The case of "Ghosts Walking at Night" has spread throughout Qiyun's territory in just a short period of time. The officials in Qiyun, as well as the officials and people of various states and counties were all shocked. In less than a month, the news was also known to the border of Qiyun.
Although Yanbei City is far away from Jiang Lin, there is no need to worry about "ghosts walking at night", but the news of the death of the prince has also caused quite a stir in Yanbei City.
Especially after Wan Jun was imprisoned, Yanbei is now leaderless. The murder case at the General's Mansion a few days ago has made Yanbei even more uneasy. Some people say that the Northern Jin Dynasty sent people to assassinate him, while others say that it was because of Wan Jun's outstanding achievements. Lord, was feared by the emperor, but these rumors were stopped after Shan Bin, the commander of Yanbei, led his army into the city...
Shan Bin was sitting uneasily in the house. He followed the orders, but got away from Yang Huchen. He didn't know what would happen to him, but then he thought that he had been abandoned by Wan Jun for so many years. Maybe that man saw that he was there. Yanbei has been in Yanbei for many years and has reused himself.
Thinking of this, Shan Bin felt a little calmer. Regardless of his merits and demerits in Yanbei City this time, now that there are no Wan Jun, Yang Huchen and others in the Yanbei army, who else can sit in the northern border except himself? The position of general.
But then I thought about it, Wan Jun has been with him for many years, and instead of just being captured, I secretly did these things for him. Maybe one day, I will end up with the same fate as Wan Jun...
"Report—" the shout of the messenger interrupted Shan Bin's thoughts.
Shan Bin has been in Yanbei for many years, been abandoned for many years, and commanded the general with dignity. Shan Bin has never enjoyed such military reports to ask for his instructions. Since the bloodbath in the general's palace, he has become the backbone of the Yanbei army. Although the army's lieutenant general is still Some people were still loyal to Wan Jun and were still worried about their bloodbath in the general's palace, but they were frightened by the official power and military orders and had no choice but to give up.
The wealthy businessmen and dignitaries in Yanbei City were even more flattering. The day after he led his troops into the city, they all came to visit Shan Bin with gifts. Some were seeking relatives, some were offering money and utensils to make friends, and even some people in the city were A wealthy businessman is willing to offer his daughter as a concubine... This feeling of being in control of everything is so wonderful. Unknowingly, Shan Bin is addicted to it and can't extricate himself.
After adjusting his clothes, he sat in the hall, waiting for the messenger to come and report. Shan Bin heard clearly what the messenger had reported, and the proud look on his face suddenly disappeared. His eyes were full of doubts, and he murmured to himself: " Gao Deng led four thousand patrol troops to Yanbei? Wasn't he stationed and patrolling in the Mo and Wei armies?"
The messenger who was kneeling on the ground to report vaguely heard General Shan talking to himself, and hurriedly reported: "General, it is indeed true. The scouts came to report that Gao Deng's four thousand patrol troops are only ten miles away from Yanbei City, but we are not there either. If we haven't received the order to change the defense, it's up to General Shan to decide what to do."
There was no order from the imperial court to mobilize troops, and there was no war. Leading troops north without authorization was tantamount to mutiny. Shan Bin could no longer hide the anger in his heart. He stood up abruptly and wanted to order the messenger to mobilize the soldiers of the Yanbei camp. But after he stood up, his mind changed quickly. I also remembered that it was almost the middle of the month. According to Qi Yun's military regulations, by the middle of the month, all generals would return to Yanbei to report their duties to Wan Jun.
But Shan Bin vaguely felt that something was wrong. Wan Jun had already been escorted to Beijing, and the Northern Territory commander was vacant. Who should Gao Deng report to?
"Gordon is a well-known idiot general. As usual in the military, he either excused himself because of illness or other chores in the patrol, so why did he suddenly lead his troops to Yanbei? With his temperament, don't say that nothing happened in Yanbei City. , even if there is a war in Yanbei, this idiot will definitely find many excuses to avoid it... Could it be his order... But even if someone wants to be sent to Yanbei, how can it be him."
Shan Bin couldn't help but think about the time when he was worried about killing the donkey, and then he thought about the words of the visitor in the backyard of the mansion, and hesitated again.
It was indeed doubtful that Gao Deng went north, but after thinking about what Gao Deng had done before, he finally felt relieved and ordered the soldiers who sent him the order: "Pass this order from my general and order each battalion to guard it strictly and not to leave without authorization. With my military order, I order you to Gao Deng retreated thirty miles to set up camp. Without my order, he was not allowed to approach Yanbei City, otherwise he would be treated as a collaborator."
