When the envoys of Western Qin returned to Chang'an to restore their lives, they first returned to Xiangyang.

When Sima Linhai learned of Xiao Ju's attitude, Sima Linhai was very calm.

"Xiao Ju, the male master, this person is determined to expand the territory, how can he let go of such a good opportunity."

When he learned that Heng Xian was dismissed from the government, Sima Linhai mocked again: "It's ridiculous that this Heng clan still has people who can keep their wealth and wealth, but they are still trying to regain their power." ”

But then Sima Linhai couldn't laugh again, and now his situation can be described as very embarrassing, Yuwen Zhi has already led troops to Guguan after returning to Chang'an, planning to sneak attack Pingcheng and put pressure on Zhao Zhao.

Wei Ran put great military pressure on Fu Yuan's army in Shouchun, and Yuan Shan had to let Yuan Bao take the risk of going to Huainan to defend against Wei Ran, so Xiangyang was now without troops.

After thinking hard, Sima Linhai decided to burn Xiangyang City and led his troops to retreat to Wancheng.

At this time, Xiangyang was already an empty city, and there was no one left except for the 50,000 army.

When he learned that Cui He had recently sent troops to cross the river to inquire about the news, Sima Linhai knew that Cui He had already hit the idea of Xiangyang, and sacrificed his soldiers in order to be unjust, Sima Linhai gathered his troops, ascended and said: "Now the imperial court uses troops in many places, and we are located in the south of the Yangtze River, and there are Qi troops on the left and right, and they can no longer move, and now they can only retreat to Wancheng and preserve their strength." ”

Subsequently, under Sima Linhai's order, the fire began to spread in Xiangyang, and the sky was full of fire, and even the Qi army camped by the river could be faintly seen.

Everyone couldn't make up their minds, so they had to go to Cui He, and after Cui He got the news, he immediately said: "It's not good, Sima Linhai wants to destroy the city and retreat, come here, announce Zhao Zeng, and order him to lead 5,000 cavalry to pursue all the way to the north." ”

Then Cui He raised his army and began to march towards Xiangyang, but it was too late, the fire burned for a day and a night, and when Cui He arrived in Xiangyang, the ancient city had been burned by the fire.

The walls were burned to the ground, not to mention the houses inside.

After Cui He walked into Xiangyang, he found that it was full of ruins, and Cui He angrily put the sword in his hand on the ground, and scolded: "Sima Lao thief, not only kidnapped the people of the city, but also burned the city." ”

But the subsequent news made Cui Huan vomit blood, Zhao Zeng was ambushed by Yuwen and in the process of pursuit, and suffered heavy losses, and the five thousand cavalry only fled back more than 1,000 people, and even Zhao Zeng was almost captured.

Looking at the embarrassed Zhao Zeng, Cui He did not blame him, but let him cultivate well, and he would take revenge on him every day.

Yizhou Assassin Wang Xian brought another news at this time, Yuan Bao has led the army out of the Hanging Gourd City, although Wei Ran did not have a clear general order, but now Cui Huan is Wang Xian's boss, so he came to ask whether to send troops to the Hanging Gourd City.

Wang Xian thought that this was a good time to break through the hanging gourd, but Cui He was noncommittal, now that Xiangyang was destroyed, if the army was exhausted, in case Sima Linhai made a comeback, he would have to taste the loss.

Moreover, the reconstruction of Xiangyang is the top priority at present, so Cui Hu ordered Wang Xian to lead the army to rebuild the city defense of Xiangyang.

After Xiao Ju in Jiankang got the news, he hurriedly summoned Yuan Muzhi and Xiao Yi in Shangyuan Palace.

