The candlelight flickered slightly. Sultan Gu's figure was motionless, his features were hard and cold, his eyes were cold, his black-gloved hands were holding the long sword, the back of his hands were stretched, full of strength, and a long black shadow was cast in front of the couch.
Yao Ying looked into his eyes and found that his deep blue pupils were tinged with a different color, as if they were shining brightly.
It is like the brilliant galaxy in the boundless sky at night in the desert, overlooking the world, deep, distant, vast, cold, lonely and unattainable.
Even the murderous aura surging around him was cold and indifferent.
Yaoying had seen this kind of tranquility without sadness or joy, without desire or demand in another person.
A very strange feeling surged in her heart, and she couldn't help but stand up, walked in front of Sultan Gu, and looked closely into his eyes.
They are obviously two completely different people...
Sultan Gu remained motionless, looking at Yao Ying calmly with a calm expression.
Yaoying quickly returned to her original position and smiled at him. She knew intuitively that he would not be angry, and her smile unconsciously revealed a bit of righteous and naive attitude.
Sultan Gu was not angry, his face expressionless, and he lowered his eyes. "Every time the Northern Rong annexed a tribe, the Khan would immediately divide the military system and appoint a chief. The young and strong men in the tribe could serve as the chief's private soldiers, and the rest were servants of the chief and needed to pay taxes to the chief. The chief not only led the army, but also managed the affairs of each tribe. The chiefs of the hundred households, thousand households, and ten thousand households, and the military officers at all levels came from the Northern Rong nobles. All the people under the name of the nobles were soldiers, and they could ride horses and charge into battle in wartime. All civilians were divided into several levels by the government and strictly managed. Ordinary people could only be promoted through military merit, so they were brave in battle and fearless. The chiefs used this to firmly control all areas."
Yaoying frowned slightly.
The Northern Rong and the Western Regions still retain the system of nobles raising slaves. The slaves' cattle, sheep, tents, and property all belong to the nobles. She thought that the Northern Rong had been busy conquering in recent years and neglected to manage the occupied land. They only knew how to plunder civilians to serve as servants for the nobles. From what Sultan Gu said, the Northern Rong were indeed barbaric, but their barbaric management method was indeed simple and effective. It not only suppressed the rebellion of the tribes and made them powerless to resist, but also made the young men of the tribes compete to be loyal to the Northern Rong and expand the territory for the Northern Rong.
In this way, a small tribe with a small population will completely disappear within just one or two years, and a large tribe will quickly fall apart.
Under such a strict hierarchy, all the people were docile and obedient. Everyone belonged to a certain leader or tribe, and had to report to the nobles if they traveled more than a few dozen miles. Under such circumstances, the people did not dare to shelter strangers, and would even compete to report them. The guards at the checkpoints in various places could easily distinguish who was a citizen under the rule of the Northern Rong.
Sultan Gu continued, "The Northern Rong have a full range of troops, not only cavalry, but also a large number of infantry. Among the cavalry, the iron cavalry go to war, and the light cavalry patrol. The light cavalry of the Northern Rong come from various tribes, are familiar with the terrain, can speak the languages of various tribes, and have close contacts with the locals. Whenever a stranger passes by, the light cavalry will question their identity."
The Northern Rong strictly prohibited civilians from traveling eastward, and any passerby who could not answer the interrogation would be killed without mercy, regardless of whether they were Hu or Han.
Yao Ying thought of the personal soldiers who had escorted her across the border to marry, and her fingers trembled slightly.
Can those loyal guards who died at the hands of the Northern Rong Light Cavalry return home?
"In addition, Beirong also trained a scout force."
"Scouting troops?"
Yao Ying murmured in a low voice.
By the way, Haidu Aling almost provoked a war among the countries in the Central Plains because he was familiar with the national conditions of each country and had an intelligence network spread throughout the Central Plains.
It turned out that Beirong had a scout force that specialized in spying on the enemy and investigating the movements of various countries, and the scale of the force was definitely beyond her imagination.
She sighed, feeling heavy-hearted.
The east-west barriers, hundreds of miles of uninhabited desert, hunger, hardship and illness are nothing. The difficult part is how to pass through the blockades and inspections.
Yao Ying frowned slightly and sat in deep thought.
Sultan Gu did not make a sound to disturb her. The room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
The candle flame suddenly trembled, and the light dimmed. Yao Ying suddenly came to her senses. She didn't know how long she had been thinking. She stood up and said goodbye: "Thank you for clearing up my doubts. It's getting late, and the general has been tired all day. I'd better go home early."
Sultan Kumar said nothing.
Yaoying stared at him for a while. She didn't know if it was her illusion, but she felt that he was colder than usual. Although he always looked murderous, she could feel a subtle difference.
It was like a murderous knife that had been sharpened again, gleaming with cold light, cold and sharp.
Everything that originally belonged to him was erased.
What happened to him after just a few hours? Why did he change so much?
Yao Ying was full of suspicion. She walked out of the house, rolled her eyes, and asked Yuan Jue in a low voice: "Who has the Regent met since he came back?"
Yuan Jue asked cautiously, "Why do you ask this, Princess?"
