It's almost early summer, the days are long and the nights are short. After dinner, the setting sun still refuses to set obediently, stubbornly using its afterglow to cover the vast earth with a light purple. On a few sparse poplar trees in the yard

Crows were everywhere, rising and falling, dancing and circling. A gust of wind whirled across the roof, and Zhou Gongding felt his body tremble.

"My lord, the work you assigned has been completed. Rumors are already spreading in Haojing City, and I believe it will spread to the palace in a few days." A man in his thirties dressed as a retainer reported back.

Ji Ding did not turn around, as if he had been staring at the crows, and asked: "Are you sure you won't be investigated back?"

"Impossible. The slaves and others are very careful in their actions, and they will not let the Zhaogong Mansion get the real handle. It's just--" He raised his eyelids hesitantly: "The slaves don't understand, why not

To spread the news about the prince’s departure from the palace, but just keep mentioning that old incident? I’m afraid that by doing this, I won’t be able to shake the foundation of the royal family.”

"You don't understand." Ji Ding was in a good mood: "The prince's departure from the palace is a big event. Once word spreads, the situation will be shaken in all directions and the situation will be uncontrollable. After all, I am the Prime Minister of the Zhou Dynasty. How can I shake the foundation of the Ji family by myself? On the contrary, if

Just publicizing the dusty old events of the past is to stir up the knot between the king and the queen. As long as they are at odds with each other, there will be a rift between father and son. Over time, things will change. Maybe then is our chance!"

"My lord is so far-sighted that I, the slaves, are ashamed of themselves!"

Zhou Gongding stroked his beard, turned around and asked, "Looking at it, Uncle Mei should have arrived at Yingqiu. I wonder if everything is going well?"

"My younger brother has always acted cautiously, so this matter will definitely not be a problem. News will come soon, so you don't have to worry too much, sir!"

The State of Qi on the coast of the East China Sea was a feudal state granted to Zhong's father Jiang Ziya after King Wu destroyed the Shang Dynasty. He was the Marquis. People in the world think that the capital of Qi State has always been Linzi. In fact, in the era of King Zhou Yi, the capital of Qi State was still there.

A place called Yingqiu is where Jiang Ziya was first granted title.

Compared with other vassal states in the east, Qi State is close to the East China Sea and enjoys the benefits of fish and salt. It has always been more conducive to trade than other places, and its markets and towns are more developed and prosperous. However, this slightly fishy sea breeze cannot calm the prince.

Ji Xi's thoughts about her homeland. He has been here for more than a year, married a daughter of the Qi clan, and his life has settled down. But every night in the quiet of the night, he thinks of the throne of Haojing that he missed, and the man who tried so hard to seduce him.

With both hands holding chess, hatred slowly soaked into his heart like venom, which almost drove him crazy.

This is destined to be another sleepless night. In the deep room, a sheepskin map is unfolded on the table, and two nervous faces flash in and out under the flickering candlelight. Ji Xi's expression becomes more complicated.

He is somewhat perseverant. The ups and downs he has experienced in this year have made him mature a lot. The other face belongs to a young man in his early twenties. His skin is slightly dark and rough, but his eyes are bright and clear. He is pointing at

Several locations on the sheepskin map are talked about:

"I judge that according to the normal itinerary, they should have crossed the Han River at this time, and they will definitely go to this place next -" he pointed to a triangular mark on the map and said: "Tonglu Mountain, this is the Jianghan Kingdom

The focus of competition with Chu State, none of them will give up this place, and will definitely start a fight here. If we can rush to this place before the war starts and set up an ambush in advance, with no eyesight on the battlefield, we will definitely be able to defeat Ji Hu and

summon

(This chapter is not finished, please turn the page)

Both Bohu and Bohu were killed in one fell swoop."

Ji Xi raised her eyes and glanced at the young man: "Rong Yi, just kill Ji Hu, why do you want to drag Zhao Bohu in?"

"Prince, I certainly know who used my father Mo Yi as a chess piece and discarded it after use. I will never let go of the son of my enemy. However, after all, it was Zhao Bohu who ordered my father to hang his head at the city gate in public, and he also escaped.

They have nothing to do with each other. Therefore, neither of these two people can escape!" Rong Yi's eyes were full of hatred.

A trace of hesitation flashed in Ji Xi's eyes. If she could really take back the throne, the Zhaogong clan would also be the force that must be roped in. But everything is unknown at the moment. Judging from Rongyi's appearance, he will definitely not give up, so let him go for now.

! He put aside Zhao Bohu's question and continued to think forward: "But, if you can't get to Tonglu Mountain in advance, what should you do if the outcome of the two sides has been decided and each takes charge?"

"Oh——" Rongyi seemed to have fully deduced all possibilities: "If Ji Hu and Zhao Bohu both died in front of the battle, it goes without saying. If they were lucky enough to return, they would definitely have to cross the border.

Cross the Han River and return to Hangu Pass via Shen State. At that time, I will lead the dead soldiers to set up an ambush on the river. I only need to do some tricks on the boat they cross the river, and these two people will definitely be buried in the belly of the fish."

"But, they are marching, and there are always hundreds of military vehicles accompanying them. What use are these dozen of you?" Ji Xi still felt uneasy.

"The prince is worrying too much." Rongyi smiled contemptuously: "That was when we went out for the battle. How many chariots will be left after the battle with the Chu State? Even if he wins by chance, both sides will suffer. Besides, they can't bring it down.

