Chapter 148: Failure and

Burial in the Sands · Seventeen On the way back to Beijing, Xiao Hao was a little confused.

The system told him that his mission in this secret realm had been completed and asked him to prepare to leave.

Xiao Hao felt caught off guard.

"System, can you give me some time? I can't leave here now." He tried to discuss with the system.

The system was very embarrassed and asked seriously:

[How long will it take, knight? ]

Xiao Hao was stunned by the question.

Of course, the longer the better, but... the specific time limit is really hard to determine.

Seeing his silence, the system warned him:

[Knight, the system has reminded you that this is just a secret realm, please don't take it too seriously. Xiao Hao shook his head and closed his eyes and said ,

"They are living beings with flesh and blood, not just a bunch of data. I already knew that. You don't have to use this to deceive me." The one who is really a bunch of data is probably himself.

The system did not refute, but did not continue the topic. Instead, it advised him:

"Hero, you should withdraw when it is time to withdraw. You are now successful and famous, so it is time to retire. This is already perfect. 】

"No, it's not," Xiao Hao didn't think this was perfect, "What will happen to Cang Yun if I leave? I raised them to be so passionate and dedicated to serving the country, how can I leave and leave them to face hundreds of thousands of Mongolian troops?"

The system was silent for a while, and said seriously:

[Hero, the Song Dynasty will eventually fall, and you can't do anything to change it.]

"..." Xiao Hao was silent for a while, and Xiao Se said: "I know... but..."

He knew that the torrent of history could not be stopped by one person. Even if he could hold on for a while with Cang Yun, he could not stop the Mongolian army in the end.

He had read Wu Mu's posthumous book, and had the ancient Five Elements formation in his mind. He was well versed in astronomy and geography, but he also understood that sometimes marching was not as simple as defending.

The three passes of Yiyang and Xiangyang were the barriers of half of the Song Dynasty. Half of Sichuan had been taken by the Mongolian army. They were already stretched to their limits in supporting the Central Plains. Sichuan would be taken by the Mongolian army sooner or later. When Xiangfan was besieged, no one could predict how long it could hold out.

He and Shi Zhixuan talked about the Song Dynasty's rivers and mountains. Whether they could defend it or not, it would always be fruitless in the end. There was only the eight words "dedicate all your efforts to the cause, and die before you stop". The situation

was like this, and it was irreversible.

But they still could not retreat.

A real man has things he should do and things he should not do.

Even though he knew that he was leading Cang Yun to a road that would lead to certain destruction, he still had to go on. Regardless of success or failure, life or death, success or failure. It

only matters for eternity, not just one lifetime.

For some things, even if you clearly understand that they have an unpredictable future or are even of no benefit, you still have to do them.

This is something engraved in your bones and blood, and even if you die nine times, you will not regret it.

Cang Yun is the backbone of the Song Dynasty, and he cannot watch this backbone break in his hands.

He sent them on a road of no return, and he should accompany them to the end.

The system sighed and said helplessly:

[Hero, leaving the secret realm is for your own good. It will not be good for you to stay for a long time. 】

Xiao Hao nodded and said firmly: "I am ready to bear the price, as long as I can have more time..."

The system was silent for a long time, and advised for the last time:

[Hero, the system does not want to see us standing on opposite sides. 】

Xiao Hao has always been well taken care of by the system. Although this system often emits some strange corrupt aura from time to time, and throws some pranks like flying knives and chrysanthemum remnants at him, it almost always meets his needs.

If the system is tougher, it can force him out of this world.

From the attitude of the system when talking to him now, he knows that it is possible to delay time.

[The system is very difficult to do. 】

"..." Xiao Haohe tried to make things difficult for it, but this time it was really not a situation where he could just walk away. "I can't leave."

The system sighed again. Accustomed to the system's chattering and cute laughter, Xiao Hao felt that he was a little sorry for it.

【According to the feedback from the knights, the system is undergoing maintenance and upgrades...During the testing phase, many functions are still incomplete, which affects the knights' freedom to roam the world. After the maintenance, maintenance compensation will be issued. 】 【

During the maintenance and upgrade period, the system will enter a dormant state. At that time, all events in the secret realm will be unpredictable. Please be cautious to protect your own safety and do not waste your life recklessly. Thank you for your support for this system. 】

【The system will be upgraded and restarted the next time the secret realm is opened. I wish the knight a smooth journey in the secret realm. 】

"Wait!" Xiao Hao called out to the system that was preparing to sleep.

【What else does the knight want to do? 】

"Turn off the shouting plug-in." Xiao Hao said decisively.

【……】

【The shouting plug-in has been turned off. It will automatically take effect the next time the knight enters the secret realm. 】

Xiao Hao let out a long breath, and the system gradually quieted down. When he called again, there was no response at all.

Jian San's system skills are still there, and the backpack can be opened normally, but he does feel that something has disappeared from him.

He lowered his head, spread out his palms and clenched them again, with a strange and familiar feeling.

It's like he has finally become a person again.

He didn't figure out what this feeling was for a while, but he would eventually figure it out.

In the remaining time, he should finish the journey carefully.

Returning to Lin'an Prefecture, he was alone on horseback the last time he came, and was outnumbered; but now, the whole city is crowded with people, welcoming him back in triumph. Xiao Hao didn't like the feeling of being high above and looking down on the people, so he took the initiative to dismount, and walked forward holding Ba Hongchen as before.

The flowers are the same year after year, but the people are different year after year. [Note]

Xiao Hao walked in front, feeling an indescribable sense of relief. He saw a young man standing in front of him, holding a string of freshly made candied haws in his hand, and he swiftly squeezed out of the crowd on both sides and stood in front of his horse.

