In less than half an incense stick of time, Su Wei hurried over.

As soon as they met, he knelt down in front of Pei Yuan with tears in his eyes, and blamed himself: "I know I failed in my duty. I listened to the slander of the villain, missed the opportunity to fight, put both cities in danger, and caused the prince to be injured. I deserve death. I beg the prince to give me another chance to make up for my mistakes. After repelling the Xiongnu soldiers, I will commit suicide to apologize!"

Pei Yuan leaned on a soft cushion behind his waist, listened to him quietly, and said lightly: "Your crime is not punishable by death, get up."

Su Wei's face was full of tears, but he still knelt on the ground. Pei Yuan said: "You are a patriotic and loyal person. I have long seen that you failed this time and fell into the trap of others. I don't blame you. The most urgent task now is to work together to make a plan to repel the enemy, rather than blaming you for your previous mistakes. "General, please stand up."

Su Wei stood up with emotion.

He asked concernedly, "Your Majesty, you just woke up. Do you feel hungry? There are people in the kitchen. If you want to eat, it will be served immediately."

Pei Yuan shook his head and asked, "How is the war going now?"

Su Wei replied, "It has been snowing for several days in a row, and it only stopped last night. We originally planned to attack the Xiongnu soldiers from the rear and catch them off guard, but the heavy snow blocked the mountains, and it was difficult for our people to pass through in a short time. Such weather was also very unsuitable for fighting, so we retreated before crossing the Qilian Mountains. But the Xiongnu did not retreat either. The 200,000-strong army surrounded the city of Fengxian. Both sides were in a stalemate, and no one dared to act rashly."

Pei Yuan closed his eyes, "Is Chunyu Luan dead?"

"He was seriously injured and his face was destroyed, but he is not dead." Su Wei's expression became worried. "Just last night, our spies reported that Chunyu Luan sent a small cavalry to the north, as if they were heading towards the royal court. I have talked to several generals who have been fighting against the Huns for many years and are familiar with Chunyu Luan's character. They guess that Chunyu Luan is arrogant and stubborn, and he has the kind of brutality that will not give up until he reaches his goal. Perhaps he is unwilling to withdraw in such a disgrace and wants to borrow troops from the royal court for a desperate fight."

Pei Yuan's eyes opened wide and he looked at Su Wei's expression steadily.

Su Wei said, sighing: "We can only hope that this guess is wrong. If he really borrows soldiers, he will immediately launch an attack. The disparity in military strength means we have almost no chance of winning. Unless... General Qiu can come back to rescue us. However, Shiyang Pass is a pass that cannot be lost. How can General Qiu come back?"

Pei Yuan asked: "How many battles have been fought at Shiyang Pass? How many people died?"

"The two sides have only fought a few skirmishes, with about a few hundred casualties, and there has been no major battle." Su Wei explained, "Shiyang Pass is in the northwest, and it is even colder. It started snowing a month ago. The soldiers on both sides are suffering terribly with the ice and snow, and there is no major movement. It is estimated that the battle will not start until the beginning of spring."

Pei Yuan suddenly asked: "Don't you think it's strange?"

Su Wei didn't react to Pei Yuan's meaning for a while. After thinking carefully for a while, he still didn't understand: "What does the prince mean?"

"When did the Xiongnu become so rich?" Pei Yuan narrowed his eyes. "It is said that 200,000 soldiers were sent from Shiyang Pass, and there are also 200,000 soldiers under the city of Fengxian, which adds up to 400,000. Not only that, Chunyu Luan was able to go back to borrow soldiers, which shows that the royal court still has sufficient garrison. However, the entire Xiongnu tribe only has a few million people. Excluding women, the elderly and children, everyone is a soldier."

"This..." Su Wei hesitated, "Perhaps this was planned by Chunyu Luan and Nazhu Chanyu long ago. They are determined to conquer the northern frontier, so they spare no effort."

"That makes sense." Pei Yuan looked down at his fingers and said in a slow voice, "But the soldiers need to eat, the horses need to eat grass, and their armies are all on long expeditions, and they need to eat tens of thousands of dan of grain a day, not to mention the manpower needed to transport the grain and grass. Two months out is enough to empty the Xiongnu's already insufficient granaries. Moreover, don't their people need to eat? This is really a desperate struggle."

Su Wei was struck by lightning and suddenly realized it. After a while, he asked excitedly: "Your Majesty means that the battle over at Shiyang Pass is fake, just a bluff, and the purpose is to delay us?"

"After all, we are not at the front line, and we don't know the real situation there, so it's not good for us to make decisions on our own." Pei Yuan ordered, "Send a capable general to tell General Qiu about this matter, and let him decide."

