Qin Gong

Chapter 718: News of the Donghu Xiongnu's Southward Movement

Chapter 718: News of the Donghu Xiongnu's Southward Movement

"Your Majesty seems to be very happy these past two days, and his words sound as if he has a happy event!"

"I have also noticed this..."

In the Xianyang Palace, when a group of ministers followed the eunuch to the study, they could not help but whisper, discussing the obvious changes in Ying Zheng in the past two days.

Although Wang Wan, Feng Quji and Li Si did not participate in the discussion, they listened as they walked. There was a thoughtful look in their eyes, as if they were wondering what had happened in the past few days to cause Ying Zheng's expression to change drastically.

However, after thinking about it, I can’t remember any happy events that happened!

When everyone came to the study and saw Ying Zheng, they saw Ying Zheng sitting at the wooden table, talking to Meng Yi with a smile on his face, as if he was talking about something interesting.

Seeing this scene, many ministers breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Ying Zheng was happy, they would not feel any pressure in their hearts.

"My lord, meet the king!"

"Greetings, Your Majesty!!"

Feng Quji, Wang Wan and others bowed to Ying Zheng in unison.

Ying Zheng turned his head to look at everyone, and smiled, indicating that there was no need for courtesy. He came here today to discuss how to deal with the affairs of various counties that would be submitted to Xianyang before the sacrifice, and how to resettle the wealthy merchants and gentry in the world after they moved to Guanzhong.

The sun rose high in the sky, with a few dark clouds, sometimes clear and sometimes cloudy. As wave after wave of light swept across the huge Xianyang Palace, as time passed, a soldier in armor rode hurriedly to the gate of the palace. Soon after, a eunuch was seen walking hurriedly from the palace gate towards the palace.

In the study room.

Ying Zheng was discussing with his ministers, and before they had finished discussing the matter, he saw a eunuch running hurriedly into the study.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Not only Ying Zheng, but also Feng Quji, Wang Wan, Li Si, Wei Liao and other ministers stopped talking and turned their heads to look at the eunuch, wondering what had made the eunuch look so panicked.

"Your Majesty, urgent reports have come in from the five counties of Yuyang, Shanggu, Daijun, Yanmen, and Yunzhong. The Donghu and Xiongnu in the north are heading south to invade the Central Plains. Countless soldiers have been killed or wounded. The five counties are in danger!"

The eunuch knelt on the ground, holding up the bamboo slips, and reported with his head down.

In an instant, accompanied by the sound of slapping the table in the study, Han Yezhe looked at Ying Zheng whose face changed drastically, and hurried to the eunuch, took the bamboo slips with both hands, turned around and presented them to Ying Zheng.

"What? Donghu and Xiongnu are moving south?"

"Why would the Donghu and Xiongnu go south at this time?"

At this moment, not to mention Li Si, Wei Liao and others who were shocked and looked at each other at a loss after hearing the news, even Feng Quji frowned and looked at Wang Wan with a serious look.

It was not a good thing for the Donghu and the Xiongnu to move south at this time.

"Fourteen cities were lost in a row, 30,000 border guards were killed, the Donghu attacked Daidi, and the Xiongnu attacked Yanmen..."

After Ying Zheng opened the bamboo slips and saw the contents inside, his expression became increasingly embarrassed. After a moment, he angrily threw the bamboo slips on the wooden table.

"Pass on my orders!"

Hearing Ying Zheng's voice, Feng Quji and Wang Wan hurriedly turned their heads and saw Ying Zheng put down the bamboo slips, his face gloomy, and he waved his hand under his royal robe, his eyes full of rage.

"Gather food and fodder, and recruit troops from the five counties of Shangjun, Taiyuan, Handan, Juluo, and Guangyang. With Meng Tian and Wang Ben as the main generals, rush to Yanmen and Yunzhong to help! Wipe out the Donghu and the Xiongnu!"

Ying Zheng opened his mouth and gave the order.

Unlike before, this time Ying Zheng was obviously very anxious in both his emotions and actions. Wei Liao, Li Si and others noticed this, and they couldn't help but feel confused.

In the past, when encountering enemy attacks, Ying Zheng would consult with them. However, this time, Ying Zheng gave orders without hesitation, as if he was worried about something.

“Your Majesty, the soldiers stationed in the five counties of the northern border were all recruited by Lord Wu Lie! Previously, Lord Wu Lie led his elite troops to enter Qi, and after Qi was destroyed, most of them returned to their hometowns. Now that the northern enemy has invaded, why not let Lord Wu Lie go to Yanmen and lead the troops to resist the enemy!”

