At the beginning, the wind rises and the clock strikes three

Thus, the one hundred thousand strong army of the Xishan tribe, under the leadership of that conspirator, advanced at the fastest speed, traversing the sandy plains, crossing the celestial veins, and passing through the Hebei corridor. After a total of six months, they arrived at the foot of the Eastern Capital of the Central Plains.

In the sixth year of the reign of Liduoduo Youtian, the newly appointed top scholar Zhuo Siming did not wait for the court to assign him a position. He took with him the second place scholars Shu Wuxi and Xiao Liang, and headed west to Wangjiang, where he summoned local militia to repel the forces from the Western Mountains. In the same year, while leading his troops to the Eastern Capital to resist the Northern Dan, Zhuo Siming received an imperial decree, granting him the title of Commander of the Right Army and the position of Deputy Minister of Military Affairs.

The Empress Dowager of Beidan, who had suffered the pain of losing her son, has long since returned to the heavens, and her successor is the cousin of the assassinated, who may have been, and will forever only be a possibility, the greatest ruler of Beidan.

From that day onward, until the peace agreement between the Northern Dan and the Central Land was reached, for more than a year, Zhuo Siming and that shadow-like youth traversed every piece of land in the Central Land. He always looked at the surrounding scenery with an appreciative gaze, immersing himself in the life around him with an immeasurable sense of gratitude

***

History has long proven that conspiracy is always more powerful than courage. Thus, the injured, or rather, the endlessly harassed people of the Xishan tribe, who are still haunted by their past, finally made the decision to migrate east to the plains in the third year of the reign of Emperor Yan, under the leadership of the new clan leader and Xiaofeng. This decision is undoubtedly significant for the Xishan tribe, who are accustomed to living on the plateau. And any decision of great significance will undoubtedly face intense opposition. This decision is undoubtedly significant for the Xishan tribe, who are accustomed to living on the plateau. And any decision of great significance will undoubtedly face intense opposition.

The twenty-third day after the assassination of the ruler of Beidan

Emperor Li Yan placed his hand on his forehead and said with embarrassment, "I have been busy with state affairs all day long, and I am actually not very clear about my own family matters. I still do not know when my dear niece will get married. Who is the minister that is related to my younger brother's family?"

One of the historians was taken aback, stood up from the table, and said solemnly: "To compile history and evaluate the Spring and Autumn Annals is the duty of a scholar; I dare not make any mistakes." Xiong Liang replied with a smile: "Since you wish to be the conscience of the world, you must naturally be prepared to pay a great price." He continued in a strange tone: "Can you hold on to that?"

You are truly a child. The ruler of Beidan has been assassinated. Regardless of how one thinks, those northern barbarians will not believe that they can sever ties with us in Central Plains. With the Beidan army approaching in the near future, what is there to discuss about farming seasons?

For hundreds of years before the founding of the nation, the Xishan people were a destitute nomadic tribe living in the remote mountains and harsh waters of the western sky. They were inherently kind and generous, and although the members of the tribe were incredibly brave, they were regarded as the most delectable prey by many other tribes in the mountains due to their lack of cunning. After enduring numerous treacherous attacks concealed in the darkness, the Xishan people would often retaliate in the most fervent and upright manner.

The ruler of Beidan was assassinated thirty-four years ago

After Mingzong's death, he left behind a son who had not yet reached the age of maturity, the future Emperor Jingzong. Empress Dowager Song concealed herself behind the dragon throne, observing court affairs through a beaded curtain. Historical records state that whenever the ministers and princes displayed any signs of disrespect or resentment during court meetings, the Empress Dowager would gently stroke a jade ruyi placed on her desk.

All the lights on the street have gone out, leaving only the solitary light in the lonely inn

Oh, woman

In the eleventh year of Shaoming, the frail and ailing Mingzong passed away at the age of thirty-six

He and Xiaofeng laughed heartily, tears streaming down their faces, and talked with the young man all night long. The next day, he personally escorted him to the city outskirts, gifting him two thousand taels of gold, delineating the westernmost boundary of the territory adjacent to the eastern mountains of the snow region, returning it to his possession

No one anticipated that as soon as Qian Ying ascended the throne, his first decree would be: "Every household must send one male to enlist, the royal legion will guard the capital, and the remaining four major legions will accompany the imperial procession to battle"

It is precisely for this reason that the Northern Dan army was able to advance with such unstoppable momentum. I believe this must have come as quite a surprise to the Northern Dan Empress.

We have come here to share in your glory

He smiled slyly at Xiaofeng and said, "Go, why not go. I will hurry there the fastest... I am just afraid that if I go, they will regret it again."

At the subsequent meeting of the elders of the Xishan clan, someone asked He Xiaofeng why he had exposed the insider information that had been purchased at such a high price He Xiaofeng let out a cold snort and did not respond

Yingxiu is already close to the northern region, and at this moment it is early winter, the night is gradually deepening, and the cold is becoming more intense

He smiled at Xiaofeng and said: "Very well, my kin, although you have never quite mastered my strategies (or schemes?), you have at least learned a bit of my humor (or mischief?)"

Once the emotions have settled, everyone will internally ask themselves this question: "Who killed him?"

A solitary storyteller

That means: He and Xiaofeng simply do not come

In the spring of the seventh year of Youtian, the grand army returned to the capital, and the emperor commanded a military review at Lanling Square, bestowing rewards. As Liduo arrived at the review platform, one hundred thousand soldiers knelt in unison, amidst a sea of dark figures, only Zhuo Siming stood tall in his blue attire, a sight that astonished all those around.

In the new palace, Duoduo could still be considered a person of integrity, yet he was somewhat hesitant, tossing and turning at night. At this moment, the concubine by his side softly said: "In my hometown, when encountering someone who kills with stones, we would strike them down with stones; those who use weapons, we would slay with weapons; for those who drown others, we would weave a bamboo cage, place it with stones, and slowly lower it into the river; Your Majesty should now deal with those who take pleasure in playing with schemes and tricks..."

On this day, the Imperial Master and his companions arrived in Middle-earth

The setting sun casts its glow upon the stone walls of Liuyun City; a gentle breeze caresses the verdant peaks of Moyi Mountain

Empress Dowager Bei Dan remained silent in contemplation, and three days later, the troops were withdrawn

At the moment when the armies of Middle-earth and Northern Dan were at a standoff, it was also the time when He Xiaofeng was indulging in his official cravings.

In the future, if someone asks Cheng Jie how the 80,000 troops held out for more than 20 days at that time

A member of the clan spoke candidly: "I have heard that the Empress Dowager of Beidan is now quite elderly, so the clan leader need not worry too much. However, the court of the Central Plains will surely take this opportunity to push our clan members to the front lines. What should we do about that? If we go and encounter the iron cavalry of Beidan, how will we handle it? If we do not go, would that not be disobeying the imperial edict? This is no trivial matter; it could provide the young emperor Liduo with an excuse to strip us of our titles and lands."

It is a pity that no one anticipated this. Throughout the brief yet highly praised life of Emperor Ming, he consistently regarded Zhuo Siming as his mentor, treating him with utmost respect and diligence. The reasons behind this are quite thought-provoking.

The crowd in the inn seemed to be immersed in the marvelous past of decades ago, when the world was filled with wonders, and for a long while, no one spoke. Although Xiong Liang's recounting of these historical events was filled with flippant and extremely vulgar language, lacking in respect and decorum, the matters he casually mentioned beneath this facade of nonchalance were so profound that they rendered one unable to feel at ease. It seemed to stir the listeners' blood, yet instead left them with a sense of emptiness, giving rise to an inexplicable feeling of helplessness. However, the matters he casually mentioned beneath this facade of nonchalance were so profound that they rendered one unable to feel at ease. It seemed to stir the listeners' blood, yet instead left them with a sense of emptiness, giving rise to an inexplicable feeling of helplessness

When the first imperial edict arrived, He Xiaofeng was having a meal. Upon hearing the content of the edict, he smiled and said to the scribe beside him: "Just say that I ate leftover food and am having diarrhea, so I need some time to recover... By the way, don't forget to sign it as the most loyal servant."

