Yan Sikong spent several days understanding the topography of the Hetao region and the current war situation. He also had a detailed conversation with Yu Shenglang, the general of the Datong Army, trying to learn about the situation in Datong Prefecture in a subtle way, especially the mood of the soldiers after the fall of the Feng family.

The result was not much different from what he had guessed. When Feng Jianping was in office, the military funds were sufficient, the monthly salary was never delayed for a day, and the rewards were generous. Wen Wen never treated them unfairly. After each victory, Feng Jianping did not take a penny of the court's rewards and distributed them all to the soldiers. He led the troops well, and rewards and punishments were clear from top to bottom, and he was never partial. The local military and civilians lived in harmony. At that time, the Wala invaded constantly and wars broke out one after another, but the military and civilians were united, and both offense and defense were beneficial.

Although the Oirat Mongols were defeated now, the Datong Army without Feng Jianping was like a man without a soul. It had long lost its former glory. The soldiers and civilians of Datong all missed Feng Jianping and the Feng family army.

Although Yu Shenglang did not speak these thoughts directly, Yan Sikong could hear them from his lost tone and tactful words. This made Yan Sikong feel more at ease.

Most soldiers followed their generals to fight without any lofty ideals. They risked their lives just to earn a little money. If they couldn't even get that, it would be hard not to desert, let alone charge into battle. It is a pity that the once powerful Datong Army is now in decline.

After having a clear idea in his mind, Yan Sikong bid farewell to Qianzhou and led his troops to Maoren. The Wolf King rebels were camped thirty miles outside Maoren City. He wanted to settle down in Maoren and meet Shen Hexuan first.

They set out early in the morning and arrived at dusk. The defending general Wang Lie opened the city to welcome them, but Shen Hexuan was not among them.

Seeing Yan Sikong's eager eyes, Wang Lie said awkwardly, "Well, Lord Shen was busy reinforcing the city defenses and couldn't get away, so he didn't come to greet Lord Yu Shi."

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "He is still the same. No problem. Please ask General Wang to take me to see Lord Shen."

"Master Yushi, why don't you take a rest for a while? I have prepared dinner."

"Well, my brothers are hungry too, thanks to General Lao Wang."

Yan Sikong brought several of his subordinates to have a meal with Wang Lie and others. Maoren is just a small county town, small and remote, similar to Guangning. Yan Sikong is probably the biggest "person" visiting Maoren. Although he is only a seventh-rank Yushi now, Yushi is a low-ranking official with great power. What's more, he was once a third-rank assistant minister of the Ministry of War and the son-in-law of the current dynasty. Wang Lie and others were all respectful to him.

Taking advantage of the wine to liven up the atmosphere, Yan Sikong inquired about Mao Ren's situation. Wang Lie wanted to tell Yan Sikong every detail about the defensive battle against Feng Ye that day. It can be seen from his words that these people still admired Shen Hexuan very much, but they also had some complaints about his character.

After a round of drinks, Yan Sikong had already become friends with them. It was probably that Shen Hexuan had never had a drink with his colleagues in his three years of working here.

After the banquet, Yan Sikong did not delay and was led by Wang Lie to meet Shen Hexuan.

It was almost midnight and most of the people had gone to bed, but Shen Hexuan was still watching the soldiers repairing and reinforcing the city walls.

Going up to the city wall, Yan Sikong saw a tall and handsome figure in the light of the lamp. In the chilly early autumn, he was wearing thin linen clothes and trousers with his sleeves and trouser legs rolled up. While commanding his soldiers, he lifted the heavy objects himself.

"Oh my!" Wang Lie shouted, "How can you let Lord Shen do such rough work? Are you all itchy?"

The officers and soldiers felt quite aggrieved.

The figure turned around, and his simple clothes could not hide his knowledge of poetry and his cold and noble temperament. Although his dress was no different from the soldiers around him, ordinary people could tell at a glance that he was extraordinary.

