Li Ruixue was stunned for a moment, and then she came forward to read it carefully twice, and then she found that his handwriting did not seem to be caused by freezing, but rather a slight pause where he needed to exert force, as if touching the wound.
　　She carefully observed Dong Lingjiu's expression and comforted him: "Grain and grass transportation is not a job of sitting and reading and writing. Since you can reply to letters, it means that you are generally safe."
　　Dong Lingjiu said: "I know."
　　She pressed the page and read it from beginning to end. At the end, she saw a slightly formulaic sentence "May your majesty and the Empress Dowager be well" and so on. Others wrote a lot of words of praise, wishing to occupy most of the paper, but he was good, the emperor and the empress dowager only put together one sentence.
　　It looks very conscienceless.
　　Dong Lingjiu folded the letters several times and asked, "Has the emperor read these reports?"
　　Chen Qinghang, who was outside, bowed his head and responded, "The reports from the east and west lines, the left army of the imperial camp, and the right army of the imperial camp were all retrieved by the Beijing guards in the military supervisory army. According to our route, they were sandwiched in the horse exchange post station in Luozhou on the evening of the fourth day and presented together with the military report. Therefore, your majesty has already read this part, but the letters from the central army, the rear army, and the frontal Shenwu army have not been seen by the emperor yet."
　　Dong Lingjiu ordered, "Ruixue, you personally copy a copy and send it."
　　"Yes." Li Ruixue took another job of writing and ink, and the young female historians on both sides of the palace came up to serve her and serve her with pens, ink and paper.
　　"Chen Qinghang." Dong Lingjiu called him, "Since you are here in the Cining Palace, who is the person who accompanies your majesty in writing in the Ministry of War?"
　　"It is Xuan Duzhi and Xu Duzhi."
　　Chen Qinghang saw that the empress dowager wanted to ask in detail, and two palace maids in plain blue clothes on both sides of the threshold in front of him also opened the door curtain and invited him in. Then she lowered her head and stepped into the palace, kneeling a little closer to Dong Lingjiu. "Nowadays, it's not a leisurely time. The master is busy, so the previous shifts can't be counted. At the same time, the evil has been eliminated. You two know how to sympathize with me and take care of Fengzao Palace, so the burden on me is a little lighter."
　　Dong Lingjiu sighed when he heard it, and then smiled helplessly. "The queen needs to be taken care of. Without you, the most balanced person, it's really restricting. As for Xu Xiang, he is in charge of the eunuch position, but his heart is not too The heart of the supervisor was taciturn and cold, just like the other ministers in the Ministry of War, which made things difficult for the emperor. Xuan Jingyun... was too smooth, and refused to show any taboos in front of the emperor. Even if these two were present, they could not persuade the emperor to quarrel all night. "
　　Chen Qinghang bowed his head and said, "How can I be so useful? It's all because the Empress Dowager has praised me too much."
　　At this time, Ruixue had just copied these military reports. Her handwriting was beautiful and clear, and she wrote very quickly. She put down the pen, blew the ink dry, put it in the box, and presented it to Chen Qinghang again.
　　The original letter paper fell on Dong Lingjiu's desk.
　　Chen Qinghang took it respectfully and was about to report back when he heard Dong Lingjiu say, "You just said that you don't know how to be flattered, but there is a person inside who really doesn't know how to be flattered. There is no embellishment in his writing and speech, nor does he show any encouragement, praise, tolerance, or comfort. He is cold and sharp, which makes people want to scold him. But the matters reported by this person are also irritating. If you present it to the emperor, you must ask him to read the one submitted by the five roads of Heguan first, and then read the reports from other places, so that he can feel a little relieved. If you put it last, the emperor may be so angry that his chest will swell and hurt tonight, and he will not be able to sleep at night."
　　Chen Qinghang quickly responded, "Your servant obeys your command."
　　...
　　The Ministry of War was lit with candlelight.
　　There were two layers inside and outside, and the outer door was not closed tightly. From time to time, officials under the clerks and eunuchs from the front and back eunuchs frequently went in and out. The window was also opened a little, and the cool and fragrant spring breeze slipped into the window crack, bringing a breath of refreshing wind.
　　The candles inside and outside the Ministry of War were held high. In the courtyard, two rows of candles on stone pillars were lit, covered with a layer of windproof gauze. Inside, the lights were even brighter, with a wide sand table and more than a dozen chairs.
　　Except for the transcriber in the dark blue official uniform in the corner, who was not wearing a red dragon robe and a purple ribbon and gold seal? It was not an exaggeration to say that all the officials were present.
