Chapter 142 Pride
November, the beginning of winter.

The cold wind was howling, and the snow was drifting across the vast northern country. A while ago, it was just frost all over the ground, but when I woke up one night, heavy snow like goose feathers had begun to fall from the sky.

The snow was falling heavily.

From the yard, there was also the sound of my elder sister shouting in surprise.

"With such heavy snow, I can't go back to Shuzhong!"

There was frustration in her voice, but it also had a sense of humor that made people laugh: "Sister will freeze to death on the road..."

Then, she heard the sound of her begging the minister to surrender.

"Can you go back with me?"

"..."

Xiao Yan stood in the corridor, with his hands behind his back, looking up at the falling snow with a deep gaze.

"Aren't you cold wearing so little?"

Someone called him in a low voice from behind.

Xiao Yan turned around and saw Ji Ruxue quietly walking towards him holding a gray cloak covered with mink fur.

At this moment, the girl saw that he was just looking at her without saying a word. At first, she felt a little shy and subconsciously wanted to turn her head away. But immediately, she raised her head and stared into his eyes. There was a hint of unwillingness to be outdone in their gaze.

The former smiled and said, "Where did it come from?"

"The queen sent someone to deliver it." Ji Ruxue smiled with her eyes curved. "A few days ago, my sister insisted on taking me to visit a weaving shop, and we happened to meet Shili Qixiang on the street... You should know who this Shili Qixiang is, right?"

Xiao Yan nodded.

"I have an impression of her."

Ji Ruxue continued, "The day after that day, the queen sent someone to deliver a batch of warm robes. I saw them, they were all new and made of plenty of material."

"She is good at giving gifts, but she won't give one to me." Xiao Yan smiled casually.

"Can't I take it?" The girl was a little flustered when she heard that, and her hands froze in place, "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you because I saw you were too busy..."

Xiao Yan was happy, but deliberately frowned: "Why are you apologizing to me? It's clearly Shuliduo's fault. This gift is too small. How dare she give it to me?"

Ji Ruxue chuckled and said nothing more. She just rolled her eyes at him and stood on tiptoe to tie the cloak around Xiao Yan.

The latter took advantage of the situation and gently held her somewhat cold hand.

Although the girl looked cold, she was only sixteen after all. She was startled and subconsciously glanced at the bad guys on duty in the distance. She twitched her hand, but it didn't move. She was a little shy and whispered, "What are you doing?"

"I'm really not cold." Xiao Yan's palms were warm, and he smiled and said, "Why don't I put it on you?"

"I have one too." Ji Ruxue blushed slightly, but she couldn't pull her hand back, so she simply stopped resisting, lowered her head, and said softly: "Tie it on, it will look good... This is how King Qi dresses in winter."

Xiao Yan was slightly stunned.

"Really." The girl seemed to be afraid that he would not believe her, so she hesitated, then raised her head, pursed her lips, raised her beautiful eyes, and said, "That's what I think."

After saying that, her cheeks turned slightly red, but she still looked into Xiao Yan's eyes stubbornly to show that she was not lying.

Xiao Yan looked at her blankly. He was much taller than her, and when he looked down at her, he could see the slight blush on the girl's cheeks.

Ji Ruxue's face was originally a little thin. She was not like other women. She did not have even a bit of charm. Instead, her beauty carried a hint of pure and otherworldly air, which often made people feel a sense of coldness that kept strangers away.

She used to carry the Su Xin sword all the time, but after it was destroyed by Xiao Yan, she got used to carrying the 'enchanted' sword that Xiao Yan gave her. Now she looked less gorgeous and more aloof.

She was different from other girls. Girls of her age yearned for maturity and beauty, and pursued all kinds of beautiful hairstyles and more beautiful clothes. But she just tied her thick black hair into a ponytail. Her temperament was as cold as a lotus beyond the world, and no one could approach her.

But this lotus, which is cold and frosty to everyone, is bold and passionate towards Xiao Yan, as if it has exhausted the courage of the girl for more than ten years and is willing to step out of her former small world just to walk side by side with him in this world.

Xiao Yan pondered for a long time, and finally said softly and gently: "Thank you."

"Thank you for what?"

Ji Ruxue was amused by this sudden remark, and then blinked proudly. It was obvious that Xiao Yan listened to her.

She tiptoed and fastened his cloak for him, a look of satisfaction in her beautiful eyes.

Xiao Yan was also amused by himself, and then he took the girl into his arms and watched the snow with her, saying: "If it weren't for you, I would have died on that snowy night last year -

It’s been a year since we met.”

Ji Ruxue's ears were burning, but she saw that the bad guys on duty in the distance had disappeared without a trace, so she slowly calmed down and softly retorted: "How could there be a year? It was at the end of the winter month. I remember it very clearly, it was the twenty-sixth of the winter month, and there was still half a month to go before a full year..."

Xiao Yan smiled and breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you."

"Don't thank me!"

The girl was angry and twisted his waist.

"..."

At the corner of the corridor, the surrendered minister walked away indifferently with his hands behind his back, his long legs straight and walking very fast.

