King Zhao's confidant eunuch Wang Gonggong brought the gold seal into the mourning hall. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Dai Quan spread out the white paper, and the King of Chu personally stamped it with the gold seal. Carefully compare the hook in the character "Zhao", and the four letters The reward was actually thinner. Liu Quan ordered his servants: "Go back to the Yamen quickly to get the order from the prince before the flood control."
Another minister also hurriedly called to his chief attendant: "Go to the study to get our family."
The other ministers also sent people back to the Yamen to pick up the documents that King Zhao had used to seal.
Then I heard King Wei sneer: "No need."
I saw the official next to him looking at the prince and saying: "My father-in-law is very capable. I think I am in trouble."
The prince raised his hands in confusion: "What did the master say? I can't understand."
King Wei clasped his hands and said, "It doesn't matter whether you understand or not."
As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier burst in from outside the door and shouted at the top of his voice: "Your Majesty! It's not good! There are many soldiers from other countries coming outside the house, too many to count!"
The four princes of Zheng, Wei, Zhou and Cao laughed together. They laughed and realized that the other three were also laughing, and they all stopped. The silence in front of the mourning hall was as silent as midnight. It was obvious that these four princes had soldiers and horses outside. The rest of the people His face was ashen: no one could leave this time. Sure enough, thunderous shouts of killing came from outside, and the soldiers ran back and said: "Another group of people has come to confront the group in front of the house."
King Cao asked anxiously: "Which country are you from?"
"The group in the front is from Zheng Guo, but the group in the back doesn't know yet." The room suddenly became quiet again.
After a while, Liu Qian smiled and said: "Why don't you four countries fight first? The winner will be Zhao."
The minister of Zhao State immediately shouted: "How unreasonable! Is there any royal law?" Everyone started discussing.
Su Cheng whispered to Liu Xiaoqi, the guard behind him: "Why is it such a coincidence that the four countries have contacted one family from each country?"
Liu Xiaoqi said: "Because the leaders in charge of intelligence from the four countries are all from SHIELD."
"ah?"
"It was our own people who arranged to go out to find out the news, and it was our own people who pretended to be the servants of the gossiping woman. They were our own people who incited the four princes to use troops. They surveyed the roads, copied Zhao Jun's military uniforms, found out Zhao Jun's passwords, and lured the troops of the four countries. The ones who entered the Zhao Kingdom are our own people." Liu Xiaoqi said, "It's all a show, everyone is pretending, and they understand it tacitly."
Su Cheng couldn't help but snicker: "You sir, you really are not idle."
Liu Xiaoqi also smiled and said: "It has been two years since he came here personally! Not to mention the hard work in the past. Now the layout has been roughly completed, and the rice will be harvested in a few years."
Not long after, all the soldiers and horses from the four kingdoms had arrived, and the palace of Prince Zhao was completely surrounded. The King of Chu said helplessly: "If only one family of the four uncles and brothers sent troops, they would probably be able to capture the State of Zhao. But now all four families have come." Okay. Why don’t we all discuss it peacefully..."
Before he finished speaking, the messenger came again: "His Royal Highness! Another large army came outside. It was very large in number. It was surrounded by soldiers and horses from the four countries!" He hesitated for a moment, "Looks like the clothes are from the Yan Kingdom. He can control floods and strengthen his strength."
Su Cheng immediately smiled and said: "No. You probably saw them wearing camouflage uniforms. Camouflage uniforms are a major category of clothing. The men who control floods wear one type, and the officers and soldiers wear another type."
Prince Zhao narrowed his eyes: "Master Su, what do you mean?"
Su Cheng hurriedly waved his hands and said: "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood. Because the four countries mobilized troops and horses to Zhao, and I, the Yan State, noticed it. The regent was afraid that something bad might happen to me, so he sent some people to protect me secretly. I am his master's niece. The prince knows it. If these four princes don't send troops to besiege Prince Zhao's Mansion, our people will just hide outside the city quietly and not come out." She looked at the four princes and said, "We, the Yan Kingdom, don't want to interfere with the affairs of your five kingdoms. , I can't control it. I also ask the four princes to speak and ask your people to make way and let me, Eunuch Dai Quan and Eunuch Kong Yunxian leave. The Yan army immediately withdrew and escorted us back to the country. The rest will not cooperate with us. The Yan State is involved."
