Chapter 360 The arrival of General Yu and Ying Zhengs attention
Qin and Zhao have the same origin.
After the destruction of Zhao, Ying Zheng, the King of Qin, as a member of the Ying clan, led the Ying clan and the Zhao clan to sacrifice their ancestors and pray to heaven.
Bai Yan was also present at the sacrificial place, but unlike other civil and military officials, Bai Yan originally thought that he should be on the periphery, and never thought that Ying Zheng would specially call him and Wang Jian to his side in the name of 'guards'.
In other words, although Bai Yan was not a relative of the Wang family of Qin and Zhao, he was able to participate in the two sacrifices because of Ying Zheng.
This is no small honor.
Regardless of whether it was the more than 20 people from the Ying clan who came with them, or even the Zhao clan, the look in their eyes when they looked at Bai Yan gradually changed.
They often interact with nobles from various countries, and as the tribesmen behind the kings of various countries, these elderly scholars are not stupid. It is impossible to tell how much Ying Zheng loves Bai Yan.
It is not impossible for outsiders to offer sacrifices.
For example, Li Mu, Guo Kai, Li Ji of Zhao State, Meng Ao, Lu Buwei of Qin State, etc., all had people with other surnames to worship the king, but none of them were high in power and high in prestige.
It is understandable that Wang Jian participated in the sacrifice of his ancestors. After all, Wang Jian was a general in the Qin State and belonged to the Qing Dynasty in the Qin State.
On the other hand, Bai Yan's title today is only lower minister, not upper minister.
How come this is not surprising.
On the Zhao Kingdom’s exclusive sacrificial platform.
Bai Yan naturally felt the eyes of others, but he, who was standing next to Wang Jian, ignored them. When faced with the kind eyes of the old nobles, Bai Yan reciprocated them with kindness one by one.
As for how many of those people's good intentions are true and how many are false, Bai Yan has a rough idea.
When we were in Yanmen, we killed so many nobles, and most of them were related to the people of the Zhao clan.
Moreover, from the original robbery and sale, these people of the Zhao clan had privately received the benefits.
Everyone knows this in their hearts, they just haven't said it out loud.
On the altar.
The process of sacrifice is very complicated. Bai Yan had seen it when he was at Jingshi Mountain, but Bai Yan had not gone up the mountain at that time.
Seeing the eunuchs, maids, and guards carrying, carrying, and carrying various sacrificial utensils and sacrificial animals, Bai Yan couldn't help but sigh at how complicated the process was.
The whole process lasted more than three hours.
When finally the old man headed by the Qin clan took the notice and read out some words of blessing to Ying Zheng, it was the turn of the old man headed by the Zhao clan to go up with the notice and read out his blessings to Ying Zheng.
After the blessing is completed, the entire sacrifice is over.
Bai Yan was relieved in his heart, because the sacrifice was different from usual, and there were many things to pay attention to during the whole process, including not showing frivolity, impatience, etc. on his face, so it would be false to say that it was not tiring.
When he stood up, he saw that the elderly general Wang Jian beside him was a little numb, so Bai Yan quickly reached out to help him.
"Old general, be careful!"
Bai Yan said softly.
Wang Jian looked at Bai Yan, with a smile on his old face, and then quickly shook his head.
"old!"
Wang Jian couldn't help but sigh, and then slowly stood up with Bai Yan's help.
This scene naturally fell into the eyes of other people. Looking at the scene between Bai Yan and Wang Jian, everyone knew that it was these two people, one old and one young, who had been ordered by Ying Zheng to attack the State of Zhao.
Looking at the relationship between the two, many people looked at each other, as if they noticed something, so some people praised it, while others frowned.
At this moment.
Looking at Ying Zheng in the front, he slowly turned around and everyone calmed down to make way for Ying Zheng.
Bai Yan and Wang Jian also stepped aside.
A eunuch was also on top at this time, holding an edict and reading it out.
"Now that the sacrifices have been made, from now on, Qin and Zhao will return together. All the clan members in the Zhao land are Qin people. If there is any further distinction, if you consider yourself a Zhao person, you will be regarded as a traitor."
While the eunuch was reading it out, all the clan members and nobles were compiling the rituals one after another.
After the eunuch finished reading, he raised his head.
"I will obey the king's order!"
“I will obey the king’s order!!”
On the sacrificial platform, all the clan members said to Ying Zheng.
When Ying Zheng saw this scene, he nodded.
