The sun sets over the western mountains, and the heartbroken people are at the end of the world.
Hundreds of red-armored knights surrounded Xibo Hou Jichang, who was still standing proudly on the chariot in the middle. They walked slowly towards the white square formation.
Behind them were dozens of prison cars, in which Hong Jin and Tu Xingsun were locked powerlessly. Their eyes gradually changed from resentment to begging for mercy, then to yelling, and finally to silence and despair.
The two outstanding disciples who explained the teachings and intercepted the teachings were now reduced to prisoners, and their hearts were filled with annoyance. If they had not surrendered in a daze at that time, at this moment, they had already waited for the rescue of the king, and were accepting the praises and praises of the king. ?
But who knew that the king would come so quickly and decisively.
Even though Uncle Meng Ji was thousands of miles away, he could make Xibohou afraid of directly betraying these surrendered generals.
Three hundred thousand troops, no, plus Hong Jin's Sanshanguan garrison, a total of three hundred and fifty thousand troops, just surrendered to Di Xin's one hundred thousand tired troops.
Hong Jin couldn't figure it out, and Tu Xingsun couldn't understand it either. If he had to give an explanation.
It can only be the strongest army with an inhuman commander, which would shock the whole world.
Or maybe there is a resentful will in the dark, destined to let them die.
I saw Ji Chang respectfully stepping down from the chariot. Under the gaze of countless white-robed armored men, he walked up to the silver-armored emperor in a natural manner and sang humbly.
"My lord, Jichang, the Marquis of the West Bodhisattva, pays homage to your Majesty. I wish your Majesty happiness, longevity and health, and may the imperial majesty spread throughout the four frontiers!"
Di Xin remained silent, looking quietly at the old man who was pushing two hundred miles north of Xinjiang in front of him, with a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.
"Ji Chang, don't you think your reason is a joke? Or do you think you can fool others casually?"
Ji Chang was shocked and asked in fear: "Your Majesty, what do you mean by this? Who in the world doesn't know that our country of Zhou is the most humble. When I heard about the rebellion at Sanshan Pass, I pursued the bandits non-stop. If you don't believe me, ask the princes. Ask Hu Sheng, the defender of Jiameng Pass, and whether any of the Zhou warriors in Ji Chang have attacked the city? Have they killed a Chaoge soldier?"
"..."
The scene was a little quiet. Looking at Di Xin's inquiring eyes, E Lai stepped forward and said helplessly.
"Your Majesty, it seems that there really isn't one!"
Di Xin exhaled a white breath in the cold wind of late autumn, looking a little helpless. Xibohou did everything in a flawless manner, and found all retreats for himself in advance before taking action.
However, this time Ji Chang not only captured two great passes, but the 200 miles of land he occupied in northern Xinjiang was the most critical area of the northern Xinjiang defense line. The west of the Yellow River was called "Hexi".
Because the area is long and narrow like a corridor, it was also called the "Hexi Corridor" during the Han Dynasty.
During the Warring States Period, Wei and Qin fought five wars in Hexi. In the end, Qin had the last laugh. With this sacred land, Qin officially started its path to hegemony.
From a military point of view, there are three paths for the Zhou Kingdom to exit the customs. To the south, you can enter Shu and take the Shu Road, passing through Jingchu and southern Xinjiang, and to the north, you can enter the grassland and go in the direction of Quanrong. If you use two points In terms of straight lines, the best choice is to go through two passes, from Hexi to Northern Xinjiang, to the east directly to Binzhou and Jizhou, and to the southeast one can cut into the hinterland of Dashang and go straight to Chaoge.
Strategically, economically, and agriculturally, it is very important to the land of Northern Xinjiang, and even more important to the Zhou Kingdom.
Without Hexi, Zhou State would be Pingling State blocked by Donglu.
"Jichang, two hundred miles west of Hexi, shouldn't you give Binzhou and Chongguo an explanation?"
Ji Chang hurriedly confessed his crime and begged for mercy. His face looked very embarrassed. At this time, regardless of the etiquette of a monarch and his ministers, he pointed at the 300,000 troops behind him and said silently.
"Your Majesty, I have no intention of invading Northern Xinjiang. It's just that the 300,000 soldiers under my command must have trophies and military exploits, right? Otherwise, the next time the Quan Rong invades again, the warriors of Zhou will still be How many people are willing to go to war to guard the border, and how many are willing to obey the call?"
"You are thinking about Northern Xinjiang, should you also think about Zhou State? In the Beihai rebellion, you asked Taishi to help Chonghou Hu put down the rebellion. In the Jizhou rebellion, you led the army to conquer it yourself. When the great wizard caught wind and shadow and said something about Liaodong's Seven Killing Stars, Yinghuo, you also took the initiative to help. Northern Xinjiang defended Liaodong, and Donglu did the same. In the second expedition to Dongyi, all the country came to help. I fought bloody battles with the Rong people on the grassland, and when Xiqi was beaten to pieces, where were you? Where was the great merchant? A group of people gathered in Sanshan Guan looked at Zhou Guo's joke. Your Majesty, do you have to have a standard for your favoritism? Is Zhou Guo so disliked by you? "
"Ji Chang is the Xibohou of the Great Shang Dynasty, and the Zhou Kingdom is the barrier to the west. Can you calm down a bowl of water? I don't ask you to do anything to help Ji Chang, but can you please stop favoring others? It was my son who was assassinated. , I haven’t woken up yet. It’s because he has the Chong clan and the Tao clan that he can’t manage his own territory. Others have come to join him one after another. Everyone sincerely surrenders to them. How can I backhand and ignore them? If so, I, the Marquis of Xibo, If you don’t want fame, don’t Zhou Guo also want credibility?”
