In February, the morning was still a little cool. Tie Kui got up early to practice and practiced for half an hour before he stopped.

Qiu Dashan looked at Tie Kui and said, "The prince has an order, ordering me to return to the capital as soon as possible." You go back to the house and clean up, and immediately set off with me to return to Beijing. ”

Tie Kui didn't say a word, nodded and said, "Okay." ”

When he set off, Tie Kui asked with some surprise, "What about General Zhang?" Won't he go back to the capital with us? ”

Qiu Dashan shook his head and said, "He didn't go back to the capital, and the prince asked him to go to Shandong." "There is Lou Qingyun in Shandong, so I don't worry about it for the time being.

Tie Kui's face was dejected, and he said, "We originally came with 100,000 people, but now there are only more than 20,000 people who have returned. "It's four-fifths of a loss.

Qiu Dashan said: "I am lucky to be able to bring back more than 20,000 people. Once Jinling falls into the hands of Yunqing, even the general doesn't know if he can return to the capital? ”

Tie Kui couldn't help but say: "The wealth of Jinling, no one in the world knows. If it is occupied by Yunqing, it must not be robbed. "There is also a reason why Tie Kui said this, the Northwest Army captured Fuyang, and began to loot things like bandits. They did not let go of gold, silver, jewelry, antique calligraphy and paintings, grain, cloth, medicinal herbs and other things.

Qiu Dashan said with a wry smile: "Jinling fell into the hands of Yunqing, which can make up for their expenditure on sending troops this time." "This time, Yunqing dispatched 600,000 soldiers and horses, and the cost was staggering, and I believe that their official treasury has been empty. But as long as you have a chance of winning, the cost can be quickly replenished.

Tie Kui shook his head and said, "It's a pity. In the eyes of many people, including Yan Wushuang and Qiu Dashan, Tie Kui is a good man, so it is not an exaggeration for Tie Kui to say this.

Contrary to Qiu Dashan and others, Kang Yongquan and Sun Shaojian looked at the mountains of loot, but they were dazzled and couldn't see it.

Kang Yongquan said with some excitement: "General, we are rich now." "They have snatched the booty, and according to the rules, they have a share. Although the proportion of the relative total is not high, it is still considerable when it comes to individuals.

Du Zheng also had a smile on his face, but he said: "Look at your little talent, when we take down Jinling, you won't be able to see it with your eyes at that time." ”

Sun Shaojian said with great ambition: "General, in less than two months, we will be able to defeat Jinling." ”

Du Zheng turned his head to look at Sun Shaojian and said: "It's good to have self-confidence, but you can't be proud. "On the battlefield, no one dares to boast about Haikou. In addition to the victory, even the things that are certain may change,

Sun Shaojian nodded hurriedly.

At this time, a loud voice sounded outside: "General, the prince has arrived." ”

When the three of them heard this, they immediately went out to greet Yunqing.

When Yun Qing saw the three of them, he asked with a smile, "What is the happy event that makes you feel so good?" He knew the joy of the heart.

Du Zheng said the amount of the seized booty: "General, only Fuyang is so rich, let alone Luzhou and Jinling. "After defeating Luzhou and Jinling, their generals' purses are going to bulge.

Yun Qing's expression fluctuated without the slightest hint: "I hope that this harvest can make up for the cost of our troops." "This time, the troops have emptied the treasury of the official family and the private family.

Du Zheng said with a smile: "Lord Wang, this time not only can make up for the cost of sending troops, but there must also be a surplus." You and the princess don't have to work so hard anymore. ”

Yunqing said: "It's the princess who really works hard. "The cost of sending troops is huge, and Yuxi really can't wait to break a penny into two petals. She won't approve it if it doesn't have the necessary expenses. This is not only reflected in government affairs, but also in Pingxi Palace.

Du Zheng said with a smile: "Our victory is half of the princess's credit. These are Du Zheng's words from the heart. If the army's salaries, grain and grass can't keep up, there is no way to talk about this battle.

Yun Qing smiled and said, "If the princess hears your words, she will be very happy. "Yuxi is not afraid of hard work, but she is afraid that no one will agree with what she does.

When the group entered the house, Yunqing was ready to talk to a few people about the attack on Luzhou. Du Zheng said: "Lord Wang, you have worked hard all the way, go and rest first!" ”

Yun Qing shook his head and said, "It's not too late to go and rest later." Although it is said that Fuyang has been captured, he is not clear about the specific situation. You have to understand the situation clearly before you go to rest.

As soon as the map was unfolded, someone outside shouted: "General, Yongzhou has been broken by General Guan." "That's good news for them.

Du Zheng's face showed joy: "Lord Wang, now we can attack Luzhou in two ways." "In this way, they can take Luzhou in the fastest time.

Yun Qing nodded.

Qiu Dashan and Tie Kui arrived in the capital, and neither of them went home, but went to the Yanwang Mansion.

