"Second Master."

When Zhang Yong and others saw Jia Lian coming out, they stepped forward and looked at Jia Lian with concern.

Jia Lian looked around, his face could not help but darken, and he said solemnly: "Why are there only a few of you?"

Faced with Jia Lian's question, Zhang Yong gave a rough look. Hei's big face instantly dropped, and the others also had sad looks on their faces.

Zhao Sheng stood up and reported: "Back to the Second Master, we have suffered heavy losses this time!

On the way to escort Miss Aqin back, we encountered an enemy attack ...In addition to the several brothers who died with the second master before, among the people who followed the second master on this trip, except for a few of us, there are only three who are seriously injured and cannot come to see the second master for the time being.

Others were unable to come back."

Jia Lian took a deep breath and asked again: "Where is Wang Teng?"

Zhao Sheng tightened his grip at once Fist, with a look of pain on his face, "When we broke out that day, he was hit by an arrow and fell from his horse. Brothers, we couldn't save him..."

Jia Lian was silent.

Looking at the seven or eight personal guards in front of him, almost all of whom were injured, his mind came back to those passionate boys who had been training bravely under his encouragement in Dongkua Yard.

Except for Zhang Yong, there are twenty in total. They are all young and strong young men he carefully selected from the two mansions after he ascended the throne!

Now, just...one, two, three, four, only five left?

There is also Wang Teng, who was with him when he went to Yangzhou to pick up Daiyu.

At first, he was appointed by the imperial court as a grain officer and followed the prince to the north to the border. Because Wang Teng's name violated Wang Ziteng's taboo, he didn't take him there, which made him very regretful.

He was the most excited about this trip to Wala. Who knew, he would become the first person among the five of them to be shrouded in horse leather!

Although Jia Lian strictly trained his personal guards from the beginning. But he also knew that the more than twenty people under his command were still far from the real elite soldiers who had fought in hundreds of battles.

Once they face an enemy with real swords and guns, their survival rate will be much lower than that of veterans who have experienced hundreds of battles.

But emotionally, he still hopes that his personal guards will live well and live as well as possible.

In fact, if he hadn't been in danger this time, these personal guards under his account could have been trained slowly. As long as his lord is not in danger, his personal guards will naturally not be in much danger either.

Unfortunately, their first time on the battlefield was in this dangerous situation.

Twenty recruits, only five left! !

As for those who are recovering from their injuries...it has been almost two months, and their injuries should be almost healed. At least it won't be a problem to welcome him. Those who can't come probably won't be able to follow him on his expeditions in the future.

At this moment, even Jia Lian had no good words to comfort the only remaining guards in front of him.

"Where are the brothers who are recovering from their injuries?"

"They are all recuperating in the previous yard..."

Jia Lian nodded and remained silent. Go down to the cave.

The guards behind him also followed silently one by one. The previous excitement and excitement of seeing Jia Lian's safe return disappeared.

But they were very grateful.

From Jia Lian's silence, they could all feel that Jia Lian was very sad about the casualties of the personal guards.

Most of these personal guards had their ancestors serving under the Second Duke Ning Rong. They all also know that on the battlefield, it is their duty and their honor for the personal guards to protect the safety of the general with their lives.

But they are also human beings and have personal emotions. Being able to die for a general who values ​​them and cares about their lives is a death without regrets.

Returning to the courtyard where they stayed, Zhaoer and Aqin also came to greet them. Jia Lian's eyes paused for a moment on Ah Qin, who was dressed in military uniform. After realizing that she was up to no good, he moved his eyes away and came to the bodyguard where he was recovering from serious injuries.

The three bodyguards who were lying in bed were very excited when they saw Jia Lian. However, Jia Lian didn't say much. He just looked at each of them for a few times and suddenly turned to face Zhang Yong and others.

"After the peace talks between the two countries, I will have people retrieve the bones of the dead brothers, incinerate them, and bring them back to the Central Plains.

"I really can't find the bones. Therefore, we found some objects from their horses and residences to burn on their behalf.

Zhao Sheng, you will be responsible for this matter. Remember, those who sacrificed this time are all our brothers, we Relatives! We cannot let the souls of our relatives have nowhere to rest after they die, so you have to handle this matter well."

"Yes! I will obey the orders of the second master!" The order was given Zhao Sheng was so impressed that he immediately paid homage and knelt down to perform a military salute.

But the others, especially the three who could only save their lives this time and could only lie on the hospital bed to recuperate and were destined to be permanently disabled, all had their faces flushed, regardless of their injuries. Turn it down to express your loyalty and devotion to Jia Lian.

The king treats his ministers like his brothers and sisters, and his ministers treat him like his heart! Perhaps not everyone among Jia Lian's personal guards understands this truth, but at this moment, when they know that Jia Lian takesWhen their relatives treat them, they all feel that being able to be loyal to a master like Jia Lian, even death, becomes less scary.

　…

Because Jia Lian was delayed for more than a month in the desert, the sending mission withdrew from Ganning Pass and had already returned to peace.

