As the harvest came to an end, the sun had risen over the treetops. Zhou Fa said to Wan Xi, "When will Lord Yuhou come?" I'm starving to death. ”

At this time, Xin Jia heard it on the side, so he discussed with Zhou Chang: "It's time for the big food soon, so it's better to let everyone eat something first." As soon as Lord Yuhou arrives, he can set off immediately. ”

So Zhou Chang and Xin Jia ordered people to take some bait and dried meat out for everyone to eat. It's just that these dry foods are dry and hard, and Zhou Fa can't swallow them, so he only eats a few bites and then goes back to the carriage and dozes off.

In a trance, Zhou Fa felt that he was back in Yuhou's mansion, but seeing all kinds of delicacies around him, he didn't know which one to choose. Not to mention the sweet wines, the smell of the wine alone makes people intoxicated; On weekdays, my father didn't even let me touch it, but now Yu Hou came to persuade him to drink every once in a while, and he couldn't drink it if he wanted to. He faintly felt in his heart that this smiling Yu Hou was the kindest person in the world.

Between half dreaming and half waking up, I don't know who said: "Lord Yuhou is here!" Zhou Fa said in a daze: "Lord Yuhou, I really can't drink anymore...... who knew that Yu Hou refused to let him go, and walked over and grabbed his arm and shook it. This suddenly woke Zhou Fa up, and when he opened his eyes, he saw that it was his mother who was holding his hand. Taiji asked, "What kind of dream talk are you talking about?" What can't be drunk anymore? ”

Zhou Fa felt a little ashamed, and hurriedly shook his head and said, "No, nothing......" He felt a little sticky and wet at the corner of his mouth, and when he reached out and touched it, he found that saliva flowed out, and he hurriedly raised his sleeves to wipe the saliva clean, but he heard Tai Ji say: "Get out of the car quickly, Lord Yuhou is here." ”

Zhou Fa raised his eyes and saw a carriage driven by four horses slowly driving out of the city gate. The carriage was wrapped in golden copper skin, inlaid with many jewels and jade, and the lid made of golden brocade hung with white silk curtains, which can be described as gold carvings and jade masonry, which can be described as beautiful. Zhou Fa couldn't help but sigh: "Lord Yuhou's carriage is really beautiful! ”

Taiji said to him: "This kind of chariot with four horses is called a chariot. You see the two black horses in the middle are also called service horses, and the two yellow horses on both sides are also called horses. In the past, when I was in Yincheng, I had only seen the king of Shang riding in this kind of carriage, and I didn't expect that Lord Yuhou also had a carriage. ”

Zhou Fa said: "In the future, I will also build a carriage and dedicate it to my father." Father sitting in this carriage must be much more majestic than Lord Yuhou. ”

Tai Ji smiled and said, "This carriage is too extravagant to show off, and your father will definitely not like it." ”

Although this carriage is wide, it is only for Yu Mengyan to ride. Yu Yan rode his mount, Zi Yanliu, to accompany him, and Lady Di and Yue Fei followed in another chariot. Yu Yan went outside the city gate and whistled in his mouth. Zhou Fazheng wondered in his heart: What is this Yu Gongzi going to do? Suddenly, two gray shadows flew out of the city gate, passing right in front of Zhou Fa, startling him. When he turned his head to look, he saw two gray shadows soaring into the sky, rising sharply to a height of dozens of zhang, and then began to hover in mid-air. It was only at this time that Zhou Fa saw clearly that it turned out to be two big birds.

"W-What kind of bird is this?"

Xin Jia said on the side: "This is a golden eagle. Although this kind of carving grows in the area of Taihang Mountain and Shouyang Mountain, it sometimes flies to the vicinity of Xincheng. The shepherds in my city often come and complain that their lambs have been taken by golden eagles. I also ordered the city sergeants to shoot the golden eagle when they saw it, but the flat-haired beast flew so high and fast that it was not easy to shoot it. ”

As they spoke, Yu Mengyan's carriage had stopped in front of them. Yu Mengyan got out of the car, waved his hand at Xin Jia and the others, and said, "You have been waiting here for a long time, and the widow is really ashamed, ashamed." ”

Xin Jia and Zhou Chang also returned the courtesy: "I have just arrived." Mrs. Jiang, Tai Ji and others also followed behind to meet Marquis Yu, and Zhou Fa whispered to Zhou Kao: "We have been waiting for a long time, why don't my father and uncle tell the truth?" ”

At this time, Yu Yan also accompanied Mrs. Di and Yuefei to come over to greet the ceremony. The Yu Ran wanted to show off in front of Wan Yan, and with another whistle, the two golden eagles heard the call of their master, floated down from the air, and finally landed on Yu Yan's arm.

