At dusk, the clouds in the sky slowly descend, while the water vapor underground rises upwards. When the two meet, they form a condensed spring mist on the earth, creating a hazy atmosphere.
From a high ground about three miles southwest of the hill, the sounds of horses and people could be heard from time to time. It was obvious that the other party had lost patience and mistakenly thought that they had returned to the pasture earlier.
Until now, the enemy and we have not only not fought each other, but have not even seen each other's shadow. However, it involves a fierce struggle in wisdom, training, patience, and physical strength. A mistake made, and Xiang Shaolong was waiting in a situation where the enemy was strong and we were weak.
Next time, you must be drinking and hating on the spot.
At this time, taking advantage of the darkness and fog, after identifying the nearby enemies who were not scouting, Jing Jun and others put the three secret rafts into the water, tied them with ropes to the shore, and hid them among the water plants before returning.
When he arrived at Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi and Ji Yanran's place, he asked, "What should we do now?"
Xiang Shaolong restored the soldier's calmness and composure, saying: "It depends on the enemy's movements. If my estimate is correct, the enemies who are staying behind should search here to verify whether we are hiding, or to guard the front.
If we have to explain it to our own people, then it’s time for us to take the offensive.”
Teng Yi nodded and said: "This is a very clever move. After the enemy is attacked, he will retreat to the rear, cut off our retreat with all his strength, and at the same time notify the people in front with fireworks, so as to trap us in the front and rear. That is, we use the raft to quickly
It’s a good time to escape from here.”
Ji Yanran praised: "I don't think Sun Wu can come up with a better plan even if he comes back to life."
Strong confidence and fighting spirit surged in Xiang Shaolong's heart. With an order, Jing Jun and the Eighteen Iron Guards immediately sneaked into groups of three or four and sneaked into strategic positions that were favorable for both offense and defense.
, all placed within the arrow range.
Although this group of people is small in number, they are all proficient in night fighting in the mountains and fields, and their lethality cannot be underestimated.
Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi and Ji Yanran stayed behind on the hill, hiding behind a pile of rocks, recharging their energy and waiting for the enemy's advance.
The new moon slowly rose from the horizon, the stars in the night sky were brilliant, and when the fog gradually receded, the enemy finally came.
They were divided into more than ten groups and slowly advanced along the river.
There were also three groups of people on the other side of the river. Their number was estimated to be between seventeen and eight. They first entered the shooting range of Jing Jun and the three Jing hunters who were lying on the other side.
Xiang Shaolong and others also felt that more than ten people were approaching the hill where they were hiding, and the atmosphere was as tense as a bowstring.
They held their breath and waited patiently.
The war horse hidden in the dense forest beside the river, under the deliberate action of one of our own soldiers, let out a scream that shattered the tranquility.
The enemy's movement changed from slow to slow, heading towards the source of the horse's neighing sound.
A series of screams rang out, needless to say, they all hit the trip wires equipped with spikes that Jing Jun and others had set up to injure and kill ferocious beasts.
When Xiang Shaolong knew it was time, he first shot out more than a dozen large balls of cloth soaked with grease and blazing with fire, which landed on all sides of the enemy before all the arrows were fired.
In the dim light of the fire, the enemy was caught off guard and scrambled into a mess. The sounds of screams and falls could not be heard, and they were extremely embarrassed.
The most powerful one is Teng Yi, whose arrows are always accurate. As long as the enemy shows his body, his arrows will find the opponent's body as if they have eyes and penetrate the armor.
Since their hiding places were scattered throughout the riverbank area, arrows seemed to come from any direction, and the enemy had no idea where to hide for safety.
After a while, at least ten people from the other side were hit by arrows and fell to the ground. Whistle sounded urgently and they evacuated hastily.
Fireworks soared into the sky, bursting into bursts of silvery white light.
Xiang Shaolong took the lead and rushed down the hillside. He chased the enemy by the tail for a while and killed seven or eight more of them. Then he went to the forest to retrieve the horses, escorted Wu Jie and Shi Shiran onto three rafts and released them.
go.
Finally I let go of the pent-up anger in my heart.
In the lobby of the main house of the Wu family ranch, Wu Tingwei looked like a defeated man, and Wu Jie knelt in front of Wu Yingyuan's throne, whose face was green with anger.
Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi, Jing Jun, Wu Guo, Pu Bu, Liu Chao and Tao Fang stood on both sides, looking at the two Wu family traitors coldly.
Wu Tingwei was still holding on and said: "My child is only thinking about the family. How can we defeat the Youxiang Kingdom?"
Wu Yingyuan said angrily: "I didn't expect that I, Wu Yingyuan, was so shrewd all my life that I would give birth to such a stupid and rebellious son. If Lu Buwei managed to kill Shaolong this time, the first person to be killed would be a fool like you. This way we would not be in trouble."
