By the time of King Xiao of Zhou, the territory of the Western Zhou Dynasty could be roughly divided into three major sections:

One is the Weihe Valley, the birthplace of the Zhou Dynasty, and the place where the dragon was prosperous in the "Fengming Qi Mountain". There are Fengyi, Hojing and Qiyi, which were the core areas of the Zhou Dynasty's rule, also known as Wangji. There is the danger of Kuihan, the mountains and the river, the place where the world is victorious.

The second is the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River plain east of Cuihan, where the terrain is flat, and the alluvial plain of the Yellow River is the mainstay, called the Central Plains. It was also the core area of the Yin Shang Dynasty that year, after King Wu conquered the Shang, Weizi was sealed in the Song Kingdom, and the land of the original dynasty song became the Wei Kingdom. At the same time, the princes with the same surname Ji were sealed to form effective rule over the Yin people.

The third is the Jianghan River Basin. In the Chengkang era, the king of Zhou conquered the territory opened up by Huaiyi. Suiguo, also surnamed Ji, is the most important country in this region, because of the famous Tonglu Mountain, which accounts for almost half of the copper ore resources produced here in the Zhou Dynasty. And whether it is the armor used in warfare or the ritual utensils used in sacrifices, which one does not need copper?

The copper transportation channel leading to Fenghao in the Jianghan Plain is called the "Golden Road" and is also the lifeline of the dynasty. And Shen Guo is the most important gateway to this lifeline.

Ji Xie knows all this. In the Central Plains, there is an uncle Ji Hou who threads the needle, and he has been recognized by most of the princes and monarchs; In the Jianghan River Basin, there is a wife Fanji's maiden family and a quasi-in-law Shenhou in charge, which is already a monolith. There are two out of three parts of the world, and now only the old nobles of Feng Ho and the two capitals are still waiting. And among these people, there is no doubt that only Duke Zhou and Duke Zhao are the first to look forward. Zhou Gong doesn't count on it, although Zhao Gong is still watching now------ but after tonight, he will definitely stand on his side.

Thinking of this, Ji Xie was in a good mood and frequently persuaded the guests to drink. The guests and hosts drank heartily and happily.

In ancient times, the reception was generally at noon, and Guy had cumbersome etiquette, and it was often several hours to drink at a time. At that time, the gates of the city were closed at the end of the day, and there was a curfew in the city, so that the feast and drink had to end at sunset. Otherwise, the guests will have to stay at home.

Before you know it, it's already dark. The cold stars twinkled, the full moon was in the sky, and the faint moonlight poured on the streets of Hojing, and the roofs of the houses seemed to be covered with clear snow. Ji Xie knew that it was time to send off the guests.

The guests and the host were a little stumbling, Gongzi Xie insisted on seeing him off in person, and the retainer and the sheep supported him on their shoulders. Duke Yu and Hou Shen boarded the car and left. The eldest father of Duke Yu came out one step later, and Ji Hou already regarded himself as half a master, so he had to send him to the car.

Seeing that the big-shouldered and round-waisted Duke Yu climbed into his six-horse carriage drunk, Ji Hou turned around and said goodbye to Gongzi Xie: "My nephew, I drank this wine happily tonight!" When your cousin comes, our uncle and nephew will have another drink! ”

Ji Xie smiled and said: "Everything depends on my uncle, and my uncle has worked hard these days!" ”

Ji Hou took his hand and was about to say something, but when he heard a "whoosh", his body froze for a moment, and suddenly shouted: "Hit the arrow!" There are assassins! ”

Ji Xie hurriedly supported him, and only smelled a strong smell of blood in the night: "Uncle, what's wrong with you?" ”

At this moment, a clay pot was thrown down from the second floor of the wine shop opposite, making a crisp sound of "ding mile". Suddenly there were murderous sounds on all sides, and four masked black-clothed men rushed out from the four corners. At the same time, a short-dressed man wearing a hat jumped from the second floor of the liquor store, holding a sharp blade and killing Ji Xie.

