That night, Qu Gao followed Shi Min's army back. When they passed outside Nanyang City, Qu Gao asked Shi Min to let him bury Zhu Yan.
As promised, Qu Gao and eight dead soldiers buried Zhu Yan outside Lianhe Town outside Nanyang City. Then they followed the army all the way north to Luoyang.
In Luoyang at night, there are no lights of the past, no hustle and bustle of the streets, and everything is desolate. In some secluded alleys, there are many refugees in ragged clothes, and there are even many thin and frail people.
The child wanted to get off his horse and help, but suddenly he remembered that he was a surrendered general and was in the enemy's camp. How could he be allowed to do whatever he wanted?
After following the army into the camp, Qu Gao and the eight dead soldiers were arranged to rest in a tent. Only one soldier was left to guard the entrance of the tent. Their weapons were not confiscated and their movements were restricted. Obviously, they were not regarded as surrendering to the enemy.
Qu Gao sat quietly in the tent, unable to help but feel sorrow in his heart. In one day, he lost his most confidant, became a wanted criminal in Xiangyang, and now he has become a surrendered general of Zhao State. All of this seemed to come too soon.
It was almost over. Everything did not give him time to relax. Now that he calmed down, Qu Gao felt exhausted and couldn't lift up his body at all. If possible, it would be great to just fall down and sleep like this. But when he thought about it,
It's in the enemy's camp, and I'm so high-spirited and energetic that I can't relax here.
He didn't know how long he had been feeling nervous. Qu Gao raised his head and saw eight dead soldiers standing quietly in two rows, with their heads lowered facing him. Qu Gao shouted: "Brothers have been tired for a whole day. Let's rest early."
I wonder what the elder brothers are called?"
The leader raised his head and replied: "Qu Lang, we are all guilty of death. It was Brother Chang who saved us. Our previous identities were buried with the crime. We are all swordsmen. Qu Lang calls me Jian Yi."
That's right, these are Sword Two, Sword Three, Sword Four, Sword Five, Sword Six, Sword Seven, and Sword Eight." The big man introduced everyone one by one, and Qu Gao found their names very interesting and became a little more emotional.
, said: "It's rare that several eldest brothers are swordsmen, but it's a coincidence."
Jianyi replied: "We are not the only eight of us. The girl travels all over the country and deals with people from all walks of life. She will inevitably run into trouble. Brother Chang arranged for eight of us to protect the girl. In addition to our eight swords, there are also four swords and four swords.
With Brother Chang at his side, he is currently escorting Qu Lang's family to Changsha."
Hearing this, Qu Gao recalled that before Zhu Yan died, she had tried so hard to plan a way out for him and asked for reinforcements. She had accurately calculated Qu Gao's character, but she could not have imagined that Qu Gao was in the Zhao army camp at this time.
After regaining his composure, Qu Gao said sadly: "Now that Ayan is dead, the missions of several elder brothers have been completed. They are all masters of swordsmanship. It is not difficult to leave this place. Or go south to ordinary elder brother, or be happy in the world. There is no need."
Stay here and be a prisoner with Qu Gao."
Jianyi asked: "Qu Lang, are you willing to come with us? The eight of us will save Qu Lang even if we risk our lives!"
"Since I have surrendered and Shi Min has not attacked Xiangyang as promised, I cannot leave." Qu Gao sighed and said, "Besides, if I stay, I may be helpful to Xiangyang in the future. You go!"
Several people looked at each other and exchanged eyes for a moment. Then eight people knelt down to worship. Jianyi said: "Qu Lang Zhongyi! We brothers have killed people and set fires. We have committed heinous crimes and deserve to die, but we are also strong-willed men!"
Now that I have changed my appearance, I also want to contribute to my family and my country. The eight of us are willing to follow Qu Lang and do whatever he wants!"
Qu Gao stood up in a hurry and helped the eight people up one by one. He finally showed a smile on his face, and without too many polite words, Qu Gao and several people held their arms and rubbed their hands, and said solemnly: "Thank you!"
There was a burst of rapid and heavy footsteps outside the tent, and a heavy-armored general opened the curtain and walked in, shouting: "Qu Gao, the general has invited you to a banquet!"
It’s finally here! How Qu Gao will handle himself in the future depends on today’s banquet!
