Chapter 5 Chapter Five: Zhang Yi avoids disaster and enters Luoyang
Zhu Wei stepped out of the prison, intending to return to Situ's mansion, but Gongsun Yan's voice sounded in his ears, and he drove towards Miyagi involuntarily.Regardless of whether the king of Wei likes to listen or not, as a subject, he must report the upcoming danger to the king.
When approaching the palace gate, Zhu Wei saw two men in brown clothes standing there from a distance, one of them was arguing with someone.
The two are Sui Chaozi, a giant of the Mohist school, and Song Jian, his disciple.They traveled day and night, broke through a few pairs of straw sandals, and arrived in Anyi just now.There was no court this day, so the palace gate was more deserted than usual, but the eight armored men with halberds pierced the two sides of the palace gate like nails, adding a bit of majesty to the deserted palace gate.
Follow the Chaozi to take a step forward, hand over the greeting card, and bow to the armored soldier: "Please inform the Marquis of Wei, please say that the people of Qi will follow the Chaozi to see you!"
The armored soldiers didn't seem to hear or see, they were still sticking their halberds there like nails.Sui Chaozi was taken aback for a moment, and was about to ask again, when he saw a military lieutenant coming from the inner side of the palace gate, looked up and down Sui Chaozi and Song Jian, seeing them in simple brown clothes and worn-out straw sandals, he thought it was The untouchable, the tone was very arrogant: "Hey, that old man, what's the noise?"
Sui Chaozi saluted again, and said slowly: "The people of Qi, Sui Chaozi, are asking to see Marquis Wei, please let the lieutenant inform you!"
The lieutenant rolled his eyes and scolded sharply: "You old man, why are you looking for death? Let me tell you, there is no Marquis of Wei here, only His Majesty the King of Wei!"
Song Jian was furious, and was about to explode, he waved his hands to stop, and turned to the lieutenant: "Please inform His Majesty the King of Wei, just say that people from Qi follow the nest to see you!" After finishing speaking, he handed over the greeting card again.
The lieutenant stretched out his hand to push back the greeting card without even looking at it, and his eyes narrowed again: "What is it that you follow the nest and not follow the nest? Do you country bumpkin know what is called His Majesty? Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. How could you, a countryman, just want to see him?" Can I see you?"
Sui Chaozi sighed softly, and was about to turn around and walk away, when Zhu Wei came up close, looked Sui Chaozi up and down, and turned to the lieutenant: "What's going on?"
The lieutenant made a big salute, and whispered: "Report to Master Situ, this untouchable wants to see His Majesty, the officer will let him go!" Turning to Sui Chaozi, "Old guy, if you don't leave, you will be imprisoned for three months!"
Zhu Wei gave him a white look, then turned to Sui Chaozi, with a very kind attitude: "Excuse me, old man, where are you from? What do you want to see Your Majesty?"
Sui Chaozi bowed deeply: "Returning to the words of Da Situ, the people of Qi came with Chaozi to ask to see Marquis Wei!"
When the military lieutenant heard the word "Weihou", he was extremely furious: "You country bumpkin, why are you looking for a beating? It's not Weihou, it's Your Majesty!"
Zhu Wei glared at him, then turned to Sui Chaozi: "Is the old gentleman a Mohist tycoon?"
Sui Chaozi responded, "It's the old man!"
Zhu Wei bowed to the ground: "I don't know that senior is coming, Zhu Wei, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
The military lieutenant was dumbfounded when he saw Master Situ being so courteous.
Zhu Wei bowed to Sui Chaozi again: "Young master, please wait a moment in the tea room, junior Zhu Wei will immediately go to the palace to report to His Majesty!" Turning to the lieutenant, "He is the world-famous Mohist giant Sui Chaozi, you wait for him to serve you !"
The lieutenant also came back to his senses, cupped his hands in embarrassment and said, "I don't know if it's Mr. Sui Chaozi, please forgive me!"
Sui Chaozi also returned a salute: "I am disturbed by the old man!"
When Zhu Wei met His Majesty this time, his heart was beating drums.He knows Wei Hou's temper, once he becomes obsessed, the nine cows will not be able to pull him back.Moreover, His Majesty has a lot of trust in Qin Gong and Gongsun Yang, if he reports something to Hexi, he will not believe it even if he dies.It can be said that heaven fulfills people's wishes.Zhu Weizheng didn't know how to persuade him, but happened to meet a Mohist giant.Zhu Wei deduced that he came here with the nest, and it must be for this matter.According to the prestige of the nest in various countries, His Majesty will not refuse to listen.
With hope in my heart, the soles of my feet became lighter.After a while, Zhu Wei entered the main hall, asked the eunuch on duty, and learned that His Majesty was playing chess with Shangqing Chen Zhen in the gazebo of the imperial garden.
Zhu Wei knew the gazebo, so he hurried to it with big strides, and saw Wei Huihouguo playing chess with Chen Zhen from a distance, so he hurried forward and knelt under the steps of the gazebo.
When Biren saw it, he turned to Wei Huihou and said, "Your Majesty, Zhu Situ asks to see you!"
Wei Huihou slammed down and said slowly: "Oh, it's Zhu Aiqing, let him come up!"
Piren turned to Zhu Wei, and declared loudly: "Your Majesty has a decree to announce that Zhu Situ will have an audience!"
Zhu Wei got up, hurried up the steps, knelt down and kowtowed: "I kowtow to Your Majesty!"
Wei Huihou laughed and said: "Aiqing is flat! Come, come, come and watch the game, the widow will definitely win!"
Chen Zhen also shouted: "Zhu Situ, come and save me!"
Zhu Wei got up, walked to the front of the chessboard (chessboard), carefully examined the chess game, and saw that a large group of white pieces had been besieged.Chen Zhen seemed to have given up resistance and was waiting to die.
Wei Huihou shook his thick leg triumphantly, and said with a chuckle, "Chen Aiqing, don't say it's Zhu Situ, even if I am a god, it will be difficult for me to save you!"
Chen Zhen spread his hands together, showing a helpless expression, and sighed softly: "Oh, my minister had a chance of life, but His Majesty just let him down, and forcibly cut off the chance of life."
"To tell you the truth, Aiqing, you are an orphan, and I have already set my sights on you. I wanted to let you live for a long time, but I didn't want you, but I didn't want to leave, and I found my own way out. How can I blame you?"
Chen Zhen sighed again, and there was a voice behind the words: "Oh, Weichen's current situation is almost the same as Ji Su's!"
Wei Huihou chuckled, nodded and said, "Well, that's a good metaphor! Speaking of Duke Wei, what's the situation ahead?"
Chen Zhen clasped his hands and replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the general is brave, the soldiers of the Great Wei are unstoppable, even the more than ten cities of the Kewei Kingdom, Chuqiu and Diqiu will be destroyed soon!"
