The Yanming of the Five Hus and Sixteen Kingdoms

Chapter 70
In Yecheng Tingwei Prison, a jailer came to deliver food and shouted: "Empress Dowager Liu, oh no Concubine Liu, it's time to eat."

Concubine Liu only sat upright on the straw mat in the prison, with her eyes closed, her dignity remained undiminished.

Empress Dowager Zheng secretly followed behind the jailer and observed outside the wooden fence. At this moment, she stepped forward and said, "Empress Dowager Liu is so lonely and arrogant. It seems that after this hardship, she has deepened a lot."

After hearing this, Concubine Liu opened her eyes and said, "It turned out to be Zheng Cherry, oh, it should be Queen Mother Zheng now."

"Why do you and I stick to formalities?" Empress Dowager Zheng only signaled her followers to open the prison door.

"Zhi..." the prison door opened, and Empress Dowager Zheng entered the cell slowly.

The maid took a brocade velvet cushion and placed it on the ground. Empress Dowager Zheng sat opposite Concubine Liu, and someone else took a pot and put it aside.

Empress Dowager Zheng ordered left and right to go out, and a servant girl was worried about Concubine Liu's misbehavior. Empress Dowager Zheng said with a smile, what fear is there for a weak woman.

Everyone retreated, leaving only these two women in the cell. Empress Dowager Zheng poured a glass of wine for Concubine Liu, put it in front of her and said: "After all, Shi Hu didn't kill Bengong because of Shi Suizhi's fault. Gong and Zun'er's today. You are a smart man, you know why I came here today."

Concubine Liu looked at the wine glass in front of her and said calmly, "You used to be in the lower position, jealous of the virtuous, killed the Guo family, and framed the daughter of the Qinghe Cui family. Your eldest son Shi Sui is cruel, does not follow filial piety, and wants to do rebellious things. Deposed and beheaded by the late king." Speaking of this, Concubine Liu smiled and said, "The biggest mistake of the late king is that he still had a bit of womanly kindness towards you and didn't kill you, a femme fatale."

When Empress Dowager Zheng heard this, she poured a glass of wine without saying a word, raised her glass and said, "Concubine Liu, I will do it first as a respect." She drank all the wine in the glass.

"You are also the daughter of Liu Yao from the previous dynasty. If we women don't have a bit of wrist in this troubled world, we are like duckweed in the wind. How can we live alone? If you want to blame, blame this man-eating world."

Seeing that Empress Dowager Zheng drank it all in one gulp, Concubine Liu also raised her glass and drank it down.

"This wine is clear and refreshing, just like the taste of my hometown."

Empress Dowager Zheng said with a smile: "This is Qinzhou spring wine. My son Shi Zunping got it from the Liangdu Rebellion. You are also from Yongliang. I think I have tasted it."

Empress Dowager Liu felt a little relieved, and said: "Thank you Empress Dowager Zheng, it's rare that you still know that I am from Shangbei."

Xunji Concubine Liu's expression immediately became serious, "You are a member of Zheng Shida's family in the old Jin Dynasty. If you want to come here, you also know a lot about etiquette, justice, honesty, shame, and ordinary human relations. How can you be born with such a vicious heart?"

Empress Dowager Zheng stroked her sleeves and mouth, and suppressed her laughter, "Propriety, righteousness, and shame, I Han people in the Central Plains have long been abandoned by you like dogs. In this troubled world, only the strong can survive." Having said this, Empress Dowager Zheng suddenly couldn't bear it. He paused and chuckled, "If your first master Liu Yuan made up his mind to kill Shi Le, wouldn't Jie Zhao be like today, and the world is impermanent."

The sun was setting to the west, and it was gradually sinking to the west. Outside the prison gate, Yang Huan came up, "I pay my respects to Empress Dowager Zheng and Concubine Liu."

Concubine Liu mocked: "Slave with three surnames, let's see how long you can live?"

Yang Huan was not angry, and said slowly: "It doesn't matter how long the servant lives, the important thing is that Concubine Liu can go back."

