Chapter 108: Farewell to Queen Xiao, Leading the Army South

In Daxing City, Yang Lin and Gao Changsheng were exchanging intelligence about the south and related matters.

In the Lingnan region, near the border, there is a military camp.

A graceful figure in white clothes holding a sword was slowly walking into the military camp.

Although her face was covered with a veil, her charming demeanor still attracted the attention of every soldier.

"Song Que, Qinghui has been in Lingnan for many days. Why are you so reluctant to meet me? What has Qinghui done to offend me?"

The extremely ethereal voice floated over the entire military camp, making people sink into it unconsciously, especially the hint of grievance and misery that was almost revealed in the words, which made the men's hearts sink.

"Ugh……"

"Qinghui is worrying too much. It's just that Beimang is making unusual moves. Although Song Que doesn't like Yang Sui, he doesn't want to see foreign tribes invade the pass."

"Besides, the Song family has lived in Lingnan for generations. If a foreign race invades, the first place to be affected will be the Song family mountain city."

"Song Que cannot sit idly by and do nothing about public and private matters. He is so busy with military affairs that he neglected Qing Hui."

Hearing this, the sadness on Fan Qinghui's face immediately disappeared, and a bright smile appeared at the same time.

"Song Que, I haven't seen you for many years. It turns out that you haven't changed at all."

Gao Changsheng, who was far away in Daxing, naturally didn't know that in the Lingnan region, two people who were very likely to be his potential enemies met at this time.

At this moment, he had just walked out of Kaoshan Palace, but if you look closely, you can see a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Blinking his eyes gently, Gao Changsheng urged his mount to head in a certain direction.

However, judging from the direction he was heading, he was not heading to the military camp outside the city, nor to Gao's mansion inside the city, but was heading straight to the most central area of ​​the city.

And that direction is exactly where the Sui Dynasty Palace is located.

As the saying goes, once is new, twice is familiar.

With several experiences, Gao Changsheng naturally no longer needed any guidance.

What's more, it is impossible for the guards, eunuchs, and palace maids in the palace not to know this new noble of the Sui Dynasty.

Plus, maybe the above ones have also said hello.

So along the way, Gao Changsheng did not encounter any obstructions, and was not even questioned.

Entering the palace, we took the familiar route.

Pushing the door and entering the hall, there was still that noble and charming figure above.

Empress Xiao.

As soon as he entered the hall, before he even opened his mouth, Gao Changsheng's eyes fluctuated instantly.

The last time they met, there were only the two of them in the hall.

But during the conversation, he vaguely felt that there was a hidden aura behind the wall.

Moreover, just from the faint aura that was revealed, it could be seen that he was definitely an extremely powerful master.

But this time, Gao Changsheng did not sense any other breath.

In other words, there are actually only one man and one woman in the hall today.

"Duke Qi, we meet again!" Empress Xiao said with a smile.

The voice is still dignified and soft.

But the unconscious tenderness in the voice, when it falls into your ears, is like someone using hair to gently tickle your heart.

"Meet the Queen."

"The general is very busy, and I shouldn't have disturbed him for no reason." Empress Xiao spoke softly.

"I summoned you here this time because I want to ask you about the matter I asked Lord Gao Tang to convey to you. What do you think of it?"

"I have seen Feng'er many times. She is gentle and generous, with a look and talent that are one in a million. She is a perfect match for General Gao."

"If this marriage can really take place, I will have done a good deed." Empress Xiao smiled and spoke, gently raising her white fingers to stroke the hair beside her ear.

Gao Changsheng was stunned. He didn't expect that Empress Xiao summoned him after borrowing the King's support, and it was for this matter.

The Dugu family was indeed royal family, but that was two generations ago.

The father of Dugu Feng, the current head of the Dugu family, is the brother of Yang Jian’s queen Dugu Jialuo.

So, the Dugu family was indeed an in-law family, but that was the in-law family during the Yang Jian era, not to mention that the person involved, Dugu Feng’s father, had already passed away.

Their relationship with Yang Guang was even one level lower, not to mention Empress Xiao who was in front of them. It was not an exaggeration to say that they were completely unrelated.

Moreover, Empress Xiao was not just an ordinary person; she also came from a prominent family.

