The imperial camp.
This is a tent located on the edge of the core area. It is not very large and is furnished with only simple standard items. It looks not much different from the tent of an ordinary general.
The curtain was lifted, and a young man of about fifteen or sixteen years old wearing armor walked into the tent. His helmet and armor were covered in blood and dust. As soon as he entered the tent, his spine, which had been trying to keep it straight, relaxed.
Behind him was a young man wearing armor who was about eighteen or nineteen years old and half a head taller than him. Compared with the former, this young man who was almost a man was obviously much more mature. He stood in front of the tent and talked to his personal soldiers and several young generals. After the latter went back to wash up, he turned around and lifted the curtain to enter the tent.
This young man is Ji Zimu.
There was more blood and dirt on Ji Zimu's body, and even his armor was torn in several holes. Ji Zizhi hurried over to help him remove his armor. The personal soldiers had already brought hot water over, and Ji Zizhi hurriedly helped to clean and bandage the wounds.
The boy's shoulder blades and back, which had gradually grown and widened to the width of an adult, were covered with new and old scars. Ji Zizhi carefully sprinkled gold medicine on them, and the muscles on the wounds contracted instantly, but Ji Zimu kept his lips tightly pursed and did not show much pain.
——If he can’t even bear this little bit of pain, what else can he do?
Children without a mother always grow up very fast. In the past, Ji Zimu still had some of the impulsiveness and temper of a teenager, but after more than a year of silence, he grew up rapidly and became noisy and quarrelsome, but that was because he still had hope and trust in his heart. When he was completely desperate, all these emotions subsided.
The world is fickle and life is realistic. In the past two years, the two brothers have experienced so much.
In the military battle, Ji Zimu really risked his life, so it was not surprising that he was covered with wounds.
Because he knows very well how hard it is to get an opportunity.
——The reason why Ji Zimu was able to come out and earn military merits this time was all thanks to his old friends such as Tang Xianzhou and Chen Yiqiu. They did not forget Ji Zimu and repeatedly spoke up in front of Ji Yuanhao, which allowed Ji Zimu and his brother to leave the palace and enter the camp.
Without the emperor's favor, the future is worrying, so I have to establish myself quickly! Military merit is always a good thing. No matter what the future holds, a good blacksmith must always be strong himself.
Under the arrangement and guidance of Tang Xianzhou, Chen Yiqiu and others, Ji Zimu worked very hard and now he has truly established himself in the army. Even if it was achieved at the cost of his injuries, he feels it is worth it.
——He is not alone, he has a younger brother, and he has to take care of himself and his younger brother.
After the wound was finally bandaged, Ji Zimu ordered his personal soldiers to go down and bandage it and rest. Half of these personal soldiers were selected from Ren's concubines. After Ji Yuanhao gradually became rich, Ren's family also added a lot of dowry concubines, farms, real estate, shops, etc., which all needed people to take care of. After so many years of replacement and birth of children, as well as indentures, the people there were certainly loyal enough to Ren.
There are also some others. Last year, Ren also assisted Ji Yuanhao in taking care of some trivial external affairs. She also had her usual people under her, and many of them were even selected from her manor, just like the former.
The above mentioned are the most original and trustworthy personnel of the Ji Zimu brothers.
The other half of his personal soldiers were carefully selected for him by Tang Xianzhou. They were very familiar with the army, capable and loyal enough. Ji Zimu treated them with both kindness and severity, and gradually won them over.
These were all Ji Zimu's own people, so he naturally loved them. The personal soldiers also knew that their master was truly caring, so they did not refuse. They left a few people on duty while the rest of the wounded went to be bandaged, while the uninjured quickly washed and hurried to get dinner, otherwise they would not be able to get any hot meals if it was too late. They did not have the same treatment as the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince.
It’s okay for them to have a meal together, but we can’t let the eldest and second princes eat cold rice and the vegetables at the bottom of the plate.
The footsteps quickly faded away, and the tent became quiet. Only the two brothers were left, and the sounds outside the tent became particularly clear.
