She fell out after crying at the wrong grave

On the winter solstice of the second year of the Xindi Pinglin reign, the Youbei Army suddenly withdrew.

On top of the high walls of the tower, under the solemn black tiles, stood the commander-in-chief gazing into the distance, the lord of the three regions of Kezhou.

The stalemate lasted for two months, but relying on the high buildings and strong walls, the Youbei people were unable to break through the city gate, let alone get close.

After the camp counted the casualties, it was found that there were thousands of casualties, plus a variety of destroyed weapons and armaments, the cost was at least 160 taels.

Hengzhi calculated it himself, causing everyone in the camp to be shocked.

Arithmetic was not difficult for Hengzhi, but accounting required more carefulness, endurance and skills. In the past, Ah-yi also read a lot, and after helping her for a long time, she improved a lot.

This money will be used to make up for the loss by threatening the merchants with the school.

The remaining compensation, including tax exemption for the families of dead and wounded soldiers and their children's education, had to be paid by Hengzhi.

Counting all this, he frowned with a headache.

The snow had stopped for two days, but it still covered everything within sight. The world became silent, except for the mud and blood on the land, which was so dirty that it was terrifying, indicating the fierce battle to defend the city.

When the two sides fought, the dead and wounded were naturally seen as heroic souls and passion in each other's eyes.

The cruelty of war is not much better than the deep winter in the north when the snow never melts. The living are in pain and the enemies are happy. The only one who benefits is the distant statue in the capital. Is there any charcoal fire in the palace to warm it?
Hengzhi raised the corner of his mouth sarcastically, but couldn't laugh for a long time.

The new emperor's plan seemed clear to him. He wanted to seek peace in Youbei, so he would not give a single cent to the border guards. Kezhou and Yuanzhou were the same, but Yuanzhou was farther away, and Kezhou suffered first.

Without money, they would not be able to continue, and there would be no reinforcements behind them. If the Youbei people were well prepared, this would not only be a harassment and entanglement, but also a fight of trapped beasts, and they would be defeated sooner or later.

Even in the eyes of generals like Meng Bing, such words meant surrender without a fight, but Heng Zhi was the commander-in-chief and he had to calmly consider all the consequences.

The worst outcome includes the death of all soldiers.

It would be easy to die in battle, but who would the people in the dozens of cities behind him rely on to survive?
This counter-empty city plan not long ago was very effective, although there was an unexpected epidemic in the rear. The Youbei Army was thrown into disarray after receiving the news, which gave Lou Guanyi a chance to lead his troops forward.

You Beiren's original plan was to first cut through the rear, then place spies to launch a surprise attack on the west side of the city, and then build a tower to close the city gates, so as to defeat the enemy in one blow.

Hengzhi has read military books for more than ten years, so how could he not see through this point?

Arranging a small team to attack Youbei's food supplies was actually a counter-measure to these strategies. The cost of opening up the rear would even be lower for Louguan.

Without food and supplies, and with the winter being extremely cold, it was only a matter of time before You Bei retreated.

However, Princess Xuancheng was captured, and the new emperor made his decision known to everyone in the world. He had already had bargaining chips for the marriage with Youbei, so Youbei naturally withdrew his troops voluntarily, earlier than being forced.

Even so, Hengzhi couldn't hide his anger and ordered his men to burn the food and grass.

Hence the current situation.

"Governor." The engineer of Louguanying reported from behind, "After investigation by my subordinates, the city wall is still solid, with only five or six gaps. Once they are filled, there is no need to worry about it. In addition, the Louguan Court has also found that the weapons are of poor quality. Is that..."

The words stopped here with a hint of meaning, and Gong Cao was a little afraid to say anything.

"Just say it." Hengzhi did not move, but uttered the two words coldly. Suddenly, white mist emerged and quickly disappeared in the air.

"Yes."

Gong Cao was horrified. He had heard that this Zhaohou had always put on armor and went into battle personally. He had a murderous aura that made one smell blood. He was a civil official and had never seen such a scene before.

Besides, what he was about to report was not a glorious matter, so his legs inevitably felt weak.

"This batch of inferior weapons was supervised by the previous construction manager, who took a lot of kickbacks. But he also presented a beautiful concubine to the former Marquis, so he took advantage of his power and acted recklessly. No one dared to expose or report him."

Seeing that Hengzhi's sternness was getting worse and he was about to get angry, he added tactfully, "Please forgive me, Governor."

But he didn't see any action taken against him at the moment. A few days later, when Zhao Hou returned to Kezhou and the notice was posted at the city gate, he swallowed in fear.

The handwriting was clear in black and white, and it read "Military Punishment". The family was searched first, along with the wedding expenses of the children, the shops and the land. The family of all those who had sheltered and condoned the perpetrators was also searched.

Hengzhi knew best what was most important to these corrupt officials, and that was money. And he just needed it, so why not do it? Even if he was sentenced to prison, it would not be as painful as having no money left.

If this money is kept in Louguan, it can also be used to subsidize military expenses.

This would save him from having to take money out of Hengzhi’s own pocket, which would put his already limited assets at risk.

I can’t go on like this, Hengzhi thought.

Just when he couldn't think of an excuse to go to Beijing and visit A'ao, an imperial edict arrived in Kezhou a year ago.

Just what he wanted.
-
After moving into Chen Zhaoying's bedroom, A'ao became a thorn in the eyes of all the concubines in the harem.

The Spring Festival is approaching and there is nothing to do in the palace. Everyone is just hiding in the warm room in the back garden and gossiping.

Prince Youbei went to the palace for the last time before returning home, and he visited Princess Xuancheng under the satisfied gaze of the new emperor. It had been a long time since she had dressed according to the palace rules, and the jewelry weighing down her neck made her neck sore.

