Xianyang, following the news of snow falling in Handan County and Yanmen County, Xianyang also welcomed the first snow of the year.
In the Xianyang Palace, the huge stove emits a faint red light unique to the fire, and the entire study is filled with warmth. However, Ying Zheng, who is standing next to the map, looks helpless.
Bai Yan!
Thinking that Bai Yan, who was still in Qufu, and the Qin army of more than 100,000, would soon face Chu alone, Ying Zheng's heart felt like a huge stone was pressing down on him.
There is no greater merit than to sacrifice one's life to save the king.
Almost two years have passed since Jing Ke's assassination. Since Luoyin was rewarded to Bai Yan and became his fiefdom, Ying Zheng has never mentioned this matter to anyone, but this does not mean that Ying Zheng will forget this matter.
matter.
As much as the psychological shadow that Jing Ke has caused to Ying Zheng, Ying Zheng will remember Bai Yan's affairs deeply.
In the past, after being pushed away by Bai Yan in front of the main hall, he watched the Yan envoy Jing Ke stabbing the dagger into Bai Yan's body. That scene has never been forgotten by Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng remembered very clearly in his mind that all the civil and military officials in the court were watching and shouting under the hall. No one dared to come forward. Only Bai Yan was alone. In order to protect him, he stood in front of him and tried his best to stop him.
Jing Ke.
While sleeping at night these past few days, Ying Zheng's mind instinctively emerged. When he saw Bai Yan in the court for the first time, he finally understood why his mother had specifically told him.
I also realized that Yanmen dealt with the matter of robbery and selling!
I'm afraid that Bai Yan is the only one in the entire Qin Kingdom who dares to do that.
Feel the quietness.
Ying Zheng stood next to the map, looked at the map, and looked at the location of the Chu State. Ying Zheng secretly swore in his heart that if Bai Yan died in the Chu State, when the Qin State invaded the Chu State in the future, the Xiong family, the Qu family, and the Jing family,
The Zhao family, the Xiang family... and the place where Bai Yan died in battle, all the living people will be buried with Bai Yan.
No matter who stops me!
Wang Jian, Wei Liao and others on the side were all looking at the map and whispering to each other, as if they were discussing something.
What is particularly eye-catching is that among the ministers, Wang Wan is wearing the Qin official uniform, which is already the uniform of the prime minister, and standing with Wang Wan is Feng Quji. At this time, Feng Quji is wearing official uniform.
Like Wang Wan, it is a unique clothing pattern of the Qin State.
"Your Majesty, it will still take a few days to deal with the aftermath, but the food and grass sent to Wuguan have been prepared. Now we just wait for General Wang Ben to lead his troops back to Qin! However, there is heavy snow in Xianyang, and I am worried that there will also be snow in Yingchuan...
…”
After Wang Wan and Feng Quji said something, they turned their heads, looked at Ying Zheng, raised their hands and said.
Li Xin led the Qin army of 200,000 to a defeat. Not to mention that all the captains were killed in the battle, but the generals who were captured by the Chu state, and many aftermath matters needed to be dealt with. Therefore, the positions of the left and right prime ministers had not been determined before.
When most of the officials in the court had no objections, Wang Wan and Feng Quji, who had returned from Shangjun, were quickly appointed as the right prime minister.
Just after Wang Wan finished speaking, Han Yezhe hurried to the study room, holding the bamboo slips in both hands.
"Report, Your Majesty! A letter sent by General Wang Ben!"
When they heard that the letter was from Wang Ben, Wei Liao, Wang Wan and others were not surprised. Why was Han Ye so anxious?
At present, the only thing Qin can rely on is the army under Wang Ben's command.
Once Chu wants to attack Wuguan, Wuguan may not be able to hold out for long in the face of Xiang Yan's attack, even if Yingkan and his men are there to garrison it.
In the study room.
After Wang Wan reported the matter, he put down his hands and learned that General Wang Ben had sent the bamboo slips. Knowing the seriousness of the matter, he looked at Ying Zheng.
Feng Quji, who was wearing the uniform of the Qin State and leading the prime minister, looked a little nervous when he saw that Ying Zheng had taken the bamboo slip from Han Yezhe and opened it quickly.
