Huan Rong

Taiyuan seven years, January

Just in time for the New Year, Jiankang City is full of firecrackers and crowds.

People in Fangshi will open in the future, and the peach charm lanterns in front of the shops are particularly eye-catching.A large number of pedestrians shuttled in the streets and alleys, shoulder to shoulder, sleeves raised into clouds, and laughter and noise continued.

The business of restaurants and tea shops is particularly good.

There are always long queues in front of shops selling steamed buns, steamed cakes and bacon.Many people came late and lined up in front of themselves, and the buns and bacon were all sold out.

"The market is sold out today, please hurry up tomorrow."

The buddy smiled and explained to everyone that Wudi Mandarin is mixed with a northern accent, and there are often a few auspicious words at the beginning and end, which is extraordinarily joyful.

Seeing the crowd disperse, the owner neatly put away the steamer and wiped the hot sweat from his head and neck.

Who would have thought that the business in January was better than usual.More than a dozen steamed buns were steamed, and they were still sold out in the blink of an eye, and they had to clear up business before noon.

"Business is busy these few days, and you are also working hard." Seeing that the clerk was too busy to wipe off the sweat on his head, the shopkeeper said with a smile, "You don't need to visit the shop today, let's go to the front street. I heard you a while ago. The family said, your marriage is settled, and it will be a ceremony in March, so you must prepare everything you need. Not to mention, who doesn't have a hairpin from Youzhou Yinlou among the young ladies in Jiankang today?"

The buddy blushed and giggled a few times, losing his usual wit.

"If I'm not here, how can the shopkeeper be busy? The most important thing is to prepare the noodles for tomorrow."

"What's the difference between this hour and a half." The owner put down the steamer, counted the number, and made sure that the number was correct, and said to the waiter, "Da Lang will come to the store to help. He is the age of the governor, and he must learn."

"Mr. Da Lang?" The buddy was surprised, "Mr. Da Lang entered the academy?"

"So what? You don't overwhelm yourself with too many skills." The shopkeeper waved his hand, signaling to the clerk not to dawdle, "Business is good in January, and restaurants are like this, let alone silver buildings. If you dawdle any longer, I'm afraid you'll buy everything you want. not."

The clerk thanked the owner repeatedly, finished his work first, took out his purse to look at it, and ran to the back street in a hurry.It must be that I don't have enough money on my body, so I am in a hurry to get it at home.

Recipes are just a microcosm of Fangshi, and the prosperity of Fangshi can best represent the changes and development of Jiankang.

From man's day to dark day, the city is always bustling with activity.During the period, more than 40 tribute teams arrived to present congratulatory gifts to Emperor Huanhan.

Every time a tribute team enters the city, it will cause a commotion.

The troops of the Western Regions drove camels, and the troops of Yidi drove elephants.

Messengers in various costumes carried boxes and silver trays.There are orchids and barbarians sitting on the backs of camels and elephants. As the procession passes by, the rich fragrance wafts away, carrying the mysterious atmosphere of exotic places.

There are barefoot musicians walking in the procession, playing weird instruments.

Amidst the music, several orchids jumped off the camels, their waists were soft, and they danced in front of the team, attracting applause from the crowd.

The tribute team arrived in a concentrated manner, and the number doubled compared with last year.

Xi Chao was too busy, and Wang Xianzhi, who was on vacation, was arrested.

Wang Xianzhi was busy cultivating the relationship between father and son, so he didn't have the time to deal with it, so he simply recommended Wang Biaozhi's two sons to Huan Rong.

Upon receiving the appointment, Wang Yuezhi and Wang Linzhi were a little confused.

Since Wang Biaozhi passed away, the two brothers have been guarding in front of their father's bed, serving soup and medicine every day, and listening to teachings.For the sake of my father, I have asked the court for leave for two months.

Unexpectedly, just halfway through the holiday, the order of appointment was delivered suddenly.

Is this the so-called "disaster" coming from the sky when people sit at home?

