Chapter 23: Dream Weaving

In May of 884 AD, on the official road fifty li southwest of Bianzhou (modern-day Kaifeng)Tossing and turning, I can't seem to fall asleep. Could it be that this large kang bed tonight is no better than a corner in a small village outside Caizhou City Alas, what the heck!

A thought flashed through my mind: when dawn breaks, will my lifespan decrease by one day

Ye Youxiao was getting rather angry.

I said, "What the hell" It has nothing to do with you, right How come every time you hear the word "ghost," you pop out

Suddenly, I thought, living one day less Well, it's better to let this little ghost help me out. 。Focus your mind right now and think: since you're a little ghost, shouldn't you know how to do something basic like visit someone in their dreams Hurry up and give my old man a dream, make him come save me quickly, well, that means saving you too! Otherwise, if I die, you, this little ghost, will immediately go straight to hell. 。

My mind is blank. There are no thoughts at all.

Ye Youxiao waited for a while before a vague thought occurred to him: Doesn't this ghost know where Aye isYe Youxiao almost laughed out loud: Is this all you have You dare call yourself a "ghost" You've disgraced the entire underworld, do you know that As a powerful and omnipotent ghost, one who can come and go as they please, knows everything, you tell me you can't find Aye Quickly, find my cheap old dad and let him come save me!After much deliberation, his mind remained blank. It seemed this little ghost, after being scolded, had finally found some courage and went to seek out his father in a dream. 。However, Ye Youxiao also discovered that he needed to re-evaluate this little ghost. It seemed that in the spirit world, he had not yet entered the door, let alone established connections with those hellish bull and horse heads to negotiate his continuation of life. 。Now, he can't even find his cheap old father...

But what good is finding his father According to the little ghost, he's very capable, but even if he is, he can't sweep through the Hall of Yama, right After all, it seems that only Sun Wukong can dominate both the human and spirit worlds...

That night, Li Kuang had a very strange dream. He dreamed that Mo'er looked haggard and withered as she cried out to him for help. 。The time was short, but it is deeply etched in my mind. 。One morning, Li Kuang was listless and gloomy. He pushed all his official duties onto his subordinates like Zhanjun and Pianguan, while he himself took up a pen and began to copy the poem "Ode to One Hundred Years". 。At the time of the Wu (5th hour), he summoned Zhou Dewei. 。When Zhou Dewei saw the handwritten Hundred Years Song by the king, he understood seven or eight points. 。Seeing Zhou Dewei's expression, Li Ke understood that he already knew. 。Then he said: "Yang Wu, we still need to find a way to bring Xu'er back." 。Once at Sannouzan, I boasted that twenty years hence, this son would stand here and rout the enemy in my place. 。Now that Xu'er can't even be found, isn't my prophecy just a joke

Zhou Dewi completely understood the king's thoughts. 。The king's grief was actually a yearning for his son, probably intensified by some other event or thought. 。But as the King of Longxi and Minister, commanding thousands upon thousands of troops, how could he reveal his tender feelings A head of household should try their best to conceal their emotions, let alone the ruler of Hedong! He yearned for his son but couldn't express it directly. He could only feign a reason by saying that he wanted to fulfill a prophecy. 。

The prince is also suffering.

Zhou Dewei immediately said: “It is all due to my incompetence. At that time, I searched everywhere, but found no information whatsoever.” 。It is best to first follow the Great King back to He Dong to hold a coronation ceremony. 。Now that the Grand Ceremony has passed, this subordinate requests leave to once again search for the third brother in the vicinity of Bianzhou. 。Li Ke nodded, but didn't speak. 。After Cao Yu-e returned, he immediately inquired carefully about Xu'er's whereabouts. Only then did he learn that at the time a child's cry had been heard, though it was not seen clearly, but it was presumed to be Xu'er. 。

Xu'er has already died in the chaos of war.

No matter how reluctant King Li was, this fact could not be changed.

