Return of the Swallow

The walk from Tianyu Pass to Tianlang Pass was twice as slow as before. Because Pang Xiao was afraid that Qin Yining would freeze, he carried out the ceremony of a prince and used the most spacious and warm carriage. He had to stop and have a rest when he encountered good scenery along the way. He also had to stop and have a rest when he encountered a market in a small town. .

Stopping and walking along the way, it didn't look like Dai Zui was returning to Beijing, but rather like he was taking the princess out for fun.

Yi Binghu was so angry that he had a headache along the way, but the people around him admired Pang Xiao very much, and they all echoed Pang Xiao's words.

Qin Yining lifted up the curtain of the carriage and looked out. He saw Yi Binghu's sullen face. He seemed to have lost weight in the past few days. He couldn't help but leaned back into Pang Xiao's arms and whispered: "If this continues, I'm afraid General Yi's burly face will be damaged." His body is almost gone. I can see that he can hardly eat these days."

Pang Xiao was leaning against the big pillow, half-lying with his long legs bent, holding a military book in one hand, and hugging Qin Yining to his chest with the other. The two of them were covered with a thick blanket, and Qin Yining was holding him in his arms. A small heater, very warm and comfortable.

"That man has evil intentions and is self-righteous. It would be a good thing if we can temper his temper this time. If not, we won't be able to control him so much. The reason why the Huben Army kicked him out in the first place was because he had such a temper. It is unstable and can easily affect the overall situation if placed in the army."

Qin Yining couldn't help but smile when he heard this: "It seems that you know the people under your command very well. That's the so-called knowing people and making good use of them."

Pang Xiao smiled, kissed the top of Qin Yining's hair, and said: "It's like playing chess. You must know the role of each chess piece and what role it can play when placed on the chessboard."

Qin Yining nodded and turned over in Pang Xiao's arms, "That's why I said, that one is not as good as you."

Pang Xiao chuckled at her praising tone, "You prefer me in your heart, so you think I'm good in everything."

"No way. Anyone with a discerning eye can see who is better. If you weren't really good, would those men in the army who dare to kill and fight recognize you?"

Ten thousand words of praise from outsiders are not as comforting as one word from Qin Yining.

Pang Xiao kissed her cheek happily and whispered in her ear: "Madam approves so much, my husband is very happy."

Qin Yining buried her whole face in Pang Xiao's arms, and said with a smile on her lips: "Glib accent."

"How could it be so glib? Every word is spoken from the bottom of my heart."

The blanket is too warm and the "pillow" is too comfortable,

Qin Yining held the heater in her arms, her head felt a little dizzy, and her eyelids gradually became heavy.

When Pang Xiao saw Qin Yining curled up in his arms like a kitten, his love and affection became even greater. He patted her back slowly with his big hands, and whispered like a coaxing child: "Go to sleep, I'll watch over you."

Qin Yining closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep without realizing it.

The team marched slowly for seven or eight days, and finally arrived at the second pass on the northern border, Tianlang Pass.

When Pang Xiao approached Tianlang Pass, he switched to riding a horse and followed Qin Yining's carriage.

Yi Binghu secretly scolded Pang Xiao for being cunning, usually enjoying himself in the carriage like a girl, but when he got to the border to meet the soldiers, he would switch to riding a horse, making him look like a man.

Pang Xiao noticed something was wrong in Yi Binghu's eyes, but he didn't care. After leading a group of people to the city gate, someone immediately asked loudly on the Tianlangguan tower: "Who is coming!"

Huzi said loudly: "This is the team of Prince Zhongshun returning to the capital. They pass by Tianlang Pass. Please ask the general to open the city gate."

There was a burst of cluttered footsteps on the city gate tower. Not long after, a man leaned out and took a look. After making sure it was correct, he stepped down the city gate. Not long after, the city gate was opened.

A group of defenders came out first and stood on both sides. Then they saw a tall, scarred-faced middle-aged man wearing armor and walking out quickly with a sword in hand.

When Pang Xiao saw that the other party was on foot, he also turned over and dismounted. The Jinghu Guard behind Pang Xiao also dismounted.

Yi Binghu curled his lips, sneered slightly, and muttered: "Pretending."

Wei Erbao, Li Daniu, and Qian Dong who were around him had long been dissatisfied with Yi Binghu, but they couldn't do anything because the official was so powerful that they simply dismounted and followed him like the Jinghu Guards.

Yi Binghu sat alone on the horse, looking very out of place, and finally had to jump off the horse with a dark face.

The general guarding Tianlang Pass today is a tough guy. He doesn't believe that this man can disobey the emperor's order. Please be polite to Pang Xiao!

Yi Binghu thought about this, and quickly stepped forward, passed Pang Xiao, and saluted the visitor with clasped fists: "General Tao."

"General Yi. So you have found Prince Zhongshun's team and are back with him?"

What he said almost made Yi Binghu furious.

What does it mean to come back with us? He is escorting treasonous criminals back!

But looking back, the gorgeous carriage, the spectacular procession, and the ceremonial guard for the prince's trip, everything showed that he was indeed accompanying, not escorting.

Yi Binghu's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, and he said firmly: "Yes. Prince Zhongshun has been found. Has General Yi arranged a place for the prince and his party to stay temporarily?"

