Although the King of Qin was happy to profit from the grassland, what really made him happy was to expand the territory. He became a pioneering king and could leave his name in history. As expected, he was right about Xiang Shaolong, and named Xiang Shaolong the "Champion Lord".
Xiang Shaolong had no feelings for the title of Marquis, but when he learned that he was called "Champion Marquis", he was overjoyed. This was Huo Qubing's title. In the competition of later generations, the first place is called the "champion". Could it be that the Huns are destined to be the runner-up? Whoever defeats him will be the first, and the Huns are the legendary second best. In the future, when the Central Plains is unified and the Huns become vassals, you can suggest that their chanyu be named "Yajunhou".
Xiang Shaolong and Wang Jian took turns to attack, and the development of the border was changing with each passing day.
Just when the border was developing step by step, the King of Qin suddenly summoned Xiang Shaolong back to Xianyang.
In this year (247 BC), Wang Hao conquered various cities in Shangdang and established them as Taiyuan County. Lu Buwei also took advantage of the feud between Wei and Zhao and sent Meng Ao to defeat Wei and attack Zhao, conquering thirty-seven cities in a row. This prompted the eastern countries to unite again. Wei Wuji, the king of Xinling, led the five-nation coalition forces of Yan, Zhao, Han, Chu, and Wei to attack Qin. Meng Ao was defeated and retreated to Hangu Pass, and the five-nation coalition troops came to the city.
Lu Buwei was eager for quick success and wanted to continue attacking, but the military suggested holding on, and the two sides argued.
At this time, Xiang Shaolong was worshiped as a general. In the past three years, he had swept across Mobei and gained great fame. At this dilemma, King Qin thought of Xiang Shaolong.
Xiang Shaolong asked Wang Jian to control all border affairs and returned to Xianyang day and night.
When he arrived in Xianyang, he went directly to the palace to see King Qin.
Above the main hall, important civil and military ministers were standing on both sides, arguing intensely. The King of Qin was overjoyed when he heard Xiang Shaolong's audience and hurriedly summoned him.
Looking at the dusty Xiang Shaolong, King Qin felt both happy and unbearable at the same time. He said, "Shaolong, you have worked hard all the way."
Xiang Shaolong knelt down and said, "Kowtow to your Majesty."
King Qin said: "Ping Sheng. Shaolong already knows what happened. Will Shaolong support the attack or hold on?"
Xiang Shaolong didn't ask anyone else's opinion and said directly: "I will take charge of the defense."
Lu Buwei said loudly: "Taiyuan County, Sanchuan County, and Shangdang County are related to the rise and fall of our Great Qin Dynasty's hegemony. If Wuji's son Chen Bing is allowed to go outside the pass, once the three counties are lost, they will lose their strength, which will be even more unfavorable."
General Du Bi said: "The five-nation coalition forces are so powerful that if they abandon the danger of Hangu Pass and go to war rashly, once they are defeated, Hangu Pass may not be protected. At that time, the coalition forces were marching forward, and the foundation of Qin Dynasty was afraid that it would be destroyed. At this moment, It is better to defend than to attack."
Heng Gong, an important military minister, said: "Jun Xinling is a resourceful man. He defeated our army outside HD City back then. We can learn from our mistakes."
General Xu Xian said: "Our army has suffered a new defeat and its energy has been weakened. Even if Sun Wu is resurrected, we must temporarily avoid the edge."
King Qin asked: "What's Shaolong's reason?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "Hangu Pass is surrounded by plateau to the west, Juejian to the east, Qinling Mountains to the south, and the Yellow River to the north. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It can be said that one man can guard the pass and ten thousand men cannot open it. With General Meng's talent, it is not difficult to defend it. The power of our country, Great Qin, is growing day by day, but we are still unable to conquer the world in one battle. The six eastern kingdoms are constantly in trouble. This time, it was the enmity between Wei and Zhao that gave us an opportunity. Now we have conquered thirty-seven cities, and we have taken advantage of it. , enough is enough. If we continue, we will have to face the combined forces of all the countries, which will only hurt both sides, hurt the vitality of our Qin Dynasty, and is not conducive to the unification of the six countries by our Qin Dynasty. For the current plan, we should develop ourselves with peace of mind and let the six countries kill each other. , when the time is ripe, it won’t be too late for us, Great Qin, to advance eastwards.”
