Жизнь сельских жителей в городе во времена династии Сун

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Wei Zijun sighed and reached out to comfort Re Yique, "You don't have to do this. You are still young and should find your own happiness."

"I love the Khan, and being able to stay by his side is my happiness."

Wei Zijun smiled bitterly, wondering what happiness she could find by following her.

Just as he was about to offer further words of comfort, a messenger outside the tent announced his departure.

"Khan, an urgent report has arrived from the border."

"Bring it here." Wei Zijun quickly opened the newspaper, a shadow of gloom flashing across her face, gone in an instant.

He raised his head, his face expressionless, and said, "Summon all the ministers to my tent."

After giving his instructions, he glanced at the eager women and turned to leave.

The young Khan, seated on his throne, possessed a handsome yet aloof gaze. His moonlit clarity combined with the gentle charm of a spring breeze, creating a paradoxical yet harmonious effect. He gracefully tapped his slender, jade-like fingers, his cold eyes sweeping over the crowd.

Volume Two, Chapter Seventy-One: Warfare

"My beloved ministers, I have just received an urgent report that the Tibetans intend to attack our country while our late king has passed away and the new ruler is still unstable. They have already dispatched troops, and their army will arrive in southern Turkic territory in fifteen days. What are your thoughts, my beloved ministers?"

"Khan!" Geshu Quesijin stepped forward and said, "Your subject is willing to lead troops to meet the enemy."

"Khan, I think we should first discuss a strategy to deal with the enemy, and then send people to meet them," Tuvludagan said.

Wei Zijun chuckled inwardly: Nonsense! He really is talented.

"Khan, Helu is willing to lead troops to defend against the enemy. Helu believes that our army should arrive at Khotan first, and when the Tibetan army arrives, we should take advantage of their fatigue and launch a preemptive attack. In this way, our army will surely win."

"Hmm, not bad." Wei Zijun nodded approvingly. Helu was indeed a talented general. "However, since they believe this is the best time for a new ruler to become unstable, then I, the Khan, will show them what a truly unstable ruler looks like. The one leading the troops this time is Zanxi Ruo, the eldest son of Dongzan, the famous regent of Tibet. He is brave and skilled in battle, and he is worth a try. Five days later, I will personally lead the army to meet them in battle. Political affairs will be temporarily handled by Jielifa, Yan Hongda, and Yabghu. Yabghu can remain in the royal court."

"Khan, Helu is willing to go with me to fight the enemy." Helu stepped forward and made a strong request.

"You should stay at the royal court."

"He Lu wants to go with us to fight the enemy." He Lu's determined eyes revealed his unwavering resolve, making it impossible for anyone to refuse.

Wei Zijun sighed helplessly, "Alright, Helu, muster 50,000 elite cavalry. Starting tomorrow, I will personally train them. Remember, equip them with the fastest and best horses."

"Invading my homeland!" Wei Zijun's eyes shone with determination. "This battle must be won. I will make them regret this foolish decision."

Inside the Khan's tent as night fell, candlelight flickered. Wei Zijun bent down to carefully examine the map. After a while, as if she had a plan in mind, she raised the corners of her lips.

Standing to the side, He Lu looked at the androgynous boy. The faint smile on his lips was extremely gentle, and his crystal eyes shone brightly, blooming like a rare flower in the candlelight of the dark night.

"He Lu." Wei Zijun looked up and met He Lu's gaze, which had been fixed on her. "Come and look here." She drew a circle on the map with her slender finger.

“Yes, Nanshan is a place the Turks must pass through.” He Lu bowed and nodded.

Wei Zijun lowered his head again, pointing to that area, "We will station our army here, and we will never allow the Tibetan bandits to set foot on even an inch of our Western Turkic land. I will intercept them here and make them suffer a crushing defeat before they even set foot on our territory." His confident tone came from meticulous planning, a wise mind, and a magnanimous heart. His seemingly innate domineering and arrogant demeanor made people feel that with him, they would never have to worry about tomorrow.

The tribal chiefs surrounding him all knew that whenever he uttered such words, the outcome would inevitably be the same; their Left Wise King had never suffered a defeat. He would always make the most correct decision after careful planning and repeated deliberation.

