After driving for more than twenty days, Henglong Ridge, which straddles the junction of Qi and Zhao, finally stood on the edge of the horizon, with its undulating peaks covered with snow.
Along the way, everyone was too preoccupied to show their joy. There was no longer the warm atmosphere when we first set off from Xianyang.
The occasional conversations were about how to conceal their whereabouts or launch counter-reconnaissance operations against pursuing soldiers.
By the time we reached the halfway point, we had already lost the pursuit of the enemy.
Xiao Yuetan was surprisingly silent and full of thoughts.
After Xiang Shaolong chatted with him that night, he felt that there was something he was hiding in his heart that was difficult to talk about.
I don’t know if he is sensitive or not, but the closer he gets to Henglong Ridge, the more Xiang Shaolong feels an ominous and frightening feeling.
He also had a dream last night. He dreamed of Zhao Qian and Chun Ying, the four maids, all dressed up in fancy clothes and smiling like flowers. They insisted on dragging him back to Xianyang. When he woke up, his face was full of tears and his heart was as sharp as a knife.
Cut.
So although Teng Yi wanted to travel a little longer, Xiang Shaolong insisted on finding a hill with a mountain behind and facing a plain to set up camp, so as to gain time to rest and think.
Before dusk, Jing Jun, his Jing family army and the Meng brothers came back from hunting game and set up a firewood barbecue. In order to avoid exposing their hiding place, they did not light a lamp or build a bonfire after dark. In this deep winter, it was so difficult.
Something to endure.
With the destination in sight, Jing Jun and other young people became excited and chatted in twos and threes.
Ji Yanran and Wu Tingfang hid in the tent and whispered.
Xiao Yuetan took Li Si and went to a small waterfall near the mountain to talk, with a solemn expression.
Teng Yi and Xiang Shaolong sat blankly on a pile of rocks beside the camp, watching the sun slowly set in the west.
Suddenly Li Si came back and invited the two of them to come over.
After Xiang and Teng looked at each other, their hearts trembled. They followed Li Si to Xiaoyuetan. The latter stared at the clear spring pouring down from the mountain wall with tears in his eyes.
Li Si shook his head and sighed.
Even a patient person like Teng Yi couldn't help but say: "They are all members of our family. If Brother Xiao has something on his mind, why don't you just say it directly?"
Xiao Yuetan let out a deep breath, looked at Xiang and Teng, and said with emotion: "Didn't I tell Shaolong that night that I love to have random thoughts the most? I just hate that the more I think about it, the more I feel that I am not just having random thoughts.
The 'yes and no' answer is right there."
He suddenly stretched out his hand and pointed at Henglong Ridge in the distance.
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi's whole bodies were shaken violently, and their hands and feet were cold.
Li Si sighed and said: "Just now, Mr. Xiao asked me to conduct repeated research on the attack on the red pine forest. I found many doubts and finally came to a very shocking conclusion. I am afraid that we have all become victims of Lu Xiangguo.
"
Xiang and Teng looked at each other and saw the horrified look in each other's eyes.
Xiao Yuetan said: "Actually, this mission should be a good thing. The six countries have been fighting against each other. Especially the recent incident of Qi Chu seeking Zhao, it is difficult to unite, so the mission is just unnecessary, not to mention Mr. Lu
I am trying my best to cultivate my clansmen, and I should not let go of this great opportunity for my clansmen to perform meritorious service, and instead give it to Shaolong in vain. Alas, there are many things that should not be taken to heart, but now something has gone wrong. If you think about it carefully,
There are so many unusual places.”
Teng Yi's face became extremely pale, and he said solemnly: "I have never understood why the enemy's surprise attack on us was so impeccably grasped in terms of timing and situation. It happened to be just after the two teams of Lu Xiong and Qu Douqi and the Yan people left,
The moment our guard was down, even though they kept people spying on us, how could they know so clearly that we would be hiding in the forest on that snowy night? So there must be a traitor."
Xiang Shaolong only felt numbness on his scalp and chills on his spine. He took a deep breath and suppressed his turbulent emotions: "What good will this do to Prime Minister Lu? We are all his people, and there are three hundred others."
They were the generals selected by him. If Meng Tian and Meng Wu both died, wouldn't Meng Ao be devastated?"
