South gate of Changsui City.
A grand procession emerged from the city gate, with a large and sturdy carriage in the middle, and He Zhi riding a horse guarding the carriage.
Sitting in the carriage were Zhao Huan, the commander-in-chief of this expedition, and Lian Zhongyi, the strategist.
Yuan Yun stood by and saw them off.
Unlike the farewell at the end of the fifth year of the reign, which was at the West Gate.
There's another difference.
It was snowing heavily that day, and Yuan Yun came alone.
There was no snow today, but many people came to see him off.
After Zhao Huan dismissed Zhao Yan, Zhao Zhan, and the others, he only sent Yuan Yun onto the carriage.
"It's been almost ten years."
Upon hearing Zhao Huan's words, Yuan Yun knew what he meant.
That farewell was quite poignant.
The two of them probably never imagined that the other would come back, and never imagined that the other would become their daughter-in-law.
Time is so powerful; it can erase all emotions and pain, and it can also create countless unexpected things.
"Father, I'll take care of things at home, so you can give me whatever you need to say." After saying this, Yuan Yun sat down gently.
Zhao Huan was very satisfied; it was always so easy to talk to smart people.
Lian Zhongyi stroked his beard, a smile on his face.
“His Majesty is too young, and the Fourth Prince is not much older either,” Zhao Huan said.
Yuan Yun thought for a moment and said, "Father has his reasons for making this arrangement."
Zhao Huan said, "I made these arrangements because you are in the palace."
Yuan Yun said, "My daughter-in-law understands."
Zhao Huan said in a deep voice, "Only his older brother and I can keep the fourth brother in check. I hope there will be one more person to keep him in line in the future."
Yuan Yun nodded and said, "He is not ignorant, but a smart man. If he can see this important task of overseeing the country as a training opportunity, then it won't be my turn to suppress him."
"I'm afraid his cleverness will backfire."
Zhao Huan tossed her long hair, sat down on her side, and said, "If such a situation really occurs, you can suppress it as you please. The third brother and his wife are on your side, so you don't need to worry. However, it might make the fourth brother dislike you."
"I see."
Knowing that Zhao Huan had explained everything clearly, Yuan Yun said something indifferently, bowed to Zhao Huan and Lian Zhongyi, and got out of the car.
Lian Zhongyi then spoke up, saying, "With the Princess here, there's nothing to worry about in the palace. Don't overexert yourself; take care of your health."
Zhao Huan lay down immediately and said, "We need to get our spirits up. That kid Cheng is making a big splash in the west, we old folks can't let him outdo us, can we?"
As he spoke, Zhao Huan took out a small bag from his pocket and laughed, "That brat left me a brocade pouch before he went to war, saying that if trouble arose in the southern front, this pouch would help me. Heh! He really was worried that I would lose?"
Lian Zhongyi smiled and said, "Acheng's business layout is too dense. Later, he also established the Yiwen Society. When it comes to fighting, it's about resources and intelligence. In some aspects, we may really be inferior to him now."
"I won't listen! You've always been on his side since he was a kid!"
Zhao Huan covered her ears and turned away like a child.
Lian Zhongyi smiled and gently shook his head, then closed his eyes to rest.
Both he and Zhao Huan knew that this battle might be the last one in which they worked together.
It's not that I'll lose this battle or anything, it's just that I'm getting old and really don't want to fight anymore.
Let's win another battle.
It's not bad that it ended like this.
...
The situation on the western front is now a foregone conclusion.
After Wang Ren's death, Zhao Cheng did not give the Xijing court much chance to react, and directly launched a full-scale attack on Yongliang by bulldozing.
When Zhao Cheng arrived at the Xijing camp, the Xijing court's orders and follow-up arrangements had not yet arrived. Zhang Dalian and Wang Yuluan discussed the matter and, seeing that the situation was hopeless, decided to retreat westward in order to preserve as many troops as possible, leaving the camp leaderless.
They had just withdrawn from Guliang County when Wen Hu personally led his troops to the scene. Taking advantage of their high morale, they launched a surprise attack on Zhao Cheng, but found that the Dongjing army's morale was too high and they couldn't break through at all.
Zhao Cheng had already turned Wang Ren's camp into his own, and thus guarded the border of Guliang County.
The two camps were less than ten miles apart, and the tense atmosphere made even the air feel dry.
"Report—"
"Young Marshal, Xi Jingwenhu wishes to see you!"
Zhao Cheng remained silent.
Yan Zheng said, "They probably want to make peace."
Zhao Hu placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and said in a deep voice, "You think you can just make peace if you can't win? Master, this is a good opportunity for you to reclaim Xijing."
Yan Zheng said, "Wenhu is not a pushover. Even if they are at a disadvantage now, it's because we are in a stalemate. If we continue to advance into Yongliang, our chances of winning are slim."
"Mr. Yan!"
Zhao Hu said unhappily, "How can you boost the morale of others while diminishing your own?"
"Ahem!" Heng Wenhao said, trying to smooth things over, "You all should say less and let the young marshal think it over carefully."
Yang Taozhi stood coldly in the corner. She rarely spoke, but this time she said, "War is not a contest or a fight; it requires a holistic view. The old commander has already gone south. Wen Hu needs peace to buy him time to consolidate his rear. Don't we need peace too?"
Zhao Cheng stopped thinking about it and immediately asked the messenger, "Tell him to come to the camp tomorrow morning."
"Young Marshal, Wen Hu said... he wants to meet you alone between the two armies."
"No way!!" Zhao Hu and Heng Wenhao said at the same time.
Zhao Cheng also said, "Does he think I'm stupid? He's such a powerful grandmaster, and I'm as weak as a chicken. Do you think I'd meet with him alone?"
The messenger, head bowed, said, "Wen Hu said... if you, young marshal, dare not, then forget it..."
"Hey!"
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