Chapter 66: Fall

"The fourth brother looks really haggard." Queen Wei also sighed, and threw aside the land deeds in her hand, "It seems that these shops are all the private property of the fourth brother."
Yuan Luo was taken aback. Wasn't this million taels of fortune raised by Wei Xi himself? Then Wei Xi is afraid that the poor will go bankrupt, and maybe even borrow money. Having such a brother is really a blessing to Queen Wei, Yuan Luo is a little envious.
"The poor family is not going to go bankrupt. The fourth brother is very rich. My father has been focusing on government affairs over the years. Many of the family's businesses in northern Xinjiang and the south are controlled under his name. This money will not hurt. Muscles move bones."
Yuan Luo listened, only hating that she didn't have a big mouth from a lion. No matter how much she wanted, she was surprised, "Why is Wei Xi so rich?"
"Father said that the fourth brother's entry into the military is the most expensive way to raise and train soldiers, so he gave him part of the family business as a subsidy."
It does cost money to raise soldiers, although Jin Wuwei, as an elite of the imperial court, has sufficient salaries. But if you want better weapon armor and faster war horse vehicles, it will cost a huge amount of money.
Wei Xi didn't take over Jinwuwei for a long time, but the grace and power were both honored by the soldiers, and the combat effectiveness of the soldiers and horses was greatly improved. I am afraid that the credit of these silvers is indispensable.
Yuan Luo remembered that although Wei Xi was only the fourth son of Prime Minister Wei, he was the only one who was born, so he was always trained as an heir. The other sons of the concubine also hold posts in the sixth department or the local government. Webster is more educated than aristocratic families like Wang Xie, and of course only refers to his son. The daughter is huh.
"Fourth brother has so much money in hand, I thought he would save up to marry a wife in the future, and now they are all delivered to you." Queen Wei complained. He squinted at her again: "Are you satisfied that you sold me so much money?"
"Satisfied, not satisfied." Yuan Luo buckled the box in her hand and smiled.
Queen Wei was surprised: "What else is unsatisfactory?"
"I just regret it. I should have sold Du Zhaoyi upstairs in Linjiang at a good price together." Yuan Luo was full of regrets. Even if you can't sell such a huge amount of silver as Queen Wei, a dozen or so noble concubines, one should be worth fifty or sixty thousand taels.
Cheng Wei, who had just entered the door, slipped and almost fell.
Queen Wei also showed an intolerable expression: "Are you sick?"
"It's sick, poor," Yuan Luo admitted readily. Next she needs to spend a lot of money, more than they expected.
"Can't stand you." Queen Wei grunted.
He deliberately said: "Scrooge, how about giving me a little bit?"
"Stop dreaming." Yuan Luo smiled sweetly at her.
Since the Xinggong rebellion, the relationship between her and Queen Wei has become much more harmonious. It is probably the attitude of "never forsaken" between life and death that moved her. Now Queen Wei's favorability value for herself has risen to 66, which is quite auspicious. Moreover, this girl often comes to Zichen Palace and rubs her to chat and do things. The favorability value is in a steadily rising stage.
However, Yuan Luo did not intend to go further, because Queen Wei's emotional fluctuations were too severe. For example, now, when she is decisively rejected, she clearly hears the prompt tone with a favorability value of -4.
Queen Wei curled her lips, "Who is so rare," asked again, "Did you want to sell me money when you saved me?"
Yuan Luo frowned and said, "How could it be too late to escape? Who would want to get so much." Although she didn't really expect Queen Wei's favorability, she didn't want to see the plunge.
Queen Wei thought for a while, and accepted the answer.
After rubbing against Yuan Luo for a while, her eyes fell on Yuan Luo's hands again, "When do you like wearing this kind of thing?"
Yuan Luo helped her nail cover on her little finger. It is engraved with intricate patterns with silver wires and is dotted with crimson gems, which is extravagant and noble.
Queen Wei had to admit that this thing is very beautiful, especially with Yuan Luo's gorgeous and charming makeup, it has a strange and alluring style.
Yuan Luo used this thing mainly to guard against someone's sight.
Although she is a royal concubine, she wears thick coutan on her nails every day, enough to conceal any flaws. But still don't worry. They also moved out the nail sets of concubines that are common in Qing palace TV dramas.
Presumably, it will become popular in the harem and even the entire class of ladies.
Waiting for Queen Wei to leave, Yuan Luo ordered Cheng Wei to lead someone to collect the silver on the table and fill it into his small vault.
After learning how the money came, Cheng Wei looked at Yuan Luo with something wrong.
These people are really rare and weird. If Lian Yanqiu were here, he would only praise him for his good work.
Speaking of Lian Yanqiu, Yuan Luo remembered the stalemate of the Tiange Pass negotiations.
It has been several months for the envoy to go north, and I don't know when her even the admiral will return. If he was there these few months, I wouldn't be so busy anymore. Yuan Luo always affirmed Lian Yanqiu's ability to do things.
However, the expected news hasn't arrived yet, and the military has sent a hundred thousand urgent urgent documents.
Bei Rong invaded south, Xincheng fell!

