Emperor Taizong's Growth Plan

Chapter 395 Weak Claim to Xia Kingdom

In the quiet room, a middle-aged man with only unlined clothes and a firm face was sleeping soundly with his eyes closed.

Although the man was asleep, his brows were tightly furrowed, and his body trembled from time to time, as if he was having some nightmare.

At this time, outside the quiet room, there were the mixed sounds of craftsmen talking and working, and the man seemed to be disturbed by the mixed sounds, so he sat up suddenly and shouted urgently:
"Do not……"

But after staring at his bloodshot eyes and looking around, he was taken aback for a moment, his back slightly shrugged, and a look of despair and frustration flashed in his eyes.

Outside the quiet room, Fanzi Dongchang heard the movement, pushed open the door and walked in.After seeing that the man was safe, he breathed a sigh of relief, clasped his fists and said:

"General Qiu, do you have an order?"

This middle-aged man was the general Xia Guozuo, Qiu Tianlu, who was defeated in the Battle of Zoumaling and captured by the Yun Army!

Qiu Tianlu settled down, slowly raised his head, looked at the Dongchang fan who rushed in, his face was slightly cold, he shook his head and said:
"It's okay... what's going on outside?"

Dongchang Fanzi heard the words and said:

"Ah, it's the craftsman who came to change the plaque... This place was originally a temple and Buddhist hall worshiped by the dignitaries in the court. Later, the monks here were involved in a major treason case and were brought back to the court. Your Majesty wants to be captured by my big cloud in the future." The civil and military forces of the Xia Kingdom were placed here, Xu felt that it was inappropriate to use the original temple name, so he gave it the name of 'Gongde Forest'."

When Qiu Tianlu heard this, the corners of his eyes twitched, and his face became even colder.

In the Battle of Zoumaling, the army fought hard for half a day, but was blocked by the Yun Army and could not advance an inch.Then the chasing soldiers came after them, the morale of the army was exhausted, Qiu Tianlu fought hard, seeing that the situation was irreversible, he immediately drew his sword and wanted to commit suicide.But he didn't expect that Yang Zaixing had been eyeing him long ago, led his soldiers and horses to capture him, and sent him to the capital of Yunguo.

At this time, the Dongchang fanzi mentioned the "Gongde Forest" and it was like tearing off his scars. How can he have a good face?

Qiu Tianlu became more and more depressed, and immediately put on his clothes and got up, and said in a deep voice:

"I'm going out for a walk!"

Several Dongchang fans got the explanation from their superiors, and they didn't stop them too much, they just reminded:
"Your Majesty has explained that General Qiu can do anything except go out!"

Hearing this, Qiu Tianlu snorted coldly, and immediately walked out of the quiet room.

Gongde Forest was originally a place for the rich and powerful in the court to worship Buddha in the city. The environment is elegant and Zen-like.Taking a stroll around made Qiu Tianlu's depressed heart feel a little calmer.

Turning around a pavilion, Qiu Tianlu suddenly heard someone talking and laughing in front of him.

Taking a closer look, it turned out to be a handsome young man with outstanding bearing, holding a baby in his arms, leaning on the waterside pavilion in front, pointing at the koi in the pond to tease.

The baby in his arms was fat and cute, with lively eyes, staring at the fish in the pond, the corners of his mouth were grinning, revealing a pure smile, which was very cute to look at.

Qiu Tianlu looked at the man in front of him, frowned, and asked:

"In addition to me, is there anyone else in this merit forest?"

Hearing this, the following Dongchang fans were slightly taken aback.

This Gongde forest has just opened not long ago, except for the Xia Guozuo General Qiu Tianlu, I have never heard of anyone else coming here.

Seemingly noticing the sight of Qiu Tianlu and others, the man in the arms of the baby turned around slightly, looked up and down at Qiu Tianlu, then nodded slightly, and said with a loud smile:
"This kid likes to watch fish, and it's really a headache to cry when he leaves here for a while. If you have time to spare, please come and talk about it."

Several Dongchang fanzi couldn't figure out the details of the person who came, and wanted to stop him.

But he didn't expect that Qiu Tianlu had already started to walk towards the young man.

