Tears flowed from Chu Qiao's eyes one by one. She untied her heavy fur coat and let the precious cloak fall to the ground. At this moment, the famous general who shocked Simon and frightened the entire Great Xia Dynasty disappeared. She was just a lost and lost girl with pale cheeks, thin skin, deep eye sockets, and her arms, which once were so powerful, hung limply at both sides. Her eyes were dull and lifeless, and tears rolled down her pale and thin cheeks, dried by the cold wind, which was very painful.
It was not until this moment that she suddenly realized how deep her love for Yan Xun was. After years of accumulation, those emotions have become a part of her body like blood. Once, when he was engaged to Zhao Chun'er, she didn't notice; when she was forced to go to Bian Tang and separated from him, she didn't notice; when she was on the verge of life and death, she didn't notice; when she stood alone on the top of Beishuo City, she didn't notice. Because at that time, no matter how far apart they were, their hearts were together. She knew that he loved her, so deeply, so deeply, even if he was forced to stay with someone else, even if there were thousands of mountains and rivers between them, even if death was imminent, they would go to the underworld and never see each other again.
But at this moment, he was standing behind her, watching her staggering figure walking alone, and she suddenly realized that nothing was as heartbreaking as his suspicion!
Her love and loyalty to him are like the mountains and the sea, and should not change even if it turns into blood and ashes. As long as the trust remains, she won't blink an eye even if she dies. So, when he gave up the post of Southwest Town Envoy in Zhenhuang City, she was not angry. When he gave up on Yan Bei again, she instantly forgave him completely. Then, he killed the officers and soldiers of the Southwest Town Government and protected Cheng Yuan. He went further and further down this path. Whose fault was it? Are those unbearable experiences? Is it that heinous blood feud? Is it the years of repression and madness? Or was it her, she failed to hold him back?
With a flash of her figure, she walked into the silent and dark camp. The snow-white tents stood there like white graves.
Chu Qiao's feet staggered and she fell to the ground in the snow. She stretched out her arms and tried to support herself on the ground, but she couldn't get up.
A low, suppressed cry suddenly burst out. She knelt on the ground, holding the snow in her hands. It felt like holding an icy knife, so painful. Her shoulders trembled, and she could no longer hold back the sadness in her heart, and tears flowed down her face.
Yan Xun, how can you not believe me? How could you doubt me?
The snow was getting heavier. Chu Qiao, dressed in white, lay in the snow, covering her mouth and crying silently. Snowflakes fell on her shoulders and gradually piled up so high. On the second day, Chu Qiao personally submitted a petition to Yan Xun, requesting to leave the eastern war zone and return to Yanbei with the officers and soldiers of the Southwest Town Government, to go to the Shangshen Huihui Mountain area to build water conservancy projects, develop farming, and implement the post-war reconstruction work that had been planned long ago.
Yan Xun looked at the respectful and humble memorial for a long time, then silently signed the word "Yes". This character does not have many strokes, but it took him a long time to write it. After I finished writing, it was already bright outside. The sunlight shining on the snow made the place seem even more desolate.
On the day Chu Qiao left, the sky was cloudless, without the gloom of a few days ago. Except Ping An, no one from the army came to see her off, and Yan Xun didn't come either. She rode on the horse, looking up at the blue sky. There was a white eagle circling above, its cry was shrill and echoed for a long time.
Yan Xun, I'm leaving, take care of yourself.
The day I left Shang Shen was a very sunny day. Although the New Year was approaching and the weather was cold, the sky was clear and blue like a pool of clear water. The sunlight was warm and bright like gold-sprinkled silk. On the vast white snowfield, a line of fat and strong war horses were walking on the long and winding road, with more than two thousand of them.
Now, it is the end of the 776th year of the Baicang calendar, and the New Year is just half a month away. Along the way, we met many merchants who came from the inland to do business. Fortune and wealth are sought in danger. Nowadays, commerce in Yanbei is developed. Even though the war on the border has not stopped, many inland merchants take the southern border and enter Yanbei by water to do business.
Chu Qiao took off her heavy hood, looked up at the blue sky, her eyes clear as water. In the blink of an eye, another year passed. The girl had grown taller, her features had become more mature, her hair was neatly tied up, she was wearing a green fur coat, and riding a fiery red warhorse.
Ge Qi rode back from the front and said to her, "My lord, Commander He Xiao sent back a message saying that we will set up camp at the foot of the Minxi Mountain tonight, and he is ready with the vanguard."
Chu Qiao nodded, and suddenly heard the long cry of a war eagle above her head. She immediately raised her head and looked into the distance.
After passing the Minxi Mountains, there is the Fire Thunder Plain, and further ahead is the newly conquered northwest barrier of Yanbei. It used to be the territory of Daxia, but now it has been incorporated into the territory of Yanbei. The war at Yanming Pass has lasted for a whole year.
A lot of things happened this year. 775 was the most turbulent and chaotic year in the Simon Continent, and it will definitely leave a heavy mark in history books. After the war between Daxia and Yanbei went to war, the Northern Capital Rebellion and the Rebellion of the Seven Kings broke out in the country, greatly limiting the input of supplies and manpower for the war in the northwest. In desperation, Zhao Che had to change the original attack to defense and hold Yanming Pass to create time to quell the domestic war. However, just when they had recovered their breath, Emperor Bian Tang suddenly passed away, and Crown Prince Li Ce ascended the throne in the turmoil. Due to the counterattack and instigation of sinister forces at home, a small-scale war broke out again on the border between Daxia and Bian Tang. If Zhao Yang had not been sent to the border and put out the war in time, Daxia would have faced the embarrassing and difficult situation of fighting on three fronts.
