Clear and Muddy Loss of Love

Chapter 284

Telling the heart of the covenant

Nangong Jingnv's intuition is very bad. Not only is this army sensitive, but the current stage is very special. Luochuan will be frozen in two months, and the original moat will become flat due to the season. With an army of 8 people acting as a deterrent, if something happened in Luobei, the consequences would be disastrous.

The imperial court has just calmed down, and finally stabilized the general king of Youzhou. Luobei must not have any more accidents.

Nangong Jingnv couldn't help sighing in her heart, is it really because her virtue is not enough?Since he ascended the throne, the internal and external troubles seem to have never stopped for a moment. I have won the throne, but I have been losing it...

Lost freedom, lost happiness, lost loved ones... I really don't know what else I can leave behind in the future.

When the courtiers saw that the empress was sitting in a high position with a gloomy face, they knew that this report was not auspicious, so they waited silently.

Nangong Jingnv thought for a while and said, "Do you guys still have books?"

……

Nangong Jingnu: "If you don't have the capital, then retreat to the court. The Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Industry, and the Taiwei stay. The others leave."

Everyone: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live."

……

After everyone left one after another, Nangong Jingnv ordered someone to close the gate of the court hall. The sixteen servants worked together to close a pair of door panels. With a "bang", the light in the court hall dimmed a lot. Nangong Jingnv will The memorial was handed over to the servant next to him: "You pass this memorial to several Qing families for circulation, and you should also step back and stand guard at the door, without my order that no one will be left to serve within thirty steps of the main hall."

The servant bowed and said yes, took the memorial with both hands and handed it to the highest ranking Taiwei Gong Yanghuai, then retreated to the small gate and walked out of the hall from the Houzheng hall.

Gong Yanghuai was terrified after reading the memorial, and passed the memorial to several other people. Nangong Jingnv waited for a while, and seeing that the memorial had been circulated once, she said in a low voice: "What do you think of the memorial? "

The Hubu Shangshu first thought of the people's livelihood issue, and took the lead in replying: "Your Majesty Qizuo, I advocate that the army should be blocked, a doctor should be sent to the army for treatment, and the plague should be prevented from spreading."

Nangong Jingnu let out a "hmm" and then turned her attention to Qin De, Shangshu of the Ministry of War. She wanted to hear whether this former student of Qi Yan could express a different opinion.

Qin De felt the gaze of the Empress, and after pondering for a while with his head down, he came out and replied: "Your Majesty Qizuo, I thought that 'everything must have a demon' this month is late autumn in Luobei, and the weather is already very cold. The month when the plague should break out. Besides, judging from similar incidents in the past... the plague rarely occurs in the army's garrison, and even if it does happen, it will not spread to such an extent in such a short period of time. Therefore, The minister doubts... the authenticity of this matter."

The minister of the Ministry of Industry: "I think that this is a big matter. It is expected that the Luonan Jiedu envoy will not dare to deceive the emperor. What the report says should be true."

Qin De: "I don't mean that Luonan Jiedu's words are adulterated, but... maybe this is not a plague."

Gong Yanghuai: "Qizou Your Majesty, I think what the adults said is reasonable, and regardless of whether the plague is true or not, taking preventive measures is the most important thing. As for knowing whether it is true... I suggest that Your Majesty should be able to assign Imperial envoy, lead a team of imperial doctors to Luonan to find out and make a decision."

Nangong Jingnv nodded, feeling very relieved. Although natural disasters and man-made disasters have continued since she became the throne, fortunately, God has not done it, and there are such a group of loyal and talented courtiers to assist her: "The Ministry of Households this autumn harvest How much silver did you come up with?"

