[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 114 [English]

Chapter 112 Chasing the Stars

The setting sun fades away, and tiny stars are scattered among the branches.The patrol team of the Forbidden Army patrolled the streets and alleys. Xiao Chiye carried Shen Zechuan on his back and walked along the street in the shadows.The summer night was a bit hot, Xiao Chiye kept his coat open and walked not very fast.

Shen Zechuan raised his head and pressed his chin on the top of Xiao Chiye’s hair.Xiao Chiye was so tall that Shen Zechuan’s upper body was exposed to the moonlight. He could see what was inside the walls of other people’s homes just by turning his head.

“Tomorrow morning I will go to the old camp and intercept his escape route from the east. He dare not go north, and there is an ambush in the south. I will be back in three days at the latest.” Xiao Chiye supported Shen Zechuan and said, “We have not heard from Qudu for a long time. We must send someone to inquire as soon as possible, so that we can know Qi Zhuyin’s movements.”

“Hua and Qi’s marriage has been delayed again and again. In order to seek foreign help, the Queen Mother will not let Qi Shiyu wait any longer.” Shen Zechuan estimated the days and said, “The wedding date will not be postponed until August at the latest.”

“No matter how Hua Xiangyi marries,” Xiao Chiye said, “as long as she has no heirs, Qidong will still have the final say with Qi Zhuyin. She is going to be a stepmother, and she is younger than Qi Zhuyin. If she gives birth to a son, he will be Qi Shiyu’s legitimate son. When Qi Shiyu dies, they, mother and son, will be a hidden danger that hinders Qi Zhuyin from controlling military power.”

“The commander-in-chief’s prestige in the military should not be underestimated. Would he really be wary of his biological brother who is so many years younger?” Shen Zechuan thought and said, “If she lives in harmony with Hua Xiangyi for the sake of peace in the backyard, she will actually save a lot of trouble.”

“It was not easy for Qi Zhuyin to be granted the title. It can be seen from the twists and turns that she took over the five counties of Qidong. In addition to Qudu being deeply uneasy about her being a woman, even the military and political officials inside Qidong were ready to take action.” When Xiao Chiye said this, he paused for a while and continued, “Besides, the family tree that I had someone copy was given to Qi Zhuyin as early as Qudu. Just for this matter, she would not let Hua Xiangyi give birth to a child.”

As long as Hua Xiangyi’s foundation in Qidong is unstable, the Queen Mother will never be able to turn the Qidong garrison into her right-hand man.However, this is all based on the premise that Qudu does not have a real emperor yet. If Qudu introduces a new emperor before winter comes, then Qi Zhuyin and Li Bei will become confrontational.

“I’m worried about Lu Guangbai,” Xiao Chiye calmed down his relaxed expression and said, “After autumn, the Biansha cavalry will cross the border to plunder food. This is the time when their horses are fat. In order to better survive the winter, they will choose to take risks. The border counties’ military rations all rely on the distribution of the Zhou Dynasty, and the twelve Biansha tribes also know that heWe are poor, and the granary is built in the border county, very close to the camp, so we will pursue Lu Guangbai fiercely every time.This year, Qidong’s military rations have been cut in half, which is the most difficult for him and the most difficult to defend. It is even worse when I leave the capital.”

But this is something Shen Zechuan can’t help with. If the border county is not so far east and there are no guards at Tianfei Palace and Suotian Pass on both sides, then they might be able to send a letter to Ge Qingqing who is still in Yongyi Port in Juexi and ask Xi Dan to find a way to buy a batch of grain from Juexi and send it to Qidong through Hezhou to provide Lu Guangbai with emergency supplies.But Bianjun is just to the east of Cangjun, with obstacles on both sides. There is no other way except passing under Cangjun’s nose.Qidong is not Juexi. Qi Zhuyin has built airtight layers of defense there. It is impossible to pass through quietly.

Border County is like a night watchman standing on the edge of a cliff. It is a place similar to a desperate situation.

Xiao Chiye felt that the atmosphere was solemn, so he walked around with Shen Zechuan on his back and said, “The most important thing now is to pursue Lei Jingzhe. When we hold Zhongbo, it will be easier to help the border counties. We can get there directly by crossing the Tianfei Palace. Do you still smell the stinky sweat?”

