Chai Rong killed the prisoner to show his determination, but after shouting for a while, he became panicked and short of breath. Old Mutou and Li Tingfang had to help him back to the back tent and invited the imperial doctor to come for treatment.

All civil and military officials already knew that Chai Rong's health was worse than imagined, and he was afraid that he would not have a few more days to live, and the Northern Expedition could only end here.

After leaving Chai Rong's tent, all the officials performed their duties, but no one organized the manpower to build the pontoon bridge that was about to be completed, and preparations for withdrawal had already begun. The soldiers were not fools, and in one day the army had begun to

Various rumors emerged.

Watching the imperial doctor boil the soup, Old Mutou tasted it himself before sending it to the tent. Looking at the sick Chai Rong, Old Mutou felt an unreal trance.

The Battle of Gaoping and the conquest of Huainan seemed like just yesterday. Chai Rong was so radiant and high-spirited, but not long after that, he became a dying man.

At this moment, Old Mutou was complaining in his heart about the dead Guo Wei. Why didn't he protect his chosen heir in heaven and keep him alive longer, even for another three to five years?

Although Old Mutou was just a big-headed soldier, he had been fighting in the army all his life. He knew very well what would happen to the rising empire once Chai Rong died and the young master came to the throne. Could this be God's will?

Old Mutou shouted softly, "Your Majesty has taken the medicine."

Chai Rong slowly opened his eyes, and Li Tingfang quickly helped him up and put a quilt under him.

Chai Rong said softly: "What time is it now?"

"We just arrived at Youshi, and it's not dark yet." Old Mu Tou said, scooping up a spoonful of the soup and passing it to Chai Rong's mouth. Chai Rong reached out to take the medicine bowl, raised his head and drank it all.

"Ha..." Chai Rong let out a long breath, his facial features twisted into a ball due to the bitterness of the medicine, "This medicine is really bitter."

Old Mu Tou smiled and said: "This medicine is bitter because of the addition of Huang Lian. Your Majesty, as long as you take the medicine properly and take care of yourself for a year and a half, you will be cured."

The imperial doctor did not say that to Old Mutou. The imperial doctor said that Chai Rong would leave in a few months to half a year. He was just trying to comfort him.

Guo Wei would have told him face to face after hearing such advice, saying things like "I don't know my body well yet".

But Chai Rong nodded heavily and said: "I will definitely be fine. I haven't recovered Youzhou yet."

It's not that Chai Rong is more arrogant than Guo Wei, he just refuses to admit defeat. Seeing that Old Mu Tou was hesitant to speak, he said, "If you have anything to say, just tell me."

Old Mutou took the medicine bowl from Chai Rong's hand and said, "Han Tong came to see me just now. He told me that there were some rumors in the camp that he was the emperor."

Chai Rong sneered and said: "As soon as I get sick, these little ones can't stand it anymore."

Old Mutou put down the medicine bowl and prostrated himself and begged: "Your Majesty, let's retreat."

Chai Rong was speechless after hearing the words, and just slowly lay down on the couch. He looked at the high tent ceiling with his eyes. There was a hole as thick as a finger. The gorgeous rays of the setting sun came in from here, and countless dust particles were vaguely visible in the light.

mid float.

After an unknown amount of time, the glow gradually disappeared, leaving only darkness on the top of the tent. Chai Rong turned to look at the candlestick lit by Li Tingfang, and said softly: "Retreat!"

On the eve of the decisive battle with the Khitans, Zhou withdrew his troops. As the emperor and commander-in-chief, Chai Rong had no choice. He was seriously ill and his military morale was shaken. Under such circumstances, he no longer had the conditions for a decisive battle with the Khitans.

At the same time, Da Zhou also faced another risk. Once Chai Rong died here, hundreds of officials and soldiers would never rush back to Kaifeng to support his ten-year-old eldest son. They would not wait for his body to get cold.

A new emperor will be established.

Only by returning to Tokyo can the inheritance of the throne and the transfer of rights be successfully completed, Chai Rong knew this well.

On the next day, Chai Rong issued an edict to withdraw the army to Tokyo. At the same time, he appointed Han Lingkun as the capital of Bazhou and Chen Sirang as the capital of Xiongzhou. They led the troops to stay in place and ordered them to rest and prepare for the Khitan's counterattack.