Minister of the Household Department: "Qizou Your Majesty, if the old minister remembers correctly, as of yesterday, the Household Department has received a total of 3105 million taels of tax and silver from various places, 180 million shi of grain, and [-] pieces of silk cloth; the actual amount is compared with this figure. There are many more, and there are still some tax banks from remote counties on the way to Beijing. Although there have been natural disasters in the past three years since His Majesty ascended the throne, fortunately, His Majesty has reduced and exempted taxes from all over the country and allowed the people to recuperate. After three years, it finally paid off. , This year's tax revenue is very impressive, and as Huainan gradually recovers, next year's tax revenue will be even higher!"

Nangong Jingnu: "What is the current price of rice among the people?"

The Minister of the Household Department replied without hesitation: "Returning to Your Majesty, the price of rice in the capital area is [-] Wen per shi, and the price of rice in Huaiyang, Zhejiang, Guangzhou, and southern Fujian is cheaper, about [-] Wen per shi. The county is around [-] Wen."

Nangong Jingnv was very satisfied with the Minister of the Household Department, she thought for a while and replied, "Is there any surplus food in the treasury?"

Minister of the Household Department: "Not counting this year's income, the treasury has stockpiled grain at about 350 million shi, which is enough for the imperial court's expenses."

Nangong Jingnu: "In this way, use this year's new rice to fill the national treasury as a reserve, and then allocate 200 million shi from the granary to distribute to the Huangzi rice farm in the capital's Gyeonggi area. The price is 40 yuan per shi, and I will allocate it to you." You have 100 taels of silver, and you go to Huainan and buy [-] million shi of grain for me."

The Minister of the Household Department pondered for a moment, then replied: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty's buying low and selling high is a way to make money, but judging from the location of the capital, it is a long way to the grain production area. , There is basically no profit from the chewing of the animal's head once it comes and goes."

Nangong Jingnv chuckled and said, "I'm sorry, if this method can make a fortune, there must be no poor people in the world. It's just that the grain reserves in the treasury are all old rice for more than three years. , it is better to release some of them so that the people can enjoy some benefits. Although it is old rice, the price is relatively cheap and it is not a competition for profit with the people. However, Huainan has just been hit by a disaster. People need not rice but silver to buy their property. Giving a part of the money to collect the rice will solve the treasury’s reserves and relieve the pressure on the people in Huainan.”

After listening to the Minister of the Household Department, he suddenly realized, and his eyes showed admiration: "Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision, serving the country and the people, and the old minister admires it."

Nangong Jingnu: "Ministry of Industry."

Minister of the Ministry of Industry: "The minister is here."

Nangong Jingnu: "Let me ask you, if I want to build a fortification stretching for hundreds or even thousands of miles to the south of Luochuan, how much money will I need?"

The Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry was stunned for a moment, and replied cautiously: "Your Majesty Qizuo...the exact number is hard to estimate, and I need someone to calculate it after returning to the Ministry of Industry, but even if there is money...it is by no means a problem. It will happen sooner or later, at least not this year. Now it is October, and it will take at least a month for the minister to take people to Luonan. By then, Luonan will snow in winter and the ground will freeze. Once there is frozen ground, any fortifications will be impossible It is difficult to build, and the fortifications must not only consider the weather, but also the location. Although Luochuan has been relatively peaceful in the past few years, it will flood almost every few years. I am worried that before the fortifications are repaired... once Luochuan floods All the previous efforts will be in vain, Yichen meets...Your Majesty, it is better not to waste money."

After hearing this, Nangong Jingnv felt a little frustrated, and said to Gong Yanghuai: "I... will send you [-] troops and a team of imperial doctors. Do you have the confidence to guard Luonan for at least one winter?"

Gong Yanghuai: "What does Your Majesty mean?"

Nangong Jingnv: "I'm worried that once Luochuan is frozen, the grassland people will take advantage of the time to send their troops south. It's always good to take precautions."

Gong Yanghuai lifted the hem of his official robe and knelt down on the ground: "I will do my best to defend the safety of Luonan to the death!"

