Zhao Xi always smiled and greeted every official who came to the front, very polite, down-to-earth, and unpretentious.

  No matter how many things you dislike in your heart, even if you want to scold, you still endure and respond.

  Polite even made Zhang Wei think it was his own way of doing things, sobering up this ignorant and arrogant prince.

  Zhao Xi cooperated in this way, doing whatever they wanted him to do, and being however they wanted him to be, all the way through the ancestor worship ceremony. Zhao Xi was like a puppet on strings, manipulated by them at will.

  Gongs and drums... well, let's have gongs and drums then; soldiers in formation... that's fine, you decide; the generals must wear bright armor... all right, clean them if they're not new, replace them if they can't be cleaned; we'll also need some children... oh, you arrange it.

  From the ceremony process to personnel, Zhao Xi did not mention any opinions. When asked, he also responded with a single word: "Okay, you decide."

  Even when offering incense, Zhang Wei arranged for Zhao Zongshi to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with himself, and Zhao Xie was also smiling. It's all right!

  The ulcer is hard to cure, and although the country's dynasty is not considered to be in a critical condition, it is definitely not just a superficial problem.

  Zhao Xi was clear that if he wanted to change, he couldn't scrape his bones or take strong medicine, and although the illness needed to be treated slowly, it also required slow treatment.

  Zhao Xi felt a bit bitter and didn't say that he saw the entire national dynasty, but from trivial matters, it can be seen...it's difficult!

  Until the ancestor worship was over, Zhao Xi didn't exchange pleasantries with Zhang Wei or anyone else, and just smiled all the way through to complete this task.

  Wang Zhongzheng looked at Wang Ye with great concern, even feeling a bit uneasy. He had never seen Wang Ye go without speaking for over ten days before, and it was still like this...

  Who to talk to? What to say? Zhao Xi couldn't find anyone to have a conversation with. Who could understand his thoughts and feelings?

  Forget it, just wait and see.

  According to the plan made by Zhengshitang, tomorrow should be the day to return.

  Zhang Wei seems to be enjoying the feeling in front of Zhao Xi, originally still need to put out the political hall as a big flag, now he almost doesn't mention the political hall.

  Although he was executing, it felt like he decided on his own.

  "Your Highness, we set out at dawn tomorrow."

  "Okay!"

  Zhang Wei left after saying something very cool, and Zhao Xi cooperated with him by holding a basin for him...

  Even Cao Lin found it strange, this shouldn't be the temperament of King E, right? Whether it's his uncle or aunt, including those who are familiar with King E's methods, they have never had a bad review of him.

  These days, it's completely different from its original image...

  To be honest, for Zhang Wei's behavior, Zhao Xi just couldn't stand it, but not to the point of seeking revenge. Some minor details could be let go and forgotten.

  Although Zhang Wei was very annoying, the whole thing was handled in a mediocre manner. He understood that Zhang Wei's attitude towards him and towards the entire army was not rooted in himself.

  Just followed him then. All just doing their jobs anyway.

  At the third watch, set out, and just like when we first left Bianliang, the schedule for the first day was to rush along desperately.

  The biggest difference between Gongxian and Bianliang is the mountain. From Gongxian to the east, all the way to Xingyang, it's a mountain road. While from Bianliang to the west, all the way to Xingyang, it's flat terrain.

  Fortunately, Zhengshitang is still familiar with this area and the route arrangement is reasonable. At least it didn't require arriving in Xingyang on the second day of the return trip.

  When the sun was slightly west, Zhao Xi and his group arrived at the first relay station on their itinerary, which was also where they would be staying tonight.

  This is a wide place in the valley between two mountains, because it is the road to the west of Beijing, and also the official road connecting Xijing and Bianliang. The road conditions are well maintained, and the scale and facilities of the post station are also good.

  Zhao Xi lived in the upper house of the post station, which was the second floor of the main house inside.