Su Wei agreed. There was some joy in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows. After listening to Pei Yuan's words, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that it made sense. This game of chess was not a dead end, and they were not bound to lose.

He was a disciple of the left prime minister Dong Yushu. In terms of the camp, he was on the opposite side of Pei Yuan, so naturally he had always had a grudge. When he was just transferred to the position of the garrison commander of Dai County, he had met Pei Yuan once. At that time, he only felt that the fourth prince was indeed a young and promising man, but he was not convinced. He thought that he was just lucky to be born into a good family. If he had this good opportunity, he would not do badly. Until now, he was really convinced and willingly called himself "the last general".

Pei Yuan said: "The contact with General Qiu must not be leaked. There may be more than one traitor in your army. The troops have just changed guards, and the people below are not familiar with each other. It is hard to tell whether they are human or ghost. It is better to be careful. Also, is there any news from the capital?"

After hearing the first half of Pei Yuan's sentence, Su Wei's heart skipped a beat. He had never thought deeply about Dai Zeng, nor did he dare to think deeply about it. Dai Zeng and he almost ate and lived together. It was impossible for him to have secret contact with the Huns. The only doubt was his former identity. Dai Zeng was originally an unsuccessful guest of Pei Xiao. Later, he was almost demoted from the capital because of his mistakes. He was recruited by him by chance.

Could it be that Dai Zeng was instructed by Pei Xiao?

The person who colluded with the enemy was actually the Third Prince Pei Xiao?

Su Wei quickly regained his composure and answered Pei Yuan's question: "Your Highness, I have been sending people to deliver letters to the capital. Dozens of people have gone, but no one has returned so far."

Pei Yuan closed his eyelids slightly and said tiredly: "Thinking back on everything during this period, the arrangements were too clever. First, General Qiu was transferred away, and then Dai County was feinted, but the actual intention was to swallow Feng County. If they did not have a sufficient understanding of our deployment and the character of each defender, they would not have been able to do these. The most bizarre thing is that the capital was quiet, and such a big thing happened in the north. Even if no reinforcements were sent, how could they not even ask a question? Who on earth has such a long arm and feet, and such a big ambition."

Su Wei did not dare to say the name in his mind. He was silent for a moment, He asked, "Prince, if not, I will arrange for a few brothers to return to the capital in plain clothes, hide their identities, and find out if there is really any chaos in the capital?"

Pei Yuan nodded, "Okay, let's do it."

Su Wei saw that he was not in the right mood, thinking that it was caused by the pain of the wound, and said distressedly, "Prince, then you should rest first. If there is a reply, I will report it to you as soon as possible."

Pei Yuan nodded at first, and he watched Su Wei retreat until he walked to the door, and suddenly called him, "Wait a minute."

Su Wei turned around unexpectedly, "Prince, what else?"

Pei Yuan clenched his fist on the quilt, looked at him for a long time, and asked softly, "How is Fengxian? Princess, how is it? Any news?"

This is a question he wanted to ask for a long time, but he didn't dare to ask it out loud. He was too afraid of getting bad news.

Pei Yuan had never been so afraid of the unknown, like a coward, which was unlike him, but he couldn't help it. During the time he talked with Su Wei, he carefully observed every expression of Su Wei, trying to find some clues. He knew that Bao Ning's abduction might be a scam, and Chunyu Luan wanted to lure him into the trap. He also knew that no matter what happened, the only thing he could do was to calm his mind and try his best to win this battle. But he still couldn't help but have wild thoughts.

If only he could turn into a bird, he could fly to Bao Ning's side, but now, he couldn't go anywhere.

Su Wei saw incredulously that Pei Yuan's eyes had turned red.

Su Wei remembered that Pei Yuan was sent to the city by the doctor in white clothes named Le Xu at dawn five days ago. At that time, Pei Yuan still had a trace of consciousness. He watched Le Xu tear off his blood-stained clothes from the wound. The wound was too deep, revealing the bones. At that time, Pei Yuan was like a wooden man, not crying out in pain, not shedding tears, and even able to talk to him, asking if Dai Zeng was subdued and whether the snow outside had stopped.

But now he actually cried.

Su Wei thought about it and decided to tell him the truth, whispering, "Maybe things are not going well in Feng County. A big fire broke out on the day of the siege. Rumor has it that a group of Huns who had been lying in ambush in the city kidnapped the princess in the chaos and set the fire when they were escaping. Judging from the direction, maybe the fire accidentally burned the granary in the northwest corner..."

Pei Yuan held his breath.