Yan Wushuang's face was very ugly, and when he saw the two of them, he said, "I just got the news that Luzhou was attacked by Yunqing last night. In two days, Yunqing captured Luzhou in only two days. "Luzhou was defended by 250,000 troops, but it was broken in two days.

Qiu Dashan asked, "So fast?" "Although I knew that Yunqing could defeat Luzhou, I didn't expect it to be so fast.

Tie Kui asked, "Could it be that there is another cavalry sneak attack?" ”

Yan Wushuang said with a dark face: "No. It was a thousand households named Anfu who killed Li Can. As soon as Li Can died, Luzhou was in chaos. "The civil strife in Luzhou has given Yunqing an opportunity. Otherwise, Yunqing would not have been able to break through Luzhou within two days.

Qiu Dashan said in disbelief: "A great general will be killed by a thousand households? "It's a bit strange to say it.

Tie Kui reacted quickly and asked, "Could it be that this Anfu has already been bought by Yunqing?" "It's impossible to fight again when you suddenly have such a hand.

Yan Wushuang shook his head and said, "It's not clear for the time being." "No matter what, Yan Wushuang won't pay attention to a thousand households.

Qiu Dashan said with a worried face: "There are only a few hundred miles of Jinling in Luzhou. In this way, it won't be long before Jinling falls into the hands of Yunqing. ”

Yan Wushuang was silent for a moment and said: "I got the news two days ago, Xu Zhen sent troops to Hunan ten days ago, and now he has captured two states and is approaching Tanzhou. ”

Tie Kui said with some concern: "Lord Wang, General Lian is in Jiangxi. "If Hunan is breached, General Lian guarding Jiangxi will be in danger.

Yan Wushuang said expressionlessly: "It's too late to let him withdraw now." ”

When Tie Kui heard this, he bowed his head and remained silent.

Yan Wushuang glanced at Tie Kui and said, "You guys are tired from running for so long, let's go back and rest first!" ”

Tie Kui returned home, washed up briefly, ate something and fell asleep. And Qiu Dashan was still talking to Yan Wushuang in his study at this time.

Yan Wushuang said: "The cavalry that attacked you was trained in a secret place by Yunqing, and we didn't get any news before. ”

Qiu Dashan's face changed: "It's not the cavalry of the West Sea?" He thought it was Yunqing's cavalry transferred from the West Sea.

Yan Wushuang shook his head and said, "No." However, I carefully studied the route of the dismounted cavalry and found a problem. ”

Qiu Dashan hurriedly asked, "What's the problem?" ”

Yan Wushuang said: "The route taken by the cavalry from Xiayi to Fuyang actually bypassed our three important defensive areas and chose the safest and most convenient route. Do you know what that means? "As long as one place is found, it is impossible for the cavalry to succeed in a sneak attack.

Qiu Dashan said: "Yunqing knows our troop deployment well. After a pause, Qiu Dashan said with an ugly face: "The cavalry still entered through our north gate, and the north gate is the weakest place in our defense. ”

Yan Wushuang said: "There must have been generals in Fuyang City who have secretly rebelled, and their positions are not low. "As for who this mutinous person is, he will find out.

Qiu Dashan looked hateful: "Let me know that I have to chop him up." ”

Yan Wushuang's words changed and he asked, "How did Tie Kui escape the pursuers?" ”

Qiu Dashan's heart jumped: "The prince doubts Tie Kui? ”

Yan Wushuang said: "The cavalry who attacked you this time led the team by Cui Mo. If Cui Mo led the cavalry to catch Tie Kui, Tie Kui would not be able to escape. "Catching Tie Kui, that's a great achievement. With Cui Mo's temperament, he would give up such an opportunity, which is really not quite right.

When he was in Xuzhou, Tie Kui once told Qiu Dashan that he was glad that it was not Cui Mo who led the cavalry to chase. Otherwise, not only him, but even Qiu Dashan might not have escaped. Now Yan Wushuang said this, which made Qiu Dashan feel very uncomfortable. Because the credit for catching him is greater than catching Tiekui.

Tie Kui was worried that Yan Wushuang would suspect him, so he deliberately said these words in front of Qiu Dashan. If there is really something, Qiu Dashan can also help him block it.

Qiu Dashan frowned and said, "Does the prince know why Cui Mo didn't lead the cavalry to chase Tie Kui?" ”

Yan Wushuang nodded and said, "It's said that it's too tired and needs to rest, but this is an excuse." Anyway, Yan Wushuang didn't believe this statement.

Qiu Dashan was very indignant in his heart, and his voice couldn't help but be a little higher when he spoke: "Lord Wang, I suspect that Tie Kui is a fine work based on this inexplicable thing without evidence, and if it is spread out, it will definitely chill the soldiers below." "Suspect Tie Kui, but don't even suspect him.

Yan Wushuang didn't speak, just looked at Qiu Dashan coldly. For so many years, I haven't dared to speak so loudly in front of him. If Qiu Dashan hadn't followed him for many years and was loyal to him, he would have been dragged out and punished a long time ago.