  Zhao Xi pushed open the window and gazed at the sunset, looking at the peach blossoms and wild peaches on the opposite mountain slope, a patch of yellow and a patch of pink, covering the entire mountain.

  For a moment, his mood had eased. The knot in his heart from the beginning had loosened... It was unnecessary, Zhao Xi had mentally prepared himself for this situation.

  I had heard Old Fan talk about national affairs before, but I just didn't experience it personally. Since we were prepared, there's no need to be so entangled.

  Having problems is nothing to be afraid of, solving them is what matters... being depressed and anxious only adds trouble for oneself, it has no other use.

  I have made some preparations, and I will take it slow, making small changes one by one, as long as the country is changing for the better.

  One year is not enough, five years are not enough, ten years, twenty years, thirty years, even fifty years. You still have a lot of time left.

  Huh... Is there someone on the mountain opposite?

  Not far away, Zhao Xi could even see the tree stumps on the mountain slope, and the swaying of human figures was also naturally visible.

  "Zhōng zhèng, rǔ kàn duì miàn shān pō..."

  Translation: "Zhong Zheng, look at the mountain slope opposite..."

  Cao Lin and Gao Jingxian cannot live with Zhao Xi, they are still with the ones in Nei Yuan, just one more Li Xian.

  "Your Highness, it seems like someone is here!"

  "The little one went to report to the front hall..."

  Li Xian also saw it and was about to go downstairs.

  "Uh... Li Xian, I'd better tell Zhang Langzhong about it."

  That's the rule, everything has to be approved by the superior.

  Zhang Wei quickly came up and it's no wonder that Zhao Xi didn't get along with him, but he felt that this person was still quite diligent. Some minor illnesses, once they were over, they were over.

  "Where is someone?"

  Zhao Xi didn't say anything and pointed to the opposite mountain slope...

  "Your Highness, do not be alarmed. These are the halberdiers and archers, they are the outer guards of my retinue."

  Still very arrogant, turned around and walked away with his back to me.

  Zhao Xi was stunned for a moment... Maybe he really was being overly cautious. Thinking about what Zhang Wei said, this might actually be possible.

  "Brother, apart from repairing roads and building bridges, does the Xiang Army also have external defense functions?"

  "Returning to the king, the guards and archers can be used for peripheral defense at specific times. However... this time out, I haven't heard that the guards have such a function."

  "Jingxi Road, a crucial place in Jingxi, has fewer thieves and is not a mountainous area, so there should be no need for such a large military escort. Perhaps it's because the local officials have made arrangements with Zhang Langzhong."

  Cao Lin said so, somewhat ambiguous, seemingly skeptical of the situation near the post station, yet seeming to affirm Zhang Wei's words.

  It's all right, I was just overthinking things.

  Zhao Xi didn't think much...

  Just as Zhao Xi had just fallen asleep, he suddenly heard a burst of noise, mixed with the sound of clashing steel, seemingly right outside the station gate...

  For a moment, Zhao Xi thought he had dreamed of something...

  "Your Highness, there's a bandit breaking into the relay station!"

  Zhao Xi opened his eyes and found that his room was already full of people.

  One by one, they seem to be very tight...

  Rushing to the relay station? Or in the important places of Beijing and Ji, on this official road between Beijing and Xijing, how much more effort is needed?

  This is not the time for nonsense, Zhao Xi didn't say much either, just quickly dressed up... At this time, no one should ask him to continue wearing so many layers.

  The sound of horseshoes clashing grew clearer and clearer, as if they had really arrived at the entrance of the post station...

  "Where is the stable?"

  Cao Lin looked at Zhao Xi in surprise... Is this going to escape? Uncle, perhaps you've made a mistake.

  "My left rear side. Not just relay horses, our mounts are also there."

  "General Cao has ordered me to instruct you: take a group of five elite soldiers, each with two horses, and quickly rush to Gongying to fetch reinforcements."

  Cao Lin should have been worried about comforting Wang Ye, but at this time, receiving Zhao Xi's order seemed more reassuring than Wang Ye's safety.