"Qu Lang!" When the eight dead men saw Qu Gao getting up to attend the banquet, their expressions were cold and their hands dropped to their waists. Qu Gao stopped him with his eyes and said calmly: "General Meng treats you with courtesy and respect. I would like to ask this general to lead the way."
In the main tent of the Chinese army, you can hear the Hu generals drinking wine from afar. The soldiers are constantly bringing in food and wine. The light and shadow of the charcoal fire are swaying. The Hu people are chatting and laughing. They are calming down and strutting.
Step into the account.
"Subjugate Qu Gao and come here to see the general as ordered!"
The tent suddenly became quiet. Qu Gao was dressed in a red dress, with his hair tied in a golden crown. His peach-like face was still like that of a young man, but perhaps he had experienced too much in one day, and his childish demeanor had faded. He ordered the soldiers in Xiangyang.
At that time, he seemed to have given birth to a three-point majestic temperament. He was originally a celestial being, but under the light of the fire, he looked like a god coming to this world. How could such a magnificent person be born in the north? For a time, nearly a hundred generals in the tent were whispering to each other,
There was a lot of discussion.
"Okay!" Shi Min, who was sitting on the high seat in the middle, dropped his wine glass on the table, pointed at Qu Gao, and said with a smile on his face: "The generals are called here today just to introduce to you the biggest gain of this expedition to Xiangyang, Xiangyang Qu Gao!
"
Among the generals in the tent, many of them also went with the Xiangyang expedition and knew what happened. There were also some generals who stayed behind in Luoyang. They were doubtful. Their generals were invincible. This time they went to Xiangyang and brought back a young boy.
, was so happy that he summoned all the generals in the army to celebrate. One man stood up and asked: "General, this boy is handsome, but what is his ability that made the general give up Xiangyang for him?
"
Qu Gao frowned when he was asked this question. He seemed to have thought about this question, but he didn't understand why Ran Min left Xiangyang so easily available and refused to take it. He had seen Shi Min's cavalry, which were well-trained and brave.
Good at fighting, I asked myself that the strength of Xiangyang's garrison would definitely not be able to withstand it. Could it be that in addition to the Xiangyang garrison, the Wang family still had backup options?
Before Qu Gao could understand, Shi Min stood up and said loudly: "This boy is as famous as the Wang family's legitimate son, the Jade-faced King, who assassinated Zhang You alone, and even killed my envoy with his own hands when surrounded by heavy armor in Xiangyang.
The minister, Marquis Gudu and the two masters of the Jie clan are second best in skill, and I really appreciate this boldness. When my 30,000 iron cavalry came to the city, this kid used his white body to order the Xiangyang defenders, and even called Zu Di to lead the troops himself.
When troops come to help, it is boring to win a city, but it is fun to win a good general!"
Shi Min's words and tone all spoke highly of Qu Gao. After hearing Qu Gao's deeds, the generals had some doubts at first. However, after verification by other generals, it was true, and there was a little more in their eyes when they looked at Qu Gao.
He was highly appreciated. Ran Min arranged for Qu Gao to take a seat and treated him like a distinguished guest. The generals came to propose a toast one by one. Qu Gao was so drunk that he became drunk after a while.
The Hu people were aggressive, and when they got drunk, they began to compete in martial arts in the center of the tent. The two of them competed only with fists and kicks, and it was very lively as you and I came and went. Although Qu Gao was drunk, he saw the martial arts competition.
, and also cheered up. I had heard that the Hu people were brave and brave, and when I saw it today, it was true. The martial arts of several ordinary generals in the hot field were not inferior to Xiangyang General Li He, and then I saw the martial arts of more than a dozen masters.
Qu Gao felt a chill in his heart. The Hu people were so brave. No wonder the Jin army was defeated one after another. With such a disparity in strength, how could the Jin family survive and Xiangyang be safe?
On the pretext of sobering up, Qu Gao came outside the tent alone and saw that the troops around him were well-organized and well-trained. They were not slacking off even late at night, which showed that their military discipline was strict. It must be said that the military strength of Zhao State is admirable.
.In comparison, Xiangyang's army, commanded by Zhang You, was already one of the best in the entire Jin Dynasty, but it was still far behind.
"Qu Lang is not used to these rough military men?" Shi Min's thick voice came from behind.
