villain

Chapter 420 Ten Years ([-])

Early in the morning, the people of Chang'an were amazed to find that there was a giant high platform about eight feet high beside the Baqiao.

The four sides are in the shape of horse-faced walls and are divided into three steps.

There are [-] imperial guards on each level, and the highest one needs to look up carefully to see the traces and outlines.

The flag is inserted on it, which looks very solemn.There are also four gods and beasts of green dragon, white tiger, red bird and basalt standing in four corners.

From Baqiao as the center, within a radius of a hundred miles, the guards are heavily guarded.

All the way from Chang'an, every hundred steps, you can definitely see guards with bright armor, and there are guards patrolling along the way.

What is this for?
Although the people in Chang'an already knew what happened, they didn't understand why they had to make such a big show?

At noon, under the guard of eight thousand forbidden troops, the king's chariot came out of Weiyang Palace and slowly drove towards Baqiao.

Liu Bian closed his eyes in the car and concentrated on it. Although he tried his best to appear calm, his heart was ups and downs, panicked and restless.

Ten years, ten years!
God seems to be really funny. Ten years ago, he was the emperor, but he was kicked out of the throne by Dong Zhuo.For ten years, he was terrified and experienced many hardships that ordinary people could not imagine; and ten years later, he became the emperor again.

And the person who supported him to become king was precisely Dong Zhuo's son!
Ten days ago, when Dong Bi and Liu Bian mentioned this matter, Liu Bian couldn't believe his ears.

That's right, he stopped thinking about this day all the time for ten years.His mother also told him repeatedly that Dong Qing would definitely push him back to the throne.One year, two years... Liu Bian waited for this day, he was already numb!
Within ten days, an altar for offering sacrifices to heaven was built.

To many people, it is simply impossible...

At that time, Dong Bi said confidently: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, after ten days, you will definitely let your Majesty ascend the altar to worship the heaven and the earth."

Tu Cheng was sneering, and Xia Houlan was sneering.

As for Tong Yuan and Deng Zhan, they seemed to be looking at a lunatic, sizing up Dong Pi.

And now, the altar for offering sacrifices to heaven is really built, could it be to remind the world that he, Liu Bian, is the real Son of Heaven?

If it was a few years ago, Liu Bian might really shout excitedly.

But when Wang Nian stopped by the Baqiao altar, his excitement and panic all of a sudden disappeared, leaving only a strange calm.Everything in the world is just a passing cloud.Although the emperor is lofty, in the eyes of my Buddha, he is nothing more than an ant.What is so exciting, what is so frightening... I only hope that today's events can calm the war in the world and make the people live in peace.

The Minister of Civil and Military Affairs shouted long live; the common people knelt down and bowed together, each and every one was extremely excited.

Liu Bian stepped down from the royal chariot and walked up the steps of the altar.At the beginning, he was accompanied by the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs.

But as he went up step by step, there were fewer and fewer people accompanying Liu Bian.

The already calm heart suddenly gave birth to a trace of panic.In the past, no matter what I did, Dong Qing would always be by my side.But now, Dong Qing is not here, I am the only one left, can I really reach the top?

Whether it was Tu Cheng or Tong Yuan, when Liu Bian ascended the altar, they were blocked.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Bian walked forward step by step.The altar of more than eight feet, if it is calculated by later generations, it will be about 18 meters high and four or five stories high.But the 18-meter steps are not easy to climb.

When Liu Bian reached the highest point, all distracting thoughts disappeared.

Looking down the altar, the officials and common people have become extremely small.The cold wind howled, and the surrounding flags fluttered.

Liu Bian stood in the center of the high platform, praying loudly to heaven and earth.

Its content is nothing more than: the decline of the Han Dynasty, the people suffered, and they were ashamed of their ancestors.Now, with the help of loyal ministers, I, Liu Bian, ascend the throne again.Here, I pray to God and ask for protection, so that the Han Dynasty will last forever and the people of the world will be healthy.

This sacrificial oration was written long ago, and it was just memorized.

It's not the first time Liu Bian has done this kind of thing, but when He Jin promoted him to the throne, it was far less grand than it is today.And when he prayed to heaven and earth in Taimiao, there was another He Jin standing beside him, and Liu Bian was still young.

But today, when Liu Bian was reciting the sacrificial oration, he felt a very strange feeling.