The plot was exposed. Tell me, did anyone from the Lu family ask you to meet somewhere afterwards?"
U Tinwe was stunned on the spot, it was obviously true.
Although he is not a very intelligent person, he can still understand the simple truth of killing people and silencing them.
Wujie on the other side was trembling all over as he thought of the harshness of the family law.
Wu Yingyuan sighed and said: "I, Wu Yingyuan, keep my word. Not only did you disobey my order, you are actually no better than an animal. If someone comes, these two people will be executed immediately according to family law."
This time it was U Dinwei's turn to collapse and said in shock: "My child knows that he was wrong, dad"
Four generals rushed to the two men and dragged them up.
Xiang Shaolong spoke up and said: "My father-in-law, please listen to my son-in-law. Why don't you send them outside the Great Wall and let them help my elder brother to plead guilty so that he can atone for his sins."
Wu Yingyuan sighed dejectedly and said: "Of course I understand Shaolong's intentions. But at this moment of family survival, if I let him go because he is my biological son, then the rules of our Wu clan will be lost."
Wu Cun, everyone is dissatisfied, and other clan leaders will blame me for having selfish thoughts. I, Wu Yingyuan, have three sons, but Bentang only gave birth to two. Come and take him to the ancestral hall for me, and invite all the clan elders,
I want to teach everyone that if you betray the family, this will be the only outcome."
Only then did U Tinwe realize that his father was not trying to scare him, and he immediately became as weak as mud, crying and begging for mercy.
Xiang Shaolong still wants to talk.
Wu Yingyuan said coldly: "I have made up my mind, and no one can change it. If I sacrifice one son, I can gain everyone's attention. I, Wu Yingyuan, will never hesitate."
With everyone stunned, U Tinwei and Ujie were escorted out.
Wu Yingyuan was right. His insistence on executing Wu Tingwei had a shocking effect on people's hearts. No one in the clan dared to oppose his intention to fight with Lu Buwei to the end.
Such a clever strategy still failed to kill Xiang Shaolong, which also gave them confidence in Xiang Shaolong.
The situation of the Wu family in Xianyang is no longer like when they first arrived and were looked down upon by everyone.
Since Xiang Shaolong's relationship with the military has greatly improved, and he is close to Lu Buwei's number one confidant Meng Ao, and they are as close as brothers, their situation is more favorable than at any time before.
If Lu Buwei's plan fails, he will use another poisonous plan.
However, U Tinwe's death has left disturbing consequences.
His biological mothers, Mrs. Wu and Wu Tingfang, both fell ill one after another. Wu Yingyuan, on the other hand, was surprisingly strong and continued to deal with all the affairs of the clan. He also recalled his two sons who were doing business in other places and sent them to open up pastures in northern Xinjiang.
Expand your power closer to the outside of the Great Wall.
This was something that King Zhuang Xiang had already approved, and not even Lu Buwei could stop it.
Xiang Shaolong and others concentrated on training their soldiers. After two months of calm, Tao Fang brought the latest news from Xianyang.
In addition to Wu Yingyuan, Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi and Jing Jun, Wu Yingyuan's two biological brothers Wu Yingjie and Wu Ying'en also participated.
Tao Fang said: "According to the system of the Qin State, King Zhuang Xiang stayed in the Ancestral Temple for almost three months, and the funeral will be held fifteen days later. Envoys from various countries have been sent to express their condolences. I heard that the person from Qi State is Tian Dan, which is really puzzling."
Xiang Shaolong was stunned and said: "Tian Shan's coming here must have a purpose. I'm not surprised that Qi sent people here, but there was no Qi people participating in the coalition army that joined forces to conquer Qin half a year ago. The other five countries are not with us.
Is Da Qin at war? Why did it still send people?"
Tao Fangdao said: "The military power of Lord Xinling was taken away, and he was idle in Daliang, doing nothing. The agreement of unity and subordination was gone. The five countries retreated one after another, and each made peace with Lu Buwei.
Who dares not to come and please us when we are afraid that Da Qin will use our swords and guns against them? There is a lot of excitement in Xianyang again."
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that the person coming from the Wei Kingdom must be Lord Long Yang, but he didn't know who the other countries would send. He really didn't want to see shameless people like Li Yuan and Guo Kai.
Wu Yingjie asked: "Is there any news on Lu Buwei's side?"
Tao Fang shrugged and said: "It seems that he still has no time to pay attention to us for the time being. At this moment when the old and new kings are changing, the most important thing is to consolidate his own power. I heard that with the support of Empress Ji, he replaced a group of ministers and military generals.
But he did not dare to touch Xu Xian and Wang's people, so his people only won insignificant positions."