Feng Quji stepped forward at this time, bowed and made suggestions to Ying Zheng, analyzing Bai Yan's past reputation in the northern border and his experience in fighting against foreign enemies in the north.

But just as Feng Quji finished speaking, another voice sounded without hesitation.

"But Lord Wu Lie has been appointed to take charge of this sacrificial ceremony. He rushed to Yongqi two days ago! Your Majesty, I think that with General Meng Tian and General Wang Ben here, the foreign enemies in the northern border are nothing to worry about!"

Wang Wan stood up and spoke to Feng Quji, then looked at Ying Zheng and bowed.

In the dispute over enfeoffment, whether it is Bai Yan's contribution or Ying Zheng's trust, it is of vital importance to Wang Wan and others!

Faced with the county system advocated by Lu Taifu, Li Si and others, Feng Quji could choose not to express his opinion or take sides, but Wang Wan definitely did not want to see Bai Yan leave Xianyang and go to Yanmen at this time.

As long as Bai Yan was in Xianyang, every word he said was of great importance to Wang Wan and the Ying clan. After losing Bai Yan, Wang Wan could imagine how happy Taifu Lu, Li Si and others were in private.

Therefore, when Feng Quji wanted Bai Yan to leave Xianyang, Wang Wan naturally stopped him.

However, what Wang Wan did not expect was that just after he stopped Feng Quji, Li Si stepped forward.

"The enemy from the north is invading. We must not be careless!"

Li Si spoke softly, glanced at Wang Wan, and then looked at Ying Zheng expressionlessly.

"Your Majesty, since the five counties in the northern border are all in danger, it is obvious that the enemy is coming with great force this time, and they must have made some preparations. If we underestimate them rashly, we may lose the northern border!"

After Li Si finished speaking, he raised his hand and saluted Ying Zheng.

Having noticed that Ying Zheng seemed very worried about the northern border, Li Si naturally would not miss this opportunity.

"Your Majesty has already mobilized the troops and food supplies from the five counties, and has sent Generals Meng Tian and Wang Ben as commanders. There is no need to worry too much!"

Wang Wan refuted Li Sidao and then looked at Ying Zheng.

"Your Majesty, Wu Lie Jun has the merit of finding the Nine Provinces Tripod, and he also had the dream bestowed by the heaven. If Wu Lie Jun can be by your side during the Yongqi sacrifice, I believe that this move will definitely be in line with the will of heaven and the people's wishes, and will be known to the world!"

Wang Wan advised Ying Zheng that he did not want Ying Zheng to give the order and let Bai Yan lead the troops away.

In the study room.

Ying Zheng listened to the arguments of his ministers with a frown on his face, and was somewhat hesitant. Thinking of Bai Yan's words that night and the importance of Yunzhong and Yanmen, Ying Zheng couldn't help but worry that what Li Si said was true. The Xiongnu and Donghu must have been prepared when they went south. If something went wrong, it would not be as simple as leading the troops to attack back in the future.

Letting Bai Yan lead the troops seems to make people feel more at ease. After all, Bai Yan has more experience in dealing with enemies in the north. And with Bai Yan around, not only can the foreign enemies in the north be deterred, but the morale of the border people can also be greatly boosted.

But when he thought of Wang Wan's words, Ying Zheng couldn't help but frown.

Indeed, Bai Yan was given a dream by heaven to retrieve the Jiuzhou Ding for the Qin State. This fact was known to the world. During the sacrifice, Ying Zheng said that he didn't want Bai Yan by his side, which must be a lie. Moreover, considering that the Xiongnu and Donghu seemed to be prepared, this also meant that the northern border was very dangerous.

Ying Zheng was a little worried that if Bai Yan went to the northern border, something might go wrong.

"If the enemy from the north comes to visit, it would be safest if Wu Liejun is here, given his prestige..."

"But Lord Wu Lie has important matters to attend to. Besides, the king has already sent Meng Tian and Wang Ben to the Qin State. Lord Wu Lie cannot lead the army alone..."

"Earlier, the king appointed Lord Wu Lie to lead the garrison troops in the northern border..."

Ying Zheng looked at the ministers arguing in the study. Even Wang Wan and Li Si refused to give in. He couldn't help but frown even more.

If there was no very important matter in Yunzhong, Ying Zheng would not have hesitated so much. Even if Meng Tian and Wang Ben were lost, it would not matter. He could just change the generals and lead the troops north. But now...

