Time flies, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Qin Zheng is nineteen years old.
Under Zhang Yun's meticulous care, he grew from a somewhat gloomy boy into a sunny, cheerful, and outgoing young man.
Every time Zhang Yun sees Qin Zheng, he feels a sense of pride and joy, like a father whose son has grown up.
Recently, he planned to take Qin Zheng to Luoyan Pass.
Qin Zheng possesses the IQ and EQ typical of a protagonist.
After three years of diligent study, he has achieved some minor successes, such as being proficient in both academics and martial arts, knowing when to advance and retreat, and being good at recognizing and utilizing talent.
Now he needs to broaden his horizons and gain practical experience.
The battlefield that Zhang Yun chose for him was Luoyan Pass.
Luoyan Pass is a strategically important and easily defensible pass in the northeast of Dayun. The general guarding Luoyan Pass is Zhang Caiyue, the eldest daughter of the Northwest King and his elder sister, Princess Pingning.
As for why even the northeastern border was guarded by people from their Northwest Prince's Mansion?
The answer was: There are no generals in the court.
This answer is pathetic.
Five years ago, the Hu people gathered a large army to attack Luoyan Pass, and the commander of Luoyan Pass was unfortunately killed in battle.
Princess Zhang Caiyue of Pingning, under the orders of the Northwest King, led 6,000 Northwest Iron Cavalry to reinforce Luoyan Pass. Together with reinforcements from other routes, they successfully repelled the Hu army and defended Luoyan Pass.
After the Hu people withdrew, the various reinforcements returned to their original garrisons one after another.
However, since the commander of Luoyan Pass had died, Zhang Caiyue, who was the last to leave, could only temporarily assume the position of commander and submitted a memorial to the court urging them to quickly select a new commander to take over.
However, after submitting the memorial for more than half a year, no one from the court came. Princess Pingning ordered someone to inquire and found out that the military officers in the court, upon hearing that they were to come to Luoyan Pass, had been pushing and shoving back and forth for several months without being able to come up with a suitable candidate.
Enraged, Zhang Caiyue berated the entire court of military officials as cowards who feared death, and submitted a petition to volunteer for the defense of Luoyan Pass.
The Northwest King was already guarding the Northwest Camp, the main road for the Hu people to enter the west. If he also let his daughter, Princess Pingning, guard Luoyan Pass in the northeast, wouldn't that be equivalent to handing over the two vital passages of the empire to the hands of a vassal king?
No emperor with a sound mind would allow such a thing to happen.
Zhang Caiyue didn't expect the emperor to agree to her move; she just wanted to provoke him into sending someone over quickly.
To everyone's surprise, as soon as Zhang Caiyue's memorial was submitted, the emperor and his ministers immediately...agreed!
The imperial edict was delivered by express courier, taking less than a month, as if they were afraid she would change her mind and run away.
Zhang Caiyue was completely dumbfounded when she received the imperial decree!
And so, she guarded Luoyan Pass for five years.
Zhang Yun, who knew the plot in advance, knew that Princess Pingning was guarding not just for five years, but for her entire life.
In the original storyline, the year before the Yun Kingdom was destroyed, the Hu people once again gathered a large army to invade the border, and Princess Pingning led eight thousand soldiers to guard the pass.
She held out for a month, exhausting all supplies and wiping out all her soldiers, but she never received any reinforcements from the Yun Kingdom court behind her. In the end, the pass fell and she perished.
Upon receiving the news, the Northwest King, disregarding his subordinates' advice, immediately led 10,000 Northwest cavalry to the scene. He only saw his daughter's body hanging in the most unbearable position a woman could bear on the dilapidated city tower of Luoyan Pass.
In the original story, the King of the Northwest had no sons, and Zhang Caiyue was his favorite daughter.
She was intelligent and beautiful, knowledgeable in military strategy, resourceful, responsible, and had a strong sense of the big picture. She was the child on whom the King of the Northwest placed all his hopes.
His beloved daughter, in order to protect the people and court of Yun Kingdom behind her, refused to retreat even in the face of the overwhelming attacks from the Hu people.
The court of Keyun Kingdom, while enjoying her contributions, was suspicious and distrustful because she was their daughter, and made excuses and refused to send even a single reinforcement.
Zhang Caiyue died at the age of twenty-eight. Because she had been guarding Luoyan Pass for many years, her arranged marriage had been delayed.
The King of the Northwest turned white-haired overnight, and when the Queen received the news, she cried herself to death more than a dozen times in the palace.
After Zhang Caiyue's death, the Northwest King declared himself emperor in Xuantong City in the northwest and launched a frenzied revenge against the Yun Kingdom court and the Hu people.
He withdrew the heavy troops from the Northwest Camp that were defending against the Hu people, and divided his forces into two routes. One route went to the grasslands to kill and burn everywhere, while the other route marched into the Central Plains and stormed into the imperial capital, Hongcheng.
They slaughtered the emperor, the empress dowager, and all the ministers who had petitioned against sending troops to support Luoyan Pass, along with their entire families.
It was precisely the Northwest King's relentless revenge that plunged the Yun Kingdom into complete chaos. With the court preoccupied, Qin Zheng seized the opportunity to rise from a weakling to a powerful figure in the region.