It was dusk at this time, and the footsteps of soldiers returning to the camp could be heard in the distance. After a while, the thunderous sound of horse hooves could be heard passing not far from the front of the tent, and the sound of several empty whips cracking. Without seeing it with your own eyes, you could feel how arrogant and high-spirited that team of cavalry was. There were sporadic sounds of salutes, and the sound of horse hooves went towards the emperor's tent like a whirlwind.
——This is Concubine De’s son, the third prince Ji Zili.
This was the first time he went to the emperor's tent to claim credit and claim how many enemies he had beheaded.
Defei Li Jieyushi took advantage of her brothers' influence to send her son to the throne, but his son was far more dazzling than their brothers. He was favored by the emperor and praised by his father. As for how much of the latter's beheadings and military exploits were helped by his uncle and aunt, only God knows.
Ji Zimu's eyebrows remained still, and his expression did not change at all. As for Ji Zizhi, he was still young after all, so he couldn't help but clench his fists and look resentful.
After the sound of horse hooves had passed, Ji Zizhi angrily drank a cup of tea. After a while, he came over and said in a voice that only the two brothers could hear, "Brother, um...are you going?"
Ji Zimu's eyebrows finally moved. He quickly glanced around and found that there was no one in the tent. He touched the knife at his waist. The handle of the knife was specially made and hollow, and there was a very short letter stuffed inside.
It was secretly passed to him by his mother's confidant from the personal soldiers.
The signature was actually Yang Yanzong.
Ji Zizhi lowered his eyes, a look of bewilderment on his still childish face: "…It is said that in the past, my mother and Madam Yang had a very good relationship."
They are from the same family and have a good personal relationship with the Yang family.
He thought of the time when his mother was alive, and his voice became a little hoarse. After a while, he came back to his senses and forced a smile.
However, no matter how good their relationship was in the past, they are now hostile to each other. Yang Yanzong is a rebel and the leader of the rebel army.
With two armies facing each other, why did he suddenly send a message to his brother? !
Ji Zimu had been thinking about this question for several days, and now he slowly said, "Go, why not."
It's good to listen to what the other person has to say.
Ji Zimu had a vague guess in his mind, but he didn't say it out loud. He just said to his brother: "He won't kill me."
A special meeting just to kill him? I am far from being worth Yang Yanzong's efforts.
Ji Zimu finally decided to go.
…
Southwest Camp.
Su Ci half-lying on the desk, holding her chin, watching Yang Yanzong take off his inner clothes. He directly put on a black tight-sleeved suit, and then began to put on soft armor and heavy armor piece by piece with the help of A Zhao and others.
What is this for?
Su Ci had just arrived at Lingshan Pass. Yesterday she came out to deliver medicine and visit Yang Yanzong at work, but she didn't dare to bring her son out, so she was alone.
She felt that she had been fully revived on the spot and thought that she could contribute to the military medical camp, but Yang Yanzong did not agree, so she ran out. After Yang Yanzong's personal examination last night and the couple's friendly consultations, Yang Yanzong finally agreed that she could go into a part-time work and half-rest state, but she had to stay inside the pass and could not stay in the camp.
Su Ci had no objection, as this was her plan as well. After all, the baby was still young and she couldn't bear to abandon him. Those transferred to the interior were all seriously injured, and the pharmacy was also there. The pharmacy is now very busy. The latter is her base camp, and it is just right for managing these two things.
Yang Yanzong was just about to invite Ah Zheng in, and repeatedly told her not to be too tired after returning. When it was over, he turned around and smiled at Su Ci, raising his eyebrows meaningfully: "Today, I'm going to meet an old friend."
Old friend? What kind of old friend?
Yang Yanzong did not say anything. After fastening the last Qilin buckle of the heavy armor, he came over and kissed her, "If everything goes well, the war will be over soon."
What kind of old friend is so magical?
Su Ci felt something but couldn't believe it. She looked at Yang Yanzong in surprise. Yang Yanzong just smiled and said nothing. He held her butt and picked her up. "Be obedient and go back home and be good. Don't make me worry."
