In Yingtianfu, Guo Xu has been busy pacifying the people and rectifying the soldiers and horses for several days. Although Yingtianfu was captured, the morale of the entire army was not high. Of course, Guo Xu knew the reason, because this attack on Tianfu suffered heavy casualties. An army of 50,000 came majestically, thinking that it was overwhelming, but unexpectedly it suffered a heavy price. More than 7,000 were killed and 14,500 wounded. More than half of the combat units suffered casualties.

If it weren't for Ma Bin's desperate capture of the south gate and the cavalry raiding into the city, I don't know what the result of this siege would be.

Therefore, this is actually not a victory, paying such a big price to take Ying Tianfu, and the leader of the bandits is still slipping under his nose, how can this be regarded as a victory? The key is that the other party is just some rabble bandits, and they are not elite soldiers, and this result is naturally unacceptable to many people.

Guo Xu himself was not in a high mood, although he won Ying Tianfu, he did not show a smile on his face in the past few days. He knew he was going to disappoint a lot of people this time, and in fact he was disappointed with his own performance. He knew that this time the Pingjiao bandits meant a lot to him, but a good hand of cards was played by himself into such a rotten situation, and he was also anxious and angry in his heart.

After the city was broken, Guo Xu was very self-aware and did not report to the imperial court. In the whole comittal, the process of capturing Yingtianfu was only plainly narrated, and even Hai Dongqing's escape was not concealed. Guo Xu even made a review in the recital, making it clear that he had made the mistake of underestimating the enemy, which led to a weak siege and heavy casualties. He asked the imperial court to punish him, and he was willing to pay a fine for one year, and he was willing to pay for the imperial court to pay for the families of some of the officers and soldiers who died in battle.

Guo Xu understands that he must keep a low profile and be humble, and if he brags about himself at this time, he is afraid that he will incur great disgust from his father and the attack of the courtiers. Because what I did was not pretty. The 50,000 forbidden army has become a bunch of waste in his own hands, which must have disappointed and angered his father. If you take this war as a credit, I am afraid it will backfire.

In the evening, Guo Xu, who was patrolling the city, received the news. The will came to the capital, and the messenger had already arrived at the residence of Yingtianfu Yamen. Guo Xu hurriedly hurried back to the mansion, and as soon as he entered the lobby, he was surprised to find a familiar figure sitting in the lobby.

"Grandfather? How did you get here? Such a long way...... How can I labor you to come? Guo Xu exclaimed in surprise and joy.

Sitting in the hall was Lu Zhongtian, who had gray hair and a clear and tired face. The journey from the capital to Yingtianfu is more than 700 miles, and it is indeed a kind of torture to come here with Lu Zhongtian's body that has passed the age of sixties, and the boat and car are tired. He was tired, but he was cautious.

"Hehehe, it was the old man who took the initiative to invite Ying to come and deliver the message. It's not that the emperor is inconsiderate of the old ministers. King Huai conquered such a great victory as Ying Tianfu, and there is nothing wrong with me coming to announce the reward. A smile spread on Lu Zhongtian's face, and he looked at Guo Xu's eyes very kindly.

Guo Xu's face was hot, he felt that his grandfather was talking the opposite, and sighed in a low voice: "I'm ashamed, Guo Xu has lived up to the expectations of the emperor and the court, and has lived up to his grandfather's expectations and teachings." ”

Lu Zhongtian shook his head slowly, and said in a deep voice: "Don't be presumptuous. Let's take the order first, let's take the rest

Let's talk about it. ”

Guo Xu was busy tidying up. Lu Zhongtian stood in the hall and read out Guo Chong's holy decree. To Guo Xu's surprise, it was really a holy decree of commendation. The father did not blame in the holy decree, and praised the spirit of Guo Xu leading the forbidden army to fight to the death in response to the battle of Tianfu. It is said that Guo Xu can survive in the dead situation, can never give up despite death, and his indomitable spirit even if he encounters setbacks is worthy of praise. It is said that Ying Tianfu was successfully captured, which means that the most difficult moment has passed to exterminate the Qingjiao bandits. It was a turning point. The holy decree encouraged the officers and men of the whole army and Guo Xu to make persistent efforts to put down the bandits as soon as possible and complete the major task of counterinsurgency.

There is no word of rebuke in the whole decree, and there is not the slightest complaint or disappointment. He did not say a word about the heavy casualties and the escape of the bandits. This made Guo Xu both surprised and delighted, and at the same time a little confused.

"Take it. What are you still doing? Lu Zhongtian smiled and said to Guo Xu, who was kneeling down in a daze.

Guo Xu hurriedly shouted long live and received the holy decree.

"My old arms and legs really can't stand the toss, and my whole body seems to be falling apart all the way. Guo Xu, I won't go to the pavilion to live, I'll live with you. I don't know if you have a place for the old man to stay. Lu Zhongtian hammered his waist and smiled.

"Please go to the inner hall to rest, the grandson's house will be vacated in a while, and tonight I will invite my grandfather to spend the night. The boy had a lot to say to his grandfather. Guo Xu said busily.

"Okay, you don't have to move out, make a bunk in the house at night, and let's talk to our grandparents. You have something to say to me, and I have something to say to you. Lu Zhongtian stroked his beard and smiled.