"Okay!" Wei Huihou praised, "You can send a message to the general, asking him not to be too busy. Ji Su, this old dog, needs to be cooked and eaten! The widow heard that a few monkeys moved their nests, is there anyone?" This matter?"
"As far as I know, Duke Wei sent envoys to ask for help from Zhao, Han, and Qi. I'm paying attention to whether the three countries will send troops now!"
Wei Huihou smiled slightly: "Let them send it, this is what I'm waiting for!" Turning to Zhu Wei, "Zhu Aiqing, you are a busy person, you are not here to watch chess!"
Zhu Wei kowtowed: "Your Majesty is wise! I have come to report to Your Majesty, and the Mohist giant is seeking to see you outside the womb!"
"Follow the nest?" Wei Huihou frowned, and turned to Chen Zhen, "I haven't heard of this old master for a while, why did he appear again today?"
"Your Majesty," Chen Zhen continued, "The Mohist advocates universal love, so there is no way to fight. My minister is sure, this time I come with Chaozi, and I must be a lobbyist for Duke Wei!"
Wei Huihou nodded and said: "Well, I guess he is too! The old master is nosy, so there will be another noise!"
"If Your Majesty doesn't want to see him, I will send him away!"
Zhu Wei kowtowed again: "My minister thinks it's impossible! Mohism is already a prominent school today, and it is on the same level as Confucianism. Its disciples are all over the world. Your Majesty is famous all over the world for being polite and virtuous, and the giants of Mohism come to the door in person. If Your Majesty avoids seeing you, you will not be disrespectful." name?"
"Well, what Zhu Aiqing said is true!" Wei Huihou nodded again and again, "Since the old master has come to the door, it is indeed inappropriate to not see him, but this——meeting and you have to endure his nagging, what should I do?"
Chen Zhen rolled his eyes: "Your Majesty, I have a plan, and I may be able to support the old master!"
"Oh, what's the trick?"
Chen Zhen leaned close to Huihou, and whispered in his ear for a while, Huihou nodded again and again: "Well, I will play according to Aiqing!" Turning to Zhu Wei, "Zhu Aiqing, I will meet you in the study of the giant of the Mo family!"
Zhu Wei was not without suspicion, and responded in a low voice: "My minister obeys the order!"
Zhu Wei knew that Chen Zhen's idea must be bad, but after thinking about it, as long as His Majesty is willing to see Sui Chaozi and follow Sui Chaozi's wisdom and virtue, there must be a way to deal with it.Thinking of this, Zhu Wei felt relieved, went back to the tea room in the front hall, and followed the nest to Wei Huihou's study.
The Imperial Study Room is located in the back garden. It is a five-entry courtyard with an elegant environment and a large collection of books. There are historians on duty day and night.In addition to going to court, Weihou loves to deal with court affairs here most.When he meets important guests, especially celebrities from all over the world, he always summons them here.Apart from talking freely, one of Wei Huihou's hobbies is to personally guide guests to visit his rich collection of books.It is said that the world's collections, in addition to Luoyang Zhoushi Taixue and Linzi Jixia, counting down, is his study.
Hearing the sound of footsteps from a distance, Chen Zhen greeted him out of the courtyard with a smile on his face, and bowed deeply: "Wei Guoshangqing Chen Zhen respectfully welcomes the giant!"
Sui Chaozi bowed his hands and returned the gift: "The people of Qi met Shangqing with Sui Chaozi!"
"Giant please!"
"Please, my lord!"
Chen Zhen insisted that Sui Chaozi go in front and let Jin sit down.A court lady came out and set up fragrant tea in front of everyone.
Chen Zhen picked up a cup: "Teacher, please use tea!"
He picked it up with the nest and took a sip: "Thank you, Shangqing, for your fragrant tea!"
Chen Zhen clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty heard that you are coming, and specially arranged to summon you here. Please wait a moment! Zhu Situ and Wan Sheng have secular affairs, so it is inconvenient to accompany you for a long time. I hope you will forgive me!" Standing up, he gestured with his eyes Zhu Wei.
Zhu Wei didn't understand, he hesitated for a while when he saw what he said, so he had to stand up and bid farewell to Sui Chaozi.
Sui Chaozi stood up and returned the salute: "Shangqing, Situ, you are welcome!"
After the two left, there were only court ladies accompanying the nest and making tea in the hall.After brewing the tea three times, Wei Huihou still did not show up.The hall was unusually quiet, and the ticking of the clock could be clearly heard.Sui Chaozi had something on his mind, frowned slightly, raised his head and asked, "Miss, how long will I have to wait?"
The maid timidly said: "Report to my father-in-law, but I don't know!"
"Please tell me, Miss, that I have been waiting here for a long time!"
"The slaves only serve the distinguished guests with tea and don't dare to overstep!"
Sui Chaozi thought for a while, said nothing, closed his eyes slightly, and sat there to breathe.After brewing the tea for two more times, the servants still did not change the tea, and it tasted tasteless.
Sui Chaozi was in a hurry when suddenly Piren turned out from behind the screen and bowed deeply to Sui Chaozi: "The giant has been waiting for a long time!"
Sui Chaozi stood up and returned the salute: "Sui Chaozi has seen Nei Zai!"
Bi Ren said apologetically, "Your Majesty has an order. You are the master of the world, so you should not be treated with ordinary courtesy. To show respect, Your Majesty is taking a bath in the harem and incense. The special envoy will report to You, please wait a moment!"
Hearing the fragrance of the bath, Sui Chaozi was stunned: "This—"
Bi Ren hurriedly explained: "You don't need to be in a hurry, Your Majesty respects you very much. Hearing that you are coming, you must take a bath and incense before you are willing to meet! The bath is very fast, and it must be over for a while, but the incense still needs a little time. It must be boring for the giant to wait here, I invite you to enjoy a piece of gala music!" Before he could respond to the nest, he clapped his hands immediately.The musicians who had been waiting behind the screen immediately turned out, and the music sounded.
Under the gazebo not far away, Wei Huihou was still sitting under the gazebo, and had another round with Chen Zhen.The chessboard is dotted with dots, and there are more than ten chess pieces.
Huihou's mind is obviously not on the chessboard.He leaned on a rocking chair made of fine bamboo, closed his eyes and enjoyed the elegant music faintly drifting from the study, the rocking chair under him rocked back and forth with the beat.A palace lady stands behind with a feather fan in her hand, fanning the wind rhythmically.Chen Zhen sat cross-legged across from him, his eyes were also tightly closed, his hands rested on the chessboard, heaving slightly, as if beating the beat.
