The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 400 Major Events in Life
No matter how beautiful Hanzhong was and how soothing the scenery was, Xiao Yan was still concerned about the Central Plains and the north. So after rewarding the entire army that had entered Shu in Nanzheng, he began to return to the court.

From leaving Chengdu in July to returning in August, Xiao Yan only stayed in Chengdu for less than ten days. He did not interfere in many military and political affairs of Shu. At that time, the officials of Tian Ce Mansion had not arrived yet, and most of the soldiers accompanying the army were warriors. It was obviously impossible to handle the whole thing relying on these people, so only the garrison needed to be left behind, and other matters could be left to the think tank of Tian Ce Mansion to plan.

Naturally, there will be Yebushou left behind to cooperate with the court, and at the same time, a thousand households will be formed to help Xiao Yan control Sichuan. This is a secret line.

The army stationed at Jiange is the Shen Ce Army, whose commander is Shi Hongzhao. This army was formed only four months ago and its combat power is not strong. The only battle was two months ago when it stopped the Ganhua Army from Huazhou heading south at Huanyuan Pass. But this army is very loyal, and the elite troops in Shu have been moved to the Central Plains by Xiao Yan, leaving only this army to control Jiange Pass, waiting to rotate with other central armies in the future. This is the bright line.

Xiao Yan did not leave with the main force of the Guide Army. The latter would take the water route directly back to Bianliang under the command of Yu Zhong and Li Si'an, which would save more distance and time. A large number of old Shu officials and Shu soldiers and civilians who were relocated to the Central Plains would also set out together.

Xiao Yan took the most important prisoner Wang Jian and some cavalrymen to enter Qi via Chencang Road. Although the Tangluo Road they took saved more than 200 miles of distance compared to the Chencang Road, it was difficult to pass. They had to cross rivers frequently, and the plank roads were easily destroyed by floods. They also had to cross the main peak of the Qinling Mountains. The road was sparsely populated and supplies were difficult to obtain.

If it was a military emergency or a covert operation, Xiao Yan would naturally choose the Tangluo Road. However, if it was an ordinary road, he would naturally choose the Chencang Road, which had complete facilities along the way, such as horse-blocking walls, post stations, and roadside trees.

The Guide Army's infantry and cavalry were fully loaded, and nearly a thousand boats were transferred from Kuizhou and Jiangling for transportation. Even if they went downstream, it would take at least a month for them to return to Bianliang.

Xiao Yan's entourage was much simpler, with almost no heavy luggage and no ceremonial guards. They set out from Nanzheng in early August, and because the road was relatively flat, they arrived at Qingniling in just ten days. This was because the trip was delayed by officials from the Liang Dynasty who came to pay a visit along the way, otherwise it could have been even faster.

At the same time Xiao Yan left Shu, Fengxiang also received letters from the south.

Along with the letter, there was also a painting that Qian Wu had later completed. It was a scene of Xiao Yan bending over to harvest wheat in the field. Qian Wu later secretly completed it and had the messenger take it back to Fengxiang.

"Why did he refuse the King of Qin?"

Ji Ruxue took the letter from Xiao Yan and read it for a long time. She was sincerely happy for Xiao Yan's achievement, but in the end she took the initiative to ask: "Is there anything taboo?"

After asking this question, Ji Ruxue puffed up her face slightly, angry that Xiao Yan didn't write a few more words to explain to her... Well, when she thought of this, she felt a little guilty, because the letter she wrote to Xiao Yan at that time about the marriage with Qi State was much simpler, with only a few words!
But she didn't know how to write it at that time!

Ji Ruxue still clearly remembered what Xiao Yan had said to her in the football market a few months ago before she left Bian Jing. He said that he wanted to seize the world not only to put an end to this chaotic world, but also to ensure that no one dared to question his decision.

However, Xiao Yan has always been a person who is more rational than emotional, so he would probably understand her intentions, but... he wouldn't deliberately make his reply simple just because his last reply only had a few words, right?

Ji Ruxue thought a lot while holding the corner of the letter. The empress naturally didn't know what she was thinking. Only after she took the letter and read it carefully, did she smile and explain to her the mindset behind rejecting the King of Qin. For example, she could take the opportunity to observe how many people in the court and the public were still unattached, which was almost exactly the same as Xiao Yan's idea.

Ji Ruxue immediately determined that her idea must be correct. Besides, the empress was so beautiful and Xiao Yan was so lustful, it was already a good deal for him!

Ji Ruxue always felt a little inferior in front of the empress, although she never thought she was that beautiful before. It was only after Xiao Yan's repeated praises that she gradually gained some confidence.