The heights are so cold!
Yes, it is such a feeling.There is no uncle, nor Dong Qing.There is no one around, only the cold wind howling and the flags flying.Although the feeling of bird's-eye view of the common people is wonderful, but who can experience this kind of loneliness?
No, I still have the protection of all the Buddhas. As long as there is a Buddha in my heart, then the Buddha is by my side.

Sometimes, some things are really unclear...

Logically speaking, at this time Liu Bian should have given birth to that kind of heroic spirit looking down on the world, but no one thought that because of his loneliness, he would actually have the idea of ​​going to the Buddha in his heart.And this idea also doomed his future fate.

After the sacrifice, the next step is to burn the sacrificial text.

Liu Bian threw the sacrificial text into the cauldron, saw the tongue of flames scurrying, and the bright yellow brocade on the scroll was about to perform the next ceremony, but saw flames suddenly erupted from the grooves around the altar, quickly forming a ring of fire After that, rush to the altar in the middle.

Blue-purple smoke rose up, wrapping Liu Bian's body in the center.

Under the altar, officials of all sizes and common people can see clearly.Subconsciously, they all knelt on the ground, shouting long live.

Followed by, only heard a loud noise.

A thick purple-blue smoke rose into the sky.

"Protect the Emperor!"

Xia Houlan couldn't help roaring, and rushed to the altar.

Just when everyone was about to rush up to the altar, they heard Liu Bian sternly shouted in the thick smoke: "How dare you make a disturbance here and not let me go down. Where are the guards? Anyone who has not been ordered by me, Anyone who ascends the altar presumptuously will be shot and killed."

When the guard heard this, he drew out his weapon with a clang.

Xia Houlan and the others had no choice but to retreat again.

At this time, on the high platform, Liu Bian was holding a large seal in his hand, but tears were shining in his eyes.

He is no longer that ignorant child many years ago.The vision that happened just now really startled him.

The altar shattered, but a jade seal appeared in front of him.

How could Liu Bian fail to recognize the origin of the jade seal?After Dong Zhuo's death, Chuanguo Yuxi, who had been missing for nearly eight years, appeared in front of him.

In my mind, the words Dong Bi said before leaving emerged.

"Your Majesty, what my Dong family owed you back then will be returned to you in the end. Keep it safe and don't make any mistakes."

Yes, now Dong Bi has paid back what he owed him!

But Dong Qing, how should I repay what I owe you?

Holding the jade seal in his hand, Liu Bian stood on the high platform and looked towards Hangu Pass, as if he was going to pass through the obstacles of time and space.

******
Outside Luoyang City, Cao Cao's expression was particularly ugly.

"Liu Jingsheng is gone?"

He suppressed his anger and growled in a low voice: "Why did Liu Jingsheng leave? Does he want to be an enemy of the world?"

"Liu Jingzhou left Luoyang in a hurry last night and went straight to the military camp. Later, for some reason, when the villain went to invite him in the morning, he was not in the mansion. When he arrived at the military camp, he found that the camp was empty, with only one or two thousand old Weak and disabled."

"Father, why don't you lead troops immediately and bring Liu Biao back?"

It was Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Ang, who stood up to speak.In Romance, Cao Ang should have died in the battle of Wancheng when Cao Cao conquered Zhang Xiu.But now, because Zhang Xiu was killed by Dong Zhuo when he was in Luoyang, the battle of Wancheng became impossible.Perhaps it is for this reason that Cao Ang is still alive and well.

For this eldest son, Cao Cao loves him very much.

He is filial and honest, understands righteousness, and is more courteous and corporal, quite like Cao Cao.He is both civil and military, so many people, even Cao Cao himself, regard Cao Ang as his successor.Take it with you and give Cao Ang advice from time to time.

"Absolutely not!"

Lu Su stood up and said: "Now that the alliance is imminent, you must not act rashly. If you do it at this time, the princes of all parties will inevitably have doubts. From Su's point of view, the alliance is the most important thing at present. Liu Biao is just a dead bone in the tomb. You can immediately send people to Runan and order Lu Bu to intercept him on the way. Thinking about Liu Biao, it will be difficult to escape the evil tiger's hand."

At this moment, Cao Cao also stabilized his emotions.