As soon as these words came out, if Hong Jin and Tu Xingsun were not so weak and weak, they would definitely have a good talk with Xibohou.
Looking at Ji Chang, who was impassioned and filled with grief and anger, Di Xin was a little stunned. It was the first time he had seen this old man dare to lose his temper in front of him. Moreover, after listening to his analysis, it seemed that this was really the case. He always helped Beijiang and Donglu fight against foreigners. Zhou Guo's words were so convincing that he could not refute them.
"The land west of Hexi has been the territory of Northern Xinjiang since ancient times, and I heard that didn't Chonghou send Chong Yingbiao to you?"
"The land west of Hexi is home to those who are capable. Your Majesty, there are 300,000 warriors in this area of the Zhou Kingdom. How can the money and food spent by Chong Ying Biao be equal? Then what dignity do I, the Marquis of Xibo, have? I am just a fool." It can be compared with a foreigner and an army of 300,000 people. If I have to give up the land west of Hexi, why don't you directly take back the title of Marquis of Xibo, lest I suffer inexplicable insults."
"hiss!"
Xibohou is so overbearing. Legally speaking, Chong Yingbiao and Boyikao are both heirs. As the eldest son, Ji Chang is the biological son of more than a dozen sons. However, since the death of the second son, Chonghou Chongying Biao was already an only son, and he did not die in the Boyi exam. However, Chonghou took his only son and did whatever he wanted. As a result, Xibohou thought it was an insult to him, and he was indeed overbearing.
On Dashang's side, the honest and loyal Evil Lai could not help but hiss. Lu Renjie was even more stunned. He pulled out the sword in his hand and stood between Ji Chang and the red-armored knight, looking at the half-hundred-year-old with eager eyes. elder.
Ji Chang was not afraid at all, his eyes were half ashamed and half acting, and he looked directly at Di Xin, which actually made the iron-blooded king feel a little embarrassed, as if he really felt I feel very sorry for him.
The atmosphere was somewhat silent. Ji Chang and Di Xin were staring at each other with big eyes. If Meng Chang, Fei Zhong, and You Hun were here, they would make Ji Chang feel ashamed. However, they came in a hurry and could not attract the eloquent ministers. Stay around.
I saw Xibohou's eyes softened, and he knelt on the ground again, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I am willing to return Sanshan Pass, Jiameng Pass and Chaoge. After all, this is the territory that belongs to the Great Shang, and I have absolutely no differences. I am heartbroken, but it is absolutely impossible for the ministers of Hexi to give up. At worst, the princes and officials in the cities in Hexi will not intervene. This land can no longer be given to Binzhou. It belongs to me, Xiqi, and I will send generals to garrison it. What do you think of coming to protect these uncles who are devoted to me, the Kingdom of Zhou?"
Seeing the stairs going down, Di Xin was still a little hesitant. He felt that he had come over in a menacing manner. The atmosphere had reached this point. Why did he feel like a villain with just a few words.
"Your Majesty! My Boyikao is still unconscious, my Xiqi has just been looted, and I have been fighting dog soldiers in the grassland for two years. Your Majesty, I feel so miserable!"
"Moreover, what do I want Chong Yingbiao to do? Young Master Chong is not my Young Master of Zhou. I have sent him back to Chonghou a long time ago. Alas! Chonghou is confused. How can I be as confused as him? Tiger poison cannot eat its seeds. Ah, Your Majesty."
Looking at Ji Chang who was crying and unable to speak, Di Xin felt a little upset, but he didn't know what to say. He could only say helplessly: "Okay, I know, you can garrison in Hexi, and at the same time, someone is needed to garrison in Northern Xinjiang. In the west of Hexi, with Sanshan Pass and Jiameng Pass as the line, the Zhou Kingdom retreats its troops and is not allowed to invade the northern border at all."
"Your Majesty, Jichang, obeys your orders, Your Majesty is wise!"
After the two sides had demarcated the boundaries and divided them into phases, Ji Chang left a dozen people in the prison car behind and returned to the military camp with great satisfaction. In just half a day, the entire Zhou army began to retreat towards Xiqi, alone. Liu Taidian led 30,000 Zhou warriors and began to deploy defenses in Hexi.
Looking at Di Xin, who was sitting in the tent and thinking hard, he couldn't figure it out. He sighed calmly and said intentionally or unintentionally: "Oh! It's so boring. I have to retreat as soon as I come here. It's better to follow Meng." When Uncle Ji defeated the Ling Kingdom, so many capable men and strangers under him stayed in the Meng Ji Kingdom in the northern Xinjiang. Presumably, following Meng Ji Bo to defeat the Linghou, there should be many opportunities to fight on the battlefield."
