readx;?readx; Chapter 560: The Siege of the City

The autumn wind whimpered and rolled up the withered grass, and the heavens and the earth were filled with the smell of slaughter. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

The horse's hooves rumbled, the iron horses of Daqin rushed forward like thunder, the towering capital city was in front of you, and the glory of the world was also in front of you.

Staring at the long city wall in the distance, Qin Lei felt infinite emotion in his heart, only four years ago, he was a small prisoner in this city, and his life was in danger, and he couldn't live in fear. Who would have thought that after only four years, the situation would be turned upside down, and he would take 200,000 iron horsemen to surround this damned city, so that the princes and ministers of the city would taste the taste of panic.

He also knew that after discarding all the heavy equipment, the Qin army had no choice but to go to the capital. However, this does not mean that the siege is only an armed procession, demonstration and intimidation...... Shangjing is the heart of the Qi country, you don't need to poke it, as long as you touch and scratch it, the emperor and ministers in the city will be scared out of their souls.

If they were all like Zhao Wuyi, the old gods were there and they were braking quietly, Qin Lei really didn't know how to bring the troops back to Qin.

The generals were in high spirits, and they stepped forward one after another and said: "Lord Wang, I'll wait for the battle!" ”

"." Qin Lei pouted and smiled: "How can you climb up such a high city?" ”

"We can get off the horse and build a ladder!" It seems that the temptation to attack the capital is not ordinarily great, and it makes these cavalry generals, who regard themselves as noble, want to be 'lowly infantry'.

"The capital is seven zhang high and eight zhang wide, with many fortresses and strong guards, and more than one million people in the city to support it." Qin Lei was unmoved, and pointed to the towering city wall in the distance and said, "Do you think such a city can be stormed?" ”

"It's man-made, Lord Wang!" The generals were still ready to move: "As long as we are not afraid of bloodshed and sacrifice, there is no fortified city that cannot be attacked." ”

"Lonely fear of bloodshed and sacrifice!" Qin Lei said with a clear face: "Sober up, everyone, we are alone, we have no backup, we can't find a way out, and if we are not careful, we will be wiped out and will never recover." ”

These words were like a basin of cold water poured on their heads, making the generals lose their arrogance all of a sudden, Xu Zaiwu was quite unconvinced: "That prince led our Baba to march for hundreds of miles, could it be that he coaxed the soldiers to play?" ”

"Presumptuous!" Qin Li scolded in a low voice: "Commander Xu, don't you be embarrassed to give face?" ”

Xu Zaiwu was so frightened by the wolf-eyed eldest prince that he shrank his neck, and suddenly felt that his face was very unbearable, and he stiffened and muttered in a low voice: "Isn't it for ...... Come home rich or famous? ”

The generals were in an uproar, and they never imagined that he would say this...... Although the prince often talks about that period of history, if others talk about it, it is very inappropriate...... Not to mention the use of the sarcastic word 'returning home', it's a ghost!

As soon as the words came out, Xu Zaiwu knew that he was speechless, and hurriedly looked at Prince Cheng secretly, but seeing that his smile was still the same, he couldn't help but feel relieved, and said in a low voice: "The last general is speechless for a while, and the prince will fart as the last general." ”

Qin Lei shook his head and laughed loudly: "King Gu is not the imperial history of the Imperial Inspectorate, I don't care what General Xu says, I just hope that you will keep some virtue next time, don't make people laugh." ”

"The Admiral understands." Seeing that Qin Lei did not pursue it, he hurriedly apologized repeatedly, but said disdainfully in his heart: "In order to be a commander, I have to make compromises, which can be seen as nothing more than that." But he didn't know that at this moment, the Prince Cheng, who was "nothing but so", had already started to kill...... For this kind of stupid person who steals from a high position but repeatedly expresses contempt, Qin Lei really doesn't know what more suitable way is there besides ** elimination.