Due to the explanation from the superiors, as long as Qiu Tianlu does not leave the Gongde Forest, he will not interfere. It is not easy for the Dongchang fans to stop him now.

But the man in front of him appeared too strange, and the leader of the Dongchang fan couldn't make up his mind for a while, so he could only whisper to his subordinates, saying:
"I'll wait here and watch, hurry up and find out who this man is and why he suddenly appeared in the Forest of Merit!"

Hearing the words, the subordinates responded quickly, turned around and left quickly.

At this time, Qiu Tianlu had already reached the side of the water pavilion.

The baby in the man's arms, when he heard someone approaching, turned his eyes away from the koi in the pond, turned his head to look at Qiu Tianlu for a while, his big black eyes suddenly curved like crescent moons, and he grinned.

A baby's smile is the most pure and flawless.

Qiu Tianlu had always been serious, and now that he was depressed, his face was slightly gloomy.

But facing such an innocent smile at this time, Qiu Tianlu's calm face froze slightly, and then subconsciously squeezed out a slightly stiff smile in response.

I don't know if the stiff smile on Qiu Tianlu's face is a little funny, but the child who is only a few months old is waving his immature hands, and the smile on his face is even brighter.

The young man held the baby, looked at Qiu Tianlu, and said with a smile:

"This child, it seems that he has hit it off with the general!"

Looking at this lovable child, Qiu Tianlu softened his smile slightly, and said:
"I've always been serious. Seeing me like this, my family's descendants dare not get close to me. Your Excellency's young master is... well, different!"

When the young man heard the words, the smile on his face became even wider, but he said in a tone of headache:

"Yeah, this kid laughs when he sees people. He is the best at pretending to be cute and cute. But if you really bring him by your side, you will know that this kid is not easy to serve! If you can't do it, you will cry and threaten. After only taking it for half a day, he made your head dizzy."

With a smile in his eyes, Qiu Tianlu seemed to be suddenly touched in his heart, and said in a slightly low tone:
"Before leading the army, I just received the news that my daughter-in-law is pregnant. If everything goes well, my grandchildren should be born by this time."

Having said this, Qiu Tianlu's heart felt heavy again, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Hearing this, the young man smiled and said:
"General, there is no need to worry. According to the news from Jinling City, the Qiu family has an eldest grandson, and the mother and son are well and healthy. They are named Qiu Shengrui, which is the name left by the general before he left for the expedition."

As soon as this remark came out, Qiu Tianlu was startled suddenly, raised his head and narrowed his eyes, looked at the young man in front of him, gritted his teeth and said:
"I've been in a state of confusion for the past few days, but I didn't notice. Your Excellency knows my identity, and you can still appear here with a baby in your arms at this time. You have talked with me for so long, but no one came out to stop you. My identity is definitely not simple!"

Having said that, Qiu Tianlu straightened his waist and took a step forward, and asked:
"Dare to ask your identity, why do you want to investigate my family members in Beijing!"

When Qiu Tianlu stepped forward, he could only hear loud shouts from the side:
"Bold!"

"Escort!"

Dozens of master guards of the forbidden army filed out from the dark, their swords were unsheathed, and the atmosphere suddenly became dignified and solemn.

With the baby in his arms, the man looked around at the masters of the Forbidden Army who were holding weapons, and at the ugly-faced Chou Tianlu, his eyes rolled slightly, and then the corners of his mouth twitched, and moisture gushed out of his eyes, and he burst into tears.

Feng Bao and Wang Zhi rushed out together, exclaiming:
"Shout softly, shout softly, it scares the second prince!"

"Chou Tianlu's meridians are blocked, and he is powerless to assassinate His Majesty. Quickly put away the sword, so as not to disturb His Majesty's interest!"

With such a battle, and the identity of the baby in his arms, the young man in front of him, besides Xiao Cheng, naturally did not think of anyone else.

Xiao Cheng looked at the second prince Xiao Chengen who opened his mouth and howled in his arms, and sighed with some headache.

He looked at Nan Jiyun who was leading the masters of the forbidden army to rush out, and immediately stretched out his hand, handed over the second prince in his arms, and said:

"You made me cry, you are in charge of coaxing!"