It was Shen Hexuan who had not been seen for three years. Compared with that year, he seemed more stable and more dignified. His straight waist and calm eyes seemed to have integrated his strong and upright character into every detail, making it one with him.

When he saw Yan Sikong, Shen Hexuan frowned.

Yan Sikong took a step forward and bowed deeply: "Brother Shen, it's been so long since we last met. I hope you are doing well."

Shen Hexuan hesitated for a moment, bowed in return, and said calmly, "Everything is fine."

Yan Sikong stood up and looked at Shen Hexuan, feeling a thousand emotions in his heart: "I thought I would never see Brother Shen again in this life, but I never expected... The mystery of destiny is beyond the comprehension of mortals like us."

Shen Hexuan nodded: "I also didn't expect that Lord Yan, who married a rich and powerful woman and enjoyed a high position and generous salary in the capital, would come to this remote place."

Wang Lie's face changed slightly and he felt extremely embarrassed.

Yan Sikong, however, did not mind at all. Instead, he smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Shen, please stop mocking me. In the past, you and I were both on the same list, entered the Imperial Academy together, and worked as editors together. We have been in the officialdom for ten years, but now we have both been demoted to the seventh rank. These ten years seem like a big dream. When I woke up, it was as if I was back to square one."

Yan Sikong's words evoked deep memories for Shen Hexuan. He recalled the years they had spent together, when they had both passed the imperial examinations and entered government service. They had indeed called each other good friends and told each other about their ambitions. He was suddenly filled with emotion and his attitude softened a little. He murmured, "Yes, it was all a dream."

"Brother Shen, I have a lot to say to you. You and I should discuss a strategy to repel the enemy."

Wang Lie hurriedly said, "Sir Shen, I will be in charge of this place."

Shen Hexuan nodded: "Master Yan, please come in."

Shen Hexuan followed Yan Sikong back to the inn. The attendants had already prepared wine and food. Yan Sikong asked him to sit down: "Brother Shen, you haven't eaten yet, right?"

Shen Hexuan was not polite either. He sat down and wolfed down a few big mouthfuls of food, finishing a steamed bun to fill his empty stomach a little before slowing down.

Yan Sikong poured the wine and raised his cup, saying, "Brother Shen, this glass of wine is to celebrate our reunion after thousands of miles."

Shen Hexuan hesitated for a moment, then clinked glasses with him and drank up.

Yan Sikong filled up the glass again, and Shen Hexuan held his hand: "No need, there are still many things to do tomorrow, so it's not appropriate to drink."

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "Okay, we can use tea instead of wine, that's fine."

Shen Hexuan was a straightforward person, and he couldn't help asking, "Did you receive the letter I wrote to you that year?"

"Got it." Yan Sikong smiled, "It's really a brilliant piece of writing, like a giant citron pen, it hits the heart, I can still recite a few sentences to this day."

"In that case, you can still..." Shen Hexuan hesitated, "Are you thick-skinned or open-minded?"

Yan Sikong laughed loudly: "That's all, that's all. Brother Shen was right to scold me back then, and he scolded me well. How can I blame Brother Shen?"

Shen Hexuan frowned: "Although you killed Xie Zhongren and destroyed the eunuch party with your own hands, you betrayed your master in the past, and you have been corrupt and abused your power in recent years, helping the tyrant to do evil. How do you... defend yourself?"

"I will not defend myself. Your Majesty has punished me, and I deserve it." Yan Sikong stopped laughing and said, "Brother Shen's teachings are also very true."

"You..." Shen Hexuan pointed at Yan Sikong, not knowing what to say.

Yan Sikong knew that a man as upright as Shen Hexuan would never understand him. If it were him, he would rather die than coexist with the evil forces and leave a good name of loyalty and righteousness to future generations. However, he would do anything to achieve his goal. Fame, honor, and dignity were all external things.

"Brother Shen, I defected to the eunuch party for revenge, for my teacher, for King Jingyuan, and for the many loyal ministers and generals who were wrongly persecuted. I don't deny it. I don't want to fall with the hopeless nobles, or even die. I can't bear to give up my fame, wealth, and honor. I am such a shallow and opportunistic person, I don't expect Brother Shen to understand."

