Chapter 98 Chapter 10 The Guo Mansion Wedding Banquet

It was already dusk when we returned to the Dongmen Bingwei Command Post. Teng Yi had just returned from military training, and the two went to the file room full of bamboo slips and silk books to talk. Teng Yi gave him a general report on the situation of the city defense, and concluded: "The actual number of soldiers available in Handan is more than 20,000. The rest are old, weak, women and children, or recruits with no training. If you get in the way, you will only disturb the morale and morale of the army." Xiang Shaolong said: "Soldiers are more expensive than elites. Second brother try to transfer the recruits and the old and the weak to a few camps outside the city, let them receive training and do some preventive work."

Teng Yi said: "If you want to make this kind of transfer, only the half of the military talisman in the third brother's hand is not enough, you have to be awarded the other half of the tiger talisman by King Xiaocheng." Xiang Shaolong said: "This matter is on my shoulders." Then he told about Zhao Mu's mention of the four generals. Teng Yi understood as soon as he heard it, and replied with a smile: "Understood! I can guarantee that he will be promoted and demoted, so that he can't do anything." Xiang Shaolong sighed: "If it wasn't for my second brother to help me, just the extremely complicated affairs of the city defense would have annoyed me to death. I really don't understand how Le Cheng used to sing and sing every night, and hid so many women?"

Teng Yi said: "The reason is very simple. Lieutenant General Zhao Mingxiong did all the hard work, and the credit goes to him of course. This Zhao Mingxiong is really a talent, but he has been pushed out because he was promoted by Lian Po! I heard that Le Cheng You wanted to replace him several times, but your Ya'er personally told King Xiaocheng that Xiang Xiang saved it, I never thought that Ya'er would have such influence on King Xiaocheng." Xiang Shaolong pondered for a while, then asked about the Qi army outside the city. Teng Yi said: "I sent people to set up sentry posts around the camp of the Qi army stationed 20 miles north of the city, and monitored their movements day and night. On the surface, there was nothing unusual about the camp, and there was no sign of intensive training. However, I suspect that they are digging a tunnel secretly, because they are very careful, so they don't notice it. I have handed over this matter to Xiaojun to investigate, and there should be an answer soon."

Remembering something, Teng Yi said: "Oh! I almost forgot, Lord Longyang sent someone to look for you, please go to him when you have time to talk, and Guo Zong is having a big banquet in the mansion again tonight. This time is not only for you, but also for me." Xiang Shaolong and him looked at each other, both shook their heads and sighed, deeply moved. Teng Yi said: "I won't go, I'll take care of the overall situation here for you, now Handan looks calm on the surface, but in fact there are many murderous intentions inside, even a negligence will make people regret it too late."

Xiang Shaolong said: "It's all up to the second brother here, alas! Look at what we are here for, to defuse the crisis for the people of Zhao." Teng Yi stood up with him and said: "King Xiaocheng handed over Zhao Mu to you, the third younger brother will naturally have to pay back, let's go back to the mansion first! I think the sum of what you have said to Shanrou and the others in the past few days is worthless." Not ten sentences." Xiang Shaolong left with a wry smile. ◇◇◇◇◇◇ As soon as the guards headed by Wu Guo left the command post, they ran into Tian Dan's convoy. Naturally, Xiang Shaolong knew that Tian Dan was looking for him specially, so he quickly got into his carriage and went.

The Liu brothers were still sitting silently at the back of the car, and when Xiang Shaolong sat next to Tian Shanshan, this person with power over the whole country smiled and said: "Brother Dong is very good at guarding the city, it has completely changed the whole situation." Xiang Shaolong gave a few words and said: "In order to gain the trust of King Xiaocheng, I sent people to monitor Tian Xiang's escort sergeant, please forgive Tian Xiang." Tian Dan patted him on the shoulder happily, and said with a smile: "I, Tian Dan, am a person who doesn't understand the truth." Then he said in a deep voice, "Have you found out who assassinated Le Cheng?"

Xiang Shaolong was almost overwhelmed, and hurriedly said: "If my guess is correct, it must be Xiang Shaolong's work, because he was found in a small village near Handan a few days later." Tian Dan smiled inscrutably, and said lightly, "Xiang Shaolong must have done this, and the others have no reason to kill Le Cheng. Besides, Le Cheng is only his first goal. If the second goal is not Zhao Mu is King Xiaocheng." Xiang Shaolong felt his whole spine was oozing cold, very uncomfortable. Tian Dan snorted coldly: "Assuming it was Xiang Shaolong's doing, this question will be very interesting. Where is he lurking in the secret place in Handan City? Who will be his internal response? So that he can grasp Le Cheng's whereabouts so accurately Brother Dong, can you answer these questions?"