Bai Yan saw Ying Zheng leaving and walking towards the bottom of the steps of the sacrificial altar, so he and Wang Jian followed Ying Zheng closely.
When passing by those clan members, Bai Yan saw Ying Kan among the clan members.
The two looked at each other and gave each other a kind and intimate look, which passed in a flash.
A moment later, inside Handan City.
Just as Bai Yan and Wang Jian left the palace, a close aide came up to Bai Yan.
"General, General Yu has arrived in Handan."
The trusted soldiers reported to Bai Yan.
Wang Jian on the side was a little confused at first when he heard the words of Bai Yan's confidant, but in a moment, Wang Jian immediately remembered that it was General Yu.
So Wang Jian turned to look at Bai Yan beside him, his eyes full of surprise.
Wang Jian did not expect that Bai Yan would specially ask General Yu to come to Handan.
Wang Jian was naturally no stranger to General Yu. He and General Yu had known each other decades ago. However, at that time, Wang Jian had a better background than General Yu, and his speed and chances of promotion were higher than those of Yu.
There are many veteran generals.
However, later General Yu relied on his qualifications and military exploits to successfully be promoted to general and served as the chief of the left concubine of the Qin State.
If he hadn't encountered Li Mu later, all of General Yu's sons and grandsons would have died on the battlefield. How could General Yu be so eager for revenge that he would not be able to recover after successive defeats?
"good!"
When Bai Yan heard the words of his confidant, he couldn't help but smile.
"Go call Gui over!"
Bai Yan ordered.
When he was in Gaonu, Shangjun, the old general heard that he had won the battle. He was so happy that he drank too much, and his body, which had been tired all the time, finally collapsed.
The same was true. Bai Yan only learned about it when he returned to Gaonu, Shangjun.
After Zhao was defeated later, he sent a letter to the old general asking if he wanted to come to Handan. Unexpectedly, the old general actually came to Handan.
"I will go with you to meet Mr. Yu."
Wang Jian opened his mouth and said.
When Bai Yan heard this, he looked at Wang Jian in surprise. He didn't expect that the old general Wang Jian would suddenly speak, but when he saw it, Bai Yan naturally liked it.
In front of Old General Yu, I am a junior after all. There are many things that only Old General Wang Jian and Old General Yu can resonate with, and they have unique memories of the past.
This is something Bai Yan wants to do but cannot do.
"Speaking of which, when Old Man Yu came to my residence earlier, Wang Jian..."
Wang Jian saw Bai Yan's gaze and explained with a smile, but as he spoke, he shook his head and found it difficult to speak.
Bai Yan also knew the reason. When he was in Lantian, General Yu also said it.
"General, please! Bai Yan will prepare a banquet today to entertain the General and General Yu."
Bai Yan said with a smile.
This time, it was Bai Yan who rarely interrupted others.
Wang Jian, who was interrupted, was not only not angry, but also laughed. Then he told his followers and prepared to follow Bai Yan on Bai Yan's carriage.
But just before getting on the carriage, Wang Jian suddenly thought of something and then looked at Bai Yan.
"General Bai, perhaps this matter should be reported to the king."
Wang Jian reminded.
Bai Yan was a little surprised. Just now he was so happy that he didn't think much about it. Now when he heard Wang Jian's words, he nodded quickly.
"Thank you for reminding me, general. Then Bai Yan will go to the palace first, and the general will go to Bai Yan's mansion first. Bai Yan will return home soon."
Bai Yan saluted Wang Jian.
"No problem!"
Wang Jian smiled.
After Bai Yan finished the ceremony, he turned around and walked towards the palace.
In front of the corridor of the palace.
Ying Zheng had just finished the sacrifice and before he had time to rest, he was talking to the Zhao clan in the corridor when he suddenly saw a eunuch coming with Bai Yan.
"Bai Yan, a humble minister, pays homage to the king!"
Bai Yan came to Ying Zheng and complied with the ceremony.
At this moment, there were seven or eight old men beside Ying Zheng, and they all looked at Bai Yan curiously.
"Bai Yan, didn't you go back to rest with Wang Jian? Why did you come back so suddenly?"
Ying Zheng looked at Bai Yan who was doing the ceremony and asked softly.
When Bai Yan heard what Ying Zheng said, he raised his head, explained to Ying Zheng the purpose of his visit, and asked to take a bath for a day. The reason was that General Yu came to Handan.