Concubine Liu couldn't believe her ears, she immediately looked terrified, and suddenly screamed, "I want to see Shi'er, where is Shi'er?"

Regardless of Concubine Liu's madness, Empress Dowager Zheng followed Yang Huan out of the prison gate.

Immediately there was a "bang" sound from behind, and Concubine Liu slammed her head to death in the prison.

Shi Shi reigned for 33 days and was deposed as King Qiao. Shi Zun couldn't tolerate him and sought to kill him.

When Shi Shi died at this time, those guarding the four regions of Zhao State, such as Pei Wang Shichong in Jicheng, Leping Wang Shibao in Chang'an, and Xinxing Wang Shi in Xiangguo, could not help but feel the sorrow of the death of the rabbit and the fox, and they all wanted to move around.

The state of Zhao, which had been peaceful for less than a hundred days, was about to start turmoil again. At this time, Shi Chong's Jicheng defenders were the strongest frontier army in the Jie army.The news of Shi Shi's killing spread to Shi Chong not long after. Shi Chong was very upset and wanted to send his troops south.

However, in Ye City, there was a person who felt even more desolate because of Shi Shi's death.

"General, you are here. Shi Yun has not eaten or drank in Dongming Temple for three days, and it is useless to persuade anyone." In front of the gate of the general's mansion, Shi Yun's maid, Xiao Qiu, waited for Ran Min bitterly. When Min came back, he hurriedly greeted him.

"Why is this so?" Ran Min hurriedly got off his Zhulong horse.

Farao was also standing beside him at this time, hurriedly stepped forward and whispered to Ran Min: "The general doesn't know, but during the period when the general left Yecheng, Empress Dowager Zheng ordered her personal guards to arrest Shi Shi's mother and son at Prince Qiao's mansion."

"What's the matter? Shi Zun promised me in the palace!" Ran Min couldn't believe his ears, and then smiled wryly: "No wonder, no wonder I was ordered to go outside the city to rectify the troops and horses these few days, to inspect the states and counties, So it is."

Immediately, Ran Min turned around and got on the horse, only grabbed the reins of the horse, intending to let the horse gallop, Farao hurriedly stepped forward to stop him and said: "General, although it is the order of the Queen Mother Zheng, it must be Shi Zun's consent, what does the general intend to do?"

"I know this. He is the king and I am the subject, but even the king can't break his trust in the world. This matter is all because of me. I went to Dongming Temple to apologize to Shi Yun."

"Drive!" Seeing Ran Min patting the horse and holding the whip, the horse's head was held high, Farao hurriedly passed by, Ran Min just turned around and pulled the rein, and went straight to Dongming Temple.

Immediately after Ran Min came to Dongming Temple, he saw that the door was guarded by the imperial guards, and when someone came on horseback, the two people in front of the door hurriedly crossed their swords to prevent Ran Min from entering.

"What do you intend to do?" Ran Min only shouted loudly on horseback.

The man was neither humble nor overbearing, and said: "We are ordered by the queen mother to protect the princess, and no one else is allowed to enter."

"Hmph? Protection? Don't you know that you want to imprison the princess." He pointed at a guard with the long knife behind him and shouted, "Get out of the way!"

The man couldn't stop him, so he had to retreat, and Ran Min quickly galloped in.

The leader of the imperial guards hurriedly shouted to the others: "Quick, tell the Queen Mother quickly."

There are only fallen leaves paving the ground in the temple. Although it is early summer, there is a sense of sad autumn.

"Boom, boom." Ran Min tried it, but saw that it was locked inside. Ran Min held his breath and hit it hard, "Bang" the heavy door finally opened.

The candles in the room were dimly lit, Shi Yun was lying on the bed, and there was a paper kite beside him.

"Brother Shi, Brother Shi." Shi Yun murmured, his face was pale and his lips were bloodless.

Ran Min only approached, and subconsciously stretched out his hand to touch his forehead, but it was hot.

Ran Min yelled inwardly, "No, it must be a cold and fever."

Ran Min just wanted to pick it up, but at this time Shi Yun was already burning so badly, he just said nonsense: "Save the world, save the world, hurry up and save the world."