Xiang Shaolong said in a deep voice: "If I were Xiang Shaolong, I would not be so stupid as to hide in the city. As for the internal response, it is even easier for him. The Wu family used to be deeply rooted here, and there are still people who are willing to work for them .” Tian Dan smiled and said, "But why did he startle the snake and kill Le Cheng? If we talk about the depth of hatred, when will it be his turn?" Xiang Shaolong felt dazed in his heart, he couldn't understand Tian Dan's intention when he mentioned this matter, he frowned and asked, "What does Prime Minister Tian think?"

Tian Dan looked at the dark street outside the curtain, and said slowly, word by word: "Xiang Shaolong is back early, I can feel it." Xiang Shaolong was startled, and said in a low voice: "Does Xiang Tian know where he is?" He thought to himself that as long as he pointed out to him, he would kill him immediately, and he didn't care so much about the consequences. Tian Dan let out a long breath and said: "Xiang Shaolong is the most powerful person I know, Wang Xiaocheng let him go for no reason, and waited for him to miss the golden opportunity of Zhao Guo Zhongxing."

Shaking his head, sighing again, he patted Xiang Shaolong on the shoulder and said: "Remember what I said, there must be spies in Le Cheng's guards, just investigate in detail who were Le Cheng's personal guards that night If someone doesn't accompany you for some reason, then you can know who is the internal agent, you can handle this matter well for me, if you can catch Xiang Shaolong, I can use him to make some brilliant deals." Xiang Shaolong was stunned and said, "What deal?" Tian Dan said indifferently, "For example, exchanging Zhao Ya's Secret Record of Duke Lu in her hand."

