Chapter 962 This World, Utterly Changed

"It hurts... be gentle... hiss..."

Si Niang pulled the silver needles one by one from Zheng Fan's chest, and smiled, "My lord, the pain means that the hidden dangers caused by the last advancement failure have been basically eliminated."

"Mm." Zheng Fan nodded, and after all the silver needles were pulled out, he habitually reached out and pulled Si Niang into his arms.

Over the years, Zheng Fan has clearly felt that his appearance has become more mature, that is, the so-called middle age.

Fortunately, he insisted on practicing cultivation, and his physique was that of a martial artist, so he didn't become as pot-bellied as that Xiao Liu Zi in the capital.

But Si Niang... her appearance seemed to have never changed at all, everything was like the first time they met in the Tiger Head City Inn.

Many people would naively think, how wonderful it would be if their partner could stay young forever;

But when it really happens in front of you, the frequent backaches and weak knees can definitely bring you endless despair and pressure.

Fortunately, it is joyful.

"Your Highness."

Liu Dahu reported from outside.

"Enter."

Si Niang got up and left her lord's embrace.

"Reporting to Your Highness, General Li has sent someone to report."

Normally, each department and the commander's tent maintain a message transmission once in the morning and once in the evening, but in case of special circumstances, it will be expedited temporarily.

Zheng Fan opened the military report, glanced at it, and couldn't help reaching out to rub his brow.

The military report stated that the Chu army in Wenqiu County had recently begun some large-scale and somewhat abnormal deployments, and Li Chenghui requested permission to handle the response himself.

Zheng Fan was not worried about the so-called abnormal deployment. In the current situation, everyone is facing each other with soldiers and generals. On the long front line, there is basically no secret.

The meaning of Li Chenghui's military report was actually to test the initiative. His hands were itchy, and the generals under his command were itchy. They couldn't help but want to move.

After all, although Li Chenghui's garrison was transformed with the Standard Household System after entering Jidong, it generally retained its original framework. It had been five years since entering Jidong, and he had not had time to make any military achievements, so he was now eager to prove himself.

"My lord, are you troubled?" Si Niang asked with concern.

Zheng Fan shook his head, picked up a pen, seemingly preparing to write a reply, but hesitated, fearing that this kind of noncommittal response would not achieve any results.

Therefore, he looked directly at Liu Dahu;

Liu Dahu knowingly stepped forward;

Zheng Fan threw his royal order directly into Liu Dahu's hands. Liu Dahu held the royal order and knelt down:

"This subordinate obeys!"

Zheng Fan threw the military report that Li Chenghui gave him in front of Liu Dahu,

and said;

"Take this king's royal order and enter Li Chenghui's military tent. In front of the generals under his command, throw this military report directly in Li Chenghui's face for me."

"This subordinate obeys!"

Liu Dahu took the royal order and walked out of the commander's tent.

Zheng Fan closed his eyes and sat on the commander's seat.

Si Niang reached out to massage his temples, with appropriate pressure.

"Is my lord angry?" Si Niang asked.

"It's not to that extent yet. Oh, right, the children at home have sent letters, do you want to read them?"

Si Niang asked, "Did that little devil write too?"

"No, Da Niu said in her letter that her younger brother misses us very much."

"He is just certain that I am far away now and can't hit him, so his skin is itchy again."

"You can be a little gentler with our son, after all, he is our own flesh and blood."

"Alright, alright." Si Niang sighed helplessly, "I'm just worried about what kind of trouble those two little ones will cause at home."

"Don't worry, before we left this time, I told Lao Sha to help take care of the children. Before we go back, they won't be able to leave the palace. After this battle is over, we'll take them with us. They should learn something too."

"Your Highness, General Liang is here."

"Enter."

Liang Cheng walked in and bowed, "My lord."

"What a coincidence, Li Chenghui just sent someone to deliver a military report saying that there was something unusual on his side and he wanted to handle it himself. I just asked Dahu to take my royal order to slap him in the face. If I had known you were coming, I would have asked you to go there on the way."

"He should also be unable to restrain the anxious war-seeking mood in the army, right? In fact, all the troops are like this."

"That's right, so I asked Dahu to help him. This battle is about stability, it's about who can endure loneliness more, and who can lie down better.

Anyway, I'm prepared to spend the winter here."

"With Your Highness here, this subordinate feels much more at ease."