Turning around, I saw that the messenger was holding high above his head a wooden tray containing the edict wrapped in pale yellow satin, not retracting it, and trembling continuously

The historian Xiong Liang took another sip of tea and said, "What follows is actually just a legend..."

Six days later, Liduoduo issued a decree to question Shu Wuxi, imposing a penalty of six months' salary; Xiao Liang was held responsible for inadequate discipline and received a verbal warning. Furthermore, it was stated: Upon investigation, it was found that a certain Wang had a naturally kind disposition and would certainly not engage in such malicious acts of witchcraft. He was ordered to return to his residence, and considering his frail constitution and timid nature, he fled out of fear of the decree, thus the Emperor should not hold it against him

The remaining question is how this virtuous queen can win the hearts of the military.

Who killed him

Due to the lack of records in the official history, no one has ever known how Chief Xiaofeng gained the support of the powerful Elder Council at that time. It is only briefly mentioned in the "Xishan Miscellaneous Historical Notes": "Upon reaching the Hu Pass in the Central Plains, Wang ordered the entire clan to rest temporarily, waiting to select capable individuals to fill the vacancies in the Elder Council before making further decisions. That night, fourteen seats in the Elder Council were filled with young talents. Note: The Elder Council has a total of twenty-seven seats."

He kindly responded to my inquiry as a soldier loyal to his duties

The prince Ning, who had caused the incident, returned to his modest residence in the capital with a sense of unease, accompanied by a beautiful young woman.

Thus, in the ten days following the assassination of the ruler of Beidan, the Hewei Principality swiftly recalled all its heavy troops stationed at Luomachuan. When subordinate officers inquired about the reason, the superior replied: "Do not ask for reasons, retreat quickly"

On the third day of the twelfth lunar month of the same year, the Empress of Song celebrated the birthday of Zhuo Siming, ordering the renowned Bai Rao Hui Song and Dance Troupe to perform in the capital, at Lanling Square, where the citizens of the capital gathered to watch.

And his companion must certainly not be an ordinary person, for he is merely a frail youth, yet every time he looks at me, my heart inexplicably trembles a few times, filled with an indescribable fear... But upon reflection, a person capable of such earth-shattering deeds would naturally possess this kind of imposing presence... When the esteemed master entered the city, he smiled and said, 'In fact, I am a traveler.' As the saying goes, humility is a virtue, and greatness lies in inclusiveness... When the esteemed master entered the city, he smiled and said, 'In fact, I am a traveler.' As the saying goes, humility is a virtue, and greatness lies in inclusiveness...

How can one suffer the consequences of troubles they have brought upon themselves, causing distress to others?

In Yingxiu Town

***

The imperial teacher went alone to the Blue Banner Army's main camp at Xishan, killing all officers from the rank of assistant and above, totaling three hundred and twenty-four individuals, without exception. The Blue Banner Army refers to the troops that massacred the city of Wenchuan.

Xiaofeng truly welcomes all visitors without exception, accepting them without fail, yet remains inactive, fully on the defensive

After another five years, the situation in the court had been settled. Zhuo Siming renounced his title as Prince of Youguo, returned the military command token, and appointed Xiao Liang to enter the palace as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. He himself, alone and isolated, took refuge in a small courtyard in Yingxiu Town, no longer concerning himself with worldly affairs

One day, after His Majesty finished reviewing the memorials, he suddenly thought that he and Xiaofeng had done quite well over the years. He couldn't help but greatly appreciate the proposal made by Prince Lijia Heng back in the day. In high spirits, he ordered someone to summon the prince to the palace to enjoy the moon together and share the joys of family. However, not long after, the messenger returned with the news that His Highness the prince had just welcomed a new grandson and had gone to visit his daughter.

It has been fifty-four years since the Xishan tribe retreated from the snowy region to the Central Plains

Upon his ascension to the throne, the citizens of the Northern Dan Kingdom were filled with joy, and the military was particularly eager to take action, submitting a total of forty-five memorials to the throne and no fewer than one hundred requests for battle.

The woman gently nodded, turning to wipe away the colorful tears

It is well known that the Xishan tribe is skilled in warfare, and now there is a leader whose heart is tainted with poison. This is akin to a massive axe imbued with dark curses; who would dare to underestimate such power? Thus, when the Xishan army first arrived outside the Eastern Capital, Beidan sent a letter, bestowing upon them the title of Marquis of Anxi and ordering them to assist in the attack.

However, there are still dozens of small towns along the Luoma River. Where there is a town, there are town gates, and naturally, someone must be responsible for opening and closing these gates. Thus, in each town, there ultimately remain dozens of gatekeepers.

Ten years later, a world-renowned assassin organization was born. It is said that this organization is located in a high mountain somewhere in the west of the heavens, and its leader calls himself the "Man of the Mountain." As the years passed, he became known as the "Old Man of the Mountain".

After the Xishan people settled in Xiliang, they diligently managed their affairs with Xiaofeng, gathering twenty-three small tribes scattered in the north. They formed extensive alliances in the central plains, and Xiliang itself saw considerable development. Each year, they paid tribute, which greatly pleased the emperor of the central plains

He spoke with a sense of lamentation, yet his gaze was fixed intently on a young man sitting at the same table as the bear, his face occasionally revealing a hint of suppressed and uncontrollable tension

At this moment, the ancient storyteller Xiong Liang suddenly paused his narration, as if trying to recall something. A look of deep sorrow suddenly appeared on his face, and he gently rubbed his brow with his index finger, as if that spot was burdened with endless melancholy.

The assassinated ruler of Beidan is said to possess exceptional talent, being a martial arts genius not seen in a thousand years, and his military abilities are also highly praised. While still a crown prince, Gao Yuanjing, the right chancellor of Beidan, regarded him as the most extraordinary figure among the emperors of Beidan in the past three hundred years, and the best leader for the unification of Beidan.

Pack up and head towards the capital city

The history of Middle-earth records

The Eternal Emperor

As the sky darkens, the town of Yingxiu falls into silence, with only intermittent sounds emanating from the inn.

The two veterans thought they were seeing things, as they noticed two figures slowly approaching across the northern plain

He then turned his head and softly said to the wealthy young man who had been sitting there in a daze for quite some time: "Your Majesty, do you think it is possible?"

On the second day, Shu Wuxi received orders to return to the Northern Frontier, while the vanguard troops turned back to the rear army, but they were delayed for four days before retreating; the unrest in the capital also ceased, with only a few unruly students still running about, waiting for an opportunity to secretly take advantage of young girls on the streets; the garrison of the imperial capital was also hastily returning to the city

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the Western Mountain Kingdom sought to mobilize troops to the Central Plains to attack Wangjiang County, in order to avenge the humiliation of being driven away by twenty thousand militia the previous year. The second ruler of the Western Mountain Kingdom, He Xiaofeng's son He Xiaode, did not permit this. However, taking advantage of his northern hunting trip, the elder council of the kingdom issued military orders without authorization, commanding the right army to take a detour southward and directly assault Wangjiang County. They achieved initial success, capturing Wenchuan City. In their arrogance, the elder council ordered a massacre in the city, resulting in the deaths of over twenty-nine thousand civilians.

He received the official seal of the Northern Dan Kingdom delivered by Xiaofeng, laughing heartily as he accepted it

After the incident, Li Yan was furious, yet he was also concerned about the face of the Heavenly Dynasty, making it difficult to retract the imperial edict. Upon further reflection, he considered the region of Xiliang, where yellow sand filled the sky and the moon illuminated the desolate plains, truly a place of poverty. Even if rewards were granted to the small barbarian tribes here, it would likely not matter much.