"Yes, yes, for sure." Ran Min replied in a low voice.

Hearing the voice, Shi Yun barely opened his eyes, and seeing Ran Min beside him, he managed to squeeze out a smile, and said intermittently, "Your brother will be saved when you come."

Ran Min didn't want to expose this matter, so he only echoed in a low voice: "Yes, I will."

Shi Yun tried his best to raise his arm, gently stroking Ran Min's armor, "I knew you would come, really..."

After speaking, it was difficult for your arms to support you, and you immediately hung down, but accidentally tore a piece of cloth from the gap between his chest, and it fell on his face in an instant. It turned out to be a plain handkerchief embroidered with plum blossoms, but it had a A little reddish, and the handkerchief is also slightly yellowish.

"So you still keep it." Shi Yun closed his eyes after speaking, but there was a smile on his face.

The noise outside gradually sounded, pedestrians mixed with the sound of horseshoes and wheels.Ran Min picked up Shi Yun carefully, walked out of the observation room, and saw the imperial guards in the palace, the generals of the begging army Li Nong, Wang Tai, etc., and the chief secretary of the general's mansion Jiang Gan and others had all arrived outside the Dongming observation room.

Ran Min shouted: "Send Shi Yun to the imperial hospital quickly, I want to meet His Majesty." The accompanying sergeant hurriedly drew out a Qinggai security vehicle, carried Shi Yun onto it, and left quickly.

At this time, there was silence all around, and no one spoke.

After a long time, Li Nongjin said: "General, Your Majesty is also about to summon you."

Ran Min was only puzzled, and Wang Tai who was beside him said: "After receiving the military report, Shi Chong of Jicheng went south to raise troops. Your Majesty called you to discuss the countermeasures."

Shi Chong is the town general of Jicheng. "King Wu of Zhou destroyed Zhou and enshrined Duke Zhao in Yan." Afterwards, Ji State was annexed, and the capital was moved to Jicheng, which was built as the capital of Yan.This place has mountains and rivers, and the terrain is dangerous. It is the key to the land of seclusion. If you lose it, the door will open.

Yanzhao fought against each other for many years. In order to avoid the front of Yan's army, Zhao Guo also built a large number of buildings, and the defenders were all strong soldiers.There was the Liangdu Rebellion in the country. Although there were many defenders in Jicheng, Zhao Emperor Shihu never had the slightest thought of mobilizing.

Although Zhao Hu was a cruel man, he knew a lot about military affairs, and he knew that the border of Zhao State was suffering from Yan State.If once the city of Ji is captured, the iron cavalry of the State of Yan, like overwhelming mountains and seas, will be unstoppable and drink the water from the horses and Zhangzhou. When they reach the big river, the heart of the State of Zhao will be in great trouble.Therefore, the army of Jicheng is forced not to start lightly.

Unexpectedly, after Shi Hu's death, the chaos in Zhao State became more and more serious. Shi Chong, the general of Jicheng Town, went south to the Central Plains to seize the throne regardless of the strong enemy of the Yan army behind him.Why?
It turned out that Shi Chong had already heard that Emperor Zhao Shi Shi was killed by Shi Zun. Shi Chong was also the son of Shi Hu, so he was willing to live under others.

It was early summer, and the grass on the wilderness in the north had just turned green. "Drive, drive", a carriage was driving on the wide and flat official road in Yan State.This car is exquisite, it is an oil-painted car, and it is not low-grade at first glance, pedestrians avoid it, but it is strange, it is not like other princely and noble cars, the driver drives carefully, for fear of hitting others, and puts cattails around the wheels , for fear of a little bumps.One person rode a tall horse to clear the way.As soon as the wind blew, it blew the curtain away. A maidservant in the carriage hurriedly pulled it up and said to the pregnant woman: "Mrs. Duan, your body is getting heavier now, so don't catch the wind."

Duan Xian in the car said anxiously: "Hurry up, driver, hurry up."

The coachman was also in a hurry, but said helplessly: "Madam, I can't go any faster, I'm afraid Madam won't be able to hold it any longer."

