"Drive! Drive! Drive!"
"Yin Pobai, how many days until Chaoge?"
"Your Highness, we have passed Caozhou and there should be still ten days to go."
"It's too slow. Change the horse for me. Regardless of the horse power, we will travel day and night. We must return to Chaoge within five days."
"promise!"
………………
Far away in Chaoge's palace, Bigan knelt in front of King Shang's soul with red and swollen eyes. He was Prince Xian's biological brother. How could he not be sad when his eldest brother passed away?
It is ironic to say that since ancient times, the families of princes and generals must have involved intrigues and fratricidal dramas. Starting from the Wuguan Rebellion in the Xia Dynasty, brothers fighting each other for the right to inherit their father's throne occupied a huge space in the history picture. .
The Shang Dynasty took this chaos to the extreme. There was no order between the elders and the younger ones, and the capable ones took office, but who was the capable one? There are always paranoid people, and the definition of excellence has always been that the winner is the king and the loser is the bandit. If I kill you, will it prove that I am better than you?
It was not until the early Western Zhou Dynasty that the Duke of Zhou established the system of eldest son inheritance based on Zhou rites, which allowed the situation of sons to kill their fathers and brothers to kill their brothers.
But it was only a relief. The successors to the throne of Emperor Zhou all had descendants who overturned this system, not to mention many princes and various unified dynasties in later generations.
In this regard, a certain Mingjun of the Tang Dynasty and the fourth son of the Ming Dynasty can serve as examples.
In such a chaotic succession history of the Shang Dynasty, Bigan, as Emperor Yi's younger brother, not only was not suspected, but he was in the position of prime minister and a civil servant, which was enough to prove Emperor Yi's love and trust for this younger brother.
Bi Gan is a person who is loyal and upright, has a pure heart, and is forthright and selfless for big businessmen. He can be called a model of virtue. Otherwise, it would not be described as having an exquisite heart with seven orifices, that is, the heart of a child.
Such a person can implement benevolent policies. Most of the benevolent policies during Emperor Yi's period, such as farming and mulberry farming, tax reduction and other measures, were formulated by Emperor Yi and handed over to Bigan for implementation. The advantage is that he really served the people of the world and served the people. For the sake of Chengtang and Sheji, he devoted himself selflessly to implement these political ideas.
There are also disadvantages, such as now, Huang Feihu stood aside and persuaded Bigan to poison the two brothers Zi Qi and Zhong Yan, but Bigan was upright and kind and did not want to kill his own people.
These are my nephews, my dear brother's eldest son and youngest son. They have not rebelled, but I want to kill them. An uncle or a minister should not do such a thing.
Huang Feihu was so angry that he could not wait to draw his sword and rush into the royal court and stab the two princes to death.
They had not rebelled yet, but Zi Qi contacted the general of Tongguan and abandoned King Guan Qin. Zhong Yan also spread among the people that Zi Qi was smart and virtuous, and could inherit Emperor Yi's benevolent government well. If Zi Shou was allowed to succeed, the Yin Shang Dynasty would only He can go to war and fall into a situation that is beyond redemption.
If Shang Rong had not noticed the abnormality and warned Huang Feihu in advance to take more precautions, at this moment, Yin Tong, the guard of Tongguan, would have rushed to the west gate of Chaoge and forced the palace to change the edict surrounded by many people who were deceived.
Is that because they didn’t do it? That wasn't done.
This makes the old prime minister very helpless and too kind.
Seeing Shang Rong gesticulating the number "four" under the main hall, shaking his head slightly, Huang Feihu patted his head and finally thought about it.
In a moment of anger, he forgot Dr. Shang Rong's instructions.
"Prime Minister, since you won't kill these two sons, then I will send Zhou Ji and Long Huan to keep an eye on Zi Qi, and Huang Ming and Wu Qian to keep an eye on Zhong Yan. They will be banned from the palace and cannot contact the outside world. How about that?"
"You really don't want to kill?"
"The late king issued an edict before his death, but the grand master has not replied. You will be responsible for all the paperwork. I will not kill you until you give the order."
"But, after all, they are two princes, so the four generals must not be rude and must treat them with princely courtesy."
Seeing that Uncle Wang was about to cry in front of the late king's spirit after he had finished speaking, Huang Feihu hurriedly pulled Bigan and said, "Prime Minister, there is nothing more sad than that. There is one more thing. Before the death of the late king, the late king issued an edict to let Xibohou Jichang and Dongbohou Jiang Huanchu take care of him." Fuling, the Northern Bohou Chonghou Hu, the Southern Bohou E Chongyu pays tribute to the new king. This is the relationship between the princes. You have to start to deal with it immediately. It is to kill, to imprison, and to pay tribute. Draw up a charter, and we can prepare it in advance. Prepare."
