Delong

Chapter 161 Floating Horse Walk (8)

After only half an hour, Zhang Xing was no longer angry.

He actually understood the reactions of Li Ding and Bai Yousi, the two proud sons of heaven:
They are the core children of the Guanlong clan. Long before the Great Wei annexed Dongqi and Nanchen, and surrendered Beihuang and Nanling, their parents and grandparents were already the core participants and founders of this regime, and they themselves were also The future and hope of this regime.For them, today's event is not just a long-awaited event that finally happened, nor is it just witnessing a landslide on the side of the road, but it is equivalent to seeing that they have entrusted many things and regarded them as their own. A kind of existence has finally gone irreversibly to the desperation.

It was their own house that had finally collapsed.

That kind of emotion is not so much a lack of understanding or understanding, but a kind of nostalgia, reluctance, and unwillingness to believe.

Even going one step further, Sima Changying and Bai Hengqiu, the two semi-ambitious people in the Nanyamen, would probably be disappointed, shocked, and uneasy, and they would also be sad and emotional behind the scenes or in the open.

And this further made Zhang Xing realize that he and these people had very different views on dealing with the Wei regime and deeper matters.

In particular, Wei just chose the death lane with a high probability of disintegration in the end. Apart from the three expeditions to Dongyi, there are probably 36 more smoke and dust, the emperor's uncle Zhongxing, Guanlong civil strife, and a series of scripts.

Then you have to be more mentally prepared.

At this time, if you are angry with these few people, won't you be angry to death in the future?

Respect others and stand up for yourself.

Just like that, repeating this sentence in his heart over and over again, Zhang Xing generously invited these people to have a New Year's Eve dinner.

The New Year's Eve dinner was very unhappy. Everyone seemed to have something on their minds, but everyone was unwilling to make redundant expressions. From Bai Yousi to Li Ding to Qin Bao, and then to Zhou Xingfan who was still ignorant, everyone seemed to be We can all realize that a crossroad is in front of us, and everyone has to make their own choices.

However, these mixed emotions cannot stop the wheel of history from rolling forward.

From the first day of the Lunar New Year, the news of the Three Expeditions to Dongyi spread completely. On the one hand, the court directly activated the state machinery regardless of the New Year, and on the other hand, the people began to riot on a large scale.

Zhang Xing received the summons to go to Yangliu Forest. His mission was simple. Since the saint wanted to conscript himself, the entire Fulong Guard was still the same as when he was on the patrol before. It's a little troublesome, that is, as a rule, some people must be left to guard the White Tower, and Zhang Han Zhang Xianggong is not sure whether he will accompany him or not, so the team of people on duty around him also has some opinions.

Unlike before the start of the "Western Tour", after a "Western Tour", everyone wanted to stay - it is safest to guard the White Tower, and it is a gamble to be on duty with Mr. Zhang Han.

In this regard, Zhang Xing was straightforward, and directly ordered the few people who accompanied Qin Bao to pick him up from the Kuhai Sea last time to stay at the White Tower, and Zhang Han's place will be scheduled normally. It's whoever's turn to stay.

As for the left-behind black ribbon, Zhang Xing is even less psychologically burdened—Qian Tang had a rest last time, Qin Bao had just been promoted, and he also needed to drop by to pick up his old lady, so it could only be the cold-faced black man with the most seniority. Ribbon stayed behind.

The troublesome official duties were done easily and directly, and no one made troubles up and down, which made Zhang Xing feel a little more frustrated.

The main problem is that Black Ribbon called Lu Changheng, as the most senior and most cultivated expert in Fulongwei, this person is usually cautious, serious in doing things, and has a little relationship. Zhang Xinggao has always looked at him, but The other party's background is not low, and he is self-reliant, so he can't help but feel arrogant, so he has been reacting coldly.

However, Vice Changjian Zhang originally intended to slowly melt away the other party, but unexpectedly, he was transferred to Fulongwei for half a year, and spent half a year on the west tour. The next thing is to march eastward, and I really don't know if there will be a chance to make friends again, so I am naturally a little emotional.

