Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Weihou proclaims king to attack Weiguo, Sun Bin is fledgling
When Long Jia, Zhu Wei, Gongsun Yan and others were frequently in and out of the prime minister's mansion, busy with Bai Xiangguo's funeral, Gongsun Yang, Chen Zhen and others never had a moment's free time.Within a few days, the first draft of the Qin-Wei Good-Neighborhood Alliance Book was drawn up, and Chen Zhen and Gongsun Yang checked it to be correct, so they copied two copies on the sheepskin and presented it to Wei Huihou in the palace.
After reading it carefully, Wei Huihou said to Biren, "Bring Wang Xi!"
Piren walked into the secret room, took out an exquisite sandalwood box, and opened it in front of Huihou.Huihou took out the jade seal that had just been engraved with his own hands, looked at the unused clean white seal, smiled at Gongsun Yang and Chen Zhen and said, "Hehehe, this is the first time I use this royal seal!"
When Gongsun Yang heard the sound, he knelt down and kowtowed, "It's really the Qin people's good fortune that your Majesty used Wang Xishou for the affairs of the Qin people!"
Huihou smiled again: "Aiqing, please! As long as the seal is stamped, the affairs of Qin people are the affairs of widows!"
"On behalf of Duke Qin, I would like to thank Your Majesty for your blessing!"
Wei Huihou dipped in the vermilion mud himself, and pressed a stamp on each of the two pieces of sheepskin.The Biren took it over and handed it over to Gongsun Yang.Gongsun Yang took it with both hands, bowed three more times, and said in a loud voice: "Now that you have your Majesty's seal, the alliance letter will come into effect. I will immediately return to Qin with the book, and when Qin Gong stamps the seal, I will send a special envoy." Presented to Your Majesty!"
"That's great!" Wei Huihou nodded slightly, and turned to Chen Zhen, "Chen Aiqing, how is the matter with Zongbo going?"
Chen Zhen kowtowed: "Qizou Your Majesty, at the beginning of the new dynasty, regulations and etiquette are being formulated and will be promulgated in a few days. As for the celebration, the auspicious day and the holy place have been predicted by the hexagram master!"
"Oh," Wei Huihou said with a happy face, "when and where?"
"The auspicious day is May Wang, and the resort is Fengze!"
Wei Huihou thought for a while, nodded and said: "Well, Fengze is the place where the phoenix sings and the dragon sings, and you should go to worship! Well, this matter can be settled, Aiqing drafts a call to action, and spreads it to the princes of all countries, so that they can go down Yue Jiwang will meet in Fengze! Well, and also, the essay must express the meaning and explain clearly, so it is said that this time the widow is honored in the south, and the enthronement ceremony will be held in Fengze, so that the nations will not misunderstand again, thinking that they are going to that Zhou Dynasty again God's!"
"The humble minister obeys the order!"
Withdrawing from the palace, Chen Zhen and Gongsun Yang went straight to Yuanheng Building. Gongsun Yang was still the host, so he summoned Gongzi Ang, and the three of them had a big banquet to celebrate the success of the alliance between Qin and Wei.
After the banquet, Gongsun Yang bid farewell to Qin.Due to the urgent need to arrange matters such as preaching to the nations, Chen Zhen bid farewell to his residence after being sent to the west city gate.Young Master Ang had something on his mind, so he sent it all the way to the Ten Li Changting Pavilion.Gongsun Yang turned around and said, "Sir, stay a step, and Gongsun Yang will bid you farewell!"
The young master bowed back and said, "I hope Daliang will take care of Princess Ziyun's affairs!"
Gongsun Yang laughed and said, "Don't worry, General, this glass of wedding wine, Gongsun Yang will definitely drink it!"
Gongsun Yang returned triumphantly, and Qin Xiaogong went to the suburbs for thirty miles, boarded the chariot together with his hands, and hustled back to the palace.Along the way, Gongsun Yang will make Wei Chengcheng give a big talk.Back in the palace, Gongsun Yang presented the Qin Wei alliance letter, Xiaogong read it hastily, and handed it to the inner minister to use the seal.As soon as the minister entered the inner hall, Gongsun Yang fell to his knees, put his head on the ground with his hands in his hands, and whispered: "Your Majesty, this humble minister is guilty!"
Xiaogong was stunned for a moment: "Aiqing has made great achievements in saving the crisis. Where did the crime come from?" As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to help.
No matter how Duke Xiao helped him, Gongsun Yang refused to get up, and knelt on the ground blindly, repeating four words in his mouth: "This humble minister is guilty!"
Xiaogong felt that something was wrong, he let go and retreated to the front, and sat down slowly: "Gongsun Aiqing, tell me, what is your crime?"
"The sinner has the guts to marry Princess Ziyun!"
"What did you say?" Qin Xiaogong was at a loss, as if he didn't understand, "What Princess Ziyun? What marriage?"
Gongsun Yang buried his head on the ground, and wrote clearly: "I have made my own decision, and betrothed Princess Ziyun to the son of General Wei!"
Qin Xiaogong understood what he heard, and was stunned for a while.After about half an hour, he suddenly stood up, walked back and forth in the hall several times, stopped, pointed at Gongsun Yang with trembling fingers, and shouted loudly: "Aiqing, Aiqing, you, you, you—what can I tell the widow to say! Before leaving, you never mentioned about Ziyun. Why did you marry her out of nowhere? You, you, you——you don’t know about Ziyun, she——she, she—are you here? Gouging out the heart of the widow?"
"Gongsun Yang is convicted!"
Xiao Gong shook his head and sighed: "Oh, guilty, guilty! What's the use of guilty? You should have a discussion beforehand for such a big matter! You don't need to worry about Ziyun, you don't need to worry about widows, and you don't have to, madam. Read, where is the old lady, you—you must be afraid? In and outside the palace, no one knows that Ziyun is the old lady's sweetheart. If there is no old lady's will for Ziyun's marriage, even the widows will- — and dare not marry easily, but you — you actually promised her to a useless embroidered pillow!" Another long sigh, "Oh, this--"
"Your Majesty," Gongsun Yang buried his head even lower, held his breath for a while, and murmured, "One thing that is useless is a great use! If you give up this one woman, you can get the whole situation!"
Duke Xiao was stunned, frowned and said to himself: "There is nothing that can be used for nothing?" He started walking around the hall again.
Xiaogong's footsteps became slower and slower, he stopped suddenly, turned back a few times, sat down slowly, and looked at Gongsun Yang: "Tell me, in Aiqing's opinion, when is the best time for Ziyun to get married?"
"It's not too late, the meeting in Fengze is a good day. King Wei ascends the throne, Qin and Wei get married, and King Wei's double happiness comes to the door. There is no defense against me!"
"When will Ai Qing leave for the meeting?"
"Three days later!"
Duke Xiao pondered for a while, and shouted loudly, "Come here!"
The minister just finished stamping the seal, and hurried forward with the alliance book in hand: "The old slave is here!"
