Chapter 331 Northward and Southward

Fan Rui slowly gave the answer. Yang Chang first nodded in agreement, but then a look of doubt appeared on his face.

At this moment, Zhao Fujin looked at Ma Ling and asked, "Does the Kingdom of Jin also have a magician?"

"The Jin Kingdom was able to swallow up the Liao and bully the Song, so it makes sense that they had the help of the magician. However, the curse is a kind of evil magic. The real person calculated that they are not from the orthodox Xuanmen, nor are they from the Buddhist sect."

"Master Luo has figured out where the demon is and ordered the two of you to come down the mountain to help. I wonder what Yang needs to do?"

"This is the Taiwei's calamity, and you need to personally resolve it. I am accompanying Fan Rui down the mountain this time. He has been to Shangjing before, and I am here to lead the way for you."

After Ma Ling finished speaking, he bowed his head and saluted.

Yang Chang frowned and looked at the two of them, clasped his fists and said solemnly: "It would be fine for me to go in person, but my condition is not good now. I may faint at any time and anywhere, and it will take half an hour to wake up. In this state, it is hard to say whether I will succeed in killing the enemy thousands of miles away. Can you two do a good thing and help me resolve this disaster? I will come to thank you later."

"General."

Ma Ling looked embarrassed and quickly stretched out his hand to interrupt, saying: "It's not that Ma Ling doesn't want to help, it's just that I am not strong enough and I have no strength to help."

"Then Mr. Fan."

"It's the same with Xiao Dao. Feng Yue Pass was already lost to the princess last year. Why would the commander go so far away?"

Hearing Fan Rui say this, Yang Chang was really speechless.

Although the princess is powerful, her spells are too few and their effects are not fatal. Can she defeat the monsters from the Jin Dynasty?
Shangjing is thousands of miles away, and it takes a long time to go back and forth using the magic of speed. If an accident occurs on the way, the time it will take is unknown. If neither he nor the princess is there, who will turn the tide at the critical moment?
"Ahem, I know Master Luo is unwilling to come down the mountain, but Mr. Yiqing and Mr. Qiao are both masters who can call the wind and rain. Can we invite them..."

"Lieutenant!"

Before Yang Chang could finish, Fan Rui interrupted him and reminded him in a deep voice: "The two brothers have ended their earthly ties and will no longer interfere in the mundane world. However, we still have karma with the general, and we are here today to settle the karma. Please don't make things difficult for us anymore."

"Uh"

Yang Chang was speechless.

Fan Rui's words were very clear, implying that he came to help out of necessity, so you shouldn't push your luck.

Having said that, how could Yang force me to do something against my will? He immediately clasped his fists and bowed.

Just as he was about to refuse Fan Rui's guidance and said that he could get to Shangjing by walking and asking questions along the way, Ma Ling suddenly spoke to comfort him, "Taiwei, don't be depressed. Since the real person has asked us to go down the mountain to answer your questions and lead the way, your fainting problem must be controllable. Otherwise, you can just ignore it. What do you think?"

"I said? I."

"Official!"

"Yang Lang!"

"General?"

Yang Chang was like a drunken 'live broadcast' and fainted in front of Ma Ling and Fan Rui before he could finish his words.

“I actually fainted.”

"It was really sudden."

"Two gentlemen!"

Hu Sanniang was about to cry, and was about to kneel down and beg for mercy regardless of the presence of others, but Qiu Qiongying quickly supported her and said angrily: "Sister, there is no need to do this. Since we know the crux of the problem, we should wait until the master wakes up before making any plans. At worst, we can rush to Shangjing together and directly destroy the nest of the Jin thieves!"

"Shangjing is thousands of miles away. I heard that the frost may not thaw outside the Great Wall in spring. How can it be so easy to mobilize troops?"

"I know the art of teleportation. If not, I'll go there!"

"If you go, Princess, I will be your companion."

The three beautiful ladies were communicating excitedly, while Ma Ling and Fan Rui looked at each other awkwardly. Ma Ling in particular should have left after helping Yang Chang to resolve his doubts, but now she was frozen there, at a loss as to what to do.