After dealing with the matter, Zhang Xing prepared to turn a deaf ear to what was going on outside the window, and waited wholeheartedly for the free ride of history.

However, the structure of Fulongwei is simple, and the vast majority of people have the preparation and confidence to continue to accompany the royal driver, so they can be dealt with easily, but it does not mean that other places in the court and the people can be so simple... Amid panic, Dong The officials in the capital fought fiercely, arguing about who should stay behind and who should go forward; the people also began to become chaotic.

On the second and third day of the first lunar month, there was a turmoil, and it was a big turmoil... There was groundless rumors, saying that the British government was planning to plot evil, and wanted to use Taiyuan as the basis for rebellion, imitating the story of Yang Shen.

"The location in Taiyuan can only be owned by the British public. This small twist will not shake the overall situation." In the small courtyard, Li Ding, whose dark circles had reappeared, rubbed his hands and came to the conclusion as soon as he entered the room. People seem to regard Zhang Xing here as some kind of information distribution center, or a place to avoid right and wrong. "Because the only ones in Nanya who are qualified for this position are Uncle Cao, Mr. Sima, and Mr. Yingying... But Cao Zhongcheng must be in the Eastern Capital, and Mr. Sima has no way to compete with Mr. Ying because of this rumor. "

"It sounds like nonsense." Zhang Xing commented coldly.

"Why can't Mr. Sima fight with the British government?" Qin Bao looked at Zhou Xingfan, who was bowing his head and warming himself by the fire, and asked seriously.

"Because I want to make the Englishman lose this appointment, I can only slander the sage to make the sage suspicious of the British lord, which is what he is doing now. But if he is suspicious, it is Sima Xianggong who is in Taiyuan that attracts the sage's doubts." Li Ding blurted out. And yes, sat down directly.

Qin Bao and Zhou Xingfan nodded one after another... They didn't know about the saint's dream and Sima Changying's extreme self-help and blackening. I haven't touched key military affairs for several years, and now there is no obvious foundation in the army, so the saint is more at ease.

But it cannot be said that there is a problem.

"But if that's the case, why is there such a rumor?" Zhou Xingfan nodded, thought for a while, and continued to ask.

"Because there was a time when the first-class people were forced to do it, and a dead horse became a living horse doctor." Li Ding tirelessly taught. "As everyone knows, the situation in Taiyuan, right now, can only let the people of the first level of Zaizhi go. Those generals of the Zhu Kingdom have no chance at all, so they can only go to the east..."

"There is another important reason." Zhang Xing finally sighed. "According to my observations from Taiyuan, it may take several months to completely clean up the place there, and as long as the Zhongcheng sits in the east, it is safe, and no one can do it if they want to. There is no such thing as Yang Shen. In other words, the rumor itself is in a panic, so it won't have much effect."

Qin and Zhou Zhou immediately woke up.

After a while, Li Ding continued to provide a heavy message: "Duan Shangshu intends to resign..."

"It doesn't matter." Zhang Xing immediately made a judgment. "The sage probably wouldn't take him away either... Nine out of ten he won't be allowed, and then he won't take him with him, and stay in Dongdu."

Li Ding nodded: "It's our acquaintance, Wang Shilang, who may be self-defeating this time, and be remembered by the sage, and then bring him along."

"Wang Daiji can't run away." Zhang Xing still opened his mouth and came. "If he is smart, he shouldn't struggle anymore, but honestly win over and manage old knowledge like you and me, and cover up the face of pretending not to know other people when he gained power before, so as to save anyone who is in the Eastern Expedition stabbed him in the back."

Li Ding nodded, then shook his head again.

Zhang Xing came to a sudden: "That's right, it is possible to go against the current, ask for some power and responsibility, and then take the opportunity to retaliate, and use the tiger's skin as a banner...but this matter has nothing to do with us, right?"

"I can't relate to you." Li Ding sighed. "Originally I was more dangerous, but with you here, he wouldn't dare to make a mistake."

Zhang Xing also nodded, then took the leftover meat buns from yesterday, clamped them with tongs, and put them on the stove to roast... Obviously, the two of them spoke crisply and were familiar with each other, and quickly completed the exchange of information and discussion in just a moment.

