Pei county.

Fast horses galloped and rushed into the camp.

"Appeal ......"

The knight on the horse grabbed the reins and shouted: "Quickly bring the humble post to see the chief soldier, Jinan is urgent!" ”

"Jinan Urgent Report ......"

The news passed, and the knight galloped all the way into the camp. Kneeling on one knee, he held the letter in his hand high.

Everyone in the tent looked at each other for a while, and finally Yang Jia, the secretary of the Nanjing Military Department, stretched out his hand to take the letter and newspaper first.

After a while, Yang Jia raised his eyebrows, and for a moment his face was full of joy, and then immediately reined in.

"Wang Xiao has left Shandong! This time, Jinan will go down. ”

As he spoke, he handed the letter to Kong Yourong, the eunuch and supervisor of Nanjing.

Kong Yourong swept his eyes, laughed and cried, and said sharply: "It's a pity that I escaped the traitor who killed the monarch's father!" This thief chose to run away without waiting for our Wang army to attack, which is extremely hateful! But Zhou Yan has abandoned his arms, and Jinan will be able to conquer the ...... in one fell swoop."

Then, the letter was handed back and forth in the hands of each person in the account, and the Governor and the Governor, and then the commanders of the four towns of Huai'an, Xuzhou, Luzhou, and Sizhou, and the commanders of the five military camps read it......

"Is this news accurate? Will there be anything fake? Guan Mingdao, the chief soldier of Xuzhou, said, "Anyway, if I were Zhou Yan or Wang Xiao, I wouldn't make trouble at such a time." ”

"It's hard to say." Huai'an Chief Soldier Tong Yuanwei said: "Your Majesty's death is the most serious time when there is a contradiction. Zhou Yan wanted to ascend the throne in a hurry, and it was not impossible to have a quarrel with Wang Xiao in the end. ”

Guan Ming grinned and glanced at Tong Yuanwei.

His Majesty has died, and Zhou Yan is not the only one who can ascend the throne.

Since Zheng Yuanhua supported Emperor Sun Zhouyu to Nanjing City for more than a year, he had already arranged many things, and set up four towns in Jiangbei as the barrier of Nanjing.

In order to win over these generals, Zheng Yuanhua has promised that once the new emperor ascends the throne, these generals will each be given the title of earl.

It was with these titles that they made up their minds to get rid of Zhou Yan this time.

After a group of people in the tent discussed for a while, Yang Jia thought about it and asked the other person, "What does Ziyi think?" ”

The man was about thirty years old, and he was born with a dignified appearance, a short beard on his lips, and a proud face.

He is the second grandson of Zheng Yuanhua, his name is Zheng Zhaoye, the word Ziyi, Yanguang eleventh year Jinshi and the first, and now the official is the right senator of Nanzhili.

The reason why Yang Jia, an incompetent person, was asked to supervise the military horses of the four towns this time was actually because Zheng Zhaoye's official position was not high enough, so he had to borrow Yang Jia to supervise the division.

At this time, Zheng Zhaoye took the letter, sneered, and said, "This matter depends on the details." ”

"I would like to hear the Senator's opinion." Kong Yourong said sharply.

"Wang laughed at this, I heard Lord Wen say it. There are indeed some means, which should not be underestimated. Zheng Zhaoye said slowly, "He and Zhou Yan were at odds, the two quarreled, and in the end, the two sides refused to give in to each other. Wang Xiao left Jinan, and also sent Guanning Tieqi from Texas to Laizhou...... Heh, what does this sound like at first glance? How ridiculous? It's unbelievable. ”

Guan Ming, the chief soldier of Xuzhou, said: "I also mean this, is this their strategy?" Reckless? It is not good to lose the soldiers and horses. ”

Zheng Zhaoye sneered again and said, "But think about it carefully? There is always a reason for the unbelievable things in the world. ”

"What does Ziyi mean by that?" Yang Jia asked.

