Every spring plowing year, there are drizzles, and there is also a folk saying of spring rains and summer floods.
Looking at the small water flowing down from under the eaves, and the wet green trees in the yard dripping with large drops of rain, Bai Yan walked all the way to the door of the mansion under the leadership of his servants.
The servants guarding the mansion are all cavalry soldiers wearing bamboo hats. The Liu family's servants in the past have been sent away from the mansion long ago.
After all, Bai Yan and Bai Yan's female family members live in the mansion. If something goes wrong, Ms. Liu will be panicked.
It didn't take long.
A carriage came from the street in the distance, followed by a slight trace of muddy water on the road, and the axles turned as it gradually arrived outside the mansion.
Seeing that the groom driving the horse and several men on horseback were all familiar to Bai Yan, Bai Yan watched Mr. Wei walk out of the carriage, raised his hands, and saluted Mr. Wei.
"Disciple Bai Yan, meet your mentor!"
Bai Yan spoke softly.
Mr. Wei's old face and hair had become paler in the past two years. After seeing Bai Yan, his eyes were full of smiles. When he saw the servant next to Bai Yan, he ignored Bai Yan and hurriedly came to his side holding an umbrella. , Mr. Wei didn't know that this was what Bai Yan had already ordered.
With a thoughtful sigh in his heart, Mr. Wei couldn't help but look at the corpse of his friend next to him with a proud look in his eyes, and then he simply returned the gift to Bai Yan and finished the ceremony in a hurry.
"It's raining, let's go in!"
Mr. Wei said.
Bai Yan looked up and was a little surprised when he saw Xi Cheng and Xi Lao. After he realized what he was doing, he quickly saluted Xi Cheng.
"Bai Yan, pay homage to the corpse!"
Bai Yan said, the black hair under Jue Bian was gradually getting wet as the rain fell. However, Bai Yan didn't care at all at this time. Perhaps leading the army all year round, Bai Yan has experienced more embarrassing experiences than this. Been through this many times.
"He is just an old man now, how can he show his corpse!"
Xi Cheng raised his hand to return the salute to Bai Yan. After the salute, he shook his head helplessly.
Due to the rain, Bai Yan and Xi Cheng didn't wait long before the three of them hurriedly entered the mansion.
In the study room of the mansion.
Master Xu had just brought the tea. He walked down the corridor and came to the study with the guards of cavalry officers. Before he entered, he heard Mr. Wei's voice. When he opened the door and went in, he saw Mr. Wei standing with his hands behind his back, a look on his face. He looked at Bai Yan with hatred, as if he was scolding Bai Yan.
Xicheng, Shen Yi, and Zhao Qiu were all standing aside, watching this scene silently. Zhao Qiu had a smile on his face, as if he was very happy to see Bai Yan being scolded.
"You oh you!!!"
Mr. Wei saw that it was Zhao Qiu who came in, and knew that Zhao Qiu was Bai Yan's confidant, so he sighed and then continued to look at Bai Yan.
"Destroy Zhao? Destroy Wei? Destroy Chu? Or do you think that if you offer the Nine Provinces Cauldron, you will be able to sit back and relax in Qin in the future?"
Mr. Wei spoke to Bai Yan, and then pointed out the window.
"The sky will change! Not to mention people! If one day, you are powerless and powerless, have you ever thought about what will happen? Ying Zheng's favor for you is true..."
When Mr. Wei said this, his eyes were filled with solemnity and he became even more serious.
"But Ying Zheng is also a human being! As the king of Qin, Ying Zheng cannot ignore the officials of the Qin court and the important officials in the court! As a member of the Ying family, Ying Zheng cannot ignore the power of his clan and the gentry in Guanzhong! Not to mention, Ying Zheng dare not After killing all the scholars in the world, Yingzheng still needs the scholars of the world, and for him, Yingzheng will govern the territory of hundreds of rivers..."
Mr. Wei sighed deeply and frowned at his disciple. When he thought that his disciple had a foolish and loyal heart, Mr. Wei didn't know whether he should be happy or angry.
