Harue Kagetsu

"Everyone! Report from the front—"

In the middle of the night, a sudden announcement full of anxiety broke the silence of the Lu family.

Lu Guang was awakened from his sleep and felt a sudden pounding in his heart. He became calm and ran out. He opened the door and saw the steward carrying a lantern and a messenger, who was rushing in from outside.

The messenger was stained with blood, his face was full of tiredness, and he looked exhausted. When he saw Lu Guang, he knelt on the ground with a "pop", took out a letter from his arms, and choked: "Everyone, it's not good! Xu Mi failed to attack Yangzhai a few days ago, and quietly withdrew his army to Nanyang. When the eldest son heard the news, the army was already deep in the hinterland, and there was no way to retreat. He only had the ability to fight, and suffered heavy losses. Surrounded by the Beixia army, and now trapped in the city, urgently in need of rescue—"

The messenger traveled day and night before rushing back to Jiankang, and was injured again, and his physical strength was at its limit. Finally, he saw Lu Guang and delivered the letter to him. As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn't hold it any longer and fainted on the ground.

Lu Guang turned pale in shock, snatched the letter and ran back to the house, and quickly read it by the candlelight, his face suddenly turned pale, his eyes darkened, he almost couldn't stand, holding the letter's hand, he couldn't stop trembling.

That day, when the censor came back from the Yamen, he was tortured for a while, and the slave told the truth. Only then did he know that his son had done such a stupid thing, and he was so mad that he ordered the slave to be beaten to death on the spot.

Although he has many wives and concubines, his children are not prosperous, only Lu Jianzhi and Lu Huanzhi have two sons.

For Lu Huanzhi, he didn't have high hopes at first, but now that he knows about it, it only adds to his disappointment.

But for the eldest son, it is different, and he has high hopes since childhood. Although he was humiliated and humiliated because of his defeat in the marriage proposal, Lu Guang was once blamed, but in Lu Guang's heart, he still firmly believed that as long as this Northern Expedition could achieve something, the fame of Lu's family would still be restored.

And now, all hope is about to be ruthlessly dashed with this short battle report.

The son he was most proud of...

All of Lu's troops and belongings...

Seeing, everything is about to be destroyed.

The letter fell from his hand and fell under his feet, but he seemed to be unaware, his eyes were staring straight ahead, and he stood blankly for a moment, his face gradually twisted.

"Xu Mi! I'm at odds with you!"

Lu Guang gritted his teeth, roared violently, grabbed the sword, turned and ran out of the door.

…

In the north of the city, every household has already closed their doors and fell into a dream, quiet. And the Qinhuai area in the south of the city, at this moment, there is still a wave of lights, and there are endless songs.

In an elegantly furnished private room in the Qin Building, a few wisps of faint cigarettes curled up from the smoke hole of the Boshan incense burner in the corner.

Li Xie sat on the couch and listened to Luniang playing the piano opposite.

Recently, he often came here to inspect in person, and gradually became familiar with this green girl. Hearing that an official held a banquet tonight, she must go to the mansion to play the qin, so she rushed over and kept the person on the grounds of the previous appointment.

Just one song, the lingering sound is endless.

Lu Niang still rested her hands on the strings, raised her eyes, looked at the person who seemed to be in a trance, and said with a smile, "Does Li Duwei want to listen to the slave music again?"

After Li Xie left her, he followed her into the room and listened to her playing the piano until this moment.

Li Xie came back to his senses and waved his hand. Glancing at her neck, which was still covered with layers of veil, she asked, "Is the injury healed?"

Lu Niang took off the veil, exposed her neck to give him a look, and put it back again, Yingying thanked her, and smiled: "It has already healed, but there is only a red mark left. I was afraid that people would ask more questions, so I covered my neck with a veil. Du Wei doesn't have to worry about it."

Li Xie nodded: "It's fine. Before leaving, General Li specially told me to pay more attention to you here. In the future, you don't need to pay attention to this kind of thing tonight, I have already told your aunt. "

The green lady lowered her eyes and thanked again.

Li Xie told her not to worry.

a bit late.

After he knew that she was famous for her piano skills many years ago, the aunt here did not force her to stay overnight. You should go too. Wanting to get up and say goodbye, look at her again. She was sitting upright, and when she first met that night, she took off her hairpin in front of her lapel and teased her. She was completely different.

When Li Xie was slightly ecstatic, he suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps coming from outside the door.

"Li Duwei! It's not good, something happened!" The voice of his subordinates followed.

Li Xie got up immediately and opened the door: "What's the matter?"

"The brother who just patrolled the night came to report, saying that Lu Guang personally led the troops to Xu Mi's mansion, but Xu Mi saw no one, and he threatened to set fire to the house!"