After hearing this, Bigan stopped crying. This was a big deal and should not be taken lightly. He immediately stood up and called the ministers under the main hall to come forward. He was summoned to supervise the matter in front of the coffin of the late king.
"The late king has an order. Nanbohou E Chongyu has not yet completed his full victory in conquering Jiuli. After Nandu, the number of people and animals increased by five thousand. Do you have any objections?"
Shang Rong immediately stepped forward: "The new king needs to show his dignity when he ascends the throne. Southern Xinjiang has failed to perform its duties and should be punished. In previous years, the four princes paid tribute at the beginning of autumn with 5,000 people and sacrifices. This... is equivalent to the tribute paid by Enanhou this year. The number of human sacrifices has doubled, is it too much?"
All the ministers discussed it and finally decided on the regulations. The punishment must be punished, otherwise the new king's majesty would not be displayed. The weak Nandu did not dare to disobey, and his status was sufficient, just to show to the princes from all over the world that the new king would succeed to the throne. Dashang still has the power to overpower the four great princes.
"Jiang Huanchu, the Marquis of Dongbo, made great achievements in conquering the Yi people in the east. Although there were flaws, it happened for a reason. The late king also asked him to help the spirit shovel the soil. I propose that on top of the banquet, I will reward you with three gold coins, drive five carts, and enjoy three animals. Can you please have it? objection?"
Everyone will not refuse this. The relationship between the new king and Jianghou's husband, the new king succeeds to the throne, and Jiang is the queen. In the future, Donglu will be Chaoge's biggest supporter. Even if this support is not that strong, he is often messed up by Dongyi. He was anxious and worried, not as comfortable as E Chongyu, but with that relationship, Jiang Hou would be able to sit back and relax in the future.
Besides, it's just a small reward, just to give you enough face, but the actual benefit is not big, it's just a trivial matter.
"Beibohou Chonghouhu, alas, Beibohou lost troops and generals one after another, and there was a rebellion in Beihai under his rule. The late king wanted Binzhouhou to take over Northern Xinjiang, but recently there was a letter from the Grand Master saying that the incident in Beihai was very serious, so I thought he should give it to him I have shifted some responsibility away, please discuss this matter."
Northern Xinjiang is difficult to deal with. As an important barrier to isolate the Western Zhou Dynasty, Chonghouhu failed once, but most of them still completed this task conscientiously.
Nowadays, Northern Xinjiang is eroding and has gradually changed from a barrier to rely on to a drag bottle holding on to the center. This matter has made all the ministers remain silent and dare not say anything.
What is at stake in Northern Xinjiang is money and food, but their military strength should not be underestimated. If we do not consider reality and purely rely on military strength, and let Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang fight across thousands of miles, E Chongyu would have to move the capital to 100,000 Become a prince in the mountains.
"Let's put it aside for now. When the Grand Master's class returns to the court, the Grand Master will order Chonghou Hu to come back and punish him personally." Seeing that everyone was silent, Huang Feihu suggested.
"What the general said is absolutely true, let's wait until the grand master comes back to deal with it." All the ministers agreed one after another.
That's good. I won't offend Bei Bohou or the Grand Master. If Chonghou Hu is demoted and replaced by Binzhou Marquis, the war on the northern front will be affected. Who will be responsible for this? If someone accidentally forces rebellion. Chonghouhu, the whole family has to be used by the king to make sacrificial supplies and high-level human sacrifices.
"The Marquis of Xibo...the late king proposed that Jichang be given a golden festival axe, and that he march to the west to strengthen the reputation of Shang. Who will do this?"
"…………"
Everyone was silent. This job was not easy to take. Ji Chang was an eloquent person. The last time his official Du Zhu went to the Western Zhou Dynasty as an envoy, he ordered the Western Zhou Dynasty to send troops to attack the Rong. As a result, Ji Chang said "June 3," Fu Yi: Sincere and evil, don't use it for ten years, there is no profit." He was blocked and came back.
Du Zhu didn't understand the meaning of this sentence until his death, and he was dragged out by Emperor Yi to sacrifice to the Qiu God in a daze.
Later, Taizhu thought it was like Bagua divination, and after looking up Fuxi Bagua, he understood what Xibohou meant.
'This matter is unlucky. Don't mention it to me again for ten years, otherwise the war will not go smoothly. '
It's very annoying to deal with the magic stick. The god talks about it every day. If you don't follow along and learn some Yi Li and Fuxi Bagua, you really don't understand what he is expressing.
