Yuanjue was right. After the martial arts competition ended, someone really sent Yaoying a reward - a few fat sheep.
She asked her personal soldiers to deliver the fat sheep to Mobito's camp, otherwise if she brought a few sheep back to the royal temple, anyone would be able to guess her identity.
The next day, several sheep returned to her yard - in the form of a large plate of mutton. The guard told her that Mobido had ordered people to slaughter the fat sheep and roasted a sheep for her in the way of their tribe.
"The prince's cooking is not good, princess, please don't despise it."
Yao Ying raised her eyebrows and asked her personal soldiers to share the mutton.
At noon, Bi Suo came to talk to Yao Ying, and the personal soldiers invited him to eat together. He glanced at the large piece of mutton on the plate, frowned slightly, and couldn't tell for a moment whether he should be relieved or more worried.
Tanmarajiva was a man of strong character. He believed that the heartbeat was only a temporary one, like ripples caused by the wind, and that it would not change anything. He could continue his practice, so he would certainly not stop Mobito.
But is it possible to control lust just by wanting to?
Once you are in love, you will want to be close to the other person and want to possess the other person exclusively, which will lead to various emotions: jealousy, loss, longing, desire...
On the one hand, Bisa felt that Mobito's friendly gesture towards Li Yaoying would be a good opportunity to alert Tanmaraga and make him sober up. On the other hand, he was worried that Mobito would arouse Luoga's jealousy and make Luoga fall deeper into the trap, and he would easily go astray when practicing.
A woman like Li Yaoying is too easy for a man to want to monopolize her.
Tanmarajava had wanted to have her become a nun before, which was already a manifestation of greed. Could he just watch her fall into the arms of another man?
…
With a heavy heart, Bisa came to the meeting room. There was a huge sand table in the room. Tanmaraka was summoning the generals of the five armies. Mobhido was also there, but he was the only one missing.
He calmed himself down, saluted to Luoga, and stood beside the sand table like other generals.
The generals had read the battle report and understood the movements of the Northern Army. They all frowned and looked solemn. Even if they knew in advance that the Northern Army was coming, they still had no chance of winning against the powerful cavalry of the Northern Army. Moreover, after experiencing a turmoil, the morale of the army was unstable, and the combat effectiveness of the five armies was definitely not as good as before.
The climate of the Northern Rong people's hometown is harsh and not suitable for farming and grazing. They do not produce anything and make a living by looting. Horseback is their cradle. Everyone in the tribe is a soldier, with various tactics and excellent equipment. It can be said that they are an invincible force. In the past, when the royal court confronted the Northern Rong, the army would not easily take the initiative to attack. Most of the time, they relied on the strong and tall city walls to consume the Northern Rong people's food and armaments and force them to withdraw.
Several generals had never actually defeated a Northern Army, and after reading the battle report, they felt uneasy.
Why not continue to defend the city?
Tanmarajiva raised his eyes and looked around, as if he could see through everyone's thoughts.
Everyone lowered their heads in shame.
Tanmarajiva signaled Yuanjue beside him to fetch a map of the world and place it on the big desk.
The generals looked at the map on the table and found that there were several lines marked on it. They moved closer and looked down at it carefully.
Tanmaraka asked: "The Northern Rong have been attacking the royal court for many years but have failed. Why don't they give up?"
One of the generals said, "Because the Northern Rong people are extremely greedy!"
"They covet the wealth and fertile land of the royal court!"
Tanmaraj nodded, pointed at the map, and said, "The way the Northern Rong survive is conquest. The stronger their army is, the more they need to rely on looting to support the army. After conquering the Holy City, they can conquer the more distant Henglas and Samar. Unless they are completely defeated, they will not stop their conquest."
"The battle between the Royal Court and the Northern Rong is inevitable. The Royal Court is good at defending the city, but the Northern Rong is growing stronger day by day. Bows and crossbows can only stop them temporarily. If we cannot weaken the Northern Rong during their internal strife, the Northern Rong will come to the city one day, and no matter how strong the city is, it will not be able to resist the Northern Rong army."
