Chapter 83 Completely Out of Control
Although Yunxi likes staying in Yunnan, where the climate is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful, it is unfortunately too dangerous for her.
After all, Hongxiuzhao is here, and her godmother is here.
Whether it's for her sake, for Fan Zishi's sake, or for Lu Xiuran's sake, she absolutely cannot let Xiao Shenjing find out that she is still alive.
Otherwise, given Xiao Shenjing's temper, she might really cause everyone, including herself, to die a horrible death.
So after the weather warmed up a bit, Yunxi took Yuanxiao and left Yunnan.
She wasn't in a hurry along the way; she simply stayed wherever she felt comfortable.
When she was two years old, she finally arrived in Datong Prefecture.
This place is very close to Yinshan Mountain, making it the safest and most suitable place to live.
This is one of the core areas of the Nine Border Regions, with a garrison size of tens of thousands year-round, and is known as the "Northern Key".
Xiao Shenjing secretly ordered Lu Xiuran to support the Tatars, so now Desheng Fort has even opened a temporary "horse market" where Han Chinese and Tatars exchange tea and cloth for horses and furs.
Although it wasn't a stable, long-term open horse market, it would still close when the war resumed. However, Datong attracted many Shanxi merchants, and thus remained very prosperous.
Soldiers and civilians lived together in Datong, and the military knives were famous throughout the world.
Military households lived in the north of the city, while merchants and artisans mostly lived in the south, opening shops and workshops along the streets.
Yunxi stayed in this town for half a month and grew to like its liveliness and bustle, as well as the women's generosity. So she took Yuanxiao and Xiaobei and settled down in this northern town.
Although this place is quite close to the capital, Emperor Xiao Shenjing would not normally come to such a frontline location; on the contrary, it is exceptionally safe here.
Moreover, Yunxi discovered that this place was perfect for opening a tavern.
Winters in the northern frontier are bitterly cold, and the large number of soldiers here need alcohol to keep warm and relieve the pressure of guarding the border. In addition, because there is a horse market, merchants, bodyguards, porters and other transient people gather here, and taverns are also suitable for gathering information and negotiating business.
Although I don't want to mention Xiao Shenjing, the people are becoming increasingly prosperous because of his decisive and ruthless methods. Otherwise, if there had been years of war, the court would have banned alcohol to conserve food.
After this investigation and deliberation, Yunxi was already imagining himself making a fortune and having wine flags flying all over the Jing Kingdom.
Moreover, to protect themselves from sandstorms, most of the women here wear face coverings and trousers with tucked-in cuffs, a neat and simple attire that bears no resemblance to their former selves.
So, with the money her godmother had given her, Yunxi excitedly opened a tavern called Peach Blossom Village in the south of the city.
On the day the signboard was hung up, Yunxi picked up Yuanxiao and pointed to the three big characters "Peach Blossom Village" that she had written, saying, "Dog Egg, isn't Mother's calligraphy powerful and elegant, with the style of a master?"
Xiao Bei looked at the three crooked characters and silently shut her mouth.
I don't understand the Lantern Festival.
"Clap!" Yunxi 'forced' a two-year-old to applaud.
Yuanxiao understood the word "mother," so she patted her chubby hand affectionately.
Yunxi beamed with joy, gave Yuanxiao a big kiss, and then excitedly showed off her meager literary talent: "Goudan, Mother is going to teach you to recite poems, so listen carefully."
"In Peach Blossom Valley lies Peach Blossom Hermitage, beneath which dwells a Peach Blossom Immortal. The Peach Blossom Immortal plants peach trees, then picks peach blossoms to exchange for wine. Sober, he sits only before the flowers; drunk, drunk, drunk..." Yunxi scratched his head, still drunk for a while and unable to remember anything, so he simply waved his hand and skipped the middle part: "Others laugh at my madness, I laugh at their blindness. The tombs of the heroes of the Five Mausoleums are nowhere to be seen; without flowers or wine, they are tilled fields."
