In the middle of the night, Ji Zheng suddenly opened his eyes. He had slept all afternoon, and he couldn't sleep at this time, he recalled everything that had happened during the day, and he thought that he would not hesitate anymore when he took the first step, but now he found that he still had doubts in his heart.

At this time, Ji Zheng heard a sound of footsteps outside the tent, and he sat up vigilantly and clenched the Chongli sword placed next to the bed.

The curtain of the tent was lifted, and a thin figure entered.

With a faint firelight, Ji Zheng saw that the person who came in was his brother, Ji Zhi, so he hurriedly got up and said, "Big brother? What are you doing here? ”

"Shh Ji Zhi shushed and motioned to Ji Zheng not to make a sound. He walked over to the bed and asked softly, "How's the injury?" ”

Ji Zheng lightly pressed the wound and replied: "The injury is not serious, that arrow avoided all the vital points, the wound is not too deep, and the pain is bearable." ”

"Well, that's good, but to others, this arrow hit the chest, almost fatal."

Ji Zheng nodded and lamented: "Hey, it's a pity that he has attained the pinnacle of his life's attainments." ”

"It's not a pity." Ji Zhi smiled slightly and said, "When we first found him, he was ready to sacrifice his life for righteousness. His sacrifice was very valuable and very meaningful. ”

Ji Zheng stared at the eyes of the eldest brother, didn't know what to say, was silent for a moment, and then asked, "Big brother, it's so late, do you have something to do with me?" ”

"Big brother is here to see you off."

"Huh? Send me away? Where to? ”

"Go find Fan Li, he hasn't gone far yet, you set off now, and you can catch up soon."

"But...... But my father asked me to stay in Luoyang, and I agreed. ”

"What are you doing in Luoyang? You have to leave now, and you have to leave right now! I've got the retinue and horses ready for you. ”

"But, didn't the eldest brother let me compete with the third brother for the crown prince? If you leave Luoyang, where is the chance? ”

"No, you have to leave temporarily to have a chance, if you want to become the crown prince, you must defeat the third brother, but it is not easy to defeat him. Do you remember why you left Luoyang when you were nine years old? ”

Hearing this, the past suddenly came to his mind, and of course he remembered that when he was nine years old, his eldest brother fainted for the first time. When the mother of the third brother heard that the eldest brother had only five years to live, she tried to put him to death. The uncle couldn't bear that he was assassinated by the mother of the third brother, so he quietly sent him out of Luoyang, and could only say to the Son of Heaven that he drowned in the water.

On the day he left Luoyang, he looked back at his homeland, guessing that he might not be able to come back in his life, he had no intention of fighting for the throne, and would rather give up his life experience and just want to be an ordinary person. But fate is impermanent, how could he have imagined that after so many years, he would return to the vortex to fight for the throne that no longer belongs to him.

Ji Zheng's expression was gloomy, and he sighed and said, "Is the third brother's mother still alive?" ”

"She died of illness a few years ago, but she left the third brother a very rich political fortune, and now you can't compete with the third brother at all. Even more than ten years ago, I almost died at her hands, when the mother of the third brother saw that I had not died after I was twenty years old, so she sent someone to assassinate me. Now that the third brother is deeply rooted in Luo**, and the party is all over the place, you will not only be isolated and helpless when you go to Luoyang now, but you will even be in prison, and your life is not guaranteed. ”

"I see......"

"Don't worry, leaving now doesn't mean leaving forever, you must return to Luoyang, as for when you will return, when the time is ripe, Fan Li will tell you."

Ji Zheng nodded, but he was still a little hesitant, he thought for a moment and said, "But...... But tomorrow is the ceremony of sacrificing to the heavens, how should I explain to my father? ”

"Why should those who have achieved great things care about small sections?!"

"Well, I see." Ji Zheng said, got up and began to get dressed.

Ji Zhi helped Ji Zheng sort out his clothes and said, "Remember! This attack on Wu, we must win, we must break Gusu! Be sure to capture the prince of Wu! ”

"Hmm!" Ji Zheng nodded vigorously.

"After that, Fan Li will tell you how to behave."

"I see!"

After getting dressed, Ji Zhi personally put the Chongli sword on Ji Zheng's waist, and then, he took out a letter written on the brocade silk from his arms, stuffed it into Ji Zheng's hand, and instructed: "Big brother still has some arrangements, which have been written in the letter, and you can only open it after you leave the camp." ”

Ji Zheng usurped the brocade silk tightly, and found that the eldest brother's always sharp eyes showed a little resentment. Suddenly, Ji Zhi hugged Ji Zheng into his arms, he stroked Ji Zheng's hair, and said in a warm voice: "Big brother will always bless you." ”

"Big brother......" Ji Zheng also slowly raised his hand and hugged the eldest brother tightly in his arms.

"Alright, let's go......"

"Big brother, take care!"

Ji Zhi nodded, but didn't say anything more.

Ji Zheng lifted the curtain of the tent and looked back at his eldest brother, he wanted to say something more, but he couldn't open his mouth after all. At last he lifted the curtain and stepped out of the tent without looking back.

In the camp of Wu State, Zhang Xun was sleeping, but he could not sleep peacefully due to uneasy dreams.