"What Zijing said is very true...but I don't understand, Liu Biao was fine yesterday, why did he leave today?"

Cao Ang said softly: "My boy has ordered someone to investigate. It is said that someone visited Liu Biao late last night."

"Who?"

"According to Xi Zuo, that person should be Yuan Shao's trilogy. I didn't talk to Liu Biao for too long, so I left and entered Yuan Shao's camp. But at that time, due to the special status of that person, it was difficult for Xi Zuo to be more careful. Pursue."

"Yuan Shao?"

After Cao Cao heard this, he couldn't help frowning.

"Zijing, do you think that Yuan Shao is playing tricks in the middle? After all, yesterday, I severely cut Yuan Shang's face."

Lu Su was taken aback, looking hesitant.

This is not an easy question to answer. You must know that Yuan Shao contributed a lot to this alliance.Moreover, the soldiers and generals they lead are quite abundant, and they are the main force of the alliance.If you offend him, I'm afraid the alliance will eventually become a cake.

"My lord, now is not the time to worry about this matter!"

Lu Su thought for a while, "This matter can be investigated later... Even if it has something to do with Yuan Shao, it is probably Yuan Shang's own opinion. If the lord is not at ease, Su can first contact Jushou in private to find out what he has to say. "

Cao Cao thought to himself: That's the only way to go!
Now let Lu Su be in charge of this matter and lead the generals to a big battle.

The princes of all parties were already impatient with waiting. Seeing Cao Cao coming, Liu Bei stepped forward and asked, "Prime Minister, why hasn't Liu Jingzhou appeared yet?"

"Oh, Liu Jingzhou is sick, so I'm afraid he won't be able to show up today...I'll make a sacrifice to heaven and earth first, and then..."

Yuan Shang said in an indifferent way: "Since this is the case, Shang is not feeling well, why don't we do the alliance in another day?"

Cao Cao's cold eyes glanced at Yuan Shang.

When Yuan Shang was stared at by Cao Cao, his heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively shrank back, unable to speak.

As everyone knows, he just said a word out of revenge, which made Cao Cao's doubts even deeper!

Liu Bei frowned, "How can we change the important matter of the alliance? Since Liu Jingzhou is not here, it is better for us..."

Before the words fell, a young man stood up.

This young man has a strange appearance, with a purple beard and blue eyes, and a very majestic appearance.

"Liu Xuzhou's words are wrong. Of course, the alliance cannot be changed immediately, but Liu Jingzhou has a special status. He is a clan member of the Han family. How can he be absent? This is an expedition on behalf of the heavens. We will work together. And the members of the alliance Doesn’t the meaning lie in this? If Liu Jingzhou doesn’t come, wouldn’t it be less interesting? From the point of view of authority, why don’t we visit Liu Jingzhou together and make plans.”

Cao Cao recognized this boy as Sun Ce's brother, Sun Quan, who was eighteen years old.

After narrowing his eyes, Cao Cao didn't look at Sun Quan, but passed Sun Quan, and looked towards a refined young man behind Sun Quan.

The young man is about 23 four years old, with a face like a crown jade, handsome and extraordinary.

He smiled slightly at Cao Cao, but did not speak.It's a ridiculous smile... But Cao Cao couldn't help but thump in his heart.

After what happened to Liu Biao, Lu Su immediately mobilized troops and secretly stationed in Liu Biao's barracks.

Could it be: What did Zhou Lang see this week?
At the same time, Sima Yi, who was behind Liu Bei, also said something softly to Liu Bei, making Liu Bei's face cloudy and uncertain.As for Liu Hao, he didn't speak from the beginning, but shrank back, as if nothing happened to him.

It's no wonder that Yizhou only sent [-] soldiers and horses this time. To put it bluntly, it just means something.

Whether the alliance is successful or not has nothing to do with him.If you open your mouth rashly, you may offend someone, and you are not human inside or outside.

Lu Su said: "My lords, it's not that the prime minister is unreasonable. It's just that the time is coming. If the time is wrong, I'm afraid I won't know when the next auspicious time will be. You don't always want the sage for a long time." Wait, just sit back and watch Guanzhong become stronger."

Zhou Yu smiled, "It's only a few months, and I'm afraid Guanzhong will not be able to make it happen. Zijing's words are a bit exaggerated."