That's right, Chai Rong is still planning to come back. Youzhou is like that water bird. If he misses one arrow, he will shoot the second arrow as long as there is a chance. It's a pity that God is cruel and didn't give him a chance to make a second Northern Expedition.

.

The army came with great momentum and left with great force. After Chai Rong got on the boat, he hurried along the canal and crossed the vast water to Chanzhou in only three days.

At this time, they were not far from Tokyo, but Chai Rong asked the army to stop, got off the boat and took a car all the way to the Zhenning Army Jiedushi Mansion. After getting off the carriage, Chai Rong looked up at the plaque of the military office, and his sick face revealed

With a smile, he pushed aside Lao Mu Tou and Li Tingfang beside him and strode up the steps.

He was adopted into the name of Guo Wei when he was a child, and he followed Guo Wei from east to west. When he got older, he went to the streets to sell umbrellas to supplement the family income. After his aunt passed away, he started selling tea all over the country. When Guo Wei became more powerful, he gave up his business and followed him.

Guo Wei was surrounded by conquests here and there and rarely lived a stable life.

The Qianyou Incident caused his whole family to be executed, and he was devastated that he only had one son alive. In this yamen, he worked hard to deal with various official affairs every day, not allowing himself any leisure time, so as not to miss his wife and children who died tragically.

The root of his disease was caused at that time.

Until Fu's arrival, this tough, gentle, beautiful and virtuous woman named Chai Rong felt a warmth in his lonely and cold heart. The three years in Chanzhou were not the happiest three years for him, but they were the most touching time in his life.

He walked through the hall and arrived at the back office. Not much had changed here. The grape trellises were lush and lush, and the green grape leaves were dazzling under the bright sun. As the breeze slowly fanned, grapes like green beans could be vaguely seen.

At that time, there would be a woman standing on a stool using a snow-white brush to pollinate the young grape flowers. She smiled and said to him: "This will produce more fruits in the autumn. If you can't eat them all, I will make grape wine for my husband."

.”

Chai Rong suddenly turned red, pointed to the corner under the grape trellis and said, "Old Mutou, dig that place quickly."

Old Mutou quickly led his men to dig up the ground. When they dug about two feet deep, they found two small wine jars.

Chai Rong said excitedly: "Take it out quickly, move slowly, don't break it."

Old Mu Tou put the two wine jars on the stone table, and Chai Rong wiped the dirt on them with his sleeves like a baby. His movements were very gentle, as if he were a beauty with pear blossoms and rain.

He wiped the wine jar until it was as bright as new, and then opened the seal. Li Tingfang immediately handed over a clean white porcelain bowl. Chai Rong took the wine jar and brought it to the mouth of the bowl. Immediately, dark red wine slowly flowed out.

come out.

Chai Rong picked up the bowl and took a sip. The taste was a little sour but richer than before. His eyes were slightly red, and the tears disappeared after blinking. Then he took another big sip.

Li Tingfang advised: "Your Majesty's Holy Body has just gotten better, so you should drink less."

Chai Rong shook his head and said: "It doesn't matter, this is my good medicine. Old Mutou has closed the military office, don't ask anyone to disturb me."

Chai Rong missed the good old days and did not come out until the next morning. However, all the officials were anxious and blocked outside the Jiedushi Mansion to ask for an audience, fearing that Chai Rong would die quietly inside.

Old Mutou arrived outside the military office and said to everyone: "Please rest assured, your Majesty is in much better spirits. You can just go back and handle official business."

Fan Zhi said: "Since Your Majesty is fine, let's start back to Tokyo early to avoid any complications."

Old Mu Tou knew what Fan Zhi meant by the extraneous problems, "I want His Majesty to return to Tokyo as soon as possible, but I can't speak well. You are in high positions and know a lot of truths. Why don't you choose someone to go in with me and give me some advice?"

.”

Unexpectedly, all the officials looked at each other, but no one responded, because this is indeed not a good thing.

All officials know that Chai Rong is a competitive person. Now go and tell him that you are not in good health and the game may be over at any time. Let's go back to Kaifeng as soon as possible. It is not easy to keep silent about such things. Once the emperor is offended,

I'm happy, maybe I'll be dismissed from office.

