readsfreenovel Chapter 372 Support
Chapter 372 Support
King Linyuan died in battle, but the palace kept the death a secret and naturally no news reached the capital. However, the battle report was sent back to the capital in an emergency over a distance of 800 miles. When the whole country heard the news that 80% of the tribes on the grassland had united to attack Linyuan City, the emperor was so angry that he fainted.
Gu Fengyun was urgently summoned back to the palace in the middle of the night, and then he was unable to go home for several days. Su Fuqing was anxious at home. The longer Gu Fengyun was away, the more uneasy Su Fuqing felt.
Just when he was at a loss, he suddenly thought of the Song family. Yes, the Song family was also a family with a title, and they were the only people Su Fuqing was relatively familiar with. Maybe Song Dazhuang could find out something.
Thinking of this, Su Fuqing immediately handed the child to Old Madam Su, and asked the steward to harness the carriage. On the third afternoon after Gu Fengyun entered the palace, he hurried out of the city and headed straight for the Song family.
That day, the Song family was just about to wash up and rest when there was a hurried knock on the door.
Song Dazhuang was the first to come to his senses. He asked the two old people to go back to their rooms, and then asked his wife to send the children back to their rooms one by one. He then went to the front door, asked who was at the door, and quickly opened the door.
"Madam Hou? Why are you here in the middle of the night?"
As soon as Su Fuqing entered the door, he looked around vigilantly, and then motioned Song Dazhuang to go in.
Song Dazhuang called Song Qin out as well. After the three of them sat down, Su Fuqing told them the purpose of his visit.
"Originally I didn't want to trouble Uncle Song about this matter, but the Marquis has not returned for three days since he entered the palace. I sent someone to guard the palace gate, and the servant came back and told me that it wasn't just the Marquis, there were also servants from the families of important officials waiting at the palace gate. If there were only a few people it would be fine, but so many people went in at once and they haven't come out for three days in a row. I started to panic. Could it be that something earth-shattering is going to happen in the court?"
Song Dazhuang looked at Su Fuqing and felt a little embarrassed. Even if he had a title, he was just a peasant and could not step into the circle of noble families. Where could he find out about such secret matters?
Su Fuqing seemed to be aware of his outrageous behavior, but he really had no choice. Although he was the wife of a marquis, most of the people he frequented in the past were from the Song family. The circle of noble ladies in the capital also excluded Su Fuqing because of his commoner status. Madam An Huaibo was always busy, and the friendship between the two was even shallower, otherwise he would not have thought of coming to Song Dazhuang to inquire for news.
Seeing her husband's embarrassed expression, Song Qin couldn't help but pinch Song Dazhuang's arm.
Song Dazhuang resisted the urge to scream. He looked at his wife with some grievance, not understanding why she was pinching him.
Song Qin was so angry. She really didn't know how this man could be so stupid at the critical moment. She had to take action.
"Madam Hou, I want to ask you something. When the Marquis left, what did the messenger say?"
What did he say? Su Fuqing thought carefully about what the messenger said at that time.
"Let me think about it, it seems, it seems to be said..." Su Fuqing seemed to finally remember something, his face suddenly turned pale. He couldn't help blaming himself in his heart, why did he come to Song Dazhuang because of his concern and impulsiveness.
Seeing him pause, Song Qin was a little surprised.
Su Fuqing saw that Song Dazhuang and his wife were both looking at him. His lips moved, and finally he whispered, "I seem to have heard the words Linyuan and Manzi..."
Speaking of barbarians, Song Dazhuang and Song Qin's faces changed slightly. Song Dazhuang was still comforting himself, no, it couldn't be such a coincidence, that brat would encounter barbarians every time he went to the border, and, if he remembered correctly, Song Chunlin clearly went to Baita City, not Linyuan.
"Linyuan? What's the matter with Linyuan? That place is heavily guarded. When Baita City was almost lost, Linyuan City didn't even send out soldiers. With so many people guarding a city, what problems can there be?"
Song Dazhuang acted as if he didn't care, but he was actually worried. After all, the distance between Baita and Linyuan was not too far. What if those barbarians were really bewitched and wanted to attack Linyuan?
