Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 270 The Grandson's Art of War
The weather was gloomy, and the sky was full of thick, low, grayish-yellow turbid clouds.The northeast wind roared and ran wildly in the wilderness. It seemed to be holding a sharp sword, which could pierce through the tight cotton jacket, not to mention the exposed skin, which was stabbed and hurt by it. tough.

Wearing a helmet, the guard ran to the side of the carriage and shouted, "Master, I'm afraid there will be heavy snow at night, and we won't be able to reach the village. Shall we camp here?"

"Find the village and stay overnight." Xiao Lin opened a small gap in the curtains. The sky outside was dark and gloomy, and the ground was hardened by ice and snow. Even a grown man couldn't bear it, let alone his own children.

"Yes, sir."

"Huh-huh-", the wind howled, the big tree swayed in the wind, and the branches were whipping in the air like dancing whips.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Xiaoyu held her mother's hand tightly and snuggled into her arms, Shu Yueru gently stroked her daughter's small body, so that she would not be afraid and let her calm down.

"Xiaoyu, are you afraid?" Xiao Lin, who was sitting across from her, asked her daughter.

Xiao Xiaoyu sat up straight, "With Daddy here, Xiaoyu is not afraid of anything."

Xiao Lin smiled gratifiedly: "You don't have to be afraid when your father is away."

Xiao Xiaoyu pursed her lips, turned to look at her mother, "Mother, are you afraid?"

Shu Yueru smiled softly: "Mother too, with your father here, don't be afraid."

Xiao Lin shook his head and laughed.

Shu Yueru said softly: "Zilin, Xiaoyu is a girl, let her be more delicate!"

"What if she can't find a husband like me in the future?"

"Uh..." Shu Yueru was taken aback for a moment, then lowered her head, and couldn't help laughing.

"Father, why do you want my future husband to be like you?"

"I..." Xiao Lin was gagged by his daughter.

Shu Yueru laughed so much that her shoulders moved, it made you self-obsessed and embarrassed.

-

After a full sleep, Xia Zhen struggled to get up from the low bed. After staying in the capital for a long time, her body was really delicate. After fighting for a day and two nights, she was too tired to get up. She despised herself , a carp sat up straight.

Xiaowen heard the sound of getting up in the tent, and was about to ask the master if he wanted to bring water in, when Ma Min'er came over with her son in her arms, her head and face tightly wrapped, "Your Highness is up?"

"Yes, Master is up." Xiaowen smiled and helped the young lady open the curtain, allowing the two of them to enter the tent.

"How are you sleeping?" Ma Min'er looked at her husband and unwrapped the quilt wrapped around her son. Seeing this, Xia Zhen quickly reached out to help her. Her slender hands hugged her son's armpits and lifted him up, " Dear son, do you miss Dad..."

"Ah... ah..." Xia Yifan, who was six or seven months old, was teething, his mouth opened, and the saliva really fell down.

"Stinky boy!" Xia Zhen put down her raised hands, hugged her son in one hand, and took a saliva towel in the other hand to help him wipe off the saliva. How big has Xiaoya grown, "Hey, the two grains of millet have grown bigger."

Ma Min'er had already put away her son's small quilt, and helped Xia Zhen tidy up the low bed. At this time, Xiaowen's water was delivered to the tent, and she took over from her son: "Wash up, wait a minute , we went over to have breakfast with my father."

"Eat breakfast?"

"Yes."

Xia Zhen turned to look at the bed, "I slept alone last night?"

"Yes!" Ma Min'er felt strange.

"I fell asleep without you?"

This is what she said... Ma Min'er turned his eyes away, "In the capital, I have nothing to do, I am not tired, I can't fall asleep after tossing and turning, and now I haven't slept for a day or two. When I see a bed, I just fall asleep."

Xia Zhen smiled, "That's right, there's no need to be hypocritical."

"Hurry up and wash your face."

Xia Zhen stretched out her hand to tease her son again, and then went to wash her face contentedly. After washing, she reached out and took her son again, "Let's go, let's have breakfast with father."

With his son by his side, Xia Zetao slept soundly. He didn't wake up until dawn when the light came through. He stretched and touched his injured leg, "Oh, I'm really old."

Chang followed Chunping to bring in water, "General, you have grandchildren."