Di Xin frowned and looked at Xi Lai, wondering what was wrong with this fool.
However, the veteran Mengji Kingdom mentioned by Evil Lai reminded him of those people often mentioned by the Mengji generals, Zhao Bing, Deng Zhizhong, Zhong Xi, Lian Yong, and Xin Ping. Perhaps they could consider transferring troops from Mengji Kingdom?
"Very good, it seems that I am quite resourceful."
"When evil comes, send a letter urgently, asking Meng Changze to send a clever general and 50,000 troops to guard Hexi for his Chonghou."
"Hmph, if all the ministers of my great merchant were like Uncle Meng Ji, loyal and good at fighting, why would I have such a headache? Send an order to escort Hong Jin and Tu Xingsun back to Chaoge. Let me have the Great Witch Priest cut these two people into pieces with a thousand knives and execute them, and then extract their souls, crush their bones and scatter them into ashes, otherwise it will be difficult to relieve the hatred in our hearts!"
"Hu Sheng, the guard of Jiameng Pass, beheaded him in public, and sent a message to the thirty-three passes in the four frontiers to serve as a warning to others!"
When evil comes, bow your head silently and make your promise.
After dealing with the troubles in Xihe and Binzhou, Di Xin lay tiredly on the simple bed, and his mood began to become irritable again. The happiness he found from the battle of Dongyi seemed to be wasted again on the way to the emergency rescue of Northern Xinjiang. Almost exhausted.
Just thinking about it again, Di Xin felt very strange. Why did he act as if he himself had been beaten? This was obviously Northern Xinjiang, and the person in charge in Northern Xinjiang was called Chonghou Hu. It was not the territory directly under his great merchant. Why? He had finished all the matters, but Chong Hu, the person in charge, had never been present.
Is it possible that the distance from Chongcheng to here is longer than running from Donglu?
"Send the order, let the army set off and go to Chongcheng!"
The mighty main force of the merchants set out again, coming from summer to autumn. It seemed that this army had been running all the time, crossing the center line to the east, and then marching all the way west. No matter how elite the team was, it couldn't bear such a rush. , it is right not to start a war with Zhou State, otherwise it will be difficult to say whether we will win or lose if we wait for work, let alone the enemy is outnumbered and we are outnumbered.
At the request of many generals, Di Xin also slowed down the pace of the march, trying his best to let the soldiers recover their strength and let the merchants slowly transport food and open the market.
The heavy snowfall in Emperor Xin's fourth year finally came belatedly. Although it came late, it was urgent and heavy. In just one day, the earth was covered with silver, leaving only pure white in the vast sky and earth.
There is Chongshi Shanghei. On the pure white snow, a few small black dots look like tiny ants from a distance. They are galloping in the wind and snow all the way from the direction of Chongcheng. From far to near, they slowly enlarge their bodies. .
"Fang Chongcheng, Zhuo, please see the king."
After hearing the officer's announcement, Di Xin yawned and walked out tiredly from the tent with the stove lit. As soon as he opened the curtain, a biting cold wind poured into the greenhouse, causing Di Xin to shiver and simply turned over to continue. Lying on the couch, he said impatiently.
"Come in and talk, your Chonghou family is so powerful. If you don't come yourself, and send a young general over, are you really not afraid that Ji Chang will really fight all the way to Chongcheng?"
Fang Zhuo did not answer, but there was some sadness and confusion between his eyebrows, and the young man's hoarse voice slowly sounded.
"Your Majesty, Chong... Chonghou has passed away!"
An astonishing momentum broke out in the main camp. Eilai and Lu Renjie were instantly frightened and ran towards the main camp.
Before they entered the camp, they saw Di Xin walking out angrily, without saying a word, with a gloomy face and gritted teeth. He led the horse in the stable and walked out of the military camp.
"Your Majesty, what happened?"
"Your Majesty, why do you ignore evil? What happened that made you so eager to go out in the snow?"
Seeing that Di Xin ignored him, he became anxious and immediately called for his soldiers to follow him immediately. He ran all the way to Fang Zhuo and asked.
"Tell me, what did you say to the king?"
Fang Zhuo knelt on the ground silently, with tears streaming down his face. The fast pace did not make this man tired. However, after the report, he could no longer control his emotions and repeated the story in a trembling voice.
"The Marquis of Chong has passed away, and the Lord of Northern Xinjiang has passed away!"
Eilai's strong body also felt a deep chill spread throughout his body, and he immediately ran out and gave instructions to Lu Renjie.
"I also ask General Lu to lead the army slowly to Chongcheng. Chonghou has passed away. I'm afraid it will be difficult for the king to accept it for a while. We will follow the king first!"
After saying that, thousands of cavalry from the personal barracks roared out and followed the Lord of Great Shang to whom they were loyal, into the wind and snow.
As soon as he got close, he seemed to hear the king gnashing his teeth.
"I have no permission, Chonghu, how dare you, how dare you die???"
(End of chapter)