There were many people who had the same idea. However, Su Fuqing heard with his own ears the person who came to report the incident talking about Lin Yuan and Manzi. In addition, Gu Fengyun had been in the palace for such a long time and had not returned yet, and no news or rumors had leaked out of the palace, which meant that the matter might be more serious than they imagined.
"Linyuan City is such an important place. If the barbarians take over Linyuan, it will be equivalent to opening up the road to the capital. When the time comes, the barbarians will go south, and our Dajing will be finished."
The more Su Fuqing spoke, the more frightened he became. Song Dazhuang and Song Qinshi's expressions became increasingly gloomy.
"Well, Madam Hou, you must be tired after running around all night. How about this? You go to your room and rest for a while. When it's daybreak, I'll ask your uncle Dazhuang to go to the government office and the post station in town to ask. People who come to report news must go to the post station, right? Maybe we can find out something."
At this point, Su Fuqing had no choice but to stay for the time being. However, he was preoccupied with things, and he tossed and turned in bed the entire night just like he had done in the previous few days. He only closed his eyes to rest for a while at dawn.
Song Dazhuang didn't even have breakfast early in the morning. He took Song Chunsheng with him. The father and son each put two buns in their pockets and went out in the carriage. Along the way, Song Dazhuang told Song Chunsheng what happened last night. After listening, Song Chunsheng's expression was the same as the couple's last night.
"Dad, this can't be true, can it? Chunlin is still in Baita City."
Song Dazhuang: "Your father is not a fool. Wait, let's go to the post station first. The battle report is 800 miles away, so we have to rest at the post station."
So the father and son first came to the post station, and the people at the post station recognized Song Dazhuang. There was nothing they could do, because almost everyone who farmed in the surrounding area knew Song Dazhuang.
It was precisely because of this relationship that the other party secretly told Song Dazhuang that four days ago, not long after dark, a soldier came to the post station to rest with an urgent battle report from eight hundred miles away.
"That man came in such a hurry that he didn't even dare to drink a few sips of water. He abandoned his exhausted horse, replaced it with a new one, and headed straight for the capital. From his accent, I can tell that he is indeed from the North. As for the content of his battle report, I have no idea."
Upon learning that there was indeed a battle report, Song Dazhuang expressed his gratitude to the man, and then took his son to the government office.
When they arrived at the government office, they received the same answer. However, the more they got the answer, the more uncertain they felt.
After returning home, Grandpa Song and Grandma Song also learned the whole story and were all waiting for good news from Song Dazhuang, but the final result still disappointed them.
The adults in the family felt a sinking feeling in their hearts, thinking that this was indeed the case.
Grandpa Song was silent for a long time before he slowly spoke: "The war report from the north, if Madam Hou heard it correctly, then this matter is almost certain."
Song A-mo didn't understand: "But, that's Linyuan City, the city with the largest number of troops in our Great Jing Dynasty. It's impossible for the barbarians to mobilize the entire country's troops to attack it, right? Isn't that like hitting a rock with an egg?"
"It's hard to say. Maybe the barbarians have set their sights on the area near the abyss and are attacking it specifically?"
Song Qin was worried about her own children: "If Linyuan is really attacked, then Fengyue and Chunlin will also have to go to support it?"
Song Dazhuang silently held his wife's hand. Song Qin's hands and feet were cold, and she could only draw the last bit of warmth from her husband.
Su Fuqing bit her lower lip and was about to say something when she heard someone outside reporting that Gu Fengyun had returned.
"Master Hou is back?"
"Yes, ma'am, the Marquis is back. He specifically asked me to tell you to wait on the official road. He will pass by there with his men."
Su Fuqing's body swayed slightly and he almost fell down.
"My Lord, why did you ask me to wait for him on the official road? Is he going on a long journey?"
The servant who brought the news was in a bit of a dilemma, as his master only asked him to pass on the message but didn't say anything else.
Su Fuqing also noticed this, and he calmed down a little. Then he forced himself to cheer up and prepared to say goodbye to the Song family.
Song Dazhuang and Song Qin looked at each other and made a decision in their hearts.
"Madam, let's go to the official road and wait for the Marquis. If there is anything, we can discuss it together."
Su Fuqing was at a loss, but when he heard Song Dazhuang's proposal, he did not refute it. So the group quickly drove the carriage to the official road. They deliberately chose the official road heading north, and Gu Fengyun lived up to everyone's expectations. After more than half an hour, he came over from the official road on the other side.