Nangong Jingnu: "I don't want you to take the lead, let alone send troops to fight. As long as you use the geographical advantage to protect Luonan until Luochuan thaws, the grassland people are fierce, and there is a plague in the barracks, so it is not easy to start a war. The court does not have so much money now To support a protracted war, all you have to do is defend to the death, if there is a war, you can't let the grassland people take a step past Luochuan, can you do it?"

Gong Yanghuai: "I would like to give it a try!"

Nangong Jingnu: "Okay."

……

After leaving the court, it was noon, Nangong Jingnv ordered someone to bring some of Qi Yan's favorite dishes to the imperial dining room, and Nangong Jingnv came to the half-forbidden area with the food box.

It was also a coincidence that Gu Ruolan had just finished steaming the rice in the Forbidden Palace, and was about to cook a few side dishes for dinner.

Nangong Jingnv put the food box on the table: "Sister Ruolan, don't be too busy, I just brought some food over, so we can serve dinner."

Gu Ruolan's complexion changed slightly, although she was Qi Yan's adopted sister, she knew her identity and dared not share the same table with Nangong Jingnv.

Gu Ruolan: "Thank you, Your Majesty, I'm going to bring the rice right now, but... I ate a few extra bowls of porridge this morning, and I'm not hungry yet, so Your Majesty and Big Brother can eat first."

Before Nangong Jingnv could speak, Qi Yan said, "That's fine, I'll leave the food for you."

Gu Ruolan felt relieved, gave Qi Yan a grateful look, and backed out.

Nangong Jingnu: "Sister Ruolan is afraid of me?"

Qi Yan smiled and said: "Who is not afraid of the majesty of the emperor? Let her go, let her be more comfortable."

Nangong Jingnv looked at Qi Yan, secretly rejoicing in her heart: since she became the throne, she still doesn't feel anything wrong, but the people around her tell her "everything is different" with practical actions all the time, Nangong Jingnv has almost no pretensions Yes, when I was a princess, I used to eat at the same table with Qiu Ju Chuntao and the others. The more lively people are, the better my appetite will be.

But since he ascended the throne, Qi Yan is the only one who can openly eat with him.

Nangong Jingnv is very grateful to Qi Yan. Although this person has always been rigid about addressing her, Nangong Jingnv feels precious to her naturalness when facing her.

Qi Yan brought the dishes out of the food box, took out the empty plate first, and then separated out some like clean bamboo chopsticks, which happened to be a plate, and filled a bowl full of rice, and smiled at Nangong Jingnv: "Hold on a moment, Your Majesty. moment."

Qi Yan returned after delivering the food to Gu Ruolan, and saw that Nangong Jingnv had already prepared the food for herself: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Nangong Jingnv picked up a piece of lotus root that Qi Yan likes to eat: "Eat more."

Qi Yan took a bite and praised: "Delicious."

Seeing that Qi Yan likes Qi Yan, Nangong Jingnv is also happy in her heart, and from time to time, she will serve Qi Yan with food, and the latter accepts it calmly, and is very useful.

After a sweet meal, Qi Yan took out the bowls and chopsticks, and went back to the bedroom to accompany Nangong Jingnv.

Nangong Jingnu: "Youhe's situation has improved a lot these past few days, but she has to be patted by Yuxiao every day to sleep well."

Qi Yan: "It's a good thing for Youhe and Yuxiao to get along better, after all, there are almost no girls of the same age as Yuxiao, so putting Youhe in Yuxiao's care will also grind her temper, lest she always hang out with those boys , I have learned to be ruffian."

Nangong Jingnv smiled sweetly: "So you also know your daughter's usual style?"

Qi Yan: "Zuo just smashed her companions all over their heads every now and then, what's the matter?"

Nangong Jingnu: "Anyway, you are right, okay?"

Qi Yan smiled, Nangong Jingnv said something about Yuxiao again, Qi Yan said to Nangong Jingnv after listening, "Your Majesty... I wonder if I can let my minister meet Xiaodie?"

Nangong Jingnu thought for a while and replied: "After a while, I will invite Second Sister to come into the palace and bring Xiaodie along."

