Hongjun strolled around Dou Wei Manor for a while. Plum blossoms bloomed in the manor, their fragrance assailed his nostrils. This was the manor of a major merchant in Tong County. Naturally, the original owner had taken his entire family to seek refuge. Feng Changqing had unceremoniously requisitioned the manor. Even in the depths of winter, the plum blossoms were still blooming with vitality.
"When spring comes, the flowers wilt. Some scenery can only be seen in the harsh cold." A voice rang out behind Hongjun. Hongjun abruptly turned around.
He saw a military officer of similar height walking over. His long hair hung loosely over his shoulders. He had a handsome appearance, fair skin, a high nose, and deep eyes. His eyes were dark brown.
When the military officer saw Hongjun, he was startled. Soon after, he plucked a plum blossom and handed it to Hongjun.
"This is for you." The military officer said.
Hongjun hurriedly expressed his thanks. He did not know who this person was. The military officer frowned and said, "You … remind me of an old friend. Do you know a doctor with the surname Kong? "
Hongjun said, "Kong Xuan? That's my father! "
The military officer laughed and saluted. In a clear voice, he said, "Unexpectedly, you are our benefactor's son! My name is Gao Xianzhi. You can call me Uncle Gao. This is truly fate! Doctor Kong, he … "
"Passed away." Hongjun replied.
Gao Xianzhi nodded. When Hongjun entered the city, he had heard that the defending generals of Tong County were Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing. Gao Xianzhi's official rank was even higher than Feng Changqing's. He was one of the main generals of the punitive expedition against the rebel army. However, he did not expect him to be so young.
Gao Xianzhi made a gesture of invitation. Hongjun was just about to ask about his father when Gao Xianzhi ordered someone to set up tea in front of Plum Castle. He also set up a brazier and invited Hongjun to drink. He then said, "I don't dare to drink too much in the army.
Hongjun hurriedly said that it was fine. He smiled and said, "My alcohol tolerance is not good."
When Gao Xianzhi talked about the past, only then did Hongjun know that when Gao Xianzhi was marching into Lianyunbao, he was hit by a stray arrow. In the end it was Kong Xuan who brought him back to life with miraculous hands and cured him. Counting on his fingers, it was actually nearly twenty years ago. That year Hongjun was not born yet. Based on the time, his father had not met his mother yet.
When Gao Xianzhi asked about Kong Xuan, Hongjun only said that he was killed by an enemy. Gao Xianzhi was surprised and said, "A doctor who practices medicine to help the world also has an enemy? Who could be so vicious? "
Hongjun didn't want to answer, so Gao Xianzhi nodded his head in understanding and said, "Saving some lives will inevitably offend others. As a medical practitioner, we have to follow our hearts."
"That's right." Hongjun smiled. "It's just like marching to war. It's killing people and saving people."
"Your father said the same thing back then." Gao Xianzhi smiled.
"Can we win the battle at Tong Pass?" Hongjun actually asked the same question as Li Jinglong. At this moment, he was only worried about the situation at Tong Pass. He really didn't want to see Luoyang fall into enemy hands again.
"Of course we can win." Gao Xianzhi said, "The reason why we abandoned Shan County is to defend Tong Pass."
"That's good." Hongjun was relieved. He only hoped that when he left for the northern border, there would be no more changes. However, when he heard this, he suddenly realized something and said, "Wait, abandon Shan County?"
In the front courtyard, Feng Changqing sighed and said, "Look at the army under Tong Pass. Although there are two hundred thousand people, they are all temporarily recruited peddlers and commoners. Then look at An Lushan's rebel army. They are all invincible outside the Great Wall. They are elites who have fought against various races. When the battle on the plains began, they were completely defeated."
Li Jinglong frowned and looked at Feng Changqing.
Feng Changqing said, "Shan County definitely can't be defended. Retreating to Tong Pass was a last resort."
"You're abandoning Shan County just like that?" Li Jinglong was in disbelief. "There are so many commoners outside, and countless people froze to death along the way. Who should be blamed for this?"
"Why don't you teach me how to fight this battle?!" Feng Changqing said angrily.