In today's world, when everything seems settled... the storyteller unconsciously displayed a hint of sarcasm on his face, "Apart from the impoverished mountains and treacherous waters of Wangjiang County, which are divided into three parts, our dynasty controls the central region, connecting to Beidan in the north, and beyond the northwestern border lies the Western Mountain Kingdom on the grasslands and sandy lands. The people of the Western Mountain have a long-standing reputation, earning considerable trust from the world. Their steadfastness and bravery are particularly praised by all. However, it is perplexing that both our dynasty's subjects and the Beidan people refer to the Western Mountain Kingdom as a shameless nation. He has held power for over sixty years, yet has never gained the genuine trust of other forces, to the extent that for some of the most important agreements, such as peace treaties and territorial contracts, the other parties often require the Western Mountain Kingdom not only to affix its national seal on the contract but also to add the personal seal of any citizen of the Western Mountain Kingdom. It seems that the reputation of a private individual from the Western Mountain Kingdom is deemed more trustworthy than the face of the nation." He has held power for over sixty years, yet has never gained the genuine trust of other forces, to the extent that for some of the most important agreements, such as peace treaties and territorial contracts, the other parties often require the Western Mountain Kingdom not only to affix its national seal on the contract but also to add the personal seal of any citizen of the Western Mountain Kingdom. It seems that the reputation of a private individual from the Western Mountain Kingdom is deemed more trustworthy than the face of the nation.

This news quickly spread to every corner of the mainland. The first reaction of everyone who heard it was: "The person who said this is crazy!" However, once the news was confirmed, it was strangely accompanied by a sense of sadness, as if everyone mourned for a sun that was supposed to shine brightly tomorrow but had quietly set on a night. There was a sense of regret, yet no one would think about how tragic the fate that would befall their own family, clan, and countrymen would be if this person had not died.

Ming Zong was inherently virtuous, and during his eleven-year reign, he cultivated moral governance, engaged in benevolent deeds, and implemented policies that provided rest for the people. He lived a simple and secluded life, sharing a loving relationship with the Empress, and throughout his life, he did not establish any concubines. Although he did not achieve significant territorial accomplishments, he was truly a rare good emperor in history. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the temple name "Renwen"

In a low voice, he said to the infant in his arms: I have brought you a brother, but instead, I have gained a son who is older than you...

The clansmen in the hall exchanged glances, for it is well known that the Northern Dan Kingdom lies beyond the mountains, experiencing half a year of snow and half a year of beautiful sunshine. The people of the kingdom are martial and take pride in their military achievements. Their military strength is unparalleled in the world. From the very beginning of its establishment, they seized vast territories beyond the mountains from the hands of the ancient Central Plains. The Central Plains dynasty intended to take action, but ultimately could do nothing against the might of their opponent and had to give up. From then on, the two nations became hostile, and for hundreds of years, the blood on the border has never dried.

In the historical narrative from Beidan, this battle is described as follows

How Middle-earth perceives the foundation of the Western Mountains remains unknown to others

The reason for this is that the people of Xishan are unfortunately burdened with a founding ancestor named He Xiaofeng, who is known as the most treacherous villain since the advent of written records, a shameless individual most enthusiastic about power tactics. Although he led a dying clan to a position among the three great powers of the continent, he simultaneously left this nation with endless shame, to the extent that in the official history of Xishan, the biography of this great king, He Xiaofeng, titled "The Chronicles of Xiaofeng," consists of only a thin three sheets of paper. The third emperor of Xishan was quite dissatisfied with this and questioned the historian, asking why his dear and beloved grandfather did not receive a record of glory commensurate with his great achievements. The poor historian, who is one of you three compatriots in a foreign land, tremulously replied: "If we were to exclude those deeds that truly cannot be presented on paper, our great ancestor king has indeed only this much recorded."

In fact, the reason why this plan is unworkable is quite simple

The Lord of the Eastern Capital, the only principality in Middle-earth, was also pondering this issue. He instinctively asked the somewhat frail-looking youth beside him.

The reforms were implemented too hastily, thoughts were severely constrained, the people could not endure the suffering, and the local governments could not withstand the demands, leading to considerable resistance. The political situation in the central plains was fraught with turmoil.

Wang has died

The bear was momentarily taken aback, then broke into a smile: "Let us not concern ourselves with those mundane people, and continue our discussion." After sneezing, he hurriedly wrapped his heavily patched cotton coat even tighter around himself.

***

Liu Ming, https://Liu Da Ren, the weather has turned cold, feel free to come in and have a seat

***

After Emperor Qianying returned to the capital, the powerful ministers within the city secretly conspired to establish a new ruler. Consequently, in a single night, they were trampled by an army of 200,000 iron-clad soldiers. That night, a great fire broke out in the capital of the Beidan Kingdom, resulting in countless houses being destroyed. Thus, Emperor Qianying established a new capital on the banks of the Drinking Horse River, naming the original capital Dingyun, which signifies being settled like flowing clouds. He expended over 20 million in family wealth to relocate households to the new capital, leaving only the ancestral temple and various sacred sites.

Another year has passed since Xiaofeng's passing. Two days before his death, a young man brought a couplet personally written by that top scholar to Xiliang City to pay his respects.

In his later years, Jia Zong recalled that battle and sighed, "I initially thought that with their emperor recently deceased, the morale of the troops would surely be in disarray. Who would have expected that those eighty thousand... no, those eighty thousand beasts, would fiercely defend Liuyun City, that hellish battlefield..."

He and Xiaofeng led their clansmen into the Central Plains, quickly seeking refuge in the Central Land. They exchanged three hundred cattle and sheep, along with several beautiful maidens, for the position of governor of Xiliangzhou. Additionally, they bribed the palace eunuchs at a great cost, taking advantage of the fact that the then emperor, Emperor Li, was heavily intoxicated. They secretly added the words "hereditary" to the imperial edict. From that point on, they occupied an area of five hundred miles around Xiliangzhou, continuing to do so to this day

Establishing the Tianbao Stronghold in Xiliangzhou, engaging in military operations against the Western Mountain Kingdom, with each side experiencing victories and defeats

After this battle, Zhuo Siming gained fame throughout the world, returning to the capital and being appointed as the commander of the central army, concurrently holding the position of Right Chancellor, at the age of twenty-two. Shu Wuxi was promoted to General, and Xiao Liang was appointed as the Deputy Officer of the Ministry of Personnel, later transferring to the position of editor at the National History Museum as per his wishes

Cheng Jie smiled and said: "The Second Legion has always relied on sentiment and patriotism, and used reason to defend the nation; this alone is sufficient!"

He and Xiao Feng showed utmost respect towards this new little emperor, refraining from referring to themselves as subjects in their memorials, and nauseatingly calling themselves loyal servants. They did not address Li Duoduo as emperor, but rather as the most esteemed master. Although Li Duoduo was often affected by these memorials, which led to a declining appetite and gradual weight loss, it did not result in military action against them. For a time, in the Western Liang Province, Xiao Feng's name became the hardest pill to swallow for the central court of the Middle Kingdom.

When it came to this section, the self-satisfied storyteller paused and looked with great interest at the young man beside him, who was dressed in bright yellow. The inn, however, became increasingly quiet. In the stillness, he slapped the wooden table, startling everyone, and the young man next to him showed a look of sheer terror.

