This brief encounter, which could hardly be called a "battle," ended so quickly that Chai Duo was unable to react. In the end, he even captured the youngest son of the grassland Khan, who was very much favored by him.

The latter was the information Chai Duo got from communicating with the Beiding army on his way back...

It was clear that they were ambushed and surrounded by the Hu people at the beginning, but somehow, the roles of both sides were completely reversed, and it even turned into a pursuit of the defeated army later.

Chai Duo also realized belatedly that the guards pretended to be Hu people and set fire not only to cause chaos, but more to guide the main force of the Beiding Army that arrived later - the fire in the dark night was like wolf smoke in the daytime, and it was a perfect means of communication.

If he had not been an eyewitness, Chai Duo would not have believed that this was just a spur-of-the-moment collaboration, rather than a plan that had been planned long ago.

He couldn't even understand the trust that was taken for granted——

What if the main force of the army didn't arrive? What if there was no one to support them?

In response to his question, it seemed that there was a trace of colleagueship below the standard line during the brief protection, and the "Brother Sun" gave a reluctant answer.

He said nonchalantly, "So what?... I won't lose if I do one, and I'll make money if I do two... I've lived for so many extra years, and I've already made a fortune. It won't be a loss if I drag a few more people down with me before I die!"

Chai Duo: "!"

madman.

After realizing that he had actually walked on the line between life and death, Chai Duo couldn't help but curse in his heart, and at the same time silently distanced himself from this big brother.

Chai Duo: There is indeed not a single normal person in the Beiding Army!

Lord Chai, who always puts survival as his first priority, once again (in his heart) thanked General Xie very much for his timely arrival, and decided that he would never leave Beiding's sphere of influence unless it was necessary.

But, at the same time, he had another question——

Who is "Xie Lu"?

This question is actually easy to answer.

The commander-in-chief of the Beiding Army.

This man trained an elite army in the ruined Northland in a very short time, and quickly recaptured half of the six states under the control of the barbarians. According to Chai Duo's observation, the other party's purpose must be more than that. He also vaguely guessed that the current preparations were probably to prepare for a quick victory in the future. Moreover, this is not a warrior who only knows how to fight... You can tell from his terrifying popularity in the Northland.

It is impossible for such a person to remain unknown in the first half of his life.

But in fact, this person seemed to appear suddenly and abruptly on this land.

But it is impossible for such a big person to appear out of thin air.

So who was he before he became the commander-in-chief of the Beiding Army, and even before he was called "Xie Lu"?

This man's background is definitely not ordinary. Apart from anything else, the current extremely well-organized military regulations and system could not be the work of one person. How could it have taken shape if it had been accumulated over countless generations?

——This person must be a descendant of a military family.

But the general with the surname "Xie"...

Chai Duo searched his memory but could not find any similar existence in the court.

However, at the end of the previous dynasty, there was a general named Xie Yuandao who was known as the "God of War"...

Chai Duo:? ! !

Thank you Yuandao!

Thank you Lu, the word is far away! !

Moreover, this "Beiding" military system...

Chai Duo was so shocked that he shuddered. He tried hard to recall the appearance of General Xie in his mind.

But this is really a bit difficult for Lord Chai.

Because of the other person's status and aura, Chai Duo hardly dared to look directly at that person's face. His eyes always fell on the hem of his clothes and trouser legs. Even if he had to look up, he would fix his eyes on the lower half of the other person's face, fearing that he would faint if he suddenly stared at him again...

But Chai Duo still struggled to match the more familiar lower half of his face with the portrait he had seen in Lingyun Pavilion before.

Lingyun Pavilion was originally built by Taizu to commemorate the founding heroes. The portraits inside are naturally the heroes who followed Taizu to build the great cause. As for why a general from the previous dynasty sneaked in...

All we can say is that the Holy Spirit’s mind is hard to predict. Who dares to speculate about it?

What's more, this was a founding emperor. Not to mention just hanging a portrait, even if he moved his tomb to the Taimiao to offer sacrifices, no one in the court dared to object.

Although there are all kinds of irrelevant miscellaneous writings in unofficial histories and anecdotes, there is even a saying that the two were brothers who had been separated for many years, but according to official history, Taizu's move was only intended to appease the people.

Chai Duo originally didn't believe the latter, but now after witnessing with his own eyes the popularity of "General Xie" in the North...

Chai Duo: "..."

He could only say that he was worthy of being the founding emperor since he could come up with such an idea!

——Whether it is the thickness of his face, the skill of telling lies with open eyes, or the ability to put on a show, it is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

↑Of course, Chai Duo only dared to think about this in his mind and would never dare to say a word.

In short, if General Xie had not been killed by his own people, the Qi Dynasty might have continued for another hundred or eighty years. Who knows whether a wise leader would suddenly appear during this period and revive the dynasty that was originally in its last years... From this perspective, the death of General Xie was indeed a great achievement of the Dachang Dynasty.

