Xie Yuan gripped the brush tightly, suppressing all the chaotic thoughts in his mind.
Regardless of Yuwen Hao's true motives, she was convinced that he wanted to enter officialdom, and that the imperial examination system was the best way to achieve this!
This is his business, it has nothing to do with her!
Xie Yuan didn't care about the rumors circulating outside.
All she needed to do was make Helian Jue understand her feelings.
That very evening, Helian Jue, far away in the northwest, received a message from Xie Yuan sent by carrier pigeon.
In the letter, Xie Yuan told Helian Jue in a very excited tone:
Ah Xi, with the addition of the handsome Yuwen Hao, this autumn imperial examination will be exceptionally grand.
Many talented scholars and learned men who were stranded in the capital have already taken action upon hearing the news.
Xie Yuan also said in a proud tone: Your Majesty, one day, all the talents in the world will surely fall into your hands!
In a short letter, Xie Yuan used two different forms of address.
The switching between Ah Xi and His Majesty was natural and appropriate.
Helian Jue did not see Xie Yuan, but just by reading this letter, she could feel that A Yuan was of one mind with her.
She would be happy, not because of Yuwen Hao.
Rather, it was so that Helian Jue's great cause could be accomplished!
Helian Jue also noticed that when A Yuan mentioned Yuwen Hao, he spoke in the tone of someone talking about a stranger.
Although she would address him as "senior brother," he only gave the impression of being a senior brother.
There is no past relationship, and there will be no future connection.
Besides Xie Yuan, Helian Jue also received a letter from Little Fatty.
“Brother, don’t worry, I’ve observed carefully, and sister doesn’t have any special feelings for that Yuwen Hao.”
"...I will take good care of my sister and my nephew and niece. Brother, we are all waiting for your triumphant return!"
Upon hearing the chubby boy's slightly childish words, Helian Jue not only did not find them childish or laughable, but also felt a sense of warmth and comfort.
Sure enough, the children you raise will always side with you.
Outsiders also said that Xie Zhen was a relative of the imperial family and that they had to be wary of her since childhood.
In Helian Jue's eyes, the little fat boy was the child she and A Yuan raised.
He could become his champion in the future!
Thinking of the Marquis of Champion, Helian Jue couldn't help but recall the protracted war on the grasslands—
"That old thief Ashina really knows how to hide! Even with Kongming lanterns and telescopes, we can't find any trace of him."
Although Xie Yuan was stationed in the rear, supplies such as food and weapons were continuously supplied by A Yuan.
Helian Jue could afford to drag out this protracted war against the Turks.
However, being able to afford to drag it out doesn't mean that Helian Jue enjoys this kind of procrastination and torment.
He missed Ah Yuan, and he also missed the children and Little Fatty.
There are so many things to do in the imperial court; he can't just dump all of them on A Yuan.
"Helian Chen, I'll give you another half month. If you still can't find the Turkic royal court, then just go back to the capital!"
Helian Jue gripped the letter tightly, summoned Helian Chen, and immediately issued a death order!
Helian Chen: ...Meow?
What is this?
Suddenly, a death order was given?
Well, even Helian Chen was starting to run out of steam.
Let's just give it a shot!
The next day, Helian Chen led the vanguard battalion another fifty miles into the grassland and launched the hot air balloon.
Helian Chen personally climbed into the suspended basket and searched around with binoculars!
Unfortunately, there has been no progress!
Helian Chen's face was ashen as he ordered, "Continue!"
The sage gave him half a month, but he himself shortened it by a few days.
Ten days!
Just ten days!
Helian Chen refused to believe that he couldn't find that group of Turkic cavalry who knew how to play hide-and-seek!
...
The Northwest Front is very long!
Helian Jue's imperial carriage was located at the northern end, while the western end was occupied by the Northwest General Dugu Xiong.
Back when Helian Jue was still the crown prince, he had been secretly in contact with Dugu Xiong.
However, as the crown prince, Helian Jue could not and should not have a private relationship with the general stationed on the frontier.
Therefore, their interactions were kept very secret.
Even Helian Chen was unaware of it.
After Helian Jue was exiled, more than half of the civil and military officials in the court impeached him.
Dugu Xiong was very sociable. Despite still being at war with Gaochang and Tubo, he squeezed out time to write memorials impeaching the deposed crown prince for his extravagance and cruelty.
His actions further convinced the late emperor and his court officials, who had never doubted him, that they had no connection between him and Helian Jue.
Subsequently, Helian Jue was exiled to Lingnan, while Dugu Xiong returned to the capital in triumph.
The two groups of people "coincidentally" met at a post station on the outskirts of Beijing.
At that time, Helian Jue was surrounded by the elderly, weak, sick and disabled people that Xie Yuan had obtained from the Ministry of War.
It's bad enough that the soldiers' overall quality is low, but they don't even have basic armor, weapons, or warhorses.
Helian Jue then casually suggested to Xie Yuan that she could make a deal with Dugu Xiong.
Xie Yuan used a recipe for stir-frying dishes to exchange for a batch of warhorses and armor that the Northwest Army had "extracted".
On the surface, he's just a gourmand who's "lost his mind" for a bite to eat.
In reality, it was a tacit understanding between Helian Jue and Dugu Xiong.
Even Xie Yuan, after his initial smugness, realized that while his stir-fry recipes were indeed valuable, they weren't that valuable.
However, Xie Yuan did not reveal it.
After going to Yuezhou, Xie Yuan came up with a method for training soldiers and horseshoes, and Helian Jue slowly began to reveal his "cooperation" with Dugu Xiong.
From beginning to end, Dugu Xiong was a staunch supporter of the princelings.
The 100,000 elite troops in the Northwest will be the foundation for Helian Jue's comeback and reversal of fortune.
Come to think of it, Helian Jue has been the crown prince for over twenty years, how could he not have a single confidant?
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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