Chapter 37 Section Two

At the beginning of March, a huge execution ground was set up on the grassy beach of Weishui River, and the people of Xianyang were greatly surprised. Although the Qin law was strict, the real severe punishment was only a few times at the beginning of Shang Yang's reform and the beginning of King Qin Hui's accession to the throne to eradicate the restoration forces of the family.From the middle period of King Qin Hui to the late period of King Qin Zhao, the form of execution in Qin Dynasty gradually returned to the ancient tradition - once a year, execution in autumn.Over the past century, the large execution ground in the Caotan of the Weishui River has become a fallen leaf in the memory of the Chinese people. Except for talking about ancient times when they go outing in spring, few people mention the horrific years that their ancestors experienced.Now during the steaming spring plowing and outing, the execution ground rises steeply on the grassy beach of Weishui River, and the Chinese people can't help being excited!Almost unanimously, people recalled the two symptoms of the massacre: the weedy beach on the Weishui River, and the beginning of spring.However, I haven't heard of any serious crimes happening. What kind of criminals need such arrangements to kill?The lingering discussions finally settled down to a rumor: the old king of Qin had to settle his old accounts before he died, killing offenders who might endanger the royal family, and clearing the way for the prince behind him!Just when it was rumored that Xianyang's alleys and wells filled the villages and mountains, the internal history book of two feet square was ordered to be hung on the four gates of Xianyang, and the people of the country were told: the spring punishment will kill the royal family and nobles. .As soon as this order came out, there was an uproar in the country.People feel that the government's order has verified the rumors. If this is the case, can Qin be peaceful?

On the day of the execution, the farmer's resting workshop was closed, the industrial and commercial market was closed, and the whole of Xianyang rushed out to the execution ground.In addition to the common people from neighboring counties who came here after hearing the news, the grassy beach of the Wei River several miles wide was always crowded with people.However, the result was far beyond people's expectations. Only one widow of the prince of the royal family was beheaded—Mrs. Huayue.Although this woman is also considered a royal family and a noble, in the eyes of the old Qin people, she is just a female idler from Chu who only enters the court. Even if she commits a crime, she will be killed if she is killed. Good day too.However, when the old Ting Wei recited the Taimiao Leshi inscriptions of the old Qin King after the execution, the thousands of people gradually became silent, only the river wind across the field shook the flags and flags.All of a sudden, the valley-like silence was drowned out by voices all over the mountains and plains, "Long live King Qin!" "Long live Qin Fa!" "Protect me Qin Fa! I will never move!"

At twilight, when the boundless sea of ​​people flows to the four gates of Xianyang under the setting sun, an ancient song hums and hums in the sea of ​​people: "Han Sang in Nanshan, Populus euphratica in Beishan. I have a gentleman, the light of the state May this gentleman live forever." The long singing came and went like waves, and the old Qin people danced like drinking alcohol, dancing with hands and feet, and this day's outing in the green became a beautiful memory that will never be erased in the future. The day after the spring punishment, Mrs. Huayang was acquitted.

Ying Zhu was supposed to be driving to pick him up, but after thinking about it, he still sent his family to go.Come to the evening banquet to surprise his wife, but Ying Zhu suddenly felt that his familiar wife had become strange.Mrs. Huayang chatted happily, looked forward to her eyes, frequently drank wine with her husband, and said many interesting and joyful things that she had never heard of. She was completely different from that lovely woman who had always been coquettish and shy and only lived in Gantang Garden and served her carefully!Ying Zhu said that he felt sorry for not picking up his wife personally.Mrs. Huayang giggled and said that it's nothing to worry about.Ying Zhu said that Sister was deeply sorry for the punishment.Mrs. Huayue laughed and said that life and death are in the sky, sister can see the world clearly, and it is worth dying without being ignorant.Ying Zhu said that the Taimiao Leshi shocked the government and the public, so I will wait carefully in the future.Mrs. Huayang nodded and smiled. As long as you don't break the law and be careful, what should you do?Seeing that his wife didn't look like a madman, Ying Zhu felt relieved, but he always felt that without the familiar alluring charm, he couldn't summon up the energy to comfort his wife.Mrs. Huayang was completely fine, she buried her smiling red face into Ying Zhu's chest, and carried him into the dormitory with a stretch of her slender waist.