If he wanted to act as a matchmaker, it would have been fine if he didn't choose someone from the Xiao family, but after sending the message through Yu Juro, he actually took action in person.

It's really strange that he works so hard.

Gao Changsheng was puzzled, but he did not show it on his face. He just cupped his hands and said:
"Thank you for your concern, my lady, but I am not in the mood for that at the moment."

"Besides, there are unusual movements on the border now. I will lead the army to fight soon. I don't have time to talk about it. The battlefield is blind and no one can see what the outcome will be. This matter is really not suitable for discussion."

As soon as the words fell, there was no expression on Empress Xiao's face, and Gao Changsheng was moved when he saw this.

"General Gao, you are joking. Even though I am in the deep palace, I have heard of your military prowess. You must be the next generation of military god of the Sui Dynasty. How can a mere foreign race be your opponent? Don't say such unlucky words."

Empress Xiao stretched out her finger, pointed at Gao Changsheng lightly, and said with a hint of anger.

After saying that, she opened her red lips slightly, exhaled lightly, and then spoke again:
"Well, the general is indeed busy with military affairs, and I can't force him. Besides, the general just turned 10, and although he is old, there is no need to be too anxious."

"Well, I don't know what kind of girl the general likes. You can tell me that there are countless beautiful girls in Daxing City. There must be a girl that the general likes."

"I can keep an eye on it for the general. We will discuss this matter again after he returns victorious."

Gao Changsheng was stunned. He didn't expect that Empress Xiao was so persistent about this matter.

It was this slight daze that caused Gao Changsheng's gaze to fall directly on the other person.

For a moment, Empress Xiao was also stunned.

She naturally also felt the clear and deep look in his eyes.

Combined with what she had said before, Empress Xiao misunderstood her meaning in an instant.

I don’t know what came to her mind, her delicate body trembled instantly, and her originally dignified sitting posture began to slightly deform.

Her delicate body involuntarily moved to the side and leaned lightly on the handle of the chair.

The originally dignified and noble temperament changed instantly, that hint of tenderness continued to grow, and a hint of pink also appeared on the flawless face.

"Since the general has no standards, then, let me keep an eye on it for the general first."

"Thank you Queen."

Gao Changsheng cupped his hands.
Naturally, he could see through Empress Xiao's strange behavior.

He also understood that the other party must have misunderstood something, but just one sentence would never make the other party lose his composure like this.

It seems that the queen may have some little secrets in her heart.

Gao Changsheng raised the corner of his mouth, and a faint smile appeared on his face unconsciously, but it was quickly retracted.

However, Queen Xiao was staring at him at this moment, so although the smile was only for a short time, it was clearly seen by the other party.

A feeling of shame and annoyance suddenly surged into my heart.

For a moment, the entire hall fell into an extremely strange atmosphere.

Naturally, this change could not be hidden from the two people in the hall.

Gao Changsheng didn't say anything, just stood there quietly.

At this time, Empress Xiao was in a state of panic and her body was weak. She could only lean on the side of the chair and was unable to organize any speech.

It was not until a long time later that Empress Xiao was able to control her fluctuating emotions.

Quickly speak:
"There is actually another matter for summoning the general this time."

Just by listening to the other party's suddenly accelerated speaking speed, you can tell that he is just pretending to be calm at this moment.

However, Gao Changsheng would not point it out specifically, but would listen carefully to what the other party said.

He vaguely guessed that perhaps the following words were the other party's real purpose.

"I heard that the general has a good friend who is from the Ming Dynasty?"

"That's right." Gao Changsheng felt something strange, but he didn't show it and just nodded.

He did not deliberately conceal Lu Xiaofeng's identity. Not to mention the guards inside and outside the palace, anyone who paid a little attention could find out.

Empress Xiao smiled slightly: "It seems that the general is familiar with the affairs of the Ming Dynasty."

Gao Changsheng raised his eyebrows and said, "I dare not say I am familiar with it. If your Majesty has any instructions, please tell me directly. I will definitely do my best."

When Empress Xiao heard this, her eyes unconsciously fluctuated for several times, and then she spoke in a relaxed and gentle voice:
"It's not really an order. General, if you have the chance, can you help me keep an eye out for something..."