While speaking, Gao Bi arrived on horseback, "Ma'am, we have arrived at Shili Pavilion outside the capital, do you want to take a rest?"

Xiao Min in the car also complained: "After driving so much, my wife can bear it, but I don't know if the little boy in my stomach can bear it." As soon as he finished speaking, the child in his stomach kicked Duan Xian, and suddenly Feel backache.

Duan Xian rubbed his stomach, and said lovingly: "Are you tired too? Well, let's take a break and send a letter to Murong Ba in the capital. I've already gone ten miles outside the city so he doesn't have to worry."

A group of people rested under the gazebo.The coachman rushed to feed the horses with grass and water, and Xiao Min served from the side. Gao Bi tied the horses and drove over.

I saw Gao Bi sitting down, arranging his clothes and saying angrily: "Ma'am, when you see Murong Ba, don't say that I didn't stop you. It's such a long way from Tuhe to Longcheng. I'm really worried about the road. What's the matter? Fortunately, we are almost at Yandu, and if something happens along the way, I can't afford it."

"Okay, I don't blame you this time," Duan Xian was also a little displeased, "Pingdi General Murong Ba, Beiping Prefect Sun Xing, Tuhe Captain Sun Yong, the three of them went up to persuade Lord Yan to send troops. The three officers, the military, the government, and the civilians are united, so it is not considered. It has only been a while, and this Murong Ba has won the hearts of Tuhe's soldiers. He did not even say a word to me when he entered the capital."

"Young Master is worried about Madam." Gao Bi still didn't take it seriously, "Madam is worrying too much. Master Ba is dedicated to serving the country. This internal turmoil in Zhao is a once-in-a-lifetime event. If the opportunity is fleeting, we will never have the opportunity to go south again. The young master is impatient, thinking about it for his elder brother Yan Wang."

"He is the king, and Murong Ba is the minister. This time, he returned to the capital without the edict. At a light level, he said it was a disharmony with the system, but at a serious point, he said he was guilty of treason. You know, my Lord Yan I don't like to be a domineering son, but I am lenient on the outside but jealous on the inside, is there still a lot of brothers fighting each other in my country of Yan?"

Gao Bi seemed to know that he was wrong, so he hurriedly defended, "Madam, if you say that, it's a little thoughtless. If there is a next time, I will try my best to dissuade you."

"Dong dong dong", the sun was setting, and the closed door drum was beating, and the city gate was about to be closed, and a group of people hurriedly set off.

When I came under the city gate, unfortunately the city gate happened to be locked.Gao Bi shouted from under the city gate: "This is Duan Xian, wife of General Pingdi, son of Murong Ba, open the door quickly."

I saw the gate order on the city wall shouting: "Unless there is an emergency military situation, no one's wife can do it."

"You look down on people, madam, if..." Gao Bi was about to get angry, but was persuaded by Duan Xian: "Our Yan army is invincible only because of its strict military discipline. Good official."

The guarding soldier also persuaded, "Military orders are like mountains, and there are post stations outside the city. Madam, come back tomorrow."

"Wait"!Everyone followed the sound, and it turned out to be Xiao Min, who was holding a token in her hand and said, "Please present this to your general."

The guard was suspicious and didn't know what the origin of the maid next to the lady was, but seeing her serious expression, her face was so sullen that she didn't seem to be joking.He took the token and presented it.

After about half a stick of incense, the city gate orderer went downstairs in person, and hurriedly apologized to the people who came: "He is from the queen's mansion, this country of Yan belongs to my king, so naturally this city gate is also opened for my king's people, please."

Under the last rays of the setting sun, a group of people came to the city,

After a long time, Duan Xian couldn't help but said in the car: "Xiao Min, you have returned to the queen."

"Madam, please act urgently. I have served Madam for a long time, and others will think that I and Madam are one. If Madam asks me to go back at this time, it will make others doubt."

Duan Xian didn't expect Xiao Min to say that, he just stared at him for a long time and said, "You are indeed smart."

Xiao Min said indifferently: "All these slaves have done are for the country of Yan."

(End of this chapter)