Turning his head to look at the map, Feng Quji couldn't help but feel a little worried when he thought that Bai Yan was still in Qufu and his situation was critical.
Now not only does the State of Qin need Wang Ben to lead troops back to defend Wuguan, but Bai Yan's life and death may also be in Wang Ben's hands. Yingchuan, please don't let it snow!!!
Otherwise, Bai Yan...
Feng Quji's eyes dimmed. In this fight for position, Feng Quji knew clearly that not only the Bai family contributed, but also Bai Yan was secretly helping. If Bai Yan hadn't been the cause, he asked himself, Feng Quji couldn't think of the Yang family.
Why did the Li family from Longxi, the Li family from Bai, and Ying Kan who had been in the court all support him without hesitation?
Especially for the latter, Yingkan was the head of the Ying clan in the Qin Dynasty. Yingkan's words and deeds were extremely important. It can be said that without Yingkan, when he competed with Wang Wan for the position, he served as the supervisor of hundreds of officials, and has always been
Wang Wan, the imperial censor who is both at the Xianyang court, should always have the advantage from the beginning to the end.
However, in fact, Wang Wan struggled to gain the upper hand from the beginning to the end, and even felt faintly weak.
"Kings?"
Feng Quji came back to his senses. When he saw Ying Zheng's face looking at the bamboo slips, he became more and more embarrassed. He suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart and quickly asked.
Wang Jian, Li Si, Wei Liao and others naturally noticed Ying Zheng's breathing disorder and their eyes became panicked.
An idea emerged in everyone's mind.
But at this time, in front of everyone, Ying Zheng looked in a daze, put down the bamboo slips, and held the bamboo slips in one hand, with a look of confusion on his face.
"Wang Ben reported that there has been heavy snowfall in Yingchuan County for several days. More than 100,000 troops are trapped in Huayang, Yingchuan, and they can travel less than ten miles a day..."
Ying Zheng said, and then everyone couldn't believe it.
In the study room.
When Wang Jian and Wei Liao heard Ying Zheng's words, they looked at each other, turned their heads with worries and looked at the map.
"No! Huayang is far away from Wuguan... it's too late!"
Wang Jian and Wei Liao frowned.
After Li Si looked at the map, he seemed to have thought of something. His expression was solemn. He turned to look at Wang Jian and bowed his hands in greeting.
"General Wang Jian, the general has fought with Xiang Yan, and I would like to ask the general to estimate how long it will take for Xiang Yan to attack the important cities in Nanyang?"
Li Si asked.
When Wang Jian heard this, he looked at Li Si, pondered for two breaths and then shook his head.
"All the troops stationed in Nanyang entered Chu before and were killed by the Chu army. Chu has just won a great victory and its morale is high. Coupled with Xiang Yan, counting the time, I am afraid that they will reach Wuguan in one or two days!"
Wang Jian replied.
After receiving the answer, Li Si's face couldn't help but change a little, and he quickly looked at Ying Zheng.
"Your Majesty! If from the beginning, Chu wanted General Wang Ben to return to defend Qin..."
When Li Si said this, he pointed at the map on the side under his loose official embroidered robe, his expression full of seriousness.
"Now if Xiang Yan learns about the heavy snowfall in Yingchuan and General Wang Ben is trapped in Huayang in Yingchuan, then I am afraid that the target of Chu State will no longer be General Bai Yan in Qufu!"
After Li Si finished speaking, his breathing became a little unnatural.
It's not that Li Si hasn't experienced big scenes. Li Si is actually a little scared when he thinks about the consequences. Today's Qin State is no better than before. Qin State has been fighting for years, and its territory has doubled, and Qin State has to divide its troops to garrison in various places to prevent rebellion. Now it faces
The Chu State's large army, on the other hand, could mobilize very few.
"Your Majesty! When General Wang Ben returns to the Qin Kingdom, I am afraid that Wuguan has already been lost. I would like your Majesty to immediately order the recruitment of men from various cities in the pass to garrison Wuguan to resist the Chu army!"
Li Si advised Ying Zheng.
After hearing Li Si's words, Wang Jian, Wei Liao and others also raised their hands to Ying Zheng.
"I second the proposal!"
