The side gate of the imperial palace was wide open, and an unassuming carriage slowly emerged under the escort of ten knights.
After the fall of the capital, Taiyuan and Wudangcheng became the new capitals in the hearts of the Han people.
Compared with Liu Zhengting's peaceful life in Taiyuan, holding the jade seal and ascending to the throne as emperor, Wulong City seems even more out of place.
However, in this chaotic world, those who can truly adhere to orthodoxy are not many. At this moment when the dawn is not guaranteed, the first choice for most people is an absolute strongman who can keep their surname and provide them with food and clothing.
Before that, the Black Flag Army unleashed its mighty power, annihilating tens of thousands of enemies in one fell swoop, defeating Caesar's Fourth Legion and leaving it in shambles. Of the 50,000-strong army, less than half were able to return safely to Mingdang City.
The news spread, and the Western camp's surrounding local dignitaries, who had been holding a wait-and-see attitude, flocked to Wòlóng City to pledge their allegiance to the two city masters, Xǔ Hǎifēng and Xiàng Míng.
In the past few days, the number of outsiders in and out of the city has suddenly increased. With a casual grab, there are quite a few dignitaries, and for their own safety, the door-to-door food guests they bring with them are not uncommon either.
Although there were more than a dozen guards, they seemed insignificant at this time.
On the main street, few people gave them a glance.
"Your Excellency, what did those three generals say?" Jiang Gongming asked slowly from inside the carriage.
Revealing a faint smile, Xu Haifeng stretched out his right hand's index and middle fingers.
This unique gesture learned from Jiang Gongming clearly shows his excitement at this moment.
"It's all well and good, as long as we Chinese don't hold each other back. Then nothing can bring our nation down." Jiang Kung-ming sighed faintly and said.
Xu Haifeng nodded slightly, internal strife, perhaps the greatest hobby of the Han people. The greater the power in their hands, the thicker this mentality becomes. From the imperial court to the merchants, none are exempt.
If they could be made to share a common purpose, the Xiongnu... would they still become the greatest worry of the Great Han for hundreds of years?
The crowds on the streets are no longer as numerous as they used to be, and the bustling scenes of people rubbing shoulders and treading on each other's heels are gone.
Under Chiang Kung-ming's deliberate arrangement, the women and children in the city had gradually withdrawn to the Western Great Camp.
This job was originally very difficult, and if it wasn't done well, it would provoke the resentment of the people.
However, Lin Wanxian played a huge role at this time. With the tireless efforts of this heavenly girl, the task of the great retreat was completed unexpectedly well.
Especially in the past few days, Xu Haifeng accelerated his withdrawal after his triumphant return. With his current reputation, such a call to action also played a huge role in promoting it.
Although puzzled by Xu Haifeng's sudden decision to abandon the city, the vast majority of people unconditionally executed the order from the highest level.
Nowadays in Wulong City, most of those walking on the main streets are robust men.
Apart from those outsiders, they were either volunteers who stayed behind to assist the city garrison in defending the city or members of the city garrison themselves.
The horse carriage didn't move slowly and soon stopped in front of a Taoist temple in the south of the city.
The two of them got off the carriage and entered the house after knocking on the door.
Inside, it's still as simple and unadorned. If those who are accustomed to luxury and extravagance were to see this place, they would absolutely not believe that the person living here is actually the renowned Taizhen True Man, the greatest master of the Great Han Dynasty.
The two of them followed the leading child to the backyard, and just as they were offering incense, Taiyi Zhenren floated in.
Xu Haifeng looked at him, and suddenly a sense of absurdity surged up in his heart.
If one were to take just a casual glance, this old Daoist had dull eyes and not the slightest bit of an air of superiority. If it weren't for his naturally unusual appearance with white hair and a youthful face, he would be nothing more than an ordinary cook.
But once his identity was known, that crane-haired and child-faced face inadvertently had a few hints of immortal elegance.
The same person, due to different identities and statuses, has a vastly different impression on others.
"Nice to meet you in person..."
Xu Haifeng's courtesy was naturally sincere and respectful, for this fairy-like person who could be said to be his enlightening teacher, he had heartfelt admiration and gratitude.
However, Jiang Kongming beside him was mediocre, and his perfunctory courtesy made even Xue Haifeng by his side feel embarrassed.
"Cough..."
Although he knew that Taiyi True Man would absolutely not blame him for this, Xu Haifeng still glared at Jiang Kongming with some annoyance.
But this glance had little effect, Jiang Gongming shrugged his shoulders and smiled freely, but he didn't put it in his heart at all.
Helplessly withdrawing his gaze, Xu Haifeng said: "Has the True Person been well since coming back?"
The old man looked at them with great interest, and when he heard Xu Haifeng's question, he smiled and said: "Good, good, as long as General Jiang doesn't come to bother me, everything is fine."
Jiang Kongming smiled and said with a hint of mockery, "You are a venerable elder, students avoid you in fear, how would they come to seek trouble?"
Xu Haifeng's face changed color as he shook his head slightly at Jiang Kongming.
