Streaming to the East

The wind is blowing and the clouds are flying.

The news spread that Yang Hao had taken the elite troops of the Western Expedition and calmly returned to Xiazhou. The morale of the Hengshan front line was immediately boosted. Following the injection of 40,000 elite troops, the Hengshan defensive front built by Yang Jiye became even more weatherproof.

It was as solid as a rock, and five days later, Yang Hao personally came to Hengshan to inspect the battle situation. Under this encouragement, the Hengshan defenders showed their power and took the initiative to attack, dealing a heavy blow to the Song Dynasty's troops.

Knowing that Yang Hao had rushed back to Xiazhou and increased his troops to Hengshan, Pan Mei and Wang Jien also temporarily stopped their internal strife and made a concerted effort to attack the outside world. They first stopped a series of attacks on Hengshan, and then used the occupied territory to build forts and beacons.

They began to fight steadily and made preparations for a protracted war. Yang Hao's side also relied on dangerous points to strengthen their defenses. The fierce fighting between the two sides temporarily came to an end, and both parties entered a period of rest and preparation.

Yang Hao rushed to Hengshan and immediately summoned Yang Jiye and other close generals. They discussed in secret for three days. Then Yang Jiye issued a series of orders: the soldiers who had been exhausted from the long battle were withdrawn to the second line for rest and recuperation, and the newly formed troops were moved to the front line, and the wounded and disabled soldiers were moved to the front line.

The soldiers were transported back to Xiazhou to recuperate. Food and grass supplies were continuously sent to Hengshan, and they were stationed in several important military fortresses in Beijing.

.At the same time, the Xiazhou Army was ordered to build high forts and dig deep trenches. The barracks and fortresses were already built on the outside and built another layer on the outside. Sandwiched with vegetation and soil, it was extremely heavy. From the looks of it, it not only made the fortress extremely strong.

, and it also has the function of keeping out the cold in winter. Anyone with some discerning eyes can see that this battle may not go well.

At the same time, military documents and official documents are also coming in an increasing amount. In one day, flying eagles and pigeons rise and fall countless times, and red flag couriers shuttle non-stop. Although the Taiwei is now in Hengshan, all kinds of military information official documents should be sent here.

However, such intensive reporting and such frequent news still made people feel that the commander must make some big move.

However, there were no more than thirty people in Hexi who really knew that Yang Hao wanted to proclaim himself emperor. Apart from Yang Hao himself, there were only six people who knew that he had already prepared for failure in proclaiming himself emperor for the first time: Zhong Fang, Ding Chengzong,

Zhe Ziyu, Yang Jiye, Zhang Pu and Luo Donger.

When the autumn grasses in the desert are dying, the autumn wind is cold, and the horses are getting fat. On the grasslands, the herder tribes are working hard to accumulate autumn grasses to survive the cold winter. With Lingzhou as the center, large areas of fertile land cultivated by Helan Mountain and the Yellow River have also entered the harvest period.

.An acre of grassland can support at most one horse.

, but the yield of grain from one acre of land is between one stone and two stones, which is enough to feed a family of five for one winter. The farmers who have tasted the sweetness are happily harvesting wheat, rice and corn, and they have begun to plan to take advantage of the opportunity.

A few more acres of land will be opened during the winter break, and planting will be expanded next year.

Yang Hao not only provided high-quality grain seeds to farmers who were willing to farm, but also hired experienced crop handlers from the Central Plains with high salaries. In order to encourage planting, the grain tax was not only low, but also had quite detailed preferential policies for land reclamation.

The tense atmosphere on the front line of Hengshan seems to have not affected the lives of the people in the rear at all. For the people in this place, they have seen too many wars. Even ordinary people's nerves have been tempered to be extremely tough. In such a situation

In a dangerous environment, they are stronger and more optimistic than people elsewhere. A little hope can bring them joy and satisfaction.

Yang Hao's ruling body, which has begun to take shape, has been operating at full capacity. It has begun operations in all aspects of military, political, economic, cultural, and propaganda. For Yang Hao to proclaim himself emperor, the Hexi states can safely survive this winter's natural and human enemies.

Various strategic preparations were made.

Autumn is really getting thicker. At the foot of the mountain, the weeds have turned yellow, and the tall trees’ green shade has disappeared. When a gust of wind comes, the fallen leaves fall with the wind, and the branches seem to tremble. On the endless plain

, although the sun was shining brightly, it lacked a bit of warmth. There was a chill in the sky and the earth, and it seemed to be infected with the infinite murderous aura of the armies of both sides who relied on Hengshan to defend themselves.