On a spring night filled with the fragrance of Gan Tang, Ying Zhu once again felt the strangeness and freshness of this familiar woman.She served him fieryly, tossed him, her energy was inexhaustible, and she showed endless tricks. She was not at all the soft and delicate girl with a thin waist who was waiting for him to drink the alchemist's medicine and then threw herself on her to show off her majesty.The drunken Ying Zhu suddenly had a flash of thought-the woman is struggling to reenact the three-person play that her husband is most infatuated with!Suddenly, tears filled Ying Zhu's eyes, he hugged his sweaty naked body tightly, and bit the snow-white chest in front of him with one bite!The woman trembled all over, giggled, choked with sobs, suddenly yelled "Sister", and then burst into tears...

When the rooster crowed in the chilly spring, Ying Zhu didn't call for the maid, but quietly wrapped his sleeping wife in a big silk quilt, and gently closed the bedroom door.Taimiao Leshi shocked him too much.It was the first time for Ying Zhu to face the unprecedented major national monument caused by his unworthiness, and Ying Zhu really couldn't sleep or eat.A pillar of the Taimiao stone carving that will be handed down forever is not only a shame to the descendants of the royal family, but also a shame to himself, the prince!Unless he works hard to ascend the throne and proves that he is not unworthy with brilliant achievements, this kind of word-of-mouth shame engraved in the history and standing in the government and the people will never be washed away.And to wash away the shame, the first step is not to follow the crowd and cause troubles in the crown prince.Facing the old and stern father, he can no longer let the four words "mediocre and indestructible" be nailed to himself.Since returning from Taimiao Leshi, Ying Zhu has started a diligent life of going to sleep at midnight when he hears a rooster. Although he has lost a lot of weight after a month, he still feels energetic and has a freshness that he has never experienced before.First of all, in Yingzhu's eyes, the atmosphere in the mansion has changed drastically.The Prince's Mansion, which had always been lazy and slack and didn't open the middle gate, suddenly turned into a cloudy day. At three o'clock, the lights were brightly lit, the middle gate opened rumblingly, and the servants and maids cleaned the courtyard. The long streets and the carriage and horse farms that were swept by people were also cleaned neatly and neatly.The internal history of Xianyang, who must be patrolling the streets every morning, was greatly appreciated. He immediately wrote an order to all the government offices in the city to praise him.

"Report to Mr. An: all official documents are ready." Looking at the dossier, pen and ink prepared by the lord, and the boiling hot tea brought by the tea-making maid, Ying Zhu didn't speak, and started to get busy before sitting in the case.Although there are not many official documents in the Prince's Mansion, apart from the edicts that must be processed from the Palace Chief Shi, there are mostly notification letters from the Prince Fu, Taishi Order, Taimiao Order, Si Che Shu Chang's Mansion and other relevant official offices.For many years, except for the imperial edict of his father, Ying Zhu never read those official documents that were just for him to know.After the Taimiao Leshi, Ying Zhu not only must read every slip, but also must have a batch of books every time he reads it.No matter whether the sent letters need his approval or not, and regardless of whether such approval is useful or not, Ying Zhu carefully approves the letters, and only regards these official documents as the training for his future king.Unexpectedly, after a period of time, every morning sitting in front of the desk, there would be a sense of solemnity, and my heart would be greatly moved, and I would become more and more serious, "Report to Mr. An: Mr. Gang Cheng, please see me."

"Please." Ying Zhu raised his head, put down his pen, stood up, and walked neatly to the hallway. "Farewell for three days, you'll see each other with admiration!" Cai Ze, who had swayed to the courtyard, clasped his hands and laughed. "The rotten wood is too bad to be carved, so why should Mr. Gang Cheng be rewarded?" "I don't have that much fun." Cai Ze shook his head and sighed, "Humans have a heart, so what can I say? The old king of Qin is also a god!" "Gun Chengjun, is my father criticizing me again?" Ying Zhu's heart tightened suddenly.

"Cup Bow Snake Shadow An Guojun!" Cai Ze chuckled, "If there is something important, go in and talk about it." Entering the hall and sitting down, Cai Ze recited a sentence without waiting for Ying Zhu to ask questions: "According to the secret order of the King of Qin, Mr. An Guo, Mr. Gang Cheng, rushed to Lishi immediately to welcome Lu Buwei back to the capital." Ying Zhu couldn't help saying: " Is there no other person?" Cai Ze shook his head mysteriously: "But by the