"Yes, I have grandchildren, so I can't accept my old age." Xia Zetao laughed.

"General, you are not old even if you have grandsons. You see, the old generals have great-grandsons, so they still go to the battlefield to fight."

The old man fought at the junction of Xiangzhou and Yizhou. The old man in his 60s was not as strong as a young man. Xia Zetao's heart became heavy again after he relaxed just now. He washed his face quickly, left the tent, and went to the place to eat.

"Father—" Xia Zhen was about to meet his father, but he had already arrived.

"Zhen'er."

"Father, sit here."

Breakfast was already on the table, Xia Zhen invited his father to be the host, and he took his wife and children to sit beside him. He helped his father serve rice porridge and steamed buns, "Father!"

Xia Zetao took the porridge bowl and steamed buns from his son, and watched his daughter-in-law put the eldest grandson on the baby stool and feed him. The child was well-raised, chubby, and really cute. The innocent and lovely smile disappeared.

"Zhen'er, your grandfather is also on the battlefield." After regaining consciousness, Xia Zetao subconsciously blurted out.

"I know." Xia Zhen said: "On the way here, I communicated with my grandfather and Mr. Tian from Liangzhou City. They both agreed that the Liaojin people on your side, father, are the most violent. , let me come to support father, and catch them by surprise."

Xia Zetao nodded, "That's right, Liangzhou and Qingzhou are the most easily breached parts of the entire northern border, so anyone who wants to enter the Liao, Jin, Xixia and other countries of the Great Wei Dynasty must pass our pass."

"Father, the Chinese New Year is only a month away. We have to find a way to drive them back and have a safe New Year."

"I think so as a father, but it's easier said than done."

Xia Zhen said: "Father, I have seen the grain and grass. It has only been half a month. We must repel them within half a month. Otherwise, the weather will be cold and the large amount of grain and grass will not be lucky."

"I know, after breakfast, let's have a good discussion and see how to beat back the Liaojin people."

"it is good."

After Xia Zhen's father and son discussed, Ma Min'er also fed his son. She picked up the bowl and finished breakfast with the two of them.

Although sometimes, Xia Zetao eats with the generals, but most of the time, he eats alone, looking lonely, but today is different, eating with his son, daughter-in-law and grandson. In the past few years, his first time For the first time, I felt at home, and the simple meals tasted warm and harmonious.

After eating, he took the towel that came with him and wiped the corners of his mouth, wiped his hands, and hugged his eldest grandson, "Fan'er, my eldest grandson, let's discuss how to fight the enemy with my grandfather, okay?"

After several days of fighting, Xia Zetao's beard has not had time to shave for some days. The beard is a bit long. It is not the old man of the goat, but it is almost like the old man of the goat. .

The heroic general couldn't help hissing, "Stinky boy, it's my Xia family, this little strength is really great..." Grinning his teeth in pain, he didn't forget to exaggerate his grandson, this is his biological grandfather.

Xia Zhen couldn't help shaking her head and laughing, "Father, don't pet him, and pat his little hand quickly. If you don't pat this time, you won't be able to pat him next time."

"What's the matter, what do children know?" Xia Zetao was willing to pat his grandson's little hand, and winked at him, very happy: "Fan'er, Fan'er, when we grow up, let's be a general too, okay? "

As if responding to his grandfather, Xia Yifan let go of his hand, and actually started clapping his two little hands together, "Yeah..."

"Hey, Zhen'er, look, Fan'er is happy to hear that he is a great general!"

Xia Zhen was full of smiles, looking at his son full of fatherly love, reaching out to pick up his son, but Xia Zetao avoided him, "Why, haven't I hugged enough?"

"Father, are we going to discuss military affairs?"

"Bring us Fan'er." Xia Zetao wanted to hold his grandson to discuss the military situation, but even Ma Min'er couldn't help but stop him, "Father, you are discussing a big matter, so give me Fan'er, and then hug him when you are free." he."

Xia Zetao was really reluctant, but his daughter-in-law was right, so he could only let go. Xia Zhen immediately took over and passed it to his daughter-in-law, "Don't be too busy, pay attention to rest."

"Ok, I know."

Xia Zhen and his son left the small tent, and Ma Miner took her son back to her own tent. While taking him with her, she did what she could. After her son went to bed, she inspected the camp again and found many soldiers The clothes were very thin, and Xiao You followed her, "Find a way to get some cotton to keep the soldiers warm."