Half coaxing and half talking, it was so gentle that she was almost treated the same as her son.
Su Ci chuckled and hugged his neck: "I know~"
The two of them came over and kissed each other, and he patted her little butt, and then they walked all the way to the door of the general's tent before putting her down.
Su Ci didn't go out, but stood aside and waved at him.
Yang Yanzong nodded, Azhao lifted the curtain, and he walked out with one big stride.
As soon as he left the tent, Yang Yanzong's tenderness disappeared in an instant, and his expression returned to his usual solemnity. He jumped on his horse and said in a deep voice: "Beat the drum!"
“March!!”
…
The scale of today's battle is not large, because the two sides launched an extremely fierce mountain battle in the middle of the month, which resulted in both sides making advances and retreats. Both sides have adjusted their offensive and defensive deployments and are currently in the process of preparing for the next major battle.
The fighter jets have not found each other yet, so they have been testing each other recently. However, the frequency of these tests is much more frequent and intense than in the past few days.
The smell of gunpowder in the air is becoming thicker and thicker, and it can be foreseen that another fierce battle is not far away.
In this kind of test war that is happening everywhere, it is not difficult for Ji Zimu to escape for a short period of time.
He had made arrangements in advance and only kept with him a few trustworthy personal soldiers selected from Ren's concubines. He did not even bring the people selected for him by Tang Xianzhou. Taking advantage of the chaos on the battlefield, he rode his horse quietly towards Dongluan.
He abandoned his horse halfway and passed through the dense forests, concealing his figure very well. He walked eastward, quickly following a mountain road of twenty or thirty miles, and finally saw a small canyon with three levels of waterfalls splashing down. On the left hand side, there was a huge rock that looked like a rooster with its head raised.
This is it.
"Where are the people?"
Ji Zizhi had just said this in a low voice when the two brothers saw the cypress tree opposite move, and several people walked out from behind the tree and stood on the Rooster Rock.
The one in the lead was wearing tight soft armor and black boots. He looked handsome and imposing. His eyes were like cold lightning, extremely captivating. When he casually glanced at him, Ji Zizhi immediately felt a chill in his heart, as if his whole body was scanned thoroughly.
He was a little nervous, but immediately straightened his spine.
It was true that this man was Yang Yanzong; both brothers had seen him before.
The other party also seemed to be here to discuss business and only brought a few people with them. Ji Zimu felt relieved. He turned his head and gave a few instructions. He sent his personal soldiers to the back to keep watch. He only brought his brothers with him and slowly walked up.
The two sides finally met under the waterfall.
After coming up, Ji Zimu found that this was indeed a good place for a conversation. It was secluded, yet high above, and he could see at a glance the movements of several of his personal soldiers. At the same time, the rumbling sound of the waterfall covered up all the sounds of conversation.
"Long time no see. It seems like you brothers are not doing well?"
Yang Yanzong smiled faintly.
These words were indeed heart-wrenching. Ji Zimu's face darkened. He also said calmly, "I wonder what Governor Yang wants to do with you?"
What can I do for you?
No guesses, no expectations, what kind of appointment is Ji Zimu going to? You must know that this involves great risks. If people find out, you won't be able to clear yourself of the blame even if you jump into the Yellow River.
Yang Yanzong raised his eyebrows: "Why do you ask when you already know the answer?"
He said calmly, "You two brothers are in a difficult situation. There are tigers and leopards in front of you and wolves behind you. I wonder if Madam Ren would regret what she did that day if she is still alive?"
When mentioning his mother, Ji Zimu's expression remained unchanged, but his fists suddenly clenched.
Yang Yanzong wasted no time: "My wife and Madam Ren are close friends after all, and I can't bear to see your brother end up in such a miserable state."
"How about you and I work together?"
"cooperate?"
Ji Zimu said sarcastically: "How do you cooperate?"
Yang Yanzong said: "Of course they are working together from inside and outside to take your father's life?"