　　Among the high-ranking officials, only a young and handsome man sat at the top, wearing a pale gold imperial robe, a jade belt and a black cape. It was undoubtedly the emperor Meng Cheng. The
　　little emperor had not slept for a day and a night. In his hands, he not only held the military report of the frontal army taking back Lizhou City, but also the strategic purpose reported by Geng Zhe, the commander-in-chief of the battlefield and the great general of Shenwu, more than a day before the six hundred miles of acceleration, as well as various logistics dispatches, military movements, and even the spring flood conditions of various rivers.
　　These things were complicated and numerous, and it was almost impossible for a young man under twenty to bear them. If it was a year ago, Meng Cheng would probably feel guilty even sitting here.
　　But Dong Lingjiu had suppressed high-ranking officials and ministers for him, and with his experience in ruling the country, when facing these important matters of national destiny, Meng Cheng felt uneasy and worried, but also a little bit of anger and boiling blood.
　　"...The four counties of Kangzhou must be taken back." Liang Yin, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, said, "The general also means this. He wants to occupy Lizhou City, withdraw his troops to attack directly to the north, press the four counties, first swallow Zhaoyun, and then take over the land of Hejin."
　　"That's what he said," said Zuo Yuechang, a key minister of the two dynasties who is in charge of Zhongshu Menxia Affairs and currently the Zhongshu Ling and the Vice Prime Minister, "but this is very different from the situation in Lizhou City. Beisu has stationed six Wanhu on the front line of the four counties. The Qianhu and Baihu under them, and the brave cavalry riding on the feudal horses, are no match for Lizhou City. The nearby Imperial Camp Central Army and the Imperial Camp Front Army will have to press on! For support."
　　"General Geng is extremely powerful. He has 80,000 to 100,000 armored soldiers under his command. Against 60,000 people, is it possible that..."
　　"If the enemy defends, we attack!" Luo Ping, the minister of the Ministry of War, finally spoke, "I agree with what Zuo Lao Vice Prime Minister said."
　　"This is also mentioned in the general's military report," someone looked at Meng Cheng, "Your Majesty, but with this change, our logistics dispatch routes must also change. The five routes of Heguan, the five routes of Youbei, the upper and lower reaches of Hanjiang... these routes must all cross the river and enter Lizhou City as a station, and then escort food and supplies to the north to support the front-line troops."
　　"And there are horses." Liang Yin mentioned, "Among the casualties in the previous battle, many were on horses. What about old and sick horses? Are they suitable for riding on the battlefield? How can they fight against the vassal cavalry? The several battalions in charge of logistics and horse administration are mostly escorted by local civilians. How can this be safe? I think we should hand them over to them as well."
　　While the acquaintances inside could not help but nod their heads, Meng Cheng was staring at the direction of the sand table and the flags that were gathered or scattered according to the words of the ministers. He stared at the royal court of Beisu, reduced his sight, and just said: "You gentlemen are right. I will draft an edict and return it to the general so that he can understand the court's intentions and movements. By the way, go and ask for the Empress Dowager's Phoenix Seal from the Cining Palace." As soon as
　　the words fell, Xuan Jingyun just spread out the paper and continued to apply ink, the footsteps of Chen Qinghang were heard outside, and he went in and presented the box.
　　Meng Cheng took it and asked, "What instructions does the Queen Mother have?"
　　Chen Qinghang said truthfully, "The Queen Mother asks Your Majesty to read the report from the five routes of Heguan first."
　　Meng Cheng nodded slightly and read the letter marked with the five routes of Heguan from the beginning to the end. After only a few pages, he saw Zheng Junzhi's letter. He only read the beginning and his sword-like eyebrows knitted. He read to the end and his blood was boiling and his heart was aching.
　　He clutched the paper and was about to grit his teeth and get angry, but then he saw Dong Lingjiu's red comment at the end of the paper. The solemn and solemn Zhang Menglong stele in one hand, with clear and elegant handwriting, told him to consider the overall situation and not to get angry for the time being, but he must take the matter of eating empty salaries into account and never overestimate the combat effectiveness of the various armies.
　　They claim to have 300,000 troops, but how many of them are actually civilians and logistics? Even the troops under Geng Zhe have the guts to eat nearly half of the empty salaries. So how much of the so-called "invincible" combat effectiveness they have maintained in recent years is really invincible, and how much is because the previous enemy was too weak? That is debatable.
　　Dong Lingjiu's exhortation is not without reason. First, the morale of the army must not be disrupted. Killing the front-line officers before the battle begins will inevitably lead to chaos. Second, if the central government still dispatches according to the so-called "300,000 soldiers and 100,000 elite troops", it is likely to suffer a great loss from Bei Su's 60,000 troops and the vassal cavalry.
　　Of course, according to Geng Zhe's own personality, the 50,000 people he directly commands must be a real number, not much off. But it is hard to say about the 50,000 troops under the generals and deputy generals.
