In the spring of the 18th year of Yongzhi, after the apricot blossom rain in February, he quietly walked. On both sides of the road, willows sprouted and branches were green.

Time has diluted everything. The magnificent and thrilling political storm has gone. Who remembers the former masters?

In the early morning, the crisp sound of children selling newspapers resounded throughout the streets and alleys in the capital. "Selling newspapers, selling newspapers... Beijing Daily, Dazhou Times, Mingli Daily. 2 corners."

"In the war in the Western Regions, the Beijing camp was defeated, and the official army suffered more than tens of thousands of casualties. The leader of the barbarian tribe, Baye Gu Xiaode, led a large army to advance to Kucha..."

"The chasing chaos in the canal was completely quelled. The Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Palace Hua Xiang joined the Grand Secretary of the Feudal Hall..."

"Jia Tanhua's new work "Peach Blossom Fan" is sung from all over the country. There are thousands of people everywhere, and the grand occasion is unprecedented..."

The shouts of newspaper boys of all sizes spread in the morning light in the morning, floating in the slightly shaded streets and the long shadows of the walls, with a unique charm of Beijing. The atmosphere of the change of the times, like spring rain moistening things, quietly changing.

At about three o'clock in the morning (06:45), the crowds in Qipan Street gradually became denser. Food shops along the street have opened, selling: tofu brain, sweet rice wine, soy milk, and broth. The aroma is overflowing in the morning breeze.

The fried dough sticks, dough and oil cakes were put into the pan, and the thorns squirted. The middle-aged boss Lao Huang, who was surrounded by an apron, was a little fat. He stood in the shop, looking at the pedestrians on the street, showing a kind smile.

The neighbor of the food stall next door, Lao Wang, sold: buns, steamed buns, small dumplings, steamed dumplings. There are various fillings and a triangle of meat buns. The steam is steaming, accompanied by the singing of "Lai". There are three or five square wooden tables outside the store, and there are a lot of diners.

What does the defeat in the Western Regions, the changes in the court, the Kunqu opera in Jiangnan, and the news in newspapers have to do with their lives?

Some related food, rice, oil and salt: the rice price in Beijing rose to 9 yuan per stone. After the beginning of spring, the coal price began to fall back to 2 cents per kilogram. The salt price remained high. Life has become more and more difficult in the past two years!

"The common people do not know the hatred of the destruction of the country!"

Zhang Shiyuan, an editor of the Ming Libao, looked at the happy diner and boss, and snorted in dissatisfaction. If the Western Regions are lost, the national dynasty's efforts for the past four or five years will be wasted, how can the big holes of military expenditure and pension be filled? If the barbarians are powerful, how can they deal with the border robbery? These people don't think about it!

Zhang Shiyuan paid angrily, walked out of the streets and alleys, and came to Chengfeng Teahouse on Qipan Street. As soon as he entered, the noise came.

"Even if the barbarians win occasionally, they will not be able to plunder the military fronts of the state."

"that is."

"A good general was elected to rule the whole situation. The left governor Niu Jizong is not good."

Zhang Shiyuan smiled on his face. This was the world he was familiar with. This was the gathering place for news in Beijing.

The waiter of the teahouse came over with a white towel on his shoulder and smiled diligently. Zhang Shiyuan ordered familiarly: "A pot of Gaomo." Then, he said loudly: "I think changing generals in front of the formation is not a good idea. Instead, we should quickly transfer the army into the Western Regions."

The newspaper editors and scholars in the teahouse all came over. Zhang Shiyuan was a regular customer here and started his speech.

…

…

The sun gradually rose. The paintings in the capital slowly unfolded. The Western Garden was bathed in the clear light. In the imperial study, Emperor Yongzhi was summoning three Grand Secretarys, Wei Qihou, Cheng Guo Duke, Beijing King, and Shi Guangzhu to discuss matters.

