Chapter 173 Parting
In Danzhou City, the army has been assembled, and all the soldiers, food, and equipment are in place. Everything is ready, waiting for the order.

During the day, Zhao Ji had already arrived at the parade ground and inspected each army one by one. After discussing with Generals Yang Xuanji and Zhang Jiujie, it was decided that the troops could be dispatched tomorrow.

When preparing for the expedition and meeting with the generals, although Zhao Ji seemed cheerful and talkative on the surface, he was actually worried about something and seemed a little absent-minded during the social interaction.

The only thing that concerned Zhao Ji was the new general named Huang Zhen, whose name matched the deputy general Zhao Wenhui in the original plot.

But Zhao Ji didn't take it too seriously. The Khitan rebellion had changed beyond recognition now, and Huang Zhen represented nothing.

After the banquet, Zhao Ji returned to his residence with a little fatigue.

Night falls quietly, the moonlight is as bright as a silver thread, and its clear light shines through the window lattices, filling the room with a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.

However, Zhao Ji felt restless and uneasy. He paced around the room, his steps revealing a hint of anxiety and hesitation.

He had many worries in his mind. Three parts were about the battle situation in Dongxishi Valley, and two parts were about the outcome of this advance.

What's more, Zhao Ji didn't know how to tell Xiaomei. If the army was to set out tomorrow, would the two of them be separated again less than a day after their reunion?
Zhao Ji walked to the window, looked up at the bright moon, felt mixed emotions, and remained speechless for a long time.

Soon, under the cover of night, Xiaomei, wearing a tight nightgown, appeared silently behind Zhao Ji.

When Zhao Ji heard the voice, he immediately turned around, hugged Xiaomei tightly in his arms, kissed her affectionately, and temporarily forgot all his worries.

After the lovemaking, the two looked into each other's eyes. Xiaomei's eyes moved as she smiled and said, "Why are you holding me so tight? I won't run away."

Zhao Ji's eyes were full of tenderness and love. He whispered, "I just hope that you can enter our world openly in the future, instead of doing it sneakily like this."

Xiaomei heard this, a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes, and then she felt a little moved, and her voice was full of anticipation: "There will be such a day."

Zhao Ji secretly made up his mind and promised solemnly: "It will definitely happen, and that day will not be too far away."

Xiaomei raised a gentle smile, nodded slightly, and said, "I believe you."

Suddenly, Xiaomei changed the subject and her expression became serious: "By the way, I haven't heard any news from Snake Spirit or Dongxiashi Valley, but I have some news from Yingzhou, which may be helpful to you."

Zhao Ji frowned slightly and asked in confusion: "Yingzhou? What news can there be from Yingzhou?"

Xiaomei explained: "Li Jinzhong moved the royal court from Yingzhou, and it seems that it was moved to a place 400 miles northwest of Liucheng."

Zhao Ji was shocked when he heard this: "Are you serious? It's 400 miles northwest of Liucheng. Can you be sure?"

Xiao Mei nodded seriously: "It should be true. This is what Xiao Jing said himself. He knows your route of advance and wants to report it to Xiao Qingfang in person. Xiao Qingfang is now in the New King's Court, and that's how he mentioned it."

"Later, I asked him indirectly about the situation in Dongxiashigu, but Xiao Jing was very tight-lipped and didn't say anything valuable."

"It's just that he mentioned that Li Jinzhong seemed to have some health problems and was not at the front line in Dongxishi Valley. He should be recuperating in the new royal court now."

"It was just that Xiao Jing left too hastily, and I was afraid of alerting him by asking too many questions, so I didn't ask for the specific location of the new royal court." Xiao Mei said with a look of regret on her face.

Zhao Ji was stunned when he heard this. He felt like a pie dropped from the sky and fell into a brief trance.

Then, he suddenly came to his senses, and with great joy, he kissed Xiaomei without saying a word, picked her up horizontally, and spun her lightly in the air for several circles.

"Oh, what are you doing?" Xiaomei's cheeks flushed, she felt both shy and happy.

Zhao Ji was very happy: "Xiaomei, you are really my lucky star. You have helped me a lot. Xiao Qingfang and Li Jinzhong were too smart. They didn't defend Yingzhou City and lost their composure. God is really helping me. This is a chance for me to go down in history."