Xiang Shaolong had said these words to King Qin three years ago and proposed a plan of "economic aggression".
But this time King Qin was persuaded by Lu Buwei, which led to today's defeat.
King Qin said: "The coalition forces are outside the pass. How can we retreat?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "The soul of Hezong is Lord Xinling. Once Lord Xinling is gone, the siege of the coalition forces will be relieved."
King Qin asked: "How can I go to Lord Xinling?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "Jun Xinling has great prestige and is tabooed by King Wei. Does King Wei really hope that Lord Xinling will return with a great victory? Isn't he afraid that the day of Lord Xinling's triumph will be the day when he will be crowned? Since the military situation is urgent , I am willing to send an envoy to Wei to retreat for the king."
King Qin exclaimed: "No, now that the two countries are at war, how can Shaolong put himself in danger?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "This is the fastest way to force Lord Xinling to retreat."
The King of Qin said: "Shaolong, you are our Great General of Qin. It would be too dangerous for you to be sent as an envoy to Wei. Isn't there any other way?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "Your Majesty, you have been discussing it for several days. If there is another way, you don't have to wait until I come back. Thanks to your Majesty's respect, at this critical moment, I have consulted my ministers and dare not risk my life." Serve the king." These words were so beautiful that they made King Qin's heart feel hot.
Lu Buwei said: "Your Majesty, what Shaolong said is reasonable. We have been discussing for many days with no results. Shaolong's strategy is indeed the most effective way."
Lu Buwei held a grudge in his heart towards Xiang Shaolong. Originally, the Wu family came to Xianyang to seek refuge with themselves, and the Wu family's financial resources would be an important help to them. However, Xiang Shaolong surpassed him and directly hooked up with the prince, and was appreciated by the king. He was out of his control, so that he could not get help from the Wu family. In the past three years, the Wu family has done nothing for themselves. Moreover, Xiang Shaolong was trusted by the king and was his enemy. He proposed such a dangerous method, so he went along with the situation and borrowed the help of Wei State to kill him. Therefore, he strongly supported Xiang Shaolong's mission to Wei State.
Xiang Shaolong has been deliberately making good friends with the military and drawing a clear line with Lu Buwei over the years, so he has won the favor of the military, especially Xu Xian, Wang Lu, and Hegong. Therefore, the military unanimously opposed Xiang Shaolong's mission to Wei.
As for civil servants such as Cai Ze and Wang Wan, or the royal family, there was no objection or approval. Going to Wei as an envoy is indeed the best way at the moment. If you object to Xiang Shaolong going, do you want to go on his behalf? But he wouldn't want to put Xiang Shaolong in danger like Lu Buwei did.
King Qin did not want Xiang Shaolong to be involved in danger and just shook his head.
Xiang Shaolong said: "Your Majesty, if we take out some benefits, this trip may not necessarily lead to death."
King Qin asked: "What kind of benefits are we going to get?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "We still need to continue to consider this matter, and we cannot make a decision in a hurry."
King Qin glanced at everyone and asked, "Do you have any other ideas?"
Everyone was silent.
King Qin secretly sighed in his heart: "In all the civil and military dynasties, this young dragon is the only one who is not afraid of hardships and dangers and is loyal to the country."
King Qin said: "Then please leave it to Shaolong. Shaolong stays and the others retreat."
After everyone left, only King Qin and Xiang Shaolong were left.
The King of Qin said: "Shaolong has expanded thousands of miles in northern Xinjiang, and his martial arts skills are unparalleled. Now even the appointment of the envoy to Wei depends on Shaolong. I am ashamed of Shaolong!"