Now, the capable general Zhou Dewei is being sent deep into Bianzhou, Zhu Wen's territory, to search for Xu'er. He is taking a huge risk, but there is almost no chance of success. 。This kind of transaction, the vast majority of leaders would not do. 。Li Keqiang belongs to the vast majority of 。He was just a little caught up in that strange dream, even developing a glimmer of hope: what if Xu'er was really still aliveHe immediately understood the absurdity of his own thoughts: if Xu'er had met with misfortune, that's why he would have dreamt about her. If he were still alive, there wouldn't be any need for dreams. Or perhaps, having this dream proved that Xu'er had indeed encountered misfortune. 。It's alright, Luoluo and Tingluan are already over ten years old, capable of helping their father build his empire. 。Zhou Dewei was waiting for the King's command, but suddenly saw Li Cunzhang rush in. 。He suddenly had a bad feeling. 。Li Cunzhang reported, "Father King, the Khitan have invaded the border!" He finished speaking and presented the military letter to the Prince. 。Having received urgent military intelligence, Li Ke felt a strange sense of relaxation in his heart. 。Finally, I don't have to worry about Xu'er's life or death anymore. 。Even though he's already suffered misfortune! Now, he must put on the majesty of a prince, as the pillar of support for millions of people in Hedong, to discuss matters of military strategy against the Khitan. 。Zhou Dewei and Li Cunzhang followed on either side of the Prince, and came to the Mingzheng Hall. 。Only then did I see that, led by Situ Li Kening, the civil and military officials of Hedong had been waiting here for a long time. 。Li Ke used's deployment was very simple: "When the Khitan invade Yunzhou, we must cooperate to resist." 。Guo Min, the lone commander, appointed Si Tu Ke Ning as governor of Taiyuan and ordered Cun Xiao to assist him. Miao Ji Lie led 20,000 troops ahead to secure the frontier, while Yuan went to muster another 50,000 soldiers. Along with Cun Zhang, they accompanied Guo Min on his campaign against the Khitan. 。All the generals obeyed, but Li Kening said, "Brother Wang, this expedition to the Khitan, a total of 70,000 troops" Li Kuang looked at his fourth brother: "Fourth Brother, you make it clear, 70,000 soldiers and horses, is much or little" Li Kening smiled and said, "Your Majesty has made arrangements, naturally there is no need for Kening to say more" 。...Kening had made the decision to stay behind, but with no army at his disposal, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. ... 。Li Ke used a smile: "Shiro, didn't you hear clearly I have already left the filial piety to you" 。"Express filial piety!"

No one answered 。Li Ke's small eyes widened: "What about Thirteen How come he wasn't here "This was such an important occasion, and he hadn't shown up. Unbelieving, Li Ke called out again: "Thirteen!" "The last general is..." 。A languid voice sounded, followed by a muscular Li Cunxiao emerging and crossing his arms: "Father," 。Li Ke frowned and looked at Li Cunxiao. In this Mingzheng Hall, to be named and not respond was an act of defiance. If it were anyone else, they would have been escorted out long ago, perhaps even thrown into a prison to await punishment. 。But he was Li Cunxiao, Li Cunxiao wasn't just anyone, he was the number one brave general who had beaten Wang Yanzhang, the second bravest general in the world, to a pulp. He was one of the Thirteen Taibao. 。But father actually let himself stay behind in Taiyuan! Muttering, "Father, please forgive me, just now the child's ears were stuffed with Khitan, I didn't hear father's order" 。“Ears stuffed with cotton Is there such a thing Are you trying to say you want to fight the Khitan!” Li Ke used glanced at this large mass of muscle and sighed helplessly, “What is it, Thirteenth Are you unwilling to help your fourth uncle defend the city”Li Cunxiao feigned innocence: "How dare my son disobey his father's orders"Li Ke used decided to appease him: "Of course, your father knows that you want to go to war, and that you disdain fighting the Khitan..." 。“If we’re going to fight, let's fight Zhu San!” Li Cunxiao laughed: “As expected, Father knows his son…” 。Li Ke use: “Rest assured, you just keep the city well with Fourth Uncle. When father breaks the Khitan, sooner or later I will take you there to kill that Zhu Wen dog head, and avenge Third Brother!”The crowd was stunned, avenging Third BrotherLi Ke use was a bit annoyed: he had inadvertently said it out loud. 。Zhou Dewei understood in his heart: no wonder he didn't send Zhou to find his son just now, it turned out...Li Ke looked at the generals sternly: "The incident at Shangyuan Station before, Saburo disappeared, and last night he suddenly dreamed of me" 。Alas, it seems they have perished. 。Zhou Dewei hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I wonder what the details of this dream are"Li Ke knew that this was the Mingzheng Hall, not a room where Taoists would give dreams. 。Just waved his hand: "No, no! You immediately go to the school grounds to muster troops. Tomorrow morning, at dawn, march out of the city!"The generals from Hedong shouted in unison, "Support the Great King, vowing to kill the Khitan!"At this moment on the border of Yunzhou, a long line of cavalry came rolling in... 。On a small hill beside the road, reviewing his troops on horseback was the Khitan Great Khan Yelü Abge. 。This is a man of over thirty years old, from the Khitans. When people see him, they are captivated by his towering brow that confronts them head-on. 。And the shaved hairstyle of the Khitan people further highlighted the size of their forehead. 。Behind the two large ears, there were two jet-black buns, which led down to two long, glossy black braids. 。A mustache that curves below the nose and a goatee coexist, but it doesn't look menacing at all. Instead, it gives off a friendly vibe. 。His two eyes weren't large, but they held a commanding presence without anger. A powerful penetrating force seemed to have already seen through the other person's internal organs. 。Abo looked at the mighty Khitan cavalry and couldn't help but say to his brother Yelu Lacha next to him: "Lacha, when I was Khan, you guys didn't really believe me, always thinking that it should still be someone from the Raoli tribe who could become Khan..." 。But I have proven with facts that I am not only capable of being a Hěn Dè Jǐn, but also an equally excellent Khan. 。Li Ge smiled: "You are our big brother, of course we wouldn't oppose you, but we think Hen Dejin is more suitable for your talent" 。At this moment, a chestnut-colored foal galloped over from the green grass. A girl on its saddle smiled and shouted to Abo: "Father Khan!" This girl had skin as white as a silver platter, eyes like starry orbs, and thick, dark hair that shone like oiled silk. 。When Ah Bao saw her, his face softened instantly, as gentle as all fathers are. He warned with a tender voice, "This horse is small in stature but has a very bad temper, just like the moon, you have to be careful." 。At this time, another girl rode up on horseback, shouting: “Princess, wait!” 。Upon seeing Abo, the girl hastily dismounted and knelt down, bowing: "Honorable Khan, your servant Woyun Ga greets you." 。”