But Qin Lei is already a mature politician after all, and he is not as angry as before, let alone has a seizure on the spot. Put things aside for a while, and when everyone forgets about them, just find another opportunity to kill them, why rush for a while, and fall into a narrow-minded, retribution-ready notoriety?

Xu Zaiwu didn't know that he had already suffered a deep curse, and he was still justifying himself: "The last general just doesn't know, what is the reason why the prince is besieging and not attacking?" ”

"Go home." Qin Lei said lightly: "Going home is as big as the sky." ”

As Qin Lei expected, the dignitaries and nobles in the capital were already frightened, and they knelt outside the Wanshou Hall in groups, begging the emperor to give an order to let Baisheng Gongban master King Qin. Although the prime minister of Shangguan has sent ten envoys to mobilize garrison troops from all over the country into Beijing, in the eyes of the nobles of Qi State, the 350,000 troops are an out-and-out drop in the bucket, how to solve the urgent need?

The noise in the outer hall rose and fell, intermittently, so that Emperor Xinghua could not meditate and meditate, sighed lightly, and slowly opened his eyes.

"Your Majesty, do you want the old slave to drive them all away?" Seeing the emperor's appearance, Eunuch Huang whispered.

Shaking his head slightly, Emperor Xinghua sighed and said: "The people of the Qin State have surrounded the capital, and they don't let us vent on our own?" "I didn't expect this majesty to be surprisingly good-tempered.

"Your Majesty is generous." Seeing that the emperor didn't care anymore, Eunuch Huang naturally wouldn't be nosy, so he had to bow down and retreat.

After the old eunuch retreated, Emperor Xinghua looked at the gloomy corner, as if he was naturally muttering to himself: "What kind of reputation is Zhao Wuji doing?" Do you have to be happy to see me captured by the Qin army? ”

The dust fluttering in the corner of the wall suddenly accelerated, and a figure wrapped in black cloth appeared, but Emperor Xinghua was not surprised at all, it seemed that Fang Cai was asking questions about this black shadow.

The black shadow knelt down and said without raising his head: "According to the latest information from the Southern Reconnaissance Factory, Lord Yum Gong did not go north. The voice was hoarse as a metal rubbing: "Yesterday it was still in the defense line of Chaoge City, and it was still more than 500 miles away from Shangjing." ”

Although Emperor Xinghua recited Buddhism and practiced meditation, it was because he loved his profession too much, thinking that he could prolong his life, and sat on the dragon chair for a few years, how could he really ignore the government and politics? All his sources relied on an organization called the 'Reconnaissance Factory', which was a spy organization secretly formed by the emperor more than a hundred years ago by sending capable eunuchs out of the palace.

For hundreds of years, successive emperors have vigorously supported this organization, and by the time of the Xinghua period, it was already an intertwined behemoth. They are responsible for monitoring hundreds of officials, listening to news, and even have the power to directly arrest suspected officials, although there is a suspicion of 'spy politics', but without them, Emperor Xinghua, who stays at home all day and cultivates, is afraid that he will be sold and will help count the money.

This man in black is the big man in charge of the reconnaissance factory, and he is naturally a eunuch who has no roots, and his loyalty is beyond doubt...... In the eyes of the emperors of previous dynasties, the eunuchs were the family, and the ministers were just a group of workers.

"What do the people around him say?" Emperor Xinghua's brows furrowed slightly, obviously not satisfied with this answer.

"Yum seems to be waiting." Na Xuantou said softly: "Listening to Wu Zhilong, it seems that the emperor of the Qin State is missing, and Baisheng Gong wants to wait until the exact information appears. ”

Speaking of which, the emperor is also a pervert, there are many things that can be written directly or sent to ask, but he doesn't believe the minister's answer, and he has to listen to the small report of the surveillance factory to believe it, and he clearly has spy dependence.

"Emperor of Qin?" His fingers gently knocked his knees, and Emperor Xinghua said displeasedly: "Is he more important than my safety?" But he only dared to complain a few words in private, and he didn't have the courage to publicly express his dissatisfaction with Yum...... The old fellow's prestige seems to be a little higher than that of the emperor himself.