"Hehe." Zheng Fan couldn't help laughing, "I don't know if it's because I'm always unconfident or if you're always so awkwardly flattering that every time you praise me, I feel like you're mocking me."

"This subordinate wouldn't dare."

"Alright, go ahead. Gou Moli should have already launched his attack. As for me, I'll continue to lie here and fish in the air with my brother-in-law."

"This subordinate obeys!"

……

"Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live!"

The Chu Emperor's gaze lingered on the Prince Ding's severed arm for a moment before moving away.

Looking at Xie Yu'an, Xiong Tingshan, and a group of core generals kneeling on the ground, the Chu Emperor didn't even sit on the commander's seat, but said directly;

"I have come to the front line this time not to supervise the battle. I just want to come and see, so I can have a number in my heart. Whatever you lack, I will find ways to make up for it behind you. That's all I can do now."

"Your ministers are terrified!"

"Everyone, the future of Chu, the future of the Chu people, is on your shoulders. I will share it with you."

"Your ministers swear to be loyal to Your Majesty until death, swear to be loyal to Chu until death!"

The Emperor didn't stay in the commander's tent for long. After a brief meeting, he left the commander's tent. Following the Emperor was not his brother, Prince Ding, but Xie Yu'an.

The location of this military camp is not considered the front line. Strictly speaking, after the Yan and Chu forces were spread too thin and the front line was stretched too long, it lost the meaning of further calculation.

"On the way here, I also encountered a team of barbarians and had my guards kill them. I even killed one myself."

"Your Majesty is brave."

The Emperor took out an orange from his sleeve and began to peel it.

Seeing this scene, Xie Yu'an's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and he immediately changed his words;

"In fact, I had already written clearly in the memorial that for that Prince's Mansion in Jidong, the lives of barbarians are not worth much. Maybe they can't wait for the barbarian servant soldiers transferred into Guanzhong to be consumed as much as possible."

"I actually know the methods my brother-in-law uses on the barbarians. They are extremely clever taming techniques."

"Your Majesty's methods are also extremely clever."

In fact, in the current Chu imperial clan's imperial guards, large numbers of mountain Yue people have begun to appear in the military formations. Compared with the past, the current Holy Emperor's utilization and development of the mountain Yue clan can be said to be unprecedented.

Of course, the price is the decline of the aristocratic forces.

The ancestors of the Chu aristocrats all started by following the first Chu Marquis in conquering the mountain Yue, that was their glory. Therefore, the existence of the Chu aristocrats not only caused the Chu imperial power to be greatly suppressed like the Yan Kingdom in those years, but also caused the long-term legacy of ethnic conflicts within Chu.

Because the Xie family had mountain Yue blood, even though their ancestors were also the continuation of ancient aristocrats, they were unable to integrate into the Chu aristocratic circle for a long time;

Even the Xie family was like this, let alone other regions.

But the feng shui turns, and now the Xie family, accompanied by the Xie father and son holding high positions and great power, has become the reliance of the suppressed Chu aristocratic forces.

On the other hand, the emperor of the Xiong family, who should have been recommended by the aristocracy to ascend the throne, relies on the cold-blooded and lowly-born system that broke the aristocratic monopoly on his left hand, and the mountain Yue system on his right hand.

Everyone has changed their family.

"Xu Wei Chang is dead." The Emperor said, "Before he left, he even sent me a memorial, in which he scolded me severely."

"That's just his temper, Your Majesty, don't take it to heart."

"He was right." The Emperor suddenly stopped, and at the same time, handed the peeled orange to Xie Yu'an.

Xie Yu'an reached out and took the orange and began to "gnaw" on it, the juice falling on his Grand Governor's uniform.

"But even if he's right, I don't think I'm wrong."

After Xie Yu'an wolfed down the entire orange, he breathed a sigh of relief and immediately continued:

"This minister also thinks so."

"Truthfully?"

"Truthfully."

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction and took out another orange.

"..." Xie Yu'an.

"Continue to tell me your truth."

"Your Majesty, if the Yan Kingdom is destined to have a figure like Zheng Fan, and Your Majesty does nothing, the situation in Chu will not be better.

Perhaps, the national strength of Chu will not be so weak;

But in fact, Chu will be more fragile.

At least now, Your Majesty can twist Chu into one rope."

"It is I and your Xie family who will twist Chu into one rope together."

"Your minister is terrified."