Qu Gao was startled and turned around and said: "Don't dare! The general has already given Qu Gao enough respect for his humble status, but..." Qu Gao remembered that Shi Min knew a lot about his deeds during the banquet just now, and he must be in Xiangyang City.
He put in his ears and said bluntly: "It's just that the general knows Qu Gao's identity and origin, and he must also know that Qu Gao is a commoner. The Xiangyang garrison did not listen to my orders, and General Zu Di was not invited to relieve the siege. What I just said is actually true.
It’s an exaggeration.”
"You are honest!" Shi Min laughed heartily twice, and then said: "But so what? Mrs. Zhu is working for you, and what she does is what you do; the Jade Faced King's head also truly cares for you.
I am so afraid that I want to get rid of you to avoid future troubles; can it be that your status as an ordinary civilian can cause Xiangyang to change its owner and my army to return without success?"
Qu Gao suddenly thought about something, but seemed to have misunderstood, and asked: "Did the general retreat because General Zudi came to help?"
Shi Min snorted in dissatisfaction and asked, "What do you think of my army?"
"Well trained, unstoppable!" Qu Gao blurted out without thinking.
Shi Min continued: "That's right! Even if Ancestor Di comes to help and unites with the Xiangyang defenders, I'm not afraid. It's easy for me to capture a city, but how to take care of it after capturing it is not my specialty. My account
You have just seen the generals below. They are all rare and brave warriors in the world. Let them attack the city and capture the territory. I believe that if you look at the entire Jin Dynasty, it will be difficult to have an opponent. But just like now, the ancient capital of Luoyang, which is under our feet, has also been conquered.
The land is in such a state of ruin, so I urgently need a helper who can govern the city and has a heart to love the people!"
When Shi Min said this, he stared straight at Qu Gao, and Qu Gao could feel the heat in his eyes. Qu Gao asked: "When the general talks about helpers who can govern the city and love the people, do they mean the helpers below?"
?”
"Not bad!" Shi Min affirmed.
Qu Gao had doubts in his heart. He had never participated in politics, so how could he govern the city? He had never been an official, so how could he love the people?
Xu Shi saw Qu Gao's thoughts, and Shi Min said: "You may not know it yourself, but the industry under your name now penetrates into all fields of agriculture, commerce, military and government. Although Zhu died, he made great achievements in various industries.
You have left usable helpers. These industries are the lifeblood of any country that is in short supply. The prosperity of all walks of life is the key to governing a city, and you have such strength!" After a pause
, Shi Min added: "As for your love for the people, I heard that on the night of the assassination of Zhang You, in order to keep the leader of Xiangyang, you actually rescued Li He from the king's hands, who wanted to kill you. On the tower of Xiangyang City, you personally killed him."
During the execution, no one from the Xiangyang garrison stopped you. This is your popularity, and it is also something that makes the head of the Jade Faced King, and even the entire Xiangyang noble clan, fearful."
Qu Gao had never thought about it so much. He was drunk and his brain was very slow, so he asked again: "So, what do you think the general wants to do?"
Shi Min was stunned and looked over again to make sure that he was not pretending to be confused. Seeing that his eyes were blurred, his mind was shaking slightly, and his face was red with wine, he said patiently: "I want you to help me take care of Luoyang."
On the way with the army, Qu Gao was really moved by the ruins and refugees in Luoyang. Without much thought, Qu Gao responded: "Okay!"
Shi Min was overjoyed, and hurriedly took Qu Gao back to the tent, cleared the place, and loudly announced: "Brothers, from today on, I will make Qu Gao King of Luoyang, in charge of Luoyang's political affairs, and commander of the three armies. Seeing that he is like this
I, however, have orders and must not disobey!" After saying that, he took off the sword from his waist, handed it to Qu Gao, and said to everyone: "This sword is the sword I carry with me. When I first led the army, I used it to kill
I named the thirty-six generals who disobeyed my orders thirty-six beheads and gave them to Qu Gao today. If there are any who disobey my orders, they can be beheaded without retribution to me!"
"My subordinates obey your orders and see the King of Luoyang!"
Hu Ren's drink was very strong and the stamina was very strong. Qu Gao felt that the sound made his head even more dizzy. He only heard Shi Min handing the sword to his hand, and he didn't know anything after that.