Golden branches and jade leaves

Chapter 70
Chapter 13: War after War

With Ni Yuan's successive defeats, the entire harem of Da Qi was also shrouded in dark clouds. Although Qi Taki was still in a cheerful mood, most of the time, he had to appear sad and anxious. Before the overall situation is settled, I don't want the news to leak out. On the other hand, it is naturally because of the Queen Mother's death.But after the news of the northern border crossed, Qi Taki was really a bit annoyed.

The war in the south has not been resolved, and hidden dangers have emerged in the north.

Beiliao is ready to move!

The Liao Kingdom is located in the northern grasslands, the land is barren and difficult to cultivate, and they all live on nomads, so almost all young and strong men are good at riding and shooting.

Every autumn and winter, bandits would go south to plunder the border, robbing the harvested food and wealth of the Southern Dynasties to survive the winter. There has been no news this year, but the Northern Newspaper just sent today mentioned that there are signs of troops gathering in the Northern Liao Dynasty. I'm afraid I have to do it again.

This kind of battle that is staged every year has almost become a routine, but this year's offensive came a lot later than previous years.

"I thought these barbarians changed their temper this year." Qi Long said angrily, throwing Zhezi aside.Usually the Northern Liao's attack started in September and October when the autumn harvest began, but this year it was uncharacteristically delayed until November, and only then did I hear the news that there was a mobilization of troops.

Su Mi wondered: "It's just a gathering of soldiers and horses. Maybe Beiliao has no intention of sending troops this time. Otherwise, it would have been done long ago. Why wait until now? Now that the severe winter is approaching, it is not the most favorable time."

"It's this timing that is so hateful! These barbarians go to the border every year to burn, kill and loot, but this year there has been no movement. I thought they knew that they could not break through the pass, and they had self-knowledge. I didn't expect to pick us and Nanchen fought when he was tense, it must have been premeditated, and he saw that we would not be able to draw troops at this time." Qi Long said.

Is it because of this?Su Mi was slightly puzzled for a moment. The land in Liao Kingdom was barren, and only a very small number of people in the southern frontier cultivated the land for a living, and most of them were nomadic tribes.Every year, it has become a common practice to go south to plunder food and grass population, and there have been no actions for several years. It is because the weather in Liao Kingdom is good and the water and grass are abundant, so there is no shortage of food.But this year, I heard that there was a severe drought in the northern part of the Liao Kingdom, so we should have started earlier. How can we endure it until now? !
"Fortunately, I have been on guard against them for a long time. I have already issued an order to urgently dispatch soldiers, horses, food and grass from the capital to reinforce the border. In any case, there must be no mistakes." Qi Long said: "The people of Liao are cruel by nature, and they often rob my children of Daqi. , Unfortunately, due to the urgent war in the south, I have been unable to deal with them. This time let these barbarians go, and wait until I solve Nan Chen, and then deal with them with all my strength in the future."

Da Qi had long been accustomed to such routine offensives by the Liao people. Although the war in the south was raging now, his vigilance towards the north had not relaxed in the slightest.Juyuguan is dangerous and difficult to overcome, and there is enough food and grass. Even if the Liao Kingdom's cavalry is strong, they can only look forward to Guan's sigh. It was just looting around the area as in previous years.

"Your majesty is really cunning, predicting things like a god. The concubines should be here in advance to congratulate the emperor on the success of his hegemony!" Su Mi laughed.

"It's still far away," Qi Long smiled, "It will take at least several years to completely pacify the southern and northern borders. It's too early for Mi'er to say this now." Although his words It was a resignation, but there was still a high-spirited look on his face.Now that Da Qi is in full swing, as long as there are no accidents, the world will be controlled by him sooner or later.Thinking of the prospect of Hongtu's hegemony, Qi Taki felt a little resentment in his heart like a dark cloud in summer, which dissipated with a little wind blowing.

"It's early in the morning, the concubines have to say it first. When the emperor really completes the great cause of unification, I'm afraid that the concubines will not be able to squeeze in if they want to congratulate the emperor." Su Mi laughed jokingly: " This concubine is the first person to congratulate the emperor. Doesn't the emperor reward the concubine?"