Yuan Luo looked at the document with an ugly expression.
Isn't the peace talks going well? I remember that the last time I received the news from the envoy, the two sides were still arguing over the price of the Tiange Pass.
This kind of peace talks between the two countries has always progressed slowly, and the court did not care.
Why did you move south in a blink of an eye? Are you not satisfied with the terms of the peace talks? Yuan Luo dismissed this idea as soon as it came out. If he was dissatisfied with the price offered by the court, Bei Rong would first open his mouth and ask for a high price. In fact, according to the news from the mission, the main reason for repeated consultations these days It is some detailed conditions, such as trade and tribute or even marriage...
The peace talks were a blind eye from the beginning!
The gang of hungry wolves in Beirong were just using the banner of peace talks to delay time! They didn't want to return Tiangeguan to Tianyu in exchange for some money.
After all, the opportunity to break into the barrier is rare in a lifetime, only once in decades. Compared with the Huahua World in Guan, there is no limit to the world, no matter how much money you get, there will be a day of exhaustion.
After receiving the edict, everyone in Miao Zifang, who rushed in urgently, had the same view. At the same time, Zuo Bingfan and Lu Bingzhong also arrived. Everyone circulated the secret letters one by one, all in shock.
What was shocked was not just the restart of the war, but the fall of Xincheng.
Xincheng is located in the southern part of Luocheng and is one of the important cities in northern Xinjiang. Originally there were 30,000 elite soldiers stationed in Luocheng, but the battle in Luocheng was protracted. The garrisons in these northern Xinjiang regions were all mobilized to participate in the war, and the city defense was suddenly empty. Only a few thousand soldiers and horses were left for defense.
Coupled with the news of Yihe a while ago, the whole city relaxed. As a result, Bei Rong's elite was unexpectedly killed under the city, taking advantage of the Luocheng defenders who pretended to return to defense in the middle of the night, deceived the city gate and captured it in one fell swoop.
Putting aside the letter, Miao Zifang said anxiously: "Niang Niang, this matter can't be delayed, we must immediately prepare troops to meet the enemy."
Xincheng is stuck on the main traffic road to the north, and the grain road leading to Luocheng needs to be transported through Xincheng. Of course, there is no need to be so nervous in the past. Luocheng is an important stronghold. It has stored for many years the food and grass that can be used by the whole city for a year. But before they captured Luocheng by fire. The stored grain was burned to the limit, and the city walls were badly damaged. These government officials have been transporting grain and grass through Xincheng to Luocheng. Suddenly it was stuck. Luocheng's hundreds of thousands of troops are in trouble.
Yuan Luo immediately said, "It's better to mobilize Luocheng soldiers and horses immediately and go south for assistance."
Miao Zifang smiled bitterly, "Bei Rong occupied Xincheng and waited for work, I'm afraid that was the idea."
Yuan Luo immediately realized that Bei Rong had made such a trick, and he was bound to guard against Luocheng's army returning to help. There would be an ambush on the road. If Luocheng's defending army was easily mobilized, it would be seriously damaged.
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Miao Zifang said: "Not only can it not be mobilized, but an emergency military order must be issued to Luocheng, ordering the whole city to guard against the abnormal changes of the Tiange Pass in the north, and ignore the provocations from the rear."
Lu Bingzhong suggested: "There are still garrisons in various cities in the north, and they can be ordered to strengthen."
Miao Zifang shook his head, "I'm afraid of difficulty." Because of Gu Liangyong's defeat, the troops stationed in the north were concentrated in the Luocheng area, and the defense of several cities was very empty. This is how Xincheng was taken advantage of.
Zuo Bingfan mobilized his thoughts: "In order to avoid the vicinity of the Luocheng army, these cavalrymen going south can only take small roads. The roads are rugged and the number cannot be too many. It should be between 20,000 and 30,000. These numbers of soldiers and horses occupy them. It is impossible for Xincheng to rule firmly at once. The best way is to send soldiers and horses from the capital to the north and recover the city in one fell swoop."
Miao Zifang has the same view.
Who to send? Yuan Luo found this problem again.
The veterans in the DPRK are all members of the Wei Clan, and the only people available to him except Miao Zifang and Lu Bingzhong are...
Yuan Luo withdrew his gaze from Zuo Bingfan, she didn't want to see Zuo Bingfan's achievements. And Miao Zifang, she would never release the capital, this was the greatest guarantee for her safety. As for Lu Bingzhong, loyalty is guaranteed, but he has never had the experience of commanding an army and decisively fighting against Shacheng.
The strategy of Xincheng is best done in one battle. Once it fails, it turns into a protracted battle, which is bound to shake the hearts of the Luocheng army.
After thinking about it, only that person is the most suitable.

The late autumn sun shines diagonally into the room through the open window.
But the room seemed to be a bottomless abyss, with a dim atmosphere floating throughout.
Gu Yi stood in front of the window, staring at the big tree outside the window and turned around when he heard someone coming in. When he saw that the person who came in was Yuan Luo, he didn't show any shock, just stylized on one knee.