There are some people who are not afraid of offending the emperor's brow. Li Dai said to everyone: "Since you are unwilling to go, I would like to go to meet the sage and give advice."

The officials pretended not to hear, and Old Mutou sneered, "Why is a small official the size of a sesame seed and a mung bean joining in the fun? This person has never understood the importance of things. He will inevitably make His Majesty unhappy, so get out of here!"

Dai Li said angrily: "Although I am in a humble position, I am also loyal and courageous. How dare you insult me ​​like this? I will impeach you to Your Majesty!"

"Kick him away!" Old Mutou waved his hand impatiently, and the guards immediately beat Li Dai away.

A civil servant suddenly came to Zhang Yongde and said with his hands raised: "Now the world is uncertain and powerful enemies are around. Chanzhou is still two or three days away from Tokyo. If something unexpected happens due to the current lack of Holy Body, the country of Great Zhou may be in danger of changing hands.

You are your Majesty's closest relative and confidant, and he is also the governor of the Zhenning Army. Only you can give advice, so please don't refuse."

Seeing someone approaching Zhang Yongde, the others gathered around him. They bowed to Zhang Yongde one by one and invited him in to persuade Chai Rong.

Zhang Yongde may have felt that it was reasonable, or he felt that it was really not good for Chai Rong to die on his own territory, so he agreed.

When he followed Old Mutou into the back office, Chai Rong was eating under the grape arbor. He looked very comfortable and did not look like a seriously ill person about to die.

There were only two simple dishes on the stone table, as well as the grape wine that had not been finished yesterday. Opposite him was a pair of empty bowls and chopsticks, which were probably left for the late Empress Fu.

Seeing Zhang Yongde coming over, Chai Rong pointed to the stone bench next to him and said, "Bring him over and have dinner with me. I remember in the second year of Guangshun, when the late emperor came back from conquering Murong Yanchao, we drank and talked under this grape trellis.

In just a few years, both the late emperor and the empress have passed away, leaving only you, me and brother Chongjin."

Zhang Yongde raised his hands seriously and said, "I came to see your Majesty because I have something important to advise you."

"A hug, just say it."

Zhang Yongde was not polite and relayed to Chai Rong word for word what others had told him.

Chai Rong frowned when he heard this, "Who told you to tell me this?"

Zhang Yongde replied bluntly: "This is the opinion of the ministers, and I am just relaying it on behalf of the ministers."

Chai Rong looked Zhang Yongde up and down for a long time, as if he was meeting him for the first time, "I knew someone instigated you like this, but it's a pity that I see that you have a poor face and you are not destined to be rich!"

Zhang Yongde was embarrassed and frightened, and kept echoing: "Yes, yes, yes!"

Chai Rong stood up and ordered: "The three armies are ordered to set off back to Beijing immediately!"

Anyone can say these things, but Zhang Yongde can't. A few days ago, the prophecy of "checking and inspecting will make you emperor" was still circulating in the Japanese army. At this moment, Zhang Yongde, who was the chief inspection officer in front of the palace, came and said to Chai Rong, "Jiangshan"

There is a risk of changing ownership."

If it had been another emperor, he might have just drawn his sword and killed him on the spot. But Chai Rong not only did not deepen his suspicion of Zhang Yongde, but also felt more at ease with him. Such a person was pushed to the point of a gun and was not complacent.

People who know it don't have the ability to rebel.

Chai Rong no longer suspected that Zhang Yongde had evil intentions, but if he was entrusted with Jiangshan's youngest son, he might not be able to keep it. There was one less chosen candidate in his heart, which made Chai Rong feel a little melancholy.

He returned to the house and dressed up, and was about to leave Chanzhou when Old Mutou suddenly ran closer and said, "Your Majesty, there is someone outside the military office."

Chai Rong said: "What kind of big shot makes you so nervous?"

Old Mutou smiled bitterly and replied: "No, no big shot, just a small soldier, sent by Xu Xian!"

"Ah!" Chai Rong was startled, raised his eyebrows and slapped his thigh, "I actually forgot about him!"
To be continued...