My Chinese ancestors

Chapter 229 The Emperor of Wei makes the last stand
On August [-], in Luyang, Wei State, the streets were filled with stench.

Five watch.

Long Qiao, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, took a carriage from his residence to the imperial city. After passing through several streets and alleys, the stench of feces and urine spread through the carriage curtains.

Under the low eaves, people with sallow faces and thin skin and ragged clothes sat slumped under the street eaves. Children were weakly held in their mothers' arms, and women numbly opened their clothes to let their children suck on their flat chests.

The men who still had some strength gathered together, chatting in low voices, looking at the nearby grain store that had not yet opened, their eyes glowing with a vicious green light like wolves.

People are so hungry that they become wild beasts and can do anything.

Long Qiao's face was ugly and a little indifferent. There was nothing he could do for these hungry people. Just yesterday, Yan's army, which was more terrifying than wild beasts, was stationed thirty miles away. Yesterday evening, the letter urging surrender was shot onto the tower. .

Surrender was obviously impossible, but for the soldiers in the city and the officials in the court, it was undoubtedly a naked humiliation, but everyone remained silent in a surprisingly unanimous manner.

In the past, the arrogant civil and military officials in the court and the emperor who was like a bear and a tiger were obviously frightened, but no one took off this layer of shame.

The carriage arrived at the imperial city quickly. Many colleagues from the court and central government had gathered outside the Zhengyang Gate. Long Qiao got off the carriage. The civil and military officials did not come up to talk to each other and say hello as usual. They all remained silent and did not know what they were thinking.

Soon, the imperial city gate opened and hundreds of officials entered the palace. Then, they lined up to enter the main hall as usual. Today was the emperor's first appearance in court after recovering from illness. Everyone knew what was going to be discussed.

In the Jinluan Hall, Zhao Chuanting came earlier than the officials. He observed the expressions of civil and military officials in the side hall. After they entered the hall and stood in their respective positions, he led the eunuchs over to accept the worship of the officials. Then he sat on the dragon chair.

"Everyone should know that the Yan army has arrived outside Luyang City. My army was completely defeated. Many soldiers became prisoners, and some simply became dogs and worked hard for the people of Yan. Along the way, they fought for the people of Yan. The people of Yan State are rebels by removing obstacles, and their families will be beheaded in the market place early this morning!"

The emperor's voice echoed in the main hall. Long Qiao, Yuan Feng and other ministers lowered their heads and closed their eyes and listened quietly.

There were footsteps outside, and a palace guard walked in holding a tray. The ministers raised their heads slightly, and Yuan Feng's expression suddenly changed. The tray contained Du Lingyan's head. His eyes were wide open with a look of pain and fear. .

"But there are also some people who don't want to lead the army in battle and fight for the country, but are greedy for life and afraid of death. They abandon the army and run back to Luyang. I don't want such a general, and I will never allow him to be alive!"

Zhao Chuanting clapped the dragon chair and stood up. With a wave of his hand, he asked the guards to take the head out of the hall. He softened his tone and said, "I made a bet with the young man from the Yan Kingdom. I lost the bet. All 16 troops and horses were lost in a few days. I am sad. ! I regret it! But the ministers have no responsibility at all? In the past, I will not care about who was left without a meal or who enriched his own pockets. The national crisis is at hand and the enemy is facing us. The ministers should work together with me to drive out the foreign enemies. "

The emperor walked on the imperial steps, his voice was slow, steady, and rich.

"Yesterday afternoon, my imperial uncle passed away. The clan lost a mainstay, and our Wei Dynasty lost a humeral minister. However, the Wei Dynasty has not yet fallen. The three states have been disrupted and eaten by yellow turban ants and thieves. But there are eight states, and their reinforcements are also on the way. As long as we hold on to Luyang and wait until the reinforcements arrive, there is still a glimmer of hope!"

