No matter how unwilling Du Changqing was, it no longer mattered much to Wan Jun. Although Du Changqing had excellent shipbuilding skills, he was too self-respecting in holding weapons, which was an obstacle to the rapid expansion of the Chinese army's combat power.

Now that the specifications of the new warships have been determined, with Jiang Pingping presiding over the construction, even if his skills are not as good as those of his old father, Jiang Pingping is obedient enough to build dozens of warships, which is enough to hone his skills.

After everything was done, the army returned from Wuchang to the north, took the waterway to Jingxiang, and entered Yunyang Mansion by land. The carriages and horses were bumpy along the way, and finally passed the border of Xichuan County.

Heading from Xichuan to Lucheng, the Sansheng Inn has lost many of its heroes and has become much dilapidated. Only the flag of the Chinese Army is still bright and eye-catching.

When Wanjun started his business, Zheng Jiming came to invest in Xichuan, and the Chinese army tightened their belts to rescue Xichuan. The past is still vivid in my mind.

King Lu was in high spirits, and the journey along the road was almost like going on a trip. He praised it from time to time. Compared with the oppressive high walls and deep courtyards in the past, he now realized that the sky was high, the mountains and rivers were vast and lonely.

Everyone rode their horses to the east. Wanjun stopped their horses at a low cliff. Looking at the familiar scene in front of them, they couldn't help but sigh, "I haven't seen you for many years!"

King Lu answered from the side, "Has the head of state been here before?"

Wan Jun nodded, thinking about something in his mind, and took the lead along an abandoned mountain road, all the way to the top of the mountain.

King Lu and others followed and came up. The top of the mountain was covered with grass, and an abandoned two-story attic stood among the grass.

After walking through the grass, everyone walked to the attic. King Lu exclaimed in surprise, "I can't believe that there is such an attic in this wilderness. Has the head of state been here before?"

Wan Jun looked at the scene in front of him and sighed, "When I went to Xichuan a few years ago, I walked past this place. This place is called the Washing Building because of this building."

The washing building stands on the top of a hill, with the Danjiang River facing the cliff below. The mountainous terrain is extremely dangerous. Three provinces here meet. Due to the special geographical location, there were a group of bandits and bandits on the tops of the mountains, and the surrounding security was extremely poor.

After the rise of Wanjun in Lucheng County, banditry was also a big problem. He personally led two regiments and froze in the snow for a night to annihilate the Dadouling bandits in a surprise attack. After rescuing Xichuan, many rivers and lakes such as Laohushan

The hero even raised his stronghold to surrender.

After the Chinese army divided the territory, the heroes in the mountains returned to good deeds one after another, and finally the banditry troubles everywhere were completely eliminated.

Wan Jun recalled the past, how many changes had taken place in the past few years, and felt sad. He felt a sense of loss, and said to everyone, "It is said that this dressing building was built during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, and the Emperor of Zhou lived here."

Everyone turned their attention from the mountains and rivers to the attic. King Lu stood on the building and looked around, praising repeatedly, "I never thought there was such a good place. The scenery here is so beautiful that I couldn't help but want to recite a poem."

"

After saying that, Zhu Yihai took a deep breath and thought as he said, "The Cangshan Mountain surges like the peaks of the sea, the river turns like a swimming dragon, the ancient buildings that have been built for thousands of years are still there, and the weeds wither and flourish every year."

Everyone praised in unison, "What a poem, what a poem!"

Wei Kuangguo praised, "It's magical and magical. This kind of rhythmic poetry is the most magical."

"The thousand-year-old building is still there, and the wild grass withers and blooms every year."

It is true that weeds wither and flourish every year, but as long as their roots are still there, they can grow new year after year. Although the scenes between heaven and earth are ever-changing, heaven and earth will last forever.

The beautiful scenery in the world is like this ancient building. Although it still exists after thousands of years,

The human world does not know how much time has passed, and no one will know the name of the person who built the building.

Wan Jun suddenly remembered Zhang Xiaoyan. At that time, every time when he set off from Lucheng, Zhang Xiaoyan would look at the city gate with concern. Now that the mountains and rivers conquered by the Chinese army are vast, this regret can no longer be made up for.

After coming down from the washing building, everyone started on their way again, and within half an hour, they arrived at Lucheng County.

Outside the south gate of Lucheng, the houses that were burned down during the last barbarian invasion have been built row after row, even more than last time.

After entering the south gate, the ruined area has been rebuilt. In the middle of the cross street, the former house has not been rebuilt, but a large stone platform has been built with a monument erected on it.

When Wan Jun came closer, he saw a few large characters written on the monument: "Monument to the soldiers who died in the battle of Bingxu and Hu in Lucheng"!

Below the large characters is a short article describing an event, followed by a large number of names. Each name refers to a Chinese soldier who died in the battle.

Wan Jun glanced at it and said, "Jiang Huicheng, Bai Zaiping, Qi Weilong..."

Seeing Qi Weilong's name, Wan Jun remembered that he was Xie Xiaoni's second husband. It seemed that less than half a year after their wedding, poor Xie Xiaoni became a widow for the second time.

The county government office was on the left side of the intersection. The huge plaque in front of the City God's Temple still had the characters "Lingdong Shangnan" as usual. Wan Jun led people towards the county government office.

Before they reached the yamen gate, a group of people poured out from the door. The people in the lead came towards Wan Jun and others, and laughter spread like wildfire.

"Head of State, long time no see, I miss you so much!"

Wan Jun saw the person coming clearly and said happily, "Bo Yuan, how come I met you in Lucheng!"