"Decree to the harem to prepare a dowry for Princess Ziyun!"
The courtier was slightly taken aback, and replied: "Old servant obeys the order!"
After the ministers went out to pass the decree, Gongsun Yang wept after paying homage again: "Your Majesty is a wise man!"
"Ah," Duke Xiao got up slowly, and sighed, "Gongsun Aiqing, you have worked so hard all the way, go home and rest. Widow—I'm tired too!"
"Weichen resigns!"
On the way to the harem, the minister kept his head down and thought about how to convey this message, walking more and more slowly.When they reached the gate of the palace, the minister had a general idea and decided to go to the main palace first to meet his wife.
Mrs. Xiaogong is the younger sister of Han Zhaohou. In order to retake Hexi from Wei State, Xian Gong formed an alliance with Han, married a Han woman as the prince's wife, and raised a son, Ying Si.Duke Xian was killed in the Battle of Hexi, Duke Xiao ascended the throne, made Hannv his wife, and gave birth to a daughter Ziyun the following year.Ziyun was born in the main palace and the prince's younger sister. Naturally, she had the highest status among the princesses. In addition, she was beautiful and well-behaved. The apple of the eye.
When the inner minister delivered the decree, Princess Ziyun happened to come to visit the queen mother, and listened attentively at the door.The blood feud between Qin and Wei is like a sea, and the situation is irreconcilable. When Princess Ziyun heard that her father-in-law married her to the Wei people, her face paled immediately, she turned around and ran to the old lady's palace, knelt down towards the old lady, and hugged her legs Cried to death.The old lady was shocked, and asked again and again, but Ziyun was just sad, so choked up that she couldn't speak.The old lady was so distressed that she held her in her arms, patted and coaxed her, Ziyun just cried.The old lady accompanied her to shed tears for a while, feeling helpless, when Mrs. Xiaogong came over, she heard the grandparents and grandson crying with their heads in their arms, rushed in, knelt down on the ground, and sobbed uncontrollably.
The old lady was in a hurry, wiped away her tears, coaxed Ziyun, and quickly said to Mrs. Xiaogong: "Oh my god, you two, what the hell is the sky falling? Quick - tell me what's going on! "
Mrs. Xiaogong choked up and told the ins and outs of the matter. The old lady was stunned for a moment, and after a long while, she finally understood. Suddenly, she got angry and got up suddenly. Called: "Come here!"
Gong Zheng hurried over: "The old slave is here!"
"Hurry up, call Ying Quliang over! Also, call Qian'er and Si'er!"
In no time, Qin Xiaogong, Yingqian, and Yingsi hurried over.Yingqian and Yingsi heard that the old lady was furious, but they didn't know the reason, they walked into the palace gate with a blank face, and saw the old lady sitting on the table from a distance, there was no one else around, Qin Xiaogong knelt on the ground, and was suddenly dumbfounded , rushed over quickly, and knelt down behind Xiaogong in a daze.
The old lady sat upright in front of her, her face full of anger, she glanced at the three of them, slammed on the floor tiles with her cane, and sternly reprimanded: "Wei Gouzi dominates my Hexi, kills my husband, and has a sworn feud with me, Ying Quliang, you ——You unfilial son, it’s fine if you don’t take revenge, but why do you want to marry the old Xiao Yun’er to Wei Gou?”
Ying Qian and Ying Si understood and looked at each other.Qin Xiaogong buried his head on the ground, pouted his buttocks high, and just kept silent.
"Hehehe," the old lady sneered a few times, "Ying Quliang, you think you can get by without talking, do you? I'm asking you, I heard that Gongsun Yang made it up again and sold Xiao Yun'er!"
Qin Xiaogong finally spoke out, and murmured: "Returning to my mother, this matter has nothing to do with Gongsun Yang. Qu Liang made his own decision and asked Gongsun Yang to propose marriage to the Wei family. Mother wants to be beaten and punished, and Qu Liang claims it!"
The old lady wept angrily: "You, you, you—you just protect that foreigner." Pointing to Yingqian and Qiansi, "Open your eyes and look at them, Gongsun Yang will punish this one today, and punish that one tomorrow. This rotten bone may be beaten by him someday. Ying Quliang, you——you keep your filial piety in your mouth, and you are here today, explain it to the old man!"
Qin Xiaogong pouted his butt again, despite the old lady's reprimands, he didn't say a single stubborn word.When Gongsun Yang promoted reform and system reform, most of the people who were implicated were the old officials of the family, and most of these people were involved with the old lady, so the old lady was a hundred dissatisfied.Taking advantage of this reason this time, the old lady cried and complained, reprimanded and scolded, and counted Gongsun Yang's various "evil deeds" after he went to Qin Dynasty from beginning to end to Xiaogong.
Yingqian, who had been punished on behalf of the crown prince and had his nose tortured by Gongsun Yang, heard his heartache, climbed a few steps forward, hugged the old lady's thigh and cried bitterly: "Mother—"
Qin Xiaogong buried his head deeper in his sleeve, not even daring to breathe.Tired of talking, the old lady wiped away her tears, and shouted at Qin Xiaogong: "Ying Quliang, listen carefully, Xiao Yun'er, you can't marry anyone without my old body's will!"
Before the words were finished, the sobs of Princess Ziyun and Mrs. Xiaogong could be faintly heard from the inner palace.The old lady was worried when she heard it, she got up suddenly, let out a snort from her nostrils, leaned on her crutches, knocked on the ground with a "de-de-de", and walked away.
It wasn't until the old lady walked away that Qin Xiaogong stood up from the ground, raised his face and glanced at Yingqian and Yingsi who were kneeling at a loss, turned around and walked quickly.The minister who had been waiting outside the door trotted along behind him.When approaching the study, Xiaogong slowed down.The minister hurried forward, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, about Princess Ziyun's matter, why don't you-take it easy?"
Duke Xiao of Qin stopped in his tracks and turned to his courtiers, his face ferocious, not without anger: "Why slow down? Pass the decree that Ziyun's marriage will be handled as soon as possible! And - from now on, no matter whether it is the court or the harem, everyone except the old lady Besides, anyone who dares to discuss this matter will be killed!"
"The old slave leads the order!"
Wei Huihou sent a call to all the countries, inviting all the princes to meet in Fengze in May to celebrate his grand ceremony of proclaiming king.Due to time constraints, Chen Zhen only informed them by letter to countries that were far away, such as Yan, Chu, and Yue. Lu, Chen, Song and other small countries in Sishang, he quickly spread his message one by one.To show grandeur, Wei Huihou specially attached an invitation letter written by himself, and stamped a red seal with the new royal seal on it.
In order to ensure the safety of the summit, and to fully estimate possible conflicts, Wei Huihou specially mobilized 50,000 military soldiers, led by the general, Prince Ang, to arrive in Daliang first.Huihou himself also set off ten days earlier, riding on the king's chariot, heading for Fengze in a majestic manner.