Li Jinglong never expected that the abandonment of Shan County, the hundreds of li of land filled with starving people and corpses, would actually be the work of Feng Changqing. When the soldiers retreated, it immediately caused panic. The commoners fled one after another. The weather was cold and the ground was frozen. Too many people froze to death or starved to death on the plains during this migration.
"The imperial court will sentence you to death." Li Jinglong said in a low voice.
"As long as we defend this place," Feng Changqing said in a low voice, "we'll settle the score later. This old life can be taken by whoever wants it."
Based on the imperial court's usual behavior, Li Jinglong knew that at this moment, Chang 'an must be in an uproar. Usually, Gao Lishi and the others would fight with each other even if they had nothing to do. How could they let Feng Changqing off so easily?!
"I have to go back." Li Jinglong leaned on his crutches and turned to leave with difficulty. He then shouted, "Hongjun!"
"Where are you going?" Feng Changqing said, "Stop right there!"
Li Jinglong thought that Feng Changqing still didn't know the danger. He already had a faint ominous premonition, especially when Yang Guozhong returned to the imperial court. This was simply his biggest mistake. If Yang Guozhong purposely allowed An Lushan to enter the pass, Feng Changqing and Gao Xianzhi would be punished and transferred back to the imperial court to be held accountable, then An Lushan would march straight into the pass like a tiger entering a flock of sheep!
Feng Changqing had already heard from Atay and Ashina Chong about the bitter battle in Luoyang. He also knew that An Lushan's camp was filled with a large number of demons. He then said, "As the chief exorcist, if you lead everyone back to Chang 'an, what if An Lushan sends demons to attack Tong Pass? How can the mortals here resist?"
Li Jinglong instantly fell silent. Feng Changqing said again, "Even if you return to the imperial court now, what can you do to Yang Guozhong? You got rid of Yang Guozhong, but Gao Lishi is not a demon. If the imperial consort really wants to take revenge, can you still rebel? "
Li Jinglong took a deep breath. Feng Changqing said calmly, "Do your job well. At worst, the imperial court will just strip me of my official position and exile me beyond the Great Wall. Who's afraid? Now that the rebel army is strong, it's the time to use people. His Majesty won't be so muddle-headed. "
Li Jinglong said, "Is this fair?!"
Feng Changqing sized up Li Jinglong in astonishment. He said, "This is not like you."
Li Jinglong was instantly speechless. Feng Changqing, however, said with relief, "It's also like you, like you before you entered the exorcism division."
Li Jinglong seemed to have been slapped hard in the face by these words. His self-loathing momentarily deepened, but he was completely unable to refute. He only heard Feng Changqing say again, "Everyone must guard their own position. Only then will there be hope in this war."
"I understand." Li Jinglong replied.
Plum Castle. Hongjun held a teacup and was entranced by Gao Xianzhi's words. Gao Xianzhi smiled and said, "… Kong Xuan and I talked about everything. At that time, he even said that his only wish was to marry a wife and have a child. I say, you're a man of striking appearance. What's so difficult about marrying a wife? If you go to Chang 'an, I'm afraid that countless girls will fight to be the first … "
When Hongjun heard this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Gao Xianzhi was very friendly. When he heard that they had abandoned Shan County, Hongjun couldn't help but feel his heart sink. However, when Gao Xianzhi talked about the past, he said that Kong Xuan had just left Dazzling Golden Palace and was at a time when he was carefree. Back then, he was familiar with Gao Xianzhi and didn't have many worries. They became good friends who talked about everything.
When he thought about Kong Xuan's mission back then, Hongjun felt depressed. If it wasn't for that, he wouldn't have been born into this world. He knew so much about love and hate. Now that he thought about it, did he regret it? However, he didn't regret it and never blamed his parents for giving birth to him.
"Later on, he got drunk." Gao Xianzhi continued, "He even said that he was born into this world to free all living beings."
"That's right." Hongjun smiled and said, "Perhaps he was born to suffer for all living beings."
Gao Xianzhi said, "Practicing medicine is a good deed. Naturally, it's to accumulate good karma for one's descendants. How can it be said that he's suffering for all living beings?"
