Chapter 287 Chapter 9: Brutal Reality

More than a hundred three-masted ships formed a huge fleet and sailed mightily against the current to the wharf in the south of Yongdu. The two warships put down hundreds of guards and formed an escort team, giving people a mighty and tense atmosphere. Lai Ai led the big and small officials of Yongdu and lined up in front of the pier to greet them. Xiang Shaolong's Wu Guo and Jing Jun were beside An Guxi, watching the huge fleet from afar. Jing Jun approached Xiang Shaolong, and said in a low voice: "Look at Lao Ai's appearance, she must have not slept last night." They still didn't know that Han Jie had slipped away at night, and they didn't understand why Lao Ai's spirit was so bad?

The small dragon boat docked in the rumbling sound. Jing Jun worried: "If that kid Wu Guo is found out and carried off in a bundle, what shall we do?" Xiang Shaolong smiled wryly: "We can only tell Ying Zheng that this is a trick to confuse the enemy, but our plan is about to come to an end." At this time, An Guxi said to Jing Jun: "I haven't seen your third brother for a long time, and I miss him very much, come on!" Come out with a pat on the back.The two hurriedly followed. The gangway was lowered from the deck, and Lao Ai on the shore ordered people to play welcome music.

The 300 guards who disembarked first built three layers of human walls on the left and right, leaving a space about ten feet wide in the middle. They moved in unison, neatly and beautifully. An Guxi waited to get off the horse and knelt beside the horse. Chang Wenjun took the lead and walked down from the springboard, followed by 20 elite imperial guards who opened the way, the first two holding the Wang Banner and Clan Banner respectively. Then there were ten courtiers holding various ritual vessels and sacrificial vessels, and then twenty imperial guards, only to see the future Qin Shihuang Xiao Pan and the concubine Chu in front of Lord Changping, Wang Wan, Li Si, Cai Ze, and others wearing veils. Qin Qing, Wu Guo disguised as Xiang Shaolong and other civil and military ministers, stepped off the boat.

Tens of thousands of Yongdu city residents on the outskirts erupted in loud applause, shouted long live, and knelt down one after another, the atmosphere was extremely hot. Seeing that Wu Guo was "safe and sound", Xiang Jing felt relieved. Xiang Shaolong glanced at Lao Ai in the distance, and saw that he heard the welcome shouts from the crowd, and his face darkened.He sighed secretly in his heart, "With your little boy, who is knighted by nepotism, how can you compare to Qin Shihuang in terms of military strength, popular support and image?" After accepting Lai Ai's congratulations calmly, Xiaopan boarded Longyu with the concubine Chu, and drove to the city gate under the escort of Chang Wenjun's imperial guards.An Guxi's army guarded along the way at the same time, and the security was impeccable.

Xiang Shaolong and Jing Jun took an opportunity to board Wu Guo's car, Xiang Shaolong and Wu Guo took off their masks and clothes, do not exchange clothes. Wu Guo said triumphantly: "Fortunately, I know how to pretend to be sick, otherwise I don't know how to deal with those people." Xiang Shaolong said: "Didn't Chu Jun look for you?" Wu Guo said: "He only sent an imperial doctor to visit me, and said that after landing, he would accompany him to the Dazheng Palace to meet the Queen Mother." Xiang Shaolong lost his voice: "What?" Only then did An Guxi take the time to gallop to their car, and Xiang Shaolong hurriedly took Wu Guo's seat just now, and said with a smile, "Hello, General."

An Guxi obviously didn't know the development of the conflict between him and Xiao Pan, and said with a smile: "Shaolong call me Guxi as usual! Shaolong is really majestic, and he is the pillar of our Qin Kingdom." Xiang Shaolong chatted with him for a while without saying a word, when the convoy entered the city gate, An Guxi confessed his crimes and went on to other things. Xiang Shaolong leaned against the back of the chair and heaved a sigh of relief. The first phase of the plan is complete, and the rest is how to escape Xiao Pan's plot and sneak back to Xianyang. ◇◇◇◇◇◇

Xiao Pan and concubine Chu led a group of courtiers to get off in front of the main hall of the Dazheng Palace. Seeing so many people accompanying Xiang Shaolong, he breathed a sigh of relief, and thought to himself that it would be a disaster if only he and Xiao Pan went to see Zhu Ji. After being reminded by manager Yanran, he has painfully realized that in the current situation, Zhu Ji is already in deep trouble, and it is impossible to leave Lai Ai to follow him. But how to save her life? This may still not be the case. But after losing Lai Ai and her son, she knows better that Xiao Pan is not her own son, and she is still alive like a walking corpse. What's the point of being a human?

At this time, Mao Jiao came out from the hall and knelt down and said: "The queen mother is a little uncomfortable today, I don't want to see so many people, I just invite the crown prince and the general to meet inside." Everyone was stunned. Xiao Pan and Xiang Shaolong looked at each other, if there were ambushes in the hall, wouldn't they be chopped into meat paste. Chang Wenjun said: "The last general must be by his side." Lai Ai on the side smiled and said: "The Queen Mother just doesn't want to see so many people all at once, and of course the minister of imperial guards must accompany her!"