All soldiers and horses should be escorted by the same boat, right? Prince, rest assured, this trip will be a success!"

"Now that you've made your plans, let's set out early tomorrow morning! I'll be leaning against the door in Yingqiu every day, looking forward to good news from you all!"

"promise!"

Rongyi's guess was accurate. On the day he left Yingqiu City, Zhao Bohu and his party began to cross the Han River. As the saying goes: "It is easier to cross mountains than to cross rivers." This is absolutely true. In order to cross the river, they collected a lot of people.

Dozens of civilian boats, plus temporary bamboo rafts, were busy for several days, and then they began to take turns ferrying. Because Shen Hou led a powerful army to join the southern expedition, the task of crossing the river was even more arduous.

There was a huge crowd on the west bank of the Han River. The first group of people led by Ji Zheng had passed by. Zhao Bohu couldn't hide his nervous look on his face. Ji Duoyou wanted him to relax and asked, "Why should Zimu be so worried?"

"I'm worried that someone will take advantage of our halfway opportunity to ambush us, which would put our army in great danger."

"Zi Mu is worrying too much. The Chu people are still in Hubei and will never come here. Besides, I have arranged for people to be on guard on both sides of the river. Everything will be fine."

Zhao Bohu praised: "Although Ziliang is young, he is very mature and will become a great person in the future."

"Brother, I want to get on the boat with you." Ji Hu was very excited when he saw such a big scene for the first time.

"That's natural. Is it possible that I can still leave you to Shen Hou? However, that's not bad, maybe you can stay as my son-in-law." Zhao Bohu joked.

Ji Hu was angry and his face turned red: "Huh! I don't want it! I want to go to war and be a hero who stands upright, so I don't want to marry a girl named Jiang!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? Be careful if your Uncle Shen hears it!" Zhao Bohu pretended

(This chapter is not finished, please turn the page)

Yi shouted and scolded.

"Children's words are unbridled! Brother Hu, do you know how many princes and princes in the world are married to girls named Jiang? When you grow up, you won't say that!" Ji Duoyou quickly smoothed things over.

From early morning to sunset, more than 20,000 soldiers and nearly a thousand military vehicles finally crossed the Han River. As the team was being organized, someone suddenly pointed to the river bank in the distance and said: "Look! Why are there so many people trying to cross the river?

?”

The soldiers looked up and saw many dense figures on the river embankment, rushing down as if the embankment had burst. Could it be that the Chu army had reached the Han River?

"Be on guard!" Ji Duoyou shouted at the top of his lungs. At this order, everyone strung their bows and held their halberds and spears. Zhao Bohu protected Ji Hu behind him, and pressed the sword on his waist with his other hand -

—King Zhou Yi gave him the sword of Tai'a for his convenience.

When this large group of people got closer, they saw the military vehicles and soldiers scattered on the river beach. They seemed to be surprised, and some people turned around and ran away. Judging from the costumes, it was very mixed, and there were warriors who had abandoned their armor.

, many of them were obviously injured; even more were panic-stricken people, rich and poor, men, women, old and young, supporting each other. They were clearly people fleeing after the city was broken.

Someone with sharp eyes saw Bai Yao's big banner, and even saw the banner embroidered with the word "Shen" erected on Shenhou's military vehicle. He immediately stopped the people walking back: "Don't go! They are not Chu people, they are Wang Shihe

Marquis Shen is here to rescue us!"

It didn't matter what he called. A young man and woman rushed out of the fleeing crowd. They knelt in front of Shen Hou's chariot and shouted: "Uncle! Please save us!"

Marquis Shen was shocked: "Isn't this Prince E's Yu Fang? How did your brother and sister come here?"

The seventeen-year-old boy's face was full of tears. He fell to the ground and cried bitterly: "Uncle! You are too late! Echeng has been captured by the Chu people. My father was shot through the chest by Xiong Qu's sword on the top of the city. My mother asked me to take him with me.

My sister defected to the State of Shen. I heard from people who left the city later that Xiongqu even hung my father's head on the city gate to show off his merits. The State of E was destroyed------"

E Shi was only fourteen or fifteen years old, with a petite figure and a beautiful face. Listening to her brother's story, she felt uncontrollably sad and burst into tears. Marquis Shen also grabbed the chariot shaft and asked, "What about your mother?"

how's it going?"

E-shang choked even more and said: "I just heard from the maid who escaped that my mother hanged herself after she sent my brother and sister out of the palace. Wuwuwu----"

Marquis Shen's body swayed, two tears rolled down on the carriage shaft, and he let out a long sigh: "Sister, I'm late!"

In the Chinese army's large tent, everyone's eyes were fixed on the three-foot-square sheepskin map behind the Zhao Bohu case: the location of E City has been marked with a big cross with cinnabar, and the location of Tonglu Mountain has been marked with a cross.

Circle, and the dozen arrows scattered all over Jianghan represent the armies of various vassal states. Now all the arrows are not closed, and the black arrow representing the Chu army has pointed from the position of Echeng to Tonglu Mountain.

"We must speed up the march and arrive at Tonglu Mountain as soon as possible to prepare for a decisive battle with Chu." Zhao Bohu punched the table and made the final decision.

Ji Duoyou stood up, cupped his hands and said: "General, please be the vanguard. I ask the general and the king's envoy to send a hundred military chariots to me. Duoyou will definitely fulfill his mission."

(End of chapter)
Chapter completed!