Wei Huihou listened for a while, slowly opened his eyes, and squinted at Chen Zhen: "I heard that the old master is very patient, Ai Qing may not be able to send him away with this plan!"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty," Chen Zhen raised his head and smiled slightly, "I have already arranged everything, this song is "Sunshine Snow", he may be able to bear it; the next song is "Xia Liba Ren", if the old master can finish listening, To be honest, Your Majesty, I specially ordered the musicians to change the pattern and play the piece three times in succession. Not to mention, I also asked Biren to arrange for Ba Nu, all of whom were very popular, for him. Do a strange dance to keep him dazzled. According to the old master's current state of mind, even if you are very patient, you will definitely lose nine points!"
Wei Huihou sighed, sat up straight, and nodded slightly: "Well, this arrangement is not bad. The old master is a sensible person, and he should know how to advance and retreat!" His eyes fell on the chess game, "Aiqing, it's your turn?"
Chen Zhen hurriedly looked at the chess game: "Your Majesty, it's your turn!"
"Oh?" Wei Huihou examined the chess game carefully, and slowly picked up a chess piece.
In the imperial study room, after a song was played, Pi Ren saw that Sui Chaozi still closed his eyes slightly, and said slowly: "I heard that the giant is proficient in rhythm, please enlighten me!"
Sui Chaozi sighed softly: "Oh, the rhyme is very beautiful, it's just that the playing is out of season!"
Biren hurriedly asked: "Oh, what is wrong with the performance, I would like to hear the teaching of the giant?"
Sui Chaozi made a double entendre: "The red sun is scorching outside the palace, but it is "Yangchun Baixue" inside the palace. How can it be timely?"
Hearing the name of the song, Biren spoke compassionately, pondered for a moment, nodded and sighed: "Your high opinion, I respect you! If this song is not in season, change it to another one that is in season!" After finishing speaking, he clapped his hands again, and the music changed "Lower Riba People", the rhythm is obviously accelerated, accompanied by the sound of bells and drums from time to time.Followed by this vulgar music, ten Pakistani girls with disheveled hair, tattoos and powder faces, weird clothes, half naked and half covered, spiraled into the hall one by one, dancing to the music.
Sui Chao let out a long sigh, closed his eyes again, and tightened his thick eyebrows.The music got louder and crazier, Ba Nu danced harder and harder, Sui Chaozi's brows became tighter and tighter.
After the three dances, the music stopped abruptly, and the Pakistani girls appeared.Piren looked at Sui Chaozi and asked softly, "Excuse me, Juzi, is this song suitable for the season?"
Sui Chaozi opened his eyes slightly, and said slowly: "Although this song is timely, it is ominous!"
Biren was slightly surprised: "I would like to hear the teaching!"
Sui Chaozi's voice is full of sadness: "Outside the palace, the people are in dire straits; inside the palace, there is a noise of strings and bamboo, and Ba Nu stretches their sleeves. How can it be auspicious?"
Follow the nest to hear the sound and know the music, see the dance and know the people, not only has great wisdom, but also can connect with the great love of the world everywhere, and recognizes being teased by others without the slightest blame.Piren was deeply moved, and stood in awe, sat upright, clasped his fists and said, "The giant is worthy of being the master of the world, I have been taught by you!"
Sui Chaozi cupped his fists to return the salute, and asked slowly: "Excuse me, Neizai, the fragrance of the king should be diffused, right?"
Biren's face was troubled: "This--juzi, please wait for a while, how about we enjoy a Beidi Hu dance?"
Staring at Biren with the nest, he sighed for a long time and said, "Ah, a king should be upright, so there is no need to spend so much effort to perform such a child's play. Please pass it on to your Majesty, and leave with the nest!"
The Bi people waved their hands, and all the girls and musicians withdrew.
Sui Chaozi got up slowly, bowed deeply to Biren, then turned and walked towards the gate of the courtyard.Bi Ren returned a salute, accompanied him for a few steps, and said sympathetically, "The giant really wants to leave, so I have no choice but to send you off respectfully!"
Walking out of the courtyard gate, Sui Chaozi paused, turned his head to stare at Biren, and said meaningfully: "Sui Chaozi, I would like to ask the inner steward to transfer it to the king. Wei Guo's catastrophe is coming soon, and Sui Chaozi is here. This matter!"
The Pirenda was horrified, walked a few steps quickly, turned to the front of the nest, and stopped him with a smile: "Young man, stop! Your Majesty must have finished the incense!"
Sui Chaozi gave a wry smile, shook his head lightly, stepped forward, and Piren stopped him again: "Your Majesty has come a long way, no matter what, you should meet His Majesty in person! Please wait for a while, Your Majesty will welcome His Majesty here." !"
Seeing Piren's sincere tone, Sui Chaozi stopped in his tracks.Piren turned around, and quickly hid behind the screen.Not a moment later, there was a rush of footsteps, Wei Huihou hurried out from behind the screen, stepped into the courtyard after only a few steps, and bowed to the ground: "Master, please wait for a long time, Wei Wei is rude!"
Sui Chaozi also bowed: "The people of Qi have seen Your Majesty with Sui Chaozi!"
Wei Huihou bowed again and said: "Wei Yu is delighted to hear that the master is here, and feels very honored. In order to listen to the respect, Wei Yu bathed in incense and waited for him! Please, master!"
"Please, Your Majesty!"
The two returned to the hall, where the guests and the host sat down.Wei Huihou clasped his fists together again: "Thanks to the blessing of our ancestors, Wei Yu was able to live in a corner of the Central Plains. He wanted to cheer up, but his talents and learning were so shallow that he couldn't grasp it. Sir, you must have something to teach me when you come here!"
After all this tossing, Sui Chaozi's heart was already as cold as ice, so he no longer detoured, and went straight to the point: "I heard that Junshang Fengze will make an alliance, and the south is honored, is there such a thing?"
"Alas," Wei Huihou sighed, "This is not Wei Fu's sincerity! All countries are oppressing each other, and Wei Fu is reluctant to do it!"
"Whether it's from your sincerity or not, I think it's very unwise for you to do this!"
Wei Huihou knew that the old master was about to start a training session, so he held his breath and said slowly, "Wei Fu would like to hear the details!"
"Everything has a cause and effect. Dare to ask your lord, what is the reason for the south to be king?"
Wei Huihou thought for a while, decided to fight against Sui Chaozi, and blocked the words at the same time, so he put on a straight face, looked at Sui Chaozi, and said eloquently: "The world is the world of the people in the world, not the world of the Zhou family. Those who rule the world , only virtue but prestige. Now the Zhou family has lost both virtue and prestige, may I ask sir, why can’t Wei Yu respect the south?"
Sui Chaozi asked in a deep voice: "Sui Chaozi dares to ask, is the emperor's virtue and prestige comparable to that of Marquis Wen?"