The royal court has been at ease for too long, and the city defense tactics have repelled the Northern Rong time and time again. No one in the court dares to take risks from top to bottom. In long run, the royal court will decline day by day, and the Northern Rong's military strength will only become stronger and stronger. In the end, the royal court will be defeated.
He had been seriously ill before, and had to stabilize the situation in the court while guarding against the Northern Rong. He could only take a defensive approach. Now he can only hold on for a few more years, and the Northern Rong is constantly engaged in internal strife. He must seize the opportunity to weaken the Northern Rong and buy more vitality for the royal court.
This way, even if he was gone, the Northern Rong would be powerless to capture the royal court.
Everyone's heart sank, they put away their fear and panic, and clasped their fists in response.
The enemy is aggressive and has wicked ambitions. They cannot retreat but must take the initiative to fight!
After discussion, Wang Ting divided his troops into three groups. One group, led by 10,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry, headed straight for Sand City to lure the enemy deep into the city if necessary. Another group, led by 10,000 troops, would serve as an ambush and provide support. The other group, led by Bisha, would lead 10,000 troops.
The parties agreed on a meeting place. A general pointed to a valley on the sand table and asked, "Wakhan Khan's army will definitely pass by here. We can set up an ambush here to catch them by surprise, but we will also have to face the main force of the Northern Rong. Who will lead this army?"
Bisa looked towards Tanmaragha.
Tanmarajika nodded, Yuanjue understood, and took out a small blue and white flag and stuck it in the sand table.
The generals opened their eyes wide, looking shocked.
Isn't this the flag of the late regent Sultan?
Bisha said, "The Regent Sultan was murdered by the Xue family and was seriously injured. His loyal soldiers hid him in a cave and died for him. The head was not the Regent himself. The Regent was later rescued by a shepherd and healed in the shepherd's tent. Not long ago, he was finally able to walk and has secretly returned to the Holy City with the help of the shepherd."
He looked at the generals one by one, "I have already met the Regent. It is indeed the Regent himself. He is still alive."
After saying this, he, Yuanjue and the other guards bowed to Tanmaraka.
"Blessed by the Buddha, the Regent King has survived the disaster. This time, our royal court will surely win a great victory!"
The generals in the hall looked at each other in confusion. Although they were simple-minded warriors, they were in high positions and were familiar with the undercurrents in the court. They were overjoyed that Sultan Gu was still alive, but they thought carefully, if all this was a trap set by the Buddha...
You know, the reason why Wakhan Khan ignored the alliance and led his troops to attack the royal court was because he thought that the Sultan was dead and the royal court had experienced a turmoil, which was a good opportunity for him to take action.
The people that Fuzi has to deal with are not only the aristocratic families. He uses the death of Sultanahmet to leverage all the forces, one thing after another.
Before Fuzi revealed his plan, no one knew whether he had other plans next.
Everyone was sweating profusely, their expressions became more respectful, and they followed Bisha in paying their respects.
…
After confirming the deployment strategy, Bisha suddenly said, "Sir, among all the sons of Wakhan Khan, if we talk about killing generals on the battlefield, they are all brave and strong as bulls. But when it comes to marching and fighting, and deploying troops, Haidu Aling is undoubtedly the most cunning. I think we must be wary of this man."
The others nodded in agreement.
Tanmarajiva raised her eyelids and looked at Bisha with a somewhat intimidating look.
Bi Su knew that he had guessed what she was going to say next, so she said, "There is a Han Chinese in my tent who used to serve under Haidu Aling. She knows Haidu Aling and the Northern Rong army. I request that I take her with me so that I can ask for advice."
The other generals nodded in agreement: "Since there is such a talented person, General Ashina must take him with him!"
Tanmarajiva did not comment and turned to talk to other generals.
Bisha was sweating.
After discussing military affairs, the other generals withdrew one by one, the guards evacuated the sand table, and Biso stayed behind.