Nan Jiyun's face turned red, and he quickly asked his imperial guards to put away their weapons, and then hurriedly took the second prince from Xiao Cheng's hands, a little embarrassed, coaxing carefully.

All the masters of the Imperial Guard quickly withdrew.The surroundings of the waterside pavilion had once again returned to the previous tranquility. If it wasn't for the extra Nan Jiyun and the others around the two of them, it would have been as if nothing had happened.

Qiu Tianlu looked at Xiao Cheng in a daze, constantly looking up and down.

Obviously, from the conversation just now, he already knew the identity of the young noble man.

The current emperor of the Yun Kingdom, the young son of heaven, the hero of the world, Xiao Cheng!
Xiao Cheng shook his robe, sat on the gooseneck chair beside the water pavilion, waved his hand casually, and smiled at Qiu Tianlu:
"Leaving the palace in micro-clothes today, there is no need to pay attention to etiquette. General Qiu, would you like to have a few words with me?"

With a gloomy face, Qiu Tianlu remained silent for a long time, then sat aside with a cold face, and said in a deep voice:
"I don't know why His Majesty Yun Huang came here today?"

In his tone, he was very impolite.

Xiao Cheng didn't care much, his smile didn't change, and he said loudly:
"I know the general's talent, and I want to recruit him!"

Qiu Tianlu turned his head slightly, and said coldly:
"That's why His Majesty Yunhuang sent someone to check on my family members in Beijing?"

Hearing this, Xiao Cheng shook his head slightly, and said:
"There was an offensive intent in the general's words, I'm afraid it's a misunderstanding in my heart, and I feel that I want to use the general's family as a threat!"

Qiu Tianlu narrowed his eyes, and asked back:

"Is not it?"

Xiao Cheng waved his hand casually and said with a smile:

"Hehehe, I just feel that the general is in my big cloud, so I can't help worrying about my family, that's all I have to say so much!"

Seeing that there seemed to be suspicion in Qiu Tianlu's expression, Xiao Cheng continued:

"My Dayun's Dongchang and Shangyu's spare parts are all over Jinling City, and they penetrate very deeply. There are eyeliners on the mansion of the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs of the Xia Kingdom. Any trouble in Jinling City, I don't necessarily know better than Jinshen Palace. Slow down. This is definitely not aimed at the general alone, the general should not be overwhelmed."

When Qiu Tianlu heard the words, his words froze for a moment.

Wang Zhi, who was waiting on the side, also said at this time:

"In the Xia Kingdom, it is said that General Qiu's entire army was annihilated and died in battle. His Majesty deliberately concealed the news of the general's capture. Otherwise, the life of the general's family in Jinling City would not be so easy!"

Captured and killed in battle, in fact, the situation is not much different, but the perception of people is very different!As long as there is a heart, Yunguo will spread all kinds of half-truths and half-false news, and the situation of Qiu Tianlu's family will definitely not be good.

This is also the reason why Qiu Tianlu wanted to commit suicide in the first place!

It's just a pity that it didn't work out...

Qiu Tianlu's chest heaved and he took a few deep breaths to calm down, before continuing:
"His Majesty Yun's love for talents, I already know. It's just that I want to imitate the loyal people in ancient times and not serve the second master. So, please come back, Your Majesty Yun!"

Xiao Cheng turned sideways, looked at the koi in the pond behind him, and said casually:

"Five days ago, in honor of His Royal Highness' decree, the general was posthumously named 'General Hussar' and 'Marquis of Hailing'. The eldest son of the general became a nobleman, and the second and third sons became officials. He received many gold and silver rewards, which can be described as extremely honorable. .”

Having said that, Xiao Cheng paused slightly, changed the topic, and said in a deep voice:
"General, do you know why the city of Jinling hastily chased after you without even finding your bones?"

Qiu Tianlu was stunned by Xiao Cheng's question, and subconsciously said:

"His Majesty the Emperor Yun knows why?"

"At the Battle of Zoumaling that day, my General Cheng Buzhi led the army to attack Cheng County, trying to block the way for your army to retreat. While the [-] Xia Army held on to Cheng County, they sent thousands of soldiers to respond... ..."