Xiao Yuetan raised her sleeves to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and sighed: "I, Xiao Yuetan, have been with Mr. Lu for twenty years, and I understand best his character of using whatever means necessary to achieve his goals. This is the same in business, and the same is true in fighting for the world."
.”
After a pause, he asked: "Assuming that Lord Yangquan really sent someone to do it, what good would it do to him?"
This was originally a straightforward and simple question, but when I asked it now, no one could answer him.
King Zhuang Xiang always remembered Lord Yangquan's kindness to him, so when he made Lu Buwei the Prime Minister on the right, he also left the position of Prime Minister on the left to him, and even prevented Lu Buwei from dealing with Lord Yangquan.
If Xiang Shaolong and others were attacked and killed, since there had been rumors that Lord Yangquan was going to deal with them beforehand, and those who died were all Lu Buwei's cronies and generals, naturally no one would suspect that Lu Buwei planned the incident himself.
Both King Zhuang Xiang and Zhu Ji loved Xiang Shaolong very much. If they believed that Lord Yangquan ordered someone to kill Xiang Shaolong, Lord Yangquan would be able to avoid disaster. Even Mrs. Huayang would not be able to protect her brother.
At that time, Lu Buwei could get rid of this serious trouble in one fell swoop and take charge of the government alone.
Who has a closer relationship with King Zhuang Xiang and Zhu Ji than him?
Xiao Yuetan looked at Xiang Shaolong, who had no trace of color on his face, and said in a deep voice: "No one I know knows how to use conspiracy methods better than Mr. Lu. If this plan is successful, it will kill two birds with one stone."
Then he said excitedly: "First he can get rid of you Xiang Shaolong. You are too sharp. Not only does the Queen obey your words, but even the Prince is particularly attached to you. You also have the huge Wu family as your backing.
Given time, you might even outshine Lu Buwei. The Qin people respect heroes the most and value military merit. What they need is someone as wise and brave as you. How can Lu Buwei have no worries at all?"
He no longer called Lu Buwei "Master Lu" but instead called him by his first name. The three of them all felt the change in his mood and understood his grief and indignation at feeling betrayed by his master.
Li Si said: "He can also force General Meng to stand with him on the same front against Yangquan Jun and his accomplices because of the tragic death of his beloved son, and he can also use the elite and invincible Wu family children as his own to increase his strength.
.What does it mean to sacrifice some of the family generals’ cronies? The 300 family generals who came with us this time are all people who have had many years of relationship with Tu Guanjia and Mr. Xiao. They can be regarded as the system of the older generation of family generals. Their
Killing Songlin in battle will make the power of the Lu tribe in the Prime Minister's Mansion even stronger and stronger."
"Snapped"
Teng Yi forcefully split a short tree next to him that was as thick as a child's arm.
Everyone stared in silence.
The grief and anger in my heart only increased.
They worked wholeheartedly for Lu Buwei, but they got this ending and result.
Xiao Yuetan said: "Whether this is the case, we will know soon. If it is true that Lu Buwei betrayed us like goods, what is waiting for us on the other side of Henglong Ridge will definitely not be Lu Xiong or Qu Douqi, but the one who was waiting for us that night."
The people who attacked us in the red pine forest. If my guess is correct, Zhu Meng must have personally presided over it. In this way, we are not afraid of leaking the news. As long as we keep these active people outside Xianyang afterwards, we are not afraid of anyone knowing.
"
Xiang Shaolong's heart sank as he recalled Lu Xiong's excessive reaction when he changed the route that day.
Li Sidao: "Zhu Meng is a very cunning person. After he escaped from us, he deliberately disguised himself as a Korean soldier to chase us, convincing us that Lord Yangquan was colluding with the Koreans to deal with us. This is really chilling."
Teng Yi said surprisingly calmly: "Third brother, do you want to go to Qi as an envoy?"
Xiang Shaolong couldn't even squeeze out a wry smile, and said slowly: "Now I have only one interest, which is to prove that this is indeed what Lu Buwei did, and then try to kill Zhu Meng, and let Lu Buwei pay off some debts to me first.
Shaolong."
At dusk the next day, Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi, and Jing Jun came back from Henglong Ridge with gloomy expressions, and called Li Si and Xiao Yuetan to talk to the waterfall.
Ji Yanran and her two daughters also knew about this and participated in their discussions.
No need to say it, everyone knows the result.
Li Si asked in a deep voice: "How many people are there?"
