Chapter 381 Hangu Pass, Qin Wuyang asked for a test.
Hangu Pass.
When the mighty cavalry arrived in front of the city gate, a general guarding the city gate slowly stepped forward to ask.
After confirming the identity of the visitor, at the general's signal, all the Qin soldiers and officials guarding the city gate, as well as the people entering and exiting, stepped aside one after another.
"The carriage of the State of Yan? Look, it looks like an envoy of the State of Yan!"
"What's going on! In the past, Yan's envoys were not escorted by cavalry when they went to Qin. How come there are so many cavalry escorts now?"
"I don't know! Did something big happen?"
Outside the city gate, the people of Qin State stood aside and talked quietly, looking at the iron cavalry and the carriages of Yan State envoys passing by.
Some scholars and merchants in the crowd also looked at each other and started talking quietly with curiosity on their faces.
And on the city gate tower.
After hearing the report from his subordinates, the general stationed at Hangu Pass got up from the city tower and walked down the city gate.
Hangu Pass is known as the most powerful pass in the world. It has blocked the joint attacks of vassal states for the Qin State several times. The reason why it is so big is naturally inseparable from its dangerous geographical location and the huge road in front of Hangu Pass.
of rivers.
The city wall of Hangu Pass was built along the river, almost eliminating the entire flat land under the mountain range. Except for a dangerous pass, the pass is surrounded by huge and towering mausoleums on the left and right.
At dusk.
The guard general of Hangu Pass quickly arrived at the city gate with his trusted soldiers.
As the carriage slowly stopped, the guard glanced at the Yan State envoy's carriage behind him, then turned his head and looked at the carriage in front of him.
After seeing Bai Yan step down from the carriage, the guard slowly raised his hand to salute.
"General Bai!"
The guard was Yang Yan, whom Bai Yan knew and who had saved his life.
When Bai Yan saw Yang Yan, with a smile on his face, he quickly got out of the carriage and saluted Yang Yan.
"General Yang!"
Bai Yan was not surprised to see Yang Yan at Hanguguan. When he attacked Zhao, Yang Yan was a little eager for success. Although he saved his life, he almost caused a catastrophe.
He returned to Xianyang of Qin State and was recovering from his injuries. After he recovered from his injuries, he was demoted and transferred to Hangu Pass as a guard general.
These were all told by Old General Yang when he was in Yanmen Shanwu City. Before coming to the Qin State, Old General Yang also told Bai Yan that if he rushed to Hangu Pass, he would stay overnight.
"Long time no see, General Yang. See you well!"
Bai Yan saluted Yang Yan again.
In this era, it is normal to perform rituals, and as the status rises, the number of rituals becomes more frequent. No one is willing to repeat the mistakes of their ancestors, because one less ritual will be misunderstood by others as contempt.
, ruined the reputation.
When he was young in the state of Qi, Bai Yan's status was low at that time and there was no need to organize rituals at all. It was very casual.
But not now!
Even for people he is very familiar with, like Yang Yan in front of him, even if he has the grace to save his life, Bai Yan must pay great attention to these details.
"I've been sitting here in Hanguguan all day with nothing to do, so I might as well not mention it!"
Yang Yan smiled and raised his hand in return, then shook his head.
While talking, Yang Yan also saw the Yan State envoy and his party behind the motorcade.
"This is Jing Ke, the envoy of the State of Yan!"
Bai Yan saw Jing Ke and turned around to introduce Yang Yan.
"Qin Chen Yang Yan has met the envoy of Yan!"
When Yang Yan heard Bai Yan's introduction, he turned to Jing Ke and bowed his hands in a ceremony.
"Jing Ke, the envoy of Yan, has met General Yang!"
Jing Ke held the Yan envoy and returned the courtesy to Yang Yan.
"It's been a tiring journey, but my father has written to Yan and said that he has prepared a residence for General Bai and Envoy Yan! Please!"
After Yang Yan finished the ceremony, he glanced at Jing Ke, then turned to Bai Yan and made a gesture of invitation.
Bai Yan did not refuse, but raised his hand to salute. After the salute, he followed Yang Yan to his residence.