My sister was wrapped in a thick mink coat, shivering as she moved around. She bumped into her and asked, "Have you seen the little girl?"

Jiang Chen's face turned pale, and he gritted his teeth slightly, as if he didn't hear her. He ignored her and walked past her.

"what?"

My sister looked suspicious.

------

It was snowing heavily, so Xiao Yan gave a special order, allowing the prisoners to rest in the camp and not to continue repairing the destroyed Youzhou City.

The officials who came to the palace to discuss matters were also allowed to rest at home for two days. During this period of time, they finally understood that this military envoy Xiao was a complete workaholic. He almost did everything himself, taking care of all matters, big and small. What's more, he had a particularly good memory. Whoever the order was given was the boss, and he couldn't play tricks at all.

Some time ago, many old officials in Hebei were looking forward to entering the government office to show their presence and take on more work, but later they became a little afraid. These scholars were not strong, so how could they compare to the warriors in terms of strength, let alone Xiao Yan's body that was like a perpetual motion machine.

Today is a rare day off, so there are fewer people inside and outside the Military Envoy's Mansion.

But Feng Dao still braved the snow and entered the government office to attend the meeting.

"Since Liu Shouwen was captured by the military envoy, the news has spread to Cangzhou. At present, Sun He and Lu Yan, two generals of Liu Shouwen who stayed in Cangzhou, have nominated Liu Shouwen's son Liu Yanzuo as the commander of the Yichang Army to resist the Liang army outside Cangzhou..."

He spread out the map and explained to Xiao Yan, "Sun He is an old subordinate of Liu Shouwen when he was the governor of Yichang Army. I have heard a little about him. He has a calm personality and is experienced in using troops. He is known for his steady and cautious approach. Liu Shouwen kept him in Cangzhou for a reason."

Wang Yanzhang snorted coldly, "No matter how old he is, if he doesn't surrender, he will die!"

Wang Yanzhang had been very resentful recently. He led the elite cavalry of the Longxiang Army and Dingbadu to the south to pursue Li Cunxu. For more than ten days, he slept on horseback. Unexpectedly, Li Cunxu had the confidence to suddenly turn around and shoot him, catching him off guard and causing hundreds of casualties. Then a heavy snow blocked his way to find the enemy, so he was forced to return. Although Xiao Yan did not blame him, after all, Wang Yanzhang had promised Xiao Yan on the top of the city, so how could he not feel ashamed? At this time, all his anger was naturally vented on Cangzhou.

Feng Dao was a little embarrassed and explained repeatedly: "That's not the case, that's not the case. General Wang, don't be angry in a hurry. Cangzhou's intention is just to resist the Liang army. Its attitude towards Youzhou is still a little subtle."

At the side, Han Yanhui, who seemed to have lost a lot of weight, coughed into his handkerchief and interrupted in a hoarse voice: "Liu Yanzuo wants to meet Liu Shouwen. Of course, this should be Sun He's idea. After all, Liu Shouwen is his old master, and there must be some master-servant relationship between them."

Xiao Yan, wearing a cloak and a red robe, sat in the main seat. He squinted his eyes and said seriously, "I heard that the Han Observer has been busy with official duties recently and can't sleep at night. Has he hurt his body?"

Han Yanhui quickly put the handkerchief into his arms, stood up and said with his arms folded: "Absolutely not, the military commander does not need to worry about me. The town has just experienced a war, and I have been entrusted with an important task by the military commander, so I should do my best. As for my health, there is no problem, the military commander does not need to worry that I will neglect my duties..."

"Envoy Han probably doesn't know that I know a little bit about medicine, right?"

Xiao Yan smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Mr. Han, please sit down. You have worked hard these days, so you should take a rest. I will send someone to deliver a prescription to your house later. You must take good care of yourself... I don't want to go out and be blocked by Madam Han crying and saying that I don't care about your health."

Han Yanhui wanted to say something else, but he coughed violently again, so he could only apologize and sit down.

"Mr. Kedao, from now on, you will have to share more official duties with Inspector Han." Xiao Yan said seriously.

Feng Dao also looked at Han Yanhui solemnly, bowed and said: "I will do my best."

The latter felt a little sentimental and clasped his fists towards Feng Dao in gratitude. Then he turned towards Xiao Yan with a slightly guilty look, as if he was annoyed that his body was too weak.

Xiao Yan stood up and looked at Yuan Xingqin who had remained silent on the other side.

"General Yuan, what do you think Cangzhou should do?"

Yuan Xingqin pondered for a moment, stood up, clasped his fists and said, "Please ask the military envoy to send more than ten of my generals to take Liu Shouwen to Cangzhou and persuade Sun He to surrender the city."

It would have been fine if he hadn't said anything, but when he spoke, his words were shocking, and even Feng Dao and Han Yanhui were slightly stunned.

Wang Yanzhang was very anxious. He stood up and pointed at him and said, "Don't talk big! Do you dare to sign a military order?"