"Opening up territory for the Qin State and stationing in the north for the Qin State are all actions under orders. How can there be any reason to go against the Ying Zheng?"
Mr. Wei turned around and said softly, the implication of which was to tell Bai Yan that it was Ying Zheng who supported and favored Bai Yan, not Qin Guo.
Only by following Ying Zheng's orders and being ordered to guard the northern border and defend the world for Ying Zheng, how can there be any talk of betrayal? The Qin State is controlled by Ying Zheng and ordered by Ying Zheng, but the Qin State is not the Qin State owned by Ying Zheng alone.
"If you hadn't always had prestige in Northern Xinjiang, and if Ying Zheng hadn't entrusted you with the military power of Northern Xinjiang, even if Ying Zheng had approved your marriage to Tian Ding's daughter, the Bai family might not have given up! You know the Bai family's connections best. , This is true in court, and even more so in private!"
Mr. Wei tilted his head slightly and said, "If you don't have real power, who will respect you?"
When he said this last sentence, Mr. Wei was already a little stern.
Zhao Qiu on the side couldn't help but look at Bai Yan sympathetically when he heard what Mr. Wei said. However, Zhao Qiu thought that Mr. Wei's words were absolutely correct. Bai Yan, who had no rights, was just using money and some time means. , can kill people.
In the past, there were many people from the old tribes who were good at these methods, not to mention that there were many people in the Qin court who didn't like Bai Yan.
However, when he heard the mention of the Tian family's daughter, the smile in Zhao Qiu's eyes gradually faded. Even his pretty face showed a trace of gloominess, and even his brows wrinkled unnaturally.
In the study.
The old Xi Cheng and Shen Yi were silent as they watched Zhao Qiu pour the tea. For them, Bai Yan was their best and only choice if Qin swallowed the world.
In the Qin court, Bai Yan had enough connections and power. The Feng family was the prime minister, the Yang family was an official, and there was no shortage of connections among the Ying family. In the military, Bai Yan had even more connections.
With Bai Yan in Northern Xinjiang, the nobles from Zhao, Wei, and Yan all had access, whether it was official career or influence on Qin.
In addition, Bai Yan has already married Tian Ding’s daughter!
Thinking of this, Xi Cheng couldn't help but look at Shen Yi with emotion on his face.
Tian Ding lost power, but who dared to despise Tian Ding's connections and influence in Qi State? Not to mention the Jixia Academy, where countless famous teachers and scholars had befriended Tian Ding. Among the soldiers in the five capitals of Qi State, there were two. To Tian Ding's left and right, there were two others who were Tian Ding's friends.
The State of Qi follows a five-capital system. Even if the Qi State's court is in Linzi, the military power of the State of Qi will be divided. This is also recorded in ancient silk. Qi gathers troops from the five capitals to attack a certain place.
Linzi, Pinglu, A, Jimo and Ju, when I think of these five places, all the soldiers, horses and military power of Qi are distributed. I think of Jixia Academy, which is similar to the talented people in Xunzhou, and Tian Ding has a great talent for those people. Affection.
"teacher!"
Bai Yan felt the gazes of Xi Cheng and others beside him. Looking at Mr. Wei's back, Bai Yan naturally knew that Mr. Wei's actions were for his own good.
But Bai Yan was really afraid that one day, all the arrangements made by Mr. Wei and the countless gentry forces attached to him would eventually turn into a sword, forcing Bai Yan to have no way out.
"disciple……"
Before Bai Yan finished speaking, he suddenly heard the sound of rapid footsteps. Seeing this, Bai Yan stopped. After a few breaths, he saw the soldiers reporting outside the door, and the news came from all over the ground.
Hearing this, Bai Yan looked at Mr. Wei, looked at each other, and then let the soldiers outside the door in.
Bai Yan took the bamboo slip from the soldier and opened it. When he saw the bamboo slip, he told in detail that the King of Qi had mobilized 200,000 Qi troops to station at the border of Gaotang, and another 150,000 to station at Pinglu. .
Although he was mentally prepared, Bai Yan was still amazed by the Qi State. The territory of the Qi State was far less vast than the Chu State. Without war, now in such a short period of time, the King of Qi was able to mobilize an army of 350,000 troops and stick to Gaotang and Pinglu.
