaiming himself emperor, the Han Dynasty's orthodoxy will suffer a second heavy blow.
Moreover, I, the Han Dynasty, are now allies with Soochow. If Sun Quan becomes emperor, will I, the Han Dynasty, recognize it? If you admit it, the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty will be weakened. If you don't admit it, the Han and Wu families will once again become enemies. Mr. Ziyu came to the west just to explore this tone. Yang Qing said.
Zhuge Liang said: "Yes, this matter is indeed very difficult. If it is not handled well, it will lead to catastrophe. Therefore, the court must come up with a definite strategy in these days.
Haha, let’s not talk about this annoying matter. Tomorrow we will reward the meritorious officials. You and I must keep our spirits up and deal with it carefully to boost the morale of the army and the people. "
"Yes, Prime Minister, don't worry, you are clear." Yang Qing answered with cupped hands.