Wei Huihou was startled, and murmured: "Not as good as the first king!"
"At the time of Marquis Wen, he sincerely worshiped Gao Shibu Zixia, Duan Ganmu, and Tian Zifang as his teachers; Li Kui, Zhai Huang, and Wei Chengzi were three virtuous talents in Wenyong, who were determined to reform the system and strive to become stronger; Famous generals, destroying Zhongshan in the east, defeating Qin in the west, strengthening Chu in the south, expanding the land for thousands of miles, and entering the Central Plains—”
Hearing Sui Chaozi enumerate the merits of the ancestors of the Wei family, Wei Huihou felt very relieved, smiled brightly, and continued: "What you said is true, the ancestors are so powerful that no one in the world can match them!"
Sui Chaozi changed the topic: "Although Marquis Wen combines virtue and prestige in one body, but nine princes, emperors of three dynasties, throughout his life, did he ever become king one day?"
Wei Huihou's expression was sullen, but what Sui Chaozi said about the former monarch was true, and he was speechless for a while.Sui Chaozi saw it in his eyes, stopped for a while, and retreated to advance: "Sui Chaozi is vulgar, offending Your Majesty!"
Wei Huihou couldn't get angry, so he could only hold back his temper: "Wei Yu is willing to listen to the master's high opinion!"
"Since your majesty is honored by the south, you must have the virtue and prestige of a king. I am ignorant of the nest, and I would like to hear your majesty's detailed report!"
Wei Huihou couldn't talk about Dulwich himself, his lips moved a few times, but he couldn't say a word.
"I think the king is self-effacing, and he doesn't want to boast about virtue. Can you speak for the king?"
"Wei Fu would like to hear it!"
"The world in ancient times was powerful because of virtue; the world today is virtuous because of power. At the time of Marquis Wen, the world was weak, and Wei was the only one who stood out like a flock of chickens, and Marquis Wen also conquered the world because of it. When it comes to the king, the situation is far away. It is not comparable to the past. Not to mention the Great Chu, but only the countries of the Central Plains. The Duke of Qin has Gongsun Yang, the Duke of Qi has Zou Ji, the Marquis of Zhao has Fengyang Lord, and the Marquis of Han has Shen Buhai. Today's capable ministers. The four monarchs are all wise, and the four ministers are all capable. Because of the great rule of the four countries, the national power has risen sharply, and any country can be compared with the great Wei. In today's world, although Wei is strong, it is really unable to dominate. Forgive me. To put it bluntly, the majesty of the emperor has long been at the end of the crossbow, how can it be compared with Wenhou?"
According to Chaozi's analysis, every word is bloody, and every sentence is true, revealing the danger in front of King Wei without any concealment.Huihou was very embarrassed, his face turned red, and he was panting heavily. After a long time, he finally suppressed his anger. Not only did he not lose his composure, he even forced a smile from the corner of his mouth: "Wei Yu knows that he is not as good as the first king, can you talk about it?" Anything else?"
Sui Chaozi also felt that he was speaking too seriously, sighed lightly, nodded and said, "I don't know what Your Majesty wants to hear?"
Wei Huihou suddenly noticed Sui Chaozi's hair full of silver threads and the lines on his forehead, and he had an idea: "When I was young, I heard about Mr.'s name and thought he was an ancient person. Looking at Mr.'s appearance today, he seems to be around seventy years old. May I ask how long is your life?"
Sui Chaozi replied: "Sui Chaozi is very old and decayed, six out of eighty, it should have died long ago!"
Wei Huihou was taken aback, looked at the nest again, and sighed sincerely: "Oh, sir, he is already an octogenarian, and his body is still so strong. Wei Yu is not as old as fifty, and he feels that his body and mind are not as good as before, and he seems to be rotten! Alas!"
"Your Majesty, you don't have to be humble!"
Wei Huihou stepped forward: "Sir, if you cultivate this advanced age, you will definitely get the method of longevity. Wei Yu is not talented, so I hope you can teach me!"
Sui Chaozi thought for a while, and said slowly: "The way to live a long life is to cultivate virtue!"
Wei Huihou frowned again: "Sir, you are saying that the virtue of a widow is not enough to live a long life?"
"Those who stand in the world with virtue must have a heart of compassion, be compassionate, and spread benevolence to the world. The king cut down the weak guards for no reason, and allowed the Wei soldiers to burn, kill, rape, and plunder. Pingyang is full of people, regardless of men, women, or old age. Young, all slaughtered..."
Wei Huihou's face turned purple, before he finished listening, Zhenji shouted: "No need to say anything!"
Sui Nest stopped talking, eyes slightly closed.
Wei Huihou stood up suddenly, walked away with a flick of his sleeves, walked to the front of the screen, turned around and shouted sharply at the neighbors: "See off the guests!" He turned around again and walked away.
Biren looked at Sui Chaozi with complicated emotions, bowed deeply, and whispered: "The giant—"
Sui Chaozi opened his eyes, sighed softly, and said to Bi Ren: "Sui Chaozi has one more message, please turn it over to the king!"
The man hesitated for a moment: "Sir, please tell me!"
Follow the nest to ponder for a moment: "The mantis catches the cicada, and the oriole is behind! Wei's catastrophe is coming soon!" After speaking, he stood up and bowed deeply to the neighbor, "Farewell with the nest!"
"Go slow, giant!"
With the heavy footsteps of the nest, it gradually fades away.Piren followed the nest with his eyes until he was out of sight, then murmured to himself: "The mantis catches the cicada, the oriole is behind! The oriole is behind - the oriole?" Trembling, he walked quickly into the screen and chased after Huihou from the side door.
Wei Huihou strode angrily towards the gazebo in the back garden. Chen Zhen came up to meet him early. Seeing Huihou's ugly face, like a purple eggplant, he was known to be angry with the nest, knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty—"
Wei Huihou walked up to the gazebo angrily, staring at the cases in front of him.For a while, Huihou suddenly raised his foot and kicked.Several cases fell to the ground with a bang, and the black and white chess pieces scattered in all directions with a crash, rolling all over the ground.
When the Bi people rushed over, Wei Huihou was already sitting on the mat, his chest bulging and panting loudly.Bi Ren glanced at Chen Zhen, and carefully picked up the fan to fan the wind.
Wei Huihou finally got angry: "This old and immortal master really deserves to be hacked to pieces!"
Chen Zhen tentatively said cautiously: "Your Majesty, the old master—"
Wei Huihou's face was sullen, and he said bitterly: "Huh, I respect him as a Mohist giant. I hope to hear a word of teaching, but I don't want to hear a bunch of rotten words! What Qin, Qi, Zhao, Han? What are the four kings? Xian, all four ministers can do it? The few people look at the four kingdoms, the monkey ears, the little guards, and the chicken ears, why is he making noise here?"