After recuperating, Wang Biaozhi's condition began to stabilize.In addition, You Huqian went to the government under the order, and talked about the way of keeping in good health every day, and his spirit gradually recovered.

Seeing the two sons guarding the mansion all day, and wanting to shirk their responsibilities, they immediately said angrily: "As a subject, how can I not relieve the king's worries!"

Wang Yuezhi and Wang Linzhi understood their father's temper, they were afraid that he would get angry and his illness would relapse, so they dared not say much at the moment, and honestly canceled their leave and went to work.

Since then, the two brothers have been busy every day, and they are so busy with Xi Chao that they hit the back of their heads with their feet, and their eyes turn black with exhaustion.

When they met Wang Xianzhi who had nothing to do and took his son on a trip, the two of them were very angry.If it wasn't because he was concerned about Langya Wang's reputation and didn't want to leave a psychological shadow on his nephew, there would probably be a scene of "Kong Huai killing each other" on the street.

Compared with the bustling and lively Jiankang, Chang'an is a completely different scene.

Since the Xiahou clan raised troops, captured the four gates of the capital city, surrounded the Gui Palace, and put the emperor under house arrest, every family in the city closed their doors and closed their doors, and there was a lot of panic.

In January, there is no festive atmosphere at all.The city is deserted and deserted, with no shops open.

There are still dried bloodstains in front of the city gate, which shows the tragedy of the military disaster.

Regardless of the people who died in battle, after Xia Houpeng took control of Chang'an City, the executioner's butcher's knife never stopped.

Rivers of blood flowed on the execution ground, and countless heads rolled down.

All civil and military tyrants who refused to follow the bandits were beheaded one by one, and their family members and relatives even did not spare children who were just as tall as a wheel.

There are those who are upright and unyielding, and who will not bow their heads, and naturally there are also those who are willing to follow the thief.

When Cao Yang, the chief minister of the dynasty, Wang Pi, the servant of Sanqi outside the Yuanwai, and Zhou Yang, the Shang Shulang, rebelled against Xiahou's family, Wang Pi and Zhou Yang even encouraged Xiahoupeng to completely set up the main culprits of his rebellion.

Wang Pi's sentence "how can the public be the second of Tang Gongluo" became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

It has to be said that this sudden rebellion was not only motivated by Xiahou's ambition, but also by Qin Ce's repeated mistakes, and even by the conspiracy of Wang Pi and others.

Various reasons intertwined, and finally led to this catastrophe.

Wang Pi also participated in the assassination of Tang Gongluo.It's just that it's hidden so deeply that Ting Wei hasn't noticed it.What's even more frightening is that from the very beginning, he made up his mind that either Tang Gongluo or someone else must try to make Qin Ce have the appearance of a faint king of "the bird is all hidden in the bow", so that Qin's heart will be lost.

The reason is that Wang Pi was the son of Di Qin Prime Minister Wang Meng. After Di Qin was destroyed, although he was reused by Qin Ce, he still secretly regarded himself as an "old minister of the former dynasty".

On the surface, Wang Pi sincerely took refuge in Qin Ce, made suggestions for the Qin family, and devoted himself to the court.In fact, Chang'an has come to this situation today, and this person "has made great contributions".

Unlike Wang Meng, Wang Pi is greedy and cruel by nature, and doesn't care about the lives of the people at all.

As long as he can achieve his goal, he doesn't care how Chang'an becomes, let alone whether Beidi will fall into the hands of the barbarians again.In fact, he originally regarded Di Qin Fu as the monarch, and he had no concept of "Han orthodoxy" in his bones.

"The general didn't kill Empress Concubine Shu, he was really wise." Knowing the whole story of the Guangming Palace, Wang Pi stroked his beard and smiled, and said, "The imperial edict is issued, and your highnesses will travel all night to command Chang'an. At that time, the officials may not be useful, Empress Shu A concubine can help the general succeed."

"How do you say that?" Xia Houpeng asked.

