18.gif
The white snow fluttered and the north wind howled.
The streets of Nanpi City were sparsely populated and extremely desolate. Under the old houses with broken tiles, there were some old and young women and children who were as thin as a stick. They were shivering as they squatted under the shelter to avoid the wind and snow. Their eyes were blankly looking at the gorgeous army on the street.
Han Shang rode on his warhorse and looked at the old houses on both sides of the street. His brows furrowed tighter and tighter. This was the Nanpi under Yuan Shao's rule.
Guo Jia, who was beside him, also sighed. When he left a year ago, it was still a bustling prefecture.
"Pass down the order. No matter how high or low your position is, send grain to every house. Those who dare to take it for themselves or withhold food and fodder will be beheaded!”Han Shang said.
With Han Shang's order, the soldiers of the three armies each carried a stone of grain and sent it around.
……
Han Shang led a few of his trusted subordinates and slowly walked through the city. They passed by a courtyard, and the melodious sound of a zither came from the courtyard. After the winter war, it was like the sound of nature cleansing everyone's hearts, making them forget all their worries.
Han Shang and the others listened in a daze. Time seemed to have stopped, and their faces were filled with satisfaction. They were willing to listen to the zither in front of the courtyard for the rest of their lives.
After a while, the music faded and everyone slowly woke up.
Han Shang saw that the courtyard was quite large. There were some ancient patterns carved on the outer wall, and there were many cracks on the wall. It seemed that it had been there for some years. He asked, I wonder who lives in the courtyard."
Wen Chou took a step forward and whispered,"Lord, this is the temporary residence of Duke Qiao of Lujiang."
After Yuan Tan surrendered, Wen Chou and Yan Liang entered the tent as promised, and the two peerless generals became Han Shang's temporary personal guards.
"Why are people from Lujiang in Nanpi?" Han Shang asked curiously.”
" Duke Qiao, I heard that the grain price in Hanoi is high, so I came here to sell it. Who knew that Deacon Yuan forced me to stay in Nanpi," Wen Chou explained.
Han Shang nodded and paused for a moment before saying, Let's go in and pay a visit."
As soon as he reached the door, Han Shang seemed to have remembered something and suddenly turned to Yan Liang and said," The 150,000 soldiers in Nanpi seem to have been hungry for a few days. Gather at the drill ground. Those who can stand will be given a bowl of rice each. Those who can't stand will be sent home."
Yan Liang accepted the order and left. Being able to stand up after starving for a few days meant that his physique was not bad. This could easily eliminate the old and weak soldiers.
……
" Dong, dong, dong." Wen Chou knocked on the door.
After a while, a young general opened the door. When he saw Wen Chou, he quickly bowed and said,"I didn't know that General Wen had arrived. Please come in."
Wen Chou said in a low voice,"Inform Duke Qiao that there's a distinguished guest coming to welcome him."
The young man saw that the people behind Wen Chou were all dressed luxuriously and had extraordinary auras. He turned around and ran into the courtyard to inform his master.
A scholarly middle-aged man hurried over and bowed."" I didn't know that an esteemed guest had arrived. It's rude of you to come in."
Han Shang sized up the newcomer. The middle-aged scholar had a pinkish complexion and looked handsome. However, he could not hide the panic between his brows. He must have been frightened by the battle.
The middle-aged scholar smiled and invited Han Shang and the others in.
Han Shang strode into the courtyard, and his field of vision immediately widened. The distance between the entrance and the hall was 500 feet. Both sides of the courtyard were filled with trees, but their original appearance was covered by snow.
A little girl was squatting under a tree and building a snowman. There was a pavilion on the left side of the tree, and there was a zither on the stone table in the pavilion. It was the one that had played the music just now.
The middle-aged scholar frowned and shouted at the little girl," Xiaojiao, don't be naughty and go back to your room first."
Han Shang was shocked.