"Have an order!"
Looking at the backs of the messengers getting on their horses and taking orders, Shan Bin stood up hesitantly, backed away from his servants, and was about to walk to the backyard of the mansion. He seemed to think of something again, and told his servants that there would be no visitors today, and then he turned and entered the back hall.
There was a person in the courtyard, seeming to be admiring the late spring breeze after winter. When he saw Shan Bin approaching with a frown, he withdrew his eyes and stepped forward to greet him.
"General Shan, the spring weather is beginning to show today. It is precisely
It's a good time to drink and enjoy the spring, but why are you looking so sad? Where is there anyone in Yanbei City at this time who can make our commander worry about you? "
Seeing this person, Shan Bin hurriedly suppressed the hesitation in his heart, took him to the study with his arms, closed the door, and then said: "Gao Deng is here."
This man seemed to have heard of Gao Deng's name, and he immediately smiled and said, "Oh? Is that Gao Lian's brother? Wouldn't that be just right? Wouldn't it be nice to call him together and let's all have a drink and talk."
"He led 4,000 patrol troops but did not report. He is now only ten miles away from Yanbei City." Shan Bin was worried and told the truth.
With just one glance, this man could tell what Shan Bin was worried about. He was not panicked and said with a smile: "Sir Shan, why are you panicking? Don't mention that the 100,000 Yanbei troops are already under your command at this moment. They are the more than 10,000 defenders in Yanbei City. The soldiers cannot be matched by his four thousand patrol troops."
Seeing that Shan Bin's eyebrows were filled with sadness, he continued to explain: "What's more, if my lord hadn't valued his elder brother, how could he be tolerated?"
Shan Bin felt miserable in his heart. What this man said was indeed true. He was indeed the highest-ranking general in Yanbei City now. The 100,000 Yanbei army was temporarily under his control. However, he did not have an imperial order. Although the generals in the army obeyed military orders, But if we really want to open the road to Yanbei as requested by the man in front of us, let alone whether the generals can obey the order, even these hundred thousand men may not agree.
Thinking of the recent news from the capital, Shan Bin became even more worried. He spoke to the man in front of him again: "Sir... Your Majesty, recently, news came from Jianglin City that Fan Xiang..."
"I have also heard about this. Not only Fan Mou, but also your short-lived prince also died in the hands of ghosts. This is a great good thing for my lord." The man said happily with a happy face. .
"This...I'm worried, Gao Deng is here..." Shan Bin's face turned even more ugly. He originally wanted to rely on Fan Mou, but took the opportunity to take the position of commander-in-chief of the northern territory, so he accepted Fan Mou's secret plan. Order of the Northern Jin Dynasty.
But he didn't expect that when Fan Mou died, he would lose his backing in the capital. Not to mention the northern commander, what would happen if his secret connection with the Northern Jin Dynasty was leaked.
The secret envoy of the Northern Jin Dynasty saw the fear in Shan Bin's eyes and knew that he was already wavering in his heart. He sneered: "Why, Master Shan is worried that Gao Deng will take away your position as commander-in-chief when he comes here. Are you thinking about that?" Capture me, a secret agent of the Northern Jin Dynasty, so that you can take credit?"
Shan Bin was revealed by the emissary, and with a little panic, he hurriedly clasped his fists and saluted, "Shan doesn't dare!"
"It's better not to dare. Remind the commander that I have sent capable people to carefully collect the letters between you and me over the years. If anything happens, those letters with your signature will appear in... "
Before the words of the secret envoy of the Northern Jin Dynasty were finished, he saw that the dignified commander of Yanbei was already kneeling in front of him. He no longer had control over everything in Yanbei. He said with a proud look: "Don't worry, sir, Shan will do his best, but... .”
The secret envoy was very satisfied when he saw Shan Bin's appearance. He helped Shan Bin up with a smile and took over the words: "It's just that Gao Deng's coming here makes you worried, doesn't it? Don't worry, Fan Mou is dead, then Brother Gao Deng will It’s useless, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Master Shan.”
Shan Bin had just calmed down when he heard what the Northern Jin envoy said and couldn't help but wonder: "What do you mean by the envoy's words?"
"Fan Mou can sit on the right side of Qi Yun, not only because of the so-called Conglong Gong. If he can sit on the right side, why can't Master Shan?" The secret envoy of the Northern Jin Dynasty looked at Shan Bin with a smile in his eyes. .
Although Shan Bin had already reached the command of the envoy, he only had the courage of an ordinary man. Just throwing out this temptation firmly attracted Shan Bin. He couldn't help but hold the Jin envoy's arm and breathed quickly: "Is what your Excellency said true?"