Under Zhao Qiu's gaze, Bai Yan finished reading the bamboo slips and handed them to Mr. Wei for viewing.
"Let King Ben of Chu lead his troops to Pinglu, and after Dai Dai is destroyed, he will transfer the Yanmen garrison to Gaotang, and then send Li Xin south to Linzi!"
After reading it, Mr. Wei handed the bamboo slips to Xicheng. After thinking for a while, he gave Bai Yan a suggestion.
Bai Yan nodded when he heard this. If the King of Qi could mobilize 350,000 troops to the border in such a short period of time, he must have mobilized the garrison in Acheng and Jimo. In this way, only the garrison in Jucheng would be left.
Bai Yan is not worried about Jucheng. Although Jucheng is an important city and the heart of Qi State, the person who serves as the city commander is Lin Anshun.
Lin Anshun was brought up by Mr. Wei and was promoted by Tian Ding. With Lin Anshun here, even if the Jucheng garrison was mobilized, Bai Yan would know about it.
"Teacher, there is no need for Yanmen to send troops!"
Bai Yan said to Mr. Wei, and then whispered the advice Zhao Qiu had given him in the past in front of Mr. Wei, Xicheng and Shen Yi.
As Bai Yan spoke, not to mention Xi Cheng and Shen Yi, even Mr. Wei looked at Zhao Qiu in surprise. They did not expect that Zhao Qiu would help and take the initiative.
When he saw Zhao Qiu's face was a little flushed, and the pretty face with the beauty mark was full of unnatural looks, Mr. Wei suddenly thought of something, turned his head, and looked at Bai Yan meaningfully. There was a forbearance in his old eyes. He couldn't help but look Bai Yan up and down.
Mr. Wei's actions made Xi Cheng and Shen Yi understand, and they all smiled and nodded in realization.
at this time.
Zhao Qiu, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, looked at Bai Yan angrily with his beautiful eyes. Especially when he saw the smiles of the three old men, Mr. Wei, Shicheng and Shen Yi, Zhao Qiu felt a little embarrassed.
"This is a favor, I have to pay it back in the future!"
Zhao Qiu said to Bai Yan.
However, Zhao Qiu's seemingly explanation made Wei and the other three smile even more. Even Master Xu on the side looked at Zhao Qiu with a strange expression.
"Bai Yan, remember this!"
Bai Yan raised his hand and saluted Zhao Qiu, which was regarded as a relief for Zhao Qiu.
Seeing Zhao Qiusong's tone, Bai Yan also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and then he no longer struggled with Mr. Wei's past actions. In other words, Bai Yan still wanted to express his worries to Mr. Wei in private, so he looked at Mr. Wei. Tell the details of Ying Zheng’s plan to persuade King Qi to surrender.
……………………
Two days later.
When Mr. Wei arrived, Bai Yan took the carriage again, left Fuliu, and went all the way to Gaotang City.
Not only Mr. Wei was accompanying him, but Xicheng and Shen Yi were also following him all the way.
Shicheng might also want to go with Mr. Wei to pay homage to Tian Jin's tomb, and also go to Qi State to meet his old friends! Shen Yi also had some reasons for Tian Ding, but more importantly, it was because of Zhao Qiu, and she also wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to be by Bai Yan's side and make suggestions for Bai Yan.
At Shen Yi's age, he knows what kind of people can easily be regarded as one of his own!
Inside Gaotang City.
As the carriage drove along, it slowly stopped when it arrived in front of a mansion.
After Bai Yan got off the carriage, he saw a man wearing Qin official uniform and came forward to salute.
"Guan Yi, meet Lord Wu Lie!"
Guan Yi, who was in his forties, raised his hand to salute Bai Yan.
Guan Yi was the city guard of Gaotang. It is said that Guan Yi's ancestor was a descendant of Guan Zhong. Guan Zhong was also called Guan Yiwu. His surname was Ji, his given name was Yiwu, and his courtesy name was Zhong.