In comparison, before Lu Su took refuge in Cao Cao, he knew Zhou Yu and had a very good relationship.

But now everyone is their master, so naturally no one will be polite.

Lu Su said sternly: "Gong Jin's words are wrong. Back then when Bandit Dong escaped into the Western Regions, who would have thought that he would occupy Guanzhong in four years? When he occupied Guanzhong, everyone thought he would not last long, but who could?" It is expected that he will run the business in Guanzhong in two years? A few months is enough to ride a horse from Guanzhong to Jiangdong for a few round trips.

Gong Jin is obstructing her in every possible way now, could it be..."

Could it be what?Lu Su didn't say anything.But who among the people present couldn't understand what the unspoken words meant?
Zhou Yu's face changed slightly, and he couldn't laugh or cry.

When did Lu Su also learn to argue with his words?If the debate continues, I'm afraid that the charges of colluding with Guanzhong will be confirmed.

Cao Cao said: "Who else wants to stop?"

That means: whoever is obstructing is conspiracy!
Liu Bei hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Bei is willing to make an alliance with the prime minister!"

"On behalf of my father, Kang will make an alliance with Prime Minister!"

Yuan Shang said: "Since this is the case, there is no objection."

Although Sun Quan was dissatisfied, after being gently pulled by Zhou Yu, he stopped talking immediately and remained silent.

Thus, a meeting began in this extremely weird atmosphere!

When the meeting was halfway through, a horse galloped in the distance, Xia Houyuan frowned, raised his hand and waved lightly.

More than ten soldiers rushed forward and stopped the horse.

Immediately, was a Pan Snake Guard, who looked exhausted after a long journey.The horse stopped, and he rolled off the saddle, knelt down on one knee, and said eagerly, "General Xiahou, Mr. Xun ordered the villain to come overnight and report something important."

"What's important, wait a while!"

"But, but... Mr. Xun said that this matter is urgent and needs to be reported to the lord immediately."

Xiahou Yuan was startled.

Master Xun is naturally Xun You of the Pan Snake Guard.According to Xia Houyuan's understanding of Xun You, if there is no major event, he might not be so eager.He hesitated for a moment, and pulled up the snake guard: "The Lord is discussing the important matter of forming an alliance, what is so urgent for Gongda?"

The pan snake guard was panting and swallowed.

"Hanzhong, Hanzhong is occupied by Dong Xiping!"

"what?"

Xia Houyuan's expression changed drastically upon hearing this, "When did it happen?"

"Just yesterday, yesterday... Zhang Lu had already surrendered. The Guanzhong soldiers and horses have occupied the entire Hanzhong, and it only took ten days."

Xia Houyuan gave Lingling a chill, and felt chills all over his body.

Ten days, ten days captured Hanzhong?Did Dong Bi invite the heavenly soldiers and generals to succeed?Otherwise, how could it be so fast?
I didn't get any news before, and when I got the news, Hanzhong was gone?
You must know that the terrain of Hanzhong is very complicated, mostly hilly and mountainous, and the cavalry army is in one place in Hanzhong, so it is not easy to fight.

"Do you know which troops under the command of the Han'an Army are dispatched?"

"Invincible Army!"

Pan Snake Guard said: "It's an army called Wunan Army. Its commander is Jia Long. There is a vanguard under his command, who is unstoppable. Seventeen generals of Zhang and Lu were killed in a row before the Brazil pass. Twelve county towns were defeated within three days. Zhang Lu couldn't hold back, so he could only switch and surrender. According to detailed reports, the invincible army will soon reach the outside of Jiameng Pass."

Xia Houyuan didn't dare to hesitate after hearing this.

Immediately turned around and hurried into the big tent of the League.Regardless of other people's surprised eyes, he came to Cao Cao.

Fu Er said it in a low voice, and Cao Cao's face suddenly turned pale.

"Prime Minister, what happened?"

Cao Cao said: "Just received the news that Dong Xiping entered Hanzhong with an invincible army. Within ten days, Zhang Lu surrendered!"

In a word, it is like a stone dropped into calm water.

Everyone couldn't help but gasp, Yuan Shang's eyes widened, and he couldn't help shouting: "This is impossible."

On the other hand, Liu Bei had a confused look on his face, and asked suspiciously: "Prime Minister, which army is the Trouble-Free Army?"

(End of this chapter)