"The inn has been well arranged and can be moved in at any time. However, the prince has a distinguished status. Later, I will immediately order someone to tidy up the back office and invite the prince and princess to check in."

It’s the same thing again!

Yi Binghu secretly wondered how these people's brains grew. Why did Kang Qiong, as the general marshal of Long Xiang's army, say that Pang Xiao should stay at the inn, but actually asked someone to stay in Houya? Now the same is true for General Tao, who looks upright?

Pang Xiao stood by and played with the riding crop, watching Yi Binghu's expression change, and couldn't help but feel funny.

General Tao's eyes fell on the riding crop in Pang Xiao's hand. He was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward and saluted respectfully.

"The last general, Tao Jun, meets Prince Zhongshun."

Is this Tao Jun?

I saw that this man had a scar on his forehead that ran to his eyebrow bone, and a pipe on his waist. Although his skin looked rough and he looked a bit mature, he actually looked like he was in his early thirties. These characteristics were consistent with Ji Zeyu's. As he said, Pang Xiao understood.

This man was the leader of Ji Zeyu's more than a hundred cronies. He must have suddenly become more respectful after seeing Ji Zeyu's riding crop.

"No courtesy. General Tao has been promoted, and I haven't congratulated you yet."

When he was leaving, Ji Zeyu said that Tao Jun was a school captain, but now he has become the general guarding Tianlang Pass. He must have been promoted recently.

Tao Jun knew that he was a nobody, and Pang Xiao had never interacted with him before, so it was impossible to know who he was before. But now he mentioned the matter of "promotion", and seeing that Pang Xiao was holding Ji Zeyu's token, Then he knew that this person must be someone Ji Zeyu valued, and Ji Zeyu must have told Pang Xiao about him.

Therefore, Tao Jun's respect for Pang Xiao showed some kindness: "Your Majesty, you have been working hard on the journey. Why don't you make some repairs, and the general will immediately order people to prepare wine and food, so that your Majesty can receive the wind and wash away the dust."

Pang Xiao smiled and said, "Thank you, General Tao."

"Your Majesty please, Princess please."

Tao Jun stepped aside and let Pang Xiao and the princess's carriage go ahead. He walked in front of the Jinghu Guard and followed in very politely.

Wei Erbao, Li Daniu and others couldn't help but laugh and whispered: "After all, it is our prince who is so powerful. Look, even Long Xiang's army treats the prince with courtesy."

"Isn't it true? Some people don't think that being a minor official means they are great. In the end, they are not just like clowns, and they can make people laugh out loud."

Yi Binghu was furious when he saw that Tao Jun treated Pang Xiao the same as Kang Qiong. Now even the people who came out with him said so. He was so angry that his face turned red and the veins on his head bulged. If he didn't have to show off his official power, he would have cursed people long ago.

"Don't be so presumptuous! You haven't entered the city yet!" After scolding him and finding face, Yi Binghu led his horse and followed Jinghu Guard into the city gate.

Wei Erbao and others looked at his back and couldn't help laughing again. They followed him in, chatting and laughing all the way. The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful, as if it was about to celebrate the New Year.

Qin Yining was once again placed in Houya to rest.

Pang Xiao still took people to the banquet. At the banquet, he also brought Ji Zeyu's whip with him, but he saw many people who were very respectful and close to him when they saw him.

After the banquet, in the main hall of the back office, Tao Jun respectfully saluted Pang Xiao and said: "Your Majesty, if the master is willing to hand over the token to the Prince, then he will also hand over more than a hundred of our brothers to the Prince. The Prince has Just tell me what you are told, and I will not give up even if you die."

Pang Xiao felt even more grateful to Ji Zeyu. He supported Tao Jun with both hands and said with a smile: "There is no need to give such a big gift. I am going back to Beijing for trial, and there is nothing to do for the time being."

Tao Jun heard this and said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. The situation is not optimistic when you return to Beijing this time. I am afraid that the Holy One will kill you."

Pang Xiao saw that Tao Jun was so frank. He knew that Ji Zeyu's subordinates regarded him as their master when they saw the whip. He couldn't help but admire Ji Zeyu's skills in controlling his subordinates.

"Is there anything important going on in the court while I'm out?"

Tao Jun said: "The trivial matters in the court have been written in the newspapers, and most of them have nothing to do with the prince. The most important thing is that the Tatars are ready to move, and their intention to attack our Zhou Dynasty is very obvious. They are the first batch to supply the war. Although the food and grass were lost, the Tatar Utkin Khan seemed very determined to start a war, and seemed to be preparing food and grass again to prepare for a war.

"To be honest, the national treasury is empty, and it is difficult to complete the disaster relief work. The Holy Lord has made a series of arrangements for the war. The general was only a school captain before, and it was this time that he was promoted to a guard. The general of the city.

"It's just that although the personnel transfer can be carried out smoothly, what the court is most lacking now is money. If a war is to begin, the country's capital must be used. The Tatars are resolute, saying they want to avenge their Anari Khan , Your Majesty, I don’t know what it means here.

"But in General Mo's humble opinion, it is best for the prince not to take the princess back with him. General Mo is worried that the Holy Lord will hand over the princess to calm the war."