Guo Xu smiled and nodded, stepped forward to help Lu Zhongtian by the arm and helped him up, Lu Zhongtian put his arm on Guo Xu's shoulder, and the two walked towards the back hall.

……

The night was falling, it was already halfway through August, a waning moon was hanging high in the sky, and the night breeze was already cool. The most pleasant autumn of the year has arrived.

In the small courtyard of the back hall of Yingtianfu Yamen, there are some melons, fruits, moon cakes, grapes and other foods on a small table. Lu Zhongtian and Guo Xu sat next to the small table in casual clothes, looking peaceful.

"Grandfather, you bothered to bring so many things. Brought from the capital, so my grandson really didn't dare to be. Guo Xu said with a smile.

Lu Zhongtian smiled and said: "You are out on the expedition and missed the Mid-Autumn Festival. When I came, I went into the palace to see your mother, and your mother said that I wanted me to bring some of these things to you to make up for the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the past, every Mid-Autumn Festival, you accompanied your mother, but this year you are not in the capital, and your mother misses you very much. Although the Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, and there are only two of us, grandchildren, it can be regarded as a scene. Come, fill the pot of osmanthus wine, and let us have a drink for the two of us. ”

Guo Xu hurriedly poured wine from the pot, and sighed in his mouth: "My mother really doesn't have to say anything to the child, I am on a journey, and I can't accompany her in the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I feel really guilty." The child first wished her mother a cup, wishing her good health and peace. ”

Lu Zhongtian said with a smile: "I think it's better to respect your father and emperor first, and don't mess with the Qiankun Gangchang." ”

Guo Xu was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly said: "What my grandfather said is to respect my father first." Respect my mother again. ”

Lu Zhongtian looked at Guo Xu with a smile

Raised his glass and toasted two glasses in the direction of the capital, and then picked up the wine glass and touched it with Guo Xu, and drank it all.

"Come and eat this crystal grape. Tribute from the Western Regions. Big and sweet. This year, it is said that the small country in the Western Regions has caused a natural disaster, and the grape production is not good. The road was far away, and a total of 1,000 catties of tribute was paid to the imperial court. The old man only got ten pounds. There are many people in the harem, and your mother only got five catties. She didn't want to eat a bite, so she ordered someone to chill it and let me bring it all. Said I'm going to give you a taste. Eat it, it's very sweet. Lu Zhongtian pointed to the crystal clear grapes in the wooden plate and said.

Guo Xu silently picked one and put it in his mouth, chewed it, and his mouth was full of sweet juice, which was cool and delicious. But he suddenly felt a bitter mouth, sighed and was stunned.

"What's wrong? Isn't it delicious? Lu Zhongtian said with a smile.

"No...... It's delicious. The mother is really attentive to the child, and I am very ashamed. Guo Xu said softly.

"Pity the hearts of parents all over the world, every mother is eager to take out her heart for her son and give him it. This is not unusual. As long as you understand that, as a son of man, you should not fail your parents and try to repay them in the future. Lu Zhongtian smiled.

"What my ancestors taught. But...... But Guo Xu is incompetent...... This time...... Oh, I'm ashamed. lived up to the expectations of his grandfather and mother, and lived up to the trust of his father and the court. I was really ashamed in my heart. Guo Xu said hoarsely.

Lu Zhongtian groaned: "Guo Xu, you can't be presumptuous. You can't withstand small setbacks, how can you become a big thing? This time I am really dissatisfied with you, you took Ying Tianfu, it should have been a big victory, when the momentum is like a rainbow, it is hyped up. But what did you write on the recital for the court? ”

Guo Xu said in a deep voice: "Grandfather, this time my grandson is indeed very ashamed, the 50,000 army attacked the city, and the face was nothing more than the rabble of the Qingjiao, but he made a series of defeats and suffered heavy casualties. The guilt in the grandson's heart is indescribable. Grandchildren ......"

Lu Zhongtian interrupted coldly: "Then, in the end, did you take Ying Tianfu?" Taking Ying Tianfu is a victory and a great victory. As for the losses...... How can you fight without dying? No one in the world dares to say that fighting a war can guarantee that not a single soldier will die. And you're not dealing with a rabble. The Qingjiao bandits were organized in an orderly manner and had long had a plan. They have equipment and weapons that are not inferior to our Great Zhou Forbidden Army, and they are a strong enemy. Many people have been besieging the city for several days and suffering heavy casualties, and they are afraid that they will call for help or simply lose confidence, but you still gnaw this hard bone off, and this alone is worthy of praise. If you don't mention an inch of merit in the performance, and you still ask for punishment yourself, this is self-defeating. If you want to say disappointed, it is your behavior that makes the old man a little disappointed. In terms of war, the old man was not disappointed. Even Yang Jun recognizes this. ”

"Oh? Yang Shumi didn't blame me? Guo Xu was surprised.

"Of course he's going to blame you, you've caused his forbidden army to suffer heavy losses, and he's got a lot of criticism about the fact that almost all of the most expensive SkyScooters we've built have been scrapped. But the old man told him that the old man would allocate 10 million taels to build a cloud car for him, and the imperial court would issue a special pension for the dead and wounded officers and soldiers. What else does he have to say? The soldiers lost by the forbidden army can be replaced, and he is nothing more than distressed with silver. If I give him money, what else can he say? Lu Zhongtian sneered.

。 Nine Heavenly God Emperors