Su Wei continued, "But Your Majesty, don't worry too much. In my opinion, the person who was kidnapped may not be the princess. When Chunyu Luan sent people to borrow soldiers, he took the kidnapped person away with him. The secret sentry saw that the person was tall and thin. Although she had flowers in her hair and a bun, her footprints were large, which did not look like the figure of a princess. Also, I just forgot to tell you that Feng County has been setting off a bunch of beacon fireworks every day recently. People who went to inquire about the news didn't pay attention to it at first, but later they found it strange and paid attention to the time of setting off the beacon fireworks. Coincidentally, it is at 2:15 am every day."

Pei Yuan's tightly knit brows suddenly loosened, and a huge joy swept over him. After holding back for a moment, he still couldn't help laughing out loud.

Su Wei looked at Pei Yuan's change in surprise and asked in a low voice: "Prince, is there something wrong?"

"Two quarters past five in the morning is the time when the princess was born." Pei Yuan smiled, "She used this way to inform me that she is fine. It is really very smart."

Pei Yuan asked Su Wei: "If it were you, could you think of such a smart way?"

Su Wei shook his head awkwardly: "Probably not."

Pei Yuan said "um": "There is a reason why you can't be a princess."

Su Wei was even more embarrassed. He looked at Pei Yuan's face and wondered if the prince was still feverish and confused now? He is a grown man, why should he be a princess... Which prince can marry him?

With Pei Yuan's permission, Su Wei retreated with a foggy head.

Pei Yuan rejected his suggestion to have someone serve him, and only had the food brought up. After he ate, he put it aside and slowly lay down.

His body was still tired, but his mind was clear. Pei Yuan stared at the curtain above his head, unable to fall asleep. After a while, he couldn't help but put his hand down and pinched his legs. Sure enough, he still had no feeling.

Le Xu said that this was because he walked in the snow for too long, causing his old injuries to relapse. Le Xu saw that he had been poisoned before, and half-truthfully said that even if the poison was removed, it was not certain whether his legs would be able to heal.

Pei Yuan didn't know whether what he said was true or he was just threatening him because he hated him.

But Pei Yuan was unexpectedly not afraid. Even if his legs were really useless, it didn't matter. He was lucky enough to live a normal life for a year and get Baoning, which made him very satisfied.

If there was a miracle in the universe, he would pray to exchange his legs for victory in this war and for Baoning's safety.

...

Twenty days passed in a blink of an eye. The snow fell intermittently. The thickest snow outside the gate of Fengxian City was three feet deep.

The Laba Festival was approaching, and the New Year was coming soon.

Baoning still got up early, and Yuanzi also developed this habit and got up with her. Before Aunt Liu came, Yuanzi had found clothes and helped Baoning put them on.

Her belly gradually grew bigger, and it was obviously bulging. Baoning lowered her eyes and touched her belly, feeling regretful. As a father, Pei Yuan did not see such a miraculous change.

There is still no news from him, and the entire Feng County is in lockdown. Maybe there is news, but it cannot be transmitted.

But Baoning has gotten used to it. Her only belief now is to protect the baby in her belly and this city.

Breakfast is a simple steamed bun and porridge. After breakfast, Baoning took Yuanzi out for a walk.

Feng County now is like a world of difference from Feng County a month ago. It is desolate, people are in panic, and there are almost no pedestrians on the street. Baoning passed by the small shop that used to sell tofu pudding. The door was only half open, and it was dark inside. The waiter went home, and the remaining shopkeeper was sitting next to the counter, drinking half a bowl of tofu soup.

Bao Ning walked in and asked with a smile: "Do you have tofu pudding for sale? Three bowls, and a stack of buns."

The shopkeeper put down the bowl and said: "We don't have meat buns, are vegetarian ones okay?"

Bao Ning said yes. The shopkeeper looked very happy, agreed repeatedly, and quickly brought the food over.

Baoning invited him to sit across from him to eat together. While chatting with him, he asked, "Is business good now? How much money can you make in a day?"

"There's a war going on, right? There's not much business. Everyone is afraid of death and stays at home. Not many people go out on the streets." The shopkeeper sighed, "I used to make two hundred yuan a day, but now it's hard to even make a penny. Xiao Er's monthly salary can't be paid, and his brother died in the siege last month, so he went home to take care of his mother. Life is really hard now. What's hateful is that some people are actually making a fortune from the national disaster. Those clinics, which usually talk about saving the dying and the wounded, now sell a dose of cold medicine for one or two taels of silver. My poor little daughter...she died of illness."

As he spoke, he couldn't help shedding tears.

Baoning couldn't bear to see such a scene, so he didn't say anything. He asked Aunt Liu to get a handkerchief and handed it to him, saying, "Wipe your tears."

The shopkeeper calmed down for a while and said worriedly, "I don't know when this war will end. The food at home is almost gone, and we can't afford to buy food outside."