"I've memorized it all!" Yunxi held the glutinous rice ball high in the air. "Isn't Mother amazing?"
This long string of characters was naturally a challenge for Yuanxiao, who was only two years old.
He chuckled, seemingly enjoying being lifted up like that by Yunxi.
With its chubby arms outstretched, it seemed to want to hug Yunxi again.
Since she was going to be stationed there permanently, Yunxi gave herself a very ordinary name: Wang Erya.
She was quite satisfied, since no one would care about such a name.
Besides his light-footed skills, Yunxi's greatest talent is brewing wine.
To this end, she also spent a lot of money to obtain the brewing rights.
The tavern became very popular soon after it opened.
The summer heat poured into the windowpanes, and wisps of white steam rose from the bluestone pavement at the south gate of Datong Town.
Lieutenant General Li Chongshan lifted the bamboo curtain of the "Peach Blossom Village" tavern, and Wang Laonian, a farmer who was squatting by the door drinking sour plum soup, hurriedly got up to make way.
"Manager Wang, please give this old man another bowl of iced drink!" Li Chongshan gave Wang Laonian two coins, then turned to the counter and smiled, "We border troops are paid, we can't compete with the wheat harvesters for coolness."
After saying that, Li Chongshan took the lead and walked into the hall. Half of his linen undergarment was visible under his sweat-soaked chainmail. He shouted at the top of his lungs, grabbed a palm-leaf fan from the counter and shook it vigorously, "Manager Wang, quickly bring up the Peach Blossom Wine from Jingli Town! This scorching sun can bake a person until they ooze oil!"
It was too hot, so Zhao Dayong, the commander behind him, simply took off his scale armor and draped it over his shoulder, revealing the arms of the Yazi beast.
Yunxi wrapped her head with a cloth and covered her face with a veil, and said with a smile, "I've already chilled it with saltpeter."
Sun Xiaohu, a soldier following behind Li Chongshan, immediately challenged Jiang Qing to an arm wrestling match as soon as he saw Jiang Qing drinking in the corner.
He looked to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, and was very thin.
Jiang Qing naturally wouldn't let him have his way. The two got into position, their elbows pressing down on the wooden table, making it creak.
"Jiang Qing, with that strength of yours, you must have drunk too much mare's milk wine!" Sun Xiaohu said through gritted teeth.
Jiang Qing spat angrily: "Bullshit! I shot down three wild ducks yesterday!"
In the southeast corner of the tavern, Zhang Erkui, a traveling merchant carrying a satchel, was wiping his neck with a towel. On his paulownia wood chest were deer antlers he had just collected from outside the Great Wall. Seeing the general and his soldiers enter, he hurriedly took out a scale and weighed out two qian of ginseng slices: "Sir, please take these to the general to make tea to relieve the summer heat!" But Li Chongshan pushed them back.
As dusk began to fall, Xiao Bei hung up mugwort ropes at the four corners to repel mosquitoes.
The copper bells on the eaves jingled in the evening breeze, their sound drowning out the camel bells of the Tatar caravan returning to camp outside the city.
After the soldiers finished their drinks, it was completely dark. Li Chongshan put on his chainmail and asked loudly, "Manager Wang, how much?"
Yunxi glanced at the ledger and gave a number. Li Chongshan laughed twice and said, "I say, Manager Wang, you must have miscalculated. We drank two jars of peach blossom wine today."
Yunxi smiled and said while fanning herself with a palm leaf fan, "Although I am a woman, I have the utmost respect for all the soldiers. If it weren't for your constant presence on the frontier, where would we be today with peace and tranquility? So this discounted wine is my way of showing my respect to all the soldiers guarding the border."
Manager Wang's righteousness
"Thank you, Manager Wang."
Several soldiers clasped their hands in greeting to her.
