At this moment, Zhao Shu couldn't stand seeing people she disliked acting with impunity. She liked to see her enemies terrified. "Go to Cuihong Tower and find her a girl."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Qi was greatly shocked. "You..." He was shy and didn't know how to say what he was about to say.
Zhao Shu ignored him and planned to turn back. Now that things in Jiangnan were settled, it was time to return to the capital.
However, she had barely turned around when she heard the sound of cannons bombarding the island. "Sir, it's bad! Mountain bandits have attacked the city and surrounded us. There are probably twenty or thirty thousand of them."
"Jize, how many men did you bring?" Huo Baichuan immediately asked Wang Jize. What bandits? This was clearly premeditated. Thirty thousand men seemed a bit too many.
Wang Jize casually handed a helmet to Zhao Shu and Huo Baichuan each, saying, "I only brought five thousand men this time. My lord, princess, please get on the ship. I will escort you out."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a scout came to report, "Sir, it's bad! We're surrounded! They have muskets and thirty cannons."
Speaking of cannons, they are actually gunpowder weapons in the form of cannons, but their power should not be underestimated. They are known as the god of death on the battlefield. However, fire muskets are extremely expensive, and even the imperial court cannot afford to maintain them, let alone mountain bandits. This group of people is after a certain person. Zhao Shu turned to look at Huo Baichuan. Among those present, only he has the qualifications to make people go to such lengths to eliminate him.
Upon hearing this, Huo Baichuan immediately made a judgment and decision: "Five thousand men, concentrate on breaking through the encirclement and take the princess out! Quickly!"
Wang Jize was bewildered. "Sir, what about you?"
"Their target is me. You only have five thousand men, and they're all using spears. How can you fight against the fire lancers? Lead the princess to break through the encirclement. Without me, they won't pursue you." After saying this, Huo Baichuan began to push Zhao Shu.
"Why do we want to kill you?" Zhao Shu asked, though the answer was already in her mind. Those who could afford to maintain the fire lances must be powerful and influential people, and Huo Baichuan's reforms had infringed on the interests of these people. Therefore, in order to kill him, it was worthwhile to train a fire lance team.
Huo Baichuan didn't answer, but personally put the helmet on her. "Let's go. If I die, remember to offer incense on Qingming Festival and live a good life with the Wei family boy. If I don't die, I will marry you."
"What time is it? You're still joking? Do you think I'm the kind of person who only cares about my own survival and not yours?" Zhao Shu didn't like his feigned ease at all.
"Hurry up and go, don't get in my way." He stopped joking, tied the cloak belt for Zhao Shu, and then instructed Wang Jize, "After you return to the capital, tell your brother to ask the court to set up checkpoints in the sea area and strictly prohibit the sale of weapons. Tell him about the fire lance; he'll understand."
It was like giving one's last words, but there was no trace of the sorrow of facing death. It was as if the weather was perfect for a picnic, which made people even sadder.
Zhao Shu didn't know what to say. She actually had a lot to say, but she couldn't say it. Her body was uncontrollably protected by Xiao Guozi and Su Xiu, and she was put on the boat.
As the boat set sail, Huo Baichuan waved and said, "I was just kidding when I said I'd marry you, don't take it seriously."
Actually, what he wanted to say was, "It's true, I hope you can remember me."
"I'm glad you didn't like me," he murmured softly in the wind.
That day, he said that he should marry a woman who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him in this world and laugh at its ups and downs. Everyone thought he was arrogant and conceited. Even though he said he liked her, no one believed him. He was used to playing the field and finally said he wanted to marry a woman, but even he himself did not believe that he was sincere.
But feelings are never something you can control.
Previously, he didn't understand why he still wanted to interfere in her affairs when his elder sister's illness had been cured, Prince Yong had gone to find the Crown Prince and returned safely, and the transaction had been completed. Whenever there was any trouble for her, he always wanted to protect her from the wind and rain.
This must be insane.
What's so good about this woman? She's got a thousand flaws, her character isn't very noble, and she's even quite cunning at times.
They are not very kind-hearted; some are even quite cold-hearted.
Her face wasn't particularly pretty; she wasn't as beautiful as many stunning beauties.
He was not particularly outstanding in poetry and literature, and even needed others to write his poems for him.
She didn't seem to possess the virtues of a woman: chastity, gentleness, kindness, respect, and frugality.
So, what's so good about her?
Huo Baichuan thought about it and concluded that, in his heart, she was better than any other woman in the world.
He came to Jiangnan simply to see her. The day he told the Empress Dowager that he wanted to marry her, he gave many reasons, but they were just excuses. In fact, they had nothing to do with anything else. He wasn't trying to weigh the pros and cons or protect anyone; he just wanted to marry her.
Once you acknowledge something in your heart, it will take root, sprout, and grow wildly. So, admit it, I've fallen hopelessly in love with this woman, to the point that I'd slap myself for her. What matters is who can stand shoulder to shoulder with me.
As long as it's this person, I can ignore everything else, good or bad, as long as it's her.
What's more, she's so smart, so cute, and so beautiful.
He remembered their first meeting; her confident eyes pierced his heart and remained there ever since.
If he could live, his goal was to take her to experience the world, to see its ups and downs, and to let her go wherever she wanted.
What does it matter if one is remembered for generations, what does it matter if one reforms laws, or what does it matter if one is just a common person? None of that matters.
If I die, then so be it. I hope we can meet again in the next life. If not, who can say for sure what the next life will bring? I haven't even made the most of this life, so what's the point of talking about the next?
The boat slowly sailed away, and the distance between the two grew farther and farther, just like the road of life. You are on this side, and I am on that side. At first, we could still see each other, but in the end, we would all forget each other in the torrent of time.
"Will you die?" Zhao Shu asked.
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