Yaoying looked at him with moving eyes.
Yuan Jue straightened his chest and looked like he had nothing to say.
Yao Ying smiled and said, "It's okay. I just asked casually. The Regent King hasn't rested yet so late. Even a strong man can't stand it. Please persuade him more."
Yuan Jue's expression relaxed. He hummed and watched her back as she turned around the corridor and disappeared from his sight. He paced back and forth, thinking over and over again about the question she had just asked.
After Sultan Gu came back, he stayed in the house alone. He didn't eat and didn't give any instructions. He just spoke a few words to the princess. He didn't dare to go in and disturb her.
After a cup of tea, Yuanjue gritted his teeth, pushed the door open and walked into the house. As soon as he stepped into the house with his long boots, he was forced to take a step back by the fierce murderous aura that blew towards him.
His heart skipped a beat and he raised his head.
Sultan Gu sat in front of the couch, his eyes slightly drooped, his brows wrinkled, and there seemed to be a faint blush on his face. His muscles were bulging and full, and his black robe was tied so tightly that it was almost breaking, and his whole body was filled with murderous aura.
Yuanjue's face changed drastically. He wanted to move forward, but his legs were unable to move.
The room was filled with murderous intent, and Sudang's brows grew redder and redder.
Invisible pressure rushed towards Yuan Jue, and the powerful pressure forced him to fall to the ground. He bit his tongue to stay awake, and used his hands and feet to struggle to crawl out of the house. His face was pale and his clothes were soaked with cold sweat. The cold night wind outside the house blew on his face. He gasped and a fishy and sweet feeling surged in his throat. With a wow, he vomited a mouthful of blood.
In the quiet night, there were the sounds of footsteps.
Yuanjue immediately got up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and waved to the personal soldier who came over to check after hearing the noise, indicating that everything was fine.
The bodyguards retreated.
Yuanjue's heart was beating wildly. He turned and went into the house, closing the door. He didn't dare to get too close. He knelt on the ground beside the door, bowed his head, and pressed his forehead against the back of his hand. He trembled and said, "Wang, it's time for you to take the medicine."
The pressure suddenly surged.
Yuan Jue didn't dare to raise his head, he was shaking like a sieve and sweating profusely.
After a while, the murderous aura gradually faded away.
It was as if the clouds had disappeared, the rain had stopped, the ice and snow had melted, and the murderous intent that had made Yuan feel terrified and frightened disappeared.
He wiped the sweat off his face quietly and raised his head.
The lights were dim, and the sitting Sultan seemed exhausted. He leaned back on the table, his broad shoulders shaking slightly.
Yuanjue quickly got up, rushed to the bed, took out the medicine bottle, poured out a pill and fed it to him.
Sultan took the medicine, closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, his eyebrows turned red, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Yuanjue didn't dare to stay any longer. He respectfully left the house, closed the door, and let out a long breath.
They had to hurry back to the royal court.
Yuanjue thought about it, called the personal soldier who was taking care of Cangying, and whispered a few instructions to him.
Less than half an hour later, the eagle flapped its wings and flew into the dark night sky.
…
Just before the royal guards released the eagle, several soldiers in tight short military uniforms left the courtyard and plunged into the night. Some of them were Yang Qian's servants, who were familiar with the layout of the city. They led the others to move through the darkness unhindered, successfully avoiding the patrolling soldiers, passing through the streets and alleys, and came to one of Yang Qian's villas.
Someone came into the room and woke up the sleeping Yang Qian, saying, "The princess has ordered that the plan be moved forward."
Yang Qian woke up from his dream, confused: "Why early?"
The visitor was Xie Chong, who explained, "The princess said she had to return to the royal court immediately and there was no time to waste."
Yang Qian was full of courage. After thinking for a moment, he nodded: "It's better to do it in advance. I will tell the king."
The two men discussed for a few words, Xie Chong wrote down the time and location, took the bronze talisman, and returned to the courtyard to report.
After listening to his report, Yao Ying nodded.
Xie Chong asked: "Princess, why do you want to bring the plan forward? Isn't it too hasty?"
Tonight, after the princess came back from Sultan Gunnar, she suddenly said that the plan had changed and asked him to go to Yang Qian to pass on the message. When Yang Qian asked him the reason, he was also confused.
Yao Ying sat in front of the lamp, tapping the table with her slender fingers. She was absent-minded for a while and said, "I have already caused too much trouble for the Buddhist disciples. It is better for me to return to the royal court as soon as possible."
Sultan Gu was very strange. She couldn't tell what was strange about her. She just had a strong intuition that they should return to the royal court.
…
The next evening, at the palace.
Lady Ina was generous and magnanimous. She held grand banquets every night, with bright lights and music playing in the palace.
A burst of laughter rang out in the corridor, and several Hu women with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing long skirts that trailed on the ground, walked out of Wei Chi Damo's felt tent and walked past a woman who was dressed in gorgeous clothes and surrounded by wealthy slaves.
The woman was none other than Princess Ina, the wife of the king.
When the Hu women passed by her, they deliberately opened their clothes to expose their snow-white breasts.