"Stand down." Emperor Xinghua waved his hand, and the big pot disappeared into the darkness again.

After closing his eyes and pondering for a long time, Emperor Xinghua picked up a delicate small golden hammer and tapped it lightly on the bowl in his hand, making a melodious and beautiful sound.

"Your Majesty, what do you command?" Eunuch Huang soon appeared at the door.

"Please come in, Prince Rong." Emperor Xinghua said lightly.

Among the noisy people outside, Prince Rong is the one with the highest status and the loudest voice, and when Gonggong Huang invited him into the palace, a group of dignitaries and nobles surrounded him and asked him to give a message to His Majesty.

"Everyone have their hearts in their stomachs," Prince Rong said with a grin: "Look at the lonely king and His Majesty." He left a group of hot pot ants and followed Eunuch Huang into the meditation room.

After a simple greeting, Emperor Xinghua gave a seat. Let Prince Rong sit down on the futon opposite, and asked softly, "What do the ministers say?" Any good suggestions? ”

"The ministers said that now the Qin army is wreaking havoc in the country, like locking a wolf in the house." Prince Rong lowered his voice and said, "Since Baisheng Gong doesn't have time to fight wolves, then he should open the door and let the wolves out......"

"Let it go?" Emperor Xinghua shook his head slowly and said, "How to put it?" I think it's easier to ask God than to send God. ”

"The ministers say," Da Xuan bowed his head and said softly, "...... negotiations," it is clear that he was moved by some people to come and be a lobbyist, or that he himself had the idea.

"Negotiations?" Emperor Xinghua frowned, and his voice turned cold: "The soldiers only remembered to negotiate when they came to the city, do you have to sign the alliance under the city?" In the emperor's eyes, this is tantamount to making him carry the black cauldron.

Prince Rong and the emperor's brother for decades are still very sure of his psychology, and said with a slight smile: "The imperial brother is too worried, I see that the Qin army has come here with great pains and twists and turns, and all he wants is to go home safely, and it is impossible to ask for anything." ”

The emperor's face really softened slightly, and he nodded lightly: "If you can sign a decent treaty, it won't hurt to let them go back." As he spoke, he tapped his knees with his fingers and said, "The country can no longer be surrounded, and my face is lost." ”

"Your Majesty is wise." Prince Rong said happily: "I will order to go down and let the Ministry of Rites draw up a charter first." ”

The emperor bowed his head and said: "Yes, remember our bottom line, at most we will take some gold and silver to eliminate disasters, and we are not allowed to make concessions to anything else." ”

"Yes." Prince Rong went down to take charge, although he was usually lazy, but as a lover of peace, he was still willing to do something to enhance the friendship between Qin and Qi.

The Qin army set up camp ten miles outside the city, and when the fortifications of the camp were arranged, it was already westward. Qin Lei simply ordered the whole army to repair, and everything will be talked about in the past and today.

Qin Lei was a little surprised when he heard the envoy of Qi asking to see him, and he looked at the old avenue strangely: "I thought I was going to beat it hard." ”

Qin Li smiled contemptuously: "Don't look at those people in the upper echelons of the Qi Kingdom, who are clamoring all day long to attack Qin and destroy Chu and unify the country, but once they are threatened, they will immediately become peaceful people, and they will stop arguing with Hugo." He said crisply: "Typical Ye Gong is a good dragon." ”

Qin Lei smiled and said, "What's the matter, call him in." ”

After a while, two officials of the State of Qi walked in with their heads held high, one holding the knot in both hands, and the other holding the national letter, standing still in the big tent, and said in unison: "Foreign ministers Chen Yan and Zhou Chang pay a visit to His Royal Highness Prince Qin Cheng. ”

"Why don't you kneel when you see you?" Qin Lei smiled faintly.

"We are waiting for the festival to come, it is to represent the Great Qi, please forgive me for not waiting for the full ceremony." Chen Yan, who was standing in front, was neither arrogant nor humble.