"Why do you need to ask the general knowingly?" Wang Pi still smiled, the smile didn't reach his eyes, reminding people of a wolf lurking in the dark, "Leave Empress Concubine Shu, and when the soldiers come to the city one day, Qin Xuanmin will definitely be afraid of it!"

Compared with Wang Meng, Wang Pi is equally talented, but in terms of personality and behavior, the father and son are far apart.The former has the style of a celebrity, while the latter is not even a poisoner, and is a full-fledged treacherous villain.

"I do have that intention." Xia Houpeng did not deny it.

"That's not enough." Wang Pi continued.

"What does the servant mean?" Xia Houpeng's eyes flashed with doubt.

"In the old story of Chu and Han, the king of Chu set up a cauldron to cook the father of the king of Han, and the king of Han said to share the food, the general must know about it." At this point, Wang Pi glanced at the crowd and said with a smile, "In the future, the sons of the Qin family will come to Chang'an, the general will be fine. Set up a tripod on the top of the city, bind the sisters of the Liu family on the top of the city, if the sons of the Qin family do not retreat, they must throw them into the tripod."

"hiss--"

Hearing these words, all the people present gasped.

"Such behavior will be condemned by thousands of people!" Zhou Yang scolded.

"Those who achieve great things don't care about small details." Wang Pi said indifferently, his eyes swept over the crowd, and finally fell on Xia Houpeng, "General, in troubled times, the winner is the king."

Xia Houpeng was silent.

Wang Pi did not continue to persuade.Because he knew that Xia Houpeng had listened to his words, and there was a [-]% chance that he would act according to his plan.

Even if he hesitates now, when Qin Jing's soldiers are besieging the city, there is still no second choice.

If he does this, Chang'an will be flattened by iron hooves.At that time, there will be great chaos in the north, so that I can make myself happy.

After the discussion was over, Wang Pi bid farewell and returned home.After arriving home, he summoned a loyal servant and asked, "Has the third brother ever eaten?"

The loyal servant bowed and said: "Go back to the Lord, Lord Sanlang locked the door behind him, and no servants are allowed to enter."

Wang Pi shook his head and said, "Order the cook to prepare wine and dishes, and I will go there myself."

The loyal servant stepped back, and soon a maidservant brought up the food box.

Seeing the patterns and marks on the box, Wang Pi chuckled lightly: "It's no wonder the things from the Southland are so delicate."

The servant girl lowered her head, not daring to make a sound.

Wang Pi didn't notice anything, walked to Wang Xiu's door, looked at the locked door, knocked three times, but no one answered.I tried to push it, but it didn't move at all.

"Brother, open the door, I have something to tell you in detail."

There was no response from the room.

"My brother doesn't want to know how the situation in Chang'an is?"

There was still no response from the room.

"Brother, why are you bothering? As the head of the family, I have to choose a feasible path for the Wang family. Qin Ce is not a good leader. You have also seen Tang Gongluo's fate. Don't you think the Wang family is also like the Tang family?" ?”

After a long time, there was finally a sound behind the door.

Wang Pi waited patiently, counting silently three times in his heart, and the door opened from the inside.

Wang Xiu stood in front of the door, looking at his smiling brother, he felt very strange.

"The Tang family is in a catastrophe, but my brother cannot be separated from it."

Wang Pi smiled, and stepped into the room. The servant girl's face was pale, and she didn't dare to breathe, and the hand that put down the food box was trembling.

"Go down."

The servants hurried out of the inner room as if they had been pardoned, as if they had escaped from hell.

"My brother's temper is still the same."

Wang Pi signaled Wang Xiu to sit down, and poured wine for him with his own hands.

Wang Xiu sat on the edge of the low couch, turning a blind eye to the wine glass in front of him.

"Brother, have you ever thought that by instigating the Xiahou family to rebel, Chang'an will fall into military disaster, and the Hu thieves may go south again. At that time, the people will be displaced, and the disaster in Jin Dynasty will repeat itself. You and I will be sinners!"

