Chapter 73: Shi Chong goes south to covet the throne, and the Jin family intends to expedition Zhao to the north
Yecheng, inside Taiwu Hall.
The ministers have already received their revenge: King Pei Shi Chong heard that Shi Shi had died and Shi Zun had been established. He was also a vassal king but he was subordinate to others. He felt deeply resentful and wanted to lead an army of 50,000 people from Jicheng to go south.
Emperor Zhao Shi Zun was shocked when he heard this and regretted listening to Meng Zhun's words. On this day in the main hall, Shi Zun heard the plan to all his beloved officials: "Now Shi Chong is leading Jicheng's army south, who can stop him?"
His Highness General Shi Min came out to ask for orders: "I am willing to eliminate the traitors for Your Majesty so as to protect the country of Zhao." Indeed, it is true. Looking at the capital now, Shi Min's troops are worthy of a fight.
Meng Zhun's eyes only sank, and he came out to remonstrate: "The general is really happy to hear about the battle. Shi Chong is your majesty's clan brother. There must be a misunderstanding in the quarrel between brothers. I would like to ask Wang Jian to bring your majesty's handwritten letter.
The great righteousness is a plan to retreat the troops."
Shi Min clasped his hands and protested: "Meng Zhunzhen is a woman's benevolence. Cutting off the grass should remove the roots. How can Wang Zhi do that?"
I saw that Meng Zhun was calm and unhurried, "Wang Zhuo was defeated by Xie Ai, and the late emperor wanted to behead him. Fortunately, King Pei was able to save him."
Shi Min looked at Wang Zhuo among the courtiers. When their eyes met, Wang Zhuo bowed his head deeply. This statement should be confirmed.
Meng Zhun continued: "Among the previous princes and heirs, King Pei is the most friendly with Your Majesty. When Your Majesty went south, King Pei made an agreement with Your Majesty to protect the country together. Now that King Pei is leading the army south, he must be bewitched by traitors."
Shi Zun, who was sitting on the throne, also said: "Meng Zhun's words are very reasonable. I will write a handwritten letter right now."
Shi Min was furious and protested: "Your Majesty, time waits for us. Now King Pei is going south. If we don't win with one blow, we may be in serious trouble."
Meng Zhun said sarcastically: "General, you are eager to see the feud between Zhao's clans. Would you like to profit from it?"
Shi Min was furious when he heard this and drew his sword at him, but Meng Zhun was not afraid of death.
When Shi Zun saw this, he angrily scolded the two of them: "Stop, this is the holy land of the temple, how can you be so arrogant here?"
Shi Min was not afraid, he only glared angrily at Shi Zun and Meng Zhun, and reluctantly retreated into the ranks. Shi Zun changed his expression, smiled at Shi Min and said, "Listen to General Meng's words."
"Your Majesty, the army led by Shi Chong is the northern barrier of our Zhao State. During the lifetime of the late emperor, he was repeatedly troubled by the Yan State. Therefore, the army of Jicheng has never moved lightly. I am afraid that the troubles of our Zhao State are not in Shi Chong but in the Yan State.
." After Meng Zhun finished speaking, he looked at Wang Zhuoyan and said, "My lord, you must know the interests and dangers. You must have the whole country of Zhao in mind and make sure that all the troops of Zhao are returned. Don't allow Yan to take advantage of it."
After graduation, I rolled my sleeves and returned to the ranks of ministers.
The king came out of the procession, bowed his hands to his ministers, Emperor Zhao, and said, "Sir, I will do my best to urge King Pei to return north."
However, Shi Min was not satisfied and said: "Please prepare your troops and horses."
Li Nongsu was friendly with Shi Min, and when he saw that his power was being suppressed, he also added: "I heard: 'Those who have civil affairs must have military preparations; those who have military affairs, must have military preparations.' What the general said should be a sound policy.
I hope your Majesty will accept it."
Emperor Zhao thought for a while and said: "What Li Sikong said is absolutely true. You are all my right-hand men. So I ordered Wang Zhuo to write to him in my handwriting first. If it doesn't work, the general will challenge him personally."
"Your Majesty." Meng Zhun still wanted to argue.