"Your Majesty, General Yu is very old, and now all his grandchildren have died fighting for Qin. Bai Yan wants to accompany the old general to visit Handan City, which is now my city of Great Qin!"
Bai Yan looked at Ying Zheng, raised his hand to salute, and said softly.
In the corridor, Ying Zheng was a little surprised when he heard Bai Yan's words.
At first, Ying Zheng didn't react. After all, Ying Zheng dealt with all kinds of things every day and faced countless things. However, when Bai Yan mentioned the reason behind it, Ying Zheng immediately remembered the old general Yu that Bai Yan said.
.
For that old general of Qin!
Of course Ying Zheng also knew that, after all, when he took the throne, General Yu was still the chief of the left concubine of the Qin State and had made great contributions to the Qin State.
Later, Ying Zheng also watched with his own eyes. Thirteen years ago, when the Five Kingdoms attacked Qin, Yu Laopu's eldest son, second son, and third son all died in the battle at Hangu Pass.
Then six years ago, Qin general Huan Jue led his troops to attack Zhao. His only remaining son and grandson died in the battle.
At that time, after the battle of Cong Fei Xia, all the sons and sons of General Yu were killed in the battle. Except for the more than fifty old General Yu, there were no sons in the Yu family.
Among the entire Qin State, General Yu is the only family like General Yu who was a general himself and whose entire family still died in battles for the Qin State.
"After sunset, I will also go visit General Yu!"
Ying Zheng stood in the corridor, looking at the boundless Handan City outside the palace in the distance, and said softly.
Recalling General Yu's deeds, he looked at the scene in front of him.
Even Ying Zheng couldn't help but be moved again.
His victory in government could destroy other countries, but it was inseparable from the accumulation of previous kings, the help of virtuous ministers and good generals, and the bloody battles of soldiers.
General Yu's title was given to him by the State of Qin, and he deserved it. However, General Yu's children and grandchildren all fought for the State of Qin and died fighting for the State of Qin. These were the Yu family's choices.
"promise!"
When Bai Yan heard that Ying Zheng was going to his mansion, he looked shocked, but fortunately he came back to his senses and compiled the etiquette.
Several old men on the side also laughed quickly and saluted Ying Zheng.
Among these people, half were from the Zhao clan and had never heard of General Yu, while the other half from the Qin clan had some impression of General Yu.
But regardless of whether they knew it or not, when they looked at Ying Zheng, words of how to compliment Ying Zheng had already appeared in their minds.
"Your Majesty is wise. When our officers and soldiers of Great Qin learn that Your Majesty is like this, their morale will surely be boosted!"
"Having a king in our Qin State is a blessing to our Qin State and the country, and a blessing to our Qin people."
In the corridor, one old man after another praised Ying Zheng.
However, Ying Zheng was not Zhao Wangqian, and Ying Zheng only listened to these compliments.
Ying Zheng knew better than anyone how the world's scholars viewed him, the King of Qin, and how they described Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng also knew very well that there were many people among the royal family members who were looking forward to Ying Zheng's sudden death. At that time, those people could use their connections as members of the clan to establish a new king.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Bai Yan stood in the corridor and heard everyone praising Ying Zheng, so Bai Yan naturally wanted to agree.
Otherwise, it would be a mistake for everyone to speak and for him to remain silent.
But at this time, Bai Yan also noticed that among the old men, there was a middle-aged man who was stout and had two black moles on the corners of his mouth.
He doesn't look like a nobleman.
A name quickly appeared in Bai Yan's mind.
"Guo Zong!"
In Bai Yan's mansion.
Old man Yu and Wang Jian were reminiscing in the main hall, and Gui was smiling beside them.
When they heard the footsteps outside the door, Old Man Yu and Gui thought it was Bai Yan coming back, and even Wang Jian was no exception.
However, when Wang Jian turned to look outside the door, he immediately looked surprised when he saw the person coming.
Gui looked at that person and frowned slightly, thinking it was that Ying clan member again.
Old man Yu, on the other hand, recalled the man's face, his eyes widened, and he quickly stood up with Wang Jian and came to the wooden table.
"Wei Chen, pay homage to the king!"
"Meet the King!!"
Wang Jian and Old Man Yu exchanged gifts one after another.
When Gui saw this, he looked stunned and confused.
Kings?
After thinking of something, Gui's mind went blank. It took him a few breaths to come back to his senses, and he quickly stood up and knelt on the ground.
