The next day, Xiang Shaolong took the excuse of recovering from his injuries and led his beloved wife Ai'er and the Eighteen Iron Guards back to the ranch. Teng Yi personally led the troops to escort him, and with the consent of Xiaopan and Changping Jun, Teng Yi took charge of the army in Xiang Shaolong's absence.

Fu, and at the same time, Wu Guo took over the position of Guoxing.

In the past, it would have been impossible to pass Lu Buwei's test. But now, as long as Xiaopan does not object, the appointment and transfer of military positions will be in the hands of Changping Jun, the Taiwei.

Of course, Lu Buwei is still the prime minister with real power, but due to the clear division of duties now, if he still interferes in some matters, it would be beyond his authority.

No one was willing to give up the power they had gained, so Lu Buwei made a final struggle to join forces with Du Bi and Pu Hu.

The struggle is still in its infancy.

After galloping out of Xianyang City, Ji Yanran came to Xiang Shaolong's side and said with concern: "They want me to ask my husband if his wound is still hurting?"

Teng Yi on the other side smiled and said, "Don't you want to know, Yanran?"

Ji Yanran clicked her tongue and said: "Second brother is laughing at me."

Xiang Shaolong couldn't help but feel relaxed and happy when he saw her charming and charming expression. He smiled and said, "A few bruises on the flesh are nothing to worry about."

Teng Yi said thoughtfully: "After you return to the ranch, you must be careful. I'm really afraid that Lu Buwei will take risks and launch a secret attack, or send people through Du Bi and Pu Hu to deal with you."

Ji Yanran said: "The Crown Prince and Lord Chang Qian are just finishing studying how to implement the military system. Since Lu Buwei came on the scene, he misused the late king's favor and trust to make the generals disobey the rules and regulations set by Lord Yang, and privately held seals and talismans to mobilize the army."

.If this bad habit can be abolished, Lu Buwei will never think of sending troops to deal with us again. Otherwise, he will have no choice but to send out his generals and his followers."

Since the Qin Dynasty's reform by Shang Yang, the monarch had extremely strict control over the army and implemented the system of seals, symbols, and festivals.

The seal is the royal seal of the monarch. Any military orders and government affairs that are not stamped with the royal seal are invalid. However, since Xiao Pan has not yet been crowned, it must be stamped with the imperial seal of the Queen Mother Zhu Ji to be considered valid.

The talisman is the tiger talisman. It is made of copper and has an inscription on the back. It is divided into two halves and is held by the monarch and generals. It must be given by the monarch and verified to be correct before soldiers and generals can be mobilized. However, due to Lu Buwei's tyranny, he borrowed

In order to build the Zheng Guo Canal and cope with the continuous war, Hao Ao and other military symbols were not returned. In many cases, his seal was used to replace the seals of Xiao Pan and Zhu Ji, disrupting and replacing the monarch's power.

Jie refers to the pass issued by the monarch. All long-distance military mobilization must adhere to Jie to be able to proceed unimpeded.

Seals, talismans, and festivals are all three indispensable, otherwise they will not be effective. Any movement of an army of more than fifty people must be carried out consecutively. However, Lu Buwei's high-handedness gradually broke down starting from the era of King Zhuang Xiang.

This has become a law, and now Xiaopan, taking advantage of Black Dragon's momentum, has finally begun to bring order to the chaos.

Teng Yi frowned and said, "But it still doesn't have much effect on generals like Meng Ao who have been stationed at the border for a long time."

Ji Yanran smiled and said: "Although this can't control the Wubian generals who have all the seals and symbols, at least we don't have to worry about a large army coming to invade the ranch. With Huan Qi's reinforcements, I'm afraid we should have a good life."

Xiang Shaolong said with a hearty smile: "But if Ji Ji wants to use the hot spring water to wash away her grease, she'd better be careful on the way."

Ji Yanran chanted: "The slippery water of the hot spring washes away the fat, my husband is so elegant, I have to teach Yanran how to feel."

Xiang Shaolong was so excited that he sang "The sliding water in the hot spring washes away the fat, it's the time when you first receive the favor", and he went to pat the horse.

In the days that followed, Xiang Shaolong lived a comfortable life. After practicing his sword every day, he would go sightseeing with his wife and maid, Ai'er, or diligently practice the art of riding and shooting.

The art of war, or discussing the world situation with Ji Cainv, to increase knowledge and understanding in all aspects.

Watching Bao'er grow stronger and taller day by day, the satisfaction and joy cannot be replaced by anything else.