Just then, a familiar shout was heard from outside the hall.

"Sanlang, Sanlang?"

"I am back!"

"Is it Wudutou?"

"And Master Lu!"

Wu Song strode over the threshold, and his joyful expression suddenly turned pale.

When he saw Ma Ling and Fan Rui, he should have gone forward to greet them first, but he saw Yang Changyang lying on a bench, his brothers and sisters-in-law all had worried looks on their faces, and Hu Sanniang was even crying.

Something big?

"Saburo!"

Wu Song's heart was pounding, and he took a quick step forward.

It was not until he felt Yang Chang's body temperature that he finally dared to breathe deeply. At the same time, he looked at Hu Sanniang and asked, "Did Sanlang faint again? When did it happen?"

"Just now, it will probably take half an hour for him to wake up."

"So long now? Master, do you have any solution?"

"I can only give it a try."

After Lu Zhishen finished speaking, he put his hands together, walked to Yang Chang and began to chant: Thus I have heard, once the Buddha was in Trayastrimsa Heaven, preaching to his mother. At that time, the ten directions of the immeasurable world
Ma Ling was captured by him in the beginning. When he saw the big monk who used to shout for war and killing could actually recite scriptures solemnly, he thought that this monk did not look like a monk, so would chanting scriptures be of any use?

However, Yang Chang quickly opened his eyes and spoke, causing him to gasp in surprise.

"Hmm? Second brother is back? Master Lu? Are they all here?"

"Sanlang, are you awake?"

"This"

"Incredible!"

Lu Zhishen's extraordinary performance astonished Ma Ling, Fan Rui and even Wu Song. However, the three women's surprise soon turned into a look of normality. After all, the monk had broken through the realm of refining Qi, so it was natural for him to have some supernatural powers.

When Yang Chang learned that Lu Zhishen had awakened him, he jumped up excitedly, held his big hands, and asked curiously: "Master, what did you do just now?"

"My teacher loves to recite the Ksitigarbha Sutra the most. Brother Yang asked me to read it. I just barely memorized the whole text recently. I didn't expect it to be so effective."

“Haha, that’s great.”

Yang Chang couldn't help laughing, and couldn't help but think of Fan Rui's theory of cause and effect, thinking to himself, is this the cause I planted before? I didn't expect it to bear fruit so soon.

With Lu Zhishen's help in dispelling the "fainting", Yang Chang was no longer afraid of sudden fainting and was immediately full of confidence in breaking the calamity.

In front of Wu Song and Lu Zhishen, he explained the reason why he was cursed, and then smiled and saluted Ma Ling.

"Brother Ma is very smart and I admire you very much. Now that I have the help of the master, it is no problem for me to go to the capital. It is only thousands of miles away, and the journey will take days and months. Can you borrow Brother Ma's skills and take the master on a journey? I will fight on my own then."

"What the general wants is that I take Master Lu and the princess takes the general, but who takes Fan Rui?"

"Why don't we ask as we go? It won't waste much time and it won't tire Mr. Fan out."

"No."

Ma Ling interrupted Yang Chang again and said solemnly: "I repeat, the cause and effect between you and me has been resolved, but Fan Rui's cause and effect has not been resolved, so he has to go. I have to go back to the mountain to report." "This..."

Yang Chang looked embarrassed.

Before he could figure out how to respond, Ma Ling had already bowed and was about to leave, and asked Fan Rui to take the person to Shangjing and then go directly back to Erxian Mountain.

Seeing Ma Ling leave resolutely, Qiu Qiongying complained angrily: "What Yin Fruit and Yang Fruit? If he doesn't want to help, forget it. Let's go slowly on horseback."

"I know."

Yang Chang nodded in affirmation, and at the same time called Wu Song to stop him and said, "Brother, please don't refuse the hard work. Take Master Lu and Mr. Fan to the posthouse to settle down first. I will make some preparations and set out in a few days."

"it is good."

"Wait, Master, you're staying here, right? If you get dizzy again, it will be convenient for you to chant sutras."

"What my sister-in-law said makes sense. I'll take Fan Rui to rest first."