"I have been thinking about it on the sick bed these days..." Zhao Chuanting stood at the entrance of the imperial steps and looked at the ministers, "This is the only way. However, the Yan army also lost troops and generals when they attacked the city. In Luyang, where the walls are thick, they are already overwhelmed, but I still have [-] soldiers and horses guarding the city, and [-] Xiongben troops in hand, so I am not afraid.

Right now, I need an envoy to go to the Yan army camp. Negotiation is fake, spying is real. Bargain with them, delay the arrival of reinforcements, or regroup the remaining soldiers outside the city! "

Having said this, he looked at the ministers.

"Gentlemen, do you have anyone you can recommend?"

Everyone, you look at me, I look at you, Yuan Feng walked out of the queue, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I think...Liu Gun is the most suitable. He had previously served as an envoy to the Yan State military camp in Chendu County, Junzhou, and had met that person King Xia."

As soon as he spoke, an old minister at the end of the queue of civil servants suddenly showed a shit-eating expression on his face.

"Liu Qing!" The emperor on the imperial steps called out his name. The old minister gritted his teeth and walked out quickly, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, I am here."

Zhao Chuanting sat back on the throne and looked seriously at the veteran minister below.

"You know what to do when you go this time, right?"

"My minister... according to the order!"

Liu Gun, who looked upright, accepted the order. When he turned around and left the hall, his legs were shaking slightly under his robe...

……

The court meeting dispersed, and the emperor's orders were conveyed to various officials. Facing the north gate of the Yan army, there was a tense situation at the moment. Groups of soldiers rushed here, and the enlisted civilians rushed to carry the equipment to defend the city.

On this morning, Liu Gun took a carriage, took several guards and a deputy envoy out of the north gate, and went along the official road to the Yanguo military camp thirty miles away.

In the wilderness thirty miles away, all the wood that had not been burned by the Wei military camp had been transported by the slaves, and a camp of about ten miles was set up here.

Flags were standing everywhere, soldiers and horses were coming in and out, and piles of bonfires were burning brightly in the camp. The iron pots above were boiling food from the Wei army. The horses that were injured and could no longer fight were all slaughtered and boiled together with porridge and water. Condolence to the soldiers.

The large tent in the center was decorated with furs, swords and guns to create a solemn and majestic look. There was a bonfire burning in the middle, and a spear was pierced through a whole fat sheep, which was being burned by the blazing flames and dripping with oil.

The generals here were not as majestic and ferocious as in the past. They were busy turning spears on the racks, turning over roasted sheep, or helping to sprinkle condiments. Dong Zhuo had prepared a towel and tied it to his chest early, while instructing Zhang He on how to control the heat. Talking to Lu Bu and Ma Chao about the best way to eat mutton so that it doesn't feel greasy.

Su Chen took off his mountain armor, washed away the blood on his body, and came to the handsome tent wearing royal clothes. He bowed to Lu Bu, Dong Zhuo and others who were experienced in roasting mutton in the tent, and then sat down at the front seat.

After a great victory, the whole army must be rewarded. Now that the troops are approaching Luyang, even if they want to attack the city, they must rest and eat well first.Soon, after Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and other generals had arranged their troops and horses, they rushed to the commander's tent for the banquet. As soon as they entered, Zhang Fei placed the wine jars sandwiched under his armpits on both sides on the ground.

"Zhang Yide, when we march and fight, do you also bring wine?" Li Jue came over with a smile, picked up a jar of wine and was about to open the mud seal, but Zhang Fei snatched the jar back.

"I prepared this for the celebration banquet. Take a look, don't you use it?! Haha!" Zhang Fei hurried over, pushed Zhang He aside, and skillfully turned the whole sheep on the spear, "The pig and sheep , it’s me... I’m also very familiar with this.”

"smell good!"

Zhang Liao and Gao Shun changed into their regular clothes and strode into the tent. They smiled and held their hands in front of everyone. After coming forward to greet Su Chen, they said to Zhang Fei who was roasting mutton: "General Zhang is very skilled. He roasted it a lot when he was in Zhuo County." Sheep?"