As the gateway to the Qin State, Hangu Pass was also the most important pass of the Qin State. Naturally, a large number of garrison troops were stationed there. Within the pass, some people whose household registrations were selected at all levels were also moved to Hangu Pass.
This also led to the fact that in Hangu Pass, although restaurants and stations could not be found everywhere as in the city, there were places to eat and drink everywhere.
Yang Yan lives in a camp at the foot of Guannei Mountain. Although he can take Bai Yan there, it will be inconvenient for Yan Shi and his entourage to accompany him.
Therefore, Yang Yan could only place Bai Yan and others in some simple wooden houses in the pass, which was really rare. After all, this was Hangu Pass, not a city.
Bai Yan naturally didn't care.
And Jing Ke had no objection. Although Qin Wuyang looked down on the wooden house, but seeing that it was getting late, he also knew that he had no choice. If he didn't live here, he could only sleep in the carriage tonight.
On the city wall of Hangu Pass.
Under the wooden house above the city gate, Yang Yan ordered people to bring the prepared wine and meat and present them to him.
"The envoys of Yan must not despise the food of Qin!"
Yang Yan said with a smile as he watched chicken, pork, fish, mutton, and some corn being delivered to the wooden table in front of the Yan envoy.
The Qin State is mostly covered with mountains, rivers and hills, and is not as close to the sea as the Yan State.
"Why would you dislike it? It's so rich and delicious, it will make your appetite whet your appetite."
Jing Ke smiled and returned the greeting.
Looking at the table of good food and meat in front of him, when Jing Ke heard Yang Yan's words, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Before meeting Gongzi Dan, when he was in Yan State, he rarely had a meal of meat. Most of it was vegetable soup, and he only ate it occasionally.
The meat on top is far less rich than the ones in front of you.
Until he met Gongzi Dan, who not only gave him status and wealth, but also gave him the beauty he once did not deserve, and good wine and food were essential every day.
Along the way, the officials of the Qin State who were out of reach of him in the past all treated him with courtesy. Even the generals of the Qin State in front of him respected him.
These were things he had never dared to imagine.
Jing Ke felt even more grateful to Gongzi Dan in his heart.
A scholar dies for his confidant. Jing Ke knows that the only way he can repay Gongzi Dan is to go to Xianyang to assassinate Ying Zheng.
"Hahahaha~! Yan makes wonderful people!"
Yang Yan looked at Jing Ke's appearance and laughed heartily. He picked up the jug beside him and poured wine for the wine baron. Then he picked it up and faced Bai Yan and Jing Ke.
"please!"
Yang Yan toasted.
It would not be difficult if the food and wine were served within the city. However, at Hangu Pass, Yang Yan had put a lot of thought into it, and the remaining meat had been sent to the camp to make soup for the soldiers.
"please!"
"please!!"
Bai Yan and Jing Ke also picked up the wine cup, said to Yang Yan, and then drank the wine in the wine cup.
The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the top of the city of Hangu Pass. Looking from the position of Baiyan, one can see golden rivers and mountains at a glance. The scenery is unique and makes people feel particularly comfortable.
Yang Yan and Jing Ke chatted about some affairs of the State of Yan.
After all, Jing Ke is the envoy of the Yan State, and Yang Yan will naturally take care of the visitor. This is a truth that all officials know. The current care can be regarded as a friendship. When Jing Ke returns to the Yan State in the future,
It is uncertain when the descendants of the Yang family will go to the Yan Kingdom in the future.
Jing Ke and Yang Yan had a good conversation.
While chatting.
While Jing Ke was drinking with Yang Yan, he asked about the affairs of the State of Qin.
Jing Ke was also polite. After all, he didn't want to know anything, and he also knew that Yang Yan, an official of the Qin State, would not tell Qin State secrets to him, the envoy of Yan.
However, what surprised Jing Ke was that Yang Yan suddenly fell silent after hearing his words.
"A big event has indeed happened in Qin these days!"
Yang Yan sighed, then slowly turned his head and looked at Bai Yan.
"A few days ago, the eldest son of Right Prime Minister Chang Pingjun, Mi Ma, was assassinated in Chu State. His head was chopped off. His body has now been sent back to Xianyang."