His father-in-law, Wu Yingyuan, was busy taking care of Wu Zhuo outside the Great Wall, and went out to do groceries from time to time.

Tao Fang would return to the ranch in person every once in a while to tell him the latest news in Xianyang.

During this period, he only returned to Xianyang twice, to host the grand wedding banquet of Jing Jun and Lu Dan'er, and to attend the wedding of Yang Duanhe and Ying Ying.

Unknowingly, summer turned to autumn, and Wang Ling and Lord Changping suddenly came to the ranch to see him. Everyone was very happy to see him again after a long absence.

After the dinner, when Wang Ling and Lord Changping were chatting with him in the hall, the former said seriously: "The prince will be seventeen in a few months, and it's time to accept the princess. Lu Buwei strongly advocated the adoption of the little princess of Qi Kingdom.

As a concubine, we are strongly opposed to it."

Xiang Shaolong had known that the two of them had come all the way from afar, and there must be something very important. Hearing this, he asked, "How does the Queen Mother view this matter?"

Changping Jun said with a bitter smile: "We should see what Miao Du's opinions and thoughts are. Last month, the Queen Mother suddenly went to Yongdu. Before that, she had not attended the court meeting for more than ten days. Miao Du seemed to have become her spokesperson.

.”

Xiang Shaolong sighed secretly in his heart, of course he knew that Zhu Ji was avoiding going to Yongdu to avoid being discovered about giving birth to Miao Du's son. He asked in a deep voice: "Did Miao Du accompany her?"

Wang Ling shook his head and said: "Without the fierce quarrel between him and Lu Buwei, how could he leave so easily?"

Looking at their faces, it was clear that they were suspicious of Zhu Ji's sudden departure from Xianyang.

He probed: "Who are you and your favorite concubine, Miss He?"

Wang Ling said: "The granddaughter of Wang Chi is beautiful and beautiful. She has just turned fifteen years old this year. She has a beautiful face, a virtuous character, and knowledge of etiquette. There is no other woman more suitable to be the crown prince than her."

Xiang Shaolong agreed: "If this is the case, it is indeed very ideal, but it is best to arrange for the Crown Prince to meet her first. Only if the Crown Prince can take notice of her can we talk. The only worry is that the Queen Mother will not agree."

Changping Jun said: "This is the reason why we came to Shaolong. We have asked the Queen Mother many times for instructions on this matter. When the Queen Mother left Xianyang, she told the prince that when she was away, Shaolong could take care of everything for her.

idea."

Xiang Shaolong said in astonishment: "This is actually happening."

Wang Ling said: "This is what the Crown Prince said himself. The Queen Mother also told the Crown Prince that she trusts Shaolong's vision and knowledge the most."

Xiang Shaolong suddenly came to his senses and knew that Miao Du must have someone else in mind. Zhu Ji could not defeat him. He also knew that if he followed Miao Du's words, his relationship with Xiao Pan would become even worse, so he blamed the matter on himself.

.

Under the current situation and relationship, even Miao Du had to sell his account to Xiang Shaolong.

Xiang Shaolong said happily: "Then I'll do what you want. Alas, do you want to escort me back to Xianyang?"

The two of them smiled when they heard this.

Lord Changping suddenly changed the subject and said: "Jun Xinling and King Anli died within two days of each other. The crown prince succeeded to the throne as King Wei, and the queen is Shan Meimei."

Xiang Shaolong's heart trembled. Although he and Lord Xinling were enemies rather than friends, he was still devastated by the news of his death. From now on, Mrs. Pingyuan and Lord Shaoyuan would definitely have a difficult life.

Wang Ling said: "As expected, Lian Po fled to the Chu Kingdom. It is said that Lord Longyang let him go, otherwise he might have become a burial object for Young Master Wuji."

Xiang Shaolong tried his best not to think about these helpless things and asked: "What's going on with Lu Buwei recently?"

Lord Changping sighed: "Lu Buwei and Miao Du now have a small quarrel every three days and a big quarrel every ten days. Meng Ao then led his troops to attack Han and captured fifteen cities in a row, which greatly increased his prestige. The Yan and Zhao people started fighting again,

The Zhao people used Li Mu as their commander, and the Yan people were their opponents. Wu Sui and Fangcheng were captured by Li Mu. Fortunately, the King of Zhao was afraid that Li Mu would become too powerful and ordered him to hold his troops stationary, otherwise he might have invaded Yanjing early."

Xiang Shaolong thought about Prince Dan and his head got bigger. He was surprised: "Qi Yan didn't start a fight, but Zhao Yan fought for the lead. What on earth is going on?"