Zhou Fa looked intently at the two golden eagles, the body of this golden eagle was more than half larger than that of ordinary falcons, and the eyes faintly revealed the wind of a king, which made people dare not look directly. The most terrifying thing is the pair of sharp claws, shaped like copper hooks, if it weren't for Yu Yan wearing gauntlets, his arms would definitely be scratched out of a few bloody holes.

Xin Jia quipped: "Lord Yuhou, if you don't go out of the city to hunt today, why did you bring two eagles with you?" ”

Yu Mengyan smiled "haha": "This is a tribute to Lord Shangshou." Originally, this golden eagle was the treasure of our country, and it was easy to show it. It's just that this year is the enthronement of Lord Shangshou, so I have to prepare some chic gifts to get my hands on it. It's just that this golden eagle has a bit of a temper and doesn't like to stay in the cage, so I have to let it out and let it soar. ”

Xin Jia was quite conceited when he heard Yu Mengyan's tone, so he took the opportunity to flatter him a few words: "Yu Guo is really an outstanding person, and such rare treasures are also inexhaustible." ”

Yu Mengyan was really useful when she heard this, and said with a smile: "Lord Xinjia has won the award." There is still a day's journey from here to the Maojin ferry port, so I think we should get on the road as soon as possible. ”

Xin Jia said: "Please also ask Lord Yu Hou to go first." ”

Yu Mengyan couldn't refuse, and in the end, he led the way. As soon as his carriage left, he saw a group of soldiers of Yu Guo coming out of the city gate, and all of them were wearing bronze helmets and bronze armor. The soldiers in front of them held copper axes and axes, while the blades of the soldiers in the rear were long ges and spears. The rows of long-handled weapons are dense and lined up one after another, and if they are smashed down together, the people who deserve them will surely turn into the sauce of riveting sauce and the mud of flesh and blood.

Zhou Fa saw this battle and felt his heart jumping, and he almost wanted to turn around and flee. He scolded himself in his heart: Zhou Fa, Zhou Fa, you are useless. Now it's not like you're going to fight with these Yu people, what's there to be afraid of?

At this time, he heard Zhou Chang say to Xin Jia: "Oh, this should be the rumored personal guard of Lord Yuhou, right?" ”

Xin Jia said: "Yes, this army has a nickname, called 'Tiger Ben'. The total number is said to be around five hundred. ”

Zhou Chang said: "The soldiers are not expensive, as long as they are used properly, these five hundred tigers can be worth two thousand people." ”

After the tiger team passed, it was followed by more than ten carriages slowly driving out, plus the servants and attendants in the Hou Mansion, etc., this team of people and horses was so vast that they could hardly look at each other. It wasn't until they all came out of the city gate that Xin Jia said, "Let's go on our way too." ”

When Yu Mengyan's carriage traveled for about ten miles, the avenue in front of him suddenly split into two streams, one extending to the northeast and the other to the southeast. When he walked to the fork in the road, Yu Mengyan suddenly asked Yu Yan beside him: "Yan'er, do you know what kind of place this is?" ”

Yu Yan replied: "This is Mingtiao, Shang Tang defeated Xia Wei here five hundred years ago, and since then the merchant has become the co-lord of the world. Everyone knows this important thing, so why did my father come to test me? ”

"Well, Cheng Tang Jing Ming Tiao fought a war to determine all the countries and the four directions, which is indeed known to the world. It's just that the real reason why Chengtang can win, I'm afraid not many people know. ”

Yu Yan felt that his father had something to say, and hurriedly asked, "Father! Could it be that there is some unknown mystery in the Battle of Narujo? ”

Yu Mengyan looked at Yu Yan and said slowly: "You are not too young, and there are some things that you should know." Today, I will tell you the ins and outs of Shangtang's destruction of summer, and all of this will start from Yuban Salt Road. ”

At this time, Yu Mengyan's carriage turned right and went up the fork in the southeast. Yu Yanqi said: "Yu Ban Salt Road? It is the only way to get to the Maojin Ferry, and it can be reached by walking more than ten miles south from here. ”

"You're right, Yusaka Salt Road is an extremely narrow pass to Maojin, which can be described as a one-man pass, and it can't be opened." Yu Mengyan turned around and pointed to the northeast fork in the road and asked, "Then do you know where that road leads?" ”

"Twenty miles east along that road, there is Anyi. Anyi is the largest town in my Yu country, how can the child not know? ”

Yu Mengyan said: "The reason why Anyi is prosperous is because it was once the royal capital of Xia Ji. Coincidentally, when the country was established after Xia, the king was also set in Anyi. It can be said that the Xia Hou clan both prospered and died in Anyi. ”

Yu Yan said: "But the child heard that the king of Xia Ji is in this place, why did he become Anyi again?" ”

"At the beginning of Xia Wei's accession to the throne, the royal capital was indeed in the vicinity of Mengjin. However, he and Cheng Tang fought several times and suffered defeats, and the Shang army had already pointed to the front. Xia Wei was afraid in his heart, so he agreed to move the capital in a hurry. ”

"I don't go to so many places in this Xia Ji, but I just ran to a place so close to our Yucheng, I don't know what the purpose is?"