Wu Song responded to Hu Sanniang and led Fan Rui out. When they saw the row of side rooms on the left, he couldn't help but turn back and remind them, "The room I stayed in before is suitable for Master Lu to rest."

"Go ahead, second brother. I know the arrangements."

"Well."

Yang Chang looked at Wu Song's back and smiled, then took Lu Zhishen to Wu Song's "single dormitory" to settle him down, and then returned to the back house to discuss the matter of going north.

Throughout last year, he was either busy with military and political affairs, or led troops in battle for a long time. At the end of the year, he patrolled the border for several months. He finally made it to the New Year to spend time with his family, but unfortunately he was cursed and plotted against by the Jin people, and had to go on a long journey again.

Since it is just a normal route to Shangjing, it would not be excessive to bring a few more people, but it is obviously impossible for three people to go together, and Yang Chang would certainly not agree.

So as soon as he stepped into the main hall, he saw the three women sitting upright in their seats, waiting for him to decide who would accompany them.

Just as Yang Changcai sat down, Qiu Qiongying, who was the most impatient, stood up first and shouted, "Sir, how many people do you plan to take to the capital this time? Don't leave me behind."

"Hmm? Sit down first."

"Oh"

Seeing Qiu Qiongying reluctant to sit down, Hu Sanniang hurriedly added: "Sir, what do you think? If possible, I would also like to go with you, but if it is difficult to arrange, at least you have to bring my third sister with you."

"What do you think, princess?"

Yang Chang did not comment, but asked Zhao Fujin for his opinion.

Zhao Fujin pursed his lips and thought for a moment, then frowned and said softly, "When the Jin soldiers invaded before, I was always asked to stay in charge. This time, you are taking Master Lu to the capital, and it will take several months to go back and forth on horseback. It is hard to say whether we will not be attacked. It is better for me to stay."

"The princess knows my heart."

"It's just that Yang Lang is too far away, and I don't know the way outside the Great Wall, so I can't go to you to report the news."

"It doesn't matter."

Yang Chang waved his hand and stood up. He looked at the three ladies and said solemnly, "The princess's worries are my worries. The Jin people are plotting with curses and nightmares, and they are clearly coveting the land of Hedong. So they are likely to launch a surprise attack while I am not at home. None of you need to go with them. Master Lu is enough to accompany you. The key is to protect the home and let your husband have no worries."

"No? Not even one?"

Qiu Qiongying looked unhappy, and then she pouted and muttered: "What's wrong with one more person? I have my elder sister staying at home, and the princess sister supporting me. I have nothing to do if I stay here. I might as well follow the master."

"You're in trouble!"

"Sir, you"

"I don't know how long I will be gone. I'm afraid people's hearts will become uneasy if I'm gone for too long. You have to stay and help calm them down."

As Yang Chang was speaking, he came to Qiu Qiongying, held her shoulders with both hands and looked her up and down, and said seriously: "My lady is skilled in archery and horse riding. If necessary, you can dress up in my military uniform. Maybe it can last for a while. I will not take away the soldiers and armor."

"How long can it take? The generals of each state are all our own people. As long as the army is not in chaos, the people's hearts will be stable!"

Hu Sanniang spoke in a decisive tone, but unexpectedly Yang Chang frowned and shook his head at her.

"There are millions of soldiers and civilians in Hedong, and only a few of them are brothers in life and death? You should make more preparations. Remember what I told you before, pay attention to comforting the people and boosting the morale of the army."

"I save it."

"Ah."

Yang Chang nodded happily and added, "The plan to recover the states formulated before the New Year is still in the study and has not been published. If I am not back by early March, let my second brother proceed according to my plan, but change the plan of recovering two states per month to recovering one state per month, so as to divert the attention of the military and civilians."

"it is good."

That night, Yang Chang had a reunion dinner with his family. The next day, he summoned Wu Song, Tang Ke, and Yang Jian, and gave them detailed instructions on the military and political affairs during his absence. He set off on the afternoon of the sixth day of the first lunar month.