"Dede, dede", the clear sound of horse hooves sounded in the valley, and several birds that were looking for grass seeds in the withered grass flew up in fright, spread their wings and flew up to the branches, picking their feathers with their beaks, looking forward.

Under the tree, they patiently waited for the passers-by in the mountains, but the two people and the two horses happened to stop under the tree.

A stone's throw away, Mu Yu led Yang Hao's trusted guards to rein in their horses and stop, scanning the left and right tactfully. Under the big tree, Yang Hao had reined in his mounts and stood side by side with Zhe Ziyu.

"Ziyu, Zhao Jiong will definitely keep the tightest supervision on the Zhe family. If you go to Bianliang alone, not to mention your personal safety, it will be useless to rescue them. Do you really want to go?"

Zhe Ziyu nodded lightly: "They are my relatives. I have never seen them since the accident. How can I feel at ease? If I don't see them with my own eyes, I can't feel at ease. Originally, there were

I have the responsibility of Zhejiajun and Fuzhou. Even if I dream about them every day and worry about them, I still can't leave. Now... I feel relaxed at last. I can go and see them. You are about to become emperor.

If I leave a few days earlier, it will be easier on the road."

She glanced at Yang Hao again, and the coldness in her eyes gradually turned into a wisp of tenderness: "No matter what, thank you. I can only trust you with this responsibility, and only you are willing to take it for me. Yang...

...Brother Hao, I owe you..."

Yang Hao suddenly reached out and grabbed her horse's rein, frowning and said: "Why do you say it so politely? The more I listen to it, the more uneasy it becomes. Could it be that... you plan to never come back again."

"I don't know..." Zhe Ziyu's eyes were a little confused: "Really, I don't know. I can't abandon my relatives, but I know that I can't save them. I don't know what to do, and I don't know what to do in the future.

Live. Take one step...just take a look..."

"Ziyu, I know that you still have some lurking forces in Bianliang, and there are some absolutely loyal and reliable people in Suifeng who are under your orders, but no matter how powerful you are, it is impossible to save all of your people.

Family members, if you save one or two, it may harm everyone else, so don’t be emotional."

Zhe Ziyu forced a smile: "I understand that I will never do anything to hurt my family. I will be careful in everything."

"You don't understand!"

Yang Hao's tone became more serious: "Do you think that I only accepted your soldiers and horses, promised to vent your shame on your family, and then ignored your family with peace of mind? You are already frustrated with me, Yang Hao.

I'm feeling cold, right? Let me tell you, I have never had such a plan. There are just some things that I don't want to make public or make random promises to you before I figure out some details. I'm already thinking of ways to save you.

The whole family comes out."

Zhe Ziyu smiled bitterly and said: "It's impossible, unless you can attack Bianliang and seize the Zhao family, can you? You can't defeat him. Even if you can, you have no idea of ​​self-reliance on behalf of the Song Dynasty. Never,

Your biggest ambition now is just to occupy the unowned land of Longyou in Hexi Province and create a new world, right?"

Yang Hao said in surprise: "How do you know?"

Zhe Ziyu sighed and said: "How come I don't know? How come I don't understand your character and temperament? At this point, you have been forced to have no choice but to engage in a large-scale war with the Song Dynasty.

, which plunged the entire Central Plains into war again. The Khitan in the north is eyeing Dandan, Zhao Guangyi is afraid of it, and you... Although you have secret contacts with the Khitan and have a deep friendship, you are also on guard against it, and you are far more suspicious of it than

Song State has been persecuting you, do you think I can't see it?

When you discussed world affairs with us, you only said that you wanted to take over Longyou, which was occupied by the Tubo people. Did you ever have any plans to seek Guanzhong and Xishu again? No! If you get Longyou, you will look to Shu. After you get Longyou,

The key to open Guanzhong is in your hand, not to mention you still have Xiaoliu and Tieniu in Shu. Once Longyou is in hand, Guanzhong and Shu can be easily captured. Based on this, looking eastward, nothing can be done.

for?

However, you used the reputation of Li Yu and his son to provoke several incidents in Jiangnan that died down after a short attack. If you are interested in the Central Plains, you can do better. There are also the Shu rebels. Their role has always been in your eyes.

It just pulls the back of the Song State and relieves the pressure on Hexi. You have never thought of turning it into a usable soldier, going straight into the heart of the Song State, and planning to be the vanguard of the world. Although you are uniquely endowed,

But you are easily satisfied and have never had any ambitions."