Ying'en learned many beautiful new tricks from her aunts, and watched her do her makeup every day, and she quickly mastered the technique.

Ah'ao was helpless and explained again and again that she was asked to be a close-fitting female official to serve as the emperor's ear and ears. However, Ying'en didn't care at all and just said that she could do it when she was free since they lived nearby anyway.

"It's nature that plays tricks on people."

The sky was gloomy and all the trees were withered. The two walked side by side on the gravel path in the palace. After a long while, the prince finally uttered a word.

Ah Yi smiled softly, stopped walking, and stared into his gray-blue eyes, "Why, are you feeling sad and depressed here? There were so many people on the road, and I didn't have the chance to ask, how is your sister?"

The boy is at the age of growth. After not seeing him for a while, he has grown a lot taller like a sapling.

Hu Gui looked at her with complicated eyes, feeling even more uncomfortable. "She's fine, not hurt, thanks to my wife... no, Your Highness risked his life to save her."

After receiving his father's order, Hu Gui immediately set out to chase Gu Shouchun and his party. Before entering Pingzhou, he caught up with them in a hurry.

With the tacit approval of the new emperor, passing the customs became much easier.

But when the carriage curtain was opened, he widened his eyes in disbelief, "Why, it's you?"

The female shopkeeper who came to the rescue in Kezhou City turned out to be the long-heard-of Princess Xuancheng!
Hu Gui was so confused by this coincidence that he could not sort out his thoughts. He arrived at the capital in a gloomy mood. The two of them never talked about this coincidence in detail.

But this Miss Cui was clearly married, and she was more than three years older than him, so it was totally inappropriate.

If Luo Ya knew about this, there would definitely be a big fuss.

"Madam Cui, I'll still call you that." Hu Gui pursed his lips, as if he had finally made up his mind. "When I was in Kezhou, I saw that young man coming to save you. You two looked like a perfect match standing together. I don't know why you were captured and brought back here, but judging from your behavior these days, you must be very reluctant."

At this point, Hu Gui looked at her tentatively, and after receiving a reassuring look, he continued, "And I have no intention of getting married, so if you don't want to, I can just have fun with you."

A'ao was a little surprised, but didn't agree easily.

To be honest, I used to be a little suspicious of Hugui Luoya and his sister. After meeting him in Pingzhou and confirming his identity, I couldn't help but start to think carefully.

Hu Gui is the prince of Youbei, the enemy of Kezhou and also her enemy.

If the guess is correct, Chen Lan of Pingzhou colluded with foreign enemies to attack Kezhou, and King Youbei was also a part of the mastermind. Although the disaster did not affect her children, it was difficult for Ah-yi to turn a blind eye to all the sufferings of Kezhou and Louguan during this period.

She paused and lightly avoided the topic, "I am reluctant. The prince will return after leaving the palace today, but I really don't know anyone anymore."

Hu Gui noticed her alienation and blamed himself for being too anxious.

He neither loved the battlefield nor wanted to marry A'an. If the situation or the person were different, he might have obeyed his father's orders.

Hu Gui is a pure person and it is difficult for him to repay the benefactor who saved his life with evil.

"Perhaps my words are too offensive, my lady cannot believe them easily, but my heart is sincere!" He took out a delicate bone carving from his arms, and tied a pendant to it. In Youbei, which is not good at craftsmanship, it is a rare item at first glance. "This is a gift from my mother when she was alive. You can command my Weng tribe. I will give it to you. When you have made up your mind, you can write to Youbei at any time. Chonghuang will not stop us from communicating!"

When he said goodbye, Ah'ao was still in a dream, trapped in her own conflicting thoughts and unable to extricate herself.

The cold wind made her eyes sore. When she came to her senses, the person next to her had replaced Ying En, and the walnut-sized bone sculpture was still in her hand.

"Your Highness, be careful of the cold wind." Ying'en brought a cloak and draped it over A'ao's shoulders. The tip of her nose and ears were red from the cold.

"Ha." Ah-yi laughed, not knowing whether she was laughing at herself or at the prince who had just left. "It looks like he wants to draw a line between us immediately. Is my reputation really that bad? It's like I'm avoiding a creditor."

Ying'en didn't hear their conversation, and thought the princess was being ridiculed and making fun of herself. She couldn't help but feel distressed, "No, it must be that Prince Youbei has never seen the world. I don't think he is worthy of Your Highness."

"But it's just right." Ah's lips opened and closed as if she hadn't heard anything. She kept muttering, "But it's also a good thing. They don't even want to stay in Youbei, so I don't want to go there."

There were some footsteps behind him, and two contemptuous laughs. Although the voice was low, it was quickly caught by A'an, so she turned around to look.

The princess in front of him was tall and pretty, more heroic than the green willows in the spring breeze. When she raised her eyes, she looked more oppressive and majestic.

When Xiao Jin saw her, she was stunned and couldn't help but suppress her smile, but quickly adjusted herself, "I thought it was someone else, it turned out to be our wild and unruly princess. No wonder she was meeting with a man outside the palace without hiding from people."

A'ao looked down at Xiao Jin slightly. It was winter and she didn't know what to do with the fan she was using. It seemed like she was not thinking very well.

"Miss Jin, are you so early in the morning? You don't know how to behave and dare to offend me."

After the palace was divided, the princess had to call herself by her given name according to the rules.

A'ao narrowed her eyes slightly, not understanding why she dared to act so wild, so she started to show off her talking skills.

The Jin family, who has brought disaster to the country and the people, has now brought trouble to our doorstep.
(End of this chapter)