lcionline Chapter 228 7 years later
Chapter 228 7 years later
"Thank you, Ran'er. I want to tell Yuanbo the good news. You guys talk first." Su Tingyao couldn't contain her inner excitement and waved to Li Youran and Sun Wanyi.
He walked out with the maid.
"Ran'er, is this a double happiness?" Sun Wanyi glanced at Su Tingyao's departing back.
"Of course!" Li Youran had a smile on her face, and she was also happy in her heart.
……
……
Seven years passed in the blink of an eye.
Li Youran celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony.
It’s time to become a real woman. It’s the first step from a girl to an adult!
Her modern beauty is breathtaking and disastrous, and the teardrop mole at the end of her eye adds some tenderness.
Her bright eyes are like peach blossoms in spring, delicate and charming.
Her every frown and smile reveals her stunning beauty.
"Ran'er has grown up."
Ye was amazed at her daughter's beauty, and she believed that no other noble ladies in the capital could compare to her.
"Mom, isn't it good for my daughter to grow up?" Li Youran's eyes were like water, and she shook Ye's arm coquettishly.
"Okay, you're all grown up now!" Ye felt unhappy as she looked at her daughter who was taller than herself.
It’s time to get married when you grow up.
"Okay, I'm going to go find my sister-in-law. Li Yixuan is a naughty kid, but it's nice to tease him!"
Li Youran turned around, then turned sideways and blinked at Ye.
"Drive slowly on the road!" Ye could only smile helplessly.
When Li Youran walks on the street, everyone turns to look at her.
In the past seven years, Song Nanyao has been sent to the border by the emperor for training. After all, there is no war now, but we still have to be prepared for any eventuality.
So at Li Youran's coming-of-age ceremony, Song Nanyao only had someone send a gift but did not attend.
The last time we met was when I saved the emperor.
Later he was sent to the border by the emperor.
Zhiyan followed behind Li Youran.
Hanyan and Zhuyao have already been betrothed to someone else, and Li Youran doesn't want to delay such an important event.
Even the Phantom and the Vision are the same.
"Miss, are we really going?" Zhiyan asked from behind.
"No, let's go back home!" Li Youran sighed.
Since the two elder brothers have started their own families, they rarely come back, and it is even difficult for them to visit Ye and Father Li.
My grandparents are in good health and live on the farm with my maternal grandfather Ye Wenzhi.
The four old men had a companion.
Li Yanqiang's family now has their own house, but they have no fixed residence. Like the second brother, they are his right-hand men.
Li Yankai and his family turned over a new leaf and started working under Li Kangze, but they only started to manage the Jian'an County area.
Li Mingchen had listened to Li Youran's suggestion and learned painting from a famous person. Now he has achieved some success and can sell a painting for a lot of money. He has married a beautiful wife who seems to be the daughter of his master.
Although his younger brother Li Mingchen used to be naughty, he now also works under Li Kangze.
Li Xingyu and Li Ruoyu both passed the imperial examination and decided not to take the exam again.
He worked as a teacher in the town school in Jian'an County, teaching students.
Everyone is moving forward in a positive direction.
Everything is going smooth.
...in the palace.
In the spacious and bright palace, the emperor sat on the dragon throne, looking at Li Heming in the audience with a serious face. He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "Lord Li, do you know why I summoned you here today? Do you know anything about the northwest area?"
Li Heming's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed and replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have heard a little bit. I heard that many bandits appeared in the northwest. They gathered together and even formed an army called the 'Northwest Army'. The number of people has reached tens of thousands."
The emperor nodded, indicating his agreement with what Li Heming said, and added: "These so-called bandits are actually people who are plotting rebellion.
I summoned you this time because I hope you can go and quell this chaos. Do you have the confidence to complete the task?" The emperor stared at Li Heming with a sharp gaze, waiting for his answer.
Li Heming took a deep breath, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes, and he replied solemnly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best and live up to your trust!"
He stood straight with a resolute and courageous look.
……
Li Heming ordered the troops to set off for the northwest region.
The northwest area is close to the Western Regions and Beiyuan Kingdom. It is the junction of three countries, so not many people go there. The geographical environment there is high mountains and flowing water, with mountains connected to mountains, and all are towering mountains.
It is a place that is easy to defend but difficult to attack.
