Chapter 142: Broken halberds buried in the sand, new bones

buried·XI Lin'an, bright sunset, singing and dancing.

Xiao Hao led Ba Hongchen to the capital. He was used to the towering mountains and heavy clouds. Now he saw the intoxicating warm wind in the capital, which was far different from the wind in the city. He was filled with emotion.

The world has become thin as a veil over the years. Who ordered the riders to

the capital? [Note] The prosperity of Lin'an should not belong to them, who are carrying the bones of their brothers and the country.

He was dressed in a cloud-like iron armor, leading Ba Hongchen who had changed into the treading fire harness, which was quite out of tune with the surrounding luxury cars and precious horses.

Passersby looked at him with curiosity and fear. The young general who was leading the horse had a cold face and was quite handsome, but he exuded a fierce murderous aura that made people shudder. They only dared to watch him from a distance.

Suddenly, something hit his leg. Xiao Hao lowered his head and saw a soft little thing rolling at his feet, holding his head and groaning a few times.

The little guy looked up and saw Xiao Hao looking down at him. He was startled and burst into tears, crying: "Wu Wa-Big Big Big Big Devil! Don't eat me..."

"..." Xiao Hao felt strange. After thinking for a while, he took out a candied haws fruit from his bag and held it in front of the little thing.

The little thing was stunned for a moment, with tears still on its face. It looked at Xiao Hao's expressionless face hesitantly.

Xiao Hao held the candied haws fruit without moving. The little boy tentatively grabbed a red fruit and licked it.

Oh, it's delicious.

His eyes lit up, and he took the candied haws from Xiao Hao's hand, and a bunch of words automatically jumped out of his mouth: "Brother Xiao Hao is the best to me!"

As soon as he said this, he quickly covered his mouth, looking around in panic, wondering why he suddenly spoke. He looked up and saw Xiao Hao staring at him, and he was immediately frightened. He bit the candied haws and ran away in the direction of his friends, looking back a few times while running.

The pedestrians probably realized that this seemingly scary general was not as scary as he seemed, and was even a little silly and cute, and the atmosphere suddenly became cheerful again.

Suddenly, some small petals fell in front of him. Xiao Hao was slightly startled. He looked up and saw several women on the small building above him, laughing and covering their faces and shyly turning away.

Xiao Hao: "..." He seemed to be teased.

A person dressed as a palace maid came towards him. Seeing Xiao Hao, he breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly came up to him and saluted:

"Are you General Xiao? I finally found you. The emperor learned that you were coming to Beijing, and he had already set up a banquet in the palace and ordered all officials to welcome you. You should follow me into the palace!"

Xiao Hao was stunned for a moment. Jia Sidao said that he would present his crimes to the emperor. He thought that he would inevitably have a quarrel when he came to Beijing this time, but he didn't expect that the emperor would actually hold a banquet to welcome him? What was going on?

Confused, he nodded to the palace maid and said, "Thank you."

The dinner party set by Zhao Yun was extraordinary. Those who could appear were all high-ranking officials of the Song Dynasty, including Jia Sidao. Xiao Hao looked at their names one by one, and found that half of them were red names, the rest were mostly yellow names, and the only green name was Emperor Zhao Yun.

This was a bit intriguing.

He frowned and lowered his eyes. He had no idea what the etiquette was for the Southern Song soldiers to meet the emperor. He could only try his best to look sincere and respectful, and planned to kneel down to salute. Fortunately,

Zhao Yun was very happy to see him, and didn't care about his impoliteness at all. Before he knelt down, he ran to the front and helped him up.

Zhao Yun looked him up and down, clapped his hands and smiled, "You are Xiao Hao? You are indeed a young talent! Good, very good!"

Xiao Hao looked at this green name in confusion, and felt the real vicious gaze from Jia Sidao, and he had more questions in his mind.

Zhao Yun allowed him to sit in front of Yu, and praised him for winning with fewer people. Civil and military officials responded and praised him, and the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

Xiao Hao thought this was a banquet for the emperor, and was very careful, fearing that someone would find something wrong with him among the red names, but until the end of the banquet, there was nothing wrong.

Zhao Yun inexplicably admired him and announced on the spot that he would be awarded the post of Ezhou Observation History and Deputy Commander of the Guard Cavalry, and rewarded him with a million yuan. Xiao Hao thought about it and took the opportunity to propose to expand the Cangyun Army, and Zhao Yun readily agreed.

This seemed to be so smooth that it made people confused. After the banquet, Xiao Hao was still at a loss.

Zhao Yun saw his tension, smiled and patted him on the shoulder, and said to him: "The banquet is over, General, why don't you go to the Yu Garden with me for a walk and relax."

Xiao Hao's heart moved slightly, and he calmly agreed.

Zhao Yun had something to tell him, so he would see what these people were up to.

Arriving at Yu Garden, Zhao Yun dismissed the palace maids, leaving only Xiao Hao and himself. The palace maids looked at each other in fear of something going wrong, but were all forcefully driven out by Zhao Yun.

Xiao Hao then quietly waited for the emperor's next words.

Zhao Yun turned around and looked at him with great curiosity, "In terms of age, the general is older than me, but you can't tell from his appearance. He looks like he is in his prime. Penglai is indeed a place for immortals."

Xiao Hao was completely confused, but he still had a serious face. How could Zhao Yun know about what happened during the time of Xiu Tai? Wasn't this person born when he left?