Huihou rushed to Emperor Qiu of the capital of Wei to send the call, and Wei Chenggong was dumbfounded when he saw the call.After properly arranging the envoys, Duke Wei Cheng immediately sent veteran Sun Ji to discuss countermeasures.
Sun Ji is the fourth grandson of Sun Wuzi, a military strategist in the Spring and Autumn Period. He was originally the Minister of Song.
Sun Ji had read the biography and read Wei Huihou's handwritten letter. His two long eyebrows were knotted into pimples. After a long time, he looked up at Duke Cheng: "Your Majesty—"
"Old Aiqing," Wei Chenggong's eyes fell on Sun Ji's weather-beaten old face, "In your opinion, should I go to this Fengze meeting or not?"
"The old minister thought that it would be wrong if the king went up, and it would be wrong if he didn't go!"
"Why don't you talk about it first!"
"The Three Kingdoms of Qi, Han, and Zhao don't have to go, but the emperor must! Although Wei Wei's move offends the world, it is not something we weak people can resist."
Wei Chenggong closed his eyes slightly, fell into deep thought, for a long time, raised his head and asked: "According to the old Aiqing, maybe Qi, Zhao, and Han will not go?"
Sun Ji nodded: "According to what the old minister has seen, don't say that Qi, Zhao, and Han are not going to go, even if Sishang is a small country, they may not all go!"
Wei Chenggong was thoughtful.
Sun Ji further said: "Other small countries don't have to go, but Dujun Shang has to go!"
Wei Chenggong was not without surprise: "Oh, why is this?"
"Forgive me for my lie, among the countries on my side, I am the only one who is the closest to Wei, and there is no danger to defend. If I don't go, according to Wei Fu's nature, I will definitely be used as an example to scare the monkeys!"
Wei Chenggong lowered his head, fell into deep thought again, and after a while, raised his head and said, "Isn't that going? If a widow goes, why not?"
"Qi, Zhao, and Han can go, but the king cannot!"
Wei Chenggong was stunned: "Where do you say this?"
"The Marquis of Wei became king because he conspired to usurp the king. Qi, Han, and Zhao were the same as Wei. They were originally usurped by a doctor, not a marquis at the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty. Their reputation has long been ruined. But the king is different. The ancestor of the king was the king of Wu. My younger brother is connected by the blood of the Zhou family. If the king is gone, wouldn't it mean that he agrees with the fact of treason, and although he can save the momentary safety, he will be notorious in the history, and at least it will make people laugh at him!"
Wei Chenggong nodded and said: "Old Aiqing's words are true! I have thought about it, but I still can't make a decision! Does Lao Aiqing have a plan for both?"
Sun Ji pondered for a while, then slowly said: "Your Majesty, what do you think of this? For the meeting in Fengze, the old officials will accompany the prince to support. As long as you prepare more gifts and speak flatteringly, Marquis Wei will not take his anger on me!"
Wei Chenggong closed his eyes and fell into deep thought again.After a long time, he opened his eyes abruptly, shook his head and said, "This is fifty steps and a hundred steps, no!"
Captain Sun sighed: "Oh, it's true that you can laugh at a hundred steps at fifty steps, but—but the old minister really can't come up with a better way!"
Wei Chenggong frowned, and said resolutely: "Since it's okay to go, it's okay not to go, and it's okay to let the prince go, so the widow will go all out! Old Aiqing, you arrange envoys, prepare generous gifts, and ask for appointments separately. Qi, Han, and Zhao Zhuguo! As long as they don't go, even if he doesn't think Wei Yu dare to do anything to the widow!"
The old Xiangguo pondered for a while, and said slowly: "The old minister obeys the order!"
When Sun Ji returned to the Prime Minister's Mansion, he immediately arranged for several senior officials to prepare generous gifts and go on an overnight mission to Qi, Han, and Zhao.
It's time to send off several envoys.Sun Ji finished washing and washing, changed into pajamas, lay down on the couch for a while, sat up suddenly, was stunned for a moment, found some clothes to put on, walked out of the bedroom, and strolled to the study of his grandson, Sun Bin.
Sun Ji had two sons in total. The eldest son, Sun Cao, was the governor of Pingyang County, an important border town in the state of Wei. The second son, Sun An, was the Sima of Pingyang County, in charge of Pingyang's defense.Sun Bin is the eldest son of Sun Cao, and Sun Ji specially kept him in the mansion after Guan Nian, firstly to handle the affairs of the Prime Minister's mansion, and secondly to teach him how to conduct himself.
When Sun Ji entered the door, Sun Bin was sitting upright in front of him, reading at night by a candle.Xu Shi was too focused on reading, Sun Ji walked up to him, but Sun Bin still didn't feel it, he just focused his eyes on the bamboo slips and murmured.Sun Ji coughed lightly, Sun Bin looked up and saw that it was Sun Ji, turned over and kowtowed: "Bin'er kowtows to grandpa!"
Sun Ji sat down on the opposite side, staring at Sun Bin's bamboo slips: "Bin'er, what book are you reading so engrossed?"
"Reporting to Grandpa, my grandson got a new precious book, which is Mo Zi's "Jian Ai"!"
Sun Ji nodded again and again: "Well, the Mohist school is famous for learning today, and most of the Mohists are well-educated scholars. This book is worth reading. Bin'er, in your opinion, do the words in the book make sense?"
"Report to Grandpa," Sun Bin sat up straight, straightened his clothes, and said slowly, "What Senior Mozi said is the most reasonable in the world." If people do not love each other, they will be thieves; if rulers and ministers do not love each other, they will not be loyal; if father and son do not love each other, they will not be loving and filial; Arrogance, deceit will deceive fools...'Senior Mozi really hit the point of the current situation! Today, the world is fighting, and the people are struggling to live. This is the reason, that is, they don't love each other. If everyone loves each other, the world will be "strong." Hold on to the weak, the many do not rob the few, the rich do not oppress the poor, the noble do not be arrogant, the deceitful do not deceive the foolish', this is the realm of the sage!"
"Oh," Captain Sun sighed, "Bin'er, grandpa hopes you can remember that all of these are just what if!"
Sun Bin asked in surprise, "Why did Grandpa say that?"
Sun Ji sighed again, and said slowly, "Because wolves always want to eat sheep, and sheep always want to eat grass!"
"Grandpa," Sun Bin pondered for a moment, then looked up at Sun Ji, "You seem to have something to do today, can you tell Bin'er?"
Sun Ji nodded and said: "Bin'er, I want you to go to Pingyang quickly and tell your father and uncle to store food and water immediately, strengthen the city defense, and prepare for the battle!"
"Challenge?" Sun Bin was very surprised, "Grandpa, it's calm now, why should you challenge?"