Teng Yi said: "There are about a thousand people, all dressed in Qin army uniforms, and under the banners of Qu Douqi and Lu Xiong. Mr. Xiao's guess is right. This group of people was led by Zhu Meng and recognized by Jing Jun."
Come out."
Jing Jun nodded and said, "I also recognized a few people from the Lu clan. They usually call me brothers and sisters, but now they are turning against me and being merciless."
Wu Tingfang cried out sadly and fell into Ji Yanran's arms. The latter's beautiful eyes widened and she said, "How can we settle this account with Lu Buwei?"
Xiao Yuetan sighed and said: "I'm afraid Qu Douqi and his people are all doomed. This matter naturally depends on the Koreans, so as to strengthen the king's determination to attack the Koreans. After so many years, Xiao has only woken up today.
I feel like I’ve been working for the tiger.”
Li Sidao: "How can I bear with him for a while? Mr. Xiao and I can clapped our hands and leave, but Taifu Xiang still has the Wu family on his shoulders, and he has no way to leave. Fortunately, the king and Queen Ji support you, as long as
If you don't break your skin, Lu Buwei will still have a hard time doing anything to you."
Xiao Yuetan said: "On the surface, Shaolong, you must pretend that you are convinced that this matter was done by Lord Yangquan in collusion with the Koreans, and hide it from everyone, including Lu Buwei. Then you must keep a low profile and bide your time. In this way, everything will be fine. When the time is right,
Just move the family property to the far frontier and see what happens to this ruthless and unjust person."
At the end of the sentence, I gritted my teeth.
Fei Yanran gently stroked Wu Tingfang's trembling shoulders and frowned: "But how should we deal with such a cute person now? If we leave like this, wouldn't it mean that others will know that we are suspicious? Also,
If Xiao Wu and Xiao Tian tell Meng Ao about the matter, Lu Buwei will know that we have understood his conspiracy. With his power expanding every day, it should be impossible to bring down the Wu family and Shaolong.
It’s a difficult thing.”
Teng Yi said: "I'm not worried about this. We will make arrangements first, prepare an escape route, and then inform the thieves of our location according to the original contact method. They will definitely attack the incoming camp at night like last time.
, we will kill them thoroughly before returning to Xianyang. Just as Shaolong said, we must first withdraw some debt from him."
Jing Jun took out a scroll of silk from his sleeve, on which the situation of Henglong Ridge was roughly drawn. The three flags represented the enemy's distribution situation. He pointed to one of the valleys and ridges and said: "There is a dangerous terrain here.
The highland is sloped on three sides and covered with trees. The back is against the southeastern branch of Henglong Ridge. It is only two hours away from Zhumeng. If we set up a trap there, we can take advantage of the abundant sunshine these days.
, when the snow on the tree has melted away, take the fat and apply it on the body of the tree, and use fire attacks together to make the sprouts fall into a big somersault."
Teng Yi pointed to the back mountain and said: "We have observed on the spot that as long as we set up the climbing rope in advance, we can easily climb over the mountain and leave quickly from the plain on the other side. Brother Xiao and Brother Li can join Tingfang and the Meng family brothers first.
Wait for us there so that you can keep an eye on the horses and feed them."
Xiang Shaolong stood up and said: "That's it. The most important thing now is to gain time. As long as we have a few days, we can make Zhu Meng look good."
The setting sun finally sets under the wilderness, and the snow-white earth is full of desolation.
The bronze mirror reflected the sun's rays and emitted a series of flashes of light towards Zhu Meng's camp. After stopping for a while, he did the same thing again. After three consecutive times, Xiang Shaolong put away the small bronze mirror.
This was the communication method established by Xiang Shaolong and Qu Douqi and Lu Xiong when they parted. After Qu and Lu saw the signal, they should send someone to find them. Of course, this will not happen now.
Xiang Shaolong and three other sworn brothers, together with eight Wu family disciples and thirty-eight Jing family hunters who were skilled in field warfare, prepared a large number of arrows and climbed up the back mountain, taking advantage of the cover of the rocks and high cliffs.
, hide your body and wait for the fish to come fishing.
Five or six scattered camps were set up at the foot of the mountain, hidden in the forest on the top of the slope. If the enemy looked at them from a high place in the distance, it would be difficult to know the reality.
Watching the sun slowly move down from the middle of the sky, Xiang Shaolong couldn't help but have mixed feelings.