"You greedy little thing, since you want a reward, just say it straight, why beat around the bush like this." Qi Long's mood improved, and he joked: "Even if you are the first person to congratulate me, this I have recorded the credit, and there will be a lot of rewards when the time comes."

"There are many rewards, what does the emperor want to reward? Tell Mi Er first." Su Mi smiled mischievously.

"What's the hurry, it hasn't succeeded yet." Qi Taki laughed.

"It's just a matter that is just around the corner. The emperor pushes back and forth like this, but Mi'er is worried that the emperor will renege on the debt." Su Mi laughed and blamed.

"Then Mi'er, tell me what you want, even if you are rewarded in advance, it doesn't matter." Qi Long smiled heartily.

"This..." Su Mi pondered for a while, then said with a smile, "I really can't figure it out, why don't the emperor tell me what other people's rewards look like, so I can refer to it."

"How can other people get rewards? You, a little money-grubber, came to ask me for things." Qi Long said indifferently.

"Your Majesty is coaxing your courtiers and concubines. I don't believe that your majesty has not thought about the rewards from General Ni and the others." Su Mi said seemingly unintentionally: "Rewarding courtiers and concubines is a trivial matter. What should these heroes who have made great achievements do?" It's the rewards that matter."

The smile on Qi Taki's face stagnated.

"What's wrong with the emperor? Su Mi asked with a slight smile.

Qi Long smiled wryly, and said: "Speaking of which, Ni Yuan's victory in this battle is no small credit! I still don't know how to reward him. Thinking about it these days, I am also worried. "

"If it's really such a credit, I will not only reward him, but also his children..." Qi Long couldn't help becoming more and more worried.Great achievements such as destroying the country have always been the first-class achievements in troubled times.Moreover, unlike small countries such as Wei and Shu, Nanchen is a big country that stands side by side with Daqi. Although its national power is declining now, its country has a long history and a long history, and it is far better than Daqi. Jinjue, conferred wife and son...

"Speaking of this matter, there is a reward right now, but..." Qi Long's tone was a little hesitant.He picked up a bright red booklet next to him and said.

"Is there any embarrassment for the emperor?" Su Mi asked, paying attention to the memorial. Looking at the cover, he knew that it was presented by the concubine of the harem.Reward children?Could it be Concubine Ni?
"This is the note that the queen made a few days ago. I hope that I will issue a decree to grant a marriage to his sister Wang Ningshuang to Ni Tingxuan." Qi Long sighed: "This is also the last wish of the queen mother when she was dying."

Marriage? !To Ni Tingxuan.

Hearing such news at first, Su Mi's heart was in a trance, and she couldn't tell what it was like, but felt a sour and astringent feeling in her heart.

Concubine Ni's status in the harem is already the highest among the concubines. Unless the queen is abolished, she cannot be promoted. She can only reward some gold and silver property. These trivial rewards are not on the table at all. In this case, Only start with Ni Tingxuan.The gift of marriage is indeed a decent and beautiful reward...

After a long silence, Su Mi tentatively asked, "What does the emperor mean?"

As early as when the news of Wang She's death in battle came back, the Queen Mother's condition worsened. In view of this face, Qi Taki did not add any crimes, but issued an edict to comfort him. The rest of the Wang family did not seem to suffer much Influence, it seems that Daqi is still the number one nobleman, but anyone who is familiar with the government in private can guess that the days of the royal family's prosperity are long gone.Once the Queen Mother dies, I don't know what it will be like.The Empress Dowager naturally realized this with her far-sighted eyes, so she asked for a marriage at the time of her death, which was considered to be an extra way out for the Wang family.If the Ni family stands still, it will be regarded as an extra relationship. If the Ni family cannot escape the doom of the high-ranking master in the end, Qi Long will definitely not do anything to the declining Wang family. The loss of the Wang family is only a daughter.

Qi Long frowned and said, "It's what the Empress Dowager meant when she was dying, and I can't say anything."

