From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 648

At the moment when the sun set, all this finally came to an end.

It took a full three months from the beginning of the expedition on September 1st to the present day to seal the Wolf's Lair.

During these ninety days, Zhou Yuan marched to Datong Town, adopted the strategy of clearing the fields and fortifying the city, preserved the vitality of the Northwest Army, and withstood the pressure of Sabdan's 80,000 troops attacking the city through the concerted efforts of the five towns.

Then, on September 14th, he marched northward to the grassland, cooperated with the five military camps to intercept and kill all the way, and after the victory of the decisive battle of Saynshanda, he continued to march northward, which took forty-six days and finally sealed the Wolf's Lair.

The three Mongolian forces in the south and north of the desert, including the west of the desert, which had been the biggest worry of the Jin Dynasty for many years, were all destroyed, and the north was completely pacified.

Such a great achievement was enough to be recorded in the history books, but Zhou Yuan was not very relaxed. Not only him, but also other generals were in a heavy mood.

Because they knew very well that Shenjing was under tremendous pressure at the moment and was in danger.

"Why?"

The return trip was much easier. Zhou Yuan sat in the carriage, leaned against the wall, and squinted slightly.

Li Yu'an raised the doubts she had wanted to ask for a long time. She tilted her head and looked at Zhou Yuan, and whispered: "We wasted thirteen days from Da Kulun to Langjuxu Mountain."

"You know the situation in Shenjing is very tense, but you still insist on sealing Langjuxu. This is not in line with your style of doing things."

Zhou Yuan said: "What is my style of doing things?"

Li Yu'an thought for a while, then said: "Pragmatic. You often don't care about false reputation and rituals without substantive meaning. Sealing Langjuxu is just an extra reputation for you. I believe other generals will care, but I don't think you will take it so seriously."

"At least, you won't put Shenjing in danger for sealing Langjuxu."

"There is a reason for this, right?"

Zhou Yuan laughed, took her soft and boneless hand, and sighed : "It's not just you who has such doubts. I'm afraid many generals are also confused. It's just that Fenglangjuxu is too important to them. They know it in their hearts, but they pretend to be confused."

Li Yu'an said: "I think, at the same time, your prestige is too high. They dare not doubt your decision. Even if they doubt it, they dare not ask."

"For example, Xue Changyue, although he is your father-in-law, he obviously respects you very much. He must know the importance of Xuanfu, but he still doesn't question you."

Zhou Yuan said: "Fenglangjuxu is not meaningless, on the contrary, it has great significance."

"Returning to the aid of Shenjing is meaningful, but it is not very meaningful, because after the Battle of Saynshanda, even if the Xuanfu army withdraws at full speed, there is not enough time."

Li Yu'an picked up a cup of goat milk, wrinkled his nose, and couldn't get used to the smell, so he handed it to Zhou Yuan.

She whispered, "Tell me in detail, I'll see if I'm right."

Zhou Yuan said, "Fenglangjuxu is meaningful, and it has extraordinary significance, but this significance is not material, but in terms of consciousness."

"In the past hundred years, the Great Jin Dynasty has experienced prosperity and decline, and has experienced countless wars, but it has won less and lost more. The confidence of the people has suffered a huge blow, and the pride of the people is almost gone."

"This naturally includes the soldiers. Whether it is the Northwest Army or the Five Army Camps, including other local soldiers, there are many things accumulated in their hearts."

"This time, Fenglangjuxu can clearly tell the world that although our Great Jin has declined, it still has the opportunity to rise and still has the ability to Fenglangjuxu."

"Whether it is our soldiers, Whether it is the scholars or our people, they should all be confident, should strive for self-improvement, shoulder the responsibility of the country, and move towards revival together. "

Speaking of this, Zhou Yuan paused slightly and said in a deep voice: "Don't underestimate the importance of this matter. The blood of the nation comes from these things, and the blood of a nation is enough to determine the vitality of this nation. "

"For hundreds of years, they have been bullied and the people have accepted it, but after Fenglangjuxu, their blood will completely erupt. This is what our ancestors left us. Everyone has it, but it just takes one thing to awaken it. "

"Shenjing is not so easy to fight. When the news reaches Shenjing, Huang Taiji will know what 100,000 young men and 100,000 soldiers mean. "

Li Yu'an heard this and trembled inexplicably.

If the people of Goryeo also had such blood and pride, how could they be conquered so easily by the Jurchens?

Blood is the soul and vitality of a nation. This is really true.

She pondered for a moment before saying, "Fenglangjuxu can awaken the blood of the people and soldiers of Dajin. Well... Then, it was too late to rescue Shenjing. This is also one of the reasons, although it is a bit far-fetched."

"Then, Shenjing is not that easy to attack. You have arranged some back-up plans, right?"

Zhou Yuan smiled and said:"It's a backup plan, but it's not. The Great Jin is a centipede that will not die even if it's dead. After all, it has hundreds of years of history."

Li Yu'an thought for a moment and continued to ask: "When we go back this time, are you planning to cooperate with the Yehe tribe and take advantage of the opportunity to attack the Jurchen Shengjing?"

Zhou Yuan pinched her little hand and said: "The one who knows me is the Virgin Sister! Huang Taiji will not miss the golden opportunity to attack the capital, and he will also have to bear the embarrassing situation of us raiding his lair."