Xiang Shaolong couldn't help feeling chills in his heart, this person is really too powerful, if he hadn't been a Dong Ma fool, he could have played this game with him in such an indescribable way, maybe he would have suffered a crushing defeat. At this time, the carriage drove up the mountain road leading to Guo Mansion, the carriage was shaking, Tian Dan seemed to be casual and said: "Where did you learn the method of defending the city, Brother Dong?" Xiang Shaolong had anticipated that he would have this question, shrugged his shoulders and said, "My old Dong has learned almost everything from practical experience. He has fought a lot of battles, so he naturally knows how to train soldiers; he gets along with horses a lot, and he knows how to do it." Their habits are really nothing." Tian Dan was silent for a while, before saying, "Brother Dong, why do you suddenly think highly of me, Tian Dan?" Xiang Shaolong pretended to be sincere and said: "A person who raises horses must first know how to look after horses. Please don't be offended by Mr. Tian. He judges people by horses. Among the people I have met, no one can match Mr. Tian's horses." share." Tian Dan couldn't help but laugh at him, but he had a thousand clothes and a flattery, so he accepted it happily and said: "Be careful Li Yuan, this person is narrow-minded and hates you deeply, and he will never be reconciled if he doesn't put you to death." , especially when Zhao Ya threw himself into your arms recently, making his dream of capturing Duke Lu’s Secret Record come to naught, and he refuses to give up easily.” Xiang Shaolong had no doubts at this time, Tian Dan and Li Yuan were the ones who attacked Lord Longyang unexpectedly.At this time, the Guo family was watching, Xiang Shaolong secretly sighed in his heart, he wanted to go back to see Shan Rou and the Tian sisters, but he couldn't, but he didn't know if he would see Ji Yanran, Zhao Ya or Zhao Zhi.Work does make people lose a lot of the real fun of life. ◇◇◇◇◇◇ The Guo Mansion was decorated with lanterns and festoons, filled with guests, and the atmosphere was warm. Xiang Shaolong slipped out of the car before entering the mansion, avoiding the scene where he was standing side by side with Tian Dan. When he stepped into the mansion after Tian Dan, Tian Dan was being warmly welcomed by Guo Zong, and he greeted the admiring Zhao Guo dignitaries one by one, attracting everyone's attention. Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed in his heart, dismissed the guard who led the way, slipped into the beautiful big garden in front of the main house, took a few deep breaths of the cool air, and the fragrant wind wafted. When Xiang Shaolong turned around, Zhao Yaxi diligently came to his side, took him by the arm, and pulled him to one of the small pavilions located in the center of the beautiful scenery in the garden, happily said: "Ya'er thought Dong I don’t have time to come, alas! Master Dong is really good, just a few days later, Handan’s morale has been greatly boosted, and the defense is well-established. Now no one misses Le Cheng any more.” Walking across two small bridges, they came to the pavilion on the small lake. The sound of people and lights seemed to come from another world, but this place seemed to be a peaceful world isolated from the mundane. Xiang Shaolong leaned against the stone railing, put his arms around her small waist, and said with a smile: "I have decided to solve the crisis in Handan for your brother Wang, how can you thank me?" Zhao Ya's delicate body trembled slightly, she leaned into his arms and said: "Then Ya'er has no choice but to change her past mistakes and be the most obedient and obedient woman to Mr. Dong wholeheartedly!" Then she whispered: "You really can't forget old evils, Ya'er I'm really worried that Brother Wang won't be able to take another blow." Xiang Shaolong said lightly: "Don't worry! I have my own plan to guarantee that after the incident, your brother Wang will never know that Xiang has ever been to Handan and became the city guard." Zhao Ya was startled and said, "How is it possible?" Xiang Shaolong said displeased: "You always have less confidence in me than others." Zhao Ya panicked and said: "Ya'er dare not!" Seeing her horrified like this, Xiang Shaolong felt sorry for her, kissed her lips, and said with a smile: "Don't be alarmed, as long as your words and deeds are consistent, how can I not love you." Zhao Ya said quietly: "Are you really good at taking people away?" Xiang Shaolong knew that she had become a frightened bird, the most prone to wild thoughts and unnecessary worries, so he said solemnly, "How can I, Dong Kuang, have the time to lie to you, a poor woman who is looking for that drop of honey everywhere?" Zhao Yaqiao blushed, stomped her feet and said angrily: "I'm really not reconciled, you have changed Dong Kuang, but I still can't help but fall in love with you, throw myself into my arms, and suffer all your oppression." Xiang Shaolong laughed heartily, moved his hand down, and slapped her twice vigorously to augment her hips, saying: "Why is there a big banquet in the Guo residence tonight?" Zhao Yaqi said: "You are so busy that you are so busy that you don't even know that Mr. Guo is marrying his daughter to Li Yuan." Xiang Shaolong was shocked and said: "Guo Zong is really going to leave, will your brother Wang let him go?" Zhao Ya sighed and said: "The discussion of the joint vertical is still unable to reach an agreement because of the issue of the Yan Kingdom, and Brother Wang refuses to give in. A person like Guo Zong, who only cares about practical interests, is not willing to sit here and wait for the people of Qin." Come to attack the city and plunder the land. Now that he has a son-in-law like Li Yuan, what can Brother Wang do with him?" Xiang Shaolong said: "If you also leave with me, won't your brother Wang be even more sad?" Zhao Yaxiu shot a blank look, sighed, and said slowly: "Is my sister Wang still unfeeling to him? I don't even care about the death of sister Ni, and I almost put my most beloved The man killed, only he owes me, what else do I owe him? Besides, I am a woman, what can I do? Brother Wang's character is best known to others, don't look at him being so gracious to you now, once the crisis is over , It’s another face. See how Lian Po and Li Mu have made so many contributions, but how they are treated. He is only himself, and Ya’er has long since lost heart. Alas! Brother Wang is not here in another day, let that woman be the one Empress Dowager, the first person she wants to deal with is me, poor woman, why don't you go?" Xiang Shaolong said: "Hearing what you said, I feel more at ease." Zhao Yabuyi said: "Aren't you willing to trust him until now? For you in the future, even if he dies, he will never frown." Xiang Shaolong scolded: "Don't mention the word 'death'. That's right! It doesn't look like a wedding banquet tonight!" Zhao Yadao: "The wedding banquet will be held in Chu State, Guo Zong will naturally go to Chu Jing to officiate at that time, you understand!" Xiang Shaolong suddenly said: "This is indeed a clever strategy, all right! Let's go back and take advantage of the excitement!" Dali patted her pink buttocks again, and said, "You go back first, lest everyone will be jealous of me." Zhao Ya coquettishly said: "How about going to someone's place tonight?" Thinking of Shanrou, Xiang Shaolong frowned and said, "Let's talk about it later! Will talented girl Ji come tonight?" Zhao Yadao: "She came early! It's not her lover who was looking for her everywhere. Fortunately, Ya'er intercepted her earlier and got the upper hand." Xiang Shaolong didn't know whether to laugh or cry, he drove her away, and then went to the main house. ◇◇◇◇◇◇ The guests who were engaged in social activities in the garden saw him, the upstart of Zhao State, and came over to say hello to him. When they finally escaped, they pulled a corner to Han Chuang and said, "General Dong is really good. This Marquis has never seen my sister Jing." It’s so worthy of a person.” Xiang Shaolong said: "I would also like to thank Master Hou for taking care of me." Han Chuang said: "Don't worry, I have spoken good things for you in front of Sister Wang, but you have to be careful of Guo Kai, a villain. He is spreading rumors that you have an affair with Sister Wang, and you only use her relationship to get on board." The position of Shangcheng Shou. Hey! This despicable villain thinks he has become King Xiaocheng's lover, so he is so unscrupulous, I really can't see it." Xiang Shaolong lost his voice: "What?" Han Chuang said: "It's no wonder you don't know about this matter. Apart from the people in the palace, not many people know about this matter, but how can King Xiaocheng not have a man? It's a pity that you are not manly, otherwise you can replace him." Xiang Shaolong's hairs stood on end, and he coughed dryly: "Please stop talking!" Han Chuang said kindly: "Fortunately, you still love women! My sister Wang is also a rare beauty. If you can make her happy, when the crown prince ascends to the throne in the future, Zhao Guo will be able to do whatever he wants. Don't forget my old friend." Xiang Shaolong knew that he wanted to indirectly control Empress Jing through himself, so it can be seen that the Empress of Zhao State did not obey his orders.Afraid that he would ask him for Tian's sisters again, he dragged him to the main house, distracting him and said: "Master Hou, be careful when you come in and out, the person who attacked Lord Longyang might be the collusion of Qi Chu." Han Chuang changed his expression and said, "What?" Xiang Shaolong was now more sure that Queen Jing did not confide in the prince, just bumped into a group of guests, and Xiang Shaolong took the opportunity to escape and walked into the banquet hall. Guo Zongxin, who was in the hall, came up and said: "Mr. Dong has been honored as city guard, I haven't had the chance to congratulate the general in person yet." Xiang Shaolong glanced around, but still couldn't see his two sons. He knew that he would repeat the old wisdom of his father-in-law Wu Yingyuan, and sent his sons to other places to make arrangements first. Mr. Guo congratulates young generals, Mr. has such a beautiful son-in-law, and all those who are qualified to be father-in-law in Handan are all salivating with hatred!" Guo Zong laughed and said, "It's really a joy in life to talk to Dong Mazhi." At this time, the lobby was full of guests, probably not nearly a thousand people. Many ladies and noble ladies who were rarely seen at ordinary times came here in their best attires. Who would have thought that Zhao Guozheng was in the crisis of ruining his country and his family? middle. Xiang Shaolong's sharp eyes saw Li Yuan, the protagonist of tonight, gathered at the other end of the hall, chatting and laughing happily with Tian Dan, Guo Kai, Cheng Xu and others who surrounded him. Queen Jing and Queen Feng came in person, but King Xiaocheng was not there, obviously expressing dissatisfaction, and only the queen attended. On the other side was another group of people centered on Ji Yanran, Zou Yan also made an exception to attend, and Longyang Jun, who had just recovered from his injury, was whispering with him, the two were old friends, so they were naturally very cordial. Zhao Ba and Zhao Zhi helped greet the guests, and when the latter saw Xiang Shaolong, his beautiful eyes lit up, he left behind a group of noble ladies, and flew towards him like happy birds. Xiang Shaolong was secretly blaming himself for the lake, he had no congratulatory gifts in his hands, so he took the opportunity to escape and meet Zhao Zhi. As soon as this charming beauty touched her face, she complained: "General Dong! Zhi Zhi can't even see you these days. I miss you so much." Xiang Shaolong leaned closer to her ear and said, "The good girl is so excited!" Zhao Zhiqiao's