Zheng Zhaoye said: "Wang Xiao did it on purpose? He deliberately spread rumors that he was at odds with Zhou Yan? deliberately asked He Liangyuan to persuade Zhou Yan not to show goodwill. In order to make this matter bigger and bigger? In the end, it was out of control. ”

"This ...... How can it be? ”

"How is it impossible, my lords, to imagine that a man who can kill the slave chieftain by his means? How can you not control a Jinan city? While saying that you want to leave? On the one hand, I want to buy a house, which is simply trying to cover up. ”

Yang Jia suddenly realized, stroked his palm and said: "I see, Ziyi is high-minded." But why? In order to cut Zhou Yan's face? Alone in power? ”

Zheng Zhaoye sneered again and said, "How can it be so simple? ”

Yang Jia's expression was stunned? But he just sighed: "That's ......"

"Wang Xiao has already received the news and knows that our army is about to attack." Zheng Zhaoye said: "We represent the Great Chu Zhengshuo, the 170,000 army went north, swallowing like a tiger, he knows, Zhou Yan is a rebellious child, Wang Xiao can only escape." But he also knew that Zhou Yan killed his father, and Da Chu Yinglie would never let Zhou Yan go. If Wang Xiao escapes with Zhou Yan, he will only be chased and killed by us all the way. ”

Therefore, in order for himself to get out, he pretended to be confused. made it because of discord with Zhou Yan, and finally got angry away. ”

"Oh, you will know from the news that the spies have found out, on the one hand, he is going to go to sea by boat, and on the other hand, he has settled down in Jinan. What does it look like to others? He wanted to stay, but it was just because of his face...... Oh, coy. ”

Guan Ming suddenly realized, clapped his hands and said, "What a hypocrite and a big coward." In this way, did Zhou Yan really break his arm? As soon as my army arrived, Jinan Bike. ”

Zheng Zhaoye said: "What is the difference between breaking the arm? Even if Wang Xiao is here, can he still hold Jinan? How can such a small thing be worth celebrating? ”

There was a moment of silence in the tent.

This Zheng Zhaoye is young and the youngest and has the lowest official position. But after a sentence, no one dared to refute. Because he is the grandson of Zheng Yuanhua.

"Wang Xiao fled, but it was more troublesome." Zheng Zhaoye calmed his face, and continued: "If he defends Jinan, we will capture Jinan, and the rebellion can be quelled in a battle, and now he has fled." You don't want to know how to deal with it, but you are complacent here? Are you still the pillar of my Da Chu?! ”

The atmosphere in the tent was stagnant again.

But no one came out to plead guilty, and everyone still wanted to save face.

After a while, Zheng Zhaoye said: "Capture Jinan first, and kill Zhou Yan for rebellion." But beware of Wang Xiao's invasion of us from Laizhou. ”

A group of civil and military personnel breathed a sigh of relief.

After the account was out, Yang Jia sighed and said to Zheng Zhaoye: "Why is Ziyi losing his temper, how is it good to have a bad relationship with these generals?" ”

Zheng Zhaoye said with a faint expression: "If you don't beat, how will they know who to serve in the future." ”

Yang Jia said: "If the news is true, we should also attack Jinan as soon as possible, so as not to have a long night." But counting the time, the news of the death of the first emperor reached Nanjing, and then the emperor and grandson issued an order that the four towns in Jiangbei should send troops, and it should be half a month later before they should arrive in Jinan. We'll have to wait a little longer......"

"You don't have to wait, the overseer can give an order, and the troops will be sent tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Yang Jia said: "In this way, if someone calculates the time, it is difficult to guarantee that they will not guess why we attacked Jinan so quickly, and when the time comes, it will ......."

"It doesn't matter what others think." Zheng Zhaoye sneered again and said, "Jinan already knows that we are going to send troops, and we must be prepared. The soldier is very fast, and we sent troops in advance to catch him off guard. ”

"But ......"

"No, though. I have my own way to die, it is Zhou Yan who killed the first emperor......"

~~

In Jinan City, Zhou Yan was a little dazed.

He sat in the hall of the palace and listened to the long bells in the distance.

I didn't expect ...... Wang Xiao is really gone, it's true......

Zhou Yan didn't even understand how things had developed to this point.

He followed He Liangyuan's advice and did not compromise with Wang Xiao.