He said this lightly, as if he was just saying that the weather was nice today, but the sound of the splashing water was like thunder passing by one's ears! Even Ji Zimu, who had some vague guesses beforehand, felt his heart tighten when he actually heard it!
No matter what Ji Yuanhao was, he had been the sky over the two brothers' heads for twenty years.
Ji Zimu paused for a long while before finding his voice again. He sneered, "Director Yang has a good plan. He wants to harm others and benefit himself. He wants to solve the current predicament without spending a single soldier?!"
Yang Yanzong smiled faintly: "Even without you, it is still unknown who will win between me and Ji Yuanhao in the end."
"On the contrary, it's you," Yang Yanzong sneered, his sword-like eyebrows raised, and he looked directly into Ji Zimu's eyes without any hesitation: "In front of you, you have half-brothers such as Consort De and Consort Li, and in the back, you have the legitimate son of Empress Xu. More importantly, you are gradually growing up, while your father is not even forty years old, in the prime of his life. You only have the title of the eldest son of Empress Yuan, but you don't even have the slightest help from your mother's family. Tsk, I can assert here today that you will definitely not have a good ending in the future!"
No matter who it is, if they want to achieve their goal, they can't get around Ji Zimu, the eldest son of the Queen.
Can you withstand one, two, three, or a group of people attacking you?
More importantly, his father, the emperor above him, may very well become his biggest enemy.
When the imperial power is at the mercy of others, it is difficult for father and son to be equal.
What’s more, the Ji Zimu brothers were already in a bad situation.
Yang Yanzong smiled playfully. Judging from Ji Yuanhao's performance, he didn't think he was a good father who would do his best to protect the Ji Zimu brothers.
Ji Zimu's face changed drastically in an instant!
His breathing became heavy, and he stared at Yang Yanzong with a ferocious look like a wolf.
Yang Yanzong did not take it as an offense: "This is your only chance."
He persuaded her patiently: "Now I am the only one who can help you."
"If you agree to my terms, I will help you get rid of Ji Yuanhao, how about that?"
Yang Yanzong objectively commented: "Xu Wenkai is a man of good character. If Ji Yuanhao dies, he will definitely help you ascend the throne as the eldest son and the heir."
As for Empress Xu, it was not yet Xu Wenyuan's turn to be the head of the Xu family.
Ji Zimu laughed in anger: "You help me? I have to agree to your conditions?!"
Yang Yanzong smiled faintly: "As far as the situation is concerned, I am far from being in trouble, but you have no other way out."
Isn’t it?
He's not doing charity.
Yang Yanzong didn't say much, and just said, "It won't be too late for you to answer me after you think it over."
But no one can guarantee whether the situation will change in the future.
He turned around directly.
Yang Yanzong led Azhao and others away quickly, their steps were vigorous and steady without hesitation. Just as they turned down the mountain, a hoarse voice came from behind them: "...What are the conditions? Tell me?"
Ji Zimu's voice was obviously suppressed and rough because of his emotions. Ji Zizhi was a little confused. He subconsciously pulled his brother's hand and said, "Brother..."
Ji Zimu turned his head and gave him a stern look that said "shut up".
Yang Yanzong smiled, then stopped smiling, turned around, and raised his eyebrows: "I want an imperial edict with your official and private seals and your signature."
"Cede the northwest, southwest and Zhengzhong to me."
It doesn't matter whether it is ceded or granted, it's up to you to write it down clearly that the southwest and northwest are given to him.
Although Yang Yanzong did not mind being a traitor, if he could do so with justification, it would save him a lot of trouble in the military and political affairs in the future.
There was no sound from the other side for a moment, but Yang Yanzong didn't mind. He waited patiently.
Ji Zimu's Adam's apple rolled up and down, and he gasped heavily. After a while, he said in a hoarse voice: "Okay! I'll give it to you!!"
…
Yang Yanzong was fully prepared. Ji Zimu did not dare to leave any official or private seals in the tent. The edict, which promised that he would ascend the throne one day as the eldest prince, was written on the spot.
