Chapter 136 After the War
The next day.

As soon as there was a dim light outside the window, Xiao Yan was already awake. It was autumn, and although he stayed indoors, there was a slightly cool breeze in the morning, but it was very refreshing, making people feel indescribably relaxed.

He was covered with a thin blanket, but it only covered his abdomen, revealing several kiss marks on his chest.

Next to her, Shulido was still sleeping soundly, breathing evenly. Her braided hair, which had been wet and then dried by sweat, had long fallen apart, looking very messy. There was a strand of long hair stuck to the corner of her mouth. Her red lips were slightly closed, and she looked very shiny in the hazy bright color.

The queen was exhausted last night and was sleeping soundly at this moment, with a quilt covering her chest. The tattered and soaked dragon robe had long been ripped open by Xiao Yan, revealing a patch of white that was rising and falling regularly with her breathing.

Immediately, the plump chest took shape. Soon, a gust of wind blew in, shaking the exquisite bunk bed back and forth. Shuliduo woke up quickly, her face flushed, her lips pursed, but she lay on her back weakly, unable to move, with her arms in front of her eyes, her teeth biting her lower lip tightly, and her shoulders trembling.

She was really out of strength, as if everything was falling apart, and her whole body was as limp as a puddle of water.

But after a while, the sound that could not be concealed was heard again from low to high in the room isolated by the internal force. The queen's cheeks and jade neck were all sweaty, and her arms were also pushed away by Xiao Yan. There were already some traces of pitiful looks on her noble face.

Her voice sounded like a long sigh or a painful cry, mixed with charming and soft nasal sounds. Her cold and serious temperament had long been destroyed, and Xiao Yan even had an inexplicable sense of conquest.

At this moment, Shuliduo was panting desperately, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes, trying to suppress the pleasure, and trying her best to put on a majestic expression: "It's dawn... I, our deal... is over..."

But her flushed cheeks, slightly closed eyes, and delicate nose half-hidden by her messy long hair all revealed the demeanor and charm of a mature lady, without any trace of majesty at all.

Xiao Yan laughed and didn't respond.

In a moment, Shulido's eyes rolled up slightly, and her arms suddenly wrapped around Xiao Yan's neck. Her whole body trembled slightly, and her two long, straight legs wrapped around the latter's violently beautiful waist as if in spasm, and moans came out of her mouth intermittently.

After a long while, the queen placed her forehead on Xiao Yan's collarbone, her red lips exhaling hot breath, her voice soft and mournful: "I really can't stand it anymore... I'm really afraid of you... Jiulang, please don't make trouble anymore, okay?"

After hearing this, Xiao Yan stopped asking for more and started to finish. At the end, the queen frowned and seemed to want to say something, but it seemed that because she had done this many times that night, she just acquiesced.

After finishing, Xiao Yan let out a refreshing breath, stood up, and without paying attention to the messy bed, he went to change his clothes.

Shuliduo collapsed on the bed, her arms so achy that she couldn't move. The blanket was right at her fingertips, but she was powerless to hook it over, so she let half of her body with some red marks remain exposed in the air.

But when she was waiting for Xiao Yan to fasten his belt and was about to walk out, she still forced her eyes open, tilted her head, and looked at his back.

"Jiulang, please don't let me down for what you promised..."

"rest assured."

Xiao Yan, wearing a futou, paused and reminded, "In two days, Yelu Zhiwu will also come to Youzhou."

After he walked out of the room, Shuliduo let out a long sigh. She closed her beautiful eyes and stared at the top of the curtain for a long time without saying a word, as if she was thinking about something.

……

It was still dimly lit just now, but when I left the room, it was already bright outside. In the early morning, the autumn wind was blowing, but it was very refreshing. The sky was a little gloomy, as if it was going to rain.

Speaking of which, it hasn't rained since the beginning of autumn.

There was almost no one outside, and the entire inner courtyard was empty, making it quite lonely.

Xiao Yan stood alone in the deserted courtyard, feeling calm and at peace, his heart had not been quiet for a long time, and his restless killing intent had completely dissipated without a trace. The method that Jiang Chen taught him was really effective...

Although the idea of ​​the queen was to let him and her increase their power together, it was the first time for him to practice this "double cultivation" method, and now he was full of energy. But it must be said that his reckless behavior overnight was also due to the surge in his desire to conquer.

Even though Xiao Yan had seen many beauties in his previous life, the whiteness under the dragon robe last night was the first time he had seen it. As expected, it had to be the lady, who had some tricks and thoughts that made him unable to stop.

However, as a real man, there is nothing to regret while living.

The bad guys who escorted him were very tactful and would not do anything that would be an eyesore. After he left the house, Fu An led a group of people and appeared from nowhere with their mounts. Everyone had a serious look on their faces, as if they had no idea that the queen had also stayed in the house all night.