Yang Hao looked at her, his eyes full of warmth in the biting autumn wind: "The one who knows me is Ziyu. There are some things that you won't believe even if I say them. The reason why I am like this is not because of me."

There is no ambition, but..."

"Um?"

Yang Hao smiled happily, looked up at the sky, exhaled a long breath, decided to drop this topic, and said instead: "Ziyu, I have really thought about how to save your family, and I plan to...

...If there is really nothing you can do, then when you go to the imperial title, declare yourself king and stop the army, use the jade seal as a proxy to exchange for your family. So, you go to Bianliang to spy on your relatives. I can feel this way.

I understand, but please don’t do anything to scare others, as it will harm them.”

Zhe Ziyu opened his eyes in surprise and lost his voice: "What did you say? That...that is the national jade seal!"

Yang Hao said calmly: "In my eyes, it is just a stone. You also said that I have no intention of being in the Central Plains. What do you want it to do? In my eyes, how can it be as good as the whole family of my sworn brother."

"You are really crazy. You are handing over the jade seal in exchange for my family. Isn't Zhao Guangyi worried that my brother will reveal the truth about him sending troops to Fuzhou? Since you have asked for surrender, it is obvious that you can't hold on for long. He will not send more troops to destroy him in one fell swoop.

you?"

Yang Hao smiled and said: "I think you are the only one who cares and is chaotic. All the wisdom and intelligence you used to have are gone. If I don't drag him until he is exhausted, how can I send him to the imperial title by himself? He still has some energy left.

Continue to send troops? Isn't he afraid that I will give this imperial seal to the Emperor of Liao to form an alliance with him? Haha, don't worry, I will not exchange it unless it is absolutely necessary. If I exchange it, I must consider everything.

and various consequences.”

Zhe Ziyu stared at him quietly, his eyes gradually filled with deep emotion, and said softly: "Brother Hao, if... you can really save my family, Zhe Ziyu will never be a slave to you again in this life.

As a maid, I am at your mercy. Your Mrs. Tang... no matter how much you mock me and make me angry, I don't care anymore..."

Yang Hao muttered: "Am I short of slaves? That's a national jade seal. It would be a big loss to exchange for a slave."

Zhe Ziyu was in love for a moment, and his feelings were fully revealed. What girl has the nerve to openly promise herself for life, what is the purpose of being a slave and a maid? The implication is very clear, but he is still complaining, and he doesn’t know how stupid he is.

Still pretending to be stupid.

Zhe Ziyu was thinking hard, she was already exhausted mentally and was too lazy to think anymore. In front of Yang Hao, her mind was even more confused. When she heard his complaint, she had no time to think too much, so she said angrily: "Could it be that

Do you need a wife?"

There was a smile in Yang Hao's eyes, and he said softly: "There is only one jade seal in the world, but there is only one Zhe Ziyu. Therefore, you, like that jade seal, are unique in this world. I, Yang Haozhen

No ambition, in my heart, the warm fragrance and warm jade are far better than the coldness

A cold stone is a hundred times colder. Ziyu, I have never thought about being a loner. I have never thought that in my heart, every family member is more important than that position of power, just like you are to your family, so... I don't

Stop you. So...I am willing to do all this for you..."

"I……"

Zhe Ziyu wanted to say something more, but she only felt that her nose was sore and she wanted to cry. She sniffed, suppressed the tears that were about to flow, lifted the reins and said, "I'm going!"

Yang Hao let go of her horse's rein and said, "Okay, I'll let you go! Remember, take care of yourself, take care of your family, and come back early. Because you are mine! I will take care of your family!"

Zhe Ziyu looked at him deeply and suddenly galloped away. She didn't dare to say anything more. Yes, Yang Hao was sometimes indecisive and sometimes cowardly, but when he really decided on something,

But she often can do what others cannot. Is there any other man in the world who is willing to rival the emperor of the Central Plains for her? Is there any other man who values ​​her more than the divine right of the emperor?

The orthodox and legal jade seal passed down to the country?

A stone? That stone is an important weapon of the country. If it is obtained, it symbolizes "mandation from heaven", and if it is lost, it means "the end of one's strength." How could Yang Hao not understand its significance? Sooner or later, he will become emperor.

You, how could you not understand its important role? "Am I, Zhe Ziyu, unique?" Zhe Ziyu knew that she didn't
To be continued...