During these twenty days, under the competition among various factions within Beidan, they became entangled with one another, and thus casually appointed the late Emperor's wife, Qian Ying, as the Empress Dowager, while holding the young son as regent

The Emperor of Middle-earth and his ministers found themselves helpless, as they watched the power of Xiliang grow. They had no choice but to resort to the most reliable, yet in reality, the most cowardly and useless tactic in history: "conciliation." Thus, the high officials who spent their days mingling in the pleasure quarters by the banks of the Tan River to the west of the capital began to refer to this individual with the title of the great lord, which gradually transformed from the shameless provincial governor to the shameless scattered rank official, the shameless pacification envoy, the shameless ...! ... Prince of the County! Consequently, the high officials continued to circulate in the pleasure quarters by the banks of the Tan River to the west of the capital, referring to this individual with the title of the great lord, which slowly evolved from the shameless provincial governor to the shameless scattered rank official, the shameless pacification envoy, the shameless ...! ... Prince of the County!

That night, Qian Yinghou arrived

Zhuo Siming invited him to rest in his small courtyard. Before long, several hundred soldiers surrounded the courtyard. After learning the identity of the host, the next day, over 8,000 imperial guards surrounded the small town, yet no one dared to issue an order to attack. On the fifth day, Shu Wuxi, who had become the commander of the northern army, suddenly withdrew from the front lines against the Xishan Kingdom, swiftly passing through the capital and directly heading towards Yingxiu. That night, over 20,000 vanguard troops surrounded the imperial guards outside Yingxiu Town. On the same day, the civil military supervisor, who was in the central army camp, bearing the imperial decree and responsible for oversight, mysteriously disappeared. On the fifth day, Shu Wuxi, who had become the commander of the northern army, suddenly withdrew from the front lines against the Xishan Kingdom, swiftly passing through the capital and directly heading towards Yingxiu. That night, over 20,000 vanguard troops surrounded the imperial guards outside Yingxiu Town. On the same day, the civil military supervisor, who was in the central army camp, bearing the imperial decree and responsible for oversight, mysteriously disappeared.

At the time of the establishment of Xishan, Beidan and Zhongtu were still engaged in battle. The various prefectures in the southern part of Zhongtu were fully committed to transporting grain and supplies, sending soldiers, and could barely hold the defense line of the Eastern Capital. What was particularly strange was that the army of Beidan this time showed none of the overwhelming force that had annihilated everything in past battles, but instead advanced slowly. Moreover, the Empress Dowager personally led the troops at the front, issuing strict orders to prevent any rash advances, and the strategy against the Eastern Capital was more about encirclement than assault, resembling a waiting game rather than an outright battle.

The system of the Elder Council of Xishan State has since disappeared

On March 22, the birthday of the late Emperor Liyan Ming, it was the day of the grand examination. According to the ancestral system, the two categories of examination were held together, thus everyone anticipated that Zhuo Siming would certainly secure a place in one of the subjects. On this day, Zhuo Siming arrived at the location of the civil examination, the National History Museum, briefly glanced at the questions, focused for a moment, and with a swift stroke of the pen, completed his answers. He then hurried to the location of the martial examination, the Xichuan Martial Arts Academy, lightly ascended the stage, and with a single kick... with just one kick, he sent the renowned and formidable candidate from Wangjiang, Shu Wuxi, who no one dared to challenge, tumbling off the stage. He then hurried to the martial examination location, the Xichuan Martial Arts Academy, lightly ascended the stage, and with a single kick... with just one kick, he sent the renowned and formidable candidate from Wangjiang, Shu Wuxi, who no one dared to challenge, tumbling off the stage. Note: This Shu Wuxi is the old man Shu, who resides in the southern alley of the capital and is currently the Grand Marshal of the dynasty's military.

One day, Zhuo Siming was drinking inexpensive flower tea in a teahouse when he heard the news of the establishment of the Xishan tribe's state. He couldn't help but let out a soft sigh and said gently, "Now there is no buffer left for the Eastern Capital."

Thus, Zhuo Siming became the first dual champion in the history of Middle-earth. On the same day, the boy who resembled his shadow departed, and from that moment on, the two never met again

When the red leaves fill the sky, he stands outside the famous Bailudong Academy, listening to the朗朗 reading voices of the students; as the night rain beats against the parasol trees, he is in the small attic of He Xiang Yuan, playing the flute for the languid woman beside him; the river wind is like a knife, ... he drinks strong liquor with the ragged boatmen in Wangjiang County ...

In the twenty-fifth year of the Middle-earth Lanyuan era, His Majesty the Ming Lord Jia Zong issued a grand decree, having accumulated ten years of effort and mobilized the strength of the entire nation. Seizing the opportunity of the new ruler of Beidan's recent demise, he personally led a campaign to the north, intending to reclaim lost territories. The army advanced directly towards Liuyun City, while in the capital of Beidan, several high-ranking ministers, who had been bribed by Jia Zong in his early years, were stirring up trouble, recalling senior commanders from various military corps, causing the border defense forces to lose control and fall into chaos without clear orders.

More than 200,000 soldiers of the Northern Dan army, shouting "Long live the Empress Dowager!" like frenzied wild horses, charged onto the plains beneath Liuyun City. Opposing them were nearly 400,000 soldiers from the Central Plains, their faces ashen, along with the Emperor Jiazong, who sat in a bright yellow chariot, sighing repeatedly.

Thus, upon the issuance of this edict, those with ulterior motives began to ponder in secret, believing it to be an old trick of taking first by giving, fearing that a drama of the rabbit dying and the dog being cooked would soon unfold again. Meanwhile, the Western Mountain Kingdom and the Northern Dan Kingdom were also engaged in heated discussions, anticipating that Zhuo Siming would ultimately find it difficult to escape this calamity

My name is Zhuo Siming, which means tomorrow, brightness, clarity, and self-awareness. I also humbly add: "Though I cannot reach it, my heart yearns for it"

The various ministers of Middle-earth, upon learning of this matter, could not help but curse this person as despicable and shameless. In secret, they further inquired about this person's parents and friends many times. After cursing, they quickly dispatched a special envoy to send a state letter to the camp in the Western Mountains, bestowing upon him the title of Duke of Stabilizing the Nation, and ordering him to launch an attack from the side.

He took a deep breath and gently called out: "Braised lamb shank with radish, add more ginger and no scallions"

At this point, an astonishing inference began to spread among the people of Middle-earth and the Western Mountains...

This scheme consists of five large sets and twenty-eight small rings, regarded as an unprecedentedly malicious plot throughout history, exhausting the lifelong knowledge of those old scholars at the National History Museum in the capital who have meticulously studied historical strategies... It finally took shape on a stormy Friday night filled with thunder and lightning

"Your Majesty, I am the newly appointed Governor of Xiliang, as per the imperial decree from last year."

Seven days later, the remnants of the army led by Jia Zong retreated into the territory of the Hewei Principality

A group of people listening to audiobooks

This segment of history is known to all on the mainland. Although the patriarch of the Xishan tribe and Prince Xiaofeng were raised in impoverished and harsh environments, they are nonetheless well-informed about it. Upon reading historical texts to this point, they often express their deep lamentations.

When the second edict arrived, He Xiaofeng was drinking. He downed the rice-flower wine in his cup and said to the scribe beside him: "I have been poisoned, perhaps by an assassin from the Northern Dan Kingdom who slipped something into my drink." He then continued to drink heartily.

From this day forth, a woman shall have another name, that of the Supreme Honored One

In response to my esteemed father, His Majesty the Emperor possesses true wisdom and foresight, and will surely anticipate that a battle is imminent. I believe the central army will arrive shortly, and the reinforcements from the southern prefectures will also reach us within two months. However, our Hewei Principality has always been at the forefront of the confrontation against Beidan, and it is indeed time for the soldiers to rest, to take a break...

The name of the town is Yingxiu

Under the onslaught of the warriors, he finally lowered his noble head, crawling at the feet of that great woman and kissing the earth

On the second day, Qian Yinghou brought the young monarch of Beidan Kingdom to Hewei Principality.