Xiao Pan suddenly said: "No need! The general will accompany the widow into the hall to say hello." Xiang Shaolong caught a glimpse of Mao Jiao secretly gesturing towards Xiao Pan, and only then did he understand why Xiao Pan was suddenly so arrogant. Xiao Pan gestured to Xiang Shaolong and boldly stepped up the steps, Xiang Shaolong hurriedly followed behind. Xiao Pan said in a low voice without looking back: "What is that woman thinking?" Xiang Shaolong responded in a low voice: "Because she wants to clarify the matter and see if she should fully support Lai Ai."

Xiao Pan said coldly without any surprise: "This is called making the same mistake again and again." Xiang Shaolong really wanted to try his best to remind him to keep his promise, but he knew it was nonsense, so he suppressed this impulse. Zhu Ji sat high on the Empress Dowager's Luan Seat, there was no one else in the hall except her, her boots stepped on the floor of the hall, and the footsteps echoed tremblingly. The empty hall was cold and lifeless. Zhu Ji has gained a little weight, but she is still gorgeous, not showing any signs of aging.It's just that Yurong was a little haggard, watching the two of them slapping her coldly, Zhu Ji said indifferently: "My lord, please sit down, General."

The two sat on the lower right side of her, and Xiao Pan said in a formulaic way: "Wang Er is very pleased to see her mother's beauty is better than before." Zhu Ji sighed and said, "How long has it been since Ai's family saw Wang'er? I'm afraid it will be three or four years! Sometimes Ai's family really thinks that they never gave birth to your son." Xiaopan Longmu had a flash of murderous intent, and quickly pretended to be respectful and said: "The queen mother has overtaken the responsibility. The prince is just burdened with state affairs, and he is afraid of disturbing the queen mother's rest, but the prince still cares and loves the queen mother as much as before." Xiang Shaolong stared blankly ahead, hoping in his heart that this was just a dream, because the reality is too cruel. Recalling how Zhu Ji and Xiao Pan loved each other when they arrived in Handan at the beginning of the year, but now they are intriguing and plotting against each other. Zhu Ji's eyes fell on Xiang Shaolong, and her voice turned judo: "Aijia hasn't had a chance to congratulate the general on his triumphant return yet!" Xiang Shaolong took a deep look at her, full of sincere and deep feelings and guilt in his chest, and sighed: "It's just to save my life! How can I be worthy of the empress's praise." Zhu Jifeng's eyes turned cold and said: "The rumors about Chujun's life experience have been rampant recently, what is the general's strategy to deal with it? Can you tell the heart of Ai's family?" Xiao Pan cut in coldly and said: "Wang Er has issued an order to the whole country, no one is allowed to talk about this matter again, I hope the Empress Dowager will learn from it, so there is no need to be suspicious." Zhu Ji was furious and said, "Are you not even allowed to tell my mother?" Xiao Pan calmed down and said leisurely: "Wang Er, how dare you, but the general is suffering from not being able to disobey orders." Zhu Ji let out a slightly abnormal smile, and said sadly: "The Ai family almost forgot, the prince will officially ascend the throne in three days, so naturally I don't need to pay attention to me, the queen mother." Xiao Pan said indifferently: "The queen mother has wronged the prince. In short, the gossip heard by the queen mother is all deliberately alienating our mother and son." Then he stood up and said: "The mother's health is not good, so don't get excited, Wang'er has retired, come back later to pay my respects to the mother!" Xiang Shaolong had no chance to speak until now.He secretly sighed in his heart, even though Xiao Pan didn't intend to kill her before, Zhu Ji's words have now brought her down. But he had no way to save her.Because Zhu Ji no longer has love for him, only gnashing of hatred instead.She was sure that he lied to her, and even thought that he killed her real son. In such a situation, what else could he do? ◇◇◇◇◇◇ Prayer Palace. In the imperial study room, Xiao Pan took the big iron bow from Guan Zhongxie handed over by Xiang Shaolong, laughed and said, "Guan Qing family, if you don't become a fool now, you should know that you took refuge in Old Bandit Lu in the past. It was the worst move of your life." Li Si, Chang Ping Jun, Chang Wen Jun, An Guxi, Wang Wan and others on both sides of the respectful stand congratulated Xiang Shaolong for his first achievement. Xiao Pan put the iron bow on the table as if relieved from a heavy burden, and sat down with all the officials, and asked Xiang Shaolong with a smile: "It's a pity that the head of the bewitched man can't be seen, but I also fully agree with Jing Qing's approach, only the corpses and traces will be destroyed. Alarm the eunuchs." After a pause, he continued: "In the past few days, we must be careful about our diet, so as not to fall into the hands of the thief." Lord Changping said happily: "Don't worry, Chu Jun, the ministers will pay more attention to it." Xiao Pan looked around at the crowd, finally his eyes fell on Xiang Shaolong, and he said softly, "Is the General better?" Xiang Shaolong shook his head and smiled wryly: "They were all tired when they fled on the border between Korea and Wei. At that time, they were still able to hold on. Who would have thought that they would have seizures from time to time after they came back. It's just that they are afraid of taking medicine." Xiao Pan said: "Then General, don't work hard these few