Tanmaraka glanced at him indifferently.
Bi Suo stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, I mentioned Princess Wen Zhao in front of others just now without any selfish motive. Princess Wen Zhao can pretend to be my personal soldier and follow the army. The princess really understands the battle formations and tactics of Haidu Aling and the Beirong army. Bring her with you. When we meet Haidu Aling, we can ask her for her opinion at any time. Moreover, the princess has been in contact with Yuchi Damo and Yang Qian of Gaochang. If she follows the army, she can inform Yuchi Damo of the situation on the battlefield."
Tanmaraka remained silent.
Bi Suo asked tentatively: "Are you worried about the princess's health? Although the princess is fragile, she did not hinder the troops on the way to Gaochang. This time she is just accompanying the army and will not be on the battlefield. She will not worry about her life. I will let my personal soldiers protect her."
He paused for a moment and said, "King, it may not be safer for the princess to stay in the Holy City than to follow the army."
They took a great risk in this expedition. Although they left a guard garrison there, no one could guarantee that there would not be chaos in the rear.
Tanmaragha lowered his eyes and turned the Buddhist beads. After giving the Bodhi seed to Yaoying, he exchanged it for a string of white jade Bodhi. The Buddhist beads were hard and had solemn cracks, which could make people feel pure.
He pondered for a moment and asked Yuanjue to go to Yaoying's yard.
Yuan Jue obeyed the order and left the hall. He returned after a cup of tea and said, "I have told Princess Wen Zhao about this..."
Bisu asked: "What did the princess say? Is she willing to follow the army?"
Yuan Jue raised his head and said, "Princess Wen Zhao only said one sentence: I dare not ask, but it is what I want."
Bi Su was startled for a moment, then she smiled. She was indeed willing to join the army.
He looked at Tanmaraka.
Tanmarajiva held the Buddhist beads in his hand and nodded slightly.
She was looking forward to returning to her hometown as soon as possible, and she must meet and negotiate with her people. She could not be trapped in the holy city.
…
Yao Ying got a new identity: a personal soldier in the Bisha Army.
She will go into battle disguised as a man with the army.
Bi Suo gave her a bronze talisman and suggested that she give herself a Hu name.
Yao Ying said casually: "Then let's call him Bayanqie."
Bi Su nodded and wrote down: "Going on a military expedition is different from ordinary trips. Princess, you must be well prepared."
Yao Ying said with a serious expression, "Thank you for your reminder, General. I have served in the army before and will prepare everything and will not cause any trouble to you."
Bi Suo said hurriedly: "How could the princess cause trouble? It was because I asked her for something that she agreed to accompany the army."
Yao Ying shook her head and said, "The general asked me to join the army, which is exactly what I want."
Bi Suo was surprised and asked, "Princess, do you want to join the army?"
Why would a delicate princess want to join the army?
Yao Ying nodded and said, "General, my caravan has been trying to find out the news about the Northern Rong. I received a letter saying that the Wakhan Khan sent out scouts to arrest Han men in the territory. All men passing through the checkpoints will be strictly checked."
She held the copper talisman tightly. "The Northern Rong people would rather make a mistake than let it go. Any Han Chinese man who can't speak the Hu language well can be arrested. Wakhan Khan would not arrest Han Chinese who can't speak the Hu language well for no reason. I suspect that Han Chinese from the Central Plains have infiltrated the Northern Rong. There was a turmoil in the Northern Rong some time ago, and they may have participated in it, which angered the Khan."
Bisha's heart was beating fast, and she thought of a possibility, and asked, "Is it the princess's brother who came to see her?"
Yao Ying sighed: "I would rather not be..."
.
She was afraid that Li Zhongqian would fall into the hands of Haidu Aling, and that everything would end the same way. The people in the caravan said that the Beirong checkpoints were heavily guarded, and the Han people could not escape. If Li Zhongqian was in Beirong, wouldn't his life be hanging by a thread?