Yan Sikong's frankness left Shen Hexuan speechless. He was stunned for a long time before he managed to utter, "You really are... How can there be someone like you? Do you really not care about what people in the world say about you? Don't you want to think about how future history books will write about you?"

Yan Sikong's face darkened slightly, but he restrained himself from letting Shen Hexuan notice. He said calmly, "I have already put my reputation aside. Besides, isn't it too late to say this now? I always have the world and the people in my heart. If I can benefit the people with my own efforts, maybe one day I can make up for my faults with my merits, and the history books won't only curse me."

Shen Hexuan sighed deeply: "Maybe, if you can really subdue Feng Ye, it would be a great achievement."

Yan Sikong's heart tensed when he heard the name. "I plan to go to the enemy camp tomorrow. Brother Shen needs to tell me in detail what you know about the rebels."

When it came to business, Shen Hexuan no longer dwelled on the past and analyzed with Yan Sikong his battle with Feng Ye, his understanding of the rebel situation, and the offensive and defensive strength of Mao Ren and even the entire Qianzhou.

Although Shen Hexuan was a civil servant and only a small county magistrate, his understanding of the war situation was even deeper than Wang Lie's. He was worthy of being a talented person who had won the top three honors in the imperial examinations. He had never led troops for a day, but he was able to defend this weak little city with a small number of enemies.

Before Feng Ye sent his troops to Hetao, he expected that the biggest enemy should be Qianzhou City. He would never have thought that he would temporarily stop at Maoren County. However, neither Yan Sikong nor Shen Hexuan believed that Maoren could really stop Feng Ye. After the first battle, the soldiers in the city suffered heavy casualties. Even though Qianzhou had increased its forces, the city walls were severely damaged and could not withstand a heavy blow. Moreover, the food and grass in the city were limited, and they could be surrounded and killed. The reason why Feng Ye did not move his troops was, first, he did not take Maoren seriously, and second, he was waiting for Yan Sikong.

The two men discussed all night and made plans for the surrender.

——

Although Yan Sikong had almost no sleep all night, he still got up early the next day. Today he would go to the enemy camp alone and meet Feng Ye. How could he sleep?

After daybreak, he called his soldiers and Wang Lie over and told them what to do after he left, what if he could come back as scheduled, what if he could not, what if Feng Ye treated him well, imprisoned him, or killed him. He and Shen Hexuan had already discussed everything, and finally told them to listen to Lord Shen on everything.

The 800 cavalrymen Yan Sikong brought with him from the garrison were led by a general named Feng Xiang. He twice offered to escort Yan Sikong, but Yan Sikong refused both times: "I can only go alone. How can an envoy bring soldiers with him?"

"But Lord Yan has had a feud with Feng Ye, and I am worried that he will harm Lord Yan." Feng Xiang bowed and said, "I am under the order of the Emperor to protect Lord Yan's safety, but I cannot rest assured."

"I am here by the Emperor's order. My personal safety is nothing compared to the surrender of the rebels. Besides, since I dare to go to the enemy camp, I have my own way to protect myself. General Feng does not need to worry."

Feng Xiang wanted to say something but hesitated, and finally gave up.

After Yan Sikong finished giving the instructions, he went to the stable and, despite the groom's dissuasion, personally gave Zuihong a bath. After washing, Zuihong was dried in the sun, and his hair became even more scarlet and shiny. As his mane swung, he exuded the undercurrent of a kingly aura.

Looking around the world, only Feng Ye is worthy of such a horse.

After lunch, Yan Sikong changed into a neat and tidy white casual outfit, mounted Zuihong, left Maoren without looking back, and ran towards the Wolf King's camp without looking back.

With Zuihong's pace, it only took him thirty miles to arrive. Looking at the black and red wolf flag of the Feng family from afar, Yan Sikong was filled with emotion.