Yu Mengyan smiled slightly: "There are no more than two reasons why Xia Jian moved the capital here. First, our Yu country is surrounded by mountains on three sides, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. As long as he held a few narrow mountain roads in Taihang and Shouyang, it was not easy for Cheng Tang to storm in. ”

Yu Yan said: "Well, the terrain around our Yu country has long been known to the child, and it is indeed impregnable. I don't know what the other reason is? ”

"The ancestor of our Yu people, Lord Yu Si, once helped Xia Houshao to recover from the country, and since then, Yu Xia and the two countries have been friends for generations. Xia Wei chose to be neighbors of our Yu country, probably hoping that Yu people could help him. ”

"Father, according to this, these two reasons are very beneficial to Xia Wei. According to the child, this Xia Ji is not a dumb king. ”

Yu Mengyan snorted and said, "You, you're still short-sighted. That Xia Jian thought he had a plan, but he didn't know that the move to the capital had already laid the root of the country's destruction. ”

Yu Yan saw that his father was angry and did not dare to interject. He was wondering in his heart whether his father would continue, but he heard Yu Mengyan shouting, "Stop, stop." The coachman who was driving the carriage took the reins and pulled the carriage to the side of the road.

Yu Yan was taken aback, quickly turned over and dismounted, came to the carriage and asked, "Father, are you okay?" ”

Yu Meng stretched out his right hand and said, "Come, pull me." Yu Yan held his father's hand and saw him holding the car with his left hand and slowly moving down from the car. After getting off the carriage and standing still, Yu Meng stretched his waist and legs, and then said: "After sitting in the carriage for a long time, I am a little tired, so I came down to move my muscles and bones." ”

Yu Yan secretly thought: My father only sat in the car for a while, and he actually felt tired, and it seemed that his body had already aged before he was old. Thinking of this, he stretched out his hand to help his father, but Yu Mengyan didn't let him help, and only said, "I'll just take a walk by myself." ”

At this time, the two heard the sound of horses' hooves, and turned their heads to see that it was Zhou Kao riding a horse. Zhou Kao came to him, dismounted and saluted: "Lord Yuhou, Prince Yu." When my father and uncle saw the convoy suddenly stop, they sent me to inquire about it. ”

Yu Mengyan said: "It's okay, it's okay. Zhou Gongzi, the widow is just a little tired, so he will leave after a while. Please tell the two of you so that they don't have to worry. ”

Zhou Kao bowed and retired, and then got on his horse again and galloped towards the back of the team.

Seeing that his father's expression was the same, Yu Yan finally couldn't help but ask: "You just said that Xia Ji's relocation of the capital was actually a curse, what is going on?" ”

Yu Mengyan saw that Zhou Kao had gone far, so he said: "The royal capital is the foundation of a country, and it must not be easily shaken. Originally, if Xia Wei had stubbornly defended his town, he might still have the strength to fight. But as soon as he moved the capital, it was tantamount to telling the world that the Xia Hou clan was not Chengtang's opponent. As a result, those princes who were still riding on the wall and watching took refuge in Chengtang, and since then Xia Wei has really entered the end of the road. ”

Yu Yan said: "Oh, it turns out that Xia Wei caused everyone to rebel and leave because of the relocation of the capital, which is indeed a chess mistake." I don't know what is the position of our Yu country? ”

"At that time, the retainers of the Yu State were divided into two factions. One faction thinks that we and the Xia Hou clan are friends with each other, and they are dependent on each other, so they should resist desperately together with Xia Wei; The other faction said that instead of burning jade with Xia Wei, it was better to take advantage of the situation and save Mingzhe's life. Tell me, which school of thought is more reasonable? ”

Yu Yan thought for a long time and said: "The views of these two factions have a certain amount of truth, and it is really difficult for children to choose. I think the only way to hand it over to the sadaka for divination and see the good luck of the hexagram can be decided. ”

"The results of divination are important, but you also have to learn to weigh the pros and cons. After Xia Wei moved the capital to Anyi, it didn't take long for Chengtang's secret envoy to arrive in Yucheng. At that time, the monarch of Yu State was Lord Yu Sui, and he knew that the merchant envoy must have come to lobby Yu State, so he immediately convened the retainers in the territory to discuss together. Who knew that this merchant envoy was clever in his words, and what he said made the Manchu retainers speechless. Who is this messenger? It turns out that he is Yi Yin, the first adviser under Cheng Tang!"