Xiao Yi, who is now Dazai, can also be said to be a popular person in the dynasty, and he is the most powerful person in the clan. Xiao Yi said at this time: "Your Majesty, it costs a lot to rebuild Xiangyang now, and more importantly, all the population of Xiangyang was plundered by the Northern Qin, and now Xiangyang can only be turned into a military town. ”

After hearing this, Xiao Ju said to Yuan Muzhi: "What do you think of Muzhi?" ”

"Xiangyang is a battleground that must be contested, and it is urgent to re-establish the defense of Xiangyang City, it is indeed as Dazai said, it can only be temporarily turned into a military town, and after our dynasty recuperates, the people will be moved to Xiangyang from Yingzhou, Jiangling, and Jiangzhou, and now our dynasty is still fighting abroad, and the matter of relocation cannot be done for the time being."

Xiao Ju also thought so after hearing this, and then sent an edict to Cui He, asking him to be responsible for the rebuilding of Xiangyang.

Xiao Ju then discussed some military affairs, and suddenly said: "Now Xiao Liang, the king of Han, is still in prison, and all the kings were only under house arrest before, not slaughtered, but now this Xiao Liang, what is Aiqing's opinion?" ”

Dealing with Xiao Liang is not only a state affair, but also a family affair of the Xiao family, so Yuan Muzhi did not express his position, but looked at Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi could only bite the bullet and said: "Your Majesty, Xiao Liang's actions are still different from Xiao Yin and others, although Xiao Yin usurped the title of emperor, but after all, it was only civil strife in our country, Xiao Liang not only changed the name of the country, but also became a vassal of Northern Qin, if it is not severely punished, I am afraid that everyone will follow suit in the future, and then our dynasty will not take care of itself." ”

Hearing this, Xiao Ju gently put down the jade pen in his hand, looked up at Xiao Yi and said, "What does King Xiang mean, kill Xiao Liang?" ”

Xiao Yi was stunned for a moment, but still nodded and said, "If you don't kill Xiao Liang, it's not enough to reassure people." ”

Yuan Muzhi saw that Xiao Yi had already expressed his position, and immediately said: "That's right, it is a big crime to plot chaos since ancient times, and Your Majesty can't treat Xiao Liang with kindness." ”

Xiao Ju could only let out a long sigh, then slowly got up and said, "It's not that I don't know about this, but how to deal with Xiao Liang's heirs?" ”

Xiao Yi also let go at this time, and said: "Your Majesty, most of Xiao Liang's heirs are adults, if you don't cut the grass and eradicate the roots, he will inevitably be used by people with intentions in the future, how can it be good at that time?" ”

Hearing Xiao Yi's intention to kill everything, Xiao Ju couldn't bear it,

Yuan Muzhi was also quite surprised, this was very different from Xiao Ju's usual benevolent government, but then Yuan Muzhi suddenly realized in his heart that Xiao Liang's sons, if they were not killed, would be degraded to a concubine, so he immediately echoed: "Your Majesty, Lord Dazai is reasonable." ”

Xiao Ju saw that both of them insisted, so he could only issue an edict: "After counting Xiao Liang's crimes, all his sons and heirs, all over the age of five will be beheaded, his wives and concubines will also be executed, and the rest will all be imprisoned in the Awakening Palace." Imprisoned with the previous vassal king, he was not allowed to leave the palace for eternity. ”

Xiao Liang, who was in prison, learned of Xiao Ju's decision, and the last glimmer of hope in his heart was shattered.

He hugged Xiao Baojuan and said, "I regret not listening to the words of the past, and now everything is over." ”

Xiao Baojuan said indifferently: "Father, everything has a cause and effect. In the past, when you embarked on this road, you should know that in the end, it is either the dragon that dominates the world, or the corpse is separated, so why be so sad. ”

Looking at such a frank son, Xiao Liang was even more ashamed in his heart.

Xiao Baojuan comforted Xiao Liang: "Father, at least the two younger brothers are still alive, Your Majesty still has a merciful heart, and he has not killed them all." ”

But speaking of this, Xiao Baojuan said bitterly: "I just don't know if being a prisoner for the rest of my life is really better than dying!" ”