"The Yehe tribe should have returned to their original clan land at this moment, sharpening their knives and waiting for the opportunity."

"My 160,000 troops returned to the capital, the Xuanfu Army and the Northwest Army guarded the gates of Xuanfu and Jizhou, and the five military camps cooperated with the Yehe tribe to attack Shengjing. Huang Taiji could not move forward or backward."

Li Yu'an said: "It's not just that he can't move forward or backward, he is simply in a desperate situation."

The two looked at each other and laughed.

Then Li Yu'an whispered, "Zhou Yuan."

"Hmm?"

Zhou Yuan responded softly.

Her voice became even lower, and she murmured, "Are there any other reasons for not returning to help Shenjing?"

Zhou Yuan's smile froze.

He was silent for a long time before saying, "Over the years, you have spent the longest time with me and have been with me the most closely. Of course, you know me well enough."

Li Yu'an said, "It seems that I guessed it right."

Her eyes were clear, yet extremely deep.

She whispered, "When did you decide?"

Zhou Yuan said, "When I learned that the Tusi in the southwest and Sichuan rebelled at the same time."

Li Yu'an said, "Why?"

Zhou Yuan sighed, then laughed, "Too bad, this world is too bad."

"I have done so many things, and finally stabilized the situation. I thought that if Dajin focused on development for two or three years, it would be able to resist Huang Taiji."

"Who knew that Wen Tieli dug such a big pit for me."

"Although I finally agreed to go to the expedition, I still feel resentful in my heart."

"The sudden rebellion in Guizhou and Sichuan made me realize that I must take care of this world myself, and I can't give others the opportunity to dig holes."

His face became serious, and his voice became much lower: "Many changes and Facts prove that our opponents also have ambition and extraordinary wisdom, such as Huang Taiji's plan to compete for the throne. To be honest, it is perfect. "

"He has seen through the situation in the world and successfully mobilized the chieftains of Guizhou, Sichuan and Mongolian tribes."

"He did everything a hero should do. If there were no Portuguese cannons and no negligence of Bartu in details, even if I had three heads and six arms, I would not have been able to achieve a great victory in Saynshand."

"Sister Virgin, our opponents are very strong, the situation in the world is becoming more and more complicated, and things and contradictions are constantly erupting. It has reached a situation that is almost difficult to handle."

He smiled bitterly and said, "I don't believe that Your Majesty can handle it."

Li Yu'an frowned and said, "But you have always spoken highly of her. You think she is very capable. . "

"Yes."

Zhou Yuan said: "She is indeed very capable. If she can see everything, then she and I will cooperate well. "

"But, I think she can't see it. The imperial power is more important to her than the sky. I'm afraid it's difficult for her to cooperate with me wholeheartedly. "

Li Yu'an said: "So, you have to make your own decision."

"Yes!"

Zhou Yuan said in a deep voice: "The situation is already so difficult. I don't have the energy to play the monarch and ministers game with her anymore. I will do my best to change the world."

"Think about it, when I realized that Baltu was wrong, I wanted to fight back against Mongolia, and I could only use the Xuanfu Army, but would His Majesty let me move?"

"In fact, she won't allow it. Xuanfu is the northern gateway of Shenjing. Xue Changyue is my father-in-law. The northward movement of the Xuanfu Army means Shenjing. It's dangerous, and it also means that I have the opportunity to hold my own army."

"As a king, she will certainly worry whether I will join forces with my father-in-law, stay on the grassland and not return to the capital, sit and watch Huang Taiji fight her to death, and then go back to seize the throne?"

"She will definitely think so, so she will definitely not let me move the Xuanfu Army, but will only let me keep guarding Datong, at least I won't lose."

"But in that case, Mongolia will always pull us, and we will never be able to solve the problem."

Zhou Yuan sighed: "Her thinking of maintaining imperial power will eventually hinder me from saving the world."

"And in the face of such a complicated situation, I can't let her make trouble anymore."

Li Yu'an took a deep breath and nodded: "So that's it, Fenglangjuxu is to awaken the blood of the nation, and also to... make Empress Zhaojing honest."

Zhou Yuan said: "Remember the moment we went down the mountain?"

"Remember."

Li Yu'an said: "More than 100,000 people knelt down to you, treating you asWorship them like God."

Zhou Yuan said calmly: "Because I gave them the blood, they are naturally willing to do things for me."

"At least, they will not stand against me."

Li Yu'an smiled bitterly: "Huang Taiji is a genius. His plan for the era of competing for hegemony is so perfect and his scheme is so huge."

"And you, your scheme is even bigger, and you think farther and more complicated."

"Little nephew, I think I can also ask for a status in the future. Although I don't care much about this, it seems... you can afford it."

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said: "What do you want?"

"Can I be the queen?"

Li Yu'an looked at him, then covered her mouth and laughed: "It's a pity that I don't like to sit in that position. I like quietness. I will be your female official."

Zhou Yuan shook his head and sighed: "My goal is not that position."

"To be precise, my goal is not where I am, but where our nation is in the world. "

Li Yu'an smiled and said, "I don't care about that much. I only care about my position in your heart."

She leaned on Zhou Yuan's shoulder and murmured, "Don't be too tired... my little nephew..."