"Brother, are you going to war?" Ashina Dilan nestled in Wei Zijun's arms and asked, raising his large, gray-brown eyes.

Since Ashina Yugu's death, she has become even more dependent on Wei Zijun, the only "man" in the harem. He gave her a great sense of security, and he seemed to be her everything.

"Hmm!" Wei Zijun fixed his gaze on her small face and smiled slightly. "Your brother is going to drive away the enemy and protect Dilan, so that Dilan won't be snatched away as a wife."

"Bad brother, Dilan won't let you go, Dilan won't let you die." From a young age, she knew war meant slaughter and death, and she was terrified. She feared that yet another person she loved would leave and never return. Her beloved uncle, who always brought her glutinous rice cakes, was like that. He left, and never came back.

Di Lan clung tightly to Wei Zijun's clothes, her eyes filled with the fear of loss.

Wei Zijun lightly kissed her forehead, her gaze fixed on the distance with unwavering determination, and softly murmured on Dilan's forehead, "No, we won't die, none of us will die."

Is war simply about killing? She wants to fight a war without death.

The snow-covered Khotan Mountains, towering like clouds, are filled with snow that swirls in the wind and glitters in the setting sun. Fifty thousand elite cavalry of the Western Turks are stationed at the foot of the mountains, their white felt tents stretching for dozens of miles, with wolf heads fluttering in the wind.

A young man stood on horseback, his elegant figure exquisitely beautiful. His bright red cloak fluttered in the wind, and the setting sun bathed his profile in golden light, which spread out along his graceful contours.

From the moment that figure appeared, He Lu stared at him intently, unmoving. The young man was both sharp and gentle, his handsome face carrying a hint of allure. His unparalleled charm was dazzling, and in the setting sun, his skin was delicate and translucent, making that captivating allure even more pronounced. For a fleeting moment, He Lu even mistook him for a woman. A strange feeling suddenly stirred within him…

As dusk approached, a massive Tibetan army of 100,000 men arrived at the foot of Khotan's southern mountains. Their dark, heavily armored figures moved in, obscuring the sky and exuding a chilling aura amidst the swirling snow.

Wei Zijun stood on high ground, coldly watching the dark, moving army approach, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Instead of governing their own country, they insist on robbing others. They really deserve a good lesson.

With a light flick of his left hand, the sound of weapons being drawn from the sheaths of 30,000 soldiers rang out. As soon as his hand fell, he was already the first to gallop down from the high place, with the 30,000 soldiers roaring behind him, stirring up snow dust that danced endlessly.

The sudden shouts, accompanied by the thunderous clatter of hooves, startled the Tibetan army. Fortunately, their commander, Zanxi Ruo, was a seasoned warrior. He unfurled his banner, and the army quickly took its place, forming a battle formation to meet the enemy.

Looking at the surging Western Turkic army, Zanxiruo felt a pang of worry. The Tibetan army was exhausted from their march and was just about to set up camp at the foot of the mountain to avoid the wind when this unexpected situation occurred... The Western Turkic army seemed to be full of brave warriors, so this was likely to be a fierce battle.

The thunderous sound of hooves echoed as the Western Turkic army surged forward, roaring all the way. When the two armies were about two hundred paces apart, Wei Zijun suddenly drew her bow, the long arrow gleaming coldly in the twilight, her body flying freely on horseback.

Zan Xiruo stood motionless on his horse, his calm gaze fixed on the man with the bow, a mocking smile playing on his lips. Leaving aside the fact that this distance far exceeded the range of an arrow, the darkness was already heavy; how could he possibly find a target? He would likely just fire wildly indiscriminately.

The thought had barely formed in his mind when a gleaming arrow shot out with a whoosh, accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder. With a soft "thud," a chill ran through his chest. A spark suddenly flashed in Zan Xiruo's eyes, piercing the twilight and locking onto that soaring figure. That mocking smile froze on his lips, and along with that body, he fell from his horse.

"General..." The surrounding soldiers were thrown into chaos, while the soldiers behind them were unaware of what was happening ahead.

Seeing their commander fall, the two lieutenants rushed towards him. Wei Zijun drew her bow again, her posture alluring and flamboyant. With a whistling sound, the arrow pierced the air, and almost at the same instant it was released, the Tibetan commander's banner snapped in two. Instantly, the entire Tibetan army was thrown into chaos.