As soon as Empress Xiao finished speaking, a gleam of light instantly flashed in Gao Changsheng's eyes.

Empress Xiao above was startled for a moment, and said in a panic: "This thing, this thing is not that important, General, just pay attention to it. If you can get it, it will be a good thing. If you can't, it's not a big deal."

Gao Changsheng nodded slightly. Of course he could hear that the latter sentence was deliberately added by Empress Xiao.

But he didn't expose it either.

Although it was just a few words, Empress Xiao didn't know that she had inadvertently revealed a lot of information. "This thing, tsk tsk."

Gao Changsheng's eyes flashed, and from this object, he vaguely saw a clear corner of the overall situation.

Of course, the most important thing is not that.

Gao Changsheng was not surprised that this matter fell on him.

After all, he has some connection with the Ming Dynasty through Lu Xiaofeng and Daiqisi before.

Moreover, although Empress Xiao spoke to him, it did not mean that the other party only talked to him about this matter.

If the item is really important, you can easily figure out that the other party would not place all their hopes on one person.

What Gao Changsheng was thinking about was that it was actually Empress Xiao who would come forward in this matter.

Including the previous time, Empress Xiao was at the forefront for two consecutive times.

According to common sense, Yang Guang would not have been able to stay out of such a major event.

I recalled the scenes of the army’s return and the palace banquet.

Gao Changsheng immediately had an idea in his mind.

Something must have happened or been a problem with Yang Guang.

"Perhaps, His Majesty is no longer in the palace." An astonishing guess emerged in Gao Changsheng's mind.

"I understand. I will do my best in this matter." Gao Changsheng bowed and said.

Hearing this, Empress Xiao also showed a charming smile on her face.

"It is a blessing for the Sui Dynasty to have such a capable minister as the general."

"The general is about to leave camp. I cannot leave the palace to see you off. I can only wish you victory in every battle and a safe return."

"Thank you, ma'am."

Gao Changsheng thanked him with a smile. He already understood that what happened just now was indeed the purpose of the other party or Yang Guang.

Now that the words have been spoken, there is naturally no need to stay any longer.

"The camp is busy. If your Majesty has nothing else to do, I will take my leave now."

Empress Xiao smiled and nodded, but soon seemed to remember something and suddenly said:

"General, please stay. I have something else to ask you."

Gao Changsheng also turned his head and looked at the other party again.

"General, don't worry too much. This matter is just idle talk."

"Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in the court about your majesty building the Eastern Capital and opening the canal. I wonder what the general thinks about this?"

Gao Changsheng narrowed his eyes and spoke without hesitation:

"I am still young and only know how to lead troops in battle. I don't know much about court affairs."

"But since your majesty has made this decision, and King Kaoshan and others have not objected, they must have their reasons."

Naturally, Gao Changsheng would not easily express his opinion on this matter.

As a man who has lived two lives, he certainly knows Yang Guang's determination on this matter.

And in this life, there may be some other purpose.

He certainly wouldn't go out of his way to cause trouble for himself, and the nine elders like Yang Lin, Yu Ju Luo and others had all remained silent on the matter, so there was no need for him to take the lead.

When Empress Xiao heard this, her eyes darkened instantly and a look of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

"That's right, I am forcing you to do something against your will. So let it be. The general is busy with affairs, so I will not keep you here."

Gao Changsheng bowed and walked out of the hall, but after taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

"Your Majesty, building the Eastern Capital and digging the canal will definitely consume a lot of manpower. The people of our Great Sui Dynasty live and work in peace and contentment, and they really shouldn't suffer such hardship."

"I think that since Goryeo has already been conquered, it is neither reasonable nor logical to waste it."

"Moreover, I heard that in the Goryeo region, most of the food was destroyed in the war. The civilians are short of food and must be suffering terribly."

Having said this, Gao Changsheng had already turned around, but his voice continued.

"Although Goguryeo was disrespectful to the Sui Dynasty before, the people there have now submitted to it. The Sui Dynasty is a benevolent society, so we naturally cannot ignore it."