Everyone was shocked. They had just heard that the Yan army had arrived, and thought they wanted to take advantage of the situation. Unexpectedly, they just wanted to retreat! So they secretly guessed whether it was true or not. The generals of Zhao were shocked. The troops entered Handan and their country.
The soldiers and horses are not even checked.
Kong Yunxian whispered: "Master Su, are we leaving like this?"
Su Cheng said: "Of course I'm going! I'm here to treat the flood, and you're here to express my condolences. I've finished treating the flood, and you've finished expressing your condolences. Why don't you leave? Why don't you stay for dinner?"
King Zheng immediately said: "Is what Mr. Su said true?"
Su Cheng said loudly: "Seriously."
King Zheng looked at the three of them: "In that case, we won't let Mr. Su have dinner, right?"
The three people said in unison: "It's easy to go, Mr. Su!" Yan Guo joined in, and there was no drama for them.
An official from an unknown country immediately jumped out and cupped his hands and said, "Master Su, I happen to have something to do and have to go to Beijing. How about going with Master Su?"
Another person said: "I'm going to the capital as well, so I might as well keep company with you two adults." In an instant, more than a dozen people jumped out and wanted to follow.
Su Cheng hesitated a little and discussed with Dai Quan: "Eunuch Dai, what do you think?"
Dai Quan looked at the crowd and thought: "The Za family thought... Anyway, if you adults want to go to the capital, it would be best to go together."
Everyone raised their hands: "Thank you so much, Eunuch Dai!"
Prince Zhao panicked: "Yunxian Yunxian, don't leave!"
Kong Yunxian hurriedly said to Su Cheng: "Master Su, we can't just leave like this. It's really unjust."
Su Cheng cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Kong, it's not that I'm an unjust official. These people were sent by Uncle Cong to protect me. Now the five countries are going to war... Now the five countries are starting a war. If we join in, we will join the war."
I am a minor technical official in charge of water control projects. In terms of rank, I am no more than a member of the Ministry of Industry. How can I decide to participate in such a big thing as joining the war? I cannot represent the Yan State!"
"This..." Kong Yunxian looked troubled.
Liu Qian of the State of Lu said loudly: "Mr. Su is right. She is not in her position and will not seek her own government. Forcing her, a low-ranking official from the fifth rank, to make the decision to join the war will only make things difficult for others."
Prince Zhao rushed to Kong Yunxian in two steps and begged: "Yunxian! The four police forces outside are like wolves and tigers. If you leave, I will be dead! None of them will let me go!"
Dai Quan sighed: "Mr. Kong, neither the Za family nor Mr. Su can be such a big master."
Prince Zhao grabbed Kong Yunxian's arm: "Yunxian, you can't leave!"
Several Zhao State officials also stepped forward to surround Kong Yunxian: "Please help Mr. Kong!" "Master said, it is not without courage to see justice. Please save our Zhao State, Mr. Kong!" They all recited a long list of sayings.
.
Kong Yunxian resolutely bowed to Su Cheng and said: "Master Su, if it is inconvenient and troublesome, please leave by yourself. Kong and Prince Zhao are considered friends, and they cannot be alone."
"That can't be done." Su Cheng said, "If anything happens to you, Mr. Lin will have to kill me. You must go back."
Kong Yunxian said calmly: "Kong is from Qi State, Mr. Su, an official of Yan State, cannot control me."
Su Cheng shrugged: "I'm offended. Xiao Qi, please leave Mr. Kong."
Kong Yunxian straightened his back and said sternly: "I am the 71st generation grandson of Saint Kong, who dares to touch me!"
Su Cheng turned a blind eye and said: "Xiao Qi! Take action."
Kong Yunxian stood with his hands behind his back and looked resolute. Several Zhao ministers stood in front of him. Prince Zhao hid behind him and grabbed his arm hard. The whole hall was solemn.
Liu Xiaoqi smiled and stepped out from behind Su Cheng, cupping his hands and saying, "Sir, there are actually other ways."
Su Cheng glanced at him: "Say!"
"No war." Liu Xiaoqi said, "The four countries have withdrawn their troops, and the princes' envoys have returned to their respective countries to do whatever they are supposed to do."
"Are you stupid?" Su Cheng asked angrily, "They are fighting with open fire to seize territory. The imitation of King Zhao's letter in the first place is just a cover. How can we retreat without eating fat lamb?"