Taiyi Zhenren burst out laughing, and after a moment, he stopped his laughter and said: "Jiang Junshi, the old Taoist understands. You are dissatisfied that I let Harry and his group go, aren't you?"
Jiang Gongming did not conceal it, he said straightforwardly: "That's right, you once promised the student to capture him alive, and the student has been waiting for good news in Wulong City. Unexpectedly, you returned empty-handed, what kind of reason is this?"
Xu Haifeng feared that Taiyi Zhenren would think it was difficult, so he hastily said: "Military strategist, there are still a dozen or so Temple Knights by Haris side. Their loyalty and bravery you have also witnessed before. If they cover Haris escape without regard for their lives, I also dont have the confidence to keep him here."
"The wind..." The old Taoist smiled and shook his hand, saying: "You don't have to cover up for me. Yes... the old Taoist admitted that at the time, he really softened his heart. Seeing Harry and his subordinates' performance, the old Taoist couldn't bear to take action again."
"Alas..." Taiyi Zhenren let out a deep sigh, as if filled with endless emotions: "People have grown old..."
Out of nowhere, Xu Haifeng suddenly felt a pang of inexplicable sadness. His heart skipped a beat as he hastily threw this ill-omened thought to the farthest reaches of the sky.
"Jiang Jun Shi, since the old way didn't accomplish that matter for you, let's change to another matter." Tai Yi Zhen Ren looked at Jiang Gong Ming who still appeared indignant and said with a smile: "You, Jiang Da Jun Shi, have always been one who doesn't enter the Three Treasures Hall without good reason. This time, if there is something that requires the old way to take action, I absolutely won't let you down."
"Thank you so much, Master." Jiang Gongming immediately smiled and bowed respectfully.
His changing face skill was so fast that Xuhai Feng beside him couldn't help but sigh in amazement.
As for Jiang Kung-ming's performance, he was amused and also a bit embarrassed.
"Twenty years ago, a severe drought occurred in the southwest and an epidemic spread. Do you know about this, Old Daoist?" Jiang Kongming asked with a serious expression after putting away his smile.
The old man nodded thoughtfully for a moment and said, "That's right, it really happened."
"The students had heard that in the past, when the plague was rampant among the southwestern barbarians and countless people died, an old Taoist priest disregarded his own safety and entered the barbarian territory to treat their illnesses with medicine. In a few years, he saved countless lives. To this day, there are still many people from the barbarian tribes who have benefited from him and erected a monument in his honor, worshiping him as the Buddha of Ten Thousand Families."
Jiang Kungming stopped here, and there was a hint of a smile in his eyes as he looked at Taiyi Zhenren.
He let out a soft sigh and said, "This matter was indeed done by me, but after twenty years have passed, even I myself had almost forgotten."
Jiang Kongming burst out laughing, feeling extremely pleased with himself.
Xu Haifeng furrowed his brow and said: "Military strategist, this is the true person, he has a broad mind, and understands the heart of heaven..."
"Cough, cough..." Jiang Kongming coughed and suddenly changed his expression. He bowed deeply to Taiyi Zhenren with a serious face and said: "You have a compassionate heart, doing good deeds without seeking fame. I have always admired people like you who are living Lei Fengs..."
In his heart, he added a sentence: although Lei Feng died relatively early, but you are so old now, even if you die tomorrow, it's not considered premature - no, tomorrow can't die, at least wait until I've completed my plan before dying.
His gaze turned to Xu Haifeng, thinking in his heart: You are all masters, why don't you see him being so compassionate and sympathetic?
Taiyi Zhenren and Xu Haifeng were both stunned at the same time. They had always admired Jiang Kongming's extensive knowledge, knowing that if they were to discuss the breadth of their learning, no one in the world could surpass him.
Although they racked their brains, they couldn't think of what kind of person this Lei Feng was. Since it came from the mouth of General Chiang's military advisor and could be compared to the Taiyi True Person, he must also be a noble and elegant gentleman of similar status.
The old Taoist shook his head and sighed: "General Jiang, what are you thinking of again? Just speak directly."
Jiang Kongming responded with a sound, he put away the thoughts in his mind and said seriously: "The student wants to ask you to go on a trip to the southwest."
"West South?" The old Taoist's smiling face showed a hint of surprise, he pondered for a moment and asked: "General Jiang, aren't you asking me to go west south to move some barbarian troops?"
Xu Haifeng and Jiang Kongming smiled at the same time, but because of his old face, Xu Haifeng still didn't make a sound on the surface.
But Jiang Kongming was not so polite, he burst out laughing and said: "Sir, how did you think of the barbarian army?"
Taiyi Zhenren took one look at their expressions and knew that his guess was off by a hundred thousand miles.
However, he didn't get angry at Chiang Kung-ming's teasing and only explained:
"The southwestern barbarians may be short in stature, but they live deep in the mountains and forests, constantly fighting against ferocious beasts. In terms of individual quality, even compared to the elite Xiongnu from the north, they are not inferior. If we can organize them into an army, it will be a top-notch force that is no weaker than the five major legions."
It was unexpected that the old Taoist priest would give such a high evaluation of those barbarians, and the two of them looked at each other, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
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