"Once you are truly crowned the King of Qin, nothing will be able to stop the general." The empress gently held Ji Ruxue's hand and said, "It was my best decision to let you get close to him."

Ji Ruxue thought about it and felt that she really didn't do anything, so she would not accept this praise. However, she did not say what was in her mind. Instead, she looked at the painting and changed the subject: "He can actually harvest wheat."

In fact, she was not surprised, because in Ji Ruxue's mind, Xiao Yan seemed to know everything. However, she still said it because she wanted the empress to understand Xiao Yan better.

"It is said that he would go to the fields for several days." The empress picked up the letter written by Qian Wu and couldn't help laughing: "He also learned to drive cattle to plow the fields. Every time he came back, both sides of his trouser legs were covered with mud."

The two of them imagined the scene at the same time, and a smile appeared on their faces.

Ji Ruxue observed the empress's absorbed expression, and then asked softly, "What kind of person does the empress think of Xiao Yan?"

The empress was a little surprised, and her cheeks inexplicably turned red, but fortunately it was not obvious. She didn't know whether Ji Ruxue would notice it, but their relationship was very close now, so it wouldn't matter even if she noticed it.

A hazy figure emerged in her mind. Xiao Yan and she had met very few times. The last time they met in Fengxiang was six months ago. But she remembered Xiao Yan's appearance very clearly, so she was a little embarrassed and pretended to be relaxed: "He is as tall as a jade mountain, young and handsome, and very good-looking. He is also good at both civil and military affairs, and has lofty ambitions..."

At this time, the empress suddenly turned around and looked at Ji Ruxue who was laughing happily beside her, and said with a smile: "Just based on this ordinary man's advantages, it is said that many girls in Bianliang are thinking about him. Fortunately, he is not interested in women."

Ji Ruxue was a little confused for a moment. Isn’t Xiao Yan interested in women?
Why do so many people seem to see him this way?

Thinking of this, she pointed at Qian Wu's letter and said, "But he clearly..."

"What's this?"

The empress pondered for a moment and smiled, "The two Concubines Xu were originally the spoils of his conquest of Shu. It is said that Wang Jian is already over sixty years old, and he has suffered from hidden illnesses in recent years. He doesn't have many years left. After Wang Jian's death, there are only two paths waiting for them. One is to be buried with Wang Jian, and the other is to be coveted by others who covet their beauty. But others can never bear the title of the emperor and concubine of Shu. In the entire Liang Dynasty, only the general is worthy of their attachment. This is the way for them to survive for the rest of their lives."

"Since she was his trophy and offered herself voluntarily, it's normal for him to be unable to control himself."

The empress spoke softly to Ji Ruxue, as if she was telling her about her experience: "Besides, it is better to have Qianwu to collect beauties for him than to have other messy people close to him. Now that he has endured your guilt outside, he will compensate you tenfold. Moreover, the big and small Xu concubines are famous all over the world. If we keep them, people in the world will always have wild thoughts. But if we give them death, their fathers and brothers are the key figures in Shu to appease them. Instead of getting entangled, why don't we do this? Don't worry, women like the big and small Xu concubines can only be wild flowers outside, but these two wild flowers are worth countless fragrant grasses."

Ji Ruxue was stunned for a moment, as if a lot of knowledge was instantly poured into her brain.

The empress took her hand and placed it in her palm, saying softly: "I know you have spent a lot of time and effort for Qi State. There are some things I won't tell you, but there are some things I want you to know carefully. How many people like him have there been throughout history? He will have many things that he cannot control. Time is short, but looking back, in just a few decades, the vast seas are all in front of him. In the long years, there will be countless people who follow him, admire him, and wish to sacrifice their lives for him. Romance is destined to occupy only a small part of his life, but the story with him is likely to occupy all of yours. So for you, it is not necessary to tie him closely to your side, but to know where his destination is when he looks back."

"Empress..."

Ji Ruxue was a little flustered and stood up.

"I know what you gave up." The empress just smiled and said softly: "In fact, even without me, he can still get Qi Kingdom."

"No..." Ji Ruxue was startled at first, then took the initiative to hold the empress's hand and said seriously: "He is also very grateful and respectful to you. He really respects you. Even though my vision is far inferior to yours, I can see how much you have given to him. Although Xiao Yan has never said it, he will not be ungrateful. He wants to marry you not only because of Qi Country. He has never been a heartless person... never."

The empress smiled and said to her, "But I am not either."

Ji Ruxue seemed a little confused.

