Huan Rong

Hearing the soldier's report and seeing the token presented by the visitor, the Qin brothers showed excitement at the same time, immediately put aside what they were doing, and strode out of the military tent.

The patrolling soldiers were taken aback, not understanding why the three Highnesses behaved like this.

Out of curiosity, some soldiers stopped and watched, and found that the direction the three of them were going was the gate of the camp, so they couldn't help being more curious.

Outside the camp, Qin Jing and the other three were not summoned, and the convoy did not enter.

The leader of the team stood in front of the car, without any nervousness from beginning to end.Suddenly he heard a noise, he glanced behind him, his face was unhappy, and whispered a few words to the accompanying guards, the latter understood, strode away immediately, and dragged a few people out of the cart behind the team.

Several people were unkempt and disheveled, as if they had rolled in the dirt.

You can't tell them at first glance, but if you look closely, you will find that there is Wang Xiu who escaped from the city.The other two teenagers are the parents and children who were sent out of the city by Zhou Yang earlier.

Why these people got together, and why they fell into the hands of this pedestrian, can only be said to be a coincidence.Or it may be thousands of calculations, after all, the fate is missed.

On the carriage behind the leader, the doors were closed and the windows were half open.With the help of the firelight, two women could be faintly seen inside.

About a quarter of an hour later, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the camp.

The leader turned his head and found that it was Qin Jing and the three who came, and immediately stepped forward with a smile, bowed his hands and saluted, and said: "I have seen the three Highnesses."

"You are... shopkeeper Jia?"

Qin Jing led troops in the frontier all the year round, did not know this person, and his expression paused slightly.Qin Jue and Qin Jue had a relationship with him several times, and they recognized who it was, and they were surprised at the moment.

Jia Ke is a well-known grain merchant in Chang'an City. He occasionally sells medicinal materials in the market, and his business is huge.There are more than a hundred caravans under him, and there are grain shops in the counties and counties near Chang'an.He also led a caravan to Sanhan to deliver military rations and wound medicine to Qin Qi, and he was very famous among the caravans from the north and the south.

In addition, he has another identity, the younger brother of Jia Bing, the servant of Huan Han.

Jia Bing and his clan followed Huan Rong's example, all the way from a family member to a fourth-rank court official, it is really extraordinary.However, not many members of the Jia clan are officials.

For example, Jia Ke, who is as intelligent as his clan elders, has never been elected officials.After Huan Rong ascended the throne, he took the initiative to stay in Youzhou and never set foot in the Jiankang court.

Over the past few years, not to mention Chang'an, very few people in the Jiankang court knew him.

Except for Xun You, Zhong Lin, Shi Shao and other former ministers in the hidden residence, almost no one knows that this well-known businessman in Chang'an is actually a nail buried in the north by Huan Han. Down.

If it were someone else, you might feel dissatisfied.

Not so with Jaco.

The character and behavior of the Jia family are unusual. Even if there are amazingly talented people who become officials, even if they make great contributions to the court, their reputation among the people will never be as good as Wang Xie, let alone become Wang Xie.

Without enough accumulation, the family will always be an outlier among the gentry.

Mr. Jia's husband willingly gave up the election of officials and sneaked into Chang'an by hiding his identity, because he knew this very well.The family foundation is still shallow, and it is enough to have Jia Bing alone in the court.It is the foundation of the family that the others give full play to their strengths, use them for the emperor, and lay a solid foundation.

Jia Ke collected information in Chang'an and reported it to the emperor regularly without going through the three provinces of the court.

He gathered many talents under his command, including heroes and thieves.

A few were brought out from Youzhou and were loyal.The rest were collected from the Northland.

Among the latter, some were greatly favored by him and were willing to serve.Some are doing things with money, and they don’t know Jacco’s true identity at all, thinking that his collection of information is due to his “businessman’s nature”.

The northern region has been in war for many years, and the bandits have been suppressed repeatedly, not to mention the Mobei and Western Regions where the barbarians are entrenched.

If you want to walk safely in troubled times and keep a huge foundation, it is not enough to do business alone.It is extremely important to form a relationship with the strongest forces.

Ever since, Jia Ke took root in Chang'an, and his business flourished.

When Chang'an Fang City was rebuilt, he secretly opened up relationships, donated a lot of gold and silver, and made friends with low-ranking officials and casual officials.He even brandished gold, silver and silk, and took the opportunity to make good friends with soldiers patrolling the city, formed a variety of good relationships, and buried a large number of news channels.

After years of planning, Jia Ke didn't say that his hands and eyes were in the sky, but he was almost there.