Hongjun only looked at him quietly with a smile. Gao Xianzhi asked again, "What are you doing now?"
"Practicing medicine." Hongjun replied.
Gao Xianzhi nodded and said, "Inheriting your father's legacy and completing his unfinished business. It's a good thing."
"Completing his unfinished business." Hongjun nodded and said.
Gao Xianzhi's words made Hongjun suddenly feel enlightened. He remembered a saying he heard from Qing Xiong a long time ago — to face the tribulation. His father's tribulation had yet to come, but now it had fallen on him. The son had inherited his father's legacy and also his tribulation. And Mahamayuri's tribulation was to become a demon.
Li Jinglong called for him from outside. Hongjun hurriedly went out and accompanied Li Jinglong back. Gao Xianzhi even personally sent Hongjun to the door. He said to Li Jinglong in surprise, "Nephew has entered your Exorcism Department?"
Li Jinglong only nodded slightly, but Gao Xianzhi laughed and said, "Li Jinglong, you'd better not bully him. Otherwise, I'll find trouble with you."
"I don't dare." Li Jinglong was not in the mood to chat with Gao Xianzhi. He only said coldly, "Hongjun, go back."
Gao Xianzhi saw that Li Jinglong was indeed like the rumors. He looked down on everyone and did not say anything to him. Seeing that he was Feng Changqing's cousin, he politely sent the two of them off.
Li Jinglong was in a bad mood along the way. When they reached the street, he insisted on walking. Hongjun could only accompany him. Li Jinglong limped and walked on the street with difficulty.
Hongjun said, "I'll be leaving tomorrow. You have to take care of yourself."
Li Jinglong looked at the dirty snow on the ground and replied, "It'll be the New Year tomorrow. I'll leave after the New Year. We'll leave on the first day of the New Year."
It was the end of the year. Hongjun just remembered that after tomorrow, it would be another year.
"I'll accompany you to the northern border." Li Jinglong suddenly said.
"Really?!" Hongjun immediately burst with joy.
Li Jinglong did not answer and only stubbornly walked forward. Hongjun was so happy that he was a bit incoherent. He said, "Why don't we borrow a car and call Lu Xu? Let's go together?"
Hongjun did not want to be separated from Li Jinglong. He expected that Mo Rigen would also not want to be separated from Lu Xu. However, after Li Jinglong walked for a while, he said, "Forget it. Just pretend I didn't say anything. You guys go quickly and come back quickly."
"Oh." Hongjun replied with a bit of disappointment.
Li Jinglong looked up at Hongjun. His eyes carried an incomparable apology. He said, "I love you, Hongjun."
"I'll be back as soon as possible." Hongjun stepped forward, untied the bandage, and helped him back to his room.
The next day, the Exorcism Division was officially established here. On the last day of the 14th year of Tianbao, everyone noisily pasted up the Spring Festival couplets. Gao Xianzhi even sent people to deliver a sumptuous feast, filling the entire table. Mo Rigen and Hongjun temporarily delayed their departure by one day. Just like two years ago in Dunhuang, the only difference was that Qiu Yongsi was absent.
Everyone in the Exorcism Division originally held some hope that perhaps Qiu Yongsi would be like last time, rushing over at the last moment to reunite with everyone. Unfortunately, he did not appear in the end. Atay sang for a while. Li Jinglong smiled and said, "It's been hard on everyone. This matter is over …"
At this point, Li Jinglong suddenly remembered that after so long, not a single promise had been fulfilled.
Ashina Chong was drunk. He knocked on his cup with his chopsticks and said, "Chief Scribe, tell us, tell us, how many times do you owe us? You people went to Pingkang and soaked in the hot springs, but I didn't get any benefits. I haven't even received my salary for more than a year. When will I receive it? "
Everyone burst into laughter. Trandol said, "That's not fair! You stayed in the Tower for less than half a month and you want to receive two years of salary? "
Li Jinglong didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He promised, "I don't have any money on me right now. I'll give it to you later."
Not long after, the group was drunk again. Only Li Jinglong was not drunk. Mo Rigen said drunkenly, "Hey, Chief Scribe, your alcohol tolerance is very good. Could it be that you were pretending before?"