face brightened, she glanced at him, and said in a low voice, "I don't care what you say, but Zhizhi will come to accompany you tonight." Thinking of Zhao Ya, Xiang Shaolong almost groaned in distress, and said with a wry smile, "Why do you accompany me?" Zhao Zhi was very embarrassed, pushed him, and said angrily, "I don't pay attention to you." He turned around and fled into the crowd of guests. Xiang Shaolong walked towards Li Yuan with his head as big as a bucket, congratulating loudly. Li Yuan showed an unnatural expression, reluctantly returned the salute, and said: "Brother Dong is so favored by the King and Queen Jing, Li should congratulate Brother Dong." When Xiang Shaolong saw that he specifically mentioned Queen Jing who was with Tian Dan, he knew that he was insinuating that he had an affair with her, so he pretended not to understand and said: "How can uncle Shangguo have a queen sister?" No After Li Yuan's ugly face, after saluting Queen Jing and Tian Dan, he turned to Ji Yanran's group without looking at Guo Kai and Cheng Xu on the other side. Ji Yanran was scruples about Mr. Longyang, so she didn't dare to show surprise, she smiled lightly and said, "It seems like I haven't seen Mr. Dong for a long time." Zou Yan greeted politely and as usual. On the contrary, Lord Longyang warmly congratulated him, accused him of a crime, and under Ji Yanran's unwilling eyes, pulled him to a corner and said, "I sent someone to look for you, and you happened to be in the palace." Xiang Shaolong's heart skipped a beat, and he asked in a low voice, "What's the matter?" Lord Longyang lowered his voice and said: "I just received the secret news from Daliang that Lord Xinling sent a group of experts to Handan. It seems that they want to deal with me. Although I still have hundreds of guards by my side, they can be regarded as There are not many of them who are masters, and I can't send a battalion of soldiers from Wei to guard me, can you strengthen the city defense?" Xiang Shaolong was stunned, and said in a deep voice, "Do you have any information about those people?" Lord Longyang shook his head in distress. Xiang Shaolong said: "There are so many people coming to Handan from the outskirts of the city and other places to buy and sell every day, and the gates of the city cannot be closed. Unless we know exactly who the target is like Xiang Shaolong, it will be impossible to guard against. Let's do it! I will A group of people have been carefully selected from the subordinates to personally protect Junshang day and night. That’s right! You are fine, aren’t you?” Lord Longyang felt as if a tiger had fallen into Pingyang, and sighed: "It is still inappropriate to make any violent movements, otherwise why should I be afraid of Lord Xinling? Our king has sent a brigade of elite soldiers to take me back to Daliang. After a few more days, I can leave." Xiang Shaolong said: "Your Majesty doesn't pay attention to the matter of union?" Long Yangjun snorted coldly with a sullen face: "I have stated my position many times before. It doesn't matter if I am not sincere or incompatible. I will leave someone to listen to the news." Holding his hand, he said: "Except for the king, I have never been so grateful to a person like Brother Dong. No matter what happens, Brother Dong, please don't forget that there is someone looking forward to you in Daliang." Xiang Shaolong was numb all over from his touch, embarrassing and sad, but seeing the other person's helpless, affectionate appearance, he couldn't bear to break free from his grasp. The man felt better psychologically when he became a woman, he patted him on the shoulder comfortingly and said: "Dong Kuang understands, take care on the road." Lord Longyang let go of his hand wisely, just at this time Han Chuang came, Xiang Shaolong was afraid that he would ask him for the Tian sisters, so he hurriedly said to Lord Longyang: "Your Majesty, please help entangle this person." Mr. Longyang was slightly taken aback, and immediately went away happily. At this time, Ji Yanran also borrowed Zou Yan's help to escape from a group of admirers, and said to him coquettishly, "Dong Kuang! Are you so busy that you don't even have time to see him?" Xiang Shaolong really wanted to say let me sleep with you tonight, but when he thought of Zhao Ya and Zhao Zhi, he couldn't say such a simple sentence that could turn anger into happiness for this pretty beauty, but fortunately there was still someone to divert her He paid attention to the trick, and said in a low voice: "Jun Longyang just told me that the masters sent by Lord Xinling have arrived." Zou Yan was startled and said, "What are they doing here?" Ji Yanran said angrily, "He said earlier that he was going to take back Lu Gong's Secret Records! There's nothing to make a fuss about. Dong Kuang! Are you ignoring Yanran?" This time it was really hard to bear the beauty's kindness, Xiang Shaolong said with a smile: "Aren't you afraid that Mr. Zou will laugh at you?" He sighed secretly in his heart and only had a few days' rest, so is he going to go to three games in a row tonight? Ji Yanran gave Zou Yan a charming look, and smiled sweetly: "Why is Mr. Zou so out of touch? Now he is his godfather! When no one is around, you, a heartless person, have to change your address." Xiang Shaolong looked at the smiling Zou Yan in surprise, and said with a smile: "Then I don't have anything to worry about. Tonight Dong will come and take out his heart and let Ji Cainv deal with it!" Only then did Ji Yanran turn anger into joy. Xiang Shaolong took the opportunity to ask: "What method did Miss Ji use to get rid of that fellow Li Yuan's wishful thinking and marry a girl from the Guo family?" Ji Yanran said distressedly: "No method will work. He just came to me today and said he was waiting for a job, but I kicked him out." At this moment, Li Yuan kept looking at them, showing a look of jealousy. The bell rang, and it was time to be seated.