"Ah Bao nodded. “Wu Yun Ga, you must serve the princess well and make sure she doesn't get into any danger!"

Wu Yun Ga hurriedly agreed, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely..."

Zhen Ru Yue interrupted her, "Father Khan, your demands on Wu Yun Ga are too high…" 。"A Baoji was very uncomfortable being contradicted, but now it was his daughter who was contradicting him. He could only shake his head helplessly: "Or maybe I spoiled you too much" Zhen Ruyue played with the whip in her hand and said: "It's not about spoiling. Because common sense tells us that war is bound to be risky." 。"You don't need to try and trick me," 。I told you, you're not allowed to go into battle. 。"Just like Yue spoke out: "What is my father bringing me here for"Abaoji said calmly: "I'm not old yet, I still remember the day we left Napo. It was you who repeatedly begged me to come out and see the scenery." 。"Just like Yue smiled and said, 'Isn't the scene on the battlefield just about fighting'""Abo's tone was very firm: 'Don't keep pestering me, Just Like Yue! You should understand that what Khan said cannot be changed.'" 。Hearing Abao’s discontent, Wu Yun Gai hurriedly reached out and tugged Zhen Ru Yue's sleeve. 。Then True Moon looked at her, smiling and said to Abbaoji: "So father-in-law, I'll stay by your side, okay"

Abbaoji looked at her in some surprise, nodding. “It’s great that you want to stay by my side,” 。Then, several more horses galloped over. Leading the way was a man with broad shoulders and a round belly, his face glistening with oil, and his two bushy black whiskers shining brightly. 。He bowed to Abo from atop his horse: "Father Khan, the Shatuo army has reached Yunzhou." 。

"Abaoji was a little surprised, he put up a shade with his hand and looked towards the Yunzhou direction in the southwest. He said to this man: "Deguang, order the men to set up camp right now."

"Father Khan, wouldn't you like to engage in a decisive battle with Li Kuang immediately" Yelu Deguang looked at his father khan.

Abogui shook his head. "Of course we have to fight."

But they had high walls, defensible and formidable, while our troops were still in the midst of marching. 。We will set up camp first. Tomorrow, we will have Li Ke use accept the terms. 。"Just like Yue Cha said, 'If he doesn't accept it, beat him until he does!' "

A Baoji looked at Zhen RuYue: 'As for fighting, my second brother, Sixth Uncle and the others will discuss it properly.'" 。You should still take those gloomy clouds and find a place to rest. 。"Truly asked, "Then tomorrow If you go to war, can I follow father Khan"Abu Ji nodded. “Exactly, you must stay by my side and not run around.” 。"Just like Yue smiled and agreed, Wu Yun looked at the princess, wondering what plan was going on in her mind. " 。But she knew in her heart that Zhenyue was not the kind of obedient girl. Now that she repeatedly insisted on staying by Khan's side, there must be a reason behind it. 。n. 。It was a conversation that allowed Zhu Quanzhong to understand Zhang Quan'yi. This man truly was a simple farmer. 。Ambition has nothing to do with him. 。This characteristic, on the contrary, made...