Suddenly, an urgent announcement came from outside the camp tent, "General! Gusu came to the people, saying that there was an urgent military situation to report! ”

Zhang Xun sat up from the bed suddenly, he wiped the sweat oozing from his forehead, and asked with a wheez, "Emergency military situation?" What's up? Come in and say! ”

As soon as the words fell, a soldier hurriedly rushed into the camp tent and knelt down to report: "Report to the general!" Big things are wrong! Changyi has fallen! The Vietnamese people are coming! ”

"Huh?!" Zhang Xun was taken aback, although he had already expected that the Yue people might take the opportunity to sneak attack, he did not expect that the Yue people would act so quickly. He took a deep breath, stabilized his emotions and asked, "Is the information accurate?" What's going on now? ”

"It's true! The Vietnamese attacked Changyi County five days ago, and they besieged the county seat and blocked the news. Fortunately, Lord Gonghui had set up an early warning before, and after discovering something unusual, Lord Gonghui immediately sent someone to Changyi County to verify the news. Three days ago, we confirmed the fact that Changyi had fallen, so Lord Gonghui immediately sent me to report the news! Now there are only the old, weak, sick and disabled in Gusu City, and they are unable to resist the 20,000 troops of the Yue Kingdom. I also hope that the general will report to the king as soon as possible and return to save Gusu! ”

"I see! Quick, follow me to the king! Zhang Xun hurriedly got up and dressed, grabbed the blazing sword and went out.

Zhang Xun stepped on his horse and walked out of the camp, intending to quickly run along the avenue between the camps of various countries to the camp of King Wu at the other end.

At this time, a man and a horse galloped from the opposite side.

Zhang Xun was anxious and didn't think much about it, but when they passed by, Zhang Xun suddenly reined in the horse, he turned to look at the man, and the man also reined in the horse and looked back at Zhang Xun.

In the dim light of the fire, their eyes met in an instant. Before he could take a second look, he heard the man shout "Ride", and the horse galloped and disappeared into the dark night sky in a blink of an eye.

"Little Hime......

Zhang Xun muttered to himself, then waved his whip and rushed towards the other end of the Wu State Camp.

King Wu was woken up by a commotion outside the camp, and shouted angrily: "Someone! Why is it so noisy outside? ”

The guard knelt down and reported: "General Zhang said that there is urgent military affairs to report, and I can't bear to wake up the king, so I didn't let General Zhang come in for the time being." ”

"Oh? Advanced military affairs? What military affairs can there be? ”

"General Zhang didn't say it, only said that it was a very important situation and that it must be reported to the king alone."

King Wu waved his hand impatiently, "Forget it, let him in, really, what can happen?" ”

"Whoa!"

After a while, Zhang Xun entered the tent and saluted, "King! The minister has a military intelligence report! ”

"Say."

"Whoa! According to the report from Gusu, the 20,000 troops of the Yue Kingdom took the opportunity to sneak attack our country, and now they have captured Changyi! ”

"What?!" King Wu was shocked, and suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, "What you said is true?!" ”

"It's true! It is estimated that the Yue people have attacked the city of Gusu! At this time, there were only the old, weak, sick and disabled in Gusu City, and they were unable to defend the city at all! King! We must come back immediately! Please, the king, give the order! ”

King Wu was flustered, in a momentary dilemma, he twisted his brows and paced back and forth, unable to make a decision for a long time.

Zhang Xun was anxious, and asked again: "King! The 20,000 troops of the Yue Kingdom attacked an empty city in Gusu, and the people of Gusu could defend it for a few days?! Even if you hesitate for a moment, Gusu may fall! We must come back immediately! ”

"No...... No way...... Can't go back now...... The ceremony is about to be held at dawn......" King Wu muttered vaguely as he rubbed his palms.

"King! Please come back immediately! The military situation is urgent, and there is no room for hesitation! Zhang Xun pounced and bowed down and asked for his life.

"No! No matter how urgent it is, it is not at this time! King Wu's eyes widened, he glared at Zhang Xun angrily, and reprimanded: "After dawn, there is a ceremony to sacrifice to the heavens!" How can you suddenly be a teacher at this time?! ”

"But once Gusu falls, what's the point of the king even if he gets the position of overlord?!"

"That's not going to work either! Gusu is lost, and you can take it back! With the overlord gone, there's no more chance! ”

"Huh! King! The position of hegemon is nothing more than a false name! Gusu is the foundation of the country! Once Gusu falls, the loss is immeasurable! ”

"Say no more! I've made up my mind! No class teacher for the time being! Other than that! This matter is top secret, and the slightest rumor must not be revealed internally and externally! ”

Zhang Xun was still about to make a final effort, and he pleaded: "Great King! Please let the king lead 10,000 troops to rescue! Minister's Guarantee! The Son of Heaven and the princes will never find anything unusual! ”

"No! If the Son of Heaven and all the princes see this king rushing back to the rescue, they will definitely guess that there is chaos in our country, and they will give up the position of overlord to the Jin Kingdom! Besides, at the military parade before tomorrow's sacrifice ceremony, King Jin will lead 20,000 people to participate, and I must have more than him! Only then will the Son of Heaven and the princes realize the great power of my army! ”

"O king! When is this all gone! Does such a comparison still make sense!? ”

"Say no more! Retire! Go and get ready, and after the sacrifice to the sky, immediately the whole army will be classified! ”

"But the king ......"

"Stand down!"

Zhang Xun was scolded by King Wu, and in desperation, Zhang Xun had to salute silently and withdraw from King Wu's tent.