Fu Xiao nodded, "Brother Qiu is behind us, I will fly a pigeon to pass the letter to him immediately, and let him bring some charcoal, medicinal materials, etc. by the way."

"Thank you for your hard work."

"Young Madam, you are being polite again."

"It's not your job. I'll thank you for bothering you." Ma Min'er replied sincerely.

"But it's not the young lady's job. We contribute, and you contribute money. We are all the same."

Ma Min'er smiled, "Hurry up and drive away these nomads who invaded our Great Wei Dynasty. After they leave, our Great Wei Dynasty will be stable. Once it is stable, how much money can we not earn?"

"It's still the young lady who thinks long-term."

"Haha, it's not that I think long-term, but that I want to help my husband, so I found an excuse."

Fu Xiaoyou was also amused by the young lady, "Young lady is right, the prince is well, you are well, you are well, we will follow suit."

"That's right." Ma Min'er cheered up, "If you win a big battle this time, Brother Xiaoyou, you can marry Miss Shan when you go back, so that your grandfather can have a great-grandson."

"Thank you, Young Madam." Fu Xiaoyou was very excited when he heard that he was able to marry a wife. His grandfather is getting older and older. Although he is in good health, he is still old. If so...he hopes that his grandfather can see his Child, "Ma'am, I'm off to work." He turned around and ran away excitedly.

"Look how happy he is." Ma Min'er turned her head to look at Shan Xiaodan who was following her, her little face was flushed under the reflection of the white snow, "Sister Xiaodan, you want to marry and have children too! ?”

"Young Madam—" Shan Xiaodan was even more embarrassed.

"Haha..." Ma Min'er couldn't help laughing again.

-

Two hundred miles away, although the Liao and Jin allied forces, their camps were not stationed together, but they still had to gather together to discuss the conquest of the Great Wei Dynasty.

In the thick and luxurious felt room, there is a large stove in the middle, the charcoal fire inside is burning hot, thick blankets are spread on the floor, Liao and Jin generals sit on both sides, with thick woolen mattresses under their buttocks, in front of them There are long small tables filled with mutton and cheese wine, and there are beauties around.

There are also two tables at the main table. On one side sits Prince Yelu Haorong of the Kingdom of Jin, and on the other sits Li Shenghao, the third prince of the Kingdom of Liao. Both of them are princes in power of the Kingdom of Jin and Liao. , in order to break through the defense line of the Great Wei Dynasty, enter the Great Wei Dynasty to plunder, plunder, and capture cities. On the one hand, expand the territory, and on the other hand, obtain gold, silver, treasures and food.

Li Shenghao, the third prince of the Liao Kingdom, is strong and strong, sitting cross-legged on a tiger skin mat like a small tower, with one hand on his lap and the other holding a wine glass, he opened his mouth full of beards and took a sip of sheep cheese. Drinking wine, he said gloomyly: "I never expected that the emperor of the Great Wei Dynasty would let Xia go back to the north."

Yelu Haorong, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Jin, sneered: "You can think of it with your toes. If he doesn't let Xia go back to the north, this Qingzhou Mansion will be ours."

"What's the use of capturing it, it's just a place so poor that it smokes white smoke, I don't even bother to grab it." Li Shenghao disdainfully.

"Haha..." Yelu Haorong, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Jin, raised his head and smiled recklessly, "Brother Li is right, it would be great if we could break through Liangzhou, which is the richest place among the five northern prefectures except Yizhou. It's a pity..." His smiling eyeballs shone coldly, he didn't expect that Huang and Tian, ​​who were left behind by the surname Xia, would block the attacks of Liao, Jin, Xixia and other countries.

"It's nothing to be sorry for. If you want to blame it, blame Xia for being too treacherous. He chose such a dangerous location, making it difficult for us to attack the city."

Prince Yelu Haorong of the Kingdom of Jin said regretfully: "At first, I wanted to take advantage of Xia's absence to rob several prefectures in the north, but I didn't expect..." Thinking of the lost troops in the past few years, he was so angry that he raised his head to drink, and put down his glass heavily Finally, he asked frantically, "Brother Li, what should we do next?"