He drew his bow again and swiftly fired two arrows. Before the two lieutenants could even reach their commander, they both fell to the ground on the way...

Wei Zijun abruptly reined in her horse. When the surging Western Turkic army was thirty paces away from the Tibetan army, it suddenly split into two groups and launched a pincer attack from both sides. At the same time, twenty thousand elite Western Turkic cavalry suddenly appeared behind the Tibetan army, flanking them like pincers. The thunderous sound of their hooves echoed through the sky, and in an instant, the Tibetan army was completely surrounded, with not a single soldier escaping.

The disorganized Tibetan army, suddenly without their commander's orders, was exhausted and terrified. After one of their minor leaders knelt down, they all knelt down and surrendered, abandoning their weapons...

After a half-day break, the snow resumed its gentle descent, with countless snowflakes fluttering down, painting the twilight with a captivating and enchanting beauty.

Looking at the soldiers who had put on Tibetan armor, Helu raised his eyebrows.

Seeing his confusion, Wei Zijun smiled slightly, "There are still provisions ahead. How can we refuse food that's being delivered for free?"

He Lu felt relieved, gazing into her bright eyes in the twilight, captivated by the wisdom and confidence shining within them. He truly was suited to be a king.

In less than half an hour, the grain convoy escorted by 5,000 Tibetan cavalry appeared ahead.

The Western Turkic cavalry, dressed in Tibetan armor, went forward and brazenly took away the grain supplies, capturing the five thousand cavalrymen without losing a single soldier.

Dusk fell.

This battle ended with astonishing speed and overwhelming force, without a single casualty and with only the deaths of three commanders.

The Tibetan army of 100,000 men, along with 50,000 dan of grain and a large amount of supplies, were easily captured by the Western Turks.

Wei Zijun's fame for defeating the enemy with four arrows began that night and spread throughout the surrounding countries. This battle was still talked about with great relish by the Western Turkic soldiers years later.

The snow kept falling, in large flakes, adding a touch of chill to what should have been a warmer season.

The Western Turkic army arrived in the Khotan vassal state on the afternoon of the third day. The university also stopped just before sunset, revealing a fiery red slanting sun.

Holding a golden goblet, Wei Zijun stood on the city tower, gazing at the crimson glow of the sunset, and took a sip of barley wine.

This wine was a spoil of war, brewed from Tibetan barley. It was naturally more mellow than mare's milk wine. I drank a few more cups without realizing it, but I didn't feel drunk at all. It was truly a wonderful thing.

The boisterous soldiers celebrating their victory drank and sang loudly, their noise deafening. She couldn't stand it anymore and ran out to find some peace and quiet.

The diffused glow of the sunset painted the vast snowfield crimson, inspiring a surge of heroic ambition. Wei Zijun looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh, softly reciting: "The north wind sweeps across the land, red snow flies, drunkenly leaning on my couch, I cannot bear to return. My fox fur coat is not warm enough, I lie wrapped in my quilt, startled by the frost, my thin clothes are cold, my dreams are faint. The army marches to the edge of the field, their battle clothes far away, the sunset glow falls, cold iron gleams. Having fulfilled the king's heart's desire, only the returning hooves in the snow remain."

Someone clapped softly behind him, "The Khan's poem is truly heroic! 'Drunk, leaning on the Hu bed, I cannot bear to return!' Does the Khan want to go back to Dayu? Why not fight back?"

Wei Zijun did not turn around, but drank the wine in the cup in one gulp. When she turned around, she bumped into someone's arms.

This person was Fujaji, the son of Jashin, who was sent by Jielifa of the Khotan vassal state.

"The Khan is drunk. Your Majesty, help the Khan to rest." Fucha Jimi looked at Wei Zijun's flushed face and supported her shoulders.

"Fujaji, go back and rest. I'm not drunk!" Wei Zijun pushed Fujaji away. This man made her uneasy; ever since she arrived here, he had followed her like a ghost, impossible to shake off. Although she was a little dizzy, she could still walk back by herself without any problem.