There was a pause, and the room was silent for a while. As the wind started to pick up outside, the steamed buns on the stove began to smell burnt. The youngest Zhou Xingfan finally couldn't help it, and then asked a question that might have been hidden in his heart for a long time. question:

"Third Brother Zhang, Fourth Brother Li...why does everyone think that this battle is bound to be defeated?"

This is a very sensitive issue, and Zhou Xingfan hadn't arrived when a few people lost their temper yesterday, so it would be inappropriate to speak out at this time.

Moreover, this is by no means a meaningless question, especially if it is asked from Zhou Xingfan's mouth.

So, the scene went cold for a while.

After a while, it was still Zhang Xing who put down the pliers and buns in his hand, and looked at Xiao Zhou seriously: "This matter is like this, the victory or defeat of the Three Conquests to Dongyi has three levels, the victory or defeat in diplomacy, military Political victory and defeat, as well as political victory and defeat... These three layers are probably related to each other, but they may not be properly related... The loss we are talking about is a political victory. The two are even just military shame, and if we say that we won a big victory, we can win by attacking the capital of Dongyi, and of course it can also be said that a big victory is very possible in this conquest."

Xiao Zhou was a little dazed, but he still couldn't help asking: "If this is the case...which level of victory does the saint seek?"

"The sage hopes to use his military victory to win his diplomatic victory, which eventually turns into a political victory." Li Ding stared at the roasted brown meat buns with a half-smile.

"Is that... a sage... that means he can't turn his military victory into a political victory?" Xiao Zhou lowered his voice.

"No." Zhang Xing put the steamed bun on Li Ding's lap, and he clamped a new one to bake. "Since he announced the three campaigns, he has already lost in politics... because the biggest politics is the people's hearts. You have also seen this three campaigns. He has already messed up the hearts of the people in Dongdu. The day has officially started, I'm afraid it will mess up the hearts of the rest of the people... Under such circumstances, how can they really win?"

Xiao Zhou was in a daze for a moment when he heard the words, and then his posture became more cautious, and at the same time he seemed a little hesitant.

"Do you want to ask, why is such a smart person, the sage, not aware that people's hearts are scattered because of the expedition itself?" Zhang Xing asked calmly.

"Yes." Xiao Zhou gritted his teeth and answered. "Third brother, why is such a smart person like the saint not aware of this?"

Qin Bao also stared at Zhang Xing when he heard the words, even though Li Ding knew better than anyone else, he still postponed to get the steamed stuffed bun which was no longer hot.

"This question couldn't be simpler." The fire swayed slightly, shining on everyone's faces, Zhang Xing baked the buns expressionlessly, with a frank tone and clear words. "That's because the saint himself is an important reason for the loss of people's hearts. People in the world have been against this saint for many years... Dare I ask, how can a saint be aware of this or admit it?"

The room fell into a deathly silence, even at Yueniang's next door, the pretending to flip through books also stopped.

After a while, Li Ding seemed to want to say something, but unexpectedly, as soon as he raised his hand, the baked buns in his hand rolled down first.

Embarrassed, Li Silang quickly lowered his head to pick it up, and then smiled dryly: "It's too hot...the buns are too hot."

"I thought it was a dull thunder from the sky, and then it shook the power. As for that." Zhang Xing laughed for a moment, gave the new bun to the other party, and then took the cold bun in the other party's hand by himself, and baked it again. Without delaying him, he looked towards the roof. "Look at your little aunt, she's as immovable as a mountain, it's so slippery, and the wind is blowing, the wine bottle didn't even fall off."

Everyone looked up in unison, and then lowered their heads in unison following the obvious sound of tiles being knocked on the roof.

And Li Silang was holding the freshly baked buns. He didn't think it was too hot at the moment, but he just lowered his head and asked curiously: "What is your cultivation level now? Why didn't I notice it?"

"What is your cultivation?" Zhang Xing asked back.

"The eight meridians of the Qi Meridian have connected the six meridians, but the second meridian of Ren Du has not moved for almost two years." Li Ding became sad on the spot visible to the naked eye.