Several maids who were serving wine and food on the side were shocked when they heard what Wang Jian and Yu Laozi said. They knelt on the ground quickly like Gui, not daring to raise their heads.
"Two old generals don't need to be polite!"
Ying Zheng came to the main hall and said to Wang Jian and Old Man Yu. Then, followed by Bai Yan, he came to the top of the main hall and took his seat.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"
When Wang Jian and Old Man Yu heard Ying Zheng's words, they raised their heads and put down their hands.
At this time, Bai Yan turned around and gave instructions to the maid.
"You're well, old general!"
Ying Zheng knelt and sat behind the wooden table above him, looking at Old Soldier Yu with gray-haired temples.
Bai Yan watched the maid leave and then turned to look at General Yu, who had a lot more gray hair than before.
Looking at the old profile of General Yu, Bai Yan felt soft in his heart. Now that the Zhao Kingdom has been destroyed, all the Zhao lands have become Qin lands, but these cannot change the fact that all the sons and grandsons of General Yu have died in the battle. General Yu
When I came to Handan, I couldn't see my children or grandchildren.
The only thing that can comfort my heart may be that General Yu can see for his children and grandchildren who died in the battle that this world has now been included in the Qin Dynasty.
"General Pi, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"
When Old Soldier Yu heard Ying Zheng's words, he said with gratitude. Old Soldier Yu did not expect that Ying Zheng would actually come to see him.
Turning to look at Bai Yan beside him, Yu Laozu smiled happily when he saw Bai Yan looking at him, and then looked at Ying Zheng above the main hall.
In the main hall.
Under Ying Zheng's instructions, Wang Jian and Yu Lao soldiers sat back in their seats.
At this time, Bai Yan also asked Gui to come to the center and pay homage to Ying Zheng.
"Is he Gui?"
After Ying Zheng heard Bai Yan's introduction, he couldn't help but think of Bai Yan's rumors about Lantian.
"Get up!"
Ying Zheng looked at Gui with a smile on his face.
Gui saluted to Ying Zheng with a look of fear on his face. When he stood up, his hands and feet were weak. If it weren't for Bai Yan beside him, Gui probably wouldn't be able to walk.
When Gui returned to his seat, he gradually calmed down.
Next, although Gui didn't dare to look at Ying Zheng, he gradually became excited, and his mind was filled with thoughts that he must tell his parents, wife and children about this when he returns home in the future.
My parents probably didn’t believe that someone in their village could actually see the king in person, and so close, and this person was their guier!
Think about it.
Even though Gui was sitting on her knees behind the wooden table with her head lowered, she could not control her grin.
In the main hall.
Ying Zheng and General Yu were chatting.
Knowing that General Yu had no heirs, Ying Zheng wanted to give General Yu a mansion and some servants and maids for General Yu to take care of him in his old age.
However, General Yu rejected Ying Zheng's good intentions.
General Yu told Ying Zheng that he was alone now and would be the same wherever he lived. For him, seeing Zhao State destroyed by Qin State, he had no regrets in his heart.
As for loneliness
General Yu said this, looked at Bai Yan who was kneeling behind the wooden table on the other side, and then told Ying Zheng that ever since he met Bai Yan, Bai Yan had treated him like an elder.
Yan took him back to Xianyang to spend time together.
Even in the past when Bai Yan was leading troops abroad, and even when he was fighting in the Zhao Kingdom, he never forgot to send a letter to Lantian after three or two months, telling Sima Xing not to forget to send him money.
"I originally thought it was Sima Xing, so when I passed by Lantian, I went to see Sima Xing. I wanted to thank Sima Xing, but Sima Xing just said what I said with a wry smile on his face."
Old soldier Yu said.
At first, Yu Laozu thought it was from Sima Xing, and was very confused as to why Sima Xing sent money so frequently. It was not until he went to Lantian Camp that he realized that it was not Sima Xing who gave him money, but Bai Yan.
This kid has been thinking about him and worrying that he has no money to buy wine.
Thinking of coming here this time, Yu Laozu felt warm in his heart.
This time it was Bai Yan who never forgot to entrust him with the letter, so he came here.
In the main hall.
Hearing Old Man Yu's appearance, Ying Zheng turned around and saw Bai Yan laughing with embarrassment.
Different from the surprised look on Wang Jian's face not far away, Ying Zheng suddenly remembered the boy's origins and all his previous actions for some unknown reason.
For some reason, Ying Zheng had never wanted to meet that old woman that even Mao Jiao praised so much.