In this way, the news can only be sent when the Xiahou family closed the city gate and blocked Chang'an.With the help of the city guards who had been bought before, the Liu sisters were successfully picked up without the knowledge of the rebels.

As for the two sons of Wang Xiu and Zhou Yang, they belong to the "unexpected harvest".

When the Wang Xiu brothers escaped from the city, they met Zhou's pursuers, and all the guards and servants were lost.Wang Yao was injured and died on the way. Wang Xiu was exhausted and fell down on the side of the road with no one around him, startled and frightened. When he met the spies sent by Jia Ke, he was captured on the spot.

Zhou Yang's two sons were betrayed by private soldiers.

Zhou Yang thought that the opportunity was determined first, and he made complete preparations, but he didn't know that the law of heaven was obvious, and the retribution was not good.He set out to betray his old master, but was betrayed by private soldiers when he turned around.The gold and silver carried by the two sons were robbed. It wasn't because the private soldiers and guards had internal strife, they had already died by the sword.

When they were desperate, the two were rescued by kind-hearted mountain people.

Unexpectedly, the viciousness was deeply rooted. After the two regained their strength, they heard the mountain people mention the army that suppressed the rebellion.

There is still the possibility of escaping without setting fire, and the fire quickly attracted attention.

Jia Ke himself did not expect that in order to save the Liu sisters from Chang'an, he sent spies to ensure safety, and brought back such two "surprises" on the way.

During the interrogation, knowing that Wang Xiu intended to flee south, Jia Ke couldn't help but sneer.

It seems that the heavens can't see it, so these people fall into their own hands.You might as well take it with you and send it to Qin's camp, just to be a "additional head".

When the Qin Jing brothers came to the camp, their expressions changed slightly after hearing Jia Ke Dao's explanation of their visit.

Qin Jing had received Huan Rong's letter early, and was prepared in the end.His surprise was more aimed at Huan Han's strength in Chang'an.Qin Jue and Qin Jue were excited, looking at the carriage behind Jia Ke, wishing they could rush forward immediately.

Seeing this, Jia Ke smiled slightly, and stepped back two steps sideways.

"A Qi, A Zheng, A Rong."

The door of the carriage was pushed open, and Empress Liu and Concubine Liu Shu appeared under the firelight.

For the convenience of traveling, the two replaced the palace group, the bun has been taken off, and there are only two golden hairpins in their hair.

Perhaps it was because of the exhaustion of the boat and the car, the expressions of both of them were somewhat haggard.However, no amount of tiredness can conceal the elegance and luxury that is integrated into the bones.

"Mother!"

"Aunt!"

Seeing that the two of them were safe, the three brothers rushed forward together and bowed to each other.

Empress Liu and Concubine Liu Shu didn't care too much, they got off the carriage with the shaft of the carriage, and helped the three of them up one by one.The city is full of dangers, and the time between life and death has passed through, and the mother and child see each other this time, with mixed feelings, and it is difficult to express in a thousand words.

"My mother's escape from danger is all thanks to the help of shopkeeper Jia." Qin Jing supported Empress Liu and said to Jia Ke, "I will definitely repay you in the future!"

"Don't dare." Jia Ke said solemnly, cupping his hands, "I'm just following orders."

By now, Jia Ke's identity is clearly about to be revealed, and it is useless to conceal it.Forcibly covering up would be a waste of time, so it's better to state your position openly.

However, once his identity is revealed, the nails buried in Chang'an may be discarded one by one and will no longer be usable.

At first glance, this is a money-losing business, which can be described as losing everything.However, seeing today's battle situation and thinking of all kinds of things in the city, Jia Ke had to admire the foresight of the officials.

The rebels seemed to be proud, and they fought evenly against the Qin brothers, and even repelled the cavalry who attacked the south gate, but in fact they lacked confidence and sooner or later they would fail.

Chang'an is doomed to be breached, and the Qin family is still the lord of Gui Palace.

After experiencing this war, Qin Ce died and his throne was emptied.An edict had been issued before that Qin Jing had the name of the crown prince, and even though the grand ceremony had not been performed, his ascension to the throne after suppressing the rebellion was a certainty.

With this person's behavior style, Chang'an will undergo a world-shaking change, and it will be different from the past.The favor of the Queen and Concubine Shu is far more useful than expected.

Outside the camp is not a place to talk. The Qin brothers welcome Queen Concubine Shu into the tent, and Jia Ke and others follow them into the camp.

"Aunt and Aunt are running all the way, let's rest first."