Finally, after much consideration, Ying Zheng looked at Li Si, thought of the turmoil in the State of Chu, thought of Yunzhong and Yanmen, and the issues concerning the State of Chu in the south. After some hesitation, he finally gave the order.

"Summon and order Lord Wu Lie to return to Xianyang immediately!"

Ying Zheng spoke.

As Ying Zheng finished speaking, Wang Wan and others who were still arguing were stunned and looked at Ying Zheng in confusion. They didn't know why they had to mobilize such a large army just because of the Donghu and the Xiongnu, and even wanted to recall Bai Yan when the sacrifice was about to take place.

"Kings……"

With an unwilling look on his face, Wang Wan wanted to say something, but when he saw Ying Zheng kneeling behind the wooden table and starting to write an imperial edict to be sent to the five counties of Taiyuan, it was obvious that he had made up his mind.

Wang Wan, unwilling to give in, could only look at Li Si and Feng Quji. He was full of resentment towards the northern tribes that suddenly moved south. However, Wang Wan seemed to vaguely remember that when Yunyang Jun was in Qi with his relatives, the letters sent back mentioned the foreign enemies in the north.

...........................

Under Qishan Mountain.

Bai Yan rode in a carriage all the way. After leaving Xianyang, he went non-stop to Mount Qishan, the birthplace and place where King Wu of Zhou made his fortune.

King Wu of Zhou's tomb is located in the direction of Jingyang from Xianyang, north of Xianyang, and Mount Qi is a long way away from King Wu's tomb. For Confucian scholars who came to Mount Qi to worship, they only had to go west from Mount Qi, and they could reach Yongcheng in two or three hours.

Yongcheng, the former capital of the Qin State, is also the site of the ancestral temple of the Qin Ying clan. No matter where the Ying clan of Guanzhong were granted fiefdoms or where they were located, they would gather in Yongcheng for sacrifices.

"General!"

"General!!"

The soldiers who had been guarding along the way bowed and saluted when they saw Bai Yan.

Bai Yan nodded, got off the carriage, and accompanied by Niu, came to the pavilion at the foot of Mount Qishan in official uniform. Looking at the many men going there, he was about to step forward under everyone's gaze, but unexpectedly a soldier hurried forward, came to Bai Yan's side, and whispered in Bai Yan's ear.

"General, someone from Yongcheng has come to deliver a message. Please come to Yongcheng to have a chat!"

After the soldier finished speaking, he carefully handed a token to Bai Yan, on which was clearly engraved the word "Xi".

"Xi!"

Bai Yan held the wooden sign and looked at the words on it with a frown. Then, he quickly thought of a person from the Ying family.

"Ying Xi!"

Bai Yan murmured the name and looked at the wooden sign in surprise, thinking back to a time ago when Ying Xi had stopped asking about court affairs and recommended Ying Kan to be the head of the Qin court clan.

Looking at the wooden sign in his hand, he didn't expect that this time the Confucian scholars' disturbance would involve Ying Xi!

Looking at the many Confucian scholars and villagers not far away, Bai Yan frowned slightly.

"This may cause some trouble!"

Bai Yan sighed. If it was an ordinary member of the Ying clan, even if it was Yunyang Jun and others whom he had met in the past, Bai Yan would not find it difficult. After all, he could use the king's order as an excuse to force someone to intervene in the affairs here first, to stop the Confucian scholars from making trouble, and to find a way to solve the problems here before going to Yongcheng. By then, the members of the Ying clan in Yongcheng would not be able to do anything.

However, Ying Xi was different. When Ying Zheng ascended the throne, Ying Xi made great efforts in dealing with Lao Ai and Lu Buwei. At the beginning, it was Ying Xi who supported Ying Zheng to ascend the throne.

So let alone Bai Yan, even Ying Zheng would be courteous to Ying Xi when he saw him.

In the dispute over the enfeoffment of counties, Ying Xi had never been seen in Xianyang before. Bai Yan thought that Ying Xi would not get involved in this matter, but he did not expect to see Ying Xi show up at this time.

"Prepare the horses and go to Yongcheng!"

Bai Yan glanced inside the pavilion, and then did not rush in. Instead, he asked the soldiers to prepare the horses and head to Yongcheng.

Since Ying Xi has come forward, if you want to resolve the problem here, you must meet Ying Xi. Otherwise, the troubles you will encounter in the future will probably be much more than those encountered by these great scholars now.

"Ok?"

As the soldiers brought the horses, Bai Yan was about to leave with Niu. Suddenly, Bai Yan saw a familiar figure not far away. After seeing it clearly, Bai Yan couldn't help but hand the reins to the soldier again.

(End of this chapter)