Sun Ji got up slowly: "The wolf wants to eat the sheep, how can the sheep be willing! Bin'er, go to bed early, and you will leave immediately in the early morning of tomorrow! Also, tell your father that there is still time now, let him organize the troops to take Dig the trench deeper and fill it with water!"
Sun Bin nodded with a serious expression on his face.
Because of the opening of the Dagou, the governor of Daliang originally prepared a grand ceremony on the shore of Fengze. Not to mention the colorful flags everywhere, the high ceremony platform, and the spectators of thousands of people, even the colorful folk music and dances are enough to feast the eyes .
Chen Zhen, the Shangqing and great patriarch, rushed to Fengze first. Seeing this scene, he was secretly delighted, and asked them to rehearse it again. It turned out that the sound of gongs and drums, the fluttering of flags, and the crowds of people were wonderful. Compared with Meng Jinzhi, the whole scene was unknown. How lively.The 50,000 armored soldiers led by General Gongzi An have also arrived. From the outskirts of Daliang to Fengze, there are big Wei soldiers wrapped in armor and holding spears everywhere, adding a bit of grandeur and austerity to Fengzeping.
After viewing, Chen Zhen praised the governor of Daliang highly, and put forward some suggestions for improvement of the entire ceremony, so as to make the scene more colorful.At the same time, Chen Zhen also made a unique arrangement for the opening of the Dagou, that is, at the end of the ceremony, His Majesty will personally open the gate, and then lead the monarchs of all countries to ride their horses to chase the rushing tide.Chen Zhen believes that this scene is not only spectacular, but also can make the princes and princes of all countries witness the miracles created by His Majesty Wei and leave a deep impression on them.
The governor of Daliang did not dare to be negligent, and immediately organized manpower and material resources to fully prepare for the grand ceremony of becoming king.Before Wei Huihou's chariot arrived, everything was ready.
Wei Huihou rushed to Daliang three days in advance.Chen Zhen, Gongzi An, Daliang County Sheriff and others originally arranged for him to rest in the Daliang County Sheriff's Mansion, but Huihou insisted on going to Fengze and living in the Great Wei Xingyuan that had been set up for him.
On the left and right sides of the Xingyuan of the Great Wei are the Xingyuan of various countries, separated by a hundred steps, and the position has already been delineated by Chen Zhen. The left and right are Qin, Qi, Zhao, Han, Yiqu, Zhongshan, Song, Lu, Wei, etc. All the princes and lords who sent the call had a reserved place here, and each reserved place was surrounded by small colored flags, and in the middle was a big flag marking the country's name.
Wei Huihou didn't care about the fatigue of the journey, so as soon as he arrived at Xingyuan, he had Chen Zhen summoned to listen to his report on the meeting.Chen Zhen recounted it in detail, Huihou nodded again and again, couldn't help but praise loudly: "Good, good, a widow loves you, just like King Wu wins Jiang Shang!"
Hui Hou compared himself to King Wu, and even compared Chen Zhen to Ziya. This was something Chen Zhen never thought of in his dreams, so he was stunned.After reacting, Chen Zhen immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowed repeatedly, and wept with joy: "Your Majesty—"
Wei Huihou laughed and said: "Aiqing, get up quickly, I have important questions for you!"
Chen Zhen hurriedly got up, bent down and looked at Huihou.
"There are still three days before the grand ceremony. Is there any news from other countries?"
"Not at the moment, they must be on the way. Don't worry, Your Majesty, in the next two days or so, the place where I am keeping this place is full!"
Huihou pondered for a while, then slowly said: "Fengze is full of water and roads, so it's not easy to travel. You can arrange people to meet the fifty miles along the way, so that there will be no mistakes on the road!"
"The humble minister obeys the order!"
In the morning of the next day, Chen Zhen arranged for several doctors to march in different directions for fifty li each.When it was dark, no family came.Chen Zhen became a little anxious. On the third day, he sent people to go another fifty miles, but only received Lord Yiqu, Lord Zhongshan and Duke Song.The time limit has come, and the grand ceremony will be held tomorrow, Chen Zhen dare not hesitate, so he has no choice but to bite the bullet and walk into Huihou's palace.
"Chen Aiqing," Wei Huihou raised his head and looked at Chen Zhen eagerly, "Have the princes come together?"
Chen Zhen knelt down and shook his head lightly.
Wei Huihou was startled, and asked urgently, "Which ones are here?"
"Return to Your Majesty, it is Song Gong, Zhongshan Lord and Yiqu Lord!"
Hearing that there were only three small countries, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.Wei Huihou frowned, his eyes were half closed, his breathing became heavy, and his face was gloomy.All the ministers present looked at each other, but no one dared to answer.
Wei Huihou seemed to think of something, raised his head and asked Chen Zhen, "When will Duke Wei arrive?"
So many princes did not come, but Wei Huihou only proposed Wei Chenggong, which was beyond Chen Zhen's expectation.He was startled for a moment, but immediately understood, and whispered: "According to reports from Malai, Duke Wei is still in Diqiu, and he has not sent anyone to attend the meeting!"
Wei Huihou's face gradually became grim, and then he let out a series of creepy long laughs: "Haha——"
There was no sound in Xingyuan.
Wei Huihou stopped laughing, and slapped the case hard: "Even this cowardly old dog dares to disobey orders!"
"Your Majesty," Chen Zhen said, "Based on the humble minister's speculation, Wei Gong dared to disobey his order and refused to come, I am afraid that he has the support of a big country!"
Wei Huihou raised his head and looked at Chen Zhen: "Ai Qing is talking about Tian Yinqi!"
"Your Majesty is wise! As far as I know, in recent years, Duke Wei has asked people to hire Qi every year and pay tribute to Duke Qi. It seems that he is already a vassal of Qi."
Wei Huihou was deep in thought, and for a while, he said slowly: "During the Mengjin Conference, Tian Yin Qito was ill and sent a doll to prevaricate the widow. The widow thinks that he has a heart, and has never disputed with him. I don't think this gentleman will make more progress, more and more There is no one in sight!"
"Your Majesty, according to my opinion, we can kill the chickens to scare the monkeys, and use Duke Wei's sacrificial knife. Wei and I have canine teeth. If we attack Wei, within ten days, the army can attack Diqiu!"
Young Master Ang took a step forward: "I invite you to attack the guards. Within ten days, Ji Suo will be captured alive and handed over to my father for punishment!"
Wei Huihou squinted at him and closed his eyes slightly.At this moment, Biren walked in: "Your Majesty, the crown prince of Qin State, Ying Si, and Daliang Zao Gongsun Yang are waiting outside the gate!"
Wei Huihou opened his eyes and his spirits vibrated slightly: "Xuan!"
As soon as the word "Xuan" was uttered, Wei Huihou hurriedly waved his hands: "Slow down!"
Biren stood there in a daze.
Wei Huihou looked at Chen Zhen: "Why don't you see Duke Qin?"
Chen Zhen was also startled: "This——I don't know!"