"No need to be terrified, the Yan Emperor can sit on an equal footing with my brother-in-law, I can't compare to his father, can't I still compare to his son? Talk about the war."

"Yes, this time, the Yan army is very calm."

"They have money in their pockets, they are no longer barefoot, and he is the most able to enjoy himself. After accumulating wealth, he knows better how to spend it comfortably.

I'll just ask you one question, what is the best outcome for Chu in this battle?"

"This minister dare not deceive Your Majesty. In fact, Your Majesty should also be clear that the best outcome for Chu in this battle is to use the iron chains to intercept the Yan army in the three counties of Moya, Wenqiu, and Shangyang.

Forcing the Yan people... to return without success and withdraw their troops on their own."

"It's the same as when Nian Yao was here."

"Yes, this minister has heard that there are rumors among the people that after Nian the Bastard left, Xie the Bastard has come."

"Hahahaha."

The Emperor laughed, and then handed the peeled orange to Xie Yu'an again.

Xie Yu'an could only accept it and continue to eat it in large bites.

"The support from Qian will arrive soon."

"It's good for them to support us with food, grass, and military equipment. The Qian army should not come."

"Mm, they don't plan to send troops either. Do you know what the Qian people are most afraid of now?"

Xie Yu'an wiped the orange juice from the corner of his mouth and said with a smile:

"They are afraid that the Yan people will come again with a feint to the east and attack in the west."

"Yes."

"There's nothing we can do about it. After the Yan people took the three Jin lands, the entire north is the Yan people's horse pasture. Eight hundred years ago, the barbarians in the northwest corner already made the entire Great Xia uneasy. Today's Yan people are much stronger than the barbarians at their peak."

"The biggest mistake was taking the three Jin lands for the Yan people."

"Your Majesty did the best you could at the time."

"No need to comfort me."

"This minister didn't... hic..."

Xie Yu'an saw the Emperor take out a third orange.

Fortunately, the Emperor didn't continue to peel it, but faced north and said;

"My brother-in-law doesn't like to do unprofitable deals."

"Your Majesty, just treat me as General Nian." Xie Yu'an reached out and waved at his lower body, "And the one who had a cut."

The Emperor looked at Xie Yu'an without speaking.

Xie Yu'an licked his lips, knelt down, and said sincerely;

"Your Majesty, I admit that I am extremely intelligent, but I don't think I can compare to the one on the opposite side.

Therefore, I will choose to do nothing;

Just defend,

Just defend,

Just be a turtle,

Be a... single-minded turtle.

And I also ask Your Majesty to extinguish all other thoughts and focus on coordinating logistics and military supplies in the rear, and appease the court.

The ruler and his ministers each perform their duties,

Protect Chu and survive this disaster."

These words were already very serious and impolite. Next, there were even more impolite ones:

"Your Majesty, Shanggu County has long been in the hands of the Yan people for many years. The two counties of Sansuo and Quick Sand are also just empty shells, nothing more than a piece of meat on the Yan people's lips;

The situation in Fancheng is also already rotten.

The lands that should be lost have already been lost. Going to fight for them now will only make the situation more chaotic.

Chu is still Chu;

But if we lose another battle,

Your Majesty, you will no longer be the ruler of a country... but the master of a country."

"I... understand." The Emperor raised his head, "I will no longer say a word to the front line. I will entrust it to you here."

At this time, a team of Phoenix Nest Guards walked quickly towards here. This team was actually divided into two parts;

One part was for military use, and the other part was by the Emperor's side.

"Take a look."

"Understood."

Xie Yu'an stood up and took the message from the Phoenix Nest Guard.

When he turned around to report to the Emperor, he found that the Emperor was peeling oranges again.

"Your Majesty, this is the news from Jidong. The Yan court's reinforcements have already entered Jidong."

"Is it that the news came out slowly, or that the Yan army is walking slowly?" the Emperor asked.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to place people in Jidong now. Correspondingly, the speed of message transmission is also becoming increasingly slow.

"Neither," Xie Yu'an replied.

"Oh?"

"The secret letter said that the Yan court's army that entered Jidong was ordered to take off their armor and return to their fields."

"Take off their armor and return to their fields?" The Emperor was a little surprised.

"It is said that the Prince's Mansion ordered this because Jidong had mobilized too many troops and civilians to go to the front line, so they ordered these reinforcements sent by the court to help...