The eve of going.
"Third brother, are you really going to the northwest? I heard that the bandits have their own army. How about I accompany you? I can deal with them..." Li Youran was worried, and the worry in his eyes was almost overflowing.
"Sister, this is an opportunity given by the emperor. If I can get rid of the bandits, the emperor will value me more." Li Heming really wanted to take a shortcut, but this was an order given by the emperor.
He also knew that this was an opportunity for promotion. He had been stuck in the fourth-rank official position for a long time. Because there was no war, military generals were basically useless.
"Okay, then I won't go. If you encounter any difficulties, you must write to me." Li Youran did not force her third brother's decision. She also did not want to hinder her third brother's bright future, so she could only remind him again and again.
On the second day, Li Heming set off with his army. This time he only brought 20,000 soldiers with him because they had no idea how many people there were in the Northwestern Army and had no way of finding out.
This time there was only Li Heming.
The Northwest region is relatively remote, and the army took more than twenty days to arrive there and find a vacant land to set up camp.
"General Li, we can't find out any information inside!" A soldier came to report.
"Try every possible way." Li Heming tapped his fingers on the table, thinking.
"There is poisonous gas in the forest. We will be knocked out once we get close to it. If this continues, our food and supplies will be exhausted." The soldier continued.
Li Heming was worried.
The army had been camped for a month, but still could not find the entrance, nor could they get any news from inside. After waiting for a month, no one came out, and they all suspected that the news was false.
Are they not coming out? Are they staying in the ravines?
Li Heming couldn't understand.
"Report! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince requests to see you!" Suddenly a soldier came in from outside and reported with his head down.
Your Royal Highness?
"Please come in." Li Heming shouted to the soldier and stood up immediately.
A young man in silver armor walked in. He was tall and slender, with a face as angular as if carved by a knife and an indifferent expression on his face.
With sharp eyebrows, bright eyes and tightly pursed lips, he saw Li Heming as he came in.
"Third brother." Song Nanyao called softly, just like when he was a child.
"Ah...it's His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! Please take a seat!" Li Heming didn't react for a long time.
His eyes rested on the handsome man in front of him, and he was secretly amazed.
The man in front of me was too handsome, with an extraordinary temperament that was hard to ignore. He was also so tall that I really didn't recognize him.
After the two of them sat down together, Song Nanyao took a sip of the tea, then raised his head, looked at Li Heming calmly, and said, "I heard that the third brother has been here for a month and hasn't found a breakthrough."
Hearing this, Li Heming showed a trace of shame on his face, lowered his head and replied softly: "I am dissatisfied with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, indeed..."
Song Nanyao nodded slightly to show his understanding, and then continued: "Those Northwest Army are mountain bandits. They know the terrain of the mountains best. They probably don't have armor like us, and they are no different from ordinary people."
After that, he gently put down the teacup, crossed his hands at his chin, and thought for a moment.
Li Heming frowned, thinking seriously, and then responded: "That's true, but the mountains are full of poisonous gas, and you can't get in or out."
His tone betrayed his concern about the situation.
Song Nanyao smiled slightly, a glimmer of confidence flashed in his eyes, and reminded: "Dig a hole!"
These two words flashed through Li Heming's mind like a flash of lightning, and he suddenly realized.
Yes, the only way to get out of the mountains is by digging holes, otherwise how do they purchase food?
Li Heming looked at Song Nanyao gratefully, his eyes full of admiration.
Song Nanyao continued: "They can use the cave as a hiding place to avoid our search.
At the same time, the passages in the cave are intricate and can help them move quickly. In addition, they may also set traps to protect themselves and prevent our attack. "
After saying that, he paused to give Li Heming some time to digest the information.
After listening to this, Li Heming fell into deep thought.
He realized that his previous thinking was limited, focusing only on superficial phenomena and ignoring deeper possibilities.
Now, after Song Nanyao's guidance, he began to re-examine the entire situation and formulate a more comprehensive strategy.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your advice. I understand." Li Heming respectfully bowed to Song Nanyao to express his gratitude.
Song Nanyao smiled and nodded, encouragingly: "Third brother, you don't have to be polite. As long as we can capture the Northwest Army, everything will be worth it."
His voice was firm and powerful, making people feel his determination and courage.