Wei Huihou's complexion darkened again, he frowned slightly, stood up slowly, and said in a low voice: "Open the gate, and I will welcome the prince of Qin with the widow!" After speaking, he straightened the crown on his head and walked to the gate first.
When Wei Huihou suddenly stood at the gate with a smile on his face, Ying Si and Gongsun Yang were really surprised, but almost at the same time, they knelt down and worshiped three times.
After paying his respects, Ying Si said in a loud voice: "The Crown Prince of the Qin State of the Great Wei Kingdom, Ying Si, kowtowed to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Wei, and wished His Majesty a healthy dragon and a long life!"
Gongsun Yang followed suit and sang: "Gongsun Yang, the founder of Qin Guo, the Duke of Great Wei, kowtowed to His Majesty, the Emperor of Wei, and wished His Majesty to conquer the world, and the country will last forever!"
Wei Huihou walked over vigorously, and took one with each hand: "You two lovers, please hurry up!"
Ying Si and Gongsun Yang bowed together and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Wei Huihou stretched out his hand and said politely: "Please, both of you!"
Ying Si and Gongsun Yang said humbly: "Please, Your Majesty first!"
Amidst the welcoming music, Wei Huihou walked forward, with Ying Si and Gongsun Yang on one side, followed by Prince Shen, Gongzi An, and Chen Zhen.
Back at Xingyuan, everyone sat down among the guests and the host. Wei Huihou's eyes slowly turned to Yingsi, and there was something in his words: "How is Duke Qin?"
Ying Si got up, walked to Huihou, kowtowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your inquiry! My father-in-law is determined to be the king, and he doesn't want to feel cold when he is leaving. He will lie in bed for several days, and the high fever will not go away, so it is difficult to start. My father-in-law deeply thinks that Regretfully, I specifically ask Ying Si to apologize to His Majesty!"
Wei Huihou nodded slightly: "Duke Qin is in poor health, so naturally he is not suitable for labor. After you go back, tell Duke Qin that his wishes will be taken by me!"
Ying Si bowed again: "On behalf of my father-in-law, Ying Si kowtowed to Your Majesty for his innocence!"
Wei Huihou waved his hand: "Aiqing is free of courtesy, just sit down!"
Ying Si got up and sat down.Seeing Gongzi Ang's eyes staring at him all the time, Gongsun Yang knew it well, smiled and nodded towards him, turned to Wei Huihou, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty Qi Zuo, Duke Qin was very happy when he heard that His Majesty agreed to get married, so he married a daughter immediately. Duke Qin I personally chose the dowry for Princess Ziyun. Because of the exhaustion, I just caught a cold and fell ill on the couch. Before leaving, Duke Qin reluctantly walked out of the palace gate regardless of his weak health, and sent the princess to the car with tears. Now the princess has been killed. The five senior officials, Xi Liji, escorted him to Anyi, and after the grand ceremony, he can marry the general!"
Hearing this, Wei Huihou breathed a sigh of relief, looked around, and said with emotion: "From today's perspective, the only one who truly supports me, Wei Fu, is the Duke of Qin!"
Young Master Ang immediately answered: "Father, as long as Wei and Qin form an alliance, are you afraid that the world will fail?"
"What the general said is very true!" Gongsun Yang nodded again and again, and responded loudly, "Before leaving, Qin Gong held Yang's hand and said to Yang, 'Gongsun Aiqing, please be sure to tell your majesty, Qin, Wei Now that we are married, we should be allies of life and death. If your majesty wants to conquer, no matter whether you want soldiers or food, you can order it, and Qin's monarchs and ministers are willing to be pawns!"
Wei Huihou was even more emotional: "Okay, okay, Duke Qin is so loyal, I am very comforted!"
"Your Majesty," Gongsun Yang asked with deep meaning, "the grand ceremony will be held tomorrow, and it seems that the princes of all countries have not arrived yet, so it must be because they haven't received the summons?"
Wei Huihou smiled slightly: "Gongsun Aiqing, they will be together!"
Gongsun Yang feigned surprise: "Oh?"
Wei Huihou's voice was suddenly severe, as if squeezed out of his teeth: "If you can't invite me once, you can invite me again! I'm here today, I believe there is no guest that I can't invite!" After a short pause, his voice slowed down, and he turned to the young master Xie, "General?"
Young Master Ang took a step forward: "Your minister is here!"
"According to what Chen Aiqing just played, send an army of 50,000 to attack Duke Wei!"
Young Master Ang was full of energy: "The final general obeys orders!"
"Well," Wei Huihou nodded slightly, as if talking to himself, "Kill the chicken to scare the monkey! This analogy is good, just kill this little chicken, I want to see which monkey dares to jump out again!"
Gongsun Yang and Ying Si smiled knowingly, stood up and kowtowed: "Your Majesty is mighty!"
The grand ceremony of proclaiming the king in Fengze ended hastily because most of the princes did not attend the meeting.The folk songs and dances carefully prepared by the head of Daliang County and Chen Zhen's deliberate planning to catch up with the tide were replaced by the rolling wheels of the guards.
At dawn on the third day after the Fengze meeting, the 50,000 troops who accompanied Gongzi An to the meeting quietly marched to the border between Wei and Wei.
Now it is time for wheat harvest, and this year is also a good year, the fields in Weiguo are golden, and countless farmers are busy harvesting happily taking advantage of the cool weather in the morning.Looking from a distance, under the radiance of the morning glow, people can be seen swaying everywhere, and bundles of felled wheat are erected in the field.
However, the soldiers of the Great Wei stood upright in line, and the faces of soldiers eager to kill and blood, eager to make contributions reflected in the morning light at dawn.
The master general in full body garb was standing majestically on a chariot, his cold eyes crossed the wheat field in front of him, and he looked at the direction of Pingyang City, which was tens of miles away, his eyebrows were gradually furrowed, and his right hand was stretched out to his waist, Press it on the hilt of the sword bestowed by Wei Huihou.
The vanguard of the left army, Pei Ying, stood upright on the other chariot, his gaze never leaving Young Master Ang's right hand pressing his sword.
After a while, Young Master Ang slowly drew out his sword and raised it into the air.Young Master Ang's face became more and more fierce, he swung his sword abruptly, and paused every word: "Soldiers, march to the guard!"
Pei Ying shook the reins violently, waved her spear, and shouted at the top of her voice, "Come on!"
Hundreds of chariots and 10,000 horses immediately followed behind him, rolling towards the guards like lightning.All of a sudden, there were smoldering fires inside and outside the Wei State, and there were loud cries. The soldiers of the Great Wei Dynasty swept across Yidun Hill and Linqiu on the border of the Wei State with almost no effort, and approached the important town of Pingyang.
On the city wall of Pingyang, five thousand soldiers of the defending country were waiting in battle.Upstairs in the west city, Sun Cao, the guardian of the city, looked at the approaching smoke and dust with stern eyes, frowned, and turned to Sun An in a moment: "General Sun, there are generals here, you go to the east gate, where the snobbery is not good for attacking." It is very important to guard!"
