Chapter 564: The Little Heavenly Master Arrives
Chapter 564: The Little Heavenly Master Arrives (Seeking monthly tickets at the end of the month)
Murder? Because she opened the door in a hurry, Yuxiu, who was only wearing a Taoist robe, was stunned for a moment, stretched out her hand to tie up her hair habitually, and frowned:
"I won't interfere..."
The female Taoist nun once again emphasized the principles of doing things.
Haha, I hope you’ll still be so stubborn when Lao Zhang’s crane arrives… Zhao Duan interrupted her rudely and said, “I know.”
Yuxiu stared at him deeply for a moment, then nodded: "Please wait a moment, sir."
She closed the door, the lights in the room lit up, and the shadow of the nun getting dressed was reflected on the window.
After a moment, a graceful Taoist nun, neatly dressed with messy hair tied into a bun, walked out. As she entered the courtyard, her snow-white cuffs were raised to the sky, revealing a section of her fair forearm.
"call out!"
A beam of green sword light rose from the ground and soared into the sky.
"The moon is full tonight, and Jin Jian is out practicing. I called her back." Yuxiu explained.
Zhao Duan took the opportunity to find Sun Xiaozhun who was guarding Taicang, and simply informed him that he was going to Yongjia and asked him to stay.
When he turned back, he just saw the emerald flying sword returning like a shooting star in the night sky.
A petite priest figure almost melted into the darkness, wearing a priest robe embroidered with gold thread, with a delicate face and slightly curled hair ends, like a night elf.
Slowly falling from the sky.
Jin Jian lightly touched the ground with the tips of his boots, held the staff in one hand, and gently pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose with the other hand, staring at Zhao Duan with his dark eyes:
"what happen?"
The female priestess at night exudes a mysterious aura, and is completely different from the sleepyhead during the day.
Zhao Duan had already ordered someone to bring three war horses, and he stood up and left:
"No time to explain, get on the horse."
……
The group of three rushed out of the city at lightning speed and headed south.
A bridge had already been built over the Yongjia River, with soldiers from the Beijing camp guarding both ends. The three men had a smooth journey and entered Yongjia City when the sky was already bright.
A red sun rose up, tearing through the darkness of dawn and illuminating the entire Yongjia city.
There was a strange atmosphere in the city. Because Zhao Shixiong opened the city and surrendered, there was no chaos in the city. However, the sudden change of flag and banner still caught the people off guard.
Zhao Duan arrived at the Yongjia government office.
I ran into a familiar officer from the Fifth Army Battalion walking out and was stunned:
"Governor? Why are you here?"
Zhao Duan dismounted and led two priests, one large and one small, inside, speaking in a dignified tone:
"Send the order, call a meeting of the city's top leaders!"
……
Russian qing.
Inside the government office, in a huge house.
Zhao Duan sat in the main seat in the middle, waiting for his acquaintances to arrive one after another.
The first to arrive were Lang Shiba and Ji Yue, who were sent in advance by Zhao Duan to escort Yuan Feng to accept the surrender.
Then came the square-faced Yuan Feng and the senior officers of the Fifth Army Battalion.
"Governor!" Yuan Feng stepped into the hall and saluted respectfully - the commander was completely convinced by Zhao Duan.
Although he was still dissatisfied when Qingzhou and Su Dan were destroyed, he was completely convinced by the acceptance of Zhao Shixiong this time.
"Well, sit down. Let's talk about the situation in the city." Zhao Duan nodded and motioned for them to sit down.
Yuan Feng did not dare to delay and gave a brief report. The process went very smoothly. At the end, he said:
"Last time, my lord, you rescued the prefect of Yongjia and other local officials from prison. This time, you recaptured Yongjia and removed all the officials who defected to the rebel king. It was just the right time to let them return to their original positions. Therefore, there was very little unrest in the city."
Zhao Duan nodded.
The fastest way to stabilize Yongjia is to have the original local officials take over.