Because Yunxi not only knew how to brew strong liquor, but also had a unique peach blossom wine, and was generous and magnanimous, he quickly made a name for himself in Datong.
Many people know that Wang Erya, the proprietress of the Peach Blossom Village Tavern in the south of the city, is a widow with a forthright personality.
She's not very good-looking, and I heard she has a large birthmark on her cheek and always covers her face with gauze.
Yunxi had originally thought she would stay in Datong for a long time, after all, the Lantern Festival was getting closer and closer, and she was indeed quite precocious. During the day, she wouldn't bother Yunxi while she was making money, but at night when she went to bed, she would take a book and hand it to Yunxi, saying, "Mother, read."
"Heaven and earth were dark and yellow, the universe was vast and boundless." Unfortunately, books were too hypnotic for Yunxi, and she would often fall asleep after reading only a few sentences.
After this happened several times, Yunxi felt very guilty and began to tell Yuanxiao the story.
She had once roamed the martial arts world and heard countless stories, including tales of chivalry, loyalty, and righteousness, all of which she would tell Yuanxiao.
Yunxi originally thought she would stay in Datong for a while longer before going to Monan to see Xu Yuansi, but the sudden news forced her to make plans ahead of schedule.
That day, several soldiers stationed there were drinking in Peach Blossom Village.
As they drank, someone lowered their voice and said, "The imperial court issued another decree today, instructing our leader to train the troops well for defense."
"Damn the Turks! It's almost autumn, and they've fattened up their horses so they're ready to plunder everywhere. That newly appointed Turkic Khan is extremely cruel; I wonder how many soldiers will die this autumn."
"Hey! If you ask me, if the second prince of the Turks hadn't been captured, he could have competed with the Turkic Khan for the throne. As long as the Turks are not at peace, they won't have time to cause trouble."
Yunxi's eyelids twitched, and she turned around to pick up a jar of wine and a plate of peanuts.
"Gentlemen, come and try my newly brewed wine." She smiled and placed peanuts on the table, then casually lifted the lid of the wine jar. "Gentlemen, you've worked hard protecting our country. Consider this jar of wine a gift from me, no money required."
"Manager Wang is so generous!" Weng Yi, with his full beard, laughed.
Yunxi casually remarked, "I heard that the second prince of the Turks was originally a Han Chinese? He would certainly not be welcomed back to the Turks, so it is only natural that he would be imprisoned."
Weng Yi shook his head. "That second Turkic prince is quite capable. He's been back in Turkic territory for so long without any trouble. I don't know what he did, but the new Turkic Khan didn't kill him."
Another soldier nearby said, "Being captured by the Xueyantuo tribe this time might be a scheme by the Turkic Khan, a case of using someone else to do one's dirty work."
Yunxi chatted with them, but couldn't get any more useful information out of them.
That night, Yunxi sat by the window for a long time.
Staring into the deep night, she took out the letter Xu Yuansi had left her again and smoothed out the creases.
She wanted to save that person.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to get over it herself.
The ancient Chinese tale tells of Guan Yu, who rode alone for a thousand miles, passing five passes and slaying six generals, all for his loyalty and righteousness.
Even though she wasn't acting out of loyalty or righteousness, she still wanted to give it her all.
He had fought for her, and for the world.
She believed that Xu Yuansi was not a cruel person, and if the Turks had to have a king, she would prefer him to be the one.
She didn't know Xu Yuansi's current situation; if he had fallen into the enemy's hands, he might already be dead.
She didn't know how it would end, but she had to go.
What if?
She slammed her hand on the table and stood up.
His expression was resolute.
That's just her personality; she'll try even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance.
She went to the black market, spent a lot of money to buy a map, and asked about the checkpoints and routes along the way.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, he left without looking back.
Yuanxiao is still asleep. She will definitely come to find her and ask for a hug when she wakes up.
He would get angry if he couldn't find her, and the wet nurse would have to coax her for a long time.