Sun An slightly nodded, walked down the stairs quickly, and rode his horse towards the east gate.
Sun Bin, who had already changed into military uniform, stood quietly beside his father holding a spear.This was his first experience in battle, and he was very excited, his hand holding the gun trembled slightly.
Sun Cao glanced at Sun Bin, took out an urgent battle report from his sleeve, and said slowly: "Bin'er, the Wei people have invaded, you go to Diqiu quickly, and the general will report it to your majesty!"
Sun Bin replied loudly: "The last general obeys orders!"
With the emergency report in hand, Sun Bin rushed downstairs, jumped on his horse, and galloped to the east gate. After calling for the city gate to open, he galloped towards Diqiu like an arrow.When Wei Gong received the battle report, he was in a panic, and all the officials were terrified, and all their eyes shot at Wei Chenggong.
Wei Chenggong was very calm, raised his eyes and glanced at the ministers one by one, coughed lightly, and asked slowly: "My dear ministers, the enemy is at hand, is there any way to defend against it?"
All the ministers looked at each other in blank dismay, and after a while, the Grand Master of the court, that is, Wei Chenggong's half brother, took a step forward and said loudly: "Brother Qi Zuo, I think that Wei people are powerful, and I should not fight hard!"
"Does Aiqing have a good plan to retreat from the enemy?"
The grand master replied: "The law of war says that if you can't fight, you will surrender! The enemy is strong and we are weak. I will open the gate of the city. Please surrender!"
All the ministers agreed: "Your Majesty, we agree with what the Grand Master said. For the current plan, it is the best policy to accept the form and ask for surrender!"
The grand master played again: "Your Majesty, I am alone and alone, and I cannot hit a stone with an egg!"
Wei Chenggong looked solemn, his brows were frowned into a knot.After a while of contemplation, Cheng Gong slowly turned his gaze to the Taimiao Order: "What do you think, Ai Qing?"
The Taimiao order stepped forward: "Report to your lord, ten days ago, I watched the sky at night, and there was a comet hanging in the west, and the tail of the comet swept Changgeng, and went straight to the southwest. The comet sweeping Geng is an ominous omen. The minister envoy the great witch to wish to set up an altar. Looking at it with the eyes of the mind, I can see that the hostile energy in the southwest is rushing up, and Pingyang and Chuqiu have murderous intentions to hide. The ministers are sincere and fearful, and they have already played to the king a few days ago!"
Wei Chenggong nodded and said: "I have read Aiqing's performance. It seems that Wei Kou violated the border, or it was God's will. Just now the grand master asked me to accept the form and surrender. What does Aiqing think?"
The order of the Taimiao responded: "Murder is coming from the sky, you can't resist it, I agree with what the Grand Master said!"
Wei Chenggong lowered his head, lost in thought, his face gradually turned gloomy.The court hall was terribly silent, and all eyes were on Wei Chenggong.
Cheng Gong raised his head slowly, and turned to Xiangguo Sun Ji: "Old Aiqing, why don't you speak?"
"Report to Your Majesty," Sun Ji cupped his hands and played, "I have already said what I said!"
"Ah!" Wei Chenggong sighed, "The situation is exactly as what Lao Aiqing said, Wei Yan really intends to kill the chickens to make an example to the monkeys! Now that the Wei people are approaching the city, can Lao Aiqing have a countermeasure?"
"Your Majesty, when soldiers come to block you, and when water comes to cover you, the old minister thinks that you can only fight, not surrender!"
A light flashed in Wei Chenggong's eyes: "Old Aiqing, tell me why you can't surrender?"
"Since it is a murderous plan, how can we hide? The old minister heard that the three armies can seize the commander, but the common man cannot lose the will! The Wei people bullied the weak and attacked without reason. They killed my border people, bullied my women and children, destroyed my fields and houses, and plundered my corn .I don’t want to defend against the enemy. Instead, I’m here as a servile servant. If you don’t fight, please surrender. Excuse me, old minister, what is the law of heaven?”
The old Xiangguo spoke loudly, and pointed his sharp edge at the grand master and ministers who asked to surrender.Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, and the hall was completely silent.Wei Chenggong stepped forward, staring at Sun Ji with admiration.Sun Bin, who was standing next to Sun Ji, was not without excitement, and stepped forward and said: "Qizou Your Majesty, the last general, Sun Bin, is willing to lead the daredevils to fight to the death with the Wei people!"
Wei Chenggong's face became more and more resolute, and he repeatedly praised: "Wow, wow, the two lovers have spoken well!" He swept his eyes across the officials, and slowly landed on the grand master, waving his big hands, impassioned, " The Wei family is of the blood of the Ji family of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The first ancestor, Uncle Kang, was the younger brother of King Wu, and the state of Wei was a principality proclaimed by King Wu. So far, there have been seven hundred springs and autumns, twenty-three generations, and thirty-three monarchs! And he, Wei, two hundred Years ago, he was just a slave of the Jin family, but later he usurped the throne because of his disobedience and crimes. Now Wei Yu is rampant again. The previous time Mengjin deceived the lord, and now he is the king of Fengze. He has become a traitor of the Zhou Dynasty.征讨，反来纳表请降，百年之后，你们叫寡人以何颜面叩见列祖列宗？”
太师闻言，将头缓缓低下。
卫成公声音低沉，却是字字如锤：“卫国虽弱，志不可屈！寡人意决，宁为玉碎，不为瓦全，自今日始，卫室上下绝不言降！诸位中有谁心存二志，寡人决不勉强。愿意出城者，现在可以出城，我们自此君臣义绝，各奔东西！”说罢，朝门外摆了摆手，做出请的动作。
包括太师、太庙令及言降诸臣等，所有朝臣无不感动，一齐跪拜：“我等誓死追随君上，与卫国共存亡！”
“好！”卫成公再扫众臣一眼，目光落在御史身上，朗声宣道，“御史大夫！”
御史大夫跨前一步，朗声道：“微臣在！”
“诏告全国臣民，人在城在，誓与魏寇血战到底！”
御史大夫应诺之后，立即赶到一边，起草诏书。卫成公眼望孙宾，再次宣道：“孙将军！”
孙宾应声而出：“末将在！”
“你引兵三千，驰援平阳！”
"The final general will obey the order!"