Then, one day, two days, three days, the undercurrent of the entire Jinan City fluctuated, some courtiers ran to persuade Wang Xiao, and some courtiers ran to persuade him. Zhou Yan didn't see them either, so he only handed them over to He Liangyuan to stop them.

Then, after the seventh day of the emperor's mourning, He Liangyuan organized his courtiers to support Zhou Yan to ascend the throne.

Very well planned at first.

"Your Highness, the mourning period of the first emperor has passed, you are the crown prince, and you should ascend the throne as emperor." He Liangyuan lowered his voice when he said this, and said: "It just so happens that the Duke of Yu Guogong is unwilling to participate in the government affairs, and after His Royal Highness ascends the throne, he can reward many ministers from the dragon, so that these courtiers are loyal to His Highness." Only then will I have the capital to fight against the court of the kingdom of ......"

Zhou Yan asked, "But...... The soldiers and horses from the south are about to come. ”

"The Duke of Yu will not let go of power." He Liangyuan said: "Ruochen guessed well, he has been secretly preparing for the defense of Jinan. The minister heard that he had mobilized the Texas cavalry. ”

"However, what this palace heard is that the Xiao cavalry is going to Laizhou and preparing to go to sea with him."

"It's a ploy, a ploy by him to confuse his vision." He Liangyuan said: "Now that I think about it, the Duke of Yu must be pretending to be inferior to His Royal Highness, so as to mobilize troops and horses, it is likely to defend Jinan." ”

"Really?" Zhou Yan was overjoyed and said, "This palace also thinks that my brother-in-law is such a person. He's not going to be so petty......"

This is the first time since he and Wang Xiaozhi called 'brother-in-law' again, in fact, his temperament has finally disappeared now. I also feel that such a life is very painful, and I really want to reconcile with Wang Xiao.

But after a few days of brewing, the rumors became more and more popular, the courtiers became more and more anxious, and almost the whole of Jinan was paying attention to this matter. This made Zhou Yan more and more unable to step down.

He Liangyuan said: "Your Highness also thinks that the Duke of Qiu Guo can defend Jinan?" ”

"Yes, as soon as He Qing said, the palace also thinks that this is likely to be a trick by my brother-in-law, just to mobilize soldiers and horses to hide from Zhou Yu's rebellious sight in the south......"

"Then Your Highness, if you think about it again, Jinan can be defended. Why did His Highness go to apologize to the Duke of Qiu? He Liangyuan said: "This is a plan set up by the Duke of Yu, and His Royal Highness cooperates with him." continue to pretend to be discordant, so that he will continue not to participate in the government. And the palace took this opportunity to ascend the throne and reward his henchmen. It's a win-win. ”

"But...... But what if we guess wrong? ”

"You can't be wrong." He Liangyuan became more and more determined. Said slowly: "Your Highness also knows that the minister was not in harmony with the Duke of Yu Guogong before. But that's a political difference. In terms of personal conduct, the Duke of Yu still has a heart and a generous attitude. Your Highness, you think back to the beginning of this matter, it was also the Duke of Yu who beat His Highness. His Highness didn't feel sorry for him, how did he get to this point? ”

Now, Zhou Yan is very relieved.

- He Liangyuan is right! Fortunately, I listened to him and didn't go to apologize to my brother-in-law......

However, just yesterday, the news came...... Wang Xiao is really gone.

Zhou Yan couldn't believe it.

"This ...... How is this possible? What about the royal sister?! What about my royal sister? ”

"Her Royal Highness Princess...... Her Royal Highness the Princess was also taken away by the Duke of Qiu......"

"What?"

"The Wang family, the Qin family, and a few ministers, Lord Wu and Lord Qian...... The Duke of Yu took many people with him...... Just crossed the city gate and an hour passed......"

"Why don't you stop it?!"

"General Xu, the guard of the city gate...... also went with the Duke of Yu......"

"Impossible...... This is impossible......" Zhou Yan muttered, only to feel that he was still in a dream.

Then, a huge uproar suddenly sounded in the palace.

"Your Highness, Your Highness! Zuo Ge asked to see ......"

"Your Highness, Lord Song asks to see ......"