"I second the proposal!!!"
From the voices coming from the study room, it is not difficult to hear the anxiety in the words.
Under the gaze of everyone, Ying Zheng looked at the map with a pale face. When Ying Zheng turned his head and looked outside the study in the distance, he could vaguely see the white snow falling.
Since the attack on the Six Kingdoms, Ying Zheng has never been in such a mess. Li Xin's 200,000 troops were all killed by the Chu people. Nanyang County was not protected. General Teng, the governor of Nanyang County who led the army to destroy Han for Ying Zheng, was also in danger.
I'm afraid Wei Di doesn't have the troops to defend it, Bai Yan and his army, and Wuguan.
Even when there was heavy snow, Ying Zheng had no choice but to order the men from the pass to be sent to Wuguan.
"Changping-kun!"
Ying Zheng spoke softly and said the name that made him want to be torn into pieces.
If Lord Changping hadn't betrayed Qin and Ying Zheng, how could Qin be in trouble now? How could Ying Zheng have faced this situation which was tantamount to humiliation?
"Pass the widow's orders..."
Ying Zheng's eyes were full of hatred, but no matter how unwilling he was, he understood at this time that Li Si's words were not alarmist. The top priority was to get Xiang Yan's Chu army outside Wuguan.
But just as he opened his mouth, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard again in the study.
"Your Majesty! A message from the keeper of Nanyang County!"
Han Yezhe once again held a scroll of bamboo slips, came to Ying Zheng, bowed his head and reported.
Nanyang County Sheriff!
After hearing the origin of this bamboo slip, not to mention Feng Quji, Li Si and others, even Ying Zheng turned their heads and looked at the bamboo slip with a bad feeling.
Everyone knows that Nanyang County, which is empty of troops, has no chance of surviving when Xiang Yan of Chu State leads a large army to attack.
"Read it out!"
Ying Zheng had just learned that Wang Ben was trapped in Huayang, Yingchuan due to heavy snowfall, and he was at a low point. Now that he heard the news from Nanyang County, he was even more desperate. Not only was there no accident, but he was mentally prepared.
Feng Quji and Wang Wan looked at each other, thinking that Sima Chang, who was the chief iron officer in Wancheng, and the members of the Sima clan were all in Wancheng. Feng Quji didn't know how to explain to the Bai family after returning.
The Sima family is the descendant of Sima Cuo, the famous general of the Qin State, and is the same family as the Bai family. Although Sima Xing is now escorting Concubine Qi to Linzi of the State of Qi, the relationship between Bai Yu and Sima Xing is like brothers.
"promise!"
Han Yezhe raised his head, saw Ying Zheng's angry and gloomy look, and knew why, so he carefully opened the bamboo slip and read out the handwriting on the bamboo slip.
"The governor of Nanyang County, Chen Teng, presented to my king... Xiang Yan led the Chu army and divided the troops into two groups to attack Sui County and capture Shangtang, Chunling, Caiyang, Fuyang, Pingshi, Jingyang..."
Following Han Ye's words, the names of the cities were read out one by one. In the study room, Li Si, Xin Sheng and other ministers all felt chilled in their hearts.
Even Ying Zheng felt like a heavy hammer hitting his heartstrings when he heard the names of the cities that were captured one after another by the Chu army. His breathing became disordered as the names of the cities were called.
Han Yezhe, who was reading the bamboo slips, had a trace of cold sweat on his forehead. After taking a cautious look at Ying Zheng, he continued to read.
"At the foot of Wancheng, the Chu army gathered their troops and encircled them. Chen Teng, Tie Guanchang, and other city commanders guarded Wancheng..."
When Han Yezhe said this.
Ying Zheng has closed his eyes, and the scene has emerged in his mind of General Teng commanding Sima Chang, and other Nanyang city commanders, officials, and guards facing the mighty Chu army outside the city alone.
Sigh!
When Ying Zheng thought of General Teng's fate, his heart felt empty and he didn't want to imagine it anymore.
Li Si, Wei Liao, Feng Quji, Xin Sheng and others also looked at each other with melancholy expressions. Almost everyone knew that if there were no accidents, this bamboo slip would be the last time they saw the fate of General Teng.
Messages sent by people.