Besides, this place has not been occupied for a long time, so he is not worried about stability.
"By the way, that... Du Ruhui..." He remembered this and asked casually.
Yuan Feng replied, "Du Ruhui has been promoted. He is very capable and it is worth it that you rescued him last time. Do you want to see him?"
Zhao Duan waved his hand: "No need, just asking."
The most urgent task at the moment is to capture and kill King Mu. He has no time to care about trivial matters. The reason why he deliberately asked about Du Ruhui's situation was to send a signal.
From today onwards, when Governor Zhao asks about Du Ruhui, the matter will surely spread locally. This casual remark of his can help the other party reduce countless obstacles and allow him to rise to prominence.
Today, Zhao Duan has the ability to change the fate of a court official with just his words and actions.
While talking.
There were footsteps approaching in the courtyard. Zhao Duan looked up and saw Zhao Shixiong and his wife Gongsun walking towards him.
The border general nicknamed "Thin Tiger" was the same as the day before. Even though the city had changed hands, he still walked with great momentum.
Can't be ignored!
Gongsun, who was tall and plump with a curvy figure, followed her husband without a sword on her back. She met Zhao Duan's gaze and lowered her eyes slightly.
The couple stood at the door and bowed their heads slightly: "Greetings, Governor!"
Zhao Duan laughed loudly and stood up to greet them: "General and Madam, there is no need to be polite. Please sit down quickly."
His attitude also sent a signal to the entire Beijing camp: since Governor Zhao respected the surrendered general so much, the others would not dare to be rash.
This is to help Zhao Shixiong regain his footing in the court.
Zhao Shixiong looked at him gratefully and exhaled softly: "Thank you, Governor."
Wait for the couple to take their seats.
Zhao Duan got straight to the point: "The purpose of convening a meeting today is to go south to quell the rebellion..."
Yuan Feng was the first to express his views:
"According to your instructions, the army can set out in half a day at most. However, I am worried that the Eastern Front may come to our aid..."
Zhao Duan said calmly:
"Don't worry. I have sent a letter to Xue Shence. From now on, he will be responsible for containing Prince Jing. We should seize this window of time and march south to defeat the enemy in one go."
After a pause, he turned his head and looked at Zhao Shixiong:
"General Zhao, based on your understanding of Xu Jingtang, how will he react now?"
Zhao Shixiong pondered for a moment and said slowly:
"Xu Jingtang looks rough, but he is actually cautious. I believe he has made preparations since my daughter went north. I believe that the news of my surrender will soon reach his ears. There are only two possible outcomes."
"First, Xu Jingtang led his army to fight us head-on for control of the Huai River."
"Second, they give up the strategy and just send troops to stop us and buy time to retreat to Yunfu. I personally think this possibility is more likely."
Zhao Duan nodded, which was consistent with his judgment:
"In this case, General, do you think Xu Jingtang will personally lead his troops to stop us, or will he flee?"
Zhao Shixiong did not hesitate:
"If he intends to retreat back to Yunfu, he will not go into battle. However, given his personality, he will not hand over Jingchuan. He will have to take the trouble to transport the grain, gold, silver, and supplies seized from the Huai River back to the base camp."
Zhao Duan nodded, tapped the table and said:
"Since this is the case, we must act without delay. The entire army must immediately move camp and march south to defeat the enemy head-on. General Yuan, General Zhao, this commander-in-chief is not good at fighting, so I have to rely on you for this battle."
Xu Jingtang wanted to run, and he wanted to chase him.
Every day of delay increases the chances of the other party withdrawing.
Yuan Feng nodded, rubbed his hands, and said with a smile: "I will definitely fulfill your mission!"
He had been holding it in for a long time and finally got a chance to show off.
Zhao Shixiong seemed to have tasted the flavor and looked at Zhao Duan:
"The commander-in-chief is not going south with the army? Is he going to stay in the rear?"