Hearing Qi Long's tone, Su Mi knew that Qi Long was unwilling in his heart.

For Qi Long, now that Ni Yuan is in command of the three armies and has a strong military force, if he marries with the Wang family again, he may even subdue the Wang family's power in the future. At that time, the Ni family's power is really too huge.Back then, Qi Long promoted Ni Yuan not only because Ni Yuan was a peerless general, but also because Ni Yuan's foundation was shallow, which could be used to fight against the powerful forces headed by the Wang family.Now that the Wang family is on the verge of dying, and the major troubles have been eliminated, of course they don't want the Ni family to become a second royal family, which will bring new hidden dangers to Daqi's imperial power.

The marriage between the Ni family and the Wang family is a good thing for me.Looking at Qi Long's speech and behavior on a daily basis, he is not without suspicion of the Ni family. This marriage gift is tantamount to adding fuel to the flames, and it is bound to make Qi Long's scruples about the Ni family deepen.

She should be happy to see this wedding, but Su Mi felt uncomfortable for a while. The word "give marriage" is like a small snow particle, ice scum, which falls in the heart and refuses to melt away.

Qi Long didn't pay attention to Su Mi's expression, and said worriedly: "I really have no choice but to say so. Besides, Ni Yuan is about to make a great contribution, and the marriage at this time is also a proper reward."

Su Mi didn't speak, she looked out of the window, winter in the north always comes very early, and the footsteps of autumn have already passed by unconsciously, remembering that the branches outside the window were still full of greenery yesterday, but it seemed as if they had passed through the window overnight. It became empty for a while, showing a kind of desolation.

Su Mi's heart was empty and uncomfortable, and before she knew it, another year passed like this.

"Ni Tingxuan has been sick at home because of the last martial arts competition. I heard that he has not recovered yet. I always feel that I owe him something. He has always worked tirelessly and rigorously in his work, so..." While thinking about the gains and losses of the marriage, Qi Taki pondered for a moment and said: "I plan to wait for him to recover from illness and return to the palace, and entrust him with the responsibility of commanding the guards. At the same time, I will also decide on this happy event, which can be regarded as a reward for Ni Yuan's loyalty and hard work."

Qi Taki's voice recalled Su Mi's thoughts. After hearing these words, Su Mi twitched her lips imperceptibly. I'm afraid it's not because of any guilt or indebtedness that made Qi Taki make such a decision.

Ni Yuan is now leading most of Qi's soldiers and horses, with power over the world, Qi Long doesn't say anything, but he must be worried.Although there is Concubine Ni in the palace, daughters are not as important as sons after all, and Ni Tingxuan is Ni Yuan's only son.Only by being firmly in the court can Qi Long be assured.Of course, you can't say this on the surface, otherwise such behavior will not chill the hearts of the courtiers, and you must choose a high-sounding reason to call people into the palace.

"What the emperor said makes sense." Su Mi forced a smile and said, "It should be like this."

Qi Taki nodded and said: "I'm having a headache for Mu Qinghan now. I see that since he became the commander of the Ouchi guards, he has always been devoted to his duties, and there is no dereliction of duty. It would be unreasonable to be demoted rashly."

"What's so difficult?" Su Mi smiled and said, "Didn't the Emperor just say that he would send more troops to the northern border? Mu Qinghan was born as a general, why don't you let him take this job and make him a deputy general?" , it can be regarded as giving him more experience and experience, so that he can be promoted in the future. Guarding the border is also considered a meritorious service to kill the enemy, I am afraid that it is too late for him to be happy, and naturally everyone is happy."

"Good idea," Qi Taki said with a smile, "Let's do it this way."

Spreading out the golden silk and satin used for the imperial decree, Qi Long picked up the pen and pondered for a moment, and then finished writing a few imperial decrees.

Su Mi smiled lightly, Mu Qinghan's original ambition was to fight on the battlefield, defeat the enemy and make meritorious service, this time it can be regarded as fulfilling his wish.

(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please visit www.CMFU.COM, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)
(End of this chapter)