The first time I saw this majestic wolf flag was in Guangning, when Feng Jianping led the world's number one army towards them. The fluttering battle flag made the young man's blood boil and his reverence was beyond words.

King Jingyuan has passed away, and the Feng family army has become a rebel army. In his lifetime, he can still see this wolf flag again, which makes Yan Sikong almost cry.

Looking at the heavily guarded camp, Yan Sikong felt a little panic in his heart, and his hand holding the reins tightened unconsciously. Zuihong's speed slowed down, but he did not stop. Yan Sikong closed his eyes. He knew that he must not retreat. He would not retreat. He ran straight towards the camp.

Two miles away, Yan Sikong could see sharp arrows sticking out from the lookout tower of the camp. When he rode to the gate of the camp, the guard shouted, "Who are you? Get off your horse immediately."

Yan Sikong dismounted and said in a loud voice: "I am Yan Sikong, the inspector of Qianzhou. I am offering the Wolf King's beloved horse Zuihong to see him."

The guard had obviously known he was coming, and showed no sign of surprise. He shouted, "Open the gate—"

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, held his head high, looked solemn, and walked towards the camp step by step, holding Zuihong's hand.

The soldiers around were all attracted by Zuihong's sturdy figure, blood-red hair, and noble royal aura, and they admired him in low voices.

The defending general led Yan Sikong through the camp and walked towards the central military tent. Along the way, Yan Sikong observed their camping, layout, formation, patrol, camp guarding, etc., all of which were flawless. In the marching and fighting, camping is a very profound art. Whether a general is capable or negligent, an expert can guess whether he is capable or negligent by just looking at the camp.

After all, it was a large camp of fifty to sixty thousand people. Yan Sikong walked for a long time, and the central military tent was still far away, but Zuihong seemed to have sensitively sensed something and began to get restless. Yan Sikong was able to hold it back at first, but it became more and more restless, and finally it began to struggle.

Yan Sikong pulled in the reins and shouted, "Zuihong, stop making trouble, Zuihong!"

The rules and regulations in the military camp are very strict. It would be disgraceful if the war horses were allowed to run around. He guessed that Zuihong was being watched by these people.

The soldiers around were also facing a powerful enemy, but since this was Feng Ye's horse, they did not dare to engage in a spear fight. They could only hold their armor and surround Zuihong in the middle.

Zuihong ignored him and started to struggle. The only thing he remembered was not to hurt Yan Sikong, otherwise he would have kicked him away. Yan Sikong had never really seen Zuihong's power, at least not personally, but he also remembered that Fengye almost risked being buried under the hooves of the hooves in order to tame him. Seeing that Zuihong no longer obeyed his commands, he was also thrown by Zuihong's brute force and could hardly stand. The reins rubbed his palms so hard that they hurt. He could no longer hold on to it and could only watch it slip away.

As soon as the reins were released, Zuihong leaped up, flying more than ten feet high, turning into a stunning red cloud, flying over the heads of the soldiers holding escape armor, and running towards the central military camp at a very fast speed.

Yan Sikong was thrown out by him, but luckily he landed firmly on the ground, otherwise he would have lost face. But if Zuihong had just broken into the central army camp, it would not be a matter of losing face, but his scalp would have exploded.

Just when Zuihong was only a few steps away from the central military tent, a man suddenly walked out of the central military tent slowly. The man was wearing armor and was tall and burly.

Yan Sikong's heart trembled. Although he was still far away and couldn't see the face clearly, he knew who it was without hesitation.

The man suddenly rushed out and rushed towards Zuihong like the wind!

The soldiers around him shouted anxiously: "Wolf King!"

If he were hit head-on by Zuihong, let alone a human, even an elephant would be terrified on the spot. However, he went forward without hesitation. When he was less than ten feet away from Zuihong, he suddenly sank his lower body, pointed his toes, rose from the ground, and turned over neatly in the air.