"Okay, it's settled." After Shi Zun finished speaking, he wanted the eunuch to withdraw from the court.
The chamberlain understood this and shouted: "Retreat from the court."
Before the ministers left, Meng Zhun walked straight to Shi Min and said, "We have to send envoys to retreat and prepare our troops. Isn't Shi Chong a fool? Does the general want to trap your majesty in injustice?"
Shi Min smiled faintly: "Mr. Meng, why bother slandering me like this, just to be safe."
"Huh!" Meng Zhun just walked away angrily.
Shi Min watched Master Meng go away, and Li Nong came up to greet him, "Brother Min, if Meng Zhun's words come true, our Zhao country will never have the trouble of war again."
Shi Min smiled slightly and said, "Li Sikong, then you and I, the Han people, will hand over our military power and retreat to the mountains and forests?"
Li Nong smiled awkwardly, feeling lonely and silent.
Shi Min stood closer to Li Nong, "Since ancient times, 'the birds have all the good bows, and the cunning rabbits are dead and the lackeys are cooking.' Now I am begging for the life of the captains of the various battalions of the army, and the generals are gradually being appointed by Emperor Zhao.
When they are replaced, General Zhang Cai of the palace, General Sun Fudu of Longxiang, etc. all sent their troops to join the various departments of our begging army. If given time, we will be ignored. Now the war is about to break out. If there is a war, our army will
Only then will the position be stabilized.”
Shi Min suddenly whispered in a low voice: "You also know that on the day of the incident, His Majesty said: 'If you work hard, you will be crowned prince.' Now that Your Majesty has not said anything about establishing a crown prince, what are you waiting for?"
Li Nong comforted him and said: "It's just an expedient measure. It's just an expedient measure. You are not of Shi family's blood, you are just an adopted son."
Shi Min said angrily: "In this world, there is no longer one family. If I want to achieve great things, I must use extraordinary means."
Li Nong was shocked, "Brother Min, what are you..."
"You see the stone world of yesterday, how can you know what it will be like tomorrow? Wherever we are now, we should encourage ourselves."
After saying that, Shi Min turned and left.
General's Mansion in Yecheng
The inner room was dimly lit, and only one person could be seen with his back to a group of men in black. As the lights flickered, the man said: "You are all ready."
The leader raised his hands and said, "Don't worry, general, we are all ready."
The man continued to ask: "How do you speak when you act?"
The man in black only said: "We only follow His Majesty's order to eradicate the weeds."
The man finally asked: "This matter is extremely dangerous. What if it fails?"
I saw the man cutting his arm with a dagger, and blood dripped down drop by drop. Then he threw away the dagger, knelt down and said: "General, we have been oppressed by the Shi family for a long time, and those whose innocent family members are in jail, take away their wives and daughters.
Those who serve as harems will be tortured to death if they cannot afford the military resources. We hate the Shi family to the core."
At this time, everyone knelt down and said: "If this fails, we will kill ourselves so as not to worry the general."
Shi Min turned around and said to everyone: "Now Shi Chong has raised his troops to go south, but I am afraid that he will care about his brotherhood and retreat. I intend to kill all Shi Chong's wife, children, and children in Yecheng."
"As commanded."
At this time, Shi Min pointed to the table next to him and said: "When you act, wear the palace badge."
"clear."
Everyone left, and a man came out from behind Pingfeng and said: "If the general is willing to make this determination tonight, he will be crowned prince."
Shi Min said with a smile: "Fortunately, I was reminded by Shen Situ. Now Shi Zun has no heir, and Shi Chong has an old relationship with him. If he is promised the position of prince, his heart will definitely be attached to him."
Situ Shenzhong said: "Nowadays, among all the Shi clans, those who are close and wise will stop Shi Chong. If Shi Chong dies again, the position of prince will definitely belong to the general."
Shi Min opened the window lattice and looked at the bright moonlight, and the earth was silvery white.
Shi Min said in a low voice but firmly: "To save the country from danger and relieve the Shi family's difficulties, the position of the prince is not incompetent."