Zhao Yun did not notice his shock. He strolled in the courtyard and said, "The late emperor often mentioned you when I was young. He repeatedly told me that if you returned from the fairy mountain one day, I would do my best to help you. The general has really lived up to the late emperor and me." Only

then did Xiao Hao understand how this green name came about. The old fox-like face of Zhao Zeng emerged in his mind, and he silently chuckled twice in his heart.

He bowed his head respectfully and saluted, saying, "I am afraid I don't know what your majesty is talking about."

Zhao Yun glanced at him calmly, shook his head and smiled, "I know why you don't want to admit it. Don't worry, although I also yearn for immortality, for me, fairy-like beauties are more pleasing. I know that I have neglected state affairs for many years. This mess cannot be cleaned up in a short time. It is better to enjoy the rest of my life, so as not to live too long and be criticized by those stubborn old ministers for this matter."

Xiao Hao frowned slightly. This emperor... should we say that he has no ambition, or should we say that he really knows himself? He

can be so shameless and speak out about his debauchery... Xiao Hao was speechless.

Zhao Yun continued, "I know you have great talent, but the fact that you returned from Penglai must not be known to anyone else. This is a secret between you and me. If you can keep your mouth shut, you can rule the Song Dynasty as you wish. I heard that you have more than 200 Cangyun soldiers under your command, who are extremely brave and have never been defeated. Now that Mongolia has withdrawn, the Song Dynasty can at least have a few years to recuperate. During this time, please pay more attention to the training of the troops."

Xiao Hao responded while "Your Majesty, how can you ignore the country and only seek your own comfort!"

Zhao Yun smiled nonchalantly, "Tonight, it's just you and me, I'm not afraid to tell you. How many people can understand the affairs in the court? I love Wanrong deeply, but I also know that she colluded with Dong Songchen and others to disrupt the government and were in cahoots with them; Jia Sidao fought openly and secretly with them, although he was a bit ambitious, but keeping him in the court to check and balance them was also a kind of check and balance."

"When I was young and energetic, I also fought with the powerful to gain the right to rule the country, but the people in the court who can be truly trusted are rare. If I use thundering means and act as a wise ruler who is self-disciplined, how can I control the real power if all the ministers under my seat collectively oppose what I propose? Although villains are evil, they can be used. Their factions fighting each other can actually do some practical things for me, which is better than me being an enemy of the entire court."

"But you really give me a headache." Zhao Yun looked at Xiao Hao with a wry smile, "You came out of nowhere and have no foundation in the court. I want to protect you, and I need to design all aspects. This time, Jia Sidao took advantage of your great contribution. I tacitly acknowledged his achievement and only rewarded your bravery. You should not feel resentment towards me in your heart."

Xiao Hao lowered his head. Zhao Yun saw the situation clearly. He could understand Zhao Yun's approach to some extent, but he still could not agree with his lack of self-cultivation.

"If I grant you a high position and generous salary this time, I don't know how many nobles in Lin'an will set their sights on you. As a fifth-rank official with no duties or quota, I hope you won't attract too much jealousy. More importantly, I hope you won't be so conspicuous. I don't plan to keep you in Lin'an either. Go back to Yiyang and train your troops. Don't be in the whirlpool. They will forget you over time."

Xiao Hao was somewhat moved. Although the emperor was lustful and allowed treacherous ministers to take power, he was clear-headed and was focused on protecting this pawn whom he had never met. It was not easy for him to protect him to this extent just because of the previous emperor's request.

He bowed sincerely and thanked him, saying, "Your Majesty, I am grateful for your kindness. I will remember it in my heart."

Zhao Yun's expression was slightly adjusted, and he said in a rare serious tone, "I have a few things to entrust to you."

Xiao Hao immediately pricked up his ears and knelt on one knee respectfully.

"First, I don't want to see loyal ministers and good generals die in the power struggle, but there is a limit to what I can do. You must learn to restrain yourself. This is to help me and yourself. You are too sharp now. Although you are a pearl, you are easily deceived."

"Second, I am not a wise monarch and cannot get rid of the constraints of the palace. But you are different. You are a high-flying free eagle. Once you leave this court, you can show your talents for me. I want you to defend the territory and drive out the Mongolian army..." He paused, his eyes deep and said: "If there is a chance, slowly plan to conquer the north."

Xiao Hao sighed in his heart. Zhao Yun had no ambition, but entrusted all the responsibilities to him. This burden... is really heavy.

"Third..." Zhao Yun turned around, paused and said, "Come with me." Xiao Hao

followed him doubtfully, all the way to Yu's study. Zhao Yun took down a pair of familiar double swords from the shelf. When Xiao Hao saw the pair of 90-gang tribute weapons, his face darkened.

"The late emperor was deeply impressed by your sword dance in the early years, and ordered people to make this pair of double swords in the same way. From today on, I will give it to you. From the nobles to the treacherous ministers, you can kill them first and then ask for permission."

"..." Xiao Hao was very reluctant in his heart. These sissy double swords did not match his image of a cold and arrogant father at all!

These two emperors did it on purpose, are bad tastes hereditary!

Zhao Yun also had a look of trying not to laugh. He cleared his throat and said solemnly, "I don't need to explain its meaning. Although it can avoid blame, it is something that should not be moved without a last resort. General, use it with caution."

Xiao Hao took the pair of swords. He secretly decided to put the swords in his backpack and not take them out if he could!

"I am in Lin'an, and my enjoyment has paralyzed the world. You are my heart that wants to fly far away. I can't fly out of this prison cage. I hope the general can soar into the sky and support thousands of miles."

The author has something to say: Note: From Lu You's "Lin'an Spring Rain Just Cleared".