Yang Yan told what happened to Mi Zhao.
As the guard of Hangu Pass, he was naturally aware of Mi Ma's death. After all, Mi Ma's body had to be transported back from Chu State through Han Gu Pass.
Yang Yan's face was full of gloom. Thinking back to when he first learned about this incident, Yang Yan was covered in cold sweat. He couldn't imagine that Mi Zhu was actually assassinated in Chu State.
You must know that he was the eldest son of Lord Changping. He was originally the one who was going to inherit Lord Changping's mantle. Now, he died in Chu State without any explanation. That was Chu State, the place where Lord Changping's bloodline came from. Who could believe that Mi Mao would be there?
People were killed in that place in Chu State.
"What, the son of Lord Changping was killed?"
Jing Ke was surprised when he heard Yang Yan's words.
Other Yan officials behind the wooden tables also looked at each other with astonishment on their faces.
They never expected that this would happen.
"Is there any news from Xianyang now?"
When Bai Yan heard Yang Yan's words, he also frowned slightly.
This was all Bai Yan's pretense. Bai Yan was not surprised at all about Mi Zhu's death. If he was really surprised, he didn't expect that the hatred of the Zhang family would be so strong. Just how long had it passed before he killed her?
Mi marsh.
It is estimated that after finding the enemy, he did not show any mercy and took action directly.
Thinking that Zhang Xiao had said that Zhang Liang's father, Zhang Ping, was dead, Bai Yan guessed that apart from Zhang's reputation, this incident should have stimulated Zhang to kill him regardless of what happened.
Mi Nu vented his anger.
Bai Yan smiled in his heart.
Unexpectedly, the Zhang family could kill Mi Zhao in the Chu Kingdom. It seems that the Zhang family's connections and power still exist.
"No news has been sent yet, but I heard that the king is furious and has sent envoys to Chu!"
Yang Yan shook his head, looked at the wine prince, and then looked at the pass outside the city.
"I wonder if it can be investigated! If not, this matter will probably lead to war!"
Yang Yan didn't care about Yan's envoy Jing Ke.
In Yang Yan's eyes, even if he didn't say it, Jing Ke and other Yan envoys would know it, so it would be better to say it now.
If these envoys of the State of Yan suddenly regretted their decision, they would have to travel a little less and return to the State of Yan earlier, so that he could keep Bai Yan here, and then immediately send a letter to Xianyang, hoping that he might have the opportunity to go with Bai Yan.
Yanmen, lead the troops to attack Yan, and when the time comes, you will be guilty and meritorious.
"Probably not!"
Bai Yan shook his head.
Yang Yan, Jing Ke and others immediately looked at Bai Yan with puzzled faces.
Bai Yan also noticed everyone's gaze and explained.
"Anyone who can take action in Chu State, has the ability, and successfully kills Mi Zhu is definitely not a small tribe. If Chu State does not want to fight with Qin State, all forces will investigate clearly."
Bai Yan said.
In fact, what Bai Yan wants to express is, don't underestimate Lord Changping. In Chu State, Lord Changping's connections are far beyond what people can imagine.
But Bai Yan naturally couldn't express this sentence.
"Too!"
When Yang Yan heard Bai Yan's words, he thought about it and nodded slowly.
Although he felt a little regretful that he could not scare Yan Shi back, he also knew that what Bai Yan said made sense.
At this moment, Yang Yan could not even dream of it.
He wanted to bluff the Yan envoy who was returning. The purpose of his trip to Qin was to assassinate Ying Zheng, and there was no mention of returning.
"It seems that Qin is not at peace either!"
Jing Ke said.
Yang Yan looked at Jing Ke and did not refute, but he also remembered another thing.
"By the way, there's one more thing."
Yang Yan thought of something and turned to look at Bai Yan.
"I heard that all members of General Chu Ren's clan who traveled abroad some time ago have been killed, even the branches that are related to the Chu family!"
Yang Yan opened his mouth to remind Bai Yan.
The nobles who had been massacred before had begun to take revenge, so Bai Yan should be careful.
Although Chu Ren betrayed those nobles and caused those nobles to die tragically, if given the chance, those nobles would definitely try their best to take revenge on Bai Yan.