The young man held up the string of candied haws and handed it to him, saying, "Big devil! Do you still remember me!"

Xiao Hao looked at the string of candied haws, stunned for a moment, sized him up and said, "You haven't grown taller."

"...Sooner, sooner or later I will grow taller!" The young man blushed, straightened his back and said unhappily, "I...I want to join the Cangyun Army and go to the front to kill the enemy! General Xiao, please accept me!"

Xiao Hao frowned and asked, "Is this why you want me?"

The young man knelt on the ground with a thud, looking like a newborn calf that is not afraid of a tiger: "I lost my parents when I was young, and it was the sisters from the Charity Bureau and Yiying Building who took care of me, so I grew up. Until today. I have been wandering in the streets of Lin'an City all day, and I have long wanted to make achievements! My sisters all say that every Cangyun soldier is a great hero unparalleled in the world, and I also want to be a great hero!"

Xiao Hao sneered, took the candied haws from his hand, touched his head and said: "You are too young." Even Lu Wuhuan is older than him. It is good for this little guy who has not grown all his hair to have great ambitions, but he is far from mature.

But the kid said shamelessly: "You accepted my candied haws, which means you promised me!"

Xiao Hao was choked by him, blinked and looked at the candied haws in his hand. It was not right to give it back, and it was not right to take it.

Without waiting for him to react, the little devil jumped three feet high in joy and ran towards his friends, shouting as he ran: "The Great Devil has accepted me! I can go to Wusheng Pass too!"

"..." Xiao Hao was speechless, shook his head helplessly, and stood up again while biting a candied haws. Alas... children don't know the hardships of the border, and always treat the title of merit as a joke, let him be happy.

This time when he entered the capital, Zhao Yun's situation was not optimistic.

The emperor was seriously ill and summoned famous doctors from all over the world to treat him, but no one responded. Xiao Hao had been in Wanhua for so many years, and he knew some medical skills, so he took the opportunity to see the emperor and took a look at Zhao Yun.

He was already in a critical condition, and he had at most two months to live. I'm afraid he can't hold on.

Xiao Hao's face was heavy, he took back his pulse-taking hand, and said solemnly: "I hope Your Majesty will take care of your health."

Zhao Yun sat up with great effort and panted for a while, but he was still in good spirits. He smiled at him and said: "I don't know how many more generals will return victoriously."

Xiao Hao said silently in his heart: I'm afraid this is the last time.

He didn't say it out loud, but Zhao Yun himself knew it very well. He waved his hand and said nonchalantly: "This time, the great victory in Luzhou has restored the territory of the Song Dynasty, all thanks to the merits of the generals." But soon his smile faded, and turned into a rather complicated expression: "General, can you tell me how long the Song Dynasty can stand?"

Xiao Hao was slightly startled and hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to lie to him, nor did he want to strike back. The old man said, "As long as I am here, I will not allow the Mongolian army to enter the territory of the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Yun looked up at him, his eyes were cloudy, and after a long time he stretched out his hand to pull a white hair from his temple, yanking it violently like a child, and said with a half smile and a half sigh, "The general's heart for the country is respected by the world. It's because the burden I gave you is too heavy that you have to worry so much."

"..." Xiao Hao stared at the white hair, and his heart skipped a beat.

He seemed to know what that strange and familiar feeling was.

The time that was frozen in him finally returned to him as the system went into hibernation.

Seeing that he had not answered for a long time, Zhao Yun felt even more guilty, and forced himself to comfort himself and Xiao Hao, saying, "The general has lived for more than seventy years and is still as healthy as ever. I shouldn't have thought too much about it."

Xiao Hao changed the subject and said, "A few days ago, a lot of Mongolian merchants came to the outside of Xiangyang City and requested to set up a trading post outside the city. I thought that the Mongolian army was using the trade to hide its military actions, so I tried my best to persuade General Lu Wende not to agree. However, my position was low and my words were not taken seriously, so they were not accepted."

Zhao Yun frowned and coughed twice, and said angrily, "Lu Wende, why are you so confused at this time!"

Xiao Hao lowered his head and said nothing more. Lu Wende was particularly greedy and lustful. The Mongols promised him great profits, even though the market was set up outside the city. He thought that he had a large number of troops in Xiangyang, so he turned a blind eye to it and wanted to fill his pockets with border trade.

When Xiao Hao brought up this matter at this time, Zhao Yun knew exactly what he meant.

"I have received intelligence that Kublai Khan has stabilized the situation in Mongolia and ascended the throne. The Mongolian army is gathering outside the pass and will return soon."

Zhao Yun was frightened and broke into a cold sweat. He grabbed Xiao Hao's sleeve in panic and asked, "Can you stop it?"

Xiao Hao looked at him quietly without answering.

Zhao Yun understood what he meant.

"Announce my oral order. General Xiao has made great contributions in pacifying Luzhou. From now on

, he will be granted the title of Shao Bao and appointed as the Jinghu Zhizhishi, with full authority to command the Song-Mongol frontline military affairs!" Xiao Hao sincerely performed the etiquette of monarch and subject to him, and thanked him: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."

Zhao Yun, however, had a worried look on his face. His illness and old age made him look at the still young general in front of him with some regret. He walked past Xiao Hao, patted his shoulder, and his eyes became moist: "I know that my time is running out... The road ahead will be very difficult, I... can't protect you anymore."

The author has something to say: PS. A trade market is a kind of mutual trade market set up by various political powers (such as Song-Jin, Song-Liao, Song-Mongol, etc.) at the border.

Note: From Liu Xiyi's "Lament for the White-headed Old Man"

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