Volume 4: Storm and Rain in Jiangnan Chapter 38: The Smoke of War Rises

Capital, Imperial Garden.

Under a osmanthus tree surrounded by four people, Emperor Qiyuan was walking slowly with his hands behind his back. Not far from him, an old man with a slightly hunchbacked body stood silently in court uniform.

"The life expectancy is like frost... It's time to reach no more... the sun is no longer sunny..."

The weather is getting warmer, and the osmanthus trees nearly ten meters high are lush and full of prosperity. However, facing this scene, Emperor Qiyuan walked around the tree three times and recited a few poems that were unrelated or even completely opposite to it. Li Donglu, who was standing quietly behind, was confused and could not guess what the emperor was thinking.

Just as he was thinking, Emperor Qiyuan turned around and suddenly smiled. Not only did he not look at all gloomy, but he was a little relaxed, a little relieved... or a little excited.

While Li Donglu was puzzled, Emperor Qiyuan sighed lightly and said that in the past, mid-autumn, I had also wandered in this garden, and used this poem to express my feelings. Haha, but now, my mood is very different." After a pause, Emperor Qiyuan continued to say that although everything was calm, I was in a mess. I often had my youth and died young. I was not afraid of death, but I was afraid that many things that should be done cannot be completed and I ended up leaving only regrets. Haha, Emperor Qiyuan said, and smiled again. Now, everyone in the court was upset, but I swept my worries and became much more open-minded and cheerful. Think about it, since I ascended the throne, I seemed to have not let it go in many years..."

Emperor Qi Yuan felt a moment of emotion and seemed to murmur to himself. Li Donglu couldn't answer the words, so he could only listen silently.

"Many people think that the current situation seems to be blurry, but hehe, but I don't know that in my heart, the chess game at this time has become very clear. They think it is because they can't see clearly; they can't see clearly because they are afraid of the court and the people. Whether they are noble and high-ranking officials or minor officials, they are afraid that the court will start a light battle, and they will lose everything in front of them once they are involved." Emperor Qiyuan snorted in his nose. I am not afraid of the emperor. They are afraid that I can make this decision first. I have never thought that I will lose even if I lose, I am not afraid of losing, I am not afraid of losing vigorously, but I am afraid of being a corpse and a mediocre person. In order to keep a high position and not be afraid of everyone, I swallow my anger and spend my whole life together, I am afraid of being confused and trampled on the mud and tumbling down."

"It's better to die while standing than to live on kneeling."

A cold light flashed suddenly in Emperor Qiyuan's eyes, and it was imperative that he had lost half of his country, even if I lost half of my country, it was just because of my mediocrity, not because of the withdrawal of the vassal. It was definitely not me who wanted to see how many fish, shrimps, geckos could be rushed out, and how many tide-at-trend heroes could be sharpened in this tide."

"I am very glad that I still have the opportunity to finish these things..." Emperor Qiyuan looked at Li Donglu and you should be glad that at the last moment, I can accompany me and do a grand event..."

Li Donglu was speechless, looking at the gray hair under Emperor Qiyuan's golden dragon crown, and just nodded slowly. Li Donglu knew in his heart that the emperor was old... he was planning for the future and was planning for the future. He was afraid that people in the future would not do such a thing well, so no matter how difficult it was, he would have to finish the matter at his post. The emperor... the emperor also wanted to replace people. And? He is still old? He also had to step down, but I am afraid... there will be no more days for such conversations and hearts in the future...

The king and his minister each had their own thoughts, and they stopped under the green osmanthus trees, and both lost their words.

…………

To the south of the Han River, there is a section called Sanchakou to the north of the Nanling River. To the southeast, you can go to Wujiang, to the west, to Changning Prefecture, and to Xiangyang to the northwest. The southeast section of Sanchakou is surrounded by mountains on both sides, and a narrow road can only accommodate a few people walking side by side, which can be called a dangerous pass. This place is 60 miles away from Wujiang, 140 miles away from Changning Prefecture, and 200 miles away from Xiangyang. In the past, although it was very dangerous, there were no military troops stationed. Because it was really inconvenient to travel, it was quite inconvenient to transport food and grass. Therefore, in the past, only a small guard guard was set up at the beacon entrance here, which was not mainly used as military defense, but to maintain and guard the beacon tower, ensuring that it could be put into use immediately once something happened.

Because normally, this place is not a border, nor is there any foreign enemies or bandits. This arrangement is already very appropriate and even seems a bit redundant. But most people have forgotten that the current Jiangnan, especially the southeast, has far exceeded the usual situation.

Just when most people had not changed their consciousness, a day ago, a few soldiers arrived quietly and silently occupied the Sanchakou while night. All the five guards guarding the beacon tower died in their dreams, and they did not even think about whether to light the beacon fire.

The next day, another army arrived one after another, and after a little repair, it drove directly to the northwest. At that night, the attack broke out and attacked more than 700 soldiers in Zhongzhou Guard. Most of them were lost. The remaining dead and wounded. Only dozens of people could escape were allowed to escape. Next, the troops divided into two groups and occupied Liulin Town and Juma River overnight.

The soldiers of Qianhu Sect, who escaped by chance, reported the news overnight. After most of the day, on the third day, the commander of Zhongzhou Guard, Qian Li, immediately gathered two Qianhu Sects, a total of nearly 2,000 people, and rushed to Liulin Town and Jumahe at lightning. As a result, due to excessive impatientness and eagerness to make contributions, he was quickly cut off before he could reach Liulin Town and was almost dispersed. Qian Li finally seemed to be a commander. At the critical moment, he fought hard and finally suppressed his position. However, at this moment, another ambush from the direction of Jumahe behind him suddenly came out, Qian Li was attacked from both sides and could no longer resist.

The battle lasted until the second half of the night. It was the night battle. Nearly 2,000 people from Zhongzhou Guard were killed in battle. Only more than 500 people escaped on the spot, either as prisoners or fled. No one could do so.

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Volume 4: Storm and Rain in Jiangnan Chapter 38: The Smoke of War Rises
Chapter completed!