Of course, Chai Duo would not be so foolish as to think that General Xie, who had been dead for more than 200 years, had come back to life (Chen Yin:). If he used his brain a little, he would know that this was obviously a descendant of the Xie family.

And he also deliberately inherited the name of his ancestor.

what does that mean?

Chai Duo didn't dare to think any further.

——Even now the answer is almost staring at him.

The sixteenth prince, the sixteenth prince who was recalled to the capital.

...Is it really the sixteenth prince who once fell off the cliff?

Instead of...

…

…………

Chai Duo splashed cold water on his face, interrupting his thoughts.

He is used to being deaf, blind, and dumb, and when necessary... he can also be a "fool"...

What does this have to do with him, anyway?

He was now just an imperial envoy, who was detained far away from the capital, weak, helpless and pitiful.

I have the will but not the ability.

Have the heart, no strength...

He repeated these four words several times, and then simply kicked the association and speculation about the identity of General Xie into the corner of his mind, trying to forget them as completely as possible.

He has always understood a simple truth -

The more you know, the faster you die.

Five years later, news came from the capital that Emperor Chang was seriously ill.

As early as three years ago, the powerful ruler of the grassland, Balhatai, had passed away due to illness.

That year, Chu Lu did not hold back. As soon as he got the news that the Khan was seriously ill, he mobilized his troops to march north and recovered the remaining lost territory in one fell swoop... It is difficult to say whether this grassland eagle died of illness or died of anger at the news of the defeat.

After Balghtai's death, the various tribes on the grassland that were gathered together because of the leader's strong personal appeal suddenly fell apart, and even his own tribe was divided because of the fighting among his sons.

Under such circumstances, Chu Lu drove the people into the depths of the grassland without any effort.

…

And on Dachang's side.

The worries he had in the early years came true. Emperor Chang couldn't sleep well at night as he allowed such a powerful army that occupied half of the country to stay in the north.

Several letters were sent to try to move the capital north, but the letters were like a drop in the ocean, without any response, and Emperor Chang became even more disheartened.

But in fact, even if the Beiding Army really showed an eager attitude to welcome the emperor, Emperor Chang would not dare to go.

——Who knows if this is just a pretense, intended to trick him into death?

When it comes to "cherishing life", the entire Dachang court from top to bottom is of the same lineage.

Therefore, Emperor Chang's choice was to keep a close watch on the Sixteen Sons in the capital while continuously sending people to the north to explore the way and collect intelligence.

However, after years, the results have been minimal.

Some of these people who came from the capital died of illness, some resigned within a few months, and some -

"General, this is this year...Luzhou..."

Chai Duo looked at the middle-aged scholar who was holding a document and reporting on the army's income and expenditure this year, and his expression became extremely sinister for a moment.

——Yes, that’s right.

There are people who are trying to steal his job!

Chai Duo: #angry as a pufferfish.jpg#

How can this be tolerated?! This must not be tolerated!

Feeling that his position was threatened, Chai Duo immediately devoted his full attention to his official duties.

Lord Chai is indeed a person who can adapt to the environment exceptionally well.

When in the capital, one could only rise to a high position by flattering and currying favor, and Lord Chai did not hesitate to show his smooth side. However, after arriving in Beiding, he soon discovered that General Xie was a master who was very clear about rewards and punishments, so he immediately gave up his scheming and worked hard.

Of course there is another important reason: he can't get anywhere here no matter how hard he tries!

This place is completely different from the capital. Even if he can praise people like gods with his eloquence, it is better to fight them with real swords and guns on the battlefield. And if he wants to bribe, Chai Duo is sure that if he sends the gift today, he will be hanged out for military punishment before the night is over...

Compared with these methods, which seem to have high risks no matter how you look at them, working honestly has become the most cost-effective approach.

…

…………

However, after so many years, Chai Duo became more and more certain of his guess.

The "Sixteenth Prince" who came to Beijing was probably really of the bloodline of the previous dynasty.

After completely recovering the six states of the Northern Palace and completely expelling the Hu Lu into the heart of the grassland, the popularity of General Xie, who had already occupied half of the country north of the Yangtze River, immediately reached its peak. Even if he tore off the imperial robe and proclaimed himself emperor on the spot, there would probably be many people who would respond.

But the general did not show the slightest ambition, quite the opposite.

He split up the original Beiding Army bit by bit and turned them into garrisons in various states. In line with the court's gradual cooperation over the past two years, he actually planned to quietly integrate this northern land that was originally in his possession back into the territory of Dachang.

This is even a more dangerous path than becoming an emperor or dominating the world.

Why have so many heroes responded to the call in troubled times?

The merits of following the emperor and the achievements of supporting him are enough to ensure that future generations will be rich and well-fed.

What General Xie did was simply putting himself on the fire.

If you are not careful, you will be deserted by everyone.

Fortunately, the other party's prestige in the army was unmatched, and he actually managed to walk across the cliff, where one wrong step would lead to eternal damnation.

Having achieved this level, Chai Duo sometimes even doubted that it was not the bloodline of the previous dynasty at all...

That's his biological son, right?!