As the plot progresses to the later stages, Qin Zheng's Taiping Army and the Northwest King's forces establish their own kingdoms and rival each other, using Pingjiang, which divides the north and south of the mainland, as the boundary.
However, Qin Zheng's Taiping Army was too weak and could not defeat the Northwest Army at all. They could only rack their brains to delay and defend.
Ultimately, Qin Zheng was able to defeat the Northwest King and become the ruler of the world not because he was more powerful than the Northwest King, but because he was younger than the Northwest King.
The King of the Northwest is too old.
After his daughter's death, he was heartbroken and everything he did was to vent his final anger, while Qin Zheng was in the prime of his life.
One is like the setting sun, leaving only its afterglow; the other is like the rising sun, illuminating the world.
Qin Zheng outlived the King of the Northwest, and none of his successors could rival him, which allowed him to easily seize the throne.
After Qin Zheng became emperor, he spoke highly of Zhang Caiyue and posthumously conferred upon her the title of Duke of Loyalty and Valor.
He personally admitted that if Princess Pingning had not died, the Great Yun Kingdom would still belong to the Zhang family, and the first and only female emperor in the history of the Yun Kingdom would have appeared.
A procession of carriages stopped in front of Luoyan Pass, and Zhang Yun stepped out of one of the carriages.
Seeing this majestic pass, which embodies the wisdom of the ancients and has been forged with the blood and tears of countless laborers and soldiers, a surge of heroic ambition arose in his heart.
Unfortunately, his literary talent was limited, and he couldn't come up with a single line of poetry after racking his brains for a long time. Not wanting to steal a poem to show off, he could only awkwardly turn his gaze away and look at his sister, Princess Zhang Caiyue of Pingning, who had come to greet him.
Zhang Caiyue is only twenty-two years old this year. She is dignified and beautiful. Dressed in military uniform, she is heroic and spirited. She is truly a woman who is not inferior to men!
Unfortunately, her family had already arranged a marriage for her. I heard that her older sister was also very satisfied with the man, and they were in love with each other. Otherwise, with her qualifications, she would definitely be the perfect choice for the male lead's main wife.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yun subconsciously glanced at Qin Zheng behind him, only to meet his gaze.
Zhang Yun smiled at him and then turned his head away.
But I started to wonder: Why is this guy staring at me so much lately?
Little did he know, his smile as he turned around stirred Qin Zheng's heart into turmoil.
"Little brother, it's been five years! You've grown so much!" Zhang Caiyue's smile was bright and captivating.
Judging from the surprised expressions on the faces of the soldiers around her, Zhang Caiyue probably doesn't smile much.
Considering that she hasn't seen her family for five years, today must be the happiest day she's had in five years!
“You’ve always looked like a girl since you were little, and you’ve become even more so as you’ve grown up! When you get married and take your wife out, people will think you’re sisters!” Zhang Caiyue teased.
Those around them couldn't help but laugh. Zhang Yun blushed and said, "Big sister, there are so many people here, can't you give your little brother some face!"
Zhang Caiyue ruffled his hair, her eyes and brows full of laughter: "Then you should work hard! Don't just think about playing all day!"
"No way! I've already reformed!"
Zhang Yun protected her hairstyle and moved a little further away from her. "People should look forward. Can you please stop making fun of me about things from when I was little?"
"Is that so?" Zhang Caiyue's smile widened. "Then I'll wait and see."
Seeing Zhang Yun riding ahead, she didn't chase after him, but turned to Qin Zheng behind her and asked, "You must be Qin Zheng, right?"
Qin Zheng was surprised, "Yes, how did the princess know about me?"
"My third sister mentioned you in a letter."
Qin Zheng's demeanor and appearance made him stand out from the crowd of his entourage; anyone could spot him at a glance, especially since he was in the front row.
"Third Sister praised you as a rare talent in martial arts, even more talented than herself. Changning rarely praises people, so you are the first person to receive such praise from her," Zhang Caiyue said, looking ahead.
Qin Zheng said, "You flatter me, young princess."
Zhang Caiyue glanced at Qin Zheng, then at Zhang Yun, the foolish, incompetent, spoiled, and good-for-nothing son of the Northwest Wang family, who was leisurely enjoying the scenery of the frontier while riding a horse with one hand and waving a fan with the other.
She couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, if this silly little brother had half of your abilities, Mother and I wouldn't have to worry about him."
Qin Zheng looked at Zhang Yun's back and couldn't help but smile: "The young master is exceptionally intelligent, and with the prince, princess and two princesses planning for him, he will surely have great fortune in the future."
"He is truly blessed to have such a capable and loyal subordinate like you."
As Zhang Caiyue spoke, she gave him a deep look.
What were you two saying behind my back?
Zhang Yun urged his horse to gallop ahead for a while, but when he looked back and saw that they hadn't followed, he turned back.
Seeing Qin Zheng chatting happily with his elder sister, he quickly pulled on Qin Zheng's horse reins and dragged him and his horse a little further away.