Wang Pi didn't take it seriously, raised his wine glass and pecked lightly, "So what?"

"what?!"

"What do people in the world have to do with me?"

"Brother, have you forgotten Father's teaching?!" Wang Xiu's face was full of disbelief.

"Brother, in troubled times, how can there be a lot of benevolence, righteousness and morality." Wang Pi still didn't care, "Besides, as you said, my father would not have voted for Di Qin and assisted Hu for many years. right."

"you you……"

Wang Xiu was too angry to speak.

"Okay, calm down." Wang Pi said with a smile, "I came to tell you that Chang'an will be surrounded by the army in less than half a month, and anyone who participates in the rebellion will be doomed. I have sent people to pack their bags, Tomorrow, I will send you and my fourth brother out of the city and head south to Huanhan."

Wang Xiu was stunned.

He began to wonder what Wang Pi's plan was.

Perhaps, he didn't understand it from the beginning.

"You might as well tell brother the truth, from the very beginning, the Xiahou clan had no chance of winning." Wang Pi held his wine glass again, with a sinister smile that inexplicably sent chills down the spine, "What I want is just the name of the Qin clan." The sound is sweeping the ground, Chang'an is in chaos, and there is no unity in the north."

"Brother, are you, are you crazy?"

"No, I'm not crazy." Wang Pi sneered, "If it wasn't for the Qin family, I would succeed my father as the prime minister of a country, instead of being a mere servant on horseback. If it wasn't for the Qin family, I would be alone More than [-] people! If it wasn't for the Qin family, my daughter would marry the prince, and I would be the head of the country when the phoenix comes to Jiaofang in the future!"

Wang Pi said while holding the wine glass tightly.

"Brother, have you ever thought that if Qin Ce hadn't been suspicious for a long time, I might not have the chance to make a move, and Tang Gongluo might not have been wiped out like a bereaved dog. If Xia Houpeng had no objection, how could it be Can I encourage you with a few words? If Qin Ce hadn’t alienated his parents and children, and decided to establish the crown prince because he was seriously ill, how could he be where he is today?”

Wang Xiu opened his mouth, as if to refute, but the words seemed pale and weak when he reached his mouth.

"So, brother, come and tell me, I'm all guilty of this matter?"

Wang Pi raised his cup and drank it down, and immediately threw the cup on the ground, with a crazy look on his face.

"The Qin family has ruined everything about me. I want the Qin family's reputation to be ruined, and I want the Qin family's sons to be invincible!"

"Brother, the winner is the king and the loser, and the Qin family has the blood of the first emperor, and will eventually be orthodox. There is no reason for you to do this."

"Reason? How can there be reason in a troubled world!" Wang Pi shook his head vigorously, "It doesn't matter if you can figure it out or not, leave the city tomorrow and go to Huanhan. Acting according to the emperor of Huanhan, even if you don't need it, you won't Hand you over to the Qin family. To avoid suspicion, don't bring too many people with you. As for the city, I will arrange it myself."

After the words fell, Wang Pi got up and left.

Looking at his brother's back, Wang Xiu sighed deeply, revealing endless sorrow and vicissitudes.

Since the Xiahou Clan raised troops, he was imprisoned in the mansion, and so was the fourth brother.

I thought that my elder brother wanted to "contribute to the achievements of the dragon", but he didn't expect that he wanted the whole of Chang'an to be buried with him!

"Crazy, really crazy..."

In the seventh year of Taiyuan, February

Qin Ce's condition did not improve, but he persisted and refused to show weakness to the rebels.Empress Liu and Concubine Liu Shu couldn't take off their clothes, and they took turns serving the imperial court.

In order to attack Qin Ce, Xia Houpeng ordered people to carry Zhang Yu into the palace and send him to the Hall of Light.

"Zhang Situ is utterly loyal, His Majesty should know."

Zhang Yu was lying on the ground, breathing weakly, his hands and feet were all broken.

In order to force Zhang Yu to correct the order, Xia Houpeng arrested his family members and killed them one by one in front of him.Seeing that he still refused to give in, he simply broke his two legs and dug out his knee.