Qi Yan grabbed Nangong Jingnv's catkin and held it to his chest, thanking him sincerely: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Nangong Jingnu: "There is one thing, I want to ask your opinion."

Qi Yan: "Yes."

Afterwards, Nangong Jingnv told Qi Yan about the news in the newspaper, and finally said: "I have sent Gong Yanghuai to lead an army of 80 to attack Luonan to replenish the damaged soldiers and guard Luonan for a whole winter. There is a barrier between heaven and earth, and the court will be able to relax for another year just by waiting for the thaw in Luochuan in the spring of next year. This year, the court's tax revenue is considerable. The guard army and the patrol battalion together have about [-] yuan, but the treasury has been empty in the past few years, unable to support the military expenditure after the war. It only takes three years... Even if the Youzhou army is really rebellious, the court will no longer be afraid gone."

Qi Yan: "About the plague, has Your Majesty received reports from other prefectures in Luonan?"

Nangong Jingnv shook her head.

Qi Yan squinted her eyes: "So, it's a bit strange."

Nangong Jingnu: "Yes, I also suspect that this incident is not a natural disaster, it's just that I didn't mention it to the courtiers because I was worried that the army's morale would be disturbed."

Qi Yan: "Although the plague is terrifying, it will not cause such a large number of deaths in such a short period of time. I guess...the Luonan army may have been poisoned."

Nangong Jingnu: "Poisoning? Such a method, could it be her?"

Qi Yan: "At least Bayin and Ji Ya can't do this kind of thing. Only the princess of the former dynasty can cause such a huge casualty by themselves. Her medical skills and financial resources are enough to support her to do this. "

Nangong Jingnv sneered: "Can this be regarded as revenge? I just offered her a reward, so I gave her such a 'big gift' in return! But it's good, at least her position is exposed, so I will send more people to help her." Luonan searched, if you don't believe you can't find her this time."

Qi Yan was not as optimistic as Nangong Jingnv. After a moment of silence, she replied, "I'm afraid Luo Nan can't find her anymore."

Nangong Jingnu: "How come?"

Qi Yan: "Leaving aside the fact that the 'plague' has been happening for a while, as far as I know the former princess, she is a very cautious person, and it is impossible to expose her whereabouts because of the lives of tens of thousands of people, Your Majesty. The arrest warrant was widely distributed, and she had nowhere to hide, so she fled to the Luochuan area where the imperial court's control is weak. If I am not mistaken, she should have crossed Luochuan and fled to Luobei."

Nangong Jingnu: "Could it be that Ji Ya and the princess of the former court also colluded?"

Qi Yan: "The princess of the previous dynasty had been to Luobei. She recognized the totem on my chest at a glance back then, so she knew something about the grassland. And...she once saved Bayin's life. Give me an ox horn, because it was inconvenient for me to go to Beijing, I left the ox horn with the former princess. Later, when I went to Luobei to welcome Concubine Ya back to Beijing, Bayin gave me the ox horn again, which shows that the previous Princess Chao has already used this token to make an appointment with Bayin, and Bayin is a person who repays his kindness, and the former princess saved his life, so he will definitely repay him."

Nangong Jingnu: "...Will Bayin be instigated by the former princess?"

Qi Yan: "It's hard to say, but the most frightening thing is that the former princess poisoned so many soldiers, maybe it's not just a 'return' to His Majesty, it's more likely a 'gift' to Bayin..."

Nangong Jingnv's complexion changed a few times, she hesitated again and again, and finally she didn't say the ugly words. Although in Nangong Jingnv's view, Bayin committed an unforgivable crime, the other party was Qi Yan's sworn brother after all. She doesn't want to embarrass Qi Yan.

Nangong Jingnv: "I'm also very worried that the grassland will take advantage of Luochuan's freezing to send troops south, so today I asked the Ministry of Industry if it is possible to build a stretch of fortifications along the Luochuan River, but it seems that it is not feasible."