By the Hutuo River in Jizhou
Before going out for the expedition, Shi Cheng killed Shaolao to sacrifice to heaven. He only told the three armies: "I have been ordered by the late emperor to obey and kill without mercy. It is a great crime. I will personally punish him." But who would have thought that Shi Chong would be on the way to the march.
He walked away, but he hesitated and sighed: "We are all my brothers. The dead cannot be pursued again. How can we kill each other again!"
The water of the Hutuo River is rushing past in front of you. After crossing the Hutuo River, you will reach Pingji, and further down is Julu. Xiang Yu, the overlord of the late Qin Dynasty, broke the cauldron and sank the boat, and destroyed Qin Zhanghan's army in one battle here. It has always been a battleground for military strategists.
The swords and soldiers must be facing each other. If they go there, King Pei will really break with Shi Zun.
"Yeah" a swan goose flies north
"Outside the Guhong Island, birds are singing in the northern forest. What will you see if you wander around? I am sad because I am worried." When he arrived at this place, Shi Chong suddenly felt sad and sighed. He felt sad in the clan, and his brothers were gradually becoming less and less.
"It's better to go back... After crossing the Hutuo River, it will be difficult to go back." Although the voice was soft, it was heard clearly from both sides. For a moment, the team stopped.
I saw a man riding a horse forward, dismounted, and held his horse's neck. Shi Chong turned around, only to see all the soldiers kneeling down. The leader was General Chen Xian. He only heard: "King Pengcheng has usurped and killed his self-respect as a crime."
Great! Among the descendants of the former princes, King Pei is the most virtuous and should succeed to the throne."
"You?" Shi Chong held the reins tightly with both hands, "Now that Shi Zun has been established, our Zhao country has gradually stabilized, why bother killing each other."
But Chen Xian was still unwilling to give up and said: "Although King Pei wants to go north, I will go south alone, lead the troops to attack Yecheng, capture King Pengcheng, and then welcome King Pei."
Shi Chong asked: "Do all the officers and soldiers share this sentiment?"
Everyone said in unison: "Yes!"
Suddenly a sergeant came to report, "Report, Emperor Zhao's envoy wants to see you."
At this time, Shi Chong was still hesitating whether to see or not, but he heard the sergeant say: "The person who came reported to his family, he is the old king of the king: Wang Zhuo.
Chen Xian said anxiously: "King Pei, this is Shi Zun's tactic to slow down the troops, my lord, your lord."
But Shi Chong said happily: "It seems that my brother finally missed his old friendship and ordered someone to bring him here."
Inside Shi Chong's tent, the atmosphere among the generals was solemn, but due to King Pei's will, they could only remain silent. Chen Xian held his sword tightly with a serious expression. Before the envoy could enter the tent, he only heard Wang Zhuo's hearty words.
Laughter came and he said: "King Pei is so majestic now, so majestic and invincible."
"I have no choice but to raise troops." As he spoke, Shi Chong glanced at the soldiers next to him, but Chen Xian was not seen, and said, "Now that the Zhao country is in chaos, in order to protect itself, I have to take this step."
"Your Majesty knows very well that King Pei has deep feelings and righteousness, and would not do such a disobedient thing. However, the situation at that time was urgent, and King Pengcheng had no choice but to inherit the throne. If King Pei intends to take it, Your Majesty should abdicate in favor of someone worthy of his throne.
To protect our Zhao country from danger."
"I would like to ask the king to retreat." Wang Zhuo stepped forward and spoke to Shi Chong.
The sergeants on the left and right hurriedly stepped forward to stop him and said to Shi Chong: "Your Majesty, be careful of fraud."
Shi Chong just waved his hand and said: "Wang Zhuo and I have a deep relationship and will never do such a thing. It doesn't matter, just wait."
At this time, there were only Shi Chong and Wang Zhuo in the tent, but Wang Zhuo bowed and whispered in Shi Chong's ear: "Your Majesty has no heirs, so why not choose a son from King Pei to be the crown prince?"
"Haha, Shi Zun laughed. I have no intention of becoming emperor. The former king ordered me to guard Jicheng to protect the Zhao Kingdom. Now the misunderstanding is solved, I should..."
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty!" At this moment, a man covered in blood rushed into the camp and lay on the ground shouting.