"That's natural, so I'm just saying this. Fan Mou's death is an opportunity for Lord Shan. Instead of caring about Qi Yun's position, it's better to help me go south. When my lord sends his troops to destroy Qi, Lord Shan will have an unstoppable mission." The merits of the world should not be said to influence the country, it is to be crowned king, and my lord will not be stingy." The Jin envoy said with certainty.
Shan Bin was so coaxed by the Jin envoy's sweet words that he beamed. He had long forgotten that he had been coerced by him a moment ago. He only thought about his dream of being crowned king in the future. He hurriedly said: "Thank you, Sir, for your support. Shan will listen to Sir. Next, How to act?"
Envoy of Jin
In his heart, he laughed at Shan Bin for his simple-mindedness. Even if Qi Yun was really destroyed, he, a traitorous person like him, would never use him again. However, the most important thing right now was to stabilize Shan Bin, so he said: " How to act? Now that there is no owner in Yanbei, it is the best opportunity to act. How many troops and horses does General Shan have in his hands? "
"The general's trusted followers can lead more than 10,000 soldiers."
"That's enough. I'll write a handwritten letter to my lord and send the general to lead the troops. When the time comes, we should cooperate with the outside to break the Yanbei Pass. As long as Yanbei City falls, there will be no danger to defend Qiyun, and the army can Let’s go south.”
After hearing the words of the Jin envoy, Shan Bin calmed down a little. There were a hundred thousand soldiers in the Yanbei camps. They wanted to take risks. How could he resist with only ten thousand people? He couldn't help but worry. He said, "Isn't this... too dangerous? If the troops of the Yanbei Camp are divided into two groups, resisting the army all the way, and besieging the city, wouldn't we become turtles in a urn?"
The Jin envoy smiled and said: "Sir Shan, since you want to abandon the dark and turn to the light, this is the best opportunity for you to show yourself. As long as you contain the main force of Qi Yun's Yanbei army, wait until our Jin army arrives. At that time, our army will follow , with you, Yanbei City, blocking the retreat, then the Yanbei Army is... the turtle in the urn!"
Hearing what the Jin envoy said, Shan Bin thought that he had been ignored by Wan Jun all these years, and that the man above the court had never done anything. He only waited until Wan Jun was about to be removed before he handed over such dirty things to him. To himself, the resentment in his heart rose again. In addition, the conditions offered by the Northern Jin envoy to become king were too tempting. After thinking about it for a moment, he gritted his teeth and spoke.
"Okay, Shan will follow your advice, but...I want you, Lord Jin, to hand down the edict to me first, so as not to regret it after it's done!"
The envoy of Jin stroked his beard and smiled and said, "This is a simple matter. I will write down a secret letter in front of your lord, and send my horse out of seclusion to report to the Lord."
"Okay, as long as Shan gets the edict, he will raise his troops immediately!" Shan Bin gritted his teeth and spoke, determination evident in his eyes.
Half an hour later, someone quickly left the city quietly and looked north. The Northern Jin envoy looked at Shan Bin's retreating back, sneered, and turned to Yanbei City.
It was getting dusk, and the people in Yanbei City were all in a hurry to finish their hard work for the day. They didn't know what was about to happen.
The Jin envoy declined Shan Bin's invitation, saying that he wanted to take a walk in Yanbei City. He walked around admiring the scenery of Yanbei. In the eyes of others, he looked like a merchant traveling alone, until he had walked alone for half of the time. At that moment, he turned around and walked into a remote alley in Yanbei City, only to disappear.
He raised his head and looked at the plaque above the shop in front of him. The three characters "Tonggu Xuan" were vigorous and powerful. The Jin envoy just smiled and walked into the shop.
Maybe it was at dusk, or maybe the antique shop was in a remote location, and there were no customers in the shop. There was something strange everywhere in the deserted place. Only the shopkeeper kept his head down and was writing something. Maybe he heard a customer coming to the door, and the shopkeeper raised his hand. Get started.
The shopkeeper seemed to be a strange customer he had never seen before. The shopkeeper was not like an ordinary shop owner. He was soliciting business diligently. Instead, his face turned cold and he said, "Sir, the small hall is closed. Please be early."
The Jin envoy didn't seem to care about the shopkeeper's sarcastic words. He just walked to a shelf full of antique utensils, took down a pottery pot and looked at it, murmuring in his mouth, as if talking to himself or talking to others.
"Driving the horses to the north of Yanmen, the horses mourn at the north wind."