Xiao Yan was also frank and talked with them all the way and went straight into the governor's mansion.

In the house, Shili Qixiang was a little angry, but more of a look of shock, as if the god she believed in had collapsed into the mortal world, so she sat down on the steps in a state of despair. She remembered the words she had used to ridicule Ji Ruxue half a month ago, and now she felt even more aggrieved.

After a long time, she calmed down her expression, looked around, and made sure there were no strangers. Then she knocked on the door and said cautiously, "Queen, the generals in the army have returned from Gaoliang River. You said yesterday that you would meet them today..."

After a moment of silence, she knocked on the door again: "Queen?"

After a while, Shuliduo's calm voice came from inside: "Let the generals camp outside the city, and then reorganize the armies. Xiao Yan promised this queen that the captives of the Tatars, Tanguts, and Uighurs will be handed over to us."

Her voice was very dignified, no different from usual. But Serikika, as a maid from the queen's mother's family, could immediately detect a hint of fatigue in it.

"Then do you need to come forward?"

"..."

Shili Qixiang didn't dare to ask any more questions. He bowed outside the room and left angrily, feeling humiliated like a dying servant.

Hibernation, hibernation...

She could only keep comforting herself: As long as the queen regains power in Mobei, everything will be fine. Now she has no choice but to tolerate that brat for a while...

------

"Meet the military envoy."

As soon as Xiao Yanfu entered the hall, all the civil and military officials stood up and saluted with their fists clasped.

Among them, most were generals of Dingbadu, such as the commanders of the left and right wings, the four army commanders and commanders under them, etc. In addition, there were several generals of the Yoshichang army, shogunate officials, etc., with a total of nearly a hundred people.

Those generals who originally belonged to the Liu family now showed respect and admiration to Xiao Yan without any carelessness, just like meeting a military governor.

As for those shogunate officials, they had met Xiao Yan in Youzhou a few months ago. Some of them had even fought in the army and were familiar with the wars that had taken place in the past few months. They also had expressions of respect and fear on their faces.

Liu Rengong, who was sitting at the head, could not help but feel embarrassed. At present, the outcome of Hebei was set in stone. Liu Shouguang was dead, Liu Shouwen was captured, the southern part of Mobei surrendered, and Li Cunxu fled south. Although the war was not completely over, as Wang Yanzhang was still chasing people southward and Cangzhou was still loyal to Liu Shouwen, the outcome was mostly settled and there was nothing to say.

Now that they had won a great victory, they naturally had to hold a military meeting to reward the generals and soldiers. As the official governor of Youzhou and Lulong, he naturally had to show up, but seeing this scene, he really didn't know whether to sit or stand.

However, he did not dare to stand up, so he stood up from the main seat and held out his hand in a pretentious manner: "Haha, look, our hero is here!"

After saying that, he seemed to not want to make the conversation awkward, as if he was afraid that Xiao Yan would ignore him, and he laughed loudly: "This time, the crisis in Hebei has almost turned the entire Yan area upside down, and the people are suffering. If it weren't for Envoy Xiao's efforts to turn the tide, I really can't imagine what the Yan area would become... According to me, Envoy Xiao is the backbone of Hebei. He can be appointed as the deputy envoy of the Jiedushi, and concurrently the defense envoy and the general envoy, in charge of the three armies of Youzhou, Lulong, and Yichang. What do you think of my move?"

Now, if the generals were not fools, they would agree. As long as someone agreed, he could be considered a decent governor...

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan nodded slightly and said with a smile: "Since I am not from Hebei, how dare I take the title of pillar? Hebei Dading, without the generals, even if there are ten Xiaos, it will be empty talk. As for the deputy envoy of the governor, I am afraid I don't have the talent to take the position."

Liu Rengong quickly forced a smile, "Xiao Jun sent such a talented person, if..."

"All right."

Xiao Yan interrupted him casually and didn't want to continue talking nonsense with him. He walked straight to the side of everyone and faced the generals with his hands behind his back.

Fu An stood beside him, holding a knife, staring at Liu Rengong with his triangular eyes, but said nothing.

The latter forced a smile, didn't dare to say anything more, and sat back in a daze.

In front, all the generals turned a blind eye to this, showing no strange expression, as if it made no difference whether Liu Rengong was sitting there or not. And the civil officials also pretended not to see it, and just looked at the powerful military envoy Xiao.

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment and said, "In the past few months, we have fought in Youzhou from Yuyang. I have seen your performance in all the battles, big and small. Your men are also fearless and brave, and they have lived up to their reputation as Yandi men. Although General Liu Jie is stationed in Youzhou and has never been on the battlefield, he must be pleased for you..."

Liu Rengong was being an obedient puppet, but when he was suddenly mentioned, he was flattered and wanted to stand up and say a few words.