Xiaomei asked in confusion, "Are you planning to launch a surprise attack on Li Jinzhong? But we don't know the exact location of the new royal court?" Zhao Ji shook his head and explained with a smile, "A general location is enough. The location of the new Khitan royal court must not be a barren land. It must be close to water and can support people. There are definitely not many such places. What's more, I have a surrendered Khitan general by my side. I can find out by asking him."

Seeing Zhao Ji's confidence, Xiaomei also showed a warm smile and said softly, "I'm glad I can help you."

However, the smile on Zhao Ji's face disappeared instantly, as he thought of some tricky issues in the plan that needed to be resolved urgently.

"What's wrong?" Xiaomei couldn't help feeling confused when she saw Zhao Ji's expression suddenly change.

Zhao Ji frowned and said in a deep voice: "I must find a reasonable source for this news. I can't let you be exposed. I have a way to deal with the court, but I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to explain to the Snake Spirit."

"If something goes wrong, you and Xiaofeng will be in danger, especially Xiaofeng, she doesn't know anything yet."

Xiaomei felt a surge of warmth in her heart when she heard this, and she said softly, "You're thinking the wrong way. So many Khitan people followed Li Jinzhong to migrate, so if there was any news to be leaked, it would be from them. How could you suspect me?"

"I will be more careful. After all, you still want me to stay hidden in Snake Spirit until Xiao Qingfang, Yuan Tiangang and their followers are all cleared out, right?"

Zhao Ji felt guilty when he heard this, and felt that he owed Xiaomei even more: "Xiaomei..."

Xiaomei stretched out her finger and pointed at Zhao Ji's lips to stop him from continuing: "I understand your intention. I am willing to help you, not only for you, but also for Xiaofeng and me."

Hearing this, Zhao Ji took Xiaomei's hand, his eyes full of emotion: "Meeting you is really a blessing from my previous life."

Xiaomei smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling. "Don't say that. It's because of you that we sisters are valued by the old master and have all these abilities. Otherwise, we might have died in some shameful corner like countless snake killers."

Zhao Ji shook his head seriously and said, "How could that be! Not to mention your and Xiao Feng's martial arts talents, your looks alone are enough to charm everyone. Even if Xiao Qingfang and the others are stupid, they are not blind. How could they let beauties like you be buried?"

Xiaomei raised her lips to a faint smile, and said softly, "You are so smooth-talking."

"These are all true." Zhao Ji said with a smile.

But as he smiled, the smile disappeared again: "However, if I lead the army to attack Li Jinzhong, we will be separated again soon. Women cannot be brought into the army... This battle concerns the life and death of tens of thousands of soldiers and the survival of the people on the border."

Hearing this, the smile on Xiaomei's lips gradually faded, and she gently snuggled into Zhao Ji's chest, silence being her speechless attitude.

Zhao Ji took a deep breath and asked tentatively, "How about I order the newly arrived troops to rest for two days, and I will stay in Danzhou and accompany you for two more days?"

Xiaomei raised her head suddenly, with complex emotions flashing in her eyes, and said with difficulty: "As a commander of an army, you are so sentimental, wouldn't it make people laugh? Am I not a femme fatale? Don't be silly, just do what you want."

When Zhao Ji heard this, the emotions surging in his heart turned into a relieved smile: "I don't want to do anything now, I just want to love you well."

It was a sleepless night...
-
The next morning, Zhao Ji looked a little low in spirits, but the army still set out on time.

During the march, Zhao Ji had dark circles under his eyes and yawned from time to time. Shen Tao and Xiao Bao beside him felt very strange.

"General, are you feeling unwell?" Xiao Bao asked directly.

Zhao Ji yawned again on his horse, and said calmly, "I have been preparing for the army to go out these days, and there are too many things to distract me. I was afraid of making mistakes, so I didn't sleep well for several days."

Xiao Bao was in awe when he heard this, and clasped his fists and said, "The general is really diligent in his duties, a role model for our generation."

"..." Zhao Ji's expression was a little unnatural. He glared at Xiao Bao and rode away.

Xiao Bao touched his head, not knowing where he had said something wrong.

(End of this chapter)