Qi Yan: "Actually, if Your Majesty wants to get it done once and for all, you don't need to bother so much. You just need to let Bayin know that I am still alive, and let you go to see Bayin. I will be sure to persuade Bayin."

Nangong Jingnu: "No!"

Qi Yan frowned: "Your Majesty... go up to attack the army, and the one who surrenders without fighting is the top one. Bayin and I grew up together since childhood, and the two families are family friends. Bayin will listen to what I say , I will let Bayin understand that I have let go of this hatred as the King of Khan, and he will listen to me."

Nangong Jingnv's expression was sullen: "I can't say it, don't bring it up again!"

Qi Yan was very puzzled, and asked back: "Why is Your Majesty so stubborn?"

Nangong Jingnv looked at Qi Yan, was silent for a long time, and let out a long sigh.

Qi Yan: "Your Majesty?"

Nangong Jingnv grabbed Qi Yan's hand and held it, and said in a very soft voice: "What you said is only the best possibility, and no one can guarantee that other situations will happen. Although Bayin is your Anda, But now Luobeijiya is the one in power. What if your sworn brother cannot let go of this hatred? Not only did you fail to persuade him, but were detained by them instead? I know your sworn brother will not hurt you, What about Jiya? What about the former princess who may have fled to Luobei? Her poison technique is superb, and no one will know if you are poisoned to death. If there is something wrong with you... have you ever thought about me? You, I just keep you locked up... Can we meet again in the future? What kind of price will I have to pay to get you back? Will the courtiers agree? Will the people of the world agree?"

Qi Yan stared blankly at Nangong Jingnu, who pursed her lips and murmured: "I married you when I was 14 years old, and ten years have passed in a flash... After so much difficulty, I made up my mind to grow old with you , If you are detained by them, have you ever thought about me? Is the master of this world me or you? I know that your method may be the least costly and the best for this world, but what about me? For me how?"

After listening to Nangong Jingnv's words, Qi Yan already had mixed feelings in her heart. She thought that after Nangong Jingnv ascended the throne, she would inevitably put the world first. In preparation for sacrificing for the world, as long as he can be by Nangong Jingnv's side, Qi Yan dare not ask for too much.

But she didn't think that in the other party's heart, she was actually... no less important than the world....

Now that she had finished speaking, Nangong Jingnv simply confided her heart, held Qi Yan's hand and continued: "The reason why I hid you in this half of the forbidden palace is because the general trend has to do so, and on the other hand, it is to keep you away On the cusp of the turmoil, right and wrong, it is no longer suitable for you to expose your identity, and outsiders will inevitably have prejudice against you. Anyway, your health is not good, so it is just time to let go of these troubles and recuperate. You used to protect me with all your strength, but now I also want to hold up a piece of sky for you. Isn’t the way of husband and wife just like this? So... from now on, stop talking stupid things, the hidden dangers of Luobei... It was formed when the father decided to send troops to the north , even if you persuade Bayin, there may be other people who stand up and want to avoid future troubles... I am afraid that I will not see it in my lifetime. All I can do is to avoid war as much as possible. A year of guarding has filled the national treasury, and the imperial court is strong and strong. This is the real soldier who surrenders without fighting... When the imperial court is really strong enough, let the future generations solve this problem completely. As for the courtiers, The people of the world...or the people of later generations, say that I am cowardly or cowardly. At least I don't want to start a war in my lifetime, and I won't unless it is absolutely necessary. The Nangong family is full of you, the Qiyan family, and the people in the grassland. Isn't it enough to suffer from the flames of war? Promise me...don't make any more risky decisions, I don't want to lose any more."

Qi Yan was heartbroken after hearing this, and squeezed Nangong Jingnv's hand: "Your Majesty will follow."

Nangong Jingnu: "If you have the time, why don't you help me think about how to make defensive fortifications. The most important thing is to keep all the soldiers from the grassland to the north of Luochuan."