Shen Zechuan wiped the sweat off the side of Xiao Chiye’s neck with his fingers, pressed it against his cheek, and said, “You start running.”

Xiao Chiye shook his head and said, “I’m too tired, I can’t run.”

Shen Zechuan pinched Xiao Chiye’s cheek and said, “If the second young master can’t do it, just take my place.”

Xiao Chiye made a gesture to put the he down and said, “Come down, the second young master will see how you carry me back tonight.”

Shen Zechuan hugged the person tightly, raised his feet, and said seriously: “Why bother to be angry? You can do it.”

Xiao Chiye lifted the person up again.

Shen Zechuan hung on his back, pulled his fingertips down along the skirt of his clothes, and said in his ear: “What can’t Erlang do? He can do anything.”

Xiao Chiye turned his head and said surprisingly calmly, “Where are you going?”

Shen Zechuan said: “Go -”

Before Shen Zechuan finished speaking, Xiao Chiye started running.he carried Shen Zechuan on his back and ran through the shade of the trees, stepping on the moonlight of the summer night, and entered the alley with the lights out.The patrol team came and went, but did not notice the presence of the two people.Xiao Chiye jumped over the small steps easily, and the tree shadows fell mottled on his hair. They “ding-dang” shattered the stars on the ground, like the free and reckless wind between heaven and earth.

The gatekeeper of the small courtyard was still yawning. When he heard the knock on the door, he thought that the Marquis and Tongzhi were back.He was wearing clothes, carrying a lantern, and opened the door with a smile on his face, but the door was empty.

“It’s haunted.” The boy whispered, and he put his head out. He saw no one on either side, so he quickly retracted, wrapped his coat and trotted back to the room.

The corridor was dark, with no lanterns lit.Shen Zechuan’s steps were messy and he almost tripped Xiao Chiye.Xiao Chiye pressed Shen Zechuan against the door panel and pulled off the ribbon that bound Shen Zechuan’s hair during the kiss.Shen Zechuan gasped from the kiss and reached behind his back with his hands, searching for the door lock.

“There is no key.” Xiao Chiye raised the person slightly, with his eyes close at hand, looking at Shen Zechuan greedily, “I can’t get in.”

Shen Zechuan moved his heels downward along Xiao Chiye’s lower back, but then raised his hand to touch Xiao Chiye’s approaching chin, making a pun with hot breath in his mouth: “If you can’t get in, then you can’t get in.”

Xiao Chiye pinched Shen Zechuan’s mouth, lowered his head and took the sliding tongue in his mouth.The fatigue from running fast last night seemed to be gone. Shen Zechuan swallowed his body fluids and listened to the door panel squeaking when it was touched.He wanted to slow down his voice, so he pulled Xiao Chiye closer. The two of them were stacked up here, without any gap at all.

“We are here, we can be anywhere,” Xiao Chiye rubbed his soft flesh, his throat tightened, and he said with an escaped sigh, “Build a home.”

Shen Zechuan was sweating, looking up and making no sound through his tearful eyes.He hasn’t done it for a long time. I was trembling slightly from being stabbed tonight. It only took a few times and he was about to come out.He wrinkled the clothes on Xiao Chiye’s shoulders, and his chest rose and fell fiercely. After a long while, he said in a low voice: “No, go in, go in…”

Xiao Chiye took this “no” as an answer and stood up suddenly, making Shen Zechuan almost lose his voice.

“What can’t Erlang do?” Xiao Chiye held Shen Zechuan firmly with his arm, pinched his face, and said harshly and viciously, “Erlang can do anything.”

The corners of Shen Zechuan’s eyes quickly turned red, and his half-exposed neck also turned red.He opened his mouth several times, but only other sounds could escape.His clothes were soaked with sweat, and Shen Zechuan was gradually out of breath. He pressed against Xiao Chiye’s chest, and was dizzy from the turbulent waves of joy. In less than half an hour, he had already disarmed twice.

* * *

Shen Zechuan fell asleep and Xiao Chiye just finished taking a bath.When he looked out the window at the dim light, he didn’t rest anymore. Instead, he drank a cup of strong tea and squatted beside the bed, watching Shen Zechuan sleep soundly.

I fell asleep now.

Xiao Chiye raised his hand and rubbed Shen Zechuan’s cheek.