"Hey, I'll let you try my craft later."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and chuckled, and was about to go to Zhang Liao and sit down when laughter suddenly came from behind him. Outside the tent, two veterans with gray hair followed Zhao Yun. One of them was wearing Tang Dynasty armor. You can see it, after all, they also have this style.

"General Zhao... Qiong has read unofficial history all over the place, and admires you very much for defeating Cao Cao's army of millions of thieves. Later, when I went to war with His Majesty, I mostly regarded you as..."

The veteran stopped talking and was stunned for a moment when he saw the extraordinary-looking and burly generals in the tent. He raised his hands and said, "I am Qin Qiong, whose name is Shubao. I wonder if you are... Guan... Guan Erye?"

Qin Qiong recognized the figure beside Zhang Liao with his eyes closed and stroking his beard at a glance, and he quickly stepped forward to offer his hand. Guan Yu opened his eyes slightly, looked at the veteran in front of him, and slowly stood up and returned the gesture.

"This is Mr. Guan. Where do you belong to?"

"I am from Licheng, Qizhou, Tang Dynasty!" Qin Qiong laughed, "When Qiong was still in Wagang Village, the brothers all said that the second master was loyal."

Zhang Yu, who was behind Qin Qiong, also came over at this time, carefully looked at Guan Yu in front of him, and murmured: "Finally I saw a living person..."

At this time, heavy footsteps sounded outside. Li Xuanba threw a pair of Wengjin drumsticks outside the tent and strode in: "Who said he was from the Tang Dynasty just now?!"

His eyes swept across the tent and then fell on Qin Qiong.

"Are you also a Tang general?"

"Who is your Excellency?" Qin Qiong had never met Li Xuanba. After all, he had already died of illness at home at that time. Later, he only occasionally heard Li Shimin mention such a brother.

"Li Xuanba, have you ever heard of my second brother Li Shimin?"

Qin Qiong immediately stepped forward to greet him and introduced himself to his family. For a while, the most common greeting in the handsome tent was, "Where are you from?" "From the Tang Dynasty." "The Ming Dynasty."

"what about you?"

"Big fellow."

Lu Bu and other generals in the tent said in unison, and then burst into laughter. The newcomers Qin Qiong and Zhang Yu, both heroic men, also laughed.

"Shu Bao still has fellow villagers here, but Yu is probably alone."

"No, Dong has met someone from your Ming Dynasty before. He was a eunuch. The king seemed to call him something harmonious."

"Sambo is here too?"

Zhang Yu's eyes suddenly lit up. Zheng He had also been following King Yan Jingnan, and he was naturally very familiar with it. Thinking of that little eunuch back then, he couldn't help laughing.

"General Zhang will be able to meet Eunuch Zheng when he returns to Yanjing."

Su Chen stretched out his hand and invited the two old generals to sit down on one side. He liked to see the excitement in the tent the most. A group of generals from various dynasties and generations sitting together and bragging to each other was also a good sight.

At this time, outside the tent, Li Shimin, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei were watching inside. Cao Cao whispered: "While I was down there, I heard that Guan Gong fought Qin Qiong... By the way, who is better, Yunchang or Qin Shubao?"

"Of course it's my second brother!" Liu Bei had no expression on his face and spoke without thinking.

Li Shimin put his hands behind his hands and raised his face slightly: "Of course I think Qin Qiong is better."

"I still think Yun Chang is awesome, look at the way he strokes his beard and closes his eyes!"

Cao Cao pointed at the movements of Guan Yu who was sitting in the tent, and tsked his tongue, "Just because of his martial arts, even if his martial arts are not high, standing next to him makes him more dignified. This is what Gu has always envied Xuande."

Liu Bei smiled faintly, straightened his back unconsciously, and moved away leisurely with his hands behind his back.

……

Outside the camp, the envoy from Wei State who came from afar had arrived at the camp gate and was stopped by the soldiers. The deputy envoy came down from the car and delivered the greeting card.

(End of this chapter)