Zhao Boyuan laughed loudly and said, "This is because we are destined to meet each other. When I came back from Huainan, I walked to Shangzhou Mansion and saw that it was almost the Chinese New Year. I thought that when we started here, we simply stayed in Lucheng. Who knows what else could happen?

Meeting the head of state is really a double blessing."

Wan Jun said, "I originally wanted to rush back to Chang'an before the Chinese New Year, but I hurriedly rushed to Lucheng."

Zhao Boyuan said, "That's just right. Further north in the Qinling Mountains, the mountains are already covered with heavy snow. Let's stay here."

Wan Jun nodded, "That's all. Although Lucheng is our hometown, I have never spent a New Year in Lucheng."

Zhao Boyuan took Wan Jun into the county government office, "It's just right. It's better to rush it early than to rush it by chance. Come, come, come, let us brothers get together."

The Lucheng County Government Office was as usual, and the plum blossoms in the back hall were still there. When Wan Jun saw the stone benches in the courtyard, thoughts suddenly came to his mind.

It was on this stone bench that Zhang Xiaoyan made tea for herself, and the two of them talked and laughed together in the moonlight. That night, when the snowflakes fell, Zhang Xiaoyan pulled her and waited for her hair to grow old in the snow.

This man has passed away, and Lucheng has become empty.

Wan Jun walked over and sat down on the stone bench, looking at the familiar things with gentle eyes. Zhao Boyuan said from the side, "Führer, go sit in the room. It's freezing outside. It's so cold sitting on the stone bench.

"

Wan Jun sighed and covered it up, "Oh, I haven't been back for a long time. Things have changed a lot, but everything here is still so kind!"

Zhao Boyuan smiled and said, "Yeah, I never thought that after coming down from Laolong Mountain for just a few years, I could achieve such earth-shaking achievements. It is really something I dare not even think about."

Wan Jun stroked the stone table with his hand, stood up and entered the back hall, "Bo Yuan, tomorrow is New Year's Eve!"

Zhao Boyuan responded, "Yes, tomorrow is New Year's Eve, the first day of our new calendar."

Wan Jun said, "Xinli! Wen Anzhi does things very quickly."

Zhao Boyuan said, "This is too slow. Logically speaking, when we established our capital in Chang'an, we should immediately announce the new dynasty and new calendar to the world. This has been delayed for two years."

Wan Jun said, "Have someone prepare some paper money for incense candles for me."

Zhao Boyuan asked curiously, "What does the head of state do?"

Wan Jun said, "You are talking nonsense. What else can we use the incense, candles and paper money for? Of course it is to pay homage to the deceased."

Zhao Boyuan quickly said, "No, I mean, are there any relatives and friends of the head of state in Lucheng?"

Wan Jun said, "Go and get ready. I'm tired from walking all the way. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Zhao Boyuan stood up and said, "Okay, I'll ask someone to prepare. You have a good rest."

After dismissing everyone, Wan Jun got up and looked around the room. There were shadows of the past everywhere, and each one was related to Zhang Xiaoyan. Wan Jun got up and left the back hall and went to live in the west side room.

Early on the next morning, Wan Jun left the county government office, followed by Zhao Boyuan, Wei Kuangguo, King of Lu Zhu Yihai, and the magistrate of Lucheng County. They all rode out of Lucheng County and headed east to Fushui Pass.

When the Hu people conquered Fushui Pass, they burned the city with fire. Now they built a bigger city near the river.

Heading south from Fushui Pass, the vast team marched all the way to Wangjialou Village.

There was a battle in the village, but fortunately there was not much damage. The tall theater building in the courtyard of the Wang family still exists. The Wang family, which had declined in the past, has now regained its vitality through Wang Lihui's name.

From the path next to the Wang family courtyard, Wanjun climbed to the West Palace Cliff. The vegetation here was withered. At a glance, you could see the ancient tree standing on the edge of the cliff. The branches extending towards the cliff were cut down by Wanjun, leaving only the bare branches.

A section was glowing black.

Wan Jun sighed and walked to the cliff to take a look. The cliff was tens of meters high. It was here that Zhang Xiaoyan's maid Changle fell to the bottom of the cliff and Zhang Xiaoyan hanged herself on the cliff.

The empress's stele in the West Palace is erected under an ancient tree. After Li Zicheng's defeat, the stele here seems to have become more deserted.

Walking along the ridge from Xigong Cliff, everyone soon arrived at Jinzhong Mountain. The ancient Lotus Temple stood quietly in the cold wind, with the tombs at the entrance hidden by weeds, looking lonely and lonely.

Wan Jun stepped forward and reached out to pull out the weeds. Zhao Boyuan followed beside him to help. After seeing clearly, he lamented, "Alas, it was the head of state who had the intention. Zhang Sheng's only remaining relative is lying here."

Wei Kuangguo said softly from behind, "Amen!"

Everyone was confused about the emotions in Wan Jun's heart and could not express them. Everyone helped clean up the weeds and lit incense candles. Wan Jun squatted down and burned paper money for Zhang Xiaoyan.

Zhao Boyuan also squatted down and muttered, "Join a good family as soon as possible."

Wan Jun suddenly remembered something, "It's strange, why is Zhang Sheng not here?"

Zhao Boyuan said, "Maybe there is something delayed!"

Wan Jun shook his head, "From what I understand, what else can be so important, more important than offering incense to Xiaoyan?"

Zhao Boyuan said, "It's also possible that the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, making it really difficult to get through."
Chapter completed!