After that, he smiled coldly again, facing Xiao Yan, and said: "Military envoy, don't respond to him. I think this guy clearly wants to force Liu Shouwen to surrender to Cangzhou and then oppose us!"

Yuan Xingqin ignored him and said calmly: "If the military commander is worried, my wife, concubines and family are all in Youzhou. They will be dealt with by the military commander."

Xiao Yan looked at the two generals with interest.

He could guess why Wang Yanzhang was so anxious. This killer wanted to go to Cangzhou to fight another battle to prove his ability. But now Xiao Yan didn't want to waste time in Hebei anymore, so he looked at Yuan Xingqin.

"How confident are you, General Yuan?"

Yuan Xingqin was stunned for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "I have an old acquaintance with Sun He, and I know he is not a pedantic person. As long as I can persuade him with reason and appeal to his emotions, he will most likely surrender the city."

After saying this, he glanced at Wang Yanzhang and suddenly raised his voice.

"General Yuan Xingqin is willing to issue a military order! I will ride alone into Cangzhou to persuade Sun He without Liu Shouwen!"

“Fuck!”

Wang Yanzhang was stunned and cursed subconsciously.

Xiao Yan laughed loudly and looked at the two scholars Feng and Han. "It seems that General Yuan is not so calm sometimes?"

Feng Dao stroked his beard and just smiled without saying anything.

Han Yanhui seemed to be hesitant to speak, as if he wanted to persuade Yuan Xingqin not to act on impulse, but in the end, he could only remain silent.

Yuan Xingqin just stared at Xiao Yan without blinking, his expression firm.

The latter pondered for a moment and suddenly stood up.

"General Yuan is so heroic, why should I doubt him? When you go to Cangzhou this time, you can not only bring Liu Shouwen with you, but also take those from Yichang who are willing to go south! If Sun He is not a fool, he will be able to see my sincerity. By then, General Yuan will have the confidence to convince him, right?"

Yuan Xingqin's face flushed instantly, he knelt heavily on the ground, tears in his eyes, and saluted with his fists.

"The military envoy has entrusted me with a great trust, how dare I betray him?

If I cannot accomplish my mission, I will die facing north to repay the military envoy for his trust and kindness!"

His voice was so earnest that it did not sound fake at all. The deafening sound startled the two scribes in the room.

Even Wang Yanzhang smacked his lips at this moment, for the first time paying attention to this general whom he looked down upon.

It was also the first time that he felt the threat this person posed to him in front of Xiao Yan...

------

The wind blew in the Bian River, and the ripples in the river advanced layer by layer, hitting the thin ice on the shore, and the sound was very pleasant to the ear.

In the chilly early morning, there were not many people on the streets, but inside the palace, there were shadowy figures of people, and civil and military officials in official uniforms were preparing to enter the palace for regular court sessions.

The regular court in Daliang was generally held every three days. Occasionally, when Zhu Wen was lazy, he would only hold two grand court sessions on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month. All annoying and troublesome matters were pushed to Jing Xiang, the envoy of Chongzhengyuan. Only when there was something that Chongzhengyuan could not decide on would it be handed over to him.

But in recent days, it has become almost unchangeable that all civil and military officials above the fifth rank in Bianliang have to attend the morning court every day, and the word they talk about over and over again is nothing but "Hebei".

In the morning, the Ghost King Zhu Youwen spoke with righteousness and conviction.

"Xiao Yan is an incompetent man who only holds a position for nothing. He can never take Hebei! He only led 800 cavalrymen when he set out in April. How could he take Youzhou? He is young and ambitious. If he says he can do some tricks to please Your Majesty, I will believe it. But I absolutely do not believe that he can take Youzhou with only 800 cavalrymen!"

Later, Li Zhen, the Minister of Revenue and Acting Minister of the Interior, who had been reinstated, also came out.

"Your Majesty, now Zhu Hanbin's troops in Cangzhou and Yang Shihou's troops in Luzhou are all heavily stationed in the north, and the losses day and night are astronomical. From April to now, more than half a year, Daliang has gained almost nothing in the north. We can't waste any more time..."

Sitting on the throne, Zhu Wen's fat face was gloomy, and he seemed extremely angry.

He now began to doubt whether Xiao Yan was sent by the remnants of the former hall to deceive him.

Next, Zhu Youwen continued to make suggestions.

"I think that we should seal up Anle Pavilion, deprive Xiao Yan of all his official positions, and recall Zhu Hanbin and Yang Shihou..."

---

The northern city of Bianliang, Fengqiu Gate.

The three riders braved the wind and snow, and galloped in a V-shaped formation on the road. One of the riders shouted from a distance: "Get out of the way, get out of the way!"

Countless pedestrians cursed inwardly, but were busy trying to avoid these arrogant knights.

Because this rider was wearing light armor and had three small flags on his back. Each flag had a word written on it, so together they formed three words: Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!
He galloped at full speed under the escort of two riders, roaring at the same time.

"Good news! Good news!

Xiao Yan, the left vanguard cavalry commander of the Hebei camp, conquered all 24 prefectures in Hebei!
Good news! "

(End of this chapter)