Madam Ina's face turned pale as she asked the guards at the corridor, "Did the king receive the ministers?"
The guard said respectfully, "Madam, the king has only received...some beautiful singing girls these days, and Yang Jiashilang has come a few times to accompany the king to drink and play."
Madam Ina narrowed her eyes.
The dandy in the Yang family? A dandy who only knows how to drink and gamble with others and indulge in pleasure all day? Not to be feared.
The guard asked cautiously, "Madam, do you want to hold those singing girls?"
依娜夫人冷笑：“攔着她們做什麽？國主和世子分別，傷心煩悶，那些女奴可以為他排遣寂寞，正合我心，不必攔着，國主想要見幾個就讓他見幾個。”
尉遲達摩到底是高昌國主，她強行送走他的孩子，不能欺人太甚，萬一他一怒之下舉起叛旗，她不好向瓦罕可汗交代。
反正他的一雙兒女已經被她殺了，以後高昌注定是她兒子的。
他以為寵幸歌姬就能激怒她嗎？她是北戎公主，有她在，這些歌姬不過是一群低賤的奴隸罷了。
賤人！居然敢在她面前張牙舞爪！早晚要剝了她們的皮……
依娜夫人按下怒火，拂袖而去。
宴會笑鬧喧嘩。
一個時辰後，從喧嚷的廳堂走來一道身影。
守衛的親兵上前，打量對方幾眼，見來人是個滿頭珍珠，身着寬大紗裙、面罩神女面具的女子，對望一眼，退回原位。
夫人都說不必攔了，他們用不着多管閑事。
女子扭着腰踏進氈帳，周身氣勢陡然一變，摘下面具，露出一張英俊的面孔，高鼻深目，一雙淺黃色眸子，眼神銳利似鷹隼。
“國主考慮得如何了？”
尉遲達摩癱在榻上，紅發披散，衣襟大敞，冷哼一聲，道：“依娜蛇蠍心腸，囚禁本王，殺我孩兒，我尉遲達摩和她勢不兩立！”
說着，激動地坐起身，眼神陰鸷。
“王子若能助我複仇，殺了依娜那個毒婦，我高昌願效忠于王子，助王子奪得大汗之位！”
海都阿陵唇角浮起一抹笑，盤腿坐下，并不接尉遲達摩後面那句話，“國主言重了，我如今也是處境艱難，只求能夠保住性命罷了。”
尉遲達摩瞳孔一縮。
海都阿陵太冷靜了，到了這個地步都絕口不提想取代瓦罕可汗的話，不落人把柄。
他不動聲色，雙眼赤紅，沉痛地道：“王子乃北戎第一勇士，本該鷹擊長空，受萬人崇仰，幾位王子心胸狹窄，嫉妒王子賢能勇猛，屢次加害，王子再不為自己做打算，恐怕就和我一樣，大難臨頭啊！”
海都阿陵笑了笑，“我來見國主，就是在為自己打算。”
帳中光線幽暗，兩人對視，心中各自計量。
這時，氈帳外遽然傳來一陣急促的腳步聲，帳前人影晃動，無數手執火把的親兵從角落裏竄了出來，撲向氈帳。
方才還幽靜的廊道霎時擠滿了人，呼聲，喊聲，叫聲彙成一片，屋瓦震動。
“有刺客！抓住他！”
“夫人有令，不留活口，誰砍了刺客的腦袋，賞百金！”
海都阿陵臉色一變，怒目瞪向尉遲達摩：“你設伏？”
尉遲達摩也大驚失色，慌忙從榻上爬起，哆哆嗦嗦地道：“我沒有！是不是你來的時候暴露了行蹤？”
嗖嗖幾聲讓人膽寒的破空之聲連響，□□劃破空氣，如一張大網，罩向氈帳。
海都阿陵拔出藏在腰間的匕首，沖出氈帳，一邊左躲右閃，揮開幾支□□，一邊沉着地掃視一圈。
廊道、廳堂裏密密麻麻擠滿了親衛，宴會上的賓客抱頭四散而逃，四面牆角、屋頂上埋伏了□□手，□□上塗有毒汁，寒光閃爍。
院牆外喊聲震天，圍過來的人越來越多了。
海都阿陵咬緊牙關。
依娜怎麽會知道他來了高昌？為什麽設伏殺他？難道她知道金勃死在他的部下手裏？
尉遲達摩臉色蒼白，一把攥住海都阿陵的胳膊：“王子，你可以拿我當人質！依娜不敢殺了我！”
海都阿陵眼角斜挑，掃視他幾眼，毫不猶豫地扼住他的喉嚨，抓着他的肩膀，朝親衛迎面沖了過去。
不管是誰告的密，先逃出王宮再說。
……
一牆之隔的長廊，頭戴面具的瑤英在楊遷的保護下登上牆頭，躲在陰影處，眺望腳下的院子。
海都阿陵被人重重包圍，箭矢如蝗雨，織出一張密不透風的大網，将他高大的身軀罩在其中。
她屏住了呼吸。
作者有話要說： 海都阿陵下一章不會死。
話說大家看文開心，不要在其他作者的文章底下提起這本文哈~~