Biren suddenly stopped his fan and gave a chuckle.
Chen Zhen was taken aback, and looked at Biren in amazement.Wei Huihou is angry, it is best for everyone present to remain silent.It's really unimaginable that a person like Piren who knows Huihou so well can actually laugh out loud at this time.
Wei Huihou really gave him a sidelong glance, and reprimanded angrily: "Are you - are you laughing at me?"
Piren kowtowed to the ground: "This old slave dare not!"
"Since you dare not, why are you laughing?"
Piren responded calmly: "This old slave remembered an interesting incident, and couldn't help laughing for a while, so he just burst out laughing!"
Chen Zhen has never been able to figure out the close minister next to Huihou. Seeing that this is an opportunity to curry favor with the Piren, he hastily smoothed things over and said, "The funny thing about Nei Zai must be very funny!"
Wei Huihou's anger gradually subsided, but he still said with a tiger face: "Since it's an interesting story, let me tell you about it!"
Piren got up, picked up the fan again, and said frankly while fanning the wind: "That's right, a few days ago, the old slave met the Queen Mother in the back garden and greeted the old man. The old slave argued about Wen Hou’s respect for the virtuous and virtuous, and said that His Majesty has surpassed it when it comes to respect for the virtuous and virtuous. The Queen Mother heard it, and she didn’t take it seriously. If the old slave is free later, I will tell the Queen Mother what happened today, and see if she has any What to say."
Wei Huihou was startled, and looked at Biren: "Oh, what's going on today?"
"Respectful and virtuous! In the past, Prime Minister Bai confronted His Majesty in the court. Instead of punishing him, His Majesty allowed him to retire and return to his hometown to enjoy his life. Just now, he followed Chaozi to intercede for Duke Wei. He spoke disrespectfully and reprimanded His Majesty. Not only did His Majesty not add any censure." Instead, bathe in incense and treat him like a master. This old slave dares to say that even if the ancestor is alive, his respect for the virtuous is nothing more than this!"
What Jingpiren said, Wei Huihou was also very moved, and he said with a sigh: "Oh, you dog slave, you can't say anything! In fact, the widow understands that the old master is here to replace the guard. The old dog said a few soft words to resolve the immediate crisis, and there was no malice in his heart. How about this, you send the old master on behalf of the widow, and reward him with a hundred gold, um, and also, give him two pairs of royal shoes. Widow Just now I saw that the old master was wearing a pair of straw sandals. He is already an octogenarian, and he still walks around in a pair of broken straw sandals, it’s really hard for him!"
Piren fell to the ground and bowed again: "The old slave thanked His Majesty Long En on behalf of the giant! It's just that the giant has already gone far, and the old slave may not be able to catch up!"
Wei Huihou was somewhat regretful, and sighed softly: "Oh——"
"Your Majesty," Biren took the opportunity to say, "When I was leaving, the old slave gave the giant a ride, and the giant gave the old servant a gossip, saying that it was 'mantises catch the cicadas, and the oriole is behind'! The old slave is stupid and can't think of it. Answer. Your Majesty knows everything about astronomy and geography, can you explain it to this old servant?"
Wei Huihou closed his eyes slightly, and chanted "The praying mantis catches the cicada, the oriole is behind", he chanted several times, and shouted: "The old master didn't send these words to you, he was just reminding the widows!"
Biren pretended to be surprised: "Oh, follow the nest to remind His Majesty what?"
Wei Huihou was not without pride: "The old master compares Wei Gong to a cicada, the widow to a mantis, and Qi, Han, and Zhao to a oriole. Hahahaha, the old master thinks he can predict things like a god, but what he didn't expect is that, I don't care about the cicadas, what I'm waiting for are a few orioles!"
Seeing that Huihou was obsessed with his obsession, Biren was secretly anxious, blinked his eyes, and pretended to admire: "After what your majesty said, this old servant understands a little bit. To tell you the truth, this old servant always thought that the oriole that the giant was talking about It's the people of Qin!"
Wei Huihou chuckled, and looked up at Biren: "Oh, how did you think it would be from Qin?"
Pi Ren patted his head and laughed a few times: "Hehehe, this old slave's head is like a lump of elm! The old slave originally thought that following the nest referred to another meaning, that is, Qin people took advantage of me in Weijing When fighting against the lords, send troops to attack Hexi!"
Wei Huihou pointed his finger at the person, laughed loudly and said to Chen Zhen: "Chen Aiqing, look, let alone, his head is really a lump of elm, if you want to open it up, you have to split it with an axe!"
Chen Zhen also laughed and echoed: "What your Majesty said is that Qin and Wei are already close as a family, so how can you say that they attacked Hexi? If Sui Chaozi wants this, it is nothing more than scaremongering!"
Piren scolded Chen Zhen secretly in his heart, but on his face he said with a smile: "The old slave is thinking, not afraid of ten thousand, just in case, His Majesty should be on guard!"
Wei Huihou laughed again, and finally said: "You said you are an elm lump, you screwed it up! Well, well, I will listen to you, so I will take care of him in case!"
Piren was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Wei Huihou turned to Chen Zhen, concentrating and said: "Chen Aiqing, after his disturbance, I think of something!"
"I am a humble minister, but obey His Majesty's orders!"
"This little cicada is about to be eaten into the belly of the praying mantis, and those orioles should also be dispatched. If it is as expected, the Qi, Zhao, and Han families may have sent troops this time!"
"If that's the case, I'll make preparations in the morning!"
"It's not really the case, but it's definitely the case!" Wei Huihou turned to Biren and said with confidence, "The secret decree Long Aiqing ordered him to lead 50,000 armored soldiers in Hexi to move to Daliang within three days. Flutter your wings, let General Long twist his wings off first!"
Biren was stunned, unable to speak: "Your Majesty, you want to transfer Hexijia-Jiashi?"
Wei Huihou laughed and said, "That's right! Didn't you say that you should be prepared in case? This is in case! To deal with the three big countries, how can we do it without General Long's Hexi armored soldiers? Let's draw up an order!"
Biren seemed to be stupid, and refused to leave for a long time.Wei Huihou waited impatiently, and stared at him: "Why don't you go soon?"
Bi Ren was stunned: "Old——Old servant obeys the order!"
Piren turned around, and was about to go to the study to draw up an order, when the imperial censor who was on duty in the front hall hurried over with Young Master Ang's army, and kowtowed at the steps of the pavilion: "Qi Zuo Your Majesty, the general is in a hurry to report!"
Biren hurried down, took the battle report and presented it to Huihou.Huihou took it apart, looked at it briefly, and shook the battle report a few times proudly, and handed it to Chen Zhen: "Look, Aiqing, it's exactly as I expected, the three orioles really flew to Weijing !"