Surprised, Li Xie turned around and quickly instructed Lv Niang to rest early, and immediately led someone to Xu's house in a hurry. When he arrived, he saw that the gate of Xu's house was crowded with people, and in the light of torches, Lu Guang was disheveled, with a sword in his hand, he was slashing at the gate indiscriminately, shouting loudly. There were many nearby homes who had heard the wind and there were many discussions.

Lu Guang maintains his identity, and whenever he is in front of others, he is neatly dressed and unsmiling. He looks like a mad tiger tonight. Although Li Xie has been in Jiankang for many years, this is the first time he has seen it. Suppressing the surprise in his heart, he immediately ordered his subordinates to disperse all the onlookers and not approach them. He separated from the crowd of Lu family servants who were crowding with the master in front of the door and shouted to Lu Guang: "Lu Shangshu, what happened? People come here and put up such a battle?"

The two doors of the Xu family were already cut with sharp swords and covered with criss-cross marks. Lu Guang slashed again and slashed on the copper door knocker. With a "ding" sound, the iron star splashed around, and the sword in his hand was also broken into two pieces.

He turned his head abruptly, his eyes frantic, he was gasping for breath, his eyes fell on Li Xie, he dropped his hand and interrupted the sword, strode forward, grabbed his arm, and shouted: "Li Duwei, you can come here. Exactly! Xu Mi, this wicked villain! I had made an appointment to fight the enemy together, but he lost the battle in Yangzhai, but he concealed the news and quietly retreated his own people first, pitiful my eldest man was kept in the dark, I don't know at all, go deep into the hinterland and fight alone! Now even him, all the people are trapped in Yancheng, and they are in danger! Xu Mi, this shameless person, even if he chopped him into flesh, it would not be able to dispel the hatred in my heart! "

Li Xie saw that he had completely lost his reserved demeanor. He was dragging himself, who would never look straight at him, to speak. He looked grim, and before he finished speaking, suddenly, he raised his hand to cover his heart, with a painful expression on his face. The breath seemed to be out of breath, and the person swayed and was about to fall.

Xu Mi's family knew that he had the old problem of angina pectoris, and they were afraid that he would do it again.

On the way here, Li Xie heard his subordinates mention that the farce tonight seemed to be caused by the defeat of the Xu Lu allied army.

A few days ago, Xu Lu's allied army played a triumphant song all the way and successfully won Nanyang. Like many courtiers, he was originally waiting for a new victory. Never would have imagined that such bad news would come tonight.

Knowing that Gao Qiao had high hopes for this Northern Expedition, he immediately called his subordinates and ordered him to inform him quickly. Only then did he have someone help Lu Guangxian to sit down on the open space.

Lu Guang gradually regained his senses, and shouted sharply at the servant, ordering him to throw torches at Xu's house.

The servants of the Lu family have long been eager to try. Seeing that the master was all right, he gave orders again, and they all agreed. In an instant, the light of the fire lit up and fell on the other side of the door and wall.

There was a noise inside, as if the Xu family were busy putting out the fire.

When I heard movement outside, I jumped up and down, making the noise even worse.

Li Xie had no good feelings for the Xu Lu family. At this moment, the two families turned their faces, and Lu Guang brought people here. He just came here out of duty. He knew that there was someone in the door. After a while, the fire should not be able to burn, so he didn't care, and just asked his men to watch. , Guess that when Gao Qiao heard the news, he would come in person and wait by himself.

Sure enough, a group of people hurriedly arrived in the night, and it was Gao Qiao who arrived.

Li Xie hurried up to meet him and said what he had just passed.

Gao Qiao frowned and walked quickly to Xu's house. When everyone saw him coming, they stopped the noise and made way.

Lu Guang was sitting on the steps, feeling weak, when he suddenly saw Gao Qiao coming, he was helped to stand up, and greeted him, holding back his shame, he burst into tears and said, "Brother Gao! It's at stake, save me Dalang!"

Gao Qiao didn't say a word, and hurriedly came to the gate of Xu's house and ordered someone to pass the word to him.

After a while, the door that had been tightly closed finally opened. The manager of the Xu family came out with a look of horror and saluted Gao Qiao, bowed incessantly amid the scolding of the Lu family, and explained: "Gao Xianggong, I didn't open the door on purpose, but because the Lu family is too unreasonable! My Situ, A few days ago, I was sick at home and never left the medicine stone. These days, even the court meeting can only be absent. Gao Xianggong, you know it. The news of Yang Xuan's defeat was blocked on the road. My Situ, I just received it tonight, on the spot. He passed out, and he was still unconscious at the moment. But the Lu family blamed Situ all the faults, and then he used a knife and a gun like this, slashed the door of my house, and set my house on fire, how dare I Open the door easily?"