"Ah Zheng," Empress Liu called to stop Qin Jing, and asked, "Are the official family and your two aunts still under the city?"

"Don't worry, Majesty, the corpses of Majesty and Auntie have been restrained. When Chang'an City is taken back and the head of the thief is taken down, they must be sacrificed in blood to comfort Majesty's spirit in heaven."

Empress Liu closed her eyes and nodded slowly.

Qin Jing withdrew from the big tent, and the footsteps gradually faded away.

The curtain was lowered, Empress Liu and Concubine Liu Shu sat on the couch, looking at the light and shadow reflected on the tent, supporting each other so as not to be overwhelmed by the sudden surge of emotions.

"Sister, Mr. Lang will definitely do what he says." Concubine Liu Shu said softly.

"I know." Empress Liu held Concubine Liu Shu's hand and said, "Do you still have the dagger that my mother gave me back then?"

"Naturally." Concubine Liu Shu nodded.

"It's a pity I can't find Feng Amei's."

Empress Liu took the dagger from Concubine Liu Shu, her eyes were reflected on the knife, she was angry and cold.

"When Xia Houpeng and Wang Pi are caught, I will kill them myself!"

Concubine Liu Shu lowered her eyes, and smiled softly, "It's too cheap for them. It's time to dig out their hearts and see what color it is."

The beauty is delicate and soft, but the words she speaks are shocking.

Empress Liu and Concubine Liu Shu escaped successfully, and the Qin brothers were relieved.Thinking of Jia Ke who was invited into the account, the three couldn't help but have another meal.

"Brother, this kind of favor is really not small." Qin Yu said in a deep voice, "I don't know what the emperor in the south is planning."

"Yes." Qin Jue frowned, "If he asks for a concession, brother, will you agree or not?"

If you agree, how will brother explain to the civil and military of the Manchu Dynasty after he ascends the throne?If you don't agree, don't you become a person without faith?

Qin Jing signaled to the two of them to be calm and calm, looked in the direction of the convoy, and said, "Emperor Huan Han will not make such a request."

Then he opened the curtain and stepped into the big tent.

won't it?

Qin Jue and Qin Jue looked at each other, but they didn't quite understand where Qin Jing's confidence came from.

At the same time, Wang Xiu and the Zhou brothers were taken to Zuoying and handed over to Zhang Lian.

Knowing the identities of several people, Zhang Lian immediately sneered.

"The first emperor has orders. Yi Wang Pi and Zhou Yang are from the three clans. These people are all in the three clans, and they should be beheaded to show the public. Lock them up first, don't let them die. Dispose of them after taking Chang'an."

"promise!"

Wang Xiu and the others were escorted and tied up in a temporary fence.Each was given a bowl of water and half a piece of steamed cake to ensure that they would not starve to death and would not have the strength to escape.

When Zhang Lian turned around, he met Xia Houyan standing in the night.

The two faced each other, Xia Houyan looked gloomy and opened his mouth to speak, but Zhang Lian shook his head.

"Shu Jun, I have already said that what happened to uncle is not your fault."

Hearing this, Xia Houyan felt even more ashamed.

"His Highness intends to give you the surname Qin, can you think it through?"

Xia Houyan shook his head, clenched the saber at his waist, and struggled in his expression.

Zhang Lian sighed, took two steps forward, firmly held Xia Houyan's shoulders, and said in a deep voice: "Dear man, he should be decisive when things happen. Think about your oath in Monan, and don't take it too seriously. Your Highness wants to protect you. You should understand, don't disappoint His Highness's wishes."

"I know." Xia Houyan spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse, as if it had been worn by sandpaper.

Seeing him like this, Zhang Lian didn't try to persuade him any more, but withdrew his hand, took his leave and strode away.

The two passed by, and their eyes never met.

Zhang Lian made a clear distinction, knowing that the root of the matter was Xia Houpeng, and it was not Xia Houyan's fault.But Zhang Yu's death was too tragic, even if he didn't vent his anger, the rift has already been formed, and it is impossible to restore the closeness of the past.

Watching Zhang Lian's back being transported away, Xia Houyan gritted his molars hard, glanced at the tent where Xia Houduan was imprisoned, and clenched the handle of the knife with his big hand, so hard that the back of his hand bulged with blue veins.

"go!"

After the end sound fell, Xia Houyan turned around and left, finally disappearing into the night.

Unlike Wang Xiu and the Zhou brothers, Xia Houduan was not tied to a fence after being captured, but was detained alone in a tent.

In the middle of the tent stood a wooden pillar with two crossbars embedded in it. Xiahouduan was tied to it, all the bones in his left hand were smashed, his left knee was dug out, and only half of his feet touched the ground.