Chen Zhen took the battle report, read it in detail, and said: "Your Majesty predicts the enemy like a god, and I am convinced!"
Wei Huihou turned to Biren, and his voice was decisive: "I will revise General Long's order, not within three days, but send troops immediately; instead of moving the main beam, but go out to defend the territory!"
Biren agreed and rushed to the study.
Wei Huihou thought for a while, then turned to Chen Zhen: "Chen Aiqing, the widow is respected in the south, and there are many criticisms from all the countries. This time the Three Kingdoms rescued the guards, they just wanted to throw stones to ask the way, and test the widow's truth. If the widow is soft, they must be tough! This time not only We must fight, and we must win!"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. In my opinion, as long as there is a war, Your Majesty will win!"
"Oh, why did Aiqing say such a thing?"
"Qi has the largest number of soldiers in the Three Kingdoms. However, Qi's soldiers have always been cowardly and should not be feared! Although Zhao Bing and Han Bing are strong, they are no match for our great Wei soldiers! The Three Kingdoms' troops must have three hearts, each with its own ideas. The plan is a bunch of mobs. Besides, for the Three Kingdoms, apart from being against His Majesty, they have no real benefits, so they may not really work for Duke Wei!"
Wei Huihou pondered for a while, and said slowly: "Ai Qing, you only know one thing, not the other. Although Qi soldiers are timid, Qi general Tian Ji is good at using soldiers! Although the Three Kingdoms can't get actual benefits from Wei Gong, Wei is a fat man. If the widow swallows it all at once, how can Duke Qi, Marquis Han, and Marquis Zhao rely on it? Moreover, the battlefield is in Weijing, which is very close to Han, Qi, and Zhao. One Three Kingdoms fight to the death with the widow, the widow has no chance of winning!"
Wei Huihou's analysis was sophisticated and incisive, and Chen Zhen was amazed: "Your Majesty is so wise, this humble minister is too shallow!"
"Chen Aiqing," Wei Huihou thought for a while, and said decisively, "If you want to win completely, you have to work hard for Aiqing!"
"I am a humble minister, but I am ordered by His Majesty!"
"Take the tiger talisman and go to General Long's mansion in Hexi to read out the widow's will, ordering Long Jia to send troops to the Wei territory immediately, and then immediately send an envoy to Qin to send a note to Duke Qin, asking him to send 30,000 troops to fight rebels!"
"The humble minister leads the decree!"
Chen Zhen immediately received the imperial decree, took the tiger talisman for dispatching troops, and a group of people set off in a starry night to Shaoliang, Hexi.
In Shaoliang City, Gongsun Yan and others rode several horses to the front of the Hexi County Mansion, got off their horses, and went straight into the mansion.Seeing that it was Gongsun Yan who was going to patrol the border, Long Jia, the county guard, stood up to welcome him to the mansion, and asked anxiously, "What's happening on the border?"
Gongsun Yan stepped aside, took off his armor, and murmured, "It's really strange!"
"What's wrong?"
Gongsun Yan walked to a military sand table, pondered for a while, pointed to the sand table and said to himself: "General Long, you see, from here to here, the border line is three hundred miles deep, and within twenty miles deep, the Qin army is not only unguarded, even the original Some of the barracks were also completely evacuated. Also, I sent hundreds of people in disguise to investigate, and within a hundred miles of the Qin border, no Qin army was found!"
Long Jia pondered for a while: "Could it be that the people of Qin really formed an alliance?"
"To cover it up!" Gongsun Yan shook his head lightly, "The more the Qin people are like this, the more they show that they have ghosts in their hearts. General Long, except for the defense officers and soldiers of the cities, how many soldiers are there in Hexi?"
"50,000! There are another 20,000 new recruits, newly recruited with a lot of money donated by Prime Minister Bai, and they are currently training."
Gongsun Yan was overjoyed and asked anxiously, "When can I go to the battlefield?"
Long Jia thought for a moment: "It will take three months at the earliest!"
"Three months?" Gongsun Yan pondered for a while, then raised his head and asked, "Can they learn to fight within one month?"
Long Jia looked at Gongsun Yan suspiciously: "Within one month?"
Gongsun Yan nodded: "If it's not as expected, it may be too late for a month!"
Long Jia thought for a while, and hurriedly sent a general from the participating generals, and ordered him to step up training the new army, and then discussed with Gongsun Yan about the deployment of defense.
In the evening, the two were conferring, and there was a commotion in front of the mansion, reporting that Chen Zhen had arrived at the king's order.Because Gongsun Yan has no official title appointed by the imperial court, he can only stay in the concubine temporarily.Long Jia opened the middle door, and personally led the Hexi generals to welcome Chen Zhen and his party into the mansion.
As soon as he entered the mansion, Chen Zhen had no time to exchange greetings, and immediately read out Wei Huihou's imperial edict.After the edict was announced, Chen Zhen showed the tiger talisman and ordered Long Jia to lead fifty thousand soldiers from Hexi to conquer Weiguo immediately.
Long Jia was so shocked that he was speechless for a while.
Chen Zhen waited for a while, seeing that Long Jia didn't respond, he asked loudly, "General Long, when will the army go out?"
Long Jia came to his senses, inspected the Tiger Talisman carefully, and found that there was no doubt about it, he sighed and said slowly: "If you go back to Shangqing, it will take three days at the latest to mobilize fifty thousand troops like this!"
"It's too late! Before leaving, His Majesty specially ordered the general to receive the tiger talisman and set off immediately!"