Yang Yanzong smiled with satisfaction, then informed some of the plans, and he and his party left quickly.
After the waterfall, only the Ji Zimu brothers were left.
Ji Zizhi was almost suffocating and said anxiously: "Brother, brother, this..."
"He's right."
Ji Zimu turned his head, with a trace of red still in his eyes due to the violent fluctuations of his emotions, but his mind was clearer than ever before.
Although Yang Yanzong's words were unpleasant to hear, they were true.
His two brothers had no way forward, and swords and spears were pressing in from behind. It seemed that they could only survive temporarily, but it was only temporary.
Once this is clearly understood.
The decision to kill his father didn't seem to be that difficult.
From childhood to adulthood, Ji Zimu has felt more awe than love for his father.
On one side of the scales now rested the lives of his brothers, and on the other the life of the man who was no longer just a father, nor just their father.
Ji Zimu has experienced the fickleness of the world and the difficult situations. The love has long turned into resentment, which prompted him to finally make such a decision.
He is not afraid of death, but he absolutely does not want to die in such a cowardly way! Not to mention Ji Zizhi.
Empress Xu has given birth to a legitimate son.
And these half-brothers behind him are as fierce as wolves and tigers.
Ji Yuanhao might have just gone with the flow at first, but gradually, he really disliked this eldest son who always disobeyed him and had no sympathy for him.
After all, he has many sons.
There were even rumors in the palace that the prince that His Majesty wanted to appoint was actually the youngest son of Queen Yuan, the Ninth Prince, who His Majesty was currently raising personally.
Ji Zimu has indeed grown a lot. At the very least, he no longer looks at things with a hint of luck.
"Mom is already dead, we can't die again!"
Since he is unkind, then I am unjust!
Ji Zimu gnashed his teeth.
His face was covered in sweat and his breathing was heavy.
Once the most important decision was made, the rest became easy. Ji Zimu did not have such deep feelings for Daqing, and he did not even have any deep obsession with the throne, not to mention the desire to possess territory. What was more important to him was that he could not die and he must not lose!
If he has to ascend the throne to fight his way out and survive, then he must ascend the throne!
Ji Zizhi was a little depressed and didn't say anything for a long time. He held his brother's hand, and the two brothers supported each other for a moment.
He thought for a moment, still a little scared: "Brother, but we still have the support of Tang Hou and Chen Bo?..."
Could it really be that bad?
Ji Zimu shook his head: "Although Tang Hou and Chen Bo are on our side, they can't defeat him."
This "he" is their father, Emperor Ji Yuanhao.
Ji Zimu was extremely clear-headed. Tang Xianzhou, Chen Yiqiu and others had been Ji Yuanhao's confidants for many years, and they were not the latter's biological sons. No matter how regretful and reluctant he was, if he could only choose one of the two, he would definitely not risk his life and family to support them.
Besides, as I mentioned earlier, they have a little brother.
What if their father really establishes a younger brother?
In addition, although generals such as Tang Xianzhou and Chen Yiqiu were on the side of their brothers, the former also admired Xu Wenkai very much.
Tang Xianzhou and others really have great respect for General Xu and Xu Wenkai and his son, not only for their character and deeds, but also for their admiration and respect as top seniors.
Especially after the two sides gradually became familiar with each other in this battle, Xu Wenkai was a good person and was not shy about his advice. Many times, his guidance to Tang Xianzhou and others suddenly opened their eyes, and they even became like a teacher and mentor to each other.
The empress dowager happened to be from the Xu family. Would Tang Xianzhou and others really be able to be too hostile to her in the future?
Ji Zimu didn't dare to pin his future on such illusory expectations, he was no longer a child.
"This is our only chance!"
Xu Wenkai is still the head of the family now, but in ten years or so he will be old and it may not be the case anymore.
The two brothers held each other's hands tightly and staggered down the steep slope. Ji Zizhi remained silent, but Ji Zimu's brows became more determined than ever before.
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