Thus, the one hundred thousand strong army of the Xishan tribe returned to Xiliang unscathed, amidst the disdainful gazes of the soldiers on both sides, only to find that the ranks had increased with over ten thousand valiant warriors who had found wives in the local area

Half a month later, Jia Zong issued a decree, claiming the title of "Son Emperor" and serving his mother, Empress Qian Ying of Beidan. Empress Qian Ying sent a letter of consolation, addressing Jia Zong as "brother" on behalf of the Beidan monarch in her womb. Both parties agreed to establish a brotherly relationship, pledging never to go to war again. From then on, the Central Plains nation would pay an annual tribute of two million in cash and cede large tracts of land outside the Hewei Duke's territory.

Years later, in the words of an old storyteller in the capital, the scene at that time was described in the voice of that old soldier: "The esteemed master and his companions appeared before us, enveloped in a sacred radiance, with a long sword wrapped in blue cloth resting on his shoulder. Many years later, some speculated, could it be that this very sword dispelled the greatest nightmare of our land?"

Twenty days later, the Northern Dan Second Legion had thirty-four thousand men remaining

The personal guards of the Xishan tribe always observe the esteemed tribal leader holding the official seal granted by the Central Plains in one hand and the official seal conferred by Beidan in the other, repeatedly stamping the edicts urging military action from both sides. It is peculiar that the edicts arrive with such frequency, and the official seals are of increasingly higher ranks, yet this esteemed tribal leader has never made a mistake in stamping them.

She rode in on a black horse, draped in a large cloak embroidered with lilac flowers

At this time, it has been nearly two hundred years since Qian Ying embraced the young president of Beidan Kingdom, Juan Zhongtu.

In the eleventh year of Youtian, Liduoduo passed away at the age of twenty-nine, without leaving a will

With a loud bang, this time, however, the people in the room were no longer in a state of panic

The esteemed Master Zhuo Siming entered the Central Plains in that very year

In the spring of next year, the wind will be strong

Upon hearing the name of Prince Ning, the ministers could not help but recall the shocking event that had taken place three years prior, and they suddenly felt it was feasible. Thus, a group of high-ranking officials rode on tall horses or were carried in grand palanquins to an inconspicuous alley in the west of the city, to an unremarkable residence, to personally welcome Prince Ning into the palace. On this day, the clergy returned to the temple.

Thus, the most costly, longest-conspired, and strongest military expedition in the history of Middle-earth was thwarted by a few words from this woman, resulting instead in a situation of territorial concessions and reparations. The hundreds of miles of flat land outside Liuyun City thereafter belonged to the Northern Dan Kingdom. This expanse of flat land, traversable by horseback in just a few days, became the pivot for the interactions between the two nations, leading to a change in the title of the continent's strongest nation.

He drew out three arrows from his own quiver. The first arrow struck the flag of the Beidan army; the second arrow hit the helmet of the commander of the Beidan Second Corps. Holding the third arrow, he slowly approached the Beidan military formation, and amidst the roar of the crowd, he broke the arrow as a vow: "In my lifetime, I will surely find the true culprit behind the murder of the Beidan monarch and personally bind him to the capital of Beidan. If I fail, may I be pierced by a thousand arrows and become a vengeful spirit, never to be reborn, and may the Central Plains nation perish from this day forth..." If I fail, may I be pierced by a thousand arrows and become a vengeful spirit, never to be reborn, and may the Central Plains nation perish from this day forth..."

The northern boundary is thus established

Two days later, the army retreated to twenty li north of the Eastern Capital.

It is precisely at the third watch that the wind rises, each sound breaking one's heart

There were five sons, of whom four died young, and the remaining son was born with a natural deficiency in intellect. As a result, the throne was left vacant, and the ministers in the court were at a loss as to what to do. The Chancellor Cai Que suggested that Prince Ning, being of pure bloodline and possessing a naturally good disposition, could indeed be entrusted with the great treasure.

Then why would Riga Heng be manipulated by this petty person? The final opinion of the historians is that He Xiaofeng must have used his own daughter-in-law, who is also the most beloved daughter of the prince, as a hostage, forcing him to respond against his will

It is perhaps due to the overly sinister nature of this plan, which goes against the harmony of heaven, that it has been kept on the high shelf since its inception, with the thick operational documents, measuring two and a half feet, placed in a certain meditation room within the imperial city, away from the light of day

The eldest son of Emperor Li Yan, Li Duoduo, ascended the throne, changing the era to You Tian. At the beginning of his reign, during the flourishing Spring and Autumn period, with a youthful temperament, he naturally harbored a deep-seated hatred for the governor of Xiliangzhou. However, he lacked concrete evidence. If he were to wage war, he feared that the most powerful nation in the world, Beidan, would take advantage of the situation to invade. Moreover, over the years, under the careful management of He Xiaofeng, the Xishan tribe was no longer the same as it was in the past, when it was driven by numerous rabid dogs on the snowy plateau. They now had tens of thousands of skilled warriors as a strong body, and the horns of the bull's head were already soaked with the black liquid of He Xiaofeng.

Thus, the letter stated: "Last night, under the imperial command, Lord Xiaofeng and I gnawed on a dog's head. It was summer, which is not suitable for nourishment, hence I had a nosebleed at night and my body is extremely weak..."

The adult's maid, having been lazy and forgetting to boil water, took a cold shower instead, and consequently caught a chill, making it impossible to travel in March

Xiong Liang quietly listened, knowing that in the darkness of the night, although there were no shouts or sounds of killing, there lay a turmoil that he could neither control nor manage.

Although this storyteller aims to make his tales more interesting, his words are merely comical and exaggerated, yet the atmosphere in the inn is inexplicably oppressive, making it difficult to breathe

At this moment, the veteran who had remained in the small town during the southern advance of Bei Dan was also retiring. Upon seeing that the renowned imperial master, whose fame resonated throughout the world, was actually the young man who had come from Bei Dan back then, he could not help but be greatly astonished

Fifty thousand troops passed through the capital without entering, heading directly south, abandoning their weapons, picking up farming tools, and turning to agriculture. People at the time mocked, saying: "Fifty thousand soldiers all took off their armor, not to fight the enemy but to be busy with farming"

The lord of the Eastern Capital looked at the respectful young man before him with some surprise, feeling an inexplicable chill.

In September of the year when Prince Ning ascended the throne, he changed his title to Shaoming, becoming the fifty-seventh emperor of the Central Plains, known as Emperor Mingzong. The empress, of the Song clan, was the eldest daughter of the Prince of Labor in the Eastern Capital, and she was also the daughter whom Prince Ning encountered during his misfortunes in Yingxiu Town that year

Everyone believed that under the leadership of the great sovereign, they would sweep southward with overwhelming force, annihilating the Central Plains, subduing the southern barbarians, and reaching the coastline to rule over the world. Moreover, some even began to contemplate what equipment should be brought when they later attacked the desolate snowy lands at the ends of the earth. ... In such a fervent atmosphere ...

It is said that after Marshal Shu Wuxi saw this record, he wanted to confront the historian fiercely. Unfortunately, this confrontation could never take place, as this historian was none other than the second place winner of the civil examination that year, the military advisor in the army of the Imperial Teacher Zhuo Siming, and the director of the National History Museum, Lord Xiao Liang, who was known alongside Shu Wuxi as one of the "Chopsticks of the Imperial Teacher." Before the Imperial Teacher arrived in the Central Plains, the two of them were respectively the prominent figures of the National History Museum and the Xiachuan Martial Arts Academy, known for their literary and martial prowess, and were both regarded as geniuses, yet they were at odds with each other. ... It was only upon meeting Zhuo Siming that they vowed to follow him to the death, although ... . ... Although it was not an unchanging loyalty until death, they ultimately became inseparable friends. Before the Imperial Teacher arrived in the Central Plains, the two of them were respectively the prominent figures of the National History Museum and the Xiachuan Martial Arts Academy, known for their literary and martial prowess, and were both regarded as geniuses, yet they were at odds with each other. ... It was only upon meeting Zhuo Siming that they vowed to follow him to the death, although ... . ... Although it was not an unchanging loyalty until death, they ultimately became inseparable friends.