He has a stubborn temper, and sometimes he cries so hard he can't catch his breath.
Her heart was filled with tenderness, but she couldn't turn back.
Even if Xu Yuansi's chances of survival are slim, she still has to do her best to see him one last time.
The journey from Datong to Yinshan is 300 li, and she could travel light and quickly in just one and a half days.
However, on the southern slopes of Yinshan Mountain, there were not only checkpoints set up by the Turks, but also border patrol teams and light cavalry teams of ten to twenty men. These men wore "golden crowns with eagle tops" and liked to dress up as bandits. They not only scouted the movements of the Jing army, but also frequently robbed some caravans.
The chances of her crossing alone were slim, so she chose to travel with the caravan to reduce the risk.
These caravans often had connections along the way. Although Xiao Shenjing prohibited the trade in iron and grain to prevent the Turks from becoming too wealthy, there were always some merchants who would disregard the lives of their country and people in order to make money.
Yunxi's caravan consisted of millet merchants, whom the Turks called "Yellow Sand Merchants." The Turks primarily consumed meat and dairy products and considered grains inferior goods. Moreover, grain carts were heavy and difficult to carry, so the Turks generally did not rob them, making it extremely safe.
The caravan consisted of more than thirty people, young and old, including foreigners, Mongols, and Han Chinese. Most of them looked like ordinary people, but Yunxi noticed that three of them were burly and strong, and their movements showed that they were skilled in martial arts.
Moreover, she barely heard these people talking along the way.
This inevitably made her wary.
However, her choice was indeed correct. The caravan was able to pass through checkpoints smoothly, and even encountered a Turkic light cavalry, but seeing that they were selling millet, they had no interest at all.
They have been traveling for two days, and in another half day they will be able to leave the southern foothills of Yinshan Mountain.
Just when Yunxi thought there would be no more accidents along the way, she didn't expect to encounter a group of Turkic light cavalry blocking her way at the last checkpoint. They were reining in their horses and blocking the middle of the trade road, and the eagle beak on the golden crown of the leader gleamed coldly in the moonlight.
The north wind, carrying fine sand, shattered the sound of the camel bells. Yunxi's hands were hidden under the felt blanket on the camel's back, her fingertips gripping the short knife concealed in the wool roll.
"Sogdians?" The patrol leader's voice was thick and guttural as he used his spiked club to push aside the linen cloth covering the lead camel caravan.
“The manifest.” The golden-crowned leader nudged the caravan owner with his riding crop, and the blond, blue-eyed man immediately stepped forward, bowing and smiling as he spoke a few words in Turkic.
To everyone's surprise, the golden-crowned leader didn't buy it at all and turned around to say something to the people behind him.
The caravan owner's expression changed. He spread his arms as if to explain something, but in the next instant, blood splattered, and the caravan owner's head fell to the ground.
The Turks had already surrounded the caravan.
Yunxi cowered in fear, gripping a short blade in one hand and reaching into her bag with the other, where she smeared the horse blood she had prepared on her face to fake the plague.
A Turk lifted the felt covering the millet and jumped inside. Soon, he dug out many Sasanian glass artifacts and cat's-eye stones.
The leader laughed loudly, his face turning fierce, and spoke a sentence in Turkic.
Even though Yunxi didn't understand, she knew that this battle was unavoidable.
Just as she was about to draw her short blade, she saw three burly men not far away draw their knives and slash at the Turks beside her.
In an instant, swords flashed and shadows danced.
As Yunxi drew her short blade to escape, a golden knife came crashing down on her head.
Surrounded by camels, and next to the camels stood two Turks standing on a caravan's grain cart, she had no choice but to roll on the spot. Although she easily dodged the attack, her hood and the veil on her face were torn off due to the movement.
This completely exposed her face to the man holding the knife behind her.
When the man saw her clearly, his expression changed drastically, and he immediately withdrew his hand.