At night, Nangong Jingnv stayed in Qi Yan's dormitory again. During the day, Nangong Jingnv showed her heart, and at night, it was inevitable that they would have an extremely lingering love, and they would sleep in each other's arms...

However, Qi Yan had a nightmare, dreaming that when he was a child, his father Khan came back in a big defeat, angrily quarreled with several princes in the king's tent, and he overheard the tragic battle.

I dreamed of my father Khan's last teaching to me, let me take good care of my younger sister, and wait for my younger siblings to be born, and my father Khan and mother will go to find them...

Qi Yan suddenly opened his eyes: "Father Khan!"

The cry woke Nangong Jingnu up. When she heard Qi Yan call "Father Khan", she knew it was a nightmare. At this time, it was not yet dawn, but she could clearly hear Qi Yan's heavy breathing. Although Nangong Jingnu was tired , but no sleepiness anymore, raised his hand to wipe off the sweat from Qi Yan's forehead, and said softly: "Did you have a nightmare?"

Qi Yan was stunned for a long time before she came back to her senses, she turned to hug Nangong Jingnv's delicate body, and shrank herself into a shrimp: "I dreamed about my father."

Nangong Jingnv sighed, and kissed the corner of Qi Yan's lips: "I'm sorry."

Suddenly, Qi Yan's mind flashed: "Your Majesty!"

Nangong Jingnv was startled, she looked at Qi Yan: "What's wrong?"

Qi Yan gave a wry smile and fell silent.

Nangong Jingnu: "What's wrong? Don't scare me."

Qi Yan: "It's nothing, it's just... there is a way."

Qi Yan felt a little ironic, and didn't want to say it at first, but seeing Nangong Jingnv's expectant eyes, and thinking of Nangong Jingnv's confession in a hundred days, she struggled for a moment, so she decided to say it.

At that time... After the defeat of Qiyan Suhebalu, he went back to the king's tent to discuss military affairs with several Tuogu princes. The young Agula eavesdropped outside the tent, and heard his father Khan say angrily: " The Wei people did not know what method they used to build an ice city overnight! They shot cold arrows in the city, and our people suffered heavy losses..."

After growing up, Qi Yan understood the mystery. Luobei is cold, and every drop of water turns into ice. As long as one finds a source of water, a city can be easily poured out...a past event that was almost forgotten, but it came alive because of a dream.

Qi Yan murmured in her heart: Father, is it because you have a spirit in the sky, and you don't want another war between the North and the South?

Since Nangong Jingnv said that she doesn't want to see Cao Ge again, as long as the grassland is not too much, the court should not raise troops, so I believe her once.

Qi Yan: "Your Majesty, can you promise me something?"

Nangong Jingnu: "Tell me."

Qi Yan: "If the prairie people...haven't stepped across Luochuan, can your majesty stop sending troops north?"

Nangong Jingnu: "As long as the grassland doesn't rebel, I will naturally not tear up the agreement, but... I can promise you that even if the grassland rebels, as long as they don't fight Luochuan, I won't do anything too extreme."

Qi Yan: "Okay."

Therefore, Qi Yan told Nangong Jingnv the method of watering and casting the city, and said: "Your Majesty can directly build a fortification on Luochuan after it freezes, as long as there is enough water, it can be built on the city wall Setting up a crossbow for defense basically doesn’t cost any money, and when the fortifications melt, the ice in Luochuan will become unstable, and if this happens every year, there will be no possibility of Luobei invading.”

After hearing this, Nangong Jingnv's eyes lit up, she threw off the quilt, and hurriedly put on her clothes.

Nangong Jingnu: "You sleep a little longer, I'm going to discuss with the Ministry of Industry whether this is feasible."

Qi Yan: "Your Majesty... don't forget the agreement with the minister."

After Nangong Jingnv got dressed, she sat by the bed and solemnly said to Qi Yan: "I know your heart, and I also thank you for your righteousness for the people of this world. I promise you that as long as you can keep the grasslands to the north of Luochuan, I will never send my troops north.”