The miserable defeat in the Western Regions did not respond strongly among the people. However, in the newspapers and in the scholars, there were already people who were excited and demanded another battle and severely punished the barbarians. The national dynasty has never been defeated so much for decades!

The atmosphere in the imperial study room was extremely solemn.

The news in the newspapers was deleted. The actual situation was even more serious and critical! The Great Zhou Dynasty had a total of about 100,000 troops in the Western Regions, of which 40,000 were distributed in the four towns of Kucha, Saiye, Yutian and Shule.

Now Kucha is threatened by a barbarian army. Going east of Kucha is Gaochang and Dunhuang. Gaochang is famous for its wine, and Dunhuang is the intersection of the Silk Road. It is located in the Hexi Corridor. If Kucha is lost, the western border of the Great Zhou Dynasty will shake and will lose thousands of miles of land.

Emperor Yongzhi was calm and said, "A great shame! When did the Great Zhou Dynasty lose his troops and humiliate the country so much? Niu Jizong is hateful! It's shameful."

Seven important officials stood in front of the emperor, all bowing their heads. Listening to the emperor venting his anger. This battle was indeed too bad. With the sharp edge of the country's military, they were defeated by the barbarians and lost 20,000 yuan in the capital camp. The emperor was furious and was understandable.

Wei Qihou reported: "Your Majesty, Niu Jizong is using Hu people. I think he will select wise ministers to preside over the overall situation of the Western Regions. He will also transfer elite troops to the Western Regions. The Western Regions cannot be lost. Otherwise, Longyou and Guanzhong will be difficult to be peaceful."

Due to insufficient troops, Niu Jizong used 20,000 Tielle cavalry when he fought with Bayegu tribe. As a result, when the battle formation was fierce, the always tame Tielle cavalry suddenly turned against him and impulsively attacked the Beijing camp. Otherwise, how could it be impossible to defeat the cavalry with firearms?

Hua Mo said: "I agree."

Wei Hongdao: "If you are not a clan, your heart will be different! When Gao Xianzhi of the Tang Dynasty was defeated by Hengluosi, he used the Hu cavalry. Otherwise, with the benefits of the Tang Dynasty's Modao and the bravery of the Tang cavalry, how could he be defeated by Dashi?" He supported the severe punishment of Niu Jizong.

Song Pu added: "The Western Regions are separated from the capital thousands of miles away, and the sudden change of generals is not conducive to the situation. The current order is to encourage Niu Jizong and wait for the important officials to arrive in the Western Regions before changing generals."

The three great masters all expressed their opinions one after another, and the matter was settled.

King Beijing and Shi Guangzhu were determined to help Niu Jizong defend themselves, but they could not speak. Although Niu Jizong was not a famous general, he was born in a general and fought an old war. How could he make such a low mistake: use the Hu Qi to fight a decisive battle?

The reason is that the imperial court allocated less and less money to the Western Regions. When the army of Baye Gu was approaching, he could not mobilize the army to fight. The 100,000 troops were mobilized, and people ate horses, and his money and food were insufficient. He had to recruit servants to join the war. No matter how sharp the firearms were, they had to be cavalry to win the entire grassland.

Don't expect something happened...

Emperor Yongzhi nodded slightly, "This is a successful national plan. Who do you think can go to the Western Regions?"

…

…

There are three or two peach blossoms outside the bamboo, and the spring river is warm and the duck is prophet.

Because Jia Zheng brought his family to the south to Jinling with his elders, the Grand View Garden was a little lonely. The Jia Mansion had a population of more than 1,000, so it was impossible for them to follow them back to Jinling. Jia Zheng and others only brought their close-fitting personal followers for about 100 people.

Leaving Jia Rong, Jia Qiang, Jia Yun, and Lin Zhixiao are in charge of external affairs. Youshi, Lin Zhixiao's family, is in charge of internal affairs of the Jia family.

In March, spring is bright. The wind passes through the treetops and the fallen flowers are colorful.

