"Then logically speaking, I should have been unable to endure on the road, how could I have managed to return to Bianjing?"

When Wang Bing heard this, his pupils immediately contracted slightly.

His hands instinctively clenched into fists.

He then fell silent for a moment and said:

"This matter is largely thanks to Commander Tong's intervention, otherwise elder brother would have perished on the road."

Hearing this, Wang Yue blinked and said in surprise:

"Commander Tong, isn't he Tong Guan?"

Wang Bing took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone steady:

"It is indeed him. He had an ancestral spirit medicine, specifically crafted to extend life, which Duke Chongguo had once tried to purchase at great expense but failed to obtain.

Seeing elder brother in a critical condition on the road, Commander Tong sent the spirit medicine to the military camp overnight, thus sustaining your life for several days, allowing you to return to Bianjing."

Wang Yue nodded thoughtfully.

Wang Bing's words seemed a bit mysterious, but such situations were not uncommon in ancient times.

Just like the mention of white sugar being used as medicine in the 1665 dungeon before.

Since the bodies of ancient ancestors had low resistance to medicine, many things could rapidly revive the body, serving as a life-sustaining medicine introduction.

For example, white sugar.

Or certain elder ginsengs commonly found in the homes of wealthy landlords.

Thus, if Xu Yun's guess is correct,

the spirit medicine in Tong Guan's hand likely used a similar mechanism:

The spirit medicine was composed of rare medicinal herbs, some of which might have temporarily inhibited bacteria, thus extending Wang Yue's life for a few more days.

As for why it was described as 'temporarily inhibiting bacteria', it's mainly because according to the normal historical trajectory, Wang Yue died shortly after returning to the capital, barely lasting long.

Thus, the spirit medicine clearly did not possess a garlic-like special effect, but merely "suspended" life.

Therefore, setting aside Wang Bing's account and looking at the event itself, it wasn't a particularly mysterious matter.

Returning to reality.

In the room.

After hearing Wang Bing's words, Wang Yue seemed to realize something, and gave his younger brother a deep look:

"So, Zheng Chen, what was the price?"

Wang Bing's chest heaved a few times, and he said frankly:

"As long as elder brother could survive to Bianjing, regardless of life or death in the end, I would have to be transferred from the Profound Brave Guard to serve under Commander Tong.

From then on, wherever he goes, I go."

Hearing this, Wang Yue frowned, opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something.

But after his lips moved a few times, he ultimately said nothing.

Old Su and Xu Yun, seeing this situation, sighed in unison.

Old Su sighed because Wang Bing followed someone not that reputable; after all, regardless of Tong Guan's military achievements, he was still a eunuch.

In this era valuing civility over martial prowess, serving a eunuch wasn't particularly honorable.

And Xu Yun was sighing for...

Another historical mystery had been unveiled.

Actually, Xu Yun... or rather, many later Song historians wondered:

Why did someone with such integrity as Wang Bing choose to follow Tong Guan before the Taiyuan Incident?

Moreover, not only did he follow him, but their relationship was also very special.

Whether it was quelling Fang La or the western campaign, Wang Bing was undoubtedly Tong Guan's top choice among his generals.

He was a trusted subordinate of Tong Guan, much like Li Kui was to Song Jiang.

Yet, this trusted aide barely had any interaction with Tong Guan; their relationship was incredibly subtle.

And now, with Wang Bing's words, this historical mystery finally has an answer:

Because Wang Bing wasn't following Tong Guan for an official position, but because of a promise!

In such a manner,

everything made sense.

Perhaps due to the somber atmosphere, Wang Yue brought up another topic:

"By the way, Zheng Ru, how is the war on the western front?"

Wang Bing slightly straightened his expression, knowing his elder brother intended to change the subject, and said:

"Rest assured, elder brother.

General Wang Hou led the army across the Yellow River the day before yesterday, successfully capturing Ningtiao Stockade, Baidang City, Ningchuan Castle, Nanzong Castle, and other key locations.

We killed over five thousand Xia bandits and seized more than two thousand horses.

Now, east to the Yellow River, Lanzhou Jingyu Pass.

West to Shengzhang Gorge, Zongqi Realm, even further west to Kuozhou Yellow River Realm.

South to the Hezhou Realm, north to the Gai Zhu Realm, all have come under the control of our court.

If nothing goes wrong,

before winter hits this year, our forces should be able to advance to the outskirts of Shanzhou and Guozhou City, Qing Tang's recovery is in sight."

"Exactly!"

Upon hearing this news,

Wang Yue immediately clapped his hands in excitement, forgetting his previous gloom. However, he unintentionally pulled his wound due to the excessive movement, causing him to gasp while saying:

"If Qing Tang can be regained, it will be as if cutting off a limb from the Western Xia bandits; let's see if Doroba dares to come again?"

Wang Bing chuckled and added:

"Elder brother, not only that.

Qing Tang has been known for its fine horses since ancient times. If the court can recruit some horse breeding tribes, perhaps in the future you and I could both ride excellent horses."

Old Su, who had barely spoken, was prompted by the mention of excellent horses and seemed to recall something:

"If that could happen, it would be splendid.

Currently, there aren't many good mounts in the court, below Captain those riding are often using draft horses or even pack horses.

Lucky there's no war in the capital now, otherwise riding them into battle would truly be laughable.

I've heard that Qing Tang has a lake called Beimu Qianghai, with excellent flora, a top choice for horse breeding.

If this place could be used to rear mounts, it would surely alleviate some military needs.

Perhaps seven or eight years later, traveling northward would no longer cause us to fear foreign cavalry."

Watching the three historical figures conversing enthusiastically, next to them, Xu Yun's eyes showed a hint of puzzlement.

In ancient armies, horses were roughly divided into three types:

namely riding horses, draft horses, and pack horses.

Cavalry and officers rode 'riding horses', which demanded agility and strong endurance.

They were also the horse with the highest comprehensive requirements.

Draft horses and pack horses were used for pulling supplies, most having concave backs, offering a poor riding experience.

As for Beimu Qianghai, it refers to the well-known Qinghai Lake of later times.

Qinghai Lake was famous for a superior breed called Haomen Horse, known in history as the Qinghai Horse.

It was one of Huaxia's famous horse breeds, possessing medium build, robust physique, and nimble and swift steps.

It excelled at traversing mountains and was an excellent battle mount.

Some even speculate that Qinghai Lake was where Sun Wukong raised horses.

The Qinghai Horse is considered to be the Dragon Horse in the Journey to the West.

Whether this view is correct is another matter, but at least from a strategic perspective, the Northern Song's campaign to reclaim Qing Tang was undoubtedly a highly valuable strategic move.

As for what puzzled Xu Yun...

Present were Wang Yue, Wang Bing, and Old Su, among them were both civil and military, ranging from high to low positions, yet they could quickly summarize the strategic significance of the Qing Tang region.

Which means.

This value perspective must have certain universality, applicable to both grassroots officers and high-level civil servants.

So the question arises.

Why was such a well-recognized valuable land surrendered soon after?

Did the Emperor of the Great Song really resemble the TPC in Ultraman Tiga, where the whole universe knew Dagu was Tiga, yet the TPC didn't know this?

This clearly doesn't make sense.

Just as Xu Yun pondered,

a knocking sound suddenly came from outside the room,

and after a moment, Elder Xie's voice came from outside:

"Master, there's a visitor."

Old Su glanced outside:

"Who is it?"

"The visiting card is stamped with the insignia of the Assistant Minister, but the visitor is actually the daughter of the Assistant Minister, saying she...

"wants to see Mr. Wang."

...........

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