Zhao Duan shook his head and smiled:
"No. I will also go south, but I will not go with the army. Instead, I will lead a group of elite soldiers to try to cut off Xu Jingtang's retreat. Therefore, Lang Shiba and Ji Yue will not go south with the army."
Everyone was stunned.
As if she understood something, Gongsun, who was a woman but also served as a female general of the Southwest Frontier Army, suddenly dissuaded her:
"Sir, are you going to take a risk? This is not possible. Although Xu Jingtang himself has a low level of cultivation, the Prince Mu's Mansion has accumulated a lot of experience over the years and must have a solid foundation..." The others also guessed his thoughts, and they all became nervous and tried to dissuade him.
If the emperor fails here, they cannot bear the responsibility.
Zhao Duan, however, rejected all objections:
"It's decided. You lead the army first, and I will act alone later. This matter must be kept secret... Oh, don't worry. Prince Mu wants to resist the imperial army, so most of the masters in the palace will be sent to the army. There won't be many left by his side.
Besides, if King Mu chooses to lead the troops himself, I might end up with nothing."
This... Although everyone wanted to dissuade him, they had no choice but to obey the order.
Afterwards, they discussed the details and everyone dispersed, preparing to break camp.
Zhao Shixiong left last. Before leaving, he glanced at him, his tiger eyes moving slightly:
"Prince Jing is in collusion with the White Clothes Sect. That group of sorcerers can influence destiny. This trip may not be smooth."
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"I know, but the scope of influence of the monks is certainly limited. If they do have an influence, it will only interfere with the army. Therefore, you should be careful."
Zhao Shixiong looked at him deeply and said, "With your status, there is no need to take risks."
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"I am worried about letting General Zhao go south alone. By the way, the news of General Zhao's surrender has been spread to the nine provinces and eighteen prefectures. Your Majesty will also issue an order to clear the general's name."
This sentence seems to be well-intentioned, but it is actually a reminder: you no longer have room to defect again.
Zhao Shixiong's beard twitched, he smiled heartily, turned around and left, leaving only one sentence:
"I will defeat the Yunfu Army as soon as possible, invade Jingchuan Town, and capture King Mu alive. If you are slow, the credit will belong to me!"
……
After watching the other party leave, only Lang Shiba and others were left in the hall.
Yuxiu frowned and looked at Zhao Duan:
"You want to go to Jingchuan and hunt down King Mu? Just you?"
Zhao Duan smiled and said, "And you too."
He then told the story of borrowing troops from the old Heavenly Master:
"We will wait in Yongjia. King Mu will not run away so quickly. The army will set out and the confrontation between the two armies will take more than one or two days. Once everyone is gathered, we will set off."
Master agreed?
Yuxiu did not question his words, but just wondered what kind of magic this guy used to communicate with the capital.
As a neighbor living in the backyard of the government office, Yuxiu didn't know the specific method Zhao Duan used to travel between the two places, but she had long guessed that he would go into seclusion from time to time.
So it's not surprising.
"Priest Jin Jian, what are you thinking about?"
Zhao Duan stretched lazily, turned his head and looked at the girl beside him who was thinking silently, with a look of great importance on her mind, and joked:
"Did you hear that? Your master wants you to go with me to do something."
Jin Jian raised his head and carefully took out his bulging purse from his robe. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and pushed his hands in front of Zhao Duan:
"Last time, you said that as long as I lent you the money, you would pay me back several times more!"
Zhao Duan was stunned, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
It turns out that this girl was thinking about investment in the meeting just now!
This money-grubber is amazing!
Zhao Duan shook his head:
"When I asked you to invest, Zhao Shixiong had not yet surrendered. Now he has surrendered, and it is just around the corner to take back the Huai River. The investment opportunity is gone, so Priest, take the money back.
Haha, the priest wouldn't think that such a good deal would always be available, would he? "
Jin Jian was like being struck by lightning, her face was dull and she was so heartbroken that she couldn't breathe!