Yunxi had no intention of wasting her energy here. Seeing that the people behind her had stopped attacking, she turned around and ran towards the southeast.
She was extremely skilled in light-footed movements, easily dodging the incoming attacks with agility and evasion.
But just as she was about to break through the encirclement, the three burly men rushed towards her.
This is clearly a case of shifting the blame eastward.
"Damn it!" Yunxi couldn't help but curse.
She raised her short blade and plunged it into the chest of the Turk who dared to block her way. After kicking him away, she grabbed a horse and galloped southeast without a care in the world. As she ran, she bent down and plunged her dagger into the body of a camel, creating chaos.
She had looked at the map and knew that the terrain in the southeast was treacherous and unsuitable for cavalry to break through, so the Turks could not fully utilize their advantages.
Seeing that they were about to run away, the Turks behind them naturally gave chase.
Yunxi turned her horse around and saw that the three big men were indeed following behind her, while a group of Turkic cavalry were also in hot pursuit.
With a dark expression, she cursed the ancestors of those three burly men.
He kicked the horse's belly and sped off towards the southeast.
In an instant, yellow sand filled the sky, and the last Turkic soldier watched Yunxi's retreating figure from afar.
Its slender yet resilient back arches like an arrow released from a bow, its mane and black hair flying in the wind.
It's her.
He is not only handsome and good-looking, but also has excellent martial arts skills.
She was the woman mentioned in a secret letter sent from the Supervisory Office a few years ago.
When Yunxi first escaped from the palace, Xiao Shenjing thought she had gone to the Turks to find Xu Yuansi. In a fit of rage, he sent her portrait to the Turkic spies.
He promised that whoever found her would be rewarded with a hundred taels of gold and promoted one rank.
Therefore, the inspector who had infiltrated the Turkic territory was extremely familiar with the woman's portrait.
Once you find her, fame and fortune will be yours.
But all these years have passed, and no one has seen this woman.
After all, such a beautiful appearance is hard to find in the world, let alone a woman who is also skilled in martial arts.
When Gu Wenqian received this urgent secret letter, even the dignified commander was stunned.
He clutched the secret letter, turning it over and over in his mind, pacing back and forth in the room.
I just felt it was too absurd.
How is it possible that Empress Yun is still alive, has appeared in Mo Nan, and is even disguised as a merchant caravan?
How can it be impossible?
Empress Yun did countless things while she was still alive, including deceiving the emperor, murdering the emperor, and humiliating the emperor, yet she lived a long and healthy life. What was she incapable of faking her death and escaping the palace?
Gu Wenqian suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Empress Yun has been 'dead' for more than three years, and His Majesty has become a completely different person because of her.
Such a rational and powerful emperor often had to rely on elixirs, knowing full well that they were illusory and false, yet he willingly indulged in the illusion, which was like drinking poison to quench his thirst.
For the sake of the world, he had to remain clear-headed, because there was no heir to inherit the throne.
On the other hand, they could not accept the death of Empress Yun.
Only by sinking deeper and deeper into lucidity and illusion.
His Majesty became two people.
One sits high atop the nine peaks in broad daylight, making rational decisions for the country and its people.
But often at night, he would swallow those hallucinogenic pills that would put him to sleep.
He built a prison for himself, binding himself with layers of shackles, preferring to hurt himself rather than let himself go.
If His Majesty continues to be corrupted by the elixirs, all that awaits him is utter madness and complete loss of control.
Everyone knows that things can't go on like this; the world needs a clear-headed and rational Xiao Shenjing.
Gu Wenqian tried to persuade him, but it was to no avail.
And now Empress Yun is still alive.
Whether this news is true or not is no longer that important.
As long as there is a will, someone with His Majesty's character will definitely be able to persevere!
Those pills must never be taken again.
Thinking of this, Gu Wenqian didn't even care that it was night before and rushed towards the Forbidden City.
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