Even so, Zhang Yu still refused to give in.

In the end, it was an official who pretended to use his name to advertise to the world.

On the day the edict was sent out, Xia Houpeng ordered Zhang Yu's arms to be broken.Although his life was spared, it was better to die than to live.Zhang Yu would never have lived to this day if he hadn't relied on his monstrous hatred.

When the monarch and his ministers met, Zhang Yu couldn't get up, so he could only struggle to salute Qin Ce.Without Empress Liu's support, Qin Ce stood up tremblingly, and walked in front of Zhang Yu with difficulty.

"Uncle Chen, it's me, I'm tired of you!"

"Your Majesty, I believe in loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness for my husband. Your Majesty must not do this." Zhang Yu said hoarsely, and said in a low voice, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, the rebels think they have a plan, but they don't know that when the imperial edict is sent out, your highnesses will join forces." Send Chang'an! Your Majesty must take good care of the dragon's body, so that you can see the traitor put to death with your own eyes!"

Qin Ce firmly held Zhang Yu's shoulder, his eyes were full of tears, and his cheeks were trembling.

Standing in the hall, Xia Houpeng felt uncomfortable again.After forcibly suppressing him, he ordered someone to drag Zhang Yu away.

"The traitor Xia Houpeng, the bandit who rebelled against Tuck, is not tolerated by the sky, and is abandoned by all! Your highnesses surround Chang'an with soldiers, and you will be hacked into pieces. After death, you will be slaughtered and eaten by animals!

Zhang Shuchen made an oath to this, and today he threw himself into the Hall of Hell, not seeking to be a human being, but only wishing to be transformed into an evil spirit, devouring your flesh and blood, and crushing your bones!

Xia Houpeng, I am waiting for you underground! "

Perhaps these words were too frightening, the rebels holding Zhang Yu subconsciously let go.

Zhang Yu rolled down the stone steps without any support, and fell heavily on the ground. The back of his head and the injured parts of his limbs were bleeding together, and he coughed blood foam from his mouth. He died soon after.

At this moment, the sound of drums suddenly sounded from the top of the city.

Xia Houshuo hurriedly walked across the imperial road, before he got close, he shouted: "Father, the enemy soldiers are attacking!"

The four gates of Chang'an City were closed tightly, and the drums and gongs at the top of the city were beating together.

Horns blasted outside the city, and the three teams approached from different directions.

There is no big flag in sight, only the five-element flag fluttering in the wind, making a loud noise.

Black torrents rolled across the plain, and the clash of shields and armor was endless.

Qin Jing, Qin Jue, and Qin Jue sat high on their horses, all wearing black armor, holding spears in their hands, and their bodies were full of evil spirits.

Qin Jing gave an order, and the team stopped.

The cavalry suddenly pulled the reins, and the horseman neighed immediately.

The spearmen slammed their guns to the ground, and their swords and shields slammed on the shields. With roars, the air was full of fighting intent, and the killing intent filled the world.

woo-

The desolate sound of the horn resounded across the earth, the goshawk and the black eagle spread their wings at the same time, and with a long cry, they flew straight into the sky amidst the sound of the horn, and flew straight to the city over the defenders at the top of the city.

"Fire the arrow! Fire the arrow!"

Xia Houduan shouted loudly.

The black eagle suddenly turned around, stood in front of the goshawk, passed through layers of arrow rain, and swooped down suddenly.The sharp claws slammed down fiercely, and suddenly a soldier screamed and covered his eyes, blood flowed down his fingers, and instantly stained his sleeves red.

噍——

Seemingly dissatisfied with the actions of the black eagle, the goshawk swooped down and attacked more violently.

Accompanied by the two raptors rising and falling, the city was screaming endlessly and fell into a brief chaos.

At the same time, a few unremarkable pigeons flew into the city, circled around a few times, and finally found the location of the Gui Palace, flapped their wings, and flew into the Hall of Light.