"Well, that's reasonable." Qin Lei smiled and said: "I won't pursue this, I will ask Lone Come, what grade and what official position are you?" ”

"The foreign minister of the Great Qi Honglu Temple, from the three products." Chen Yan arched his hand.

"The right attendant of the Great Qi Rite Department of the Foreign Minister is also from the third grade." Zhou Chang also arched his hand.

"From the third grade...... Qin Lei's face suddenly became gloomy, and his face was full of displeasure: "Do you know that the Lone King is the best?" ”

"This ...... Superb. Chen Yan knew that this master was going to find fault, but he could only see the moves.

"Then is there a big difference between this super product and the third product?" Qin Lei asked with an unhappy expression.

"It's like a cloud." Chen Yan whispered. There is a difference of five levels from the third grade to the first grade, and the super grade is also graded, starting from the earl, it is a super grade, and all the way to the prince at the top of the title, the difference is no less than 108,000 miles, according to Chen Yan.

"Then His Majesty the Emperor of Xinghua sent you to humiliate me?" Qin Lei suddenly raised his voice and said: "I advise you, those who insult others will humiliate themselves!" The state of etiquette is not as sensible as us Western barbarians! ”

The two of them were stunned for a moment, and said in their hearts: 'It's not that our level is too low, but your old rank is too high...... In fact, the Qi Kingdom really doesn't mean to insult people, whether it is Siqing or a waiter, they are all deputy ministers in charge of diplomatic etiquette, how can they be considered unqualified?

But Qin Lei clearly deliberately found fault, and no matter how the two envoys argued, they refused to talk to him. Annoyed by the noise, he brushed his sleeves and got up and said, "The two of you come to make a come, let's talk about it tomorrow." After saying that, he left in a huff, leaving only the two envoys looking at each other.

In the upper capital, in the hall of longevity.

Prince Rong hurriedly walked in, and before he could catch his breath, he said angrily: "Brother Huang, that Qin Yutian brought our envoy back. ”

"He doesn't want to talk?" Emperor Xinghua said with a worried face: "Do you have to start fighting?" ”

"That's not it," Prince Rong said angrily as he sat down on the futon, "He thinks that the person sent by his brother is too low-level, and he says that we are deliberately insulting him!" Saying that, he couldn't help but sneer: "I think he just feels inferior when he sees Shangjing, and he can't be helped." ”

Emperor Xinghua was not interested in his jokes at all, and said slowly: "Who do you think is appropriate?" ”

"Oh, they still have a letter to the royal brother." Prince Rong hurriedly took out an envelope from his arms and presented it to Emperor Xinghua.

The emperor took out the letter and looked at it, it was a handwritten letter from Qin Lei to him, in addition to useless nonsense, the focus was on one sentence: 'Choose a negotiator from Zhao Wuyi, Shangguan Yunhe, Prince Rong or Huineng Monk, otherwise it will be regarded as an insult and provocation, and the war will start immediately!'" ’

"Hmm......" After a moment of silence, Emperor Xinghua said softly: "It's better for you to work hard." ”

Prince Rong wanted to give himself a big ear scrape, and wailed in his heart: "What kind of mouth do I have?" He has no great ambitions, and his greatest pursuit is to be a prince of peace who has been drunk and dreamed of death all his life, so he advocates peace. How could such a waste snack be willing to risk going out of the city to negotiate? He kept begging for mercy and excused himself.

"Isn't the commander on the other side the prince? On our side, we also have to have an equivalent identity. The emperor smiled and comforted: "Don't be afraid, the two countries are at war, and if you don't kill them, there will be no danger." ”

"Oh......" Seeing that the imperial brother had made up his mind, Prince Rong had to reluctantly agree.

After all, it was a brother, seeing his aggrieved appearance, Emperor Xinghua couldn't bear it, and said softly: "Let Zen Master Huineng accompany you, he is an outsider, and if you want to come to Qin, you will also give some face." ”

Hearing that the old monk was also going, Prince Rong was a little happy.