And Qin Bao and Xiao Zhou were obviously a little shocked. They probably knew that Li Silang was a half-master, but they didn't expect that they had reached the point where they almost crushed them... But on the other hand, the eight meridians connected with the six meridians. But the governor's second channel didn't move, and it seemed pitiful again.

After all, everyone knows that once Ren Du's two channels are connected, the other six channels must be connected, and it is only a matter of time before the pill is congealed; on the other hand, these two channels are different, even if you pass through all the other six channels, you will probably stop moving forward .

"That's much better than me." Zhang Xing said unhappily. "When I came back, the Chong pulse was fully connected, and the belt pulse was almost breathless. Now it's just the time of the year when I passed this breath. It's just two strange meridians... You didn't notice the roof, nothing more. It's just that your mind is in other places all day and all night, and your energy is not good."

Li Ding thought for a while, looked up at the roof, but could only shake his head.

At this time, there was a knock on the door in the courtyard.

Li Ding was speechless, and went to look at the roof again. Zhang Xing, who had just finished his rebellious words, was magnanimous and did not move at all, while Qin Bao got up on his own initiative, and went outside to open the door.

After a while, they sent a reply: "Third brother, it's the old man who delivered the firewood."

As he spoke, he saw Qin Bao take the initiative to help open the gate and remove the threshold.

Everyone was relieved, but Zhang Xing was surprised instead. He put down his pliers, got up and walked out, then faced the kind-hearted old man and asked seriously:

"Old man, I came to deliver firewood on the third day of the first lunar month, what's the matter?"

Hearing the word, the dark-complexioned and panting commoner-clothed old man came to the courtyard in a hurry, and wanted to bow down, but was stopped by Qin Bao.

"If you have something to say, just say it, I can't afford to bow down to the old man." Zhang Xing also quickly waved his hands in response.

And the old man, obviously old, even though he got up, he wanted to say something several times, but he couldn't express clearly... Finally, Yue Niang, who was still pretending to be reading, couldn't listen, so she rushed out to translate:
"He just wanted to ask, is the court going to conscript Ding again? Don't forget his son... Is he worried that his son will be taken away again?"

"Yes." Suddenly, Zhang Xing blurted out the answer. "There is such a thing, but I really don't know if Dongdu is also recruiting men here?"

"I want it." Li Ding, who was eating steamed buns, made supplements in the main room behind. "I saw the Jun Order of Nanya in the Ministry of War. The logistics follow the rules of the previous two conquests, but the scale is not yet sure... If the first regulation is followed, the Dongdu should be 200 soldiers. Those responsible for transporting grain, [-] inside the city, [-] outside the city... But there may not be that many, the first time it was a million soldiers, [-] million soldiers."

Zhang Xing shook his head and went to see the old man.

The old man's face turned pale with horror, he just bent down to salute again and again, then hurried out, even leaving the car behind.

Zhang Xing and Qin Bao wanted to stop in turn, but they also shut their mouths one by one.

Two days later, that is, the day when Wang Daiji Wang Shilang came to invite Zhang Xing to drink, the imperial court officially announced the scale of the Eastern Expedition—sent to the Fifth Army, Jinwuwei, Guanxi, Hebei Tunjun, Jianghuai, Jiangdong Shui Army, together with Xuzhou Daying, Hejian Daying, Youzhou Daying, and Jiangdu Daying soldiers and horses, a total of 50 horse-buying and sailing troops, and 100 million civilians from all over the country to maintain logistics. east.

On the same day, a decree was issued to re-establish the Dengzhou frontline battalion and Bianzhou logistics battalion, recruit military officers from all over the country, and recruit masters with a cultivation level of at least condensed alchemy from the whole country to accompany them.

He vowed to wipe out Dongyi, unify the whole world, and achieve an unrivaled feat.

But that night, Zhang Xing, who returned to the White Tower after drinking, got a piece of insignificant news from Qian Tang, who took over his shift—the permanent official servant of the Second Patrol Group they knew well when they were at Jing'an Terrace. Xiao Gu actually died in the collapse of Tongtian Tower that day.

Calculating the time, it has been almost five months.

PS: Good night everyone.

(End of this chapter)