Wu Ying'en said: "He will carry out his conspiracy step by step."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Teng Yi said to Xiang Shaolong: "If the relationship between Lu Buwei and Empress Ji can be destroyed, if one of Lu Buwei's arms is cut off, can the third brother think of a way in this regard?"
Seeing everyone looking at him with hopeful eyes, Xiang Shaolong smiled bitterly and said, "I will take care of this matter."
Tao Fang said: "Shaolong, you should go to Xianyang for a visit. Empress Ji has sent people to find you three times. If you are still sick and can't get out, I'm afraid it won't be good."
Xiang Shaolong cheered up and said, "I will return to Xianyang tomorrow."
Everyone was happy.
What Xiang Shaolong was thinking about was seeing Zhu Ji.
Now that King Zhuang Xiang is dead, what should Zhu Ji do if she wants to renew her unfinished relationship with him?
He had developed deep feelings for King Zhuang Xiang, and there was no way he should have an affair with his widow.
This is something Xiang Shaolong cannot accept.
Back at Yinlong Villa, Ji Yanran was whispering to Wu Tingfang who was lying on the bed.
This beauty, whose brother was executed by her family, was pale and so thin that her eyes were sunken, which made Xiang Shaolong feel like his heart was cut by a knife.
When Ji Yanran saw him arriving, she stood up and said, "Come and chat with Tingfang." She winked at him and walked out of the dormitory.
Xiang Shaolong understood that Wu Tingfang had a difficult knot in his heart. He hated his brother Nai for betraying his husband, and he also blamed his father for not caring about the love between father and son. His mood was conflicting, difficult to excrete, and he fell ill from depression.
After sighing secretly, he sat next to the couch, gently hugged her shoulders and held her wrist. Seeing that the bowl of medicinal soup on the table was still intact, without taking a sip, he said softly: "
Don’t you want to take medicine again?”
Wu Tingfang's eyes turned red, and he lowered his head. Silent tears welled up in his eyes, and he remained silent.
Xiang Shaolong was well aware of the stubborn temper of a rich lady like her. When she got angry, no one would give her away. He leaned into her ear and said, "You blamed the wrong father-in-law. The real person to blame is Lu Buwei, the other culprit."
Everyone is innocent. If you give up on yourself, not only will your mother's illness not be cured, but your father and I will be in a state of confusion because of you, and we will not be able to cope with the persecution of the traitor. Do you understand what I am saying?"
Wu Tingfang thought for a while and nodded slightly.
Xiang Shaolong wiped away her tears, took the opportunity to bring the medicinal soup, fed her to drink, and said: "This is a good and obedient child. You must recover quickly before you can serve your mother."
Wu Tingfang said softly: "This medicine is very bitter."
Xiang Shaolong kissed her cheek, covered her with a quilt, and helped her fall asleep before leaving the room and going to the living room.
Zhao Zhi, Ji Yanran and the Tian sisters were teasing their son Xiang Baoer. If Wu Tingfang hadn't been missing, they would have been enjoying themselves.
He took Bao'er over, looked at his sweet smile, and felt a strong fighting spirit in his heart.
Since Lu Buwei could use any means to harm him, he should repay him in the same way.
The first person to be killed was not Lu Buwei, but his advisor Mo Ao.
Unless this person dies, they will be harmed by him one day.
Wu Tingfang's spirits improved after that, and by the third day he was able to leave the hospital bed where he had been lingering for so long to visit his mother.
She was silent for a long time, unwilling to speak or see outsiders, but her eyes showed a strong look that she had never seen before. It was clear that because of her husband's words, she had untied the knot in her heart and transferred the object of resentment to Lu Buwei.
Seeing that she got better, Xiang Shaolong left the ranch with peace of mind and embarked on the road to Xianyang with Teng Yi and Jing Jun.
The number of Iron Guards increased to eighty to strengthen their strength.
The large group of people woke up twelve spirits and arrived in Xianyang the next morning after a day's journey.
Xiang Shaolong went to the palace and met with Zhu Qiji, who had become the Queen Mother, and Xiaopan, who was about to ascend the throne of King Qin.
Zhu Ji has obviously lost weight, but Xiaopan is full of energy and radiant, which is incompatible with the mourning clothes she is wearing.
When they saw him arriving, they were both very happy. After shooing away the servants, Zhu Ji said: "Shaolong, what are you doing to cause trouble? You suddenly slipped back to the pasture. I'm so tired that I can't find anyone to talk to."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly frightened in his heart. Zhu Ji, who had lost his wife, was like a colorful sparrow that escaped from the cage. There was nothing to tie her up. He first said goodbye to Xiao Pan who was sitting with Zhu Ji on the steps of the inner court.
After the ceremony, he sat down respectfully and said: "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. I really have unspeakable difficulties."