The blood-red cloak danced wildly, like a bolt of lightning falling from the sky, or like a god descending to the earth. The heaven and earth were astonished, and everyone could only watch helplessly as the sharp, majestic, and brave red sat steadily on the back of the galloping horse, holding the reins with one hand and clamping the horse's belly with both legs. The drunken red front hooves left the ground, the whole horse's body almost stood upright, and a whoosh that echoed to the sky came out of its mouth, but the person on the horse did not move at all.

The soldiers all around knelt on the ground, their faces filled with crazy expressions of worship.

Yan Sikong stood frozen in place, looking at the Tianshan Horse King who had calmed down. His wagging tail showed his pleasure and submission, in stark contrast to his previous frenzy. With his back to the person sitting on the horse, he began to slowly, slowly turn the horse around.

Yan Sikong's breathing was choked, and he felt his whole body go limp.

Close the wild...

After three years of separation, they were separated by thousands of miles, and the wilderness with different paths and unfamiliar roads was right in front of him.

After not seeing each other for three years, Feng Ye has completely shed his youthful naivety and turned into a real, upright man. His figure is more sturdy and heroic than before, with sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, a broad forehead and thin lips, and he is as handsome as a god. His eyes are as sharp as swords and as cold as ice, and his face, without the slightest fluctuation, reveals a gloomy and murderous aura.

He was like a wolf lurking in the dark, staring at his prey with his green eyes, waiting for an opportunity to pounce and kill it with one blow. He was no longer the young prince of the past. He was the commander-in-chief of the three armies who exuded the aura of a king and a tyrant like his father. He was - the Wolf King.

Yan Sikong felt unfamiliar with Feng Ye like this, and also felt afraid. Before he came, he had imagined countless reunion scenes, but perhaps none of them would happen. Feng Ye looked at him with no warmth or emotion, as if he was looking at a stranger who was good at breaking into the enemy camp and was about to tear him apart in the next moment.

Feng Ye lightly pinched the horse's belly, and Zuihong, under the guidance of her real master, walked slowly towards Yan Sikong with light steps.

It was a cool autumn day, but the sweat on Yan Sikong's back had already soaked through his clothes. A shadow crept into his eyes because Zuihong was approaching.

Feng Ye looked down at Yan Sikong from a high position, carefully and meticulously, as if he wanted to pierce through his skin and flesh and into his bones and blood, making Yan Sikong feel creepy.

The soldiers around him didn't even dare to breathe.

Yan Sikong's Adam's apple slid up and down, and he calmed himself down and called out, "Feng Ye..."

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes slightly: "How dare you call me by my real name?" His voice was low and carried a chilling pressure, intimidating without even being angry.

Yan Sikong felt that his breathing was difficult and he felt mixed emotions. He trembled and changed his words: "Your Highness the Wolf King."

Feng Ye grabbed the whip from the saddle, weighed it lightly in his hand, and suddenly swung it towards Yan Sikong with lightning speed.

Yan Sikong was shocked. Although he could barely see the movement of the whip, his body could not react quickly enough. He wanted to dodge but it was too late. A winding black shadow rushed towards his face like a snake. He subconsciously closed his eyes. The next moment, he felt pain in his neck. The whip wrapped around his neck several times and bit his neck hard.

Yan Sikong grabbed the whip with both hands and opened his mouth wide trying to breathe.

Feng Ye pulled the whip and Yan Sikong was forced to be pulled over. His feet were almost off the ground. He raised his head, his eyes were wide open, his face was flushed, and he stared at Feng Ye without blinking. The pain of suffocation made him tremble all over.

Is the person in front of him Feng Ye? Is he the Feng Ye who was gentle, doting and caring towards him? Is he the Feng Ye who was indifferent to others but always smiled at him and treated him well? !

No, Feng Ye...

Feng Ye leaned forward slightly and said in a cold voice, "You came to me on your own, very good, it saves me from having to look for you."

Feng Ye loosened his grip on the whip, and Yan Sikong fell to the ground. He shouted, "Someone, lock this man up for me and wait for your punishment!"

"yes!"