When you return to Libei, you must invite Master Yideng to come.he After thinking about it, I felt that the frequent occurrence of colds and epidemics in Shen Zechuan was inseparable from the medicine.

Too thin.

Xiao Chiye stared at Shen Zechuan, thinking in the complete silence.

Although I felt he was thin before in Qudu, it was better then than now.After Qi Huilian died, Shen Zechuan’s illness came and went quickly, but he was still fed.There was nothing along the way. Xiao Chiye held him, looked at him, and took care of him in every possible way as he gradually became dependent on him.

Neither Shen Wei nor Bai Cha cares.

Xiao Chiye lowered his head and pressed it against Shen Zechuan’s cheek, staring at the sunlight trying to fall on Shen Zechuan with deep hostility.

Shen Lanzhou belongs to he Xiao Ce’an.

* * *

When Xiao Chiye rode out of the city, Zhou Gui and Kong Ling saw each other off.he reined in the reins and said: “It will last for three days. Regardless of success or failure, I will come back. The forbidden troops stationed here will not move for the time being. Once they notice the traces of Lei Jingzhe, they will send people to report to me quickly. Although the city wall of Cizhou is dilapidated, it cannot be ignored. The specific reinforcement arrangements will be explained in detail by Lan Zhou later.”

“Don’t worry, Lord Marquis,” Zhou Gui said, “all the personnel in Cizhou will follow Tongzhi’s arrangements.”

“Regarding the matter of rebuilding the Cizhou garrison…” Xiao Chiye paused for a moment and said, “I will not interfere at all. That is a military matter that Lan Zhou needs to discuss with you two. The imperial army only exercises patrol power on behalf of you, and I cannot handle it arbitrarily. So if there is anything, please discuss it with Lan Zhou. I can’t decide.”

Kong Ling’s heart felt hot and then cold again.They were originally worried that Xiao Chiye would interfere in the rebuilding of the Cizhou garrison and refuse to return Cizhou military power on the pretext of being on patrol.When I heard he say this, I felt relieved at first, and then worried again.Xiao Chiye doesn’t want Cizhou’s military power, doesn’t accept Cizhou’s rewards, and doesn’t take Cizhou’s grain, so why is he so busy running around fighting Lei Jingzhe?It’s better to go north and go home immediately.

Kong Ling considered his words, but before he could say anything, he heard Xiao Chiye continue: “Since I promised you two to suppress the bandits, I will not break my promise. Mr. Zhou is willing to risk beheading to allow the Forbidden Army to cross the border. I naturally want to repay this friendship. Furthermore, the food and grass supply for the Forbidden Army in the past few days has also been borne by the people of Cizhou. If we eat the food, the war will definitely be fought.”

Zhou Gui said goodbye and said, “Then we will wait here for the triumphal return of the Marquis!”

“There are a few more things that I will tell you both.” Xiao Chiye’s horse took a few steps around. He looked at Zhou Gui and Kong Ling and said, “I have no intention of taking concubines in this life. Now that I am temporarily living in Mr. Zhou’s house, I don’t have to give them away anymore. I don’t want either men or women. Besides, the affairs are complicated now, and I don’t have the energy to deal with the two of you on this matter, so I will use today to explain it to you two.”

Kong Ling knew that “he” referred to what happened last time, so he couldn’t help but look embarrassed, neither smiling nor answering.

“Lan Zhou has lived in Zhongbo for a long time, and it is inevitable that someone will bring up some old stories. But he Shen Zechuan,” Xiao Chiye raised his riding whip and pointed in the direction of Qudu, “is he a student of Qi Huilian, the Taifu of the East Palace, a close disciple of Duanzhou Ji Gang, the former governor of Beizhen and Tongzhi of Jinyiwei, or the head of my house, Xiao Ce’an, in the future, it has nothing to do with any other name.”

Now Zhou Gui didn’t know how to answer the question. He was not a person who could prevaricate. He was dumbfounded and moved his lips, saying: “Ah, ah…”

Xiao Chiye turned his horse’s head and rode away with the raptor.

Zhou Gui didn’t come back to his senses for a long time. He grabbed his sleeves and asked Kong Ling: “Master Hou, what does this mean? Then King Libei…”

“Now that we have talked about it, people don’t care about Cizhou’s soldiers and horses, but don’t mention Shen Wei,” Kong Ling calmly wiped his sweat and said, “and don’t mention white tea either.”