Ji Xie helped Ji Hou and his cat waist to hide under Duke Yu's carriage, he still didn't know how his uncle's injuries were, but he had to prevent any more cold arrows from coming. But the carriage can block the arrows for a while, but it can't stop the blades of the close killers. Seeing that the man with the hat had rushed to the head of the carriage, the cold dagger in his hand was gradually approaching. Ji Xie had no choice but to put down Ji Hou, pulled out the long sword from his waist, and prepared to fight to the death.

With a "dang" sound, the dagger in the man's hand was shaken out, and when he raised his eyes, the eldest father of Gong Yu was in front of Gongzi Xie like a god descending, and shouted: "Thief! Dare to assassinate Wang Jun, teach you not to die well! ”

The dagger in the man's hand had already flew, and then he saw that his four helpers were also entangled with the guards of Gongzi's Mansion brought by Gong Yu and couldn't get out. Helpless, he had to take off the crossbow on his back to shoot, and the eldest father shouted: "Shield!" ”

Four shield-wielding warriors protected Gongzi Xie and Ji Hou in the middle, and the man shot an arrow right in the shield, and was blocked by Yu Gong Yige when he fired another shot. Seeing that the situation was not good, he turned around and wanted to leave, but was chased by Gong Yu, stabbed him in the chest, and died on the spot.

Yu Cheng waited to solve the four masked guests, and Ji Xie stopped: "Gong Yu, they must be dead soldiers, don't leave a mouth alive, find the master behind the scenes!" ”

After a fight, except for the man in the hat, one of the other four escaped, two were killed on the spot, and one was captured. Undoubtedly, the target of this assassination was Gongzi-xie. Although Ji Hou blocked the arrow, fortunately, it was the buttocks that were shot, and the wound was not too deep. Everyone was afraid, the assassins were obviously inexperienced, they shot cold arrows first, missed a blow and then threw a canister as a signal, and assassinated them all at close range. If you shoot a volley of cold arrows first, I am afraid that Ji Xie's life has already returned to the west at this time.

Ji Xie ordered Ji Hou to be carried into the mansion to heal his injuries, and he thanked Gong Yu, the life-saving benefactor. He took the black cloth off the corpse's face, and his face was raw. Then he took down the hat of the man who was the leader, and it turned out to be a man in the prime of life with a beard, and no one present knew it. Helplessly, Ji Xie raised his hand and instructed left and right: "Send all three corpses and one assassin to the Grand Priest's Yamen and hand them over to Zhao Zimu to deal with." ”

In the backyard of Childe's Mansion, Fanji is bowing his head and doing needlework in his hands. From time to time, the sound of killing in the front yard was heard, and from time to time the nurse was looking at the door frame, she was worried about the development of the situation, and she was also worried about her husband's shoulder.

"Forget it, I've been embroidering for a long time, and these stitches are all crooked." Fanji threw down the embroidery in her hand with some irritation, she rarely lost her temper like this.

"Madam, here, my family is back." The nurse looked happy.

The sheep shoulder is also a maid who has been married from her mother's family, and has always been reused by his wife. At this time, as soon as he entered the door, he knelt on the ground and reported: "Madam, the matter has been done." ”

"Did Childe make a mistake?" I don't know why, Fan Ji opened his mouth to ask his dearest husband.

"The lord is fine, it's just that Ji Hou was hit by an arrow, and the injury is not deep, so it doesn't matter. Madame need not worry. ”

The nurse pursed her lips disapprovingly, according to her idea, Ji Hou rushed to send her daughter as a concubine, and it was a punishment from heaven.

Fanji asked in a low voice, "What about ------ him?" ”

The sheep shoulder hesitated for a moment, and said softly: "I was killed by Gong Yu on the spot." ”

"Ah------" Fanji's body shook and waved his hand weakly: "That's it, I expected it a long time ago." What about corpses? ”

"Childe ordered it to be sent to the Grand Priest's Hall." The sheep shoulder seemed to have some doubts: "Madam, I heard that Zhao Gongzi is very shrewd and sensitive, what if he is asked to see any clues?" ”

"I just want him to see it." An imperceptible smile appeared on Fanji's face: "Zhaogong, this old fox, it's time to make a statement." ”