　　Meng Cheng took a deep breath, pressed the paper on the table with a snap, and then, as if torturing himself, he picked it up and read it again. The anger of wanting to make money from the war and enrich himself was barely suppressed. He looked at the signature again, Zheng Junzhi. Well, this acquaintance always has nothing to say, and I don't hear him bring good news!
　　This is purely anger at Zheng Yuheng. Little Lord Zheng handled it impartially and is still in danger. He is still the most trusted hidden line, but his words are sharper, his speech is more ruthless, and his articles are more cold...
　　Meng Cheng drank a sip of tea and read the others with anger.
　　Fortunately, except for Zheng Yuheng, who doesn't know how to flatter, which other officials who eat court food will not flatter? Won't they beautify it? Even if there are people eating empty salaries under their noses, after polishing, Meng Cheng didn't really get angry to death.
　　The little emperor's expression changed several times, and everyone saw it. They were worried and doubtful, fearing that something big had happened.
　　Fortunately, Meng Cheng finally held back and said, "This decree needs to be slightly changed."
　　"What does your majesty mean?" Liang Yin, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, asked directly, "Is there something different from what we know on the front line?"
　　"For safety reasons," Meng Cheng said, "We must first dispatch the central and front armies of the imperial camp. These tens of thousands of people cannot wait for support slowly, but must be deployed immediately and pressed behind the front battlefield, so that the general will have at least 150,000 troops in his hands, and then he can force the four counties!"
　　"Your majesty, this..."
　　"Then Minister Xu will be under great pressure. He is supervising the battle at Baiwang Pass. I don't know if he can immediately supply 150,000 people..." "
　　Your majesty, although it is safe, the time for the battle may be delayed. Once the other side digs trenches and builds trenches, the military defense will be sufficient. I am afraid that even if our army takes the four counties, we will not be able to catch up and win a great victory!"
　　"You have to do as I say." Meng Cheng lowered his finger and stroked the edge of the sand table. He knew that if the empty salary was told to everyone present, there would be angry civil officials who would impeach him on the spot and ask him to execute such a military official immediately... That would not be beneficial to the overall situation. "This is the instruction of my mother. If any of you feel that it is inappropriate, you can enter the imperial city now and argue with the empress dowager outside the Cining Palace... The rules of the night curfew at the palace gate have been changed. It won't take long to go there, so it won't be a problem."
　　As he spoke, he looked around. Everyone he saw had a hesitant look on their faces, and they didn't have the posture of trying to persuade him just now.
　　Only the old assistant Zuo Yuechang sat down with his cane in his hand and coughed deeply several times, his cough was dry.
　　Although my mother did not participate in the military decision, her reputation was really useful.
　　The little emperor breathed a sigh of relief, and thought of Zheng Junzhi's letter. He drank a large cup of tea, moistened his slightly dry lips, and said, "Gentlemen, the spring flood of the Dahan River..."
　　...
　　A few days later, in a tent thousands of miles away.
　　With the dim light of a small candle, Zhang Jianqing was sleeping soundly on the wooden bed next to him, burying his head in the shabby but clean and tight thick quilt.
　　There were two beds, two small tables, and a tea stove in the tent.
　　Zheng Yuheng sat at the table to change the bandage on his hand injury, applied the herbal powder specially sent by the military doctor, and then changed the bandage cloth to wrap it again. After wrapping it, when his hands were not stained with any dirt and the bandage was white, he did not put away the medicine, but took out the small box with the picture of Lingshan Jiufeng and red beans from his arms.
　　The box was clean, and it was clear that it was well taken care of on the road, and it was not even touched when there was a little dirt on his hands.
　　Zheng Yuheng stroked it, and then counted the red beans that he had counted countless times in the past few days again. To be honest, he was about to separate these dozens of beans into male and female ages and give them names. If he hadn't said it out loud for fear that Zhang Jianqing would think he was crazy, he would have probably already started chatting with them.
　　Since it is difficult to resolve the lovesickness, why did you give me this thing that I miss the most? Could it be that Tan Niang said on the surface that I shouldn't miss her, but actually wanted me to miss her to death?
　　Zheng Yuheng supported his chin and thought about it from left to right. He thought slowly that with Dong Lingjiu's implicitness, maybe he really had this intention and was deliberately trying to lure him.
　　He nodded in his heart and took back the red beans one by one.
　　Not long after he blew out the candle and hadn't fallen asleep yet, he suddenly heard the sound of armor colliding outside the tent, mixed with heavy footsteps.
　　Someone wearing armor walked to the tent where he and Zhang Jianqing were standing. Then, all the sounds disappeared. In the very faint moonlight, Zheng Yuheng vaguely saw a figure squatting down, tilting his head and putting his ear close to the tent, as if listening to the movement inside.
　　Zheng Yuheng couldn't help but hold his breath.