Qiu Dashan also found that his mood was wrong just now, and immediately knelt on the ground and said: "Lord Wang, Tie Kui was born and died with me all these years, and his wife and children are in the capital, and other family members are also in Liaodong, so it is impossible for him to not even want his wife, children and clansmen." If you say that Tie Kui has taken refuge in Yunqing, I will never believe it. ”

Yan Wushuang didn't speak, just said, "I hope he has lived up to his trust in you." "He didn't want Tie Kui to be that fine work.

Qiu Dashan shook his head and said, "Lord Wang, I promise you with the head of Xiang Shang, Tie Kui will definitely not be Yunqing's person. "If Tiekui is a mutiny, it is impossible to follow him back to the capital.

Yan Wushuang said lightly: "Go down!" ”

Meng Nian sent Qiu Dashan away and said to Yan Wushuang: "Lord Wang, General Qiu has an upright temperament, and there is no room for sand in his eyes. If you tell him that Tie Kui may be a traitor, he will definitely not be able to believe it. Regarding whether Tie Kui defected to Yunqing, Meng Nian had reservations.

Yan Wushuang said expressionlessly, "I know. "If he didn't even know what the temperament of Qiu Dashan, who had been by his side for so long, he would have become a pile of white bones a long time ago.

Meng Nian was a little surprised: "Since you know, why did the prince tell him these words?" ”

Yan Wushuang said: "Dashan can't hide his words, and he definitely can't hide today's events." If Tie Kui really has a different heart, he will definitely take action. "As long as Tiekui has a movement, he can grab his tail.

Meng Nian felt a little risky: "If he really rebelled, it would startle the snake." If not, it would chill him. Yan Wushuang was suspicious, which gave Meng Nian a headache, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't change it.

Yan Wushuang said: "There is no need to say more about this. ”

As Yan Wushuang expected, Qiu Dashan invited Tie Kui to drink the next afternoon. While drinking, Qiu Dashan recalled his days in Liaodong with Tie Kui: "In Liaodong, although the days are harder, they are comfortable. It's not like here, aggrieved. "The people he defended with his life didn't believe him, and there were more aggrieved people than this!

Qiu Dashan felt that Qiu Dashan's mood was wrong, and asked, "General, did something happen?" "When he came back, Qiu Dashan's spirit was not bad. But the mood of Qiu Dashan is obviously very low.

Qiu Dashan drank a big bowl of wine and said with a sad face: "Although the prince was young at the beginning, who could see him did not praise him, saying that he could inherit the mantle of the marshal in the future. But now he ...... the next words, Qiu Dashan didn't say anything anymore, let him say bad things about Yan Wushuang, and he couldn't say it.

Tie Kui stood up and poured Qiu Dashan a glass of wine: "The prince has gone through so many things, and it is inevitable that his temperament will change from before. As subordinates, we should be more considerate and considerate of him. ”

Qiu Dashan patted Tie Kui's shoulder heavily: "Over the years, you have been wronged. "Yan Wushuang sent someone to monitor Tie Kui, and Qiu Dashan knew about it. At that time, he felt that Yan Wushuang's approach was unscrupulous and had great trouble, but unfortunately his opposition was useless.

Tie Kui smiled and said, "Compared to those dead brothers, I am already very lucky. "To survive until now, not only depends on his ability, but also on a bit of luck.

Qiu Dashan drank a large bowl of wine again and said, "It's good that you can think so." "If you think too much, you will be tired.

After drinking all afternoon, Tie Kui was helped back. But when he got home, Tie Kui opened his eyes when the room was empty. From Qiu Dashan's words, it was not difficult to hear that Yan Wushuang had doubts that he could come back safely.

Tie Kui looked at the roof, and said that he really wanted to go to the northwest when the army was defeated. If he goes to the northwest, he can restore his identity, so that he will no longer have to live this kind of trembling days. But he couldn't, not only his wife and children were in the capital, but his adoptive father and adoptive mother were also still in Liaodong. Once he went to the northwest, his wife, children, and adoptive parents would die.

One day later, Meng Nian said to Yan Wushuang: "Lord Wang, Tie Kui went back after drinking with General Qiu yesterday, and he had a high fever in the middle of the night. ”

Yan Wushuang asked, "High fever?" ”

Meng Nian said: "The imperial doctor said that General Tie's fever was caused by the injuries on his body. "Tie Kui has a wound on his body, although it is not fatal, but it is impossible to heal in such a short time. In this case, it is definitely not good to drink so much alcohol.

Yan Wushuang frowned and said, "This is too coincidental. "He fell ill before he even started to check Tiekui, which is not considered a retreat.

Meng Nian knew what Yan Wushuang was thinking, and said, "Lord Wang, I will let people pay close attention to Tie Kui." ”

Yan Wushuang nodded.