days, take a good rest!" Then Longmu Hanmang Dasheng coldly snorted and said: "The Lai party has decided to cause trouble during the state banquet on the night of enthronement, what is the general's countermeasure?" Xiang Shaolong said indifferently: "Prevent people first, and then be controlled by others. This is the eternal truth." Xiao Pan slapped the long table in front of the dragon banquet, and sighed: "That's the job, we are sure to win." Wang Wan frowned and said, "Forgive me for being confused, didn't we plan to punish the gangsters when they caused chaos?" Xiao Pan calmly smiled and said, "It's one moment, and another moment. Victory is the most important thing. It doesn't matter what method we use. Let's do it before the state banquet and catch him by surprise." Li Sidao: "That villain, Lai Ai, probably died without knowing where his mistakes were made." Li Si was of course referring to Mao Jiao, the big traitor, because Xiao Pan knew the reality of Lai Ai and the timing of the arrangement very well, so he dealt with it calmly. Xiao Pan was clearly confident, and said in a calm and leisurely manner: "One hour before the state banquet, General An took the order of the widow to take away the military power of the city, control all the main entrances and exits, and forbid anyone to leave. This will surely Lai Ai was launched early. The imperial guards are responsible for sealing off the Palace of Prayer for Good Harvests. On the one hand, they can protect the ministers and ministers, and they can also arrest traitors in the palace according to the list." After a pause, he continued: "At the same time, General Wang's army will march into the city, killing all the rebels. And General Xiang and I will attack Dazheng Palace. Hmph! Let me see how Lai Ai ends up .” Everyone praised him one after another. Only Xiang Shaolong knew that if he had no way to deal with it, the Dazheng Palace would be the place where he would die. ◇◇◇◇◇◇ When Xiang Shaolong returned to the courtyard assigned to him in the harem of the Palace of Prayer for Good Harvests, Qin Qing next door and Ji Yanran who was pretending to be a maid slipped over and were chatting with Jing Jun and Wu Guo. Seeing Xiang Shaolong, the two girls naturally beamed with joy. Xiang Shaolong sat down and asked, "Have you contacted the fourth brother yet?" Jing Jun nodded and said, "Just now, when Brother San was in Dazheng Palace, I met him." Ji Yanran asked, "What does Zhu Ji have to say?" Xiang Shaolong sighed: "The situation is very bad, the relationship between the prince and her has finally been completely broken." After answering, he turned to Jing Jun and said, "What's the fourth brother to say?" Jing Jun said: "The fourth brother said that the Chu Jun issued an order to him, from now on, Yongdu will be sealed off, and no one is allowed to enter or leave, unless you have a special document." Xiang Shaolong was startled and said, "The Crown Prince is lying to me again, just now he only said that the city will be besieged after the coronation ceremony and before the state banquet." Qin Qing was taken aback and said: "Then what should we do?" Xiang Shaolong thought about it and said: "It's easy for me to leave. I just need to pretend to be Wu Guo and formally express to Chu Jun that I must lead people back to Xianyang to strengthen my second brother's strength, and then I can slip away. There is no problem for Wu Guo to go back, as long as he changes Go back to yourself, and with the help of the fourth brother, you can escape smoothly. The problem is only sister Qing, Ying Zheng will send someone to protect her, but in fact they are closely monitored, so what should I do?" Ji Yanran said: "My lord, did you decide when to go back?" Xiang Shaolong said: "I should go back tomorrow with Jing Jun. Sigh! But how could I just leave you guys like this? Chu Jun knows me too well." Ji Yanran smiled and said, "Then let's go back together!" Everyone stared at this beautiful and talented woman in astonishment. Qin Qing said joyfully: "Yan Ran, don't be a fool, what good plan have you come up with?" Ji Yanran said happily: "I was triggered by what my lord husband said just now. It was to take advantage of the ambiguous situation between the queen mother and the prince. Imagine if the queen mother sent someone to invite our Qin Taifu to come to Dazheng Palace to accompany her, what would the prince do? reaction?" Everyone immediately applauded. Qin Qingxi said: "I can arrange this with some means, and it is difficult for the prince to refuse." Everyone knows that she is most familiar with court affairs, so there is no need to worry about her. Ji Yanran said: "This action can also make Chu Jun think that your husband has no intention of slipping away. Who knows that our Qin Taifu has slipped away halfway before reaching Dazheng Palace." Wu Guo asked: "Then how should I, the general, go and run for my life?" Xiang Shaolong said: "Basically, it's adapting to the situation and keeping your life as the top priority. But don't wait until the coronation ceremony, Ying Zheng won't let you slip out of sight." Ji Yanran said: "Let's go one night before the coronation! With two days' buffer, we can take care of Lu Buwei." Jing Jun reminded: "Remember not to stay longer in Xianyang, but return to the ranch as soon as possible, gather together and escape according to the plan, and you're done." Xiang Shaolong sighed: "After so many years of hard work, God should let me live a more comfortable and leisurely life!" There was longing in everyone's eyes, and the hooves of Wangqing Pegasus on the prairie outside the Jianma Great Wall seemed to sound in their ears.