The shortest route from Taiyuan to Shangjing should be to go north through Yanmen Pass, but Fan Rui previously started from Hebei, then went through Yumen Pass and headed north.

Since Master Luo had appointed a 'tour guide', Yang Chang had no choice but to follow the 'tour guide's' advice, which was like listening to someone's advice to get a full meal.

The three men set out from Yangqu, passed through Pingbei Army and exited Jingxing, and continued northward to Zhending. During the journey, they were still dressed as monks and Taoists. They traveled for half a month to the border of Pingzhou, and then they disguised themselves and left Yuguan.

The last time Fan Rui went north, he learned simple Hu language in order to hide his identity. This time, he disguised himself as a child, Lu Zhishen as a Xi follower, and Yang Chang as a craftsman, and they successfully passed through the border.

At that time, the north wind was howling inside the pass, but because there were many towns and villages, people could rest at any time. However, outside the pass, not only did it snow from time to time, but the distances between cities were very far, so people basically had to travel in the wind and snow every day.

Fortunately, the three of them had cultivation, and the wind and snow had little impact on their travel. Even Lu Zhishen, who was at the first level of Qi Refining, had thick skin and flesh and was not afraid of the severe cold. However, the horses could not travel continuously, and they had to rest sufficiently every time they arrived at a city, so their travel speed was greatly reduced.

Yang Changyuan thought that there would be few people passing by on the road at this time of year, but he often saw people going south and north.

By asking Fan Rui, we learned that those who braved the severe cold and snow to travel were all businessmen doing various businesses. The stronger the wind and snow, the more expensive the goods.

Of course, the most common ones are postmen from all over the country, who travel back and forth to deliver messages regardless of rain or shine.

On the way, they stopped in Jinzhou to rest. Lu Zhishen saw a group of Jurchen cavalry passing by outside the window. They were all tall and strong, wearing fur and brocade clothes. He muttered in a low voice: "Look, that group of cavalry passing by, I think it's not simple, there must be an important person among them, should we follow and kill them? It's a good time for everyone to change their pace."

"No!"

When Fan Rui spoke out to stop him, Yang Chang also shook his head to express his disapproval.

In order to conceal his tracks, he did not ride the Zhaoye Jade Lion this time. Ordinary horses have poor endurance and speed, but he did not want to cause any trouble.

However, out of curiosity, Yang Chang used his [Eye of Insight] to scan several people. If he really met someone like Nianhan, he wouldn't mind getting rid of him. Unfortunately, he didn't find anything unusual after looking around.

In fact, while Yang Chang was resting in Jinzhou, Nianhan Zhen was on his way south. He succeeded Xie Ye as the commander-in-chief and was ordered to take charge of Yanyun and turn the tide.

Last year, Xieye died in battle in Daizhou, leaving Anbanbojile vacant. Nianhan joined forces with Aguda's eldest son Wuben (Wanyan Zonggan) and advised Wuqimai to establish the late Shengguo's (Wanyan Zongjun) son, Aguda's eldest grandson Hela (Wanyan Tan), as Anbanbojile.

According to the Jin people's inheritance model of "brother to younger brother", when Wuqimai, a peer, died, the throne should be passed on to the next generation.

But Puluhu, who was carefully cultivated by Wuqimai, is gone. The most qualified among his peers is Erliduo, but Erliduo is the former right deputy marshal. After entering the court, he served as deputy prime minister, one of the most powerful positions.

Erliduo's appointment as Anbanbojile posed a great threat to Wuqimai's imperial power and was of no benefit to Nianhan's descendants, so it was in the interests of both parties to push forward the young Hela.

Of course, power trading is a back-and-forth process.

Wuqimai made huge concessions, and Nianhan had to deal with the threat from Yang Chang and avenge Puluhu, Xieye and others, so he planned a curse and supplemented it with military means.

The cavalry that Yang Chang saw in Jinzhou were actually an envoy sent by the Kingdom of Jin to Yingtian Prefecture. They were also part of Nianhan's subsequent military tactics. They used the excuse of celebrating the New Year to threaten Zhao Gou to send troops to Shanxi.

(End of this chapter)