孙宾的话音刚落，御史大夫已将诏书拟好，卫成公看过，删去赘话，只留下“人在城在，誓与魏寇血战到底”十二个字，亲自盖上玺印，交予孙宾。
孙宾引兵三千，急朝平阳驰去。
孙宾赶到时，已是傍黑，平阳已被大魏武卒团团围住，连攻两次，均被守军击退。裴英折兵逾千，刚刚鸣金收兵，孙宾领一彪军陡然杀到。魏人只听杀声震天，尘土滚滚，慌乱中不知到来多少人马，纷纷避让，不多一时，竟被孙宾杀至东城门下。孙安见到援军杀来，急令大开城门。待魏军反应过来，孙宾等人俱已撤入城中。
孙宾赶到郡守府，孙操急迎上来。孙宾拿出诏书，朗声宣道：“君上有旨，人在城在，誓与魏寇血战到底！”
孙操拜过诏书，使孙安分头传谕守城将士，再使令史晓谕全城臣民。令使迅速召来巡更老人，将君上的旨意说予他听。巡更老人听明白旨意，拿起铜锣，走上街头，一边敲锣，一边扯着嗓子喊道：“全城百姓听好了，魏人仗势欺人，打上门来！君上有旨，人在城在，誓与魏寇血战到底！孙将军说了，有钱的出钱，有力的出力——”
孙操闻听老人渐喊渐远，思索有顷，转对孙宾道：“宾儿，你来得正好！魏人已经进攻两轮，估计明晨会有一场恶战。我已伤亡逾千，你的三千人，两千补充城防，一千留作预备队，由你统领，坚守郡府和祠堂，同时防备万一，哪儿城破，就在哪儿封堵！”
孙宾急忙跨前一步，朗声回道：“回禀将军，将军是郡守，当坐镇郡府，居中指挥。守城之事，请交予末将！”
“孙宾，”孙操加重语气，“你初来乍到，形势不明，不可逞强。两军相逢勇者胜。今敌强我弱，将士俱有怯意，有本将在，他们必会勇气十倍。再说，就眼下而言，城防虽然紧要，然而，真正要紧的是预备队。孙宾，平阳是否安危，就看你了！”
孙宾闻听此言，只好点头应允，目送孙操跨上战马驰向西门。
平阳地处沃野，是卫国西部边陲重镇，战略地位十分重要，因而，卫成公特使深通军事的孙操担任郡守。孙操到任后，经过数年经营，将原有城墙加高加厚各三尺，护城河加宽一丈，加深三尺，同时开挖一条大渠，引来卫水环绕外城。几日前，因有孙机吩咐，孙操更是抽调人手，将破损的城墙全部整修完毕，昼夜巡视，加强防务，可以说是严阵以待了。
然而，加上孙宾引来的三千援兵，平阳城内真正能够作战的兵士不过八千，在装备精良、不可一世的大魏五万武卒面前显得十分单弱。起初，公子卬根本未将眼前这个小小的城池放在眼里，只安排将军裴英引领左军攻城，自己则在离城不远的中军大帐里坐等破城捷报，安排下一步进击帝丘之事。
然而，裴英连攻两日，先后发起六波攻势，除在护城河和城墙下面留下近三千具尸体之外，并无任何收获。公子卬极是震怒，加派一万人再次发起进攻。经过一日恶战，平阳城下又添一千余具魏尸，平阳城墙依旧岿然不动。
公子卬恼羞成怒，召来众将，目光射向先锋裴英，将几案震得咚咚直响，声音几乎是吼出来的：“小小平阳竟能阻我大魏铁军三日，简直就是耻辱！”
裴英跪地叩道：“是末将无能，请上将军治罪！”
公子卬冷笑一声：“哼，明白就好！拉下去，斩首示众！”
众将面无血色，一齐跪下求道：“上将军——”
公子卬扫过众将一眼，缓缓说道：“念在众将求情的份上，本将权且绕你一命，命你将功赎罪，攻破平阳！”
裴英叩首谢道：“末将叩谢上将军不杀之恩！”
公子卬再扫众人一眼：“众将听令！”
众将军刷地起身，齐齐站成一排。
“诸位将军，传本将命令，无论何人，谁先攻入平阳，本帅记谁首功，赏金一百，晋爵三级！”
众将齐吼：“末将得令！”
“还有，”公子卬阴沉着脸，从牙缝里挤出，“破城之后，城中的财宝和女人，也犒劳将士。凡有抗拒，格杀勿论！”
"The end will be ordered!"
又是一个黎明。
街道上再次传来打更老人的锣声和喊声：“全城百姓听好了，魏人仗势欺人，打上门来！君上有旨，人在城在，誓与魏寇血战到底！孙将军说了，凡是卫国子民，有钱的出钱，有力的出力——”声音已是沙哑，但锣声依然像往日一样响亮。
几个城门方向再次传来魏人攻城的战鼓声和冲杀声。几日下来，全城百姓似已习惯了这些声音，因而，并没有哪个像刚开战那日一样惊慌。大家仍像往日一样，男人默无声息地拿上守城器械匆匆上城，女人则洗手围炉赶做早饭。
司马府离宗祠不远。开战以来，府中只有孙安的妻子刘氏和两个孩子，包括家宰在内的所有仆从均被孙安召去守城，男仆御敌，女仆照料伤员、烧饭送物。
听到老人的声音渐去渐远，刘氏匆匆将锅中最后一只面饼放进竹篮，挎篮走出家门。没走几步，刚满八岁的妮子拉着四岁的弟弟孙欣小跑着追出来。两个孩子站在院门处，静静地凝视刘氏。有顷，妮子轻声喊道：“娘——”
刘氏停下脚步，走回几步，抚了抚妮子的头发：“妮子，你爹与伯伯、叔叔们正在东门打坏人，娘送干粮去，你带弟弟就在院子里玩，哪儿也不许去哦！”
妮子点了点头。
孙欣的两眼紧紧地盯住篮子：“娘，我要吃烙饼！”
刘氏拍了拍他的小脑袋：“宝宝乖，哦！这是烙给大人吃的，宝宝的饼待娘回来再烙！”
孙欣咽下口水，“嗯”了一声。刘氏回身走去，没走几步，又转回来，从篮中摸出一只烙饼塞在孙欣手里，在他脸上吻一下，头也不回地疾步走去。
妮子拉上孙欣又追几步，停住步子，望着母亲的身影渐渐远去。孙欣迫不及待地咬下一口，忽又顿住，撕下一半饼子塞予妮子：“阿姐，你也吃！”
妮子复推回来：“阿姐不饿，弟弟吃吧！”
孙欣将半只烙饼拿在手中：“你要不饿，我先拿着！”
妮子点头道：“好吧。小欣儿，咱们到宗祠里玩吧，那儿人多！”
孙欣点点头。
刘氏匆匆赶到东城门时，魏人正在猛烈攻城。城门下面，魏武卒如同蚂蚁般潮涌而来，城外的壕沟早被他们填平，城墙上架起无数道爬梯，更有百人抬起一根巨大的圆木，一下接一下地撞击城门。城上守军不断有人中箭倒下，箭矢也用完了，仍然活着的纷纷敲掉城垛上的砖头，一块接一块地猛砸下去。