Seeing that there was only Wang Zhuo next to him, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "There is no one else in the king's tent. How can we be in danger?"
At this time, Chen Xian was already next to the man. A group of sergeants walked directly into the tent and pulled Wang Zhuo away. Wang Zhuo was shaken by the sudden formation and staggered back. Chen Xian was heard speaking loudly.
He said: "Your Majesty, please don't be seduced by evil spirits. You must retreat immediately."
"I am discussing important matters with the envoy. You..."
The man was so anxious that he shouted at the top of his lungs: "Your Majesty, this old slave is here risking his life." The man raised his head, and Shi Chong recognized him. He was the steward of Yecheng Mansion. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something happened in Yecheng."
Seeing that the situation had changed, Wang Zhuo said with a slight panic: "Your Majesty, it's not too late..."
Shi Chong was already in a state of confusion at this moment, so he just shouted to King Dao to retreat.
Seeing that the matter was abrupt, Wang Zhuo wanted to defend himself: "Your Majesty, there must be something fishy about this, Your Majesty."
"Stand back." Shi Chong said in a tone that did not allow him to hesitate.
Only Shi Chong, Chen Xian and the other people were left in the tent.
The man had just calmed down from the shock. After a long time, he finally said: "Last night, a group of men in black came to the palace and killed all the family members in the palace, including the youngest son." The man said and cried:
"The old slave tried his best to escape. If he missed even half a step, he would not be able to see the king."
Shi Chong sat slumped on Shuai An and said in a daze: "Why? Why is this like this? Who, who did it?"
I saw the old slave tremblingly taking out the token from his arms. Shi Chong took it and knew it was something from the palace. His eyes instantly went dark and he almost fainted.
In just a moment, Shi Chong stood upright, with a fierce glare in his eyes, as if sparks were about to pop out, and angrily shouted: "You have already taken over the kingdom of Zhao, why don't you even let go of my wife and children?"
"Come here." Shi Chong shouted to the guards outside the tent, "Take the king with you."
Wang Zhuo did not leave outside the tent, only waiting for Shi Chong to summon him again. However, he saw Chen Xian personally bringing people there. He hurriedly stepped forward and said with a smile: "The king must be thinking of the old friendship and summoning me again."
Chen Xian just stared at him, with a cold look in his eyes. Wang Zuo was shocked, and just about to turn around, he heard someone shouting from behind: "Take away!"
A guard dragged Wang Zhuo to the tent and yelled: "Kneel down!"
Wang Zhuo lowered his head and said nothing. After a moment of silence, Shi Chong said angrily: "How about I treat you alone?"
Wang Zhuo looked up at him and said firmly: "The kindness is as heavy as a mountain." He looked directly at him but did not avoid it.
Shi Chong also stared at him and said seriously: "How can you be so kind as a mountain?"
Wang Zhuo only talked about what happened that year, "At the end of that year, he was defeated by Xie Ai, the Lord of Liang. King Pei spoke to the late emperor, so he was saved."
"Thank you for remembering. I originally thought that you and I were devoted to each other, but I didn't expect that you would also lie to me." Shi Chong scolded angrily. After speaking, he angrily threw the bloody palace token in front of him.
Wang Zhuo picked up the token, looked at it carefully, but said calmly: "King Pei, things are strange. King Pei, I don't know what happened in the capital." After saying this, he straightened up and stood up.
When the old slave saw this, he pushed him down violently and spat: "I think you are a remnant of the Huns, and you are still pretending now. Come on, drag me down and sacrifice the flag."
Wang Zhuo also knew that the situation was irreversible, so he said calmly: "Your Majesty, I don't know the truth about this. If my head can satisfy your Majesty's wrath, please take it. I have survived in these troubled times."
Chen Xian only said: "Your Majesty, at this time, our army must cross the Hutuo River quickly and occupy the favorable location. This is the best strategy." Seeing Wang Zhuo collapse on the ground, Chen Xian admonished, "If this person is killed suddenly, he will be killed."
I'm afraid that Shi Zun will notice and it will be detrimental to our army."
"Come here, keep me under good watch." Shi Chong ordered him to step forward, "Let you see how this Shi Zun died under my sword. Son, daddy wants to avenge you."