When his voice fell, the Lu family scolded him. At this time, after looking at the wall inside the door, Xu Mi was supported by the eldest son, leaning on a cane in his hand, and appeared out.

Seeing him come out, the door slowly quieted down.

But after ten days of absence, Xu Mi's face was sallow, and she looked like a dying person, tremblingly approached.

With tears in his eyes, the son of the Xu family bowed to Gao Qiao and Lu Guang, and said, "The army was defeated earlier and was forced to retreat, and Yang Xuan was surrounded by heavy Beixia troops again. , I can't deliver it! My Xu family suffered heavy losses in this battle. My father also just learned the bad news tonight. He was devastated. He vomited blood and fainted. …”

Xu Mi said: "Brother Gao, I am useless, I have failed your previous expectations! Brother Lu, it is all my fault! If you want to blame me, kill me, and I will die without resentment!"

He pushed away the son who was supporting him, knelt on his knees, and slammed on his crutches, tears streaming down his face.

Lu Guang's eyes widened, his fingers poked at Xu Mi, who was mourning and crying, trembling uncontrollably. Suddenly, a colicky pain hit his chest again, his eyes darkened, and he fell to the ground with a "coo dong" sound.

…

Li Mu accompanied Luoshen and slept until the next day, only to wake up three poles in the sun.

Because the first thing to go is a section of water, it is enough to park at night, and there is no need to hurry to go out early. After waking up, let her pester him in the tent and play around for a while. Fang got up, washed and ate, and Aju, Fan Cheng and others had already packed up. In order not to provoke Lu Shi's heart, they didn't bother, the group re-boarded the boat, set sail to the west, and finally set off on the road again.

The boat sailed during the day and moored at night, and walked unhurriedly for two days. In the evening, the boat entered the neighboring county and berthed.

Seeing that the place is prosperous and sleeping on the boat, if the wind blows, the hull of the boat will inevitably sway. Afraid that Luoshen would not be able to rest well, Li Mu took her ashore and stayed at the inn.

After moving in, the post officer hurried over and presented an official document respectfully. A few days ago, all post houses and wharfs along the way had received expedited 800 miles from Gao Xiang. The warrant, if you encounter General Li Mu, tell him to rush back to Jiankang immediately.

Li Mu returned to his room and informed Luoshen of the news.

Luoshen was very surprised.

Li Mu only left Jiankang for a few days, but he really didn't know what happened. His father would use 800 miles of expedited courier to summon him back.

Look at the date the warrant was issued, it was four days ago.

After all, it was the few days when he was still parked in Jingkou, waiting for Li Mu to come to her.

Since my father is so eager to find someone, it must not be a trivial matter. I don't know, that's all, since I received the news, I must go back for a trip.

Li Mu was worried about keeping Luoshen here, and Luoshen was even more reluctant to part with him. The two discussed it and decided to go back together, abandon the water route, switch to the land route, and go back to Jiankang.

Early the next morning, Li Mu prepared the carriage, asked Aju and Qiongshu to sit with Luoshen, ordered Fan Cheng and a few followers, and the rest of the people stayed where they were, and left for the road. Xiaoxing stayed overnight, hurry up. After several days, that night, the group finally returned to Jiankang, and when they arrived at Gao's house, it was already Hai Shi.

Without taking a rest, Li Mu was immediately summoned by Gao Qiao into the study. Luoshen went to see Xiao Yongjia, and heard a shocking news from her mother's mouth.

The Xu family was defeated, and the defeated army returned to Nanyang. The combat alliance formed with Lu Jianzhi had collapsed, but he concealed the news, causing Lu Jianzhi to continue to go north according to the original plan. When he learned that the situation had changed, there was no way out. They retreated, fought desperately, suffered heavy casualties, and finally captured the original city of Yan, but it was just a chance to breathe. It was soon besieged by the Northern Xia army on all sides, and now the situation is precarious.

Luoshen was stunned, unable to believe for a moment that such a thing would happen.

Xiao Yongjia frowned slightly, and said again: "Lu Guang went to find Xu Mi and made a fuss, Xu Mi pushed the matter cleanly, Lu Guang was out of anger, his old illness relapsed, and I heard that the situation was very bad. My uncle came to beg you, Aye, to save you time and time again, but your uncle and your elder brother are now also fettered by the Qingzhou soldiers in Beixia, and they are powerless. You Aye had no choice but to call Jingchen back first. Discuss it with him."

She looked at her daughter, saw that the blood on her face gradually faded, and she was silent. She knew that she and Lu Jianzhi had been in friendship from time to time. Although time has changed, even if it is an old friend, if something like this happens, it must be uncomfortable. He sighed and comforted: "You don't have to worry too much. The day before yesterday, the follow-up news from there was also passed, and the food and grass in Daocheng can last for about half a month, and you, Aye, are also thinking of a way, no matter what, still There is hope." After talking to my daughter for a while, knowing that she was tired from walking, she asked her to rest first.

