The guard chuckled and shouted towards the top of the city: "I wonder which general is on duty tonight?"
A man on the top of the city said angrily: "I am Zhang Er, the centurion under General Yuchi. Who are you?"
The guard replied: "It turns out to be Brother Zhang, who is the seventh-rank sword-wielding guard Li Da. I wonder if Brother Zhang would be willing to do it conveniently and let us enter the city?"
"Brother Li has an order, and the general would not dare to disobey it. But Brother Li also knows that this military order is like a mountain, and he does not dare to disobey it easily. The city gate cannot be opened."
"There are exceptions to everything. If something happens, I will speak for Brother Zhang in front of His Majesty!"
"To be honest, Brother Li, I haven't married yet and have never tasted the taste of a woman. I don't want to lose my head easily. Brother Li should find someone else."
"Brother Zhang, have you ever heard of a Goryeo maidservant? If I gave you a lady from a high-ranking Goryeo official's family as your wife, would you be willing to take the risk and open the city gate?"
"Brother Li, you really know how to tell jokes. I am a little centurion. Which Goryeo official is willing to marry his daughter to me? Don't try to trick me!"
"Hey, this Lord Eulji is the envoy of Goryeo. He has a daughter who is in his prime years. Lord Eulji is in a hurry to go to the city. If Brother Zhang is willing to be accommodating, he will marry his daughter to you!"
When Eulji Wende heard that it turned out that the guard had the idea of accommodation on his head, he couldn't help but became anxious and said hurriedly: "No, how can my daughter marry him?"
Li laughed and said: "It turns out that Master Eulji really has a daughter. This is also an expedient measure for me. Let's earn money and open the city gate first."
On the top of the city, Zhang Er had already said loudly: "There is no basis for what I say. If Master Eulji refuses to marry his daughter to me, who should I go to?"
Li Da waved his hand impatiently: "Of course I have to establish a letter as evidence, and I will be a guarantor. If Brother Zhang has made great achievements, you can also ask Your Majesty to solemnize the marriage in person."
Zhang Er's tone relaxed a little: "Since I am willing to stand up for my words, I will take a risk and let you in!"
Eulji Wende grabbed Li Da's horse's head and shouted: "Didn't you say that you only want to earn money to open the city gate? Why do you still need to establish a word as evidence?"
Li Daman didn't care: "I just lied to him, and you took it seriously."
With a "creak" sound, the city gate of Liaodong City finally slowly split to both sides. Eulji Wende had already become impatient with waiting, and rushed into the city with a flick of his whip. As soon as he entered the city gate, he was surprised.
He saw an officer who was as thick and strong as a wall standing in front of him, stretched out his hand and said: "Bring it here!"
Eulji Wende was stunned: "What?"
The officer squeezed out two words through his teeth: "Tip evidence!"
Eulji Wende said angrily: "How dare you!"
The officer sneered: "Why don't you dare! If you dare to let you in, I will kick you out! You guys!"
There were shouts from all around: "Yes!"
At this time, Li Daye came over slowly on horseback and said with a smile: "Sir Eulji, give him a written certificate." He lowered his voice and said: "A good man will not suffer the loss of the moment. When you are in front of His Majesty, you can give him a copy.
"
"Bring me a pen!" Ulji Mundeok had no choice but to grit his teeth and write down a note.
Zhang Er took the note, read it again and again, then stuffed it into his arms with satisfaction, waved his hand and said, "Let it go!"
…
After all the trouble at the city gate, it was almost the second watch. Eulji Mundeok was so anxious that he rode straight to the castle guard's mansion. It was the center of the city and the most luxurious mansion in the city. Eulji Mundeok believed that
, as long as Liu Ziqiu enters Liaodong City, he will definitely live in the city guard's mansion.
The city guard's house was heavily guarded. There was a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps. Eulji Wende was stopped as soon as he arrived outside the gate. While he was arguing with the guards outside the gate, Zhao Ling came out and stretched out his arms.
Lanyao, as if he suddenly saw Ulji Munduk, said with surprise: "Master Ulji, when did you arrive? Come on, please come in!"
"Thank you, Mr. Zhao!" Eulji Wende shook his sleeves, glared at the guards outside the door, and turned around and entered the city guard's mansion. However, he knew that Zhao Ling was Liu Ziqiu's trusted minister, so he didn't show any expression.
Zhao Ling laughed and said: "Master Eulji, have you had dinner? Otherwise, you can eat something first, I will go to sleep for a while, and then take you to see your majesty. Hey, this Korean girl is really coquettish.
This little waist is almost broken. If I don't take a break, I won't be able to see His Majesty."
Eulji Wende was just about to say that he was not hungry, but Zhao Ling had already disappeared. Several guards had already walked over, raised their hands and said, "Please come here, Lord Eulji!"
He wanted to refuse, but the guards looked like menaces, and the swords in their hands shone coldly in the candlelight, suggesting that they would attack each other if they disagreed. Eulji Mundeok originally also had martial arts, but now he was eager to find it.
Liu Ziqiu asked for peace, but he did not dare to offend these soldiers too much, so he had to grit his teeth and endure it. However, the guards did not treat him badly. Big fish and meat were quickly brought to him, as well as a pot of fine wine, but Eulji Wende now
Without any thought, he took two random bites and then put down his chopsticks and shouted: "I want to see your Majesty! I want to see your Majesty!"