She missed the investment opportunity again!
Seeing the girl visibly wilting, Zhao Duan said with a smile:
"However, I will give a generous bonus to those who perform well in this hunting operation."
Jin Jian's ears pricked up and his eyes were full of fighting spirit.
Yuxiu silently covered her face, unable to bear to look directly at it:
The Tianshi Mansion’s reputation has been completely lost because of my junior sister!
……
……
Following Zhao Du'an's order, the two armies of the Beijing Camp and the Southwestern Border Army merged into one in the entire Yongjia City, and set out with great fanfare that day, heading south straight to Jingchuan County.
Only a small number were left to garrison the city.
Zhao Du'an personally escorted the soldiers out of the city. In the eyes of outsiders, it seemed that he was going to stay in Yongjia and take charge of the rear.
That night, almost early in the morning.
Zhao Duan was awakened from his sleep when he heard a strange noise. He walked out of the courtyard and looked up to see a crane flapping its wings, circling and landing in the courtyard.
The crane opened its mouth wide, and a round bag rolled out of its throat, spitting out a brocade bag and a decree.
"Really on time..."
Zhao Du'an's eyes lit up. He put away the brocade bag and placed it in his arms like a treasure. He also handed the old Taoist's handwritten edict to Yu Xiu and Jin Shu who came out of the next room.
Seeing the handwritten letter from the master, asking them to cooperate with Zhao Duan to deal with the White Robe Sect and the Shenlong Temple, Yuxiu sighed softly and said with emotion:
"It's as if we were working for you. When are we leaving?"
Zhao Duan said, "Wait a little longer. Not all the people are here yet."
Suddenly, he noticed that Jin Jian was circling around the crane with his brows furrowed.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Duan asked.
Jin Jian shook her head and touched the crane's neck with her hand, letting the bird rub against her affectionately, muttering:
"fine."
She was a little puzzled. How could the crane fly so far and look so radiant? It didn’t look tired at all.
Silent all night.
The next day, Zhao Duan still did not move.
Another day, same thing.
Finally, just when he was getting a little impatient, it was the morning of the third day.
A strange carriage appeared in the backyard of the government office.
When Zhao Duan and others walked out of the door, they saw a black carriage parked in the thick morning fog.
A mysterious snow-white horse with a single horn was stamping its hooves and spewing white hot air from its nostrils.
The carriage curtain was lifted.
A man with a ferocious appearance and wearing a black priest robe sat cross-legged in the carriage.
On his knees, there was a broad scarlet sword with faint patterns engraved on the sword.
Little Taoist Priest, Zhong Pan, is finally here!
"Senior Brother!" Yuxiu, who had hurriedly put on a Taoist robe, bowed his head and saluted.
"Big Brother!" Jin Jian followed closely and bowed.
With a scimitar slung across his body and a wine gourd on his back, Lang Shiba instinctively developed a strong sense of crisis and his eyes were sharp.
Ji Yue, with her hair disheveled like a female ghost, floated silently behind Zhao Duan, terrifying everyone.
The two of them clearly realized how powerful the priest was in front of them!
"Senior Brother Zhong, you are finally here." Zhao Duan was shameless and called him senior brother.
The young Taoist priest Zhong Pan stepped out of the car, looking exhausted. He glanced at the faces of several people and said in a deep voice:
"I have come from afar after receiving the Master's order. Come on, get in the car. I will take you to Jingchuan."
Zhao Duan and his companions immediately packed up their things and got into the carriage.
Then Zhong Pan said to the unicorn: "Go!"
Immediately, two streams of scorching air spurted out of the nostrils of the snow-white unicorn. It neighed and stomped on the floor tiles with its huge hooves.
The surface of the mysterious black carriage began to ripple, becoming illusory and translucent.
Rushing like lightning, it broke through the morning mist and headed south.
(End of this chapter)