Everyone has seen that within just one year, Daxia, once a major military power, has clearly begun to decline. In the west, it was unable to retake Yanbei; in the north, it was unable to appease the people; in the south, it was unable to intimidate Bian Tang; in the east, it was subject to economic control by Huai Song. Today, Simon Land is no longer the only dominant power as it once was.
Half a year ago, Yan Xun officially ascended the throne at Sunset Mountain. Yanbei established its own country, named it Yan, and changed the era name to Chuyuan. Except for Daxia, Bian Tang and Huai Song did not raise any objections to this. With this, he finally became the true master of the territory of Yanbei and truly sat firmly on the throne of Yanbei.
Chu Qiao did not go that day. She waved away her subordinates and climbed up Huihui Mountain alone. At the top of Huihui Mountain is Nada Palace, which was once built by Yan Shicheng for Princess Bai Sheng. It is constructed with snow-white flower and bird stones and is hidden among the bright red and goose yellow flowers. It is like an ink painting, quiet and peaceful, without a trace of worldly affairs. The flying eaves and brackets are as exquisite as a fairyland, and the gurgling sound of water seems to be telling of the wise king's love for his wife.
She sat on the top of Huihui Mountain and heard the leisurely singing of shepherd boys coming from the pasture in midsummer. The voice was melodious and graceful, bringing peace of mind to her heart. She looked at the iron-gray shadow of Sunset Mountain on the horizon and smiled. Even though there were thousands of mountains and rivers between them, she seemed to see the man in a dragon robe, shining with golden light. The corners of her mouth curved up slightly as she smiled gently. She raised her head, the breeze blowing on her face, and her green dress swayed gently, like a blooming green lotus.
The Yanbei of today is no longer the Yanbei of the past. The economic support from Huaisong, the strategic advantage from Yanxun, and the construction and reforms that Chuqiao has carried out in the interior of Yanbei over the past year have already indicated that this empire will slowly rise. Today, Yanbei is far ahead of the other three kingdoms in military weapons. Under the leadership of Chu Qiao, they have successively built large-scale arsenals, developed more than 30 large mining areas, and built water conservancy projects to change the situation in Yanbei that is not suitable for farming. A large number of grain-producing areas have been developed in the area around Shangshen Huihui Mountain. This autumn, Yanbei's grain production is more than double that of previous years, basically achieving self-sufficiency in the army. They actively developed medical institutions, opened military schools, developed trade relations with Huai Song, Bian Tang and outside the Great Wall, prospered the Yanbei market, and established caravans.
Although Chu Qiao's proposal to reform slavery was never passed, slaves were rarely seen on the streets within her jurisdiction. Such enlightened policies and social systems attracted a large number of common people and businessmen. In less than a year, a large urban residential area was established in the Huihui Mountain area. The once barren land was already showing signs of becoming a commercial capital of the northwest.
The Southwest Garrison's title was cancelled, and it was no longer Yanbei's regular army. Because it was stationed at Xiuli River under Huihui Mountain, the Southwest Garrison was renamed Xiuli Army, and Chu Qiao was also called Lord Xiuli by the people of Yanbei. The Xiuli Army now has a strength of 9,000 people. Today is the last time to escort food and fodder to the front-line military headquarters. The New Year is approaching, and it is time for the soldiers to take a break.
We finally arrived at Minxi Mountain before dark. There are mostly plains in Yanbei. Although Minxi Mountain is called a mountain, it is actually just a small hill less than 100 meters high. When Chu Qiao and the others arrived, He Xiao had already set up the tent and cooked the food. Chu Qiao took a sip of the hot broth, and the fatigue of the day finally eased a little.
Yanbei is always the most beautiful at night. Today is the fifteenth day of the lunar month. The moon is big and round, and the snowfield is covered in white. On the other side of the mountain is a tributary of the Chishui River, which is now frozen. When passing by Mawei City yesterday, the city governor insisted on giving Chu Qiao a gift. She couldn't refuse, so she could only pick up a box from the big cart. Now when she opened it, it turned out to be a top-quality blue sable fur coat. This fur coat is finely crafted, and is entirely sewn with mink tails. The fur is shiny and feels great to the touch. It is obviously a rare, top-quality item.
There were four braziers lit in the big tent, and it was very stuffy. Chu Qiao put on a fur coat and walked out of the tent. Walking all the way to the foot of the mountain, Chu Qiao was alone. The full moon was as cold as water, quietly shrouding her figure.
The local who led the way said that on the top of the mountain is the temple of the Yanbei Goddess, which was built by the ancestors of Yanbei many years ago. After hundreds of years of wind and rain, it still guards the land of Yanbei.
Chu Qiao raised her feet and walked up the rugged mountain road. The snow on the road was so deep that it reached our knees with every step. It took us more than an hour to reach the top of the mountain.
This is a stone temple built entirely of Xilan stone. It is not very big, about four people tall, with a door on the east and west sides. Chu Qiao stood at the west door and saw a statue of a god that was as tall as the roof and occupied almost half of the land in the temple. The hall was already in great disrepair, with snow leaking in many places. The hall was filled with dried spider webs and dust, and was in a mess. Only the statue is spotless and stands tall. The goddess’ face was as plain as a lotus. Looking at her, Chu Qiao vaguely thought that she saw the mother of Yan Xun on the Jiuyou Terrace many years ago, with calm eyes and gentle as water. The outline of the stone carving vaguely reveals the fluttering hem of her skirt, and her belly is bulging high, obviously indicating that she is pregnant.
When she was very young, she heard Yan Xun say that Yanbei regarded women as gods. Gods were divided into two sides. One side was a fierce war god holding a battle axe, representing conquest and killing. On the other side is the gentle mother goddess, pregnant, representing protection and reproduction. When I saw her today, it was indeed true.