That person, who was scolded as a doghead, looked at the clerk who was honestly standing by and sighed, saying: "Do you really have no creativity at all? Does such a simple task still require me to dictate it?"

The king was assassinated in the third month of his reign

Unashamed.

During the evening party, the adult, in a moment of excitement, began to dance the bamboo raft dance, only to suffer a painful injury to the foot, resulting in swelling and unbearable pain

Dear Father, this may be a question that will never have an answer. There is no need to ponder it further. However, recently, the farming season has been busy in the southern villages. Should we consider recalling the garrison troops from the various cities outside of Luoma Chuan?

This saying later became the motto of the Second Legion

Subsequently, Li Duoduo implemented new policies, inviting Mr. Zhiqiu, the head of the temple, to the court to determine the guilt or innocence of individuals based on doctrine. He also focused on internal governance, strengthened military forces, reformed the market and equal distribution laws, increased taxes to bolster the treasury, and aimed to achieve significant accomplishments

In the northernmost part, in a small town closest to the Northern Dan Kingdom, only two old soldiers remain. However, the situation on the continent has become exceedingly dire in recent days, with a mysterious atmosphere lingering even in the air along the borders of the two countries. At this moment, even the Changsheng Yi family, which has strong ties with the royal families of both nations, possesses the greatest strength, and is known for its bold actions, does not dare to conduct business between the two countries. Let alone those solitary travelers.

Zhuo Siming settled in a small town two hundred miles northwest of the capital

The figure in the blue attire cast a glance at him, said nothing, turned away, and entered a small courtyard across the way. However, upon entering the courtyard, he remarked, "Mr. Xiong Liang, surrender now, and I will leave your body intact." The tone was extremely cold.

On that day, Zhuo Siming walked alone to the plain and let out a long howl, which resonated with the strongest army of the continent, the vanguard of Beidan, for over a hundred years: within the Second Legion, thousands of warhorses neighed in response, bending their front knees as if to pay their respects

Under the strong impetus of the newly appointed Emperor of Xishan, this news naturally reached Beidan. Someone submitted a petition to the Empress Dowager, suggesting that troops be sent south to capture the culprit. The Empress Dowager immediately ordered the execution of this individual. From that point on, no one in Beidan dared to speak of it again

As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of affirmations was heard from within the inn

Shu Wuxi urgently mobilized troops, driving away the enemy forces within one month

Having finished speaking, he picked up the teacup beside him, offered a slight gesture of respect to the young man at the same table, slowly swallowed, savored it for a moment, and exhaled a breath of warmth, seemingly quite enjoying it. "The origins of the Three Kingdoms and our dynasty as well as Beidan have already been explained, and I believe you must be quite tired of hearing it. Today, let us begin with a person named He Xiaofeng." Suddenly, his expression became excited, and he smiled, saying, "Everyone, do not wear long faces; I will try my best to make it interesting."

After this battle, the Second Legion suddenly became the strongest legion on the continent, and at that time, the highest official in Liuyun City, a mere commander responsible for the city's defense and logistics, unexpectedly became the number one general in the world

The death of the ruler of Beidan has become a mystery. Who killed him? Or rather, who could have killed him? A more precise question would be: "Who would dare to kill him?"

According to reports, the newly appointed ruler of Beidan was mysteriously assassinated recently, dying on the spot, which has incited national outrage and led the populace to don mourning attire. Currently, the Empress Dowager is acting as regent and has vowed by cutting her finger in front of the palace to annihilate the Central Plains and avenge her son. The Beidan army, comprising over 200,000 troops, has marched southward since the 18th of the twelfth month, advancing 120 miles in three days and is now approaching the Eastern Capital of the Central Plains.

Zhuo Siming stood with his hands behind his back on the stage, at that moment his blue robe fluttered, exuding an air of elegance. There was an ink stain at the corner of his garment, and under the sunlight, it resembled a hand-painted lotus flower. He greeted those around him with a bow and smiled, saying: "The literary examination was too rushed, and I got some ink on me." Although I did not witness the scene personally, many who described it appeared to be in a state of enchantment.

This segment of storytelling was immensely popular in the capital at the time, spreading far and wide. Additionally, the book vaguely mentioned matters that should not be brought up, which nearly led to a great conflict. As a result, the Empress of the Ming Dynasty dispatched Prince Lao from the Eastern Capital to the capital of Beidan to meet with the ruler of Beidan for an explanation. Consequently, this segment of storytelling has been banned to this day.

Only these two veterans, who had long since grown indifferent to life and death, were left to guard the north gate, idly sipping on liquor, occasionally glancing towards the direction of Beidan, yet all was silent, with only birds flying by and landing on the withered branches outside the city.

For over thirty years, the three kingdoms of the world have been operating steadily. Three emperors have passed away in the Central Plains, and Empress Dowager Song has begun her second regency.

The infant was adorned with armor crafted from gold, lifted into the air from his slumbering state

The history of Middle-earth records: "Our Emperor, the Great Ancestor, led his troops on a personal expedition, enduring for over twenty days, with the soldiers united in heart and the three armies obeying orders. They launched a fierce assault on the Cloud City of Moqi Mountain, and victory was imminent. The chieftain's wife, carrying her young child, slowly approached the army from behind the city. The two armies faced each other, suffering heavy casualties. Our Emperor, possessing a benevolent heart, truly did not wish for such slaughter to continue indefinitely. Upon hearing of the recent demise of the Northern Dan kingdom's ruler, the Emperor sighed deeply: 'The army of mourning is unjust.' He then signed a treaty to negotiate peace, expressing compassion for the young new ruler of Northern Dan, whose country was in dire straits. He recognized him as a brother and established a friendship, offering interest-free loans and various annual tributes to assist in governance. The Emperor's grace extended beyond borders, which is truly commendable. This is known as the Alliance of Cloud."

The imperial teacher has arrived at the capital of the Western Mountain Kingdom, and within a day, he annihilated the council of elders, resulting in the death of twenty-seven elders

Is everyone hungry? Would you like to have some food?

The inn seems to have been uninhabited for a long time, with the wind seeping in from all around. The paper strips pasted on the walls are being whipped about chaotically against the gray walls, and the dust is beginning to obscure one's vision. A middle-aged man squints his eyes, tightly clenching his fists, pressing them against his somewhat parched lips, as if he is trying hard to suppress a cough. However, the cough turns in his throat and bursts forth, sounding somewhat like a drumbeat. The middle-aged man squints his eyes, tightly clenching his fists, pressing them against his somewhat parched lips, as if he is trying hard to suppress a cough. However, the cough turns in his throat and bursts forth, sounding somewhat like a drumbeat.

The infamous name of Xishan State was thus established, ensuring its enduring reputation for a millennium

Is Xiliang the same as that mixed-up fellow with Xiaofeng

Floating duckweed carries half a lifetime, all of which is tasteless from the beginning. Before I even turn my head to look, everything has already become empty... Ahem... I apologize for the laughter, my verses are poor, my words are lacking, and my voice is hoarse. I must trouble you all to listen to me recite alone on this chilly autumn day, and I truly feel somewhat sorry for that

The first imperial edict issued by the new emperor is as follows: "Now, I confer the title of Prince of Youguo upon Zhuo Siming, granting him the authority to oversee the Privy Council, to command the military forces of the realm, to enter the court without bowing, and to be unbound by any specific time for his court appearances; he may also conduct affairs in the town of Yingxiu..."