He took a stern look, without any rudeness, but the youth's original vigorous face, with a certain indifferent indifference.
Yuan Luo stood in front of him, feeling neither hatred nor vitality, as if the big tree outside the window, under the destruction of the autumn wind, quickly yellowed its leaves and was crumbling.
This was the first time she saw Gu Yi after leaving Linjiang Tower. Before, she ordered Cheng Wei to pay attention to Gu Yi's movements. The news received was that the boy had returned to work in the guard after a short rest period.
Regular patrol work every day, there is no difference from usual... which is strange!
Can Gu Yi's state be considered normal? Although according to Cheng Wei's judgment, the youth's daily life, clothing, food, shelter, transportation, and work have all returned to their previous frequencies. But in this state of being unlovable, all that exists now is a body named Gu Yi.
Yuan Luo missed Lian Yanqiu again. Her company admiral is still being detained by Bei Rong in the Tiange Pass, and I don't know if he can return safely.
She also regretted her negligence, and ignored the true state of the teenager based on the life trajectory on paper.
"The imperial concubine summons the humble position to come, what's the order?" Maybe it was because she had been silent for too long, Gu Yi spoke first.
He doesn't like someone disturbing his peace now, any outsider will only make him upset. Even Cai Yunheng doesn't like getting tired of being together. Of course, Cai Yunheng was also dull during this period and didn't like to come over to see him. Two painful people together will only double the pain, it is better to be calm and lonely.
"If Niang Niang wants to punish the rudeness in the summer palace last time, please tell me directly. I am willing to plead guilty." Gu Yi said flatly.
Except for this, he couldn't think of the reason why Yuan Luo suddenly summoned him.
Although he had lingering regrets when he died at this time, he really didn't want to bear it anymore.
It was he who killed her, it was his wise strategy and layout that killed her, the most important light in his life.
Just thinking about this, the heavy guilt will drive him crazy.
If death can come, it is also a relief.
"Even if my palace wants to kill someone to vent its anger, it won't be your turn to be the first one." Yuan Luo stared at him, "I called you over because I just received the military report. Bei Rong went south to occupy Xincheng. My palace needs one. People, command troops and horses, go north for reinforcements."
Yuan Luo briefly explained the battle, and then stared at Gu Yi. She longed for the news to make waves and vigor in the eyes of the teenager.
She still remembered clearly that in the Yuxiu Palace, when he mentioned the war in Beirong, his eyes shone like the sun.
However, she was disappointed. The teenager had some accidents, but overall it was still stagnant.
"Niangniang wants to use a humble job?" Gu Yi smiled indifferently. "Niangniang wants to use someone who cannot be trusted."
"The reason I dare to use you is because I believe you, and will not ignore the overall situation for personal grievances. In the face of Bei Rong's position, we will never lose a lot of money. But now I find that I am wrong."
Yuan Luo said bitterly: "This palace wants to use a soldier, a young man with high spirits, but I didn't expect to see a living dead."
"Niangniang doesn't need to use this superficial and aggressive method." Gu Yi's expression remained calm. It was so calm that Yuan Luo finally couldn't suppress the anger that was flowing deep in her heart.
Yuan Luo suddenly approached Gu Yi, stretched out his hand to pinch his chin, and forced him to look up into her eyes, "If there is no love, why not die?"
Gu Yi's body trembled, and her haggard shadow was clearly seen in her clear eyes.
These eyes, these hands, and the familiar figure and temperature.
He took a step back and freed her restraint. He must have missed too much, so he has such an illusion?
Yuan Luo continued to sneer: "I lost my family, lost relatives and friends, and then I want to dig a pit to bury myself. I heard that there are mice in the mountains, and I like to dig pits and hide. It's very similar to your current state, no I know how Gu Liangyong would feel when he saw his only son turned into such a rat crossing the street."
"Your father, elder brother, and people you once valued, the expectation of you is to die quickly, have you lost a hundred since then? Then this palace is wrong, summoning you is just a waste of time. You can get out of here. "
As if being slapped with a whip, Gu Yi showed a humiliating expression. Yes, he still has responsibilities, father's, brother's, and hers...
The shame of his father’s defeat, the injustice of his brother’s death, and the countless comrades in the frontier who lost their lives in Huangquan. They are all waiting for him, and she, she said, hoped that he would go straight up and take her out of here to revive her family. Prestige.
He still has so many burdens on his shoulders that he can't stop here.
Yuan Luo sneered back and turned around to leave the room. Suddenly heard a dull sound behind him.
It was Gu Yi who leaned over and kowtowed, "Please give the order from the empress, the minister is willing to work."
He knelt on one knee and looked up at the door of the hall, staring at his slim figure.
As if being stabbed in the eyes by the bright sunlight, he lowered his head again and repeated: "Please give the minister a chance, the minister is willing to serve."
He will not shirk his responsibility.
Yuan Luo quietly breathed a sigh of relief deep in her heart, the young man in front of him finally had a breath of life, even though it was a wave of hatred and obsession that supported him.
She believed that he could come out sooner or later, especially where he originally belonged to the battlefield, a and glorious place.