The little girl turned around and her bright and lively eyes rolled around. Seeing so many people enter the room, she was a little shy. Her pink face flushed red, and she stuck out her tongue at Han Shang and ran away. She looked extremely cute.
Everyone burst into laughter when they saw him.
Han Shang couldn't help but laugh out loud." Mr. Qiao, your daughter is very likable."
Qiao Xuan revealed a knowing smile. The only thing he was proud of was having two precious daughters, so he brought them with him wherever he went. Who knew that there would be a war in Jizhou and he would be forced to stay in Nanpi.
" Mr. Qiao, were you playing the zither just now?" Han Shang asked.
Qiao Xuan was also a person with a clear mind. He could tell at a glance that Han Shang was the initiator of this war and also the final victor. His life and death were in his hands.
" My lord, please forgive me. It was my eldest daughter who was playing the zither just now," Qiao Xuan said and quickly ordered the servant girl to invite the eldest daughter.
……
Han Shang sat in the pavilion, while the civil officials and generals waited outside. Only Guo Jia and the protagonist Qiao Xuan accompanied him.
" Duke Qiao, please take a seat. There's no need to be so formal," Han Shang said.
Qiao Xuan's heart relaxed. He did not expect Han Shang to be so friendly, and his body also became much more natural.
"Mr. Qiao is from Lujiang?" Han Shang asked.
When he mentioned his hometown, he looked helpless and sighed." That's right, Lujiang and Wan County. I originally wanted to come here to sell grain, but who knew that the grain was snatched away by Yuan Shao and forced me to stay in Nanpi."
Han Shang laughed in his heart.'You came to Nanpi to sell grain. That's not like sending a sheep to a wolf's mouth. I thought it was a business opportunity, but I almost lost my life.' His expression suddenly changed and he asked,"Duke Qiao, are you familiar with Han Dang and Han Yi Gong?”
Qiao Xuan sat up straight." Brother Yi Gong and I are sworn brothers. We even got together before we came to Nanpi." Brother Yi Gong also told me that if I encounter any trouble, I can go to Jizhou and look for his youngest son, Han Shang…"
Han Shang's body trembled, and killing intent seeped out of his body.
Qiao Xuan felt the murderous aura cut into his flesh and bones. He looked at Han Shang in front of him in horror and stopped talking. His heart trembled. Could it be that the person in front of him was…He was also a sly person. He hurriedly changed the topic." I met your father Han Fu once in Luoyang."
In ancient times, it was very taboo to mention clan names. When Qiao Xuan saw that he had let it slip, he hurriedly changed the topic.
" Oh, Duke Qiao is an old friend of my late father. Before you leave, you must come to my Jizhou for a few days." Han Shang restrained his killing intent and smiled.
At this moment, a young girl accompanied by a servant girl slowly walked over. Although she was young, it still could not hide her charming figure.
The young girl stepped into the pavilion with light steps, and a wave of virgin body fragrance hit his face. Han Shang almost got drunk when he smelled the charming body fragrance, and his gaze could no longer be separated from the young girl's flawless face.
When the young girl saw Han Shang staring at her, she blushed and lowered her pretty face.
Qiao Xuan stood up and said,"Da Qiao, come and greet the Lord."”
Seeing Qiao Xuan stand up, Han Shang also followed suit. His body was burning, and his eyes could not help but scan Da Qiao's entire body. His slender body was wearing a very thick cotton jacket, but it still could not cover his high and bulging chest. He gently bowed as if he had no bones. His movements were extremely light and gentle.
Although Da Qiao's body was seductive, her eyebrows revealed a rare heroic spirit, which was a sharp contrast to her weak body.
Han Shang reached out to help Da Qiao up. He felt that the cotton jacket was in the way, so he squeezed Da Qiao's jade-like hand hard. Da Qiao let out a soft hum. Han Shang's body, which was already hot, trembled comfortably. He almost could not help but rush forward to suppress Da Qiao and execute him on the spot.
October Book Group
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]