Zhang Yun leaned close to his ear and whispered, "My eldest sister is already engaged, and she and her husband are in love. You're not allowed to have any designs on her! If you want a wife, go back to my third sister."
Looking at the silly girl beside him, Qin Zheng suddenly understood Zhang Caiyue a little. He sighed, "I didn't. What on earth is going on in your head all day long?"
"Hehe, of course you're all I think about every single day!"
Zhang Yun chuckled and replied with a cheesy pickup line.
Qin Zheng was stunned, and his face turned red instantly.
He glared at Zhang Yun, then spurred his horse and turned back to Zhang Yun's personal entourage.
Zhang Yun: "???"
Because of Zhang Yun's arrival, Zhang Caiyue specially held a banquet in the army to welcome him.
Conditions in the army were harsh, so the banquets were naturally not as exquisite and luxurious as those in the prince's mansion, but drinking from large bowls, eating large chunks of meat, and the soldiers singing with great enthusiasm had their own unique flavor.
Zhang Yun's body couldn't handle alcohol; he got drunk after only two bowls.
Qin Zheng carried him into the tent that Zhang Caiyue had prepared in advance, fed him a bowl of hangover soup, helped him undress and wash up, and then put him on the bed to sleep.
Then Qin Zheng came out of the tent and went to Zhang Caiyue's command tent.
Inside Zhang Caiyue's tent, Zhao Xu had already arrived. After Qin Zheng bowed, he stood side by side with Zhao Xu.
Sitting at the table, Zhang Caiyue finally spoke, "Both of you are my younger brother's closest confidants, and I have some questions for you."
Qin Zheng and Zhao Xu: "Yes."
"Does my younger brother have a girl he likes?"
"..."
Zhao Xu glanced at Qin Zheng and shook his head. "No."
Qin Zheng was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head in denial.
“You’ve been following my brother for so long, what kind of woman do you think he would like?” Zhang Caiyue asked again.
Zhao Xu glanced at Qin Zheng again without leaving a trace before saying, "I think the young master should prefer a tall, handsome girl with a masculine air."
Qin Zheng recalled that A Yun once told him that he liked "good-looking girls with good figures and straight bodies." At that time, he didn't understand what "figure" and "straight body" meant, but he has come to understand them over the years.
A wave of bitterness surged up from the bottom of my heart.
Qin Zheng said, "The young master does indeed like handsome and frank people."
Zhang Caiyue nodded. She had noticed yesterday that many of the people around her younger brother had changed, and they were all good-looking.
Putting everything else aside, just looking at the two people in front of us, one is handsome with delicate features, and the other is resolute and dashing, each with their own unique style of handsomeness.
"Please forgive my impertinence, Princess, why do you ask these questions?" Qin Zheng suddenly asked.
Zhang Caiyue smiled bitterly, “In the letter my mother wrote to me, she mentioned my younger brother’s marriage and asked me to help think of a woman with a suitable family background. My younger brother has a bad temper. If we choose a wife who suits his taste, perhaps it can make him settle down.”
Upon hearing this, the two people opposite him immediately fell silent.
Zhang Caiyue keenly sensed that something was wrong with the two of them, and her gaze fell on them: "It seems like there's something you haven't told me."
As expected of the Northwest King's most favored daughter, her insight is truly extraordinary.
Sweat beaded on Zhao Xu's forehead as he knelt down and said, "Princess, please forgive me. The young master does indeed have someone he loves, but the other person's identity... The young master has done me a great favor, and I cannot betray him without his permission. If you wish to know, please ask the young master yourself."
What? Ah Yun has someone she likes? Who is it?
When Qin Zheng knelt down with Zhao Xu, this was the only thought in his mind.
"Oh? And what about you?" Zhang Caiyue turned to ask Qin Zheng.
Qin Zheng snapped out of his reverie, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Your Highness, I do not know who the young master's sweetheart is."
His expression seemed genuine, and Zhang Caiyue nodded, letting him go.
"My younger brother has taken a liking to someone, but he doesn't dare tell the family... Is it because our family background isn't good enough? Or is our status too low?"
Zhang Caiyue said, "Even if she is a woman of low social status, as long as she is innocent, knows how to cherish herself and behaves herself, I can plead with my mother for her. The position of principal wife is not possible, but the position of concubine is still possible."
Although she is no less capable than any man, she was ultimately educated in feudal orthodoxy from a young age. For her to say such things now is already a breakthrough in her thinking.
Zhao Xu remained silent, and even more sweat dripped from his forehead.
He would never dare tell Zhang Caiyue that the prince actually loved the man kneeling beside him!
Seeing this, Zhang Caiyue didn't make things difficult for him. "Alright, you can go now. I'll go and talk to my brother myself."
"Yes." Zhao Xu felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly took his leave.
Qin Zheng stood up, but did not leave.
Zhang Caiyue was slightly surprised, "Is there something else?"
"Yes." Qin Zheng bowed and said, "Today, the princess mentioned her concerns about the young master. I thought of a clumsy method that can help the young master temper his mind and will, but he will have to suffer a little. I wonder if the princess is willing to try it."
"Oh?" Zhang Caiyue showed an interested expression.
"Tell me about it."
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