Li Shenghao, the third prince of the Liao Kingdom, sneered: "What can we do? Of course it is beating, to the death, I don't believe it, we have 12 horses, how about 10 horses surnamed Xia?"

"Brother Li, don't forget, during this period of time, we have lost a lot of people." Yelu Haorong reminded.

"Could it be that those surnamed Xia are not discounted?"

"That's right." Yeluhao smiled, waved his hand, and the women serving around him withdrew one after another. He waved his hand, and the servants in the felt room also retreated, leaving only their personal guards.

"What do you want to say?" Li Shenghao raised his eyelids and asked.

Yelu Haorong said softly: "Brother Li, we don't have much food. I heard that there is still a lot of Xia. Let's..."

Li Shenghao narrowed his eyelids: "Steal it? I also think, the question is how can I grab it?"

"Surprise attack." Yelu Haorong narrowed his eyes and smiled softly.

"How to raid?"

-

Ten miles away, in a medium-sized fine felt room, a short couch was covered with fine fox fur, trimmed with snow-white fox fur, elegant and luxurious, and the woman sitting on it was even more luxurious, listen The north wind was blowing outside, and looking closely at the jumping brazier, it was Xia Zhen's cousin Ling Ruya.

The servant stepped forward lightly and said in a low voice: "Madam, it's late at night, do you want to rest?"

"His Royal Highness hasn't come back yet, I'm worried I won't be able to sleep." The delicate little face couldn't hide the erosion of the years, and although there were stickers on the corners of the eyes, they couldn't hide the fine corner lines.

"My lady..."

Ling Ruya, no, it was changed to Jin Luya a long time ago, she suddenly looked back, "Go, you go and ask, when will His Royal Highness come back?"

"Yes, ma'am." The servant was taken aback by her sharp gaze, and quickly retreated.

After the girl went out, an attendant came in, and he knelt down in front of the beauty, "Your Majesty, just now there is news that the Crown Prince and the Third Prince of Liao are going to raid the granary of the Great Wei Dynasty."

The beauty touched the gold ring inlaid with gemstones in her finger. The huge gemstones were embedded in the golden ring cover, shining dazzlingly under the light of the oil lamp and fire.

"Apart from this?"

The attendant replied: "Madam, and the reason why we retreated a hundred miles is entirely because Xia Zhen, the God of War of the Great Wei Dynasty, has returned."

"He..." Although she already knew that he was back, when she heard it again, she still couldn't help but feel the excitement in her heart. He's back, and finally he's back. Mutton, let me suffer enough, finally waited until this day, let you see how it feels to be defeated and oppressed by others.

Jin Luyahuo stood up from the couch and hurriedly went to get something behind the curtain. The attendant raised his eyes quietly and saw that the master had taken a book of Han. He heard that this was the book of war for His Royal Highness to win battles. Is it okay to steal it to His Highness...

As if sensing something wrong behind her, Jin Ruya took the military book, went out of the curtain, opened the book in front of the attendants, and sneered, "So what if I got the book, can you understand it?"

The attendant kowtowed in fright, "The younger ones don't, the younger ones dare not."

"Hmph..." Jin Luya smiled disdainfully, sat back on the couch, looked up the 36 plans, how to fight a sneak attack, and after reading it, she took the map she got and pondered for a long time .

Until the golden crown prince Yelu Haorong came back, she was still watching, and heard the voice of the servant returning the salute outside, she also did not pack up the military books and maps in the yurt, but continued to sit under the oil lamp and watch carefully.

After Yelu Haorong came in, seeing the serious figure of the woman, he waved his hand, the servants all stopped, then turned and retreated, he took off the fur coat on his body, and walked gently to her side.

"How about it?"

"It's not very easy to attack."

"Is there any way to surprise?" Yelu Haorong asked.

Jin Luya raised her small face slightly: "I'm just watching, and I need your Highness to remind me." Obviously she already had a plan in mind, but she still pretended to half understand, trying to please the man.

Sure enough, Yelu Haorong's smile widened, "I don't know Chinese characters, you read it to me, and I'll decide."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Jin Luya stood up, giving up the warm place she had sat on to the man.

Over the years, relying on her cleverness and carefulness, she became the woman who has been by Yelu Haorong's side for the longest time, and she is one step away from the position of his princess.

(End of this chapter)