Wang Ling said: "We can't figure it out. It seems that it is still a land dispute. After the Yan people conquered Qi with Chu, they wanted to take back the land they had previously won from the Zhao people, so they started a dispute again."

Chang Pingjun added: "Now Meng Ao is working more intensively, and with the support of Lu Buwei, he is preparing to attack Wei. We all strongly disapprove, because sooner or later this will lead to another five-nation alliance, but Meng Ao is outside.

Lu Buwei said vigorously that if he did not continue to use troops, it would be difficult to maintain his strength, and it would be difficult for the three eastern counties to hold firmly. It is difficult for us to refute him, and after the alliance between South Korea and Wei was formed, they were indeed ready to move and had evil intentions. Wang Chi has now arrived at Zhao

The border of the country is so that the people of Zhao cannot move rashly."

Changping Jun said: "The prince once mentioned that he hoped that Shaolong could lead the army on the expedition, so as not to cause Meng Ao to become more powerful and make it more difficult for me to shake Lu Buwei."

Xiang Shaolong smiled bitterly and said: "Let us deal with the matter of the crown prince and his concubine first. What tricks have Du Bi and Pu Hu been up to lately?"

Wang Ling said: "We are still focusing on expansion. Cheng Qiao keeps recruiting troops under the pretext of dealing with border defenses. At the same time, he has Pu Hu's financial support. There will always be trouble one day. Now we have frequent wars in the east, and no one has time to pay attention to them.

.”

Xiang Shaolong sighed: "Things like drinking will be solved one day. I will go back to Xianyang with you tomorrow."

The two were overjoyed.

Three months later, Zhu Ji returned to Xianyang from Yongdu. She truly accepted Xiang Shaolong's advice and, despite Lu Buwei's objections, let Xiaopan designate Wang Chi's granddaughter Wang Meixiu as the crown prince and held a wedding.

The next year, Meng Ao, with the support of Wang Qian and Yang Ruihe, launched a large-scale attack on the Wei state, and captured 20 cities including Suanzao, Yan, Xu, Taoren, Yongqiu, and Shanyang, and established the East Commandery. The original three East Commanderies were

Add one more county.

At the same time, King Yan sent General Ju Xin to attack Zhao, but he was killed by Zhao General Pang Yuan.

When the Zhao people were about to attack Yan, they heard that the Wei people were defeated by the Qin army. They were frightened and negotiated peace with the Yan people.

At this time, the people of Qi were also ready to make a move. Pang Yuan saw that the situation was not good, and he was afraid of being attacked by enemies in front and behind, so he took the initiative to travel to various countries, and once again formed the five kingdoms of Zhao, Chu, Wei, Yan, and Han, and launched an offensive in the Wei state, defeating the Mongols.

Ao, and Li Mu, a powerful and famous general at that time, suppressed the king's teeth and made him dare not go to the rescue. The military situation suddenly became urgent, and the Qin government and the public were shocked.

After Xiaopan received the report, he immediately sent someone to summon Xiang Shaolong back to Xianyang. Suddenly, Xiang Shaolong's peaceful life for many years came to an end.

Ji Yanran knew that he would inevitably lead troops on this trip, so she decided to go back to Xianyang with him, hoping to spend more time with him.

As soon as he entered the city gate, he met Guan Zhongxie, who was also returning from a long break.

Although he was thinner than before, his energy was as good as before. His health and integrity had completely recovered. It was rare to see Xiang Shaolong still smile. He said calmly: "I have been ordered to wait here for the general. Please come to the palace immediately to see him."

drive."

Xuan then whispered: "The general's sword taught many things about Shu Xi that I didn't know before."

Xiang Shaolong wanted to ask him, "For example, what is it?", but he finally held it back. After his wife and children returned to Wu Mansion, he and Guan Zhongxie rode to the palace together.

The atmosphere in Xianyang City has become obviously tense. Passers-by are walking in a hurry, and patrolling troops and teams carrying grain and grass can be seen everywhere. It is quite a tense atmosphere before a storm is coming.

The people of Qin had never forgotten their previous defeats against the Allied Forces of the Five Kingdoms, and new defeats were approaching, and they all felt that they were changing their minds.

Guan Zhongxie said again: "I have decided to marry the third lady next month. I'm afraid the general won't be able to drink the wedding wine that I had."

Xiang Shaolong smiled bitterly and said: "I hope I can come back and drink the wine of Mr. Guan and Third Miss."

Guan Zhongxie's eyes flashed with mockery, and he smiled without saying a word.
To be continued...