"My subordinates know. Please wait a moment." Liu Xiaoqi walked up to the Yue State envoy Zhen Zangzhu in a few steps and said, clasping his fists and saying, "If I remember correctly, did this friend go to any kiln in Yanjing earlier?"
Zhen Zangzhu frowned, clasped his fists and said, "Yes, I did walk through the green forest when I was young."
"As expected, it is Li Dalang, the Iron Swallow." Liu Xiaoqi bowed and bowed, "I once caught a glimpse of Li Dalang in the crowd. Fortunately, my memory is not bad."
Zhen Zangzhu returned the courtesy and said: "Since I recognized my ancestor and returned to my clan, I have corrected my evil ways and returned to the right way. I have not known anything about the world these years, so I don't recognize my little brother."
Liu Xiaoqi said with a smile: "It's normal for adults not to recognize my new springboard. Sir, let's sit shoulder to shoulder. It's better to pull off the thread of the best sheep and grandson to pinch the seven inches and put it on. It's better than the water flowing loose."
people."
"This..." Zhen Zangzhu was thoughtful.
This is the mourning hall of King Zhao, and the room is full of princes and ministers from all over the world. Liu Xiaoqi spoke a long list of slang in a loud voice, but no one could understand and looked at each other. "Sir, what did the guard of the Yan Kingdom say?
?” “I don’t even know, even my subordinates!”
After a long while, Zhen Zangzhu stroked his beard and said: "I haven't picked up a pole for many years. Since you can trust me, I'll take care of you." Liu Xiaoqi nodded.
Everyone looked at each other blankly again. Before they had time to discuss, they heard a burst of exclamation in their ears. Zhen Zangzhu and Liu Xiaoqi both jumped into the air and went straight to the beam. The two spun around on the beam a few times like lightning, and the figure suddenly fell down.
Before anyone could notice what was going on, several pig-like screams suddenly sounded. After a closer look, King Cao of Wei had somehow fallen into the hands of Liu Xiaoqi. King Zheng and King Zhou asked Zhen Zangzhu to restrain him and protect him.
They all fell to the ground and shouted "Ouch".
Then I heard a guard from an unknown country in the crowd laugh and say: "The brother in Tsing Yi just said that it would be better for the two of them to work together to knock down the guards around the princes, capture them and tie them up, than for someone else's troops to come in and attack us."
Escape. The man in dark clothes said, although I have not been a bodyguard for many years, since my friends can trust me, the two in the west will be mine and the two in the north will be yours."
"Coax--" There was a big commotion in the mourning hall.
The crown prince of the Zhao Kingdom came out from behind Kong Yunxian in a majestic manner, clapped his hands and laughed and said: "You are so righteous and you kill more dogs. Thank you two knights. I, the Zhao Kingdom, will remember your great kindness and kindness, and you will definitely be rewarded in the future."
Zhen Zangzhu said: "I have washed my hands in a golden basin for many years. It would be good if this favor should be recorded on the head of the Yue Kingdom."
Su Cheng said: "Your Majesty, please don't remember the favor to Yan Guo. This matter was done by Xiao Qi alone. You can just thank him."
Everyone had not yet come to their senses. However, Lord Liu Qian of Lu State took the lead in applauding, and others immediately followed suit. There was thunderous applause in the mourning hall.
Now that the matter has come to this point, there is nothing to show off. With King Chu and Kong Yunxian as security, the four countries withdrew their troops. The four princes were temporarily under the care of the State of Zhao. After the Prince of Zhao ascended the throne, they were released to their home countries. Suddenly someone came from outside and reported, "All the officers and soldiers of the five countries have
It has been evacuated." Manlingtang breathed a sigh of relief.
Everyone began to say goodbye, and Zhao Guo naturally did not stay. However, Liu Qian, the special envoy of Lu State, stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying loudly: "Your Majesty, it is obvious that your Zhao State has been targeted by Zheng, Wei, Zhou and Cao. Once such thoughts arise, they will not be unreasonable.
Stop. Master Zhen and Yishi Xiaoqi helped you this time, but they can't help you next time." He smiled and said, "Do you want to form an alliance with the State of Lu? The State of Lu is strong and adjacent to Lu and Zhao. Our two countries have formed an alliance, Xiao Xiao
I don't dare to act rashly." Everyone immediately stopped whispering and all looked at Prince Zhao.
Prince Zhao cast a sidelong glance at him: "You, King Lu, can't make the decision yourself, so I don't dare to stand up to you, Master Zhu Tong." He said, cupping his hands with Kong Yunxian and saying, "Yunxian, how about our alliance with the State of Zhao and the State of Yan?" Everyone shouted.
shock.