Zhuo Siming further feigned an imperial mandate, using Liduoduo's identity to prostrate himself before Empress Dowager Bei Dan, kissing the ground with his face, performing the most sincere filial duty of a son in the mainland

Due to his disorganized behavior, he was charged with the grave offense of great disrespect. Furthermore, because he had forged the imperial decree outside the Eastern Capital, he was to be executed. However, considering his distinguished contributions to the country, his death sentence was commuted, and he was stripped of his noble rank and demoted to commoner status

He, who usually approached matters with a light-hearted attitude, was momentarily taken aback.

On the day the edict was issued, Shu Wuxi and Xiao Liang resigned from their official positions, but their resignations were not approved

It seems that the northern Dan nobility feared his methods, secretly pledging their oath, their expressions greatly changed

On the same day, merchants in the capital ceased trading, and the public took to the streets, displaying a banner inscribed with eight large characters: "Our Emperor is Wise and Prudent in Investigation." It is said that the most effective among them were students from the National History Institute, which primarily comprised the sons of nobility, possessing extensive connections. The local garrison in the capital was helpless in the face of this situation, and at that time, the director of the National History Institute was Xiao Liang

Thus, everyone bowed and fell silent

This somewhat confused emperor was indeed not mistaken in this regard. In the third month after his passing, the usually mild-mannered Prince Ligaheng unexpectedly raised an army to rebel, aiming to seize the throne from his own nephew. This civil war came swiftly and ended just as quickly, concluding in less than three months. Ligaheng was defeated and fled north from Hebei Tonglang, after which he vanished without a trace

In the corridor in front of the inn, the shimmering light of blades flashed like water, yet not a single figure could be seen

In the eighth year of Youtian, a witchcraft incident erupted in the palace of Middle Earth, causing great anger among the people, leading to extensive investigations that implicated over 8,000 deaths. A distant royal relative was also among those being pursued. This prince had been frail since childhood, possessing a calm disposition and being indifferent to worldly affairs, which is why he had always remained obscure. When he was being hunted, in a state of panic and without a clear path, he arrived at Yingxiu Town and encountered Zhuo Siming at a small baozi shop in the town called Xiaotaoyuan. At that time, there was also a graceful young woman sitting at the table.

This stamped life has probably lasted for about six months, and both Xiaofeng and I have finally grown tired of it. With a wave of his hand, he declared loudly: "Children, we are done playing, let's go back."

The quiet town of Yingxiu seems to have stirred at the mere mention of this name

With this great achievement of the Eastern Expedition (marriage expedition?), in this year, He Xiaofeng, aged forty-six, became the first king of the Western Mountain Kingdom

The people in the hall exchanged glances and said in unison: "Let him eat shit"

The sovereign observed each one with a smile. One day, riding through the mountains and fields, he wielded his whip and headed south, as if indicating something...

Xiong Liang's expression suddenly turned cold, and a faint sound squeezed out from his throat, overpowering the chill in the surroundings.

The history of Middle-earth records: "At that time, in order to resist the Northern Dan and punish the Western Mountains, our Emperor issued an edict to open the spring examination for the grace of the imperial court, and to test the Six Arts, allowing both literary and martial talents to advance. A young talent from the Eastern Capital, Zhuo Siming, applied for both examinations, appearing to be greedy, unwilling to give up either, and was laughed at by contemporaries"

Without waiting for others to respond, he introduced himself: "Yingxiu Town is bright under the moon, with few people and sparse stars, and the air is not particularly good. The only notable things are the plump mountain goats and the fresh, crisp radishes, which are best suited for a red braise together. Shall we ask the boss for a bowl of this?"

In the second year, the extraordinary troops of Middle-earth, led by the newly appointed top scholar, gathered 20,000 militia from Wangjiang County to feign an attack on the Xiliang Prefecture, while secretly launching an assault on Ankang City, where the Western Mountain Kingdom had been hoarding grain and supplies. They burned all the grain and supplies within the city, took advantage of the night to retreat, and established a camp outside the city, using the terrain of the mountains to cut off the salt and grain supply of the Western Mountain Kingdom. The Western Mountain Kingdom was forced to migrate northward over 400 miles.

The king in her arms is still sweetly asleep, his small hand weakly grasping her clothing

In the eyes, one can see determination, along with a faint hint of sorrow

As for why the Elder Council suddenly vacated these fourteen seats, where have the former elders gone? Not a word is mentioned in the records, merely a straightforward account, leaving it for future generations to ponder. This is what is meant by the Spring and Autumn style of writing.

The Emperor Li Yan, who has always remained unperturbed even in the face of great calamity, calculated with his fingers and realized that Li Jiaheng had become in-laws with He Xiaofeng precisely during the period when the imperial edict was altered and the matter was exposed. He could not help but understand the underlying implications. Upon this realization, cold sweat broke out on Emperor Li Yan's forehead, and he lamented, "After my death, this empire..."

O esteemed one of the foreign race

The words of the woman reached both the upper and lower parts of the city: This is my child, your king

The people of Xishan remain as brave and straightforward as ever. Only their two consecutive monarchs have consistently adhered to the teachings of that despicable founding figure, He Xiaofeng, oscillating seemingly endlessly between Beidan and the Central Lands.

In the third year of Shaoming, a peace treaty was negotiated with the Xishan Kingdom, which acknowledged vassal status and paid tribute

This conclusion lacks evidence and cannot explain why His Highness the Prince was willing to marry his daughter to a member of the Xishan tribe, who at that time possessed neither land nor wealth, and there are suspicions of attempting to exonerate the prince of his own court. However, it is perplexing that in the end, this became the most authoritative statement.

At this time, a powerful minister suggested summoning He Xiaofeng to the capital to report on his duties, and then casually fabricating some charges to execute him on the spot, ensuring peace for Xiliang from then on

He turned his face and saw a middle-aged man in a green robe quietly watching him in the middle of the street outside the door

In the same year, a memorial was presented to the temple, requesting a title of honor, and after three months of court deliberation, it was decided to bestow the title of "Imperial Teacher".

As if in response, a fit of coughing could be heard from the street outside the inn

Without any expression, after finishing this statement, Xiong Liang's face appeared even more fatigued, his brows tightly furrowed, and he was breathing heavily, doing so with great seriousness

A renowned minister, Prince Li Jiaheng, at this moment advised that this action, while sacrificing minor benefits, would instead foster unity among foreign tribes and showcase the grandeur of the Celestial Empire, which would indeed be a significant advantage. Upon hearing this, Emperor Li Yan felt unable to contradict his own brother in the court and could only suppress his discontent. However, it was unfortunate for the forty-seven individuals, including the eunuchs and the palace maids and servants who were secretly exposed by He Xiaofeng, as the men were exiled, the women were registered, and those who were neither male nor female were executed

Returning to the city, he gathered all the elders of the clan before the hall, gazed at the crowd, and without uttering a word, passed away suddenly

In fact, the scene at that time was very similar to the opening lines of a long narrative by another famous storyteller in the capital: "A person, a box, walked into the city of Chang'an in the twilight..."

It seems that I have overlooked one point. During this casual flipping through books, the late Emperor's Grand Tutor, who was conferred the title of Prince of Youguo, and had previously served as the Deputy Minister of War, the remarkable Zhuo Siming, who had achieved the top position in two imperial examinations, after being officially titled as the Imperial Teacher by the court, suddenly harbored treasonous intentions during his retirement six years later, and attempted to assassinate the late Emperor Jingzong in this Yingxiu Town

It is well known that this jade ruyi was given by a prominent official of the time, who held the military power of the world and was conferred the title of Prince of Youguo and Grand Tutor to the late emperor, at the moment when Empress Dowager Song gave birth to her son. In a casual conversation, he destroyed the renowned Blue Banner Camp of the Western Mountain Army, known for its valor, seemingly unintentionally ruining a gift presented by a middle-aged member of the country's elder council.