领头攻东门的正是戴罪立功的裴英。只见他光着膀子，面目狰狞，站在一边，喊着号子，指挥众武卒撞击城门。巨大的圆木一次又一次地撞在厚厚的城门上，发出咚咚的巨响。城门松动了。
守城兵士已所剩无几。孙安看到情势危急，一面使人快马报告孙操，一面急令剩下的十几名兵士赶到城门里侧，死命顶着。
随着一声巨响，城门轰然倒塌，顶门的兵士全被砸死在城门下面。魏人发声喊，一窝蜂似的卷进城门。
城门楼上，孙安早已成为血人。见大势已去，孙安拔出宝剑，在衣服上拭去剑上的污血，又拿袖子擦了擦眼睛，正要冲入敌群，陡然看到妻子刘氏吃力地爬上城楼。
她的腿上和后背各中一箭，脸色苍白，已经爬不动了。她的手中依然挽着竹篮，篮里是出锅不久的烙饼。
孙安大吃一惊，飞身上前，抱住妻子，将她放在一处城垛下，凄然叫道：“夫人——”
刘氏望着他，指着城下，断断续续地说道：“夫君，魏——魏人进——进城了！”
话音未落，裴英已经领着数十魏卒冲上城楼。看到城门楼上已无守卒，只有他们夫妻二人，裴英大手一挥，众军卒立即围拢过来。裴英冷冷一笑，微微抬手，五六个士兵纷纷拿起弓箭，瞄向二人。
孙安抱起妻子，扫一眼张弓拉弦的魏兵，轻声说道：“是的，夫人，魏人进城了！”
刘氏惨然一笑，推了推篮子：“夫君，你——吃口饼吧，刚出锅的！”
孙安点了点头，将手伸进篮中，摸出一只饼，放进口里。刘氏深情地望着孙安，缓缓合上眼皮。孙安将刘氏轻轻放下，再咬一口烙饼，拿起带血的宝剑。
猛然，孙安大喝一声，腾空而起，直取裴英。弓弦响处，孙安连中数箭，坠地而亡。
听到东门危急，孙宾急急带人赶来。几天下来，他的一千预备队也只剩下数十人，且个个疲惫不堪。他们尚未赶到，东城门已经失守，大批魏人涌入城中，迎面扑来。孙宾率众且战且退，刚好遇到也从南门策马退回的孙操。
父子二人合兵一处，拼死抵抗。卫人惊恐失色，四散奔逃。大魏武卒亦四散开去，无论男女老幼，一概疯狂猎杀。孙操父子撤至北门，身边兵士已所剩无几。孙操伤痕累累，胸部又中一箭，跌下马来。紧追于后的三个魏兵一拥而上，局势万分危急。正在与人厮杀的孙宾一眼瞥见，挑战对手，大喝一声，挺枪冲来，奋起神威，连挑三人，扶起孙操：“阿大！”
孙操手指北门：“快——杀——杀出北——北门！”
孙宾泣道：“父亲，宾儿——宾儿不能扔下父亲哪！”
孙操吐字艰难，一字一顿：“快——快走！禀——禀报君上，魏——魏人屠——屠——屠城——”说罢，伸手摸住胸中箭镞，用力一按，当即气绝。
孙宾抱住孙操大哭：“父亲——”
又有魏兵冲过来。孙宾不及多想，抱起父亲的遗体放于马上，自己也飞身上马，大喝一声，挺枪冲出北门，绝尘而去。
大魏武卒连攻不克，个个憋得难受，这又得了公子卬允许杀人的指令，因而再无顾忌，不分男女老幼，见人就杀。整个平阳城里，惨叫声、哭喊声不绝于耳。
宗祠是卫人据守的最后堡垒。自魏人攻城以来，这里几乎成为一个战地医院，数以百计的伤员被抬到这里，由志愿赶来的女人们护理。当大队魏兵冲到这里时，所剩无几的卫兵和宗祠里的伤员殊死反击。女人们吓得挤成一团，躲在角落里瑟瑟发抖。
妮子和孙欣姐弟二人抱成一团，正无个躲处，打更老人急走过来，将他们领至宗祠一角的柴垛后面，嘱咐他们死也不要出声，这才转身疾步走出。
魏人冲进来，对准毫无反抗之力的伤员乱搠一通。打更老人和余下的数十位年轻女人被逼在另外一个角落。
小孙欣大睁两眼，惊恐地望着干柴外面发生的惨剧，妮子紧紧地搂住弟弟，全身颤动。
在卫兵伤员的声声惨叫中，鲜血像条条小溪一样越过柴堆，流淌到他们跟前。孙欣惊惧的两眼直盯着越来越近的污血，瑟瑟发抖：“姐——姐——”
妮子将弟弟紧紧搂在怀里，朝墙角里面挪了挪，轻声说道：“别——别怕，姐——姐在这儿！”
战争使人疯狂。一个魏兵听到声音，急走过来，一脚踹开柴垛，见是两个小孩，正要冲上去，另一人道：“不必费劲了，看我的！”
他走进宗祠，拿出一只火把，在女人们的尖叫声中扔向一堆干柴。可怜两个孩子，只一会儿，就在熊熊大火中成为两具焦尸。
“畜生——”悲愤欲绝的打更老人声嘶力竭，颤着沙哑的嗓音大声骂道。
众魏兵听到骂声，回头看到数十名女子紧紧拥住一个老人，将他视作唯一的傍依了。几名魏兵直走过去，扯开众女人，正要提枪搠他，身后传来一个声音：“慢！”
说话者是眼睛血红的裴英。裴英缓缓走到一堆女人跟前，望着人堆中的老人，阴阴一笑，低声喝道：“老家伙，出来吧！钻到女人堆里有何出息？”
老人手拿铜锣，悲怆地站起来，颤着步子，一步一步走向裴英。陡然，老人扬起木槌，使尽力气敲响铜锣，哑着嗓子大声叫道：“全城百姓听好了，君上有旨，人在城在，誓与魏寇血战到底——”
站在身边的百夫长挺枪又刺，裴英再度摆手，指着那群女人对百夫长道：“他不是要与魏寇血战到底吗？你们可以让他亲眼看着这些女人是如何血战魏人的！”言毕，阴笑一声，转身走出院子。
早就欲火焚身的百夫长大声吼道：“弟兄们，将军发话了，你们还愣个什么？”
刹那间，众魏兵就像一群饿狼扑向数十名毫无反抗之力的女人。老人扬起铜锣，一头撞向百夫长，百夫长轻轻一闪，反手将他扭住。早有一名魏卒上前，将老人的两只胳膊扭牢，让他直面兽行的场景。
苍天呜咽，大地悲泣！
当浑身是血的孙宾抱着父亲孙操的尸体一步一步走进宫门时，所有的朝臣惊得呆了。
孙宾走到成公前面，放下尸体，叩拜于地：“平阳郡守孙操、末将孙宾叩见君上！”
卫成公望着孙操的尸体张口结舌，好半天才回过神来：“孙——孙将军——”
孙宾再拜：“平阳守丞孙操、司马孙安与平阳男女两万臣民严守君上旨