Hearing this, Qiu Tianlu's eyes widened, and he was startled, with an expression of disbelief.

Since soldiers and horses came to meet him, why didn't he wait?

Xiao Cheng turned his head, stared at Qiu Tianlu, and continued:

"The general is thinking, why didn't he wait for reinforcements?"

When Qiu Tianlu heard the words, he immediately nodded and said:
"Yes, from Chengxian County to Zoumaling, it takes only one day for the army to march in a hurry. Before that, I sent someone to notify the Chengxian defenders... But why, I didn't wait for reinforcements in the end?"

"Because they withdrew!"

"Yang Zaixing, that is, the general who blocked you at Zoumaling, sent three hundred soldiers to set up a suspicious formation on the road that Chengxian's reinforcements must pass. The Xia army who came to meet them was worried that Chengxian would be destroyed. Cut off, did not intend to fight at all, and retreated directly. Afterwards, he reported to the army, saying that the general had already wiped out the entire army when they arrived!"

As soon as this remark came out, Qiu Tianlu suddenly exclaimed:

"Impossible, impossible!"

Seeing this, Xiao Cheng slightly waved at Wang Zhi.

Wang Zhi understood it, and quickly took out the Xia Junjun newspaper, Jinling City Mansion newspaper, and the copied imperial decree from his bosom, and put them into Qiu Tianlu's hands together.

"Whether it's true or not, the general decides for himself!"

Qiu Tianlu was about to open the thing in his hand, but he was suddenly discouraged.

In fact, there is no need to open it, he also knows that what Xiao Cheng said is true.Because this is the only way to explain why it was so slow to receive the soldiers and horses, and why I was chased by His Highness Jinshen so quickly...

Xiao Cheng stared at Qiu Tianlu, and said in a vibrating voice:
"With such insects, how can we fight well? The Xia army has been defeated many times, lost soldiers and generals, lost the country, and it is because these people are among the Xia army!"

At this moment, Qiu Tianlu's face was slumped, with a hint of unwillingness and anger appearing from time to time, and he didn't listen to Xiao Cheng's words at all.

Seeing this, Xiao Cheng also knew that today's heat was enough, so he couldn't be impatient.

He slowly got up and said:
"I cherish the general's talents and intend to recruit them. The general may wish to think about it first... No matter what the result is, the general's family members in Jinling City will be safe!"

Hearing this, Qiu Tianlu pursed his lips, lowered his head in front of Xiao Cheng for the first time, and saluted:

"His Majesty Xie Yunhuang's caring heart... It's just that it's really hard for me to fight against the former robes on the battlefield, so no matter how many times I think about it, I can only refuse your majesty's kindness!"

Xiao Cheng heard the words, but said indifferently:
"It's okay, the general doesn't want to fight against the old robes, so he can lead the troops to guard Tubo. Or after the northern border is conquered in the future, continue to lead the troops to resist the Turks..."

Speaking of this, Xiao Cheng's eyes moved, and he seemed to say casually:

"It really doesn't work. It's okay to stay in Zhongqing City to teach the lieutenant generals and noble disciples. Also, my second prince, Xu's mother Rou Ning Emperor Ji was born in Xia Kingdom, and he has a good relationship with the general. When he grows up in the future, It’s okay for the general to teach martial arts!”

Hearing the words, Qiu Tianlu suddenly had a strange thought in his heart, subconsciously looked at the child in Nan Jiyun's arms, and said in a daze:

"This is the son of Rouning Emperor Ji?"

At this time, Qiu Tianlu knew very well that he was in Qingcheng in Yunguo, and he was already a dead man in Xiaguo.Unless he was willing to remain anonymous in this forest of virtues for the rest of his life, he could only serve Yunguo.

If it was him before, he would naturally reject Xiao Cheng's solicitation without any hesitation.

But at this time, looking at the prince who was born by the Rouning Emperor Ji, he inevitably had a different thought in his heart.

This, isn't it also the blood of the Great Xia royal family!

Now that Yun Guo's army is in full swing, in the future, maybe it is really possible to rule the world.When the time comes, the second prince who is still in his infancy may not be the hope of continuing the honor of the Great Xia royal family...

(End of this chapter)