Long Jia glanced at him, and said coldly: "Chen Shangqing, the three armies' expedition is not a child's play, you can leave if you say so! Fifty thousand soldiers are scattered all over Hexi, and even if they are notified, it will take a day. The three armies have not yet moved, and the food and grass will be prepared first. Supplies, at least another day. And—"
陈轸极不耐烦地打断他道：“在下不懂军务，龙将军莫要扯东扯西！是陛下要将军连夜出征，在下不过传旨而已！将军若是遵旨，就请马上通知部属，至迟凌晨出发！将军若要抗旨，在下也就无话可说了！”
龙贾气结：“陈轸，你——”
陈轸两手微拱：“龙将军，在下王命在身，还要连夜出使秦国，这就告辞了！”说完，大步走出。
陈轸前脚出门，公孙衍随即转出，与龙贾一样，呆呆地凝视几案上的虎符和盖有王玺的诏书。
龙贾将拳头狠狠砸在几上：“咦！”
公孙衍的眉头渐渐拧成两个疙瘩。
两人闷坐有顷，龙贾抬头说道：“你看这样行不？河西守将中，善战者莫过于张猛、吕甲二将。在下留下二人，同时带走两万新兵，换下两万武卒，全部予你！”
以区区两万武卒抗击强大的秦军，连龙贾自己也底气不足，说话的声音几乎听不清楚。公孙衍沉默许久，点头说道：“谢将军了！”
龙贾转对参军道：“速传吕、张两位将军！”
不一会儿，吕甲、张猛急进府中，龙贾指着公孙衍道：“陛下诏命本将东征卫境，河西防务，一切听从公孙将军安排！”
吕甲、张猛互望一眼，朗声道：“末将遵命！”
翌日拂晓，全身披挂的河西武卒一队接一队地离开少梁。将军府前，龙贾步履沉重地走出府门，凝视前往送行的公孙衍、张猛、吕甲和其他留守将官。
有顷，龙贾从腰间取下佩剑，连同河西帅印、令牌等物，一同交予公孙衍手中，环视众将一眼，斩钉截铁：“此剑在，就是本将在！公孙将军，无论何人，只要不听号令，杀无赦！”
公孙衍双手接过佩剑，点了点头。
“公孙将军，白相临终之时，将河西七百里江山托附老夫，不想老夫——唉，啥都不说了，河西，老夫——托付你了！”龙贾说完，在公孙衍面前缓缓跪下。
公孙衍也跪下来，声音哽咽：“龙将军——”
望着龙贾的战车渐渐远去，公孙衍一下子觉得肩上的担子重得让他几乎承受不了。对他来说，肩上压的不仅是白相国和龙贾的重托，而且还有史家记载。成者王侯败者寇，河西是吴起打下来的，今日若在他的手中让秦人夺回，那么，他的名字就会与吴起一道留在史册上。唯一的不同是，吴起是征服者，而他公孙衍，只能是失败者。
公孙衍一直在内心深处自比吴起，今日情势将他推至这般境地，是他做梦也未想到的。若有龙将军和他的五万武卒在，与秦人尚可一战。而眼下，公孙衍不寒而栗。
除敌我力量相差悬殊外，公孙衍的最大担忧是，他既无君上任命，也无任何职衔，唯有龙贾留予他的一柄仅具象征意义的宝剑。可以说，他初来乍到，一无所有，仅留下来的两万武卒愿否听从调遣，实难预知。大兵压境，众心不服，这是用兵大忌。
然而，事已至此，纵使天塌下来，他也只能撑住。公孙衍回到府中，面对沙盘思索有顷，使人传来众将，布置防务。
两个时辰之后，众将陆续抵达。公孙衍端坐于主位，将龙贾的佩剑摆在几案上。在他的下首，顺溜儿坐着两排将军，打首二人，左是张猛，右是吕甲。
公孙衍重重咳嗽一声，朗声说道：“诸位将军，龙将军奉诏东征，临行之际，将守备河西的重任托付在下。在下初来乍到，还望诸位将军配合！”
众将面面相觑，半晌无人应声。面对冷场，公孙衍又是一声咳嗽，正欲开口，坐在吕甲下首的将军甲大声说道：“末将请问，我们是该称呼您先生呢还是将军？”
这样发问显然带有挑衅性质。公孙衍冷峻的目光直扫过来，盯在此人脸上，有顷，伸出一只手，从几案下摸出帅印，啪地震在几案上，目光逐个扫过众将，语气虽缓，分量却重：“诸位将军，你们可以称呼在下先生，也可以称呼在下将军，不过——”缓缓抽出龙贾的宝剑，手拭剑锋，陡然加重语气，“如果有谁不听军令，贻误战机，在下断不轻饶！不瞒诸位，龙将军临行之时，授予在下先斩后奏之权！有谁不信，可问吕甲、张猛两位将军！”
张猛点头道：“诸位将军，龙将军临行之际，确将河西防务全权委托公孙将军，望诸位唯命是从！”
众将齐声应道：“末将谨听公孙将军！”
公孙衍点点头，朗声又道：“诸位将军驻守河西多年，如何守御，本将毋须多说。诸位将军！”
众将一齐站起：“末将在！”
“众所周知，我们的敌人只有一个，就是秦人。从即时起，本将宣布，河西进入战时警备状态！无论何时，只要战事爆发，大家务必严阵以待，以守为攻，不得出阵迎敌，不得弃阵逃走，失职者斩！”
All the generals said together: "The last general has orders!"
公孙衍眼望吕甲：“吕甲将军！”
"The end is here!"
“本将予你一万人马，驻防长城、洛水一线。长城、洛水是我第一道防线，甚是紧要，万望将军昼夜戒备，兵不卸甲，马不离鞍，发现敌情，即燃烽火！”
"The end will be ordered!"
公孙衍转望张猛：“张猛将军！”
"The end is here!"
“阴晋、临晋关、少梁三处是河西根本，断不可失！本将予你五千人马进驻阴晋，五千人马镇守临晋关，至于少梁，本将亲率守城将士镇守！”
"The end will be ordered!"