Baoning asked, "Why can't we afford it? Didn't the government order those grain stores not to take the opportunity to raise prices? According to the original price, a pound of sweet potatoes costs three cents. If we can't afford rice and flour, we can still survive by relying on sweet potatoes."

"The government has issued an order, and those grain stores dare not raise prices, so they simply closed their doors." The shopkeeper complained, "You look like a girl from a wealthy family, so you must have never experienced the hardships of ordinary people like us. Those grain store owners colluded with each other and cooperated with some local tyrants to secretly resell grain. They also threatened not to report to the authorities, otherwise we would not be able to buy even expensive grain and would starve to death."

Baoning looked at him in shock.

The shopkeeper shook his head and said, "There is nothing we can do. We can only hope that the war will end soon."

Baoning didn't know how to comfort him. The war would not end in a short time. The enemies outside the city were reluctant to retreat. The external troubles were difficult to resolve, and she didn't expect the internal troubles to be so severe.

Food is the most important thing for the people. Baoning had long been worried that the people in the city would have a hard time doing business and would not have enough food to eat. She ordered the government to strictly monitor the price increase of grain stores and severely punish them once discovered. She had always been complacent, thinking that she had prepared for a rainy day and had fundamentally stabilized the people's hearts. Now she realized that she had thought things too simply.

Baoning couldn't eat anymore, and hurriedly took Aunt Liu and Yuanzi away.

Walking on the street again, Baoning felt extremely powerless. She began to miss Pei Yuan again. If he was there, things would definitely not be so bad. But he didn't come back.

Baoning wanted to blame him, but couldn't bear to do so.

Baoning walked aimlessly on the street, and when she passed a corner, she saw a curled up figure. She frowned, thinking that the man was very tired and fell asleep there, and wanted to go forward to wake him up. Before she got close, she was stopped by Aunt Liu: "Don't go, Princess, the man is already dead. Look, his feet exposed outside are stiff."

Baoning stopped, her eyes gradually became moist.

She quickly sorted out her emotions, turned around and said: "Let's go back to the mansion, call General Qian Feng and the grain officer, I have something to say."

The grain officer was called Liang Quan, and he and Qian Feng almost stepped into the mansion at the same time as Baoning.

Baoning took them to the flower hall. As soon as they sat down, Liang Quan said, "Princess, we don't have enough food. There are more than 100,000 soldiers in the city, but there is only one warehouse with food, which is enough for five days at most. The northern part of the Great Wall is not a fertile place. All along, the army has relied on the capital for food. The two days before the war were scheduled to send food, but no one came. Later, the war broke out and the city was sealed, so it was even more impossible to get in. We are now We are now eating up all the food we have. It was not so urgent originally, but on the day of the siege, one of our granaries was accidentally burned down..."

Qian Feng continued: "Not only soldiers, but 90% of the people in the city are ordinary people. They don't have much food in their homes. I'm afraid they won't be able to hold on for long after such a disaster."

Liang Quan frowned and said: "If everyone can't even eat, the people will be unstable, and this war will not be able to continue. Feng County will fall without a fight."

"Don't be so depressed." Seeing how worried they were, Baoning smiled and soothed them, "There are always more solutions than problems, and everything will be fine. We are out of food, but there are always people who have food. We can borrow it or buy it. Everyone should eat less and hold on until the reinforcements arrive. It will be fine."

Liang Quan asked, "Who should we borrow

from?" Qian Feng asked, "Where are the reinforcements?"

Baoning said, "Borrow from the big families, the nobles, and the people who have surplus food. Borrow at a price 20% higher than the market price, gather all the food together, and then The government will sell the food at a price 20% lower than the market price so that everyone can afford it."

Liang Quan asked, "What if someone has bad intentions and deliberately buys back the food we sold at a low price and sells it to us at a high price?"

Baoning looked at Qian Feng and said loudly, "Then we will have to trouble General Qian to behead such people and hang their heads on long poles to warn everyone."

Qian Feng did not expect that the princess, who never spoke loudly, would give such an answer. He was stunned for a moment and accepted the order silently.

Liang Quan paused and asked, "If we buy at this price, the common people may sell, but those aristocratic families may not be tempted."

Baoning said, "I will go and borrow it myself."

She stood up and said to Qian Feng, "General Qian, you just asked where the reinforcements are. I can't answer you immediately because I don't know. But I think reinforcements will definitely appear, and the prince will think of a way to rescue us. If the prince is trapped in the city now, we should be afraid, but he is not here. As long as he is alive, we have hope."

Baoning smiled, "Do you believe him?"

Qian Feng said solemnly, "I do."

Baoning said, "I believe it too."

She said softly, "He has never let me down before, and he will definitely not let me down this time."