Luoshen told her mother not to worry about these things. It was important to have a baby. She asked her to rest before returning to the room. But how to be at ease? I went to my father's study and stood for a while, seeing that the doors and windows were closed, and the lights were shining from inside. I knew that the two were still talking, so I turned back. After a while, I guessed what my father and Li Mu were talking about, whether they would ask him to send troops to rescue Lu Jianzhi. For a while, I wondered what Li Mu would think about this. What is Lu Jianzhi's situation at the moment?

Just as he was restless, a servant girl came to report that Lu Xiurong was here and asked to see her.

Luo Shen was stunned.

After that Qushuiliu, she never saw Lu Xiurong again. When she returned to Jiankang a few days ago, she sent a post to Lu Xiurong, and she replied that her mother-in-law was unwell, she was serving day and night, and she seemed very busy, so she didn't bother her anymore.

Unexpectedly, tonight, as soon as she returned, she came over. Busy calling for someone to come in, I tidied up a little and went outside the hospital to pick up my friends in person.

Lu Xiurong looked very thin, with a sad face. After entering, he stared at Luoshen. Before he could open his mouth, he burst into tears, knelt down toward Luoshen, and kowtowed to her.

Luo Shen was startled and stopped: "What's the matter with you? Get up, what do you mean?"

Lu Xiurong couldn't bear it, shook his head and cried, "Ami, I came here to apologize to you. I didn't know it before, and it was only in the past few days that I learned what my second brother did! I used to beg you. You, you just wrote the sheet music and gave it to my eldest brother, but just to encourage him out of old friendship. My second brother was so arrogant, he stole the sheet music and went out, almost ruining your reputation! He has become like this now. , even my mother said that he deserved it without complaining. She also asked me to bring you a message, please don't take offense!"

Luo Shen helped her up, sat down, took a pad to wipe her tears, and said: "Auntie and you are not to blame, I am relieved. I hope he can wake up soon and save the day."

Lu Xiurong choked and said, "Ami, to tell you the truth, I'm here now, and there's something else to do. I know I shouldn't have spoken. But there's really nowhere to go, so I can only be cheeky, and I'm begging you again... "

"My second brother is lying there now, I don't know if he is alive or dead. My Aya's old disease has relapsed, and the situation is dangerous. My mother washes her face with tears all day long, and she is heartbroken. Although you, Aye, are willing to help you, you are also helpless. As for the imperial court, you don’t need to count on it. After thinking about it, it is only General Li. My second brother has offended General Li like this…”

She was about to kneel and kowtow again.

Luo Shen sighed secretly, stopped her again, and said, "A Rong, if you want me to speak to my husband and persuade him to send troops to save Brother Lu, forgive me for my powerlessness. I really can't help you this time. ."

Lu Xiurong was startled, his face paled slightly, and tears welled up again.

"Ami, I know that in the past two years, my family has behaved inappropriately, but are you also angry with my eldest brother for this? You should be well aware of how he treats you. You grew up together, and you were almost married before. If they become husband and wife, even if their relationship is broken now, if he encounters a great disaster, you can bear to die?"

Luoshen's heart was numb, and he became calm.

"If I can save it, I will definitely save the eldest brother. But this matter is beyond my ability."

"Ami! As long as you want to help, you will definitely be able to persuade General Li! I beg you! You explain it to him, and he will definitely listen to you..."

She held Luo Shen's hand tightly, her fingers were wet and cold, and her eyes were full of expectation and longing.

Luoshen shook his head slowly.

"A Rong, since you found me tonight, you must have known that my husband was recalled by my Aye for this. Whether or not he can be saved, he is a man who marches and fights, and he will make his own decision. I am a woman. People, I don't understand this, how can I rashly tell him this?"

"Ami, do you really care about my elder brother's life or death?"

Lu Xiurong asked word by word. His tone was full of disappointment.

Luo Shen looked at his former friend, and suddenly a very sad feeling emerged in his heart - it was as if at that time, she and Li Mugang had arranged a marriage, and her friend was about to get married. After a hasty meeting, he watched her leave and watched her. The back is farther and farther away, the feeling of sadness that is intentional to retain, but is no longer powerless.

The past time, no matter how much she misses it, will never come back. Gradually she understood this truth.

"A Rong, I really can't help you with this job. It's up to my husband to decide."

Luoshen said again.

Lu Xiurong looked at Luoshen, her expression gradually stiffened, she slowly let go of her hand, got up from the couch, stood up, bowed to her, and said, "I'm too presumptuous. Excuse me."

She turned around, lowered her head, quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and hurried away.