"Of course Yi Yin's famous children have heard of it, Cheng Tang sent Yi Yin as an envoy, which shows that he attaches great importance to our Yu country. I don't know what he said to make the ministers irrefutable? ”

"That Yi Yin was originally from Shen State, and Xin Country and Yu Country are only separated by a river, so Yi Yin is also extremely familiar with the situation of Yu State. He said at the beginning: 'I have come to Yu Guo this time, not to be a lobbyist for Cheng Tang, but to plan for the long-term interests of Yu Guo'. ”

Yu Yan couldn't help but laugh and said, "This is very interesting. But I don't know what benefits Cheng Tang's subordinates can give us to Yu Guo? ”

He said that Yu Xia joined forces to fight against Cheng Tang, which was nothing more than two results: one was that if Xia Wei was defeated, Yu Guo would inevitably be affected by Zhu Lian, and Xia Wei would end up with death and national annihilation. Second, even if they win by luck, Yu Xia and Xia themselves will be greatly damaged, and Xia Wei can only rely on Anyi and Xu Tu to develop. In the future, if Xia Wei wants to grow his power, he needs land and wealth. In order to compete for acres of land and salt ponds, former allies may also turn against each other. In this way, the best result that Yu Guo can get is just to add a potential enemy to himself, which is really more than worth the loss. ”

Yu Yan thought to himself: Yes, as the so-called one mountain does not allow two tigers, Yucheng and Anyi are so close, it is difficult to ensure that Xia Jian cannot afford to annex it.

Yi Yin also said that if Yu Guo could help Cheng Tang, Cheng Tang vowed to make an alliance with Yu Guoyong, and promised to let the Yu people monopolize Yanchi and the surrounding towns for generations, including Anyi. Such conditions made Lord Yu Sui feel difficult to refuse. ”

"Father, with all due respect, although the conditions given by Yi Yin are generous, they are only verbal promises. In case after Cheng Tang destroyed the summer, wouldn't it be easy to turn around and attack Yu Guo? ”

Yu Mengyan smiled and said, "Well, your question is finally insightful, and Lord Yu Sui also raised the same question at that time. However, Yi Yin said that the Shang side was able to obtain sea salt from the Guzhu Kingdom and the Amaki Kingdom in the east, and never intended to touch the salt ponds of the Yu Kingdom; Besides, Cheng Tang is determined to be in the world, how can he lose his trust for the sake of a salt pond? ”

Yu Yan said: "Now it seems that the businessman is indeed abiding by his promise. So what does Yi Yin want Lord Yu Sui to use in return? ”

"If Cheng Tang wants to attack Anyi, the nearest road is to send troops from Echeng and pass through Yiguan to reach the city of Anyi. However, Xia Wei has also set up a heavy garrison at the exit of Yiguan, and Cheng Tang will inevitably suffer heavy casualties if he storms Yiguan. Therefore, Cheng Tang wanted to send troops to Kunshan Mountain first, and then crossed Shouyang Mountain through the Yuban Salt Road, and unexpectedly appeared in the rear of Xia Wei's side. At that time, the salt road was guarded by our Yu people. Yi Yin said that when the Tang army arrived at Yandao, he hoped that the Yu people would get out of the way so that the merchant army could pass smoothly. ”

Yu Yan almost couldn't believe it: "Yi Yin just wants to borrow from Yu Ban? I thought he would at least ask Lord Yu Sui to send troops to attack Anyi. ”

At this time, I suddenly heard Mrs. Di shouting in the car behind: "Alas, what have you two said for so long? The wind on the road was so strong that it gave me a headache. If our mother and daughter suffer from the cold, how can we get it? ”

Yu Mengyan hurriedly said to Yu Yan: "You help me get into the car first, and then continue on the road." ”

Yu Yan helped his father into the carriage and continued to travel south. Yu Mengyan gasped for breath before continuing: "Yi Yin's request is indeed a bit unexpected. However, Lord Yu Sui thought that this could not only preserve the strength of Yu State, but also enjoy its success, which could be said to be very good, so he immediately made a decision and made a secret contract with Yi Yin. ”

Yu Yan was still a little suspicious in his heart: "But the merchant sent troops alone, and then gave Anyi to us." Thinking that Cheng Tang, Yi Yin is wise and wise, and is known as a sage, how can he be willing to do such a thing that clearly suffers losses? ”

Yu Mengyan smiled: "After I finish telling the story of the battle of Naruto, it will not be difficult for you to understand the reason. ”