Li Jinglong only smiled at Mo Rigen and urged him to drink. Mo Rigen really drank and slept on Lu Xu's thigh, snoring. Hongjun drank very little, but he stared blankly at Li Jinglong. His mind was a little muddled. Everyone thought that Li Jinglong would be the one who would cry the most tonight, but Li Jinglong was completely fine. Instead, he made everyone drunk.
Hongjun crawled over, got closer, and suddenly cried. He hugged Li Jinglong and said, "I don't want to leave you …"
Li Jinglong took a deep breath, his hands trembling. He said, "It's okay, it's okay. You're just going out for a while …"
"I don't want to leave you." Hongjun only repeated it over and over again. After getting drunk, countless thoughts surged into his mind. He could no longer control his feelings and said, "Who will take care of you …"
"I will take care of myself." Li Jinglong said seriously. His voice was also trembling as he comforted, "Hongjun, don't say anymore. Don't say anymore. You're drunk."
Hongjun hugged Li Jinglong's waist and leaned in his arms. He gradually fell asleep.
Suddenly, a burst of noise woke him up.
Hongjun struggled out of the nightmare. The sea of fire and purgatory of Luoyang seemed to reappear, causing him to break out in cold sweat.
"What's wrong?" Hongjun had a splitting headache.
"Help me up." Li Jinglong said.
It was almost five o 'clock and the sky was just beginning to brighten. The exorcists had already run out and saw the soldiers hurrying past. Everyone rushed to the city gate tower. Hongjun simply carried Li Jinglong up.
Outside the city, thousands of rebel cavalry rushed over and began slaughtering and trampling the tens of thousands of people gathered in front of the pass!
"Open the city gates and let them go!" Li Jinglong roared angrily.
"You can't open the city gates!" A soldier shouted. "At least not now!"
Li Jinglong shouted, "You're not letting them all in at once?"
"We have to investigate thoroughly!" Feng Changqing reached the top of the city gate tower and shouted angrily, "What if a spy sneaks in?"
Nearly a hundred thousand people crowded outside the city. Li Jinglong knew that Feng Changqing's decision was right. With such a formation, the people would definitely disperse after entering. No one could say for sure how they would die if they launched a surprise attack in the middle of the night.
Lu Xu was furious when he saw this. He shouted, "Give me a team! I'll go down and fight! "
Feng Changqing shouted, "Calm down!"
Immediately after, the people all fled to the front of Tong Pass. They squeezed and trampled on each other, trampling many people to death. The rebel army was like a tiger in a flock of sheep. They killed everywhere, and screams filled the air.
"Today is the first day of the New Year," Li Jinglong gasped. "You can't do this, cousin. You'll be punished by the heavens."
"I'm not afraid," Feng Changqing said coldly.
In an instant, there were heart-wrenching screams in front of the city gate. The rebel army could not force the city gate open. The spy in the crowd had indeed appeared!
The scene was extremely chaotic. Gao Xianzhi finally arrived. Seeing the tragic scene below the city gate, he shouted, "Archers, get ready!"
The exorcists took half a step back and turned their heads. They could not bear to see this scene anymore. Hongjun looked at the crowd and finally met Li Jinglong's eyes.
Li Jinglong suddenly said, "Wait! Hongjun is going out of the city! Exorcists, listen up! "
Everyone immediately reacted and said in unison, "Yes, sir!"
Li Jinglong leaned on his crutch and said calmly amidst the screams below the city gate, "Hongjun and Mo Rigen have come out of seclusion and are heading to the northern border. All exorcists, escort them out of the city!"
"You …" Feng Changqing shouted angrily, "Li Jinglong! Do you know what you're doing?! "
The next moment, there was a wolf howl. Mo Rigen transformed into a giant wolf. Hongjun flipped over and jumped onto the wolf's back. Feng Changqing, Gao Xianzhi, and the others were stunned.
"I'm going to the northern border to carry out a mission," Hongjun said to Feng Changqing. "I have to come out of seclusion now. Let me out."
Lu Xu shouted, "Give me a team of soldiers! I'll escort them out of the city! "