Whether it was the comfort of the previously wounded and wounded soldiers or the handover negotiations with the new Oara envoy, they were almost completed under the auspices of Xiang He.

Jia Lian does not intend to interfere too much in these matters. Although he is an envoy, since the work has been done by Xiang He and others, he is not someone who likes to pick other people's peaches.

This time, he has gained enough credit and prestige. For such small achievements, he is happy to give them to the people below, and take this opportunity to rest for a few days and wait for Emperor Ningkang's will.

However, he wanted to be leisurely, but Qingxian was destined not to like him. When Xiang He reported to him the tentative results of the negotiations with the Wala envoy, Jia Lian immediately appeared in the meeting hall of the envoy.

"The above are the terms of the credentials that we and the Wala envoy have revised during this period. If you have any opinions, you can put them forward for discussion. In particular, if the other party wants to change them Should we carefully consider the fact that the eldest prince of our country marries the princess of our dynasty..."

Xiang He read several newly revised regulations to everyone in the envoy, and finally took a look and sat on the table Jia Lian looked at him and said this.

In fact, the letters of credence between the two countries had already been signed when the third prince of Wala arrived in the capital of Wei.

It’s just that things like the Zhanghetan incident have given both countries a reason to break up. Now that neither party has done so due to various considerations, the previous credentials are naturally still valid.

However, given that Wala had broken the promise first, naturally he could no longer completely abide by the previous credentials. Wala had to give some benefits no matter what, otherwise the Wei Dynasty would not be able to live up to his reputation.

Therefore, the revised terms will tilt the interests that should have been the Oara side to the Wei side.

This was originally a relatively simple matter. They had almost discussed it with the Wala envoy, and they were just waiting for the first draft to be sent back to the capital for Emperor Ningkang to review. Once it was correct, the formal signing could be completed.

An official stood up and said: "Wala is very sincere in revising his credentials this time, and has made concessions on several clauses. Obviously they are indeed aware of their mistakes. , and are willing to atone for the friendly relations between the two countries.

As for their new proposal that the eldest prince should marry the princess of our dynasty, the official thinks there is nothing worthy of further discussion.
< br />　The 'Song Ye King' also said that this move was an act of compensation for Wala's betrayal of their third prince and betrayal of the alliance between the two countries. King Wala personally confessed that if our princess Zhaoyang is safe, they are willing to let their eldest prince marry our princess, and the previously agreed marriage conditions remain unchanged.

King Ye of Song also said that although their eldest prince already had a prince concubine, in order to show respect for my superior, they would demote the original prince concubine to a concubine. I am in the right position facing the princess.

And during the negotiation, in order for us to agree to this article, Wara not only promised to reduce the border tax on the mutual trade between the two countries by half within ten years, but also took the opportunity to propose the condition of purchasing an additional 5,000 war horses. , they all agreed.

It seems that the Wala people are truly repentant and sincere in their request to marry our princess.

This time we will take this opportunity to obtain more benefits for the court. I believe that His Majesty will be very happy when he knows about it. ”

What this official said was also the thought of most of the envoys.

Originally, they had already agreed on this matter and would wait to send it back to the capital. As long as Emperor Ningkang did not reject it, Then they have made a great contribution.

As for Emperor Ning Kang, would he reject it? Obviously not.

The princess who was originally planning to marry could still serve the country Why not get a second wave of benefits?

It is said that a good girl does not marry a second husband. Anyway, Princess Zhaoyang has made a marriage agreement with Wala. Now that Wala is still willing to marry, the conditions are better than before It’s so generous. If you don’t marry Wala, what’s the point?

I’m afraid that the various families in the capital would not be willing to marry a princess who is a widower...
< br />　So, they don’t think what they did is wrong at all. Everything is for the sake of the national interest.

 There are also people with sharp minds.

 This matter was originally They had all discussed it, but now Xiang He suddenly came up with it, and the unprecedented Jia Lian appeared today.

From Xiang He’s reaction, it is not difficult to guess that it was Jia Lian who was responsible for their negotiation. The results are not satisfactory.

It is not difficult to understand those with higher emotional intelligence. Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang already have a close relationship, and this time they escorted Princess Zhaoyang back thousands of miles, and after nine deaths, perhaps He has some different feelings for Princess Zhaoyang, and naturally he does not want Princess Zhaoyang to marry to Wala.

Although they can guess the reason, they have no intention of immediately flattering Jia Lian. After all, they are here for The imperial court strives for interests. Even if Jia Lian is powerful, he can't do anything to them, right?

So, those who have seen through it will say nothing for the time being.

Those who have not seen clearly will naturally agree with what the previous people said.

Jia Lian sat at the top, silently looking at the people in front of him, feeling alienated and angry in his heart.

But he didn’t show it.

Just looked at the few speakers coldly. When they gradually noticed his gaze and became quiet, Fang mocked: "Sir, do you really like to rely on me so much? A woman gets promoted and makes a fortune? If a woman fails to sell herself once, she still wants to sell her a second time?"