The Western Zhou Dynasty had the confidence to do this, fooling the envoy and showing off his talents in front of Emperor Yi.
Although he was beaten to pieces by the Grand Master later, the matter of going out to fight against the Quanrong army stopped there. It is better to lose one battle than to take revenge on the petty barbarians every year.
"Huh? No one agrees with this matter? What are you afraid of?"
Bigan can understand their concerns, but does not accept it. We are the invincible Shang Dynasty, so what does the Western Zhou Dynasty mean? You people who hold high positions in the Shang Dynasty, why are you so afraid of a Bohou?
"Prime Minister, after Xibohou entered the court, I would like to lobby." A young official stood up and said respectfully to Bigan.
"Very good, very good. Who are you? Where do you live temporarily?"
The young man lowered his body and said loudly: "I, Fei Zhong, will temporarily serve as the junior minister's assistant historian, with the rank of non-commissioned officer, to organize the history of our great business."
There have always been two systems for official positions in large merchants. The foreign affairs officers were appointed by the princes themselves, emphasizing 'democracy and freedom' and never interfering;
The officials in the inner court are divided into fields (agriculture), history, rituals and music, Li (people), city, Rong (soldiers) and other departments, and their ranks range from junior ministers (officers, civil servants), lower officials, to upper officials.
"Doctor Xinjia, this person is your official. Is it okay if you order him to do this?"
"Fei Zhong is smart, good at writing and argumentative, and he is the son of a prince and a princess. He can be entrusted with this task."
"Very good, then I'll leave this matter to you!"
"Promise, I will do my best."
————————————————————————
Just as Dashang was in full swing dealing with many matters after the death of the late king, Mengchang found a valley that was sheltered from the wind and snow on the plains on the border of Taicheng in Beihai and hid in it with his army. .
"What happened?" Seeing that the bonfire to ward off the cold and make food had not been lit, Meng Chang came over and asked.
"General, the wind and snow are too heavy, and flint cannot burn hay." The soldier trembled with his hands, and after a long time of fighting, no sparks were seen.
Mengchang pulled up the soldiers, pulled out the long sword in his hand, and turned on the Burning Wasteland. The sword body that was suddenly given high temperature ignited the dry grass. The excited soldiers shouted, "The general's magical power is revealed."
These little tips on skills should not be used frequently, otherwise you will die of anemia in the snow before you reach Beihai City.
The bonfire was lit, and the soldiers took the ignited firewood and returned to the fire pit where they were sitting to light a fire and make food.
You can enjoy this kind of warmth and hot food only during the day and in the empty and dark world at night. It is not a wise move to light such a conspicuous fire.
Unless we find a good place that is protected from the wind on all sides, but this is a plain, and everyone is content with a small hill.
"General, the next step forward is the countryside where Bifang is. What are our plans?" Bian Ji asked with a trembling voice while holding a bowl of hot soup.
This boy saw Meng Chang going out for the battle. Without saying a word, he immediately followed him with his armor and sword. According to what he said, his father was the deputy general of Lintong officer, and he was also a guest general. If the guest general did not follow the guest general, he would still Wouldn't it be nice to go with someone who you like, and go crazy together?
Meng Chang felt warm in his heart when he looked at Bian Ji. He was a little impulsive at the time and really couldn't think of any good solution.
I just thought about it, thinking that killing one more person would reduce the burden on Beijiang behind enemy lines, and I could also find some opponents who could match them to upgrade their skills, and shorten my own skill growth time.
Huddled in Yancheng, with only this few troops, they are really waiting to die.
And, he had a gut feeling.
If he left, the grand master who was accustomed to taking the overall situation into consideration would definitely stay in Yancheng for a while, waiting for Chonghou Hu to lead people to change the defense.
The withdrawal was to ensure the stability of northern Xinjiang as much as possible, and to directly give up an empty natural pass city. This is not the style of the Grand Master.
It's a pity that even though my brothers have suffered so much, the road ahead is so difficult, and I don't know how far I can go.
"Get around it. This kind of strange beast is not something we can deal with at the moment. Tomorrow let the scouts go explore the area around Jiu City. If we are lucky, we can spend the winter in Jiu City."
Jiucheng is one of the seventy-two princes in Beihai. Its leader is Wu Qi, the guard of Jiucheng.
This was what Meng Chang wrote down on the complete map of Beihai when the vanguard army was discussing the attack on Daizong. This map in his mind was their opportunity to settle down in this territory where monsters were rampant.
At the same time, Jiucheng is also an important starting point for him to realize his conjecture.