Xiang Shaolong said: "Your Majesty, Xiang Shaolong has gained your Majesty's trust and there is nothing to repay. Besides, it was me who proposed the mission. How can I put others in danger?"
The King of Qin said: "The civil and military debates in the Manchu Dynasty have been going on for many days. The one who may be able to relieve our worries is Shaolong! Shaolong, do you have a plan in mind? Will King Wei (Anli) fall into the trap?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "Your Majesty, this is not a trick, but it is really possible. We are just trying to expose it. If we don't say it, wouldn't King Wei think so?"
King Qin asked: "How does Shaolong plan to persuade King Wei?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "I haven't thought about it yet. I can only adapt to circumstances when the time comes. This mission will definitely involve sacrificing some economic interests. Please give me arbitrary power, your Majesty."
The King of Qin said: "Shaolong has been loyal and dedicated to the country since he entered our country. If Shaolong cannot be trusted, how can there be anyone who can be trusted? Well, Shaolong will decide all matters on his own when he goes to Wei State. He will report back when he comes back." Can."
Xiang Shaolong said: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will definitely live up to your Majesty's trust."
King Qin said: "Go and see the prince. In the past few years, you have not been in Xianyang. The prince often complained that I sent you to northern Xinjiang."
Xiang Shaolong said: "Yes. I have been corresponding with the prince, and I am very concerned about him."
King Qin smiled and said: "I'm afraid that not only the prince, but also Taifu Qin has been communicating with me."
Xiang Shaolong smiled awkwardly.
King Qin continued: "Teacher Qin is the most talented woman in our Da Qin, and no ordinary person can match her. Shao Long's character and talents are top notch in our Da Qin, and even in the world. I am willing to match him, just look at Shao Long It’s up to you.”
Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed and bowed: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
King Qin said, "Go ahead. Master Qin should be giving lessons to the prince now."
Xiang Shaolong resigned.
After three years of not seeing each other, Goddess Qin is still beautiful, and seems to be more bookish; Prince Zheng is taller, with sharp-edged face, sharp eyebrows, high nose, and thick lips. He is no longer as simple as a farm boy, but has an air of elegance. A world-shaking momentum.
Seeing Xiang Shaolong coming, the two of them looked surprised, stopped teaching, and greeted him together.
Xiang Shaolong greeted him first, clasped his fists and said, "I've met the Crown Prince. Master Qin is polite."
Prince Zheng said happily: "No need to be too polite. Taifu Xiang, you are back. You have not fulfilled your duties as a Taifu in these years. You don't have to leave again this time."
Qin Qing also said: "Taifu Xiang is polite! In the past three years, Taifu Xiang has become so powerful in Mobei that he has reached the rank of general. I am very happy and congratulated."
Xiang Shaolong said: "I am going to send an envoy to Wei State immediately to relieve the siege on the front line."
Prince Zheng was surprised and said: "The two countries are at war. Isn't it too dangerous to send an envoy to Wei? Who came up with the idea to send Taifu Xiang to an enemy country?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "I proposed it myself. We have been discussing it for several days with no result. The front line is urgent and we can't wait any longer. Your Majesty has given me arbitrary power, so I should be able to escape unscathed."
Prince Zheng said: "How could Taifu Xiang put himself in danger? Lu Buwei originally advocated sending troops, but now that the army is defeated, he wants Taifu Xiang to take risks and solve the problem. Why doesn't he go out on his own?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "Sending troops and sending envoys are both national affairs, how can we distinguish them so clearly? What's more, we also gained something from this dispatch of troops."
Qin Qing admired Xiang Shaolong's dedicated attitude towards public service, but he was also worried: "When will Taifu Xiang set off? Is there anything Qin Qing can help?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "When I return to Xianyang, I will go directly to the palace to see the king. Time is tight. I will go back and prepare for my mission before I go out. As Taifu Qin cares about me, Taifu Qin can teach the prince with peace of mind. Shaolong is here for the first time. I came to visit the Prince and Master Qin, whom I haven’t seen for three years, and I miss them so much that I came to say goodbye.”