"Is it the action of rebels?"
Bai Yan asked, looking at Yang Yan.
Yang Yan shook his head.
"It should be, but what's strange is that General Chu Ren never said anything about writing to Xianyang. Instead, he asked all the clan members to hide in the clan mansion."
When Yang Yan said this, he was puzzled. He only felt it was strange, but he didn't know what was strange.
Under the eaves.
Looking at the sunset, Bai Yan ignored General Chu Ren's affairs. General Chu Ren's fate was destined to not be much better.
Now Bai Yan is more concerned about how to use Lord Changping's hand to destroy the Zhang family.
As for whether the anger will be drawn to him, Bai Yan is not worried about that.
Although Ran Wu was a person Bai Yan trusted very much, Bai Yan still did not tell Ran Wu about the affairs of Lord Changping.
Ran Wu didn't know about the conspiracy and planning between him and Zhan You at the beginning. Ran Wu was only responsible for killing people. From the beginning, Ran Wu would not investigate these things. This is where Bai Yan felt most at ease with Ran Wu.
Ran Wuzhi knows how to advance and retreat. He knows clearly that he should not investigate and will never investigate.
"General Bai, the scenery is pleasant at dusk. I heard that General Bai has excellent swordsmanship. I wonder if I can use this wine to cheer up and give you some advice."
A sudden sentence rang out, causing Bai Yan to snap back from his thoughts. He turned his head and followed the sound, and saw Qin Wuyang staring at him with a fiery face.
This was not the first time Bai Yan had seen this look along the way.
Bai Yan knew very early on that Qin Wuyang had always wanted to take the opportunity to fight him, to defeat him, to make him look embarrassed and lose his reputation.
When the news spreads, everyone in the world will praise Qin Wuyang.
And he will be laughed at.
At first, Bai Yan could feel it, but he didn't understand why Qin Wuyang wanted to fight, but kept holding back. He was very confused about what ideas Jing Ke gave Qin Wuyang behind his back.
Only now, looking at Yang Yan beside him and the Qin soldiers around him, Bai Yan realized that he was worried that he would refuse, so he chose a place with many people.
"Wuyang is the time when wine is in full swing, so why compete!"
Jing Ke turned his head, frowned, and looked at Qin Wuyang with a dissatisfied expression. After finishing speaking, he glanced at Bai Yan.
"General Bai drinks a lot. Could it be that Wuyang was born a villain?"
Jing Ke cursed softly.
Although on the surface he was scolding Qin Wuyang and asking if Qin Wuyang planned to take advantage of others, in reality it fell into Bai Yan's ears and could easily arouse dissatisfaction.
If it were another person, he would have stood up and agreed to the contest without hesitation. After all, everyone was drinking together, and no one would drink too much. If Qin Wuyang didn't accept the contest, it would make people laugh if word spread.
"General Bai, please don't be offended. Wuyang was young and drunk, and his words were wrong!"
Jing Ke turned around and explained the ceremony to Bai Yan as Yan's envoy and guest.
Qin Wuyang also stood up at this time, came in front of everyone, and saluted Bai Yan.
"Wu Yang was careless, don't blame General Bai! Take it to another day, General Bai has not drank, Wu Yang will ask for advice again!"
Qin Wuyang bent down to perform the ceremony and spoke slowly, in a slow tone.
Although it was an apology, it still made Yang Yan frown slightly.
At this moment, Yang Yan sensitively noticed that the eyes of the soldiers around him had obviously been affected by Qin Wuyang's words.
"Then let's look for another day!"
Bai Yan looked at Qin Wuyang, smiled, raised his hand, and bowed slowly.
The voice fell.
Jing Ke and Qin Wuyang were both shocked. They didn't expect that Bai Yan really didn't care about his face and wasn't even afraid of being laughed at.
this!!!!
Just when Jing Ke and Qin Wuyang were caught off guard by Bai Yan's words, Bai Yan's voice sounded again.
"Bai Yan is a young drinker, but he is worried about doing something wrong and hurting the envoy of Yan. This is a breach of etiquette. If word spreads, other countries will laugh at me for being rude to Qin!"