"Wei Zeng, meet Lord Wu Lie!"
"Jia Yan, meet Mr. Wu Lie!!"
Behind Guan Yi, other officials also bowed their hands to Bai Yan.
Since Bai Yan had ordered someone to greet him in advance, the only people who greeted Bai Yan were Guan Yi and some officials. The nobles of Gaotang were not there.
"Bai Yan has seen the Guancheng Order!"
Bai Yan saluted Guan Yi.
When he looked at the officials behind Guan Yi, they all looked rosy, somewhat fat, and in their thirties or forties, Bai Yan didn't find it strange.
As a prosperous land, Gaotang has more than fifty cities. From this, it can be seen that Gaotang has a large population and fertile land. Along with it, there are naturally many nobles.
From the clothes of these officials, it can be seen that in Gaotang, even being an official requires personal connections.
"Wu Liejun, please!"
Guan Yi chatted with Bai Yan for a while. When he saw that the man Bai Yan brought had entered the mansion to check for safety, he saluted Bai Yan and signaled Bai Yan to go to the mansion.
"please!"
Bai Yan raised his hand to return the salute.
At this time, other officials had already left after saluting. Bai Yan turned around and asked Mr. Wei, Zhao Qiu and others to get off the carriage, and then the group followed Guan Yi into the mansion.
But what Bai Yan didn't expect was that after entering the mansion, Guan Yi led them to the courtyard and stopped.
"Wu Liejun!"
Guan Yi turned around and saluted Bai Yan, then took out a bamboo slip from the sleeve pocket of his official uniform and handed it to Bai Yan with both hands.
Bai Yan was a little surprised when he saw Guan Yi's actions. Even Mr. Wei and others behind Bai Yan looked at Guan Yi in surprise.
With doubts, Bai Yan took the piece of bamboo and looked at the content on it.
When he learned that Tian Ding was in the city and had been waiting, Bai Yan's eyes moved and he looked up at Guan Yi.
"Where is he? Please trouble the city commander and bring him to his mansion!"
Bai Yan put away the bamboo slips, raised his hands, and saluted Guan Yi.
Bai Yan had previously received the news that Tian Ding had left Qi State and headed for Xianyang. Unexpectedly, Guan Yi said that Tian Ding was in the city here.
If Tian Ding is really in Gaotang, then this means that Guan Yi in front of him is Tian Ding's man!
However, when Bai Yan thought about it, Guan Yi was a minister of Zhao before. In order to stabilize the people of Gaotang after Qin destroyed Zhao, the Qin court continued to appoint Gaotang city magistrate. Earlier, Zhao had not yet joined Qi. When Gaotang was captured from the imperial state, the Guan family was in Gaotang. At that time, the Guan family was a minister of Qi.
Thinking of the relationship behind this, Bai Yan felt relieved.
Bai Yan knew that Tian Ding, as the head of the Qi clan, had too many ways to recruit a noble clan.
"promise!"
Guan Yi glanced at Bai Yan, saluted Bai Yan, turned around and left respectfully.
See this.
Xi Cheng and Shen Yi were both a little surprised. After all, they could feel the obvious difference in Guan Yi's attitude before and after. If Guan Yi was talking to Bai Yan outside the mansion just now, it was an official of the Qin State saluting Daliang Zao. Guan Yi would prefer to be close to Bai Yan in the mansion.
Mr. Wei looked at the bamboo slips handed over by Bai Yan and held them in his hands.
After seeing the above content, Mr. Wei also looked surprised, and then he understood why Guan Yi's attitude was inconsistent.
Thinking that Tian Ding was in the city, Mr. Wei thought of all the previous doubts and finally relaxed.
There were many things that Mr. Wei wanted to ask Tian Ding personally, especially since Tian Ding had been clearly advocating for Bai Yan to return to Qi and to fight against Qin. Why did he suddenly, uncharacteristically, not only leave the Qi court, but also not advocate it? He resisted Qin and finally betrothed his daughter to Bai Yan.
Bai Yan is Mr. Wei's disciple. Mr. Wei must see Tian Ding and ask clearly about this matter in person!