However, what surprised Li Si and others was that the letter seemed not to be finished yet.
"Um?"
Han Yezhe was suddenly startled, and then his speaking speed suddenly increased.
"However, when I was determined to fight to the death, Chu general Xiang Yan led his troops to retreat. I didn't know, so I ordered to make careful inquiries and heard..."
Han Yezhe held the bamboo slips with a dull expression on his face and forgot to speak.
Um?
Ying Zheng was a little surprised when he heard what Han Yezhe said. The Chu army retreated! How is this possible?
Thinking of this, Ying Zheng, who was full of confusion, opened his eyes, and a trace of fatigue appeared in his eyes, which passed quickly. He turned to look at Han Yezhe, wondering if Han Yezhe had read it wrong.
Feng Quji, Wang Jian, Li Si and others who were also in the study looked at each other in astonishment, wondering if they had heard wrongly. Xiang Yan led the Chu army to retreat?
Now that Chu has all the advantages, how could Xiang Yan retreat at this time?
Absolutely impossible!
It makes no sense!
With doubts, everyone noticed at this time that Han Yezhe's face was dull and his pupils were full of shock.
Just when Ying Zheng was a little anxious and impatient, and just about to speak, he saw Han Yezhe slowly raise his head.
"General Bai Yan, the troops are approaching Shouchun! Xiang Yan leads the defense!"
Han Yezhe said with a confused look.
quiet!!!
There was silence in the study room for a moment, as if the slight cold wind blowing outside the door could faintly hear the faintest movement.
After Han Yezhe finished speaking, everyone fell silent.
Han Yezhe looked at Ying Zheng who was looking directly at him, as well as Wei Liao, Wang Wan, Li Si and others who were looking directly at him with their eyes open.
"Kings!"
Han Yezhe was also a little confused, but at this moment he still followed the news and spoke to Ying Zheng again.
"General Bai Yan has already led the troops and is about to attack Shouchun!"
Han Yezhe said again.
At this moment, Han Yezhe was also confused, and his whole mind was confused. But after he finished speaking, before he could react, he suddenly saw that Ying Zheng's face was full of disbelief. After taking two breaths, he quickly stepped forward.
, took the bamboo slip in one hand.
"How can it be!"
"this……"
Wei Liao, Wang Wan and others also came to their senses and looked at each other in disbelief, as if doubting their own ears.
Shouchun? The capital of Chu State?
Bai Yan has already led the troops and is about to attack Shouchun?
How can this be!
Not to mention Wei Liao, Li Si and others, even Feng Quji had a look of astonishment on their faces at this time, and their eyes were full of confusion.
"color!!!"
Ying Zheng shouted excitedly, and Li Si and others turned to look over, and then saw Ying Zheng holding the bamboo slips with trembling hands, his eyes shocked, and his face full of joy.
Then they saw that Ying Zheng hurriedly turned around and came to the map, handed the bamboo slips to Wang Jian, and excitedly pointed to the location east of Chu State in front of everyone.
"Bai Yan, Bai Yan has defeated a hundred thousand Chu troops in Qufu and attacked Chu State all the way to Shouchun! No wonder Xiang Yan has to return to defend Chu State regardless of Wuguan!"
When Ying Zheng said this, he looked at the map where the capital of Chu State, the palace of the King of Chu and the king of Chu were located, and then looked to the east of the Chu State.
Bai Yan!
Ying Zheng did not expect that Bai Yan would surprise him again. Not only did he capture Qufu, but he also defeated the Chu army of more than 100,000 soldiers guarding Miao River.
It had been known before that the Chu State had more than 100,000 troops stationed in Qufu, and the previous news had always said that the commander-in-chief was Xiang Yan.
Therefore, everyone, including Ying Zheng, thought that Bai Yan would not act rashly.
did not expect……
Right now, Bai Yan is only one step away from destroying the Chu Kingdom, and this is the last step.
"Destroying Chu! It's only one step away. As long as Xiang Yan's army is held back this time, Bai Yan will be able to besiege Shouchun! Wang Jian, lead the troops immediately..."
Ying Zheng walked back and forth and said excitedly that after the defeat of an army of 200,000 led by Li Xin, this was the first time Ying Zheng saw the opportunity to destroy Chu so close.