"Now we have just encountered such a huge project as the canal, and Goryeo is suffering from a food shortage. We are practicing benevolence and using work in lieu of relief. This is in accordance with the principles of heaven and the way of the saints. I think no one will object."

After saying this, he bowed and walked straight out of the hall.

Three days later, at the Zuowuwei camp.

Large flags with tall characters on them fluttered all over the sky, and a strong aura rose from the camp.

Yes, today is the day when the Zuowu Guard will move camp south.

Although King Kaoshan said that day that the sooner we set off, the better.

But this time is different from the expedition to Liaodong.

In the Battle of Liaodong, Yang Lin was the commander-in-chief, and all the preliminary preparations had been done by him and the court.

Gao Changsheng could naturally travel light and leave whenever he wanted.

This time, Gao Changsheng is in charge of everything.

The entire camp of the Zuo Wuwei Army consisted of a mixture of infantry and cavalry, with a force of nearly 100,000 men, not counting other auxiliary personnel.

Such a huge force cannot be mobilized with just a few words.

Moreover, the Battle of Liaodong was just a conquest. After the war, Gao Changsheng could return naturally. And this time, his main goal of going south was to guard one side.

At least in the short term, unless there are special circumstances, it is unlikely that Gao Changsheng will return to Daxing.

So not only do military matters need to be prepared, there are also many things that need to be dealt with at the Gao Mansion.

In fact, Gao Changsheng had deliberately sped up the process to complete all of this within three days.

"Beat the drums, march the entire army!"

At the top of the parade ground, Gao Changsheng, dressed in military uniform, gently waved his right hand.

"strike camp!"

"strike camp!"

"Roar!"

Loud shouts were heard one after another, and the entire camp was filled with earth-shaking roars.

Among them, there were two extremely loud voices.

One of them was a skinny young man carrying two sledgehammers. He did not say anything specific like the soldiers around him, but just roared. However, his strength overshadowed all the people around him.

The other person was a young man in white armor holding a spear. His face was flushed and one could clearly see the uncontrollable excitement and agitation in his body.

When his eyes slid and fell on this person, a hint of surprise flashed in Gao Changsheng's eyes.

This person was naturally Luo Cheng. What surprised Gao Changsheng was that Luo Yi would actually agree to Luo Cheng joining the Zuowu Guard, considering that this was the other party's only son.

What Gao Changsheng didn't know was that at this time, hundreds of miles away from Daxing, among a cavalry galloping northward, a middle-aged general was stroking his beard and looking south in the direction of Daxing with a smile.

"Humph, of course you can't understand. I, Luo Yi, haven't been working for nothing all these years."

"If you let that brat go back to Youzhou with me, wouldn't my Eighteen Riders of Yanyun be lost in vain?"

"It would be better to just let him join the Zuowu Guard. Hehe, if he can learn Gao Jiong's formation or something, then my Luo family will make a profit. Besides, I heard that Gao Changsheng is even better than his master. If Cheng'er can live up to his expectations, wow, it would be wonderful, wonderful."

"Let's go, continue on our journey and return to Youzhou as soon as possible. I want to have a few drinks with Brother Ding."

"Da da da!"

The sound of horse hooves could be heard, but just after walking a distance, Luo Yi felt an inexplicable palpitation.

"Strange, why does this old man feel so uneasy? The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun are gone, so Cheng'er should have nothing to lose, right?"

Luo Yi muttered to himself unconsciously.

At this time, outside Daxing City, large groups of soldiers had poured out of the military camp and were rolling towards the south.

Smoke and dust rose, and soon the huge Zuo Wuwei military camp became empty, waiting for the next troops to move in.

Almost an incense stick of time passed after the army left, when a figure suddenly appeared outside the camp.

She was a stunning woman dressed in red and holding a long sword.

At this moment, she was staring blankly at the empty camp in front of her, with complex expressions flashing in her beautiful eyes from time to time.

Regret, shyness, anger and so on.

When the woman appeared outside the camp, in Daxing City, at the station of the Inner Guards, a heroic young man was anxiously asking several guards about something.

But just as he opened his mouth, he seemed to sense something, and a feeling of emptiness rose from his heart.

"Yuan Ba."

The extremely complex emotions are completely integrated into these two simple words.

(End of this chapter)