But Xiao Yan didn't give him time at all, and continued: "In the battle of Yuyang and the battle of Gaoliang River, all armies suffered casualties, and we must provide compensation. Especially for the dead, those with families must be handed over to their families. For those without families or children, we should find some children and adopt them under the names of the dead soldiers, adopt them, provide compensation, and offer sacrifices to them... Han Yanhui, Feng Dao."

Among the people in the line, Han Yanhui responded, "Here."

Behind him, a scholar in his thirties looked a little surprised, and hurriedly stepped out with his head lowered: "I'm here."

Xiao Yan glanced at the two of them and said, "From now on, Han Yanhui will be the governor of Youzhou and in charge of the civil affairs of Youzhou. Feng Dao will be the recorder and secretary of Youzhou. I will leave this matter to you two. Can you handle it well?"

"I will not let the military envoy down!" Han Yanhui responded loudly with some excitement.

Feng Dao was still a little confused. He was not a very famous person in Youzhou Prefecture. Although he had some talents, he had not had many opportunities to come to the fore since he was summoned by Liu Rengong as an aide during the Tianyou period. He was a little shocked today.

But he was not slow to react, and immediately echoed: "General Xiao is benevolent, and I will make it known to the whole town."

Xiao Yan glanced at Feng Dao. This scholar who looked like a good old man was indeed very sensible.

He did not waste too much time on this matter. Both of them were ambitious people and would not do anything to anger him. What he focused on was the rewards for the generals, Dingbadu, Yichang Army, Lulong Army that stayed in Yuyang, and Youzhou garrison.

There were many generals of all ranks who had performed well, and he had already listed their names and immediately pointed out their names, asking Liu Rengong to promote those who should be promoted, reward those who should be rewarded, and give rewards to those who should be rewarded.

As for the ordinary soldiers under him, Liu Rengong must also pay out all his family fortune and reward them handsomely!

In the past, Liu Rengong plundered the entire Hebei province and accumulated a lot of wealth. When Liu Shouguang rebelled, all the wealth was seized in Youzhou City. Now that Liu Shouguang is dead and Liu Rengong is a puppet, Xiao Yan got all the wealth.

All the generals were delighted and said they would die for Xiao's army. The hall was filled with a thriving and joyful atmosphere.

Liu Rengong's face twitched, and his heart was bleeding. Not only did he lose money, but Xiao Yan also tried to undermine the hearts of the generals in Hebei in front of him, just like when he tried to undermine Li Keyong. How could he feel good after the situation changed?
But since it was Envoy Xiao who had spoken, he did not dare to refuse even if he had ten times the courage. He could only force a smile and agree to everything in front of everyone.

……

In the afternoon, General Xiao led the generals to comfort the troops and personally distributed rewards, boxes of copper coins and pieces of silk, as if they were free.

The Longxiang Army, which had only about 500 cavalrymen left, received more rewards. Ordinary cavalrymen were rewarded according to the rank of officers, and those who died in battle were rewarded twice as much. The rewards were temporarily deposited in the government treasury and would be taken back with the soldiers when they returned to Bianliang in the future.

For a moment, Wang Yanzhang, who had just returned, and the generals of all ranks in the Longxiang Army pretended not to notice Xiao Yan's attempt to win over the Hebei Army. Instead, they all dressed in bright armor, like his own army, and surrounded Xiao Yan to inspect the troops.

Everyone held their heads high and looked very proud. Xiao Yan was a good fighter, so naturally their status also rose. Their status in Youzhou was much higher than when they were in Bianliang.

……

Then, he and Shuliduo rewarded the Mobei Army. They also made great efforts. In the battle of Gaoliang River, Li Cunxu killed more than 5,000 people in one battle, and several generals became commanders without troops. After all, Xiao Yan used them without mercy.

But that was the case, he couldn't favor one over the other, so he took a portion of the money as a token of his appreciation. The rest, let Shuliduo figure it out on his own. It was understandable for a professional soldier from the Central Plains to give out rewards. You, a mixed Hu from Mobei, it's enough to get some.

Shuliduo and Xiao Yan rode side by side. The latter looked at her expressionlessly several times. The queen just looked very dignified, with a neutral expression. She treated the generals of Mobei in a very dignified manner. With her words, she trained Zhao Siwen and other generals into obedience.

If Xiao Yan had not accidentally seen the queen's long straight legs limping slightly under her robe when they were returning to the city together, he would have thought that last night was just a dream.

------

Bohai Sea.

Mohe tribe.

A bearded man with thin cheeks, tall but skinny body, leading a skinny horse, with a hunting bow slung over his waist, and three of his companions wearing tattered robes, walked towards the northwest in the cold wind.

Some tribesmen from Mobei stopped several people, demanded money, looked them up and asked.

"What's your name?"

"Liu Yi."

(End of this chapter)