The Empress said, "I will take care of the matter with him. But I will not turn a blind eye to what I owe you. You just need to remember that from now on, what I have, you also have; what I don't have, you can also have."

After saying this, the empress's mood actually became very good. I wonder if she finally told Ji Ruxue about the guilt hidden in her heart.

Perhaps looking back, when she brought Ji Ruxue, who had become an orphan during the war, back to Huanyinfang, she had not thought about how much this casual kindness could bring her. In fact, she did not have much kindness in the first place. Huanyinfang needed these orphans, so she brought them back. So when Ji Ruxue would repay her for this, the empress would also want to double her compensation to her.

Ji Ruxue was very moved for a moment. With her personality, she actually felt a little sour in her nose at this moment. Her eyes suddenly turned red, and she turned slightly to the side.

At this moment, she finally vaguely realized where her feelings for Huanyinfang and Qiguo came from.

The empress just patted Ji Ruxue's shoulder gently, looking silently towards the south, with a relaxed expression, as if she had done something that made her feel at ease.

------

There is a Qingni Posthouse at Qingni Ridge, and a pass is built at the key points. Xiao Yan met Han Yanhui, the Chief Clerk of Tiance Mansion, the Governor of Dongdu and the Prefect of Kaifeng, who had rushed here all the way from Bianjing, at the posthouse.

"I feel very ashamed to trouble Zang Ming to make this trip in person. But this matter is really important to me. After thinking it over, I have no choice but to ask Zang Ming to do it."

Xiao Yan helped Han Yanhui up as he was about to bow down, and said, "Ke Dao (Feng Dao) is in Youzhou, so it's too late to entrust this matter to him..."

"It is my duty to serve the king with all my heart." Han Yanhui looked very thin, but he was very serious most of the time, and he was no exception at this time. He said solemnly, "Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

In fact, Han Yanhui had already thought about it before he came. He held several important positions in the Eastern Capital and was the rock that allowed Xiao Yan to rest assured while he fought for more than a thousand miles in Qinchuan for the past six months. Although the overall situation was now settled and the situation was stable, and the Eastern Capital Bianliang no longer had any worries, it was hard for him not to think too much when Xiao Yan summoned him all the way to Qinchuan.

Of course, Han Yanhui had thought about staying in Chengdu, but the possibility was very low. Besides, Xiao Yan had already made personnel arrangements in Sichuan and Shu, so there was no need to waste his talent. At this moment, the main enemy was still the State of Jin, and the focus should be on the Central Plains.

Another possibility is that Xiao Yan may go one step further!
Directly bypassing the so-called King of Qin and ascending the throne to become emperor!

Han Yanhui thought about it and thought that this was not impossible. Although now might not be the most appropriate time to proclaim himself emperor, and the Liang Dynasty was not completely free of opposition, if Xiao Yan was really anxious about this, there would also be a large number of people who wanted to follow him.

For example, those former Shu officials who came to surrender can only choose to follow Xiao Yan, and if a new dynasty is established, these people will also be reused. Originally, they belonged to Liang or Shu, but if they all gathered together under the new regime and worked together, those who supported the Zhu family would become traitors, and people's hearts might quickly gather together.

...Well, there is absolute power supporting the king to ascend the throne, so there won't be any problems.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan pondered for a while and said slowly: "I need to ask Zang Ming to give me a betrothal gift."

Han Yanhui was stunned, first in shock, then in delight. He hurriedly asked, "The king is going to marry!"

This is really a big deal, and it is an absolutely big deal for the entire noble meritorious group that depends on Xiao Yan! In fact, if we really compare it, the matter of becoming emperor needs to take a back seat.

Even if the king conquers the whole world, even if he really becomes the emperor, without an heir, everything is in vain! All the contributions made by everyone over the years are not guaranteed!
Just a few months ago, Feng Dao advised Xiao Yan not to take the risk and go to Shu himself because Xiao Yan had no children.

Xiao Yan's thoughts were much simpler. In this world, he had no parents and no brothers. The only uncle who could be considered an elder might not even leave the Twelve Caves.

The so-called formal marriage, three matchmakers and six betrothals, all require the elders to take the lead. It would be inappropriate for Xiao Yan to come forward. Xiao Yan has no elders, so he can only let Han Yanhui run for him. Han Yanhui is his first aide, and everyone knows it. Letting him come forward is also full of sincerity and full of face.

Han Yanhui could not contain his joy and paced back and forth for a while. The entire process had already emerged in his mind, so he asked, "Your Majesty, may I ask..."

"Prince Qi's younger sister."

Xiao Yan said: "Li Yunji."

(End of this chapter)