As long as Xiang Yan is held back! Ying Zheng believes in Bai Yan and will definitely destroy Chu!
Thinking of this, how could Ying Zheng not be excited.
However, Ying Zheng hadn't finished speaking yet. Li Si looked at the map and then looked at Ying Zheng.
"Kings!"
Li Si spoke hesitantly and looked a little embarrassed. Ying Zheng, who was interrupted by Li Si, also stopped at this time.
Under Ying Zheng's gaze, Li Si thought for a while and then raised his hands towards Ying Zheng, but he did not dare to look at Ying Zheng.
"Although there is an opportunity to destroy Chu, General Wang Ben is still trapped in Yingchuan by heavy snow. Moreover, even if the men from Guanzhong are recruited, Qin will..."
When Li Si said this, he glanced at Wang Jian who was holding the bamboo slip, and then looked at Ying Zheng.
"Currently there is no food to attack Chu! In addition to the heavy snow, we may not be able to send troops to attack Chu!"
After Li Si finished speaking, he took a step back and put down his hand.
The Qin State was short of food and grass before. Li Xin led 200,000 Qin troops to attack the Chu State, which squeezed the Qin State to the extreme. Later, Lord Changping was defeated and lost all the food and grass. During this period, he had been preparing for defense.
Moreover, the food for the expedition is far more than the food for defense!
Every time the army marches a hundred miles, the amount of food lost along the way is more than ten times...
"What do you mean, ministers?"
Ying Zheng looked at Li Si who was lowering his head. Hearing Li Si's words, he couldn't believe it, and then looked at Wang Wan, Wang Jian and Wei Liao.
"Bai Yan is just a stone's throw away from Shouchun! Destroy Chu! It's so close!"
Ying Zheng shouted loudly.
"I am about to destroy Chu, right before my eyes!"
Ying Zheng said angrily, a little hysterically.
But what answered Ying Zheng was everyone's silence. Wei Liao and others lowered their heads with helpless expressions on their faces.
In fact, everyone, whether Wei Liao, Li Si, or Wang Jian, understood Ying Zheng's mood. After experiencing the rebellion of Changping Jun and Changwen Jun, the two officials headed by the Chu clan, as well as the casualties of Qin's 200,000-strong army,
If it were an ordinary king, he would have collapsed long ago.
After all, Lord Changwen is the general of Qin, and Lord Changping is the right prime minister of Qin, and Qin respects the right!
More importantly, the betrayal of Lord Changping was behind the turmoil among the entire Chu family officials. In addition to these matters, and after the death of 200,000 troops, Yingzheng had to make the final decision on all comfort matters.
The first thing Ying Zheng did was to go to the house in person and invite Wang Jian back. Then he quickly appointed the left and right prime ministers to appease the follow-up matters, and also thought about how to save Bai Yan.
Everything was weighing on Ying Zheng's mind and required Ying Zheng's care. However, Ying Zheng never said a word of "tired" in front of them, and it was always piled up in his heart.
Now, I thought Bai Yan was in Qufu, but who would have thought that news came from Nanyang County that Bai Yan was not only not in Qufu, but had defeated the Chu army in Qufu and was about to attack Shouchun all the way down.
This sudden news, the disappointment accumulated in his heart over the past few days, completely exploded, and it was naturally difficult for Ying Zheng to calm down.
Next to the map.
Ying Zheng looked at Li Si and Wang Jian, and then noticed from the corner of his eye the white snow falling faintly outside the window.
Realizing that he was losing his temper, Ying Zheng forced himself to calm down, came to the map again, and looked at the map.
"If we don't send troops..."
Ying Zheng suddenly spoke, and this opening made Ying Zheng look blankly to the east of Shouchun.
Wang Ben retreated, and the Chu army led by Jing Qi...
And Xiang Yan’s army...
"this……"
Ying Zheng gasped for breath and shook his head in disbelief.
Li Si, Wang Jian, Wei Liao and others looked at the map and suddenly realized what Bai Yan would face if Qin did not send troops and Bai Yan went deep into the hinterland of Chu.
At this time, Li Si, Wang Jian and other Qin ministers also looked worried and desperate.