听完军令，众将迈步走出将军府。刚出府门，最先出言挑衅的那个将军朝地上猛啐一口：“我呸！拿鸡毛当令箭，神气个屌！”
另一将军跟着牢骚：“吕将军，眼下风平浪静，鸟事也没有，此人却——这不是明摆着折腾人吗？”
二人都是吕甲手下偏将。吕甲是河西骁将，甚受龙贾喜爱。此番龙贾奉旨东征，吕甲自以为龙贾会将河西交付于他，不料凭空杀出一个公孙衍，让他甚是憋气。听闻此话，他也摇头叹道：“唉，一个相府家奴也来指手画脚，大魏真是无人了！”
张猛本欲责备两位出言牢骚的将军，见吕甲也这么说，只好放缓语气：“眼下龙将军不在，河西空虚，是非常时期，我观公孙将军如此安排，绝非等闲之辈。诸位将军当是以大局为重，服从命令，小心防备为上！”
吕甲诸人见张猛发话，也不好再说什么，闷声快步走至各自的马前，跨马疾驰而去。
众将离去之后，公孙衍越想越不放心，喊上一个参将、两个护卫，先将少梁防务巡视一圈，而后策马至临晋关等战略重地逐个查过，再次来到洛水边上。
这里才是重中之重。公孙衍心里清楚，真正的对手就在对岸。
此时是夏历六月，雨季已至，洛水暴涨。望着滚滚而下的河水，公孙衍心里稍稍安慰一些。经过数十年经营，魏军在洛水沿岸每三里设一瞭望塔，每五里筑一城堡。就眼下而言，只要保持足够警惕，防护得当，虽然不能完全挡住秦人，却可在第一时间发现敌情，为第二道防线——长城，赢得宝贵的准备时间。
然而，当公孙衍从临晋关出发，沿洛水策马西行时，沿途所见，却令他不寒而栗。大部分瞭望塔空无一人，城堡也几乎看不到魏卒。
公孙衍强憋着一肚子火气继续巡查，行至大荔关时，肝火已经升至顶门。
大荔关是洛水的重要渡口，也是沟通秦魏的重要关卡，两国贸易、百姓往来、使团出入等，皆由此通过。正因其位置重要，龙贾在此构筑了一道牢固的防御关卡，城高墙厚不说，关卡之内更是储备了大量的战略物资，即使被完全包围，亦可支撑一月。
然而，展现在公孙衍面前的是，关门之外俨然已成为了一个临时集市，附近农人在此摆起各色货物，许多老秦人络绎不绝地从洛水对面摆渡过来，越过无人把守的关门，或卖或买，忙得不亦乐乎。而在数日之前，公孙衍清楚地记得，这里仍是森严壁垒。
公孙衍翻身下马，将马缰交予随身侍卫，阴丧着脸走进关门。
关门大开，关内空空荡荡，不见一人。再后面是营帐区，兵士们三五成群，在树荫下或说笑、或喝酒、或玩游戏。空旷的草地上横七竖八地支着许多竹竿，竿上挂着细绳，绳上晾着不少被褥，一名军尉怀中又抱两床，懒洋洋地走出帐门，朝草地上走来。
公孙衍脸色黑沉，朗声喝住军尉：“你——过来！”
一看公孙衍的披挂，军尉立即扔掉被褥，单膝着地：“大荔关守尉陆三见过将军！”
公孙衍打量他一眼，语气严厉：“你们的关令呢？”
“回将军的话，关令原是李将军，前几日跟随龙将军东征去了。三日之前，吕将军临时抽调赵立将军在此驻守！”
“赵立何在？”
陆三略一迟疑，手指营帐：“回禀将军，赵将军喝多了，正在帐里休息呢！”
公孙衍面色冷酷：“喊他出来！”
陆三奔回营门，不一会儿，重又走出来，身后跟随一人，浑身酒气，两眼惺忪，晃晃悠悠地走到公孙衍前面，头也不抬，大声喝道：“是谁欲见本将？”
公孙衍扫他一眼，见他竟是那日在会上首先发难的那个将军，冷冷一笑：“你是大荔关关令赵立？”
赵立是吕甲手下五虎将之一，对吕甲唯命是从，见吕甲不服公孙衍，自也未将这位代守丞看在眼里，这日又喝高了，态度更见倨傲，着睡服迎接长官不说，见面亦不叩拜，昂着脑袋：“末将见过代守丞！”
赵立故意将代守丞的“代”字拉得甚长。公孙衍冷冷又是一笑，不动声色：“本将问你，关内有多少军士？”
“回代守丞的话，关内原有将士三千，三日前李将军带走两千随龙将军东征，眼下尚余一千，吕将军又差末将增兵一千，现有关卒两千！”
公孙衍变过脸色，厉声喝道：“既然还有两千将士，为何不设关防？”
赵立不甘示弱，沉声应道：“回代守丞的话，对岸秦军关卡早已撤防，秦兵并无一人，我们设防，防守何人？”
公孙衍忍住火气：“我再问你，何人命令你撤掉关防？”
赵立脖子一横：“无人命令！”
公孙衍冷笑一声：“如此说来，你是擅自撤关了？”
“是本将擅自撤关的，代守丞想要怎的？”
“我再问你，依照大魏律令，守关将士擅离职守，该治何罪？”
赵立昂然不语。
公孙衍转向陆三，厉声问道：“军尉陆三，你可知道？”
陆三看了赵立一眼，结巴道：“回——回禀将军，按律当——当斩！”
“来人，将赵立拿下！”
随身侍卫冲上去，不由分说拿住赵立，将他五花大绑起来。
赵立跺脚骂道：“你——你个相府家奴，敢拿老子怎样？”
“不怎么样？”公孙衍面色可怖，“不过，前几日布防之时，本将有言在先，龙将军临行之时，授予本将先斩后奏之权。你身为关令，居关不守，擅自撤防，已犯死罪！”转对陆三，“击鼓，召集全体关卒，观斩赵立！”
陆三答应一声，即刻奔向军营，不一会儿，只闻战鼓齐响，一阵纷乱之后，大荔关副将和全体关卒各自披挂整齐，在关内操场上刷刷站满一地。
赵立的酒劲早吓没了，脸色惨白，冲一名参将大声喊道：“老穆，快，快叫吕将军救我！”
参将拔腿欲走，公孙衍厉声喝道：“站住！”
参将两腿哆嗦，哪里还敢动弹！
公孙衍不无鄙夷地扫一眼赵立：“赵将军，本将告诉你，事已至此，莫说是吕将军，纵使陛下亲临，也救不下你！刀斧手何在？”
两名刀斧手齐走出来，一左一右站在赵立身边。直到此时，赵立方觉无助，陡然跪在地上，颤声禀道：“公孙将军，末——末将冤——冤枉呐！”
公孙衍冷冷地望着他：“说吧，你有何冤枉？”
赵立跪前一步，急急禀道：“公孙将军，末将原本设防来着。前日后晌，陈上卿出使秦国，路过此地，见我等守关辛苦，特意嘱托末将，说是秦魏已成一家，大可不必设防。秦、魏月前已经结盟，对岸秦人也早撤去关防，因而末将认为，上卿之言也还在理，适才下令撤防，让弟兄们轻松几日。”
“你可当真执迷不悟啊！”闻听此言，公孙衍越加震怒，“几日前，本将在少梁宣布，河西进入战时警备，关卡之地，更要人不离枪，马不离鞍。你身为关令，不听军令，却听过路朝官闲言碎语，已是死罪！这且不说，依照魏律，关卒不得饮酒，你不仅饮酒，且是大醉酩酊，又罪加一等。你身为守关主将，知法犯法，又目无长官，咆哮犯上，死有余辜，还要在此喊冤！”
赵立无言以对，叩头道：“末将知错！”
公孙衍冷笑一声：“现在知错，已是迟了！”转对刀斧手，“行刑！”
就在公孙衍处斩大荔关关令赵立之时，秦宫怡情殿里却是另外一番情景。
怡情殿是秦孝公坐朝理事之处，整个装饰完全符合孝公心意。殿内左侧原本是个兵器架，上面摆着孝公喜爱的各色兵器。孝公自幼习武，虽说武艺一般，十八般兵器却是样样俱通，而他的爱好之一也是收藏天下兵器。然而，不知何时，这个兵器架被悄悄撤走了，取而代之的是魏国河西情势沙盘。
此时，秦孝公正与几位重臣站在沙盘前，表情静穆地紧盯在国尉车英身上。
车英手拿细杖，