Bi Suo comforted Yao Ying: "The news that the princess is in the Holy City has spread throughout Congling. If the princess's brother comes looking for her, he will definitely hear the rumors and will not make the wrong choice."
Yao Ying frowned, looking worried.
"I hope so... No matter who those Han people captured by Wakhan Khan are, I want to rescue them. Maybe they know the situation in the Central Plains."
So she needs to go to the front lines.
If she doesn't go now, she will need to leave the Holy City after Yang Qian has made all the arrangements. For her, traveling with the Royal Court Army is the safest way.
…
To prevent the news from leaking out, the army set out quietly.
Yao Ying hurriedly dealt with the matters at hand and went out of the city to instruct Lao Qi to remember to sow white mulberry and expand the planting of mulberry and hemp when the weather warms up.
On the way back to the city, she was sitting in the carriage and talking to her personal soldiers when suddenly a group of people rushed out from the side of the road and blocked their way.
The leading slave, a brown-skinned man, said politely, "Princess Manda has been waiting for a long time. Princess Wen Zhao, please move to the posthouse and have a talk."
Yao Yingchao's personal soldiers shook their heads.
The guards replied loudly: "Our princess is busy. The patrolling guards are not far away, so don't block their way."
Jiannu said quickly, "Princess Wen Zhao has misunderstood. Our Princess Manda has no ill intentions. The princess has always admired women like Princess Wen Zhao who dare to break the secular world. Before returning to Virama, the princess wants to say a few words from her heart to Princess Wen Zhao."
In the carriage, Yao Ying remained unmoved and signaled to her guards not to pay any attention.
The personal soldiers whipped their whips, and the wheels of the carriages rolled along the long street.
Jian Nu was filled with resentment, but he did not dare to attract the patrolling guards. He stepped aside, returned to the posthouse, and reported what had happened to Princess Manda.
Princess Manda was lying on the couch with her curly hair hanging down. She frowned slightly when she heard this: "I invited her several times, but she didn't show me any mercy at all."
Jian Nu prostrated himself on the ground and said, "Princess, the Buddhist monk will soon be in seclusion. Why don't we wait for two more days? When the Buddhist monk is in seclusion and Princess Wen Zhao loses her support, we will definitely find an opportunity to strike."
Princess Manda shook her head: "Our people can't even get close to the temple, how can we start?"
Jianu raised his head and asked, "Princess, have you forgotten the doctor?"
Princess Manda narrowed her eyes slightly.
The medical officer of the envoy had a very pleasant conversation with a monk named Mondadeva who had come to the royal court. They became close friends. On the way to the royal court, the envoy Vimala was worried that he would not be able to find an opportunity to get close to the Buddha and would not be able to report back. The medical officer volunteered to persuade the Buddha. The envoy did not have much hope, but after the medical officer met the Buddha, the Buddha allowed her to enter the temple to worship Buddha and dance at the ceremony.
The messenger asked the medical officer how he had persuaded the Buddhist disciple. The medical officer replied that the Buddhist disciple was flexible because he was a friend of Mondadeva.
Jiannu reminded Princess Manda: "Princess, the doctor has been visiting the Royal Temple a lot recently. The monks there treat him very politely. The doctor must have hidden something between you and the envoy."
Princess Manda slowly sat up.
"That day when I was checking the fire tank for any mechanism, I was very close to Princess Wen Zhao... I can confirm that she was still a virgin."
Princess Manda is experienced and will not be wrong.
How could a virgin make the high and mighty Buddhist make an exception for her?
Only by starting with the Handi Princess can we find a solution.
Princess Manda said, "Bring the doctor to see me."
She couldn't just go back to Viramala like this, she needed a strong backer, for this, she could give everything, her body, her dancing skills, she knew many ways to seduce men, each of which could make men unable to leave her.
She was unwilling to accept the failure of her dance performance, as she still had a chance.
The author has something to say: Thanks to Bing Xiaoli, 16577739, Cen Zhijiujiu, Fu Po, Kong Chenshi, Xiao Xingxing for their long reviews and all the little angels for their comments, muah~