Kong Yunxian coughed twice: "I am from Qi..."
The special envoy of the State of Qi immediately said: "Does the Crown Prince want to form an alliance with the State of Qi?"
"No!" Prince Zhao refused readily, "Your Qi country is very weak, and it is useless to form an alliance with you."
Su Cheng hurriedly said: "Don't discuss it with me. I'm just a sesame official. I don't have any say in such a big matter as forming an alliance."
The old eunuch Dai Quan smiled and said: "If the prince has this intention, he can send a special envoy to the capital to discuss it. But if you are sincere, everything will be easy to discuss."
Prince Zhao muttered: "Where can I find a capable special envoy? The Zhao Kingdom is now full of rebellious ministers and traitors, and Mr. Liu Quan has to stay in Handan to clean up the mess. How about asking Mr. Yu Minzhong to come?"
Liu Quan immediately said: "Your Majesty, although Mr. Yu was led by Mr. Zhang, the fact that he fabricated disasters and pretended to provide relief is confirmed by witnesses and materials. Without careful investigation and proof of Mr. Yu's innocence, he cannot be released at will."
Prince Zhao flattered and said: "Master Liu, let's discuss it, that is my father-in-law..."
Liu Quan said seriously: "If the emperor's relatives can rely on his son-in-law to do evil, how can the State of Zhao be established?"
The prince of Zhao looked at the ministers for support, but they all bowed their heads - the prince was so weak in front of Liu Quan, and it was hard to say whether Zhao's surname would be Situ or Liu in the future. He looked at the envoys from various countries, and the envoys were either looking up at Liang Liang.
He turned to look at the window. Although he never looked at Kong Yunxian, Kong Yunxian said: "Your Majesty, Master Liu is right."
Prince Zhao was helpless: "Okay, forget it..." Kong Yunxian nodded. Everyone looked at each other, thinking that this prince is really useless.
After this incident, the State of Zhao did not dare to delay any more. Three days later, the crown prince ascended the throne as King of Zhao. Special envoys from various countries stayed to congratulate him, and the Liu family's threshold was broken. Later, the case of Yu Minzhong was interrogated, and the Zhang family and four other families were expelled.
Zhao Guo and other matters could not be completed in three or five days, and Liu Quan was extremely busy. The first King of Zhao passed by on 27th, and the new King of Zhao went to the capital in person to express his filial piety.
No one knows what King Zhao talked about with the people in the Political Affairs Hall of Yan State. A month later, "Yanjing Weekly" once again published explosive news: Zhao State joined the federation of Yan State and Malay State, and the three countries merged into one country.
It is planned to change all the names of the three countries next year and collectively call them the Federal Empire of China.
In another month, the saints in the Forbidden City issued decrees to the six provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Taiwan, ordering them to join the federation. Although it had been known that these places were all under the jurisdiction of the King of Yan earlier, it was announced in such a clear way.
The princes everywhere feel uncomfortable as if a huge stone has been pressed on their hearts. Some people have noticed that there is no movement in Ping'an Prefecture. It is still the number one in the world in business and does not get involved in the disputes among the princes.
In October, Zhen Hui, the governor of Fujian, wrote to the saint, asking for Fujian to join the federation, and the saint agreed.
King Zhao's father-in-law, Yu Minzhong, fabricated a disaster and risked his life to provide relief. After finding out the truth, he returned the embezzled money and left Handan for the capital to take up the post of Minister of Household Affairs. Everyone in the world thought it was King Zhao who asked for love. King Zhao announced to the world that his biological mother was Taoist nun Wei Rongguan.
, everyone in Zhao called her the Queen Mother.
In the twelfth month of the twelfth lunar month, Liu Tong, the overlord of the Lu State who had been living in Japan and never returned home, fell seriously ill and was about to die. His eldest son Liu Shu and prime minister and son-in-law Zhu Tong immediately put down their court affairs and rushed to Japan. The Lu State was temporarily ordered by Zhongshu
Liu Qian is in charge.
In the blink of an eye, the new year is approaching, and snow is falling in the south and north of the Yangtze River, marking the end of another year.
On the first day of the first lunar month, Lin Daiyu, Prime Minister of the Yan State, issued the first decree, changing the country's name to the Chinese Federal Empire. This year is the first year of the empire.