Xiaopan lowered his head and understood the meaning of his words.
Zhu Ji said angrily: "If you don't want to say it, you have to say it, otherwise I will never let you go."
Just by listening to her tone, one could tell that she did not treat Xiang Shaolong as a minister.
Xiaopan interjected: "If Queen Mother spares Taifu Xiang, if you can tell Queen Mother, he will tell you."
Zhu Ji said angrily: "Are you two colluding to deal with me?"
Xiaopan gave Xiang Shaolong an ambiguous look and said, "Wang Er has resigned. The Queen Mother will have a good chat with Taifu Xiang for a while."
Looking at Xiaopan's back, Xiang Shaolong almost wanted to pull him back. The last thing he wanted to do right now was to be alone with Zhu Ji.
When the two of them were left alone, Zhu Ji fell silent. After a while, she sighed softly: "Did something happen between you and Bu Wei?"
Xiang Shaolong was speechless.
After Zhu Ji looked at him with beautiful eyes for a while, she slowly said: "When you came back from a frustrated mission that day, I saw that you were very unpleasant, not like your usual behavior; when I saw Wei
The look in his eyes is also very strange. I know too well that Buwei will do whatever it takes to achieve success. Isn't it the best example to send me to the king back then? He told me during the day that he would never be separated, and at night I belong to another person.
A man now."
Suddenly he whispered in a low voice, "Will Shaolong blame others for not distinguishing between grudges and grudges?"
I am afraid that only Xiang Shaolong can understand this sentence.
Now the fates of Zhu Ji, Xiaopan and Lu Buwei can be said to be linked, and one cannot exist without the other.
Of course, Lu Buwei had to rely on Zhu Ji and Xiaopan, the heirs to the throne, so that he could legitimately take charge of the government; but Zhu Ji and his son also had to rely on Lu Buwei to fight against the ministers and generals in Qin who opposed their mother and son.
Moreover, there were rumors that Xiaopan was Lu Buwei's son. If Zhu Ji killed Lu Buwei, because her mother and son had weak foundations in the Qin court, without Lu Buwei, and Xiaopan had not officially ascended the throne, the status of her mother and son would be lost. It is really in danger and could be destroyed at any time.
Xiang Shaolong bowed his head and said, "How could I blame the Queen Mother?"
Zhu Ji showed a bitter smile and said softly: "I still remember that when I left Wujiapu, Handan, I once said to Mr. Wu: As long as I, Zhu Ji, am still alive, I will ensure that your Wu family will be rich and prosperous for one day. I, Zhu Ji, will never forget these words, Shaolong, rest assured."
Xiang Shaolong was moved in his heart. It was rare that Zhu Ji still missed her old feelings under such circumstances, and was speechless for a moment.
Zhu Ji suddenly became excited and said: "The day before yesterday, three ministers, Xu Xian, Lu Gong and Wang, jointly signed a memorial, asking Wang Erce to appoint you as the commander of the imperial cavalry, commanding the 10,000 cavalry city guards in Xianyang, and responsible for the security of the royal city. But because of Buwei's objections, I didn't know your intentions, so I didn't dare to persist. I didn't expect that the three most powerful people in the military would support you so much. Shaolong, you can't hide anymore, I and I Xiaozheng needs you by his side."
Xiang Shaolong was shocked. Did Xu Xian and the others receive the news that he and Lu Buwei were not at peace?
Zhu Ji said slightly angrily: "Don't you even care about the survival of the Wu family?"
Of course Xiang Shaolong understood what she meant.
What Zhu Ji meant was that if she had to make only one choice between Lu Buwei and him, she would rather choose him.
If he could replace Lu Buwei to consolidate the power of her mother and son, then Lu Buwei would be dispensable.
I just wish he knew that Lu Buwei would never be pushed down so easily. That would have been written in all the history of China.
He nodded suddenly and said: "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your attention."
Zhu Ji's pretty face suddenly turned red, she lowered her head and said, "As long as you don't treat me as an outsider, Zhu Ji will be satisfied."
Xiang Shaolong smiled bitterly and said: "I have never regarded you as an outsider, but your Majesty is very kind to me. How could I?"
There was a look of resentment in Zhu Ji's eyes, and she said sadly: "Can people forget his grace for a moment? I have already guessed a little bit of what Shaolong said before the king died that day, but please don't tell me that I am still I don’t want to know, I hope Shaolong can understand me, a miserable person like me.”
Xiang Shaolong became more and more aware that Zhu Ji was not simple. He thought of the poison and secretly wondered whether he should challenge fate again. When he warned her in advance, the guard sent a report: "The right prime minister, Lu Buwei, is asking to see the Queen Mother."
Xiang Shaolong almost wanted to run away, but how could he be so on the wrong side of the road?