At first he was able to hold on, but after an hour, his hands and feet were numb, the wound was soaked in sweat, the pain was unbearable, and he wished he could faint on the spot.

Zhang Lian didn't use too many instruments of torture. After breaking his bones, he even called in a doctor to clean up the wound to ensure that it wouldn't become inflamed and swollen, which cost him his life.

"I said before that whatever happens to my father, I will repay him thousands of times!" Zhang Lian looked at Xia Houduan with a cold expression, and said word by word.

He kept his promise and did not kill Xia Houduan, but tortured him in a way that made people suffer without losing consciousness, slowly wearing down his will until he could no longer hold on and only wanted speed die.

"Everyone who rebels from the bandits will not be missed, and all of them will be recruited."

"The civil and military heroes who were slaughtered by the traitors are all listed on paper."

"The strength of the rebel army and the city defenses outside the south gate are all detailed, and there is no place to hide."

Zhang Lian spoke one sentence after another, speaking at a leisurely pace, without much fluctuation in tone.

"I recruited, you will give me a happy?" Xia Houduan said.

"Maybe." Zhang Lian sneered.

"You..." Xia Houduan's facial features were distorted, and his cheeks kept shaking.

Zhang Lian took some time off and signaled the soldiers to come forward and exchange for a thinner rope.

"There is no need to be too anxious, Xiahou Banzhu can carefully consider it."

Zhang Lian like this reminds people of Zhang Yu in his early years.

Xia Houduan was so frightened that his face was as pale as paper.Because the rope was replaced with a thinner rope, his hands and feet trembled uncontrollably, and his vision was blocked by cold sweat and blood, like a lamb being targeted by a beast.

As dawn approached, Xia Houduan finally couldn't hold on, and hoarsely called the soldiers, saying that he would like to recruit.But waited and waited, but there was no sign of Zhang Lian.When the curtain opened first, it was Xia Houyan who came in.

"Yan'er?" Xia Houduan's pupils constricted, and he was overjoyed, and said anxiously, "Quickly, put me down..."

He yelled several times in a row, but Xia Houyan never made any movement.Xia Houduan realized something was wrong, stopped his voice, and looked at Xia Houyan carefully, his excited expression froze on his face.

"Uncle, Your Highness gave me the surname Qin." Xia Houyan said, "From today onwards, I will not be named Xiahou."

"You want to betray the family?!" Xia Houduan was furious.

"Uncle, Eldest Father raised troops to betray the old lord, falsely slandered the Four Highnesses, and wanted to usurp the throne, making a big mistake. No matter how many schemes there are, the truth will never be buried." Xia Houyan took a deep breath and said, "My lord On the day my father raised his army, the Xiahou family was doomed. I left this life not to live for myself, but to atone for the sins of the father and the king."

"Joke!" Xia Houduan roared, "It's all an excuse!"

"It doesn't matter if uncle believes it or not. After this battle, I will be ordered to go to the desert. I will never marry for the rest of my life. I will cut off the blood of the Xiahou family. With this body, I will guard the frontier state and protect the people of the Han Dynasty. After death, I will bury my bones in the yellow sand and never enter the Central Plains again." step."

After the words fell, Xia Houyan performed the Jishou ceremony, immediately got up and left the tent, and never looked back.

Xia Houduan was stunned on the spot, his curse was stuck in his throat, and his expression suddenly distorted.

The seventh year of Taihe, March

When the horn sounded, Qin soldiers attacked Chang'an again.

With the help of the previously opened gap, the south gate was lost first, and the cavalry poured in like a tide.No matter how many reinforcements are sent, the army cannot be repelled.

After three days of fierce fighting, the rebel army's decline was fully revealed, and the Ximen and Dongmen of Chang'an were in emergency.

The Qin brothers each led their cavalry to battle, Xia Houshuo died under Qin Jing's spear, and all the private soldiers in the trilogy died in battle.

Zhou Yang was captured alive by Qin Jue, but Wang Pi disappeared in the chaos.

The three city gates fell one after another, and the north gate where Xia Houpeng was sitting was unable to support himself.

Seeing the approaching Qin soldiers, and seeing the three Qin Jing who climbed the city wall and walked out of the crowd, Xia Houpeng didn't want to catch them without a fight, and wanted to fight a trapped beast.In the end, he was stabbed in the right shoulder by Qin Jing, failed to commit suicide, and was tied to the top of the wall.

At this moment, thick smoke billowed suddenly in the city, and fires broke out in the east, west, north and south.