Who knew that after descending the city wall, I started to feel extremely dizzy and my steps became unsteady. I never expected the wine to be so potent, and before I knew it, I had drunk too much.

Taking advantage of her slight stumble, Fushe Jimi stepped forward and embraced her.

"Let go!" He Lu, who had arrived from behind, pushed aside Fu She's restraints and snatched the slightly drunk man away.

Fushe Jimi smiled and said, "With Protector Ye here, I am at ease." He glanced at Helu, saw the fiery look in his eyes, and wisely walked away.

"You're drunk! Let me help you back." Ashina Helu helped Wei Zijun up.

"How could I be drunk? I won't get drunk." Wei Zijun pushed He Lu away and walked away on her own.

He Lu followed silently behind, watching the figure persist until he reached the palace gate.

"Khan, this is the best palace in Khotan. Is it to your liking?" King Fujaxin of Khotan, who was guarding the palace, asked ingratiatingly. Since Khotan was ruled by the Western Turks, Fujaxin had been appointed Jielifa by Ashina Yugu and had always been loyal and had no disloyal intentions. Now that the Khan had come in person after his great victory, Fujaxin was naturally going to great lengths to please him, fearing that he might have done something inappropriate.

"That's enough, Jielifa, go and rest. You don't need to worry about me." With that, she waved her hand lazily. She really couldn't hold on any longer and didn't want to expose her ugly state to others.

Fu Zhaxin glanced at her flushed cheeks and said, "I will have someone bring you some hangover soup." With that, he withdrew.

Wei Zijun glanced at the guards on both sides and pushed open the door to enter.

He Lu, who was following behind, stood in front of the door for a long time before turning around.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard a series of loud noises inside the room, including "thumps," "bangs," and "crashes." He Lu dashed out in a flash.

The drunk man was lying sprawled on the carpet, his teacup and kettle sprawled on the ground. He glanced at the overturned chair, presumably having tripped over it while trying to get some water.

He Lu smiled helplessly, stepped forward, picked up the disheveled person, placed him on the bed, picked up a silk handkerchief, and gently wiped away the tea leaves that had been spilled on his face. He could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

This man, who usually seemed so noble, elegant, and composed, was now in such a sorry state after getting drunk. Thinking back to how she had teased him during his daytime shift, who could have imagined she would end up like this? Haha… He Lu laughed heartily, thinking about the bullying he had suffered, he really should take advantage of the situation and get his revenge.

The more he thought about it, the more exhilarated he felt. He reached out and pinched her nose. The soft, fleshy tip of her nose made him tremble. He had never touched her skin before, and he never expected it to be so soft and tender. He was so lost in thought that he forgot to let go until the person lying there groaned anxiously because she couldn't breathe. Only then did he release her.

Those who understood the method unconsciously breathed heavily, their chests heaving violently.

"Fairy!" He Lu cursed inwardly, then covered her face with both hands and pinched and rubbed it. The soft, sticky touch made his heart pound.

Under his brutal assault, his men writhed uncomfortably, groaning, "Water...water..."

He Lu snorted. Want more water?! Humph!

They poured tea and helped her up. Wei Zijun drank a few mouthfuls and then lay back down.

Seeing a drop of water about to slide down her lips, He Lu quickly reached out his index finger to wipe it away. The soft touch on her lips made him linger and caress them, and his index finger accidentally slipped into Wei Zijun's lips.

The foreign object that suddenly slipped into her lips made Wei Zijun instinctively suck on it. Her red lips wrapped around her fingertips and gently moved... A tingling sensation spread from her fingertips to her whole body.

Recalling the way their tongues met in Japanese, recalling how she had sucked on his tongue, his heart trembled wildly, and he lowered his head to kiss her lips.

A faint fragrance of orchids mingled with the aroma of wine, creating an intoxicating scent. He Lu sucked hard on her lips, his tongue gently prying open her pearly teeth, his long tongue probing inside, licking her wet tongue, swirling it back and forth in her mouth... It felt as if every pore on his body had opened up, and He Lu couldn't help but tremble, covering her body without hesitation.

While sleeping, Wei Zijun felt a burning, tingling sensation on her lips. Instinctively, she stuck out her tongue and intertwined it with his, while her arms wrapped around He Lu's neck.