Bai Yan looked at Qin Wuyang, his eyes straight and without any dodge.
Such a look.
In an instant, the young Qin Wuyang looked at Bai Yan with wide eyes and full of anger.
What does it mean to accidentally hurt him?
Is Qin Wuyang afraid of pain?
Ever since he was a child in Yan State, no one had ever dared to say this to him, no matter his age or elders.
"What General Bai said, Qin Wuyang insists on giving it a try. The sword is ruthless. If General Bai has the ability, Qin Wuyang will die without a single complaint. On the contrary, he hopes that if General Bai makes a mistake, Wu Yang will not be blamed!"
"
Qin Wuyang looked at Bai Yan panting. At this moment, in his mind, he wanted to kill Bai Yan immediately.
Beside the city road.
The four cavalry officers guarding the side looked at each other after hearing Qin Wuyang's words, and then showed strange smiles.
Others have never seen it, but they have seen the general's swordsmanship with their own eyes.
In their eyes, Qin Wuyang's actions were undoubtedly seeking death.
"Wuyang!"
Jing Ke glared at Qin Wuyang, and this time he was indeed a little angry. In the original plan, it was just a simple test, but now Qin Wuyang obviously did not plan to use a wooden sword, but planned to use a real sword.
The sword has no eyes. Jing Ke just wanted to find out Bai Yan's martial intentions and prepare to kill Bai Yan in the Xianyang court in the future. This was not the place to kill Bai Yan.
"snort!"
When Qin Wuyang saw Jing Ke's eyes, he was filled with anger, but he also restrained himself a little.
After all, Qin Wuyang still respected Jing Ke very much, whether it was his martial arts or his courage.
"General Bai, if we really want to compete, Jing Ke thinks that a wooden sword will suffice. After all, even with a wooden sword, victory or defeat can be seen. We, the Yan State, and the Qin State came to form an alliance, not to enmity."
Jing Ke turned around, sighed, looked at Bai Yan and suggested, even worried that Bai Yan was serious, Jing Ke deliberately moved out of Yan and Qin.
Yang Yan knelt down behind the wooden table, watching this scene with great interest, glanced at Jing Ke, and then looked at the young envoy Yan who provoked Bai Yan.
Turning his head to look at Bai Yan beside him, Yang Yan was not worried at all about Bai Yan.
After all, when Yang Yan was outside Yanyu City, he once saw Bai Yan by the bonfire that night, with blood all over his body and even his face and hair.
Yang Yan didn't know how strong Bai Yan was, but Yang Yan knew that Bai Yan was definitely not bad.
Under the eaves.
Under Jing Ke's gaze, Bai Yan raised his hand.
"nature!"
Bai Yan said.
This also tells Jing Ke that Bai Yan also agrees with what he just said.
See the situation.
Jing Ke breathed a sigh of relief, while Qin Wuyang looked happy and looked at Bai Yan with a fierce look in his eyes.
After a while.
Under the watchful eyes of Yang Yan, Jing Ke, and two other Yan officials, as the Qin soldiers brought the wooden swords they used to practice fighting, Bai Yan and Qin Wuyang stood up, each holding a wooden sword and walked to the city road.
At this moment, in the city road, all the Qin soldiers around were standing guard, but they were actually looking sideways.
In full view of everyone, Qin Wuyang tipped his wooden sword and sneered.
"Take it easy!"
After saying that, Qin Wuyang raised his head and looked at Bai Yan, who was ten steps away and was wearing black clothes after taking off his Qin official uniform.
Recalling that in the Yan Kingdom, no one was his opponent, and recalling the feeling of killing people, Qin Wuyang slowly held the hilt of the wooden sword with both hands, pointed the tip of the sword at Bai Yan, and showed murderous intent in his eyes.
Bai Yan naturally saw the look in Qin Wuyang's eyes.
Under the illumination of the evening sun, with everyone watching, Bai Yan stood in the city road, slowly holding the wooden sword in his backhand behind his back, and then slowly looked at Qin Wuyang.
"it's wired?"
Jing Ke suddenly frowned slightly. He had traveled around the world for so many years and had never seen such a sword-raising posture.