"Your Highness, the queen mother is here......"

"Your Highness, it's not good! The Queen Mother fainted......"

Buzzing, Zhou Yan took a few steps back, holding on to the table, anxious to faint.

But he is not his royal father, he is still young, and he can't faint.

"What to do? What to do? Why did it come to this...... He Liangyuan! Come! Go find He Liangyuan ......"

"Your Highness, Lord Song lost his temper in front ......"

Zhou Yan was stunned for a moment, and asked rhetorically, "So what?" ”

"This ...... Ho will ...... will be ...... by Lord Song."

The little eunuch thought about it, but swallowed back the word 'killed'. hurriedly ran out, and it took a while to bring He Liangyuan, who had loose hair and tattered clothes.

"Minister, meet Your Highness."

"See you again? The main shrine is almost over! ”

Up to now, He Liangyuan was still very calm and said, "Your Highness, don't panic, the situation has not yet reached the point of being out of control." ”

Zhou Yan pointed at him, almost thinking that this He Liangyuan had taken refuge in Nanjing, and he was still talking about himself.

"You...... How else are you going to be out of control? ”

"The minister still thinks that the Duke of Yu is making a false shot."

Zhou Yan laughed angrily, and shouted: "He's gone!" Let's go! You're still coaxing me?! ”

"Your Highness, Your Highness...... You listen to the ministers. He Liangyuan hurriedly said: "Your Highness, you think it's just a slap in the face, how can it not come to this point." Wang laughed at this son, no, the Duke of Yu has always done things to the most realistic level. It must be to confuse the enemy. ”

Zhou Yan looked at He Liangyuan's calm appearance, and his heart that had nowhere to settle fell back a little.

"I don't know if I should believe you." He said weakly.

"Your Highness, please enthrone Your Highness as soon as possible and reward the ministers." He Liangyuan said quickly: "As soon as the Duke of Qiu Guo leaves, the people of Jinan are panicked, and only His Royal Highness can regain their morale when he ascends the throne." ”

Before the words were finished, there was a bang, the door of the palace was slammed open, Zuo Jinglun rushed in quickly, followed by a group of guards, who wanted to pull him but couldn't.

"Your Highness, don't ascend the throne and become emperor at this time." Zuo Jinglun said: "The minister asks His Royal Highness to quickly issue an edict to recall the Duke of Yu Guo and discuss with the Duke of Yu whether to ascend the throne." The minister's sentences are for the sake of His Highness, please let His Highness know ......"

"Zuo Jinglun, you are going to miss the important matter of His Highness." He Liangyuan shouted: "Once Nanjing takes the lead and occupies the name of righteousness, how will His Highness deal with himself?" ”

"He Liangyuan, if it weren't for you, a traitorous villain, how could this happen?"

Before Zhou Yan could figure it out, he saw another group of ministers rushing in with righteous indignation, and the first two were the Song brothers, so they rushed up to beat He Liangyuan without saying anything.

Then another group of ministers who wanted to support Zhou Yande rushed to protect He Liangyuan.

The scene exploded in an instant......

Zhou Yan opened his mouth, only to feel that it seemed to be in a dream.

These Wenchen, who are full of 'knowers' on weekdays, actually fought in front of their own eyes?

"Don't fight!"

Zhou Yan was furious and yelled: "What kind of system is it?!" What do you want to do? Rebellion?! Give them away! ”

"He Liangyuan, traitor to the country, go to death!"

With a sound of "dang", a table leg flew out and smashed on Zhou Yan's head......

"Your Highness is injured!"

"Who dares to assassinate His Highness?"

“……”

At this moment, Zhou Yan suddenly could understand what kind of state of mind his father often said, 'All officials are mistaken'.

It doesn't hurt very much on the head. But he shook his head, and simply sat down on the ground and closed his eyes.

- Finally stopped......

~~

Time passed day by day in such disputes.

Everyone was arguing and couldn't make up their minds, and the first army of the four towns in Jiangbei had already arrived at the city of Jinan.

With the war came infamy.

"Zhou Yan killed the monarch's father, heaven and earth do not tolerate it, and people and gods punish together...... Kill! ”

ABC