Shi Xiangyun was in the bench of the Aojing Pavilion in the Grand View Garden, watching the ducks playing in the water in groups in the river, and his loneliness came to his heart.

The Shi family was impeached and dismissed from office because of the impeachment of the Bowling Marquis Shi Nai and was demoted to the top, and the momentum was not as good as before. The days became more and more difficult. She didn't like the atmosphere in the mansion and lived in the Grand View Garden for a few days. However, Sister Lin, who was in the couplet poem that day, was not here.

Sister Bao, who loves others like an elder sister, can say anything she likes, is not here either. They all go to Jinling with Brother Huan.

The second sister and the fourth sister got married. Baoqin, who liked to play with her, also married Bao'er brother and went to Jinling with her. The third sister was filial to Jinling. Who else was still in this garden? All the worries were scattered.

Xiangyun sat slanted, wearing a dark red dress, wearing a girl's braid. Her slender figure showed a very beautiful curve. She felt something and recited: "The forest flowers faded and the spring is red, too hurrying. I had no choice but to come the cold rain and the wind came the evening. The rouge tears kept people drunk. When will it be heavy? It is true that people will live a long and regretful life and the water will grow east."

Outside the corridor, someone asked softly: "Who is reciting the poem?"

Xiangyun looked over, but saw Qin Keqing wearing a plain Taoist robe passing by with his maid Baozhu. Xiangyun recognized Qin Keqing, stood up to greet him, and said, "Master Qin!" She thought it was Miaoyu. The Aojing Pavilion is not far from the Yangcui Temple.

Qin Keqing has a graceful and delicate figure and a gentle expression. Her charming pretty face is not covered with makeup, but she is already a national figure. She is the kind of beauty who wants to commit crimes when she is seen. She bowed back and said softly: "Miss Shi..."

A few casual conversations were made. Qin Keqing couldn't help asking, "Miss Shi, does there be news about Jiangnan?" Jia Huan left with his wives, concubines and maids, and her message was relatively closed.

Xiangyun shook his head and said, "There is no letter from Jiangnan. Only the newspaper says that the peach blossom fan was written by Brother Huan."

Qin Keqing's charming jade face could not hide her disappointment. She also saw the news in the newspaper. She politely took Baozhu to say goodbye and left, walking on the steps of the Damo Temple, sighed quietly in her heart: It's been five months, I want to ask you if you are doing well recently?

…

…

In mid-March, it is the beginning of summer. In late spring and early summer, the south of the Yangtze River is the time for beautiful scenery. The smoke is suppressed and the wind is thin and slanted, and the small windows are not covered by curtains. Dragonflies stand by the flowers. This is the feeling of the water and the ends of the world.

On the second day of April, a three-story giant ship descended from the Yangtze River and arrived outside Jinling City.

In the cabin, the ground was covered with precious Persian carpets. The vessels were either gold or silver. Annanbo, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, Qi Chi, put down his brush and ordered the servants who were kneeling at the door to report, "Stop in Jinling for three days!"

After the news came out, the generals who were walking into the capital were jubilant. A moment later, the owner of the luxurious giant ship, Hu Chi, the king of the southwest Qian, came in. He was wearing a long blue gown and yellow beard and a nose that was covered with worries: "Sir, the generals are having fun in Jinling City, for fear that the Lord will be impeached by the censor. The emperor urgently summoned..."

Although the soldiers in the army are brave in war, they must be drunk and happy when they come to the gentle hometown of Jinling. Drinking will inevitably cause trouble. These are all trivial matters, and they are afraid that they will reach the emperor's ears. The emperor ordered Governor Qi to arrive in the capital in mid-April.

Qi Chi sat in front of the desk, smiled casually, and said, "If you don't break the law, just follow them." He got up and walked around, sighed softly, and said, "Xingzhai, the emperor intends to let me go to the Western Regions to quell the rebellion. Do you think I have this ability?"
Chapter completed!