Although he knew that sooner or later he and Lu Buwei would be at odds with each other, how could he have guessed that things would happen so quickly?
Thinking that King Zhuang Xiang was about to die soon and Lu Buwei would be in power for ten years, he felt a palpitation in his heart. Can he and the Wu family survive such a long period of time?
This all depends on Zhu Ji, the future Queen Mother. As long as Lu Buwei doesn't dare to come in the open, he will be sure to deal with the generals of his prime minister's house.
After returning to Xianyang, he will secretly train his troops and try to introduce twentieth-century steel-training technology to improve weapons. He had never seriously thought about this before, but now he will do anything to protect himself.
From this moment on, he will start an overt and covert struggle with Lu Buwei. As long as Xiaopan's position is stable, it will be Lu Buwei's time to teach. Although Lu Buwei is said to have committed suicide in history, how can a person like Lu Buwei commit suicide?
It's very possible that he handled it all by himself.
Although he hates Zhao Mu, the two of them were hostile from the beginning, unlike Lu Buwei, who is so despicable and sinister, hiding a knife in his smile, which is especially heartbreaking.
Ji Yanran, who was beside her, leaned over and whispered: "What are you thinking about?"
Xiang Shaolong felt apologetic and sighed: "I've taught you to suffer."
Ji Yanran said softly: "What does this mean? People like you will make people jealous wherever they go. When Yanran followed you, Mr. Zou had already predicted that this would happen, and Yanran didn't even frown.
Just a moment”
Xiang Shaolong hugged her gently, full of gratitude.
The showy and intelligent Jiang Nu said quietly: "I heard you said that Empress Ji had come to you alone many times to talk about her concerns, and I felt it was inappropriate. The reason why Lu Buwei can have such a great influence on the king and the prince now is because
Because Empress Ji is there to help. Her unusual show of kindness to you has given Lu Buwei the motive to kill you. Only in this way can Empress Ji wholeheartedly help him deal with Yangquan Jun and consolidate his power. I think this kind of thing
It’s been a long time, who hasn’t been like this?”
After a pause, he added: "That night we were guests at the Prime Minister's Mansion. Lu Buwei looked at us strangely several times. Yanran is the most experienced in this area. It was a jealous look."
The sky and the earth turned dark at this time, and a bright moon rose up to the top of the mountain, illuminating the snowy ground and making the snow-covered peaks of Henglong Ridge appear as transparent as jade.
Teng Yi on the other side looked at the dense forest below and warned in a low voice: "It's coming."
The enemy came up from three slopes just like the previous trip, but no torches were lit, and there was no sound at all. There was only the sound of branches and leaves breaking, which showed that the attackers were all experienced hands.
Xiang Shaolong and the others held their breaths and kept calm, with their powerful arrows placed on the bowstrings.
In such a condescending place, protected by mountains and rocks, they are invincible. The only question is how many of the opponent's people can be annihilated.
Traps were placed around the camp, and the trees on the slopes and hills were coated with temporarily squeezed turpentine oil and burned. It was no joke.
After almost an entire hour, the sound of snapping branches and leaves quieted down, and only the north wind was still howling.
Teng Yi sneered: "Here we come."
Before the words were spoken, countless torches were blazing in the green area of the hill, and then the sound of killing broke out. Hundreds of people rushed towards the tents in the forest, and arrows rained through the camp, filled with murderous intent.
Then there were endless screams of people falling. The traps around the camp were all carefully laid by Jing tribe hunters. Not even ferocious beasts could be spared, let alone humans.
The torch flew down from his hand, and the trees immediately burst into flames.
The fire spread rapidly in the strong north wind.
The enemies below are in a mess, regardless of direction.
Xiang Shaolong gave an order, and more than a dozen rockets were shot high into the sky and towards the dense forest on the slope.
The fire spread to the entire mountain, and the sounds of screaming and running could be heard endlessly.
Xiang Shaolong waited for that person to be polite, but he felt new hatred and rained down arrows.
In the firelight, the enemy's target was obvious and there was no way to escape. They swarmed to the top of the hill. The hundreds of people who were lucky enough not to fall into the trap could not escape the fate of being burned and pierced by sharp arrows.
When the entire mountaintop was engulfed in thick smoke and flames, Xiang Shaolong and others could not bear it any longer and quickly escaped through the back mountain using a pre-arranged climbing rope.
I finally felt a little relieved from the deep feelings in my heart.