"Apathy and insensitivity"

The historian solemnly said: "You, a mere commoner, have had the rare fortune to behold the countenance of the heavens. Now, having committed a grave transgression, you should feel deep remorse and regret. I truly do not understand why we are to remain in this tower, listening to you recount ancient tales. What is your intention? Now, with two days having swiftly passed, I am left wondering how you plan to proceed?"

Later generations referred to this Empress Qianying as the first virtuous empress in history. When discussing this famous first edict, they could not help but marvel at its wisdom. In just over twenty characters, it clearly stated the intention to personally lead the troops, which not only boosted the morale of the entire army but, more importantly, allowed her to leap away from the tumultuous power struggles in the capital of the Northern Dan Kingdom, with an additional two hundred thousand soldiers at her side.

The ruler of Beidan was assassinated

The armies of Middle-earth have made no territorial gains, and the vanguard forces have suffered heavy casualties, with 280,000 troops dead or wounded

The opening words delivered in a hoarse voice were those that the most popular storytellers of the time would know. Some of his peers in the inn could not help but show some reaction on their faces, while Xiong Liang continued to hum and sing as if no one was around, though his somewhat hoarse voice seemed to lack the strength to carry on amidst the sounds of autumn wind sweeping through the streets.

Qian Yinghou immediately led the Northern Dan army to besiege the city

In the year of defeat, the rebellion was quelled, and he met his demise

Such an honor has never been bestowed upon anyone in the history of Middle-earth; even if there were, it would only be the posthumous accolades granted to some renowned figures of antiquity.

In fact, when Qian Ying proudly walked to the foot of Liuyun City, holding the current Emperor of Beidan in her arms, the battle had already come to an end. The warriors of Beidan were perhaps infected by the sight of this mother and child amidst the blood-red twilight, and their resolve to fight to the death may have begun at that very moment

Xiong Liang steadied his mind and wearily said: "I am a storyteller from the East City of the capital, and my life’s pursuit is to seek interesting stories from the past. Although this profession is called storytelling, it is mostly filled with unofficial histories and trivial discussions, meant to entertain people during their leisure time. " Suddenly, he swept his gaze across the faces of several people in the room and coldly remarked: "I fear that these coarse words may offend your ears!"

At this moment, upon hearing of the assassination of the new ruler of Beidan, his first thought was of the Battle of Liuyun that had occurred many years ago. He felt a chill rising from his chest and abdomen, and silently pondered: "Could there be a second Qian Yinghou?"

The fourth edict from Liduoduo has lost its patience, and surprisingly, it reproached with coarse language: "You, the governor of a province, actually defy the imperial command repeatedly, making numerous excuses. Your heart is deserving of punishment, and your actions should be penalized. You are ordered to come quickly and receive the sacred decree. If you do not comply within the month, your dog head shall be placed upon the wooden table!"

At this point, the storyteller in Yingxiu Town finally let out a long sigh, shook his head, and it was unclear what he was feeling sorrowful about. He quietly continued: "When Jiang Yicao crawled out from the dog hole in the back wall of the National History Museum, that year marked the tenth year of our dynasty's Shixin era, the twenty-third year of Beidan's Yingxiang era, and the seventh year of the third monarch of Xishan's reign.

Indeed, two individuals, one sword, embarked upon Middle-earth in the twilight

He chuckled lightly and said: "It is not surprising that everyone finds it dull; the truth is, the story itself is uninteresting, ah, how ridiculous!" Suddenly, he hummed a little tune: "This splendid head, who would dare to chop it? Throughout history, who among the heroes can claim the title of the greatest? Now, let me, the greatest under heaven, recount the ancients for you all, as the saying goes: The dragon and tiger write the annals of spring and autumn, the rise and fall of fortunes like a passing lantern..."

Jia Zong led the remnants of the army, numbering 180,000, to swiftly enter the Eastern Capital

When the third imperial edict arrived, He Xiaofeng was... ? ... in the restroom? squatting over a latrine? In any case, when the reply reached the capital, it read: "Your most loyal and utterly humble servant He Xiaofeng has recently consumed too much greasy food and is suffering from hemorrhoids, making long journeys inadvisable..."

In the winter of that year, the snow fell swiftly

The world is in a state of tranquility, as if history has casually turned another page.

In fact, everyone knows what my background is. I am neither a historian nor a scholar. I am merely a storyteller, and storytelling, by its nature, is not literature. My words may be crude, and I cannot guarantee that there are no inaccuracies in what I say. In any case, I am forcing everyone to join me in this endeavor, so I must also share some enthusiasm!

Li Duoduo suddenly realized and urgently summoned the ministers to devise a plan to reduce the peaks

In the only inn in Yingxiu Town, a disheveled middle-aged man tightly clutched the lapel of his robe, seemingly indifferent to the small holes in it, which appeared even more pronounced due to his forceful grip. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the frigid weather by sniffling through his nose while continuously mumbling to the people in front of him

More than thirty years have passed, enough time for a young man to turn gray, for beauty to fade, for the living to become bones, and for the dead to vanish without a trace. Yet, one wonders if the trees on Moji Mountain outside Liuyun City have grown a few more.

The armies of Middle-earth were already at the end of their strength, yet they watched as the exhausted defenders of the Second Legion in the city suddenly let out a beast-like howl under the woman's call. Looking again at the ominous military banners behind her and the soldiers filled with despair all over the mountains, none could help but feel a sense of panic, leaving no room for any fighting spirit.

Until a certain day, He Xiaofeng was smilingly listening to the reports from his subordinates in the newly built Wangfu, when he suddenly heard that bothersome imperial edict had arrived again. He couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect this young emperor actually has the patience to write..." Then, his expression turned serious, and he asked himself: "I just heard that the military supplies are abundant and the people's livelihood is sufficient, do I still need to write a reply?"

Xiong Liang stared at the three composed young men at the table on his left, then glanced at the few guys on his right who were still trembling. After steadying himself, he said: "I shouldn't have invited everyone here, but I feel unwilling and always want to say something." Turning to the table on the left, he continued: "Since you three are historians at the National History Museum, I imagine that old man Xiao must have whispered to you every day about the whereabouts of the world's conscience."

The adult's hemorrhoids have flared up again

As for why Riga Heng exhibited such unusual behavior after the death of his elder brother, historians have long debated this matter. However, upon thorough investigation, they invariably cast their suspicious gaze upon one individual, namely He Xiaofeng, who at that time already bore the infamous title of provincial governor. This rebellion resulted in a significant loss of strength for the Central Plains, with the only beneficiaries being the Xiliang Province, which had seemingly predicted the future and frantically constructed ranches and mined iron ore in recent years.

Xiong Liang squinted his eyes, tightened the small red string on his foot that had come from an unknown source, smiled at the young man sitting next to him, and after a while said: "In this world, no matter how turbulent the winds and clouds may be, and how unbearable the myriad of troubles, in the end, it is merely a topic of conversation." The young man next to him turned pale, as if he had been startled, his light yellow robe stained with a large patch of tea, presumably from a spill.

Yingxiu Town, located three hundred and eighty li northwest of the capital city

The true sect was filled with ambition, believing that they could easily conquer the northern frontier and unify the world. ... But who would have known ... ... who would have known that in the area of Moji Mountain, an army of 400,000 was completely blocked for twenty days by merely 80,000 troops of the Northern Dan Second Corps, and among these 80,000, there was not a single general, let alone any effective command. The reason they were able to hold their ground seems to be attributed solely to the innate bravery of these soldiers and the Northern Dan spirit they carried from birth.

At that time, the Eastern Capital was in a state of urgency, surrounded by the iron-clad forces of the Northern Dan.