And coming with him was an endless army.
The moment they saw the army, everyone understood a little bit. Gu Fengyun rode his horse and came to Su Fuqing first, then dismounted in front of him.
"My Lord, what's going on? Is the incident in Linyuan City true?"
Gu Fengyun gently stroked Su Fuqing's cheek and nodded.
"It's true. Maybe you will get the news tomorrow. The barbarians united with other tribes on the grassland and launched an attack on Linyuan City. When we received the news, King Linyuan had been holding out alone for ten days. The city was almost out of ammunition and food. Fortunately, Fengyue came to support them in time and prevented the barbarians from taking down Linyuan City. I am going there this time to bring reinforcements to Linyuan and to transport food and grass. You stay at home and don't run around, okay?"
What Gu Fengyun actually wanted to say was that the capital city would probably be in chaos soon. Linyuan City was of great significance to the entire Dajing. Although the barbarians had not succeeded this time, there was no guarantee that some people with ulterior motives would take the opportunity to seduce the people in the capital city. Su Fuqing also had to take care of the children and mother-in-law, so it was best for him not to go out.
Su Fuqing naturally also understood the implication of Gu Fengyue's words. He bit his lips and tried hard to hold back his tears. He smiled at Gu Fengyun and assured him that he would take good care of the family.
"Please take care of yourself on your journey, my Lord. My child and I are waiting for you at home."
After the couple exchanged greetings, Song Dazhuang took the time to ask the other party if he had any news about Song Chunlin. He originally said he had no hope, but he didn't expect that Gu Fengyun actually had some.
"Chunlin is very capable. He arrived at Linyuan one night earlier than Fengyue. With his ability, those barbarians can't do anything to him. The battle report also said that Song Chunlin killed the enemy by standing on the city wall. Uncle Song, don't worry. When I get there, I will ask him to report to you that he is safe."
Gu Fengyun spoke in a relaxed tone, but Song Dazhuang and Song Qinshi were still a little worried. However, the mountains were high and the roads were long, and they could not contact Song Chunlin. When they heard Gu Fengyun say that Song Chunlin was not seriously injured, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
Song Dazhuang had nothing to say to Gu Fengyun, so Song Qin handed the basket that she had been holding in her arms to Gu Fengyun.
"I came in such a hurry that I only took a few buns from the kitchen this morning. My Lord, please don't despise me and save them for the journey."
Gu Fengyun took the basket, thanked the couple, squeezed Su Fuqing's hand, then mounted his horse and left without looking back.
Su Fuqing stood on the roadside with the Song family, watching the huge army and grain trucks passing by. The endless team took nearly an hour to reach the end.
But even so, everyone was reluctant to leave like this. Only when the tail of the team could no longer be seen did Su Fuqing sigh lightly and say goodbye to Song Dazhuang and the others.
"Uncle Song, I'm afraid that the people will be uneasy because of Lin Yuan's incident. If it's not necessary, you and aunt must go out less."
Song Qinshi: "Okay, you should go back earlier too. Both fathers are not around tonight, the young master will make a fuss."
Thinking of his son, Su Fuqing felt that he had gone too far in the past two days, so he hurriedly said goodbye to the Song family and hurried back.
Song Dazhuang and his friends followed him back to the village. As soon as Song Dazhuang arrived, he went straight to the headman's house and told him the news he had learned. The headman was so surprised that his jaw dropped.
"Brother Dazhuang, is everything you said true? Linyuan City is not an ordinary city. How could the barbarians think of attacking it?"
Song Dazhuang sighed and said, "Even you know that Linyuan is extraordinary, so do you think those barbarians don't know? I heard that this time, many barbarians united to fight Linyuan together. The King of Linyuan was also a man and persisted alone for ten days. Fortunately, the Grand Marshal went quickly and did not let the barbarians succeed. But you also know that those barbarians will not give up easily. The Marquis said that they might come back again. Although we are still far away from the north, this matter is different from the previous barbarian invasions. I am afraid that some people with ulterior motives will take the opportunity to cause chaos. You are the head of the village, so please arrange for the young men in the village to patrol the village every night to prevent some scoundrels from taking advantage of the situation."