Suddenly, a general pushed the door open and walked in, shouting sternly: "Who is making a noise here!"
A guard had already stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "To the great commander, it is Eulji Mundeok, the envoy of Goryeo, who is clamoring to see your majesty."
Seeing that the guards were more respectful to this man than to Zhao Ling, Eulji Wende was also surprised. He quickly calmed down his anger, cupped his hands and said, "I wonder what you call the general?"
The general waved his hand and said: "I am Daleng, the right commander of the imperial guards. You go back and rest first. Your Majesty has no time to see you now."
Only then did Eulji Munde understand that this person was the immediate superior of these guards, and the county magistrate was not as good as the current supervisor. No wonder they were so respectful to this person. The commander of the imperial guards was someone close to the emperor, and Eulji Wende was eager to see him.
The emperor did not dare to offend him, so he could only say kindly: "General, the foreign minister really has something to ask your majesty. I hope you will be accommodating. I will thank you very much one day."
Daleng seemed to be very interested, and his voice softened: "Oh, what can you thank me for?"
Just now at the city gate, Li Da and Zhang Er had tricked his daughter. Eulji Wende didn't dare to say what woman to offer now, so he could only grit his teeth and said: "Gold, silver and jewels, let the general take it!"
Daleng seemed to be a little moved and said: "After the matter is completed, I will give you a thousand taels of gold and I will take you to see His Majesty!"
"General, don't worry, one thousand taels of gold, I will never break my promise!" The other side lion opened his mouth, but Eulji Wende breathed a sigh of relief. Along the way, the Han army he saw was neat and well-equipped. It was indeed a military force.
A strong armed force. But these generals under Liu Ziqiu are either lustful or greedy for money. With these people around, no matter how powerful the army is, there will be a day when it declines, and this day will not be too far away. After thinking about this, Eulji Mundeok
He is even more eager to sign a peace agreement with Liu Ziqiu, even if he cedes Liaodong City. As long as he gives time, he can always wait until the day of civil strife in the Han Dynasty.
Daleng remained motionless and spat out four words: "Establish the word as evidence!"
Eulji Mundeok was so angry that he almost vomited blood. But how could he not bow his head under the eaves? Eulji Mundeok had to ask for it.
With paper and pen, he made another written note. Daleng looked at it again and again, then put it in his arms and said calmly: "Sir Eulji, come with me."
After Daleng finished speaking, he walked out of the city guard's mansion.
Eulji Wende was shocked: "General, where are you going?"
Daleng said slowly: "Take you to see His Majesty."
Eulji Wende asked strangely: "Your Majesty is not in the castle guard's mansion?"
"Who told you that His Majesty is in the City Guard's Mansion? The City Guard's Mansion is just a place for brothers to have fun now, why is Your Majesty here?" Daleng became a little impatient and said angrily, "Do you want to see His Majesty or not? It's up to you.
Or do you want to listen to me?"
"It's up to you, it's up to you." Eulji Wende wiped away his cold sweat, sighed, and had no choice but to follow Daleng, not daring to say another word.
…
Eulji Wende followed Daleng leisurely for half an hour, and finally arrived at the door of a large house in the east of the city. Eulji Wende knew that this large house was the residence of a wealthy businessman in the city.
The Han people are different. Goryeo merchants have a certain status in the country. In addition, the merchants are rich, so this large mansion is magnificent. No wonder Liu Ziqiu chose this place.
Daleng even said triumphantly: "Sir Eulji, you also survived and met me. If he met Mr. Zhao, he would not be able to walk steadily, how could he bring you here. Let's go, I will take you in."
!”
As soon as he finished speaking, two guards came over, cupped their hands and said: "General, please stop!"
Da Leng's face sank: "What? Do you want to stop even someone?"
The two guards looked at each other and hesitated: "I don't dare to do this."
Da Leng snorted coldly, put his hands behind his back and slowly entered the door.
Eulji Wende didn't dare to delay and hurriedly followed Daleng, but he was secretly glad in his heart. If he hadn't met Daleng by chance and promised him a thousand taels of gold, he really wouldn't know where Liu Ziqiu was, and even if he knew, he would probably
He couldn't get in. After all, it was already the third watch. Without Daleng, the commander of the royal guards, to lead the way, who would dare to disturb the emperor's rest. In this way, the thousand taels of gold were not wasted. Of course, Eulji Mundeok never thought about it.
If he fails to fulfill his promise, when he meets Liu Ziqiu, he will burst into tears and complain about the blackmail he suffered.
After entering the gate, several more guards came over, saluted to Daleng, and then said: "Your Majesty is in the back house. I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for the general to go over at this time!"
Eulji Wende was afraid that Daleng would retreat in the face of the battle, so he hurriedly said: "General, the foreign minister really has something important to see your Majesty!"
Daleng straightened his face and yelled loudly: "Did you hear that? If I miss something important, who among you can afford it?"
A guard said cautiously: "General, it's really inconvenient now."
Daleng frowned: "Your Majesty always puts state affairs first. If something important happens, you will get up even if you fall asleep. What's the inconvenience?"
The smile on the guard's face was a little strange: "General, you understand."