Harvest the autumn crops."

……

"Eeeeeee... ya!!!!!!!"

Gou Moli, dressed in military uniform, galloped on his horse and couldn't help but let out bursts of long howls.

Behind him was a continuous stream of barbarian cavalry.

Their armor was bright, their weapons were sharp, and their morale was... high.

In a trance, Gou Moli seemed to have found the feeling of when he was still the Barbarian King.

However, he tried his best not to think about it in detail;

No matter when, rough memories are more beautiful than careful nitpicking.

The barbarian army that had been nurtured in Fancheng for many years finally sent out its main force and began to rush south along the Qi Mountain Range.

Like a sharp knife that had been prepared for a long time, it cut down Chu's ribs!

Along the way, the effect of the arrangements and infiltration in previous years began to gradually show, the Wubao began to surrender en masse, and some military villages even opened the gates and chose to join.

Along the way, Gou Moli fully utilized the mobility of the cavalry, in order to go to Chu's main artery as soon as possible and give him a knife.

What formed a sharp contrast with Gou Moli's "fresh clothes and angry horse" was that,

On the Guyue City, which was two hundred miles south of Gou Moli's vanguard army,

Xie Zhuyang, dressed in armor, was sitting there steadily.

"Family Head, the Yan army in Fancheng has moved!"

Xie Zhuyang nodded, stood up, faced north, and said in a deep voice:

"Pass down the order, the pocket can be set up."

"Understood!"

Xie Zhuyang reached out and gently patted the battlements.

Behind Guyue City, that is, to the south, the rivers and waterways are dense, and the Chu court specially dredged them in previous years.

When General Nian conquered Qian in those days, he also led his army from here.

But now here,

It is the largest and last barrier to the north of this area. Once this place is lost, then the Yan people will harass this area and block the blood transfusion between the two countries.

The Guyue City is the largest and last barrier to the north of this area. Once this place is lost, then the Yan people will harass this area and block the blood transfusion between the two countries.

"Nian Yao saw this step back then, so he did not hesitate to risk his life to remove that nail."

Xie Zhuyang looked up, looked at the sunset, and smiled:

"Since it can't be pulled out, it's the same to wait for the nail to pop out on its own."

Xie Zhuyang looked at the magnificent rivers and mountains in front of him,

and couldn't help but sigh;

"It's a pity for this beautiful landscape, but it's hateful that the Yan people are rampant and presumptuous;

Otherwise,

Father would spare no expense to fight for an imperial throne for you to sit on!"

"It's not too late now."

A woman's voice appeared beside Xie Zhuyang, but Xie Zhuyang was not surprised at all, as if he had known of the woman's existence for a long time.

The woman was dressed in blue silk, with bare feet, giving people a sense of transcendence;

"Family Head Xie, have you taken the antidote I gave you?" the woman asked.

Xie Zhuyang shook his head and said, "It's just a drug to end my lineage. Do you think I didn't know that my son fed me this drug?"

"Then you really love your son to death."

"You haven't raised children, you don't understand. A litter of sons can't compare to one who is as considerate and satisfactory."

"Hehehe." The woman laughed, "Family Head Xie still sees things thoroughly."

"I have always been unclear about one thing."

"Please speak."

"Now, the whole of Zhuxia can see that the general trend is in Yan.

Your sect has been hidden for a hundred years without coming out. Now that you have left the mountain, why not go to the Yan Kingdom to do something beautiful, but come to Chu to do this charcoal-giving business in the snow?

Moreover, I want to help you recommend to His Majesty, but you are still not happy?

Could it be that Sect Leader has taken a fancy to my old body? Or is it that you have taken a fancy to my son?

Sect Leader can choose at will, my son and I have a good relationship."

"Hahahahaha..."

The woman laughed again,

She laughed and started wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes,

Then,

her eyes narrowed,

and with a single palm she struck the battlement in front of her, directly hitting a sunken palm print, and even the surrounding bricks and tiles shook as a whole!

"A hundred years ago, my master ordered the entire sect to retreat into seclusion and accumulate a century of spirit. When the world is re-established, we will come out and follow the trend to change for three hundred years of style.

Saying it's seclusion, the door is closed, but the window always has to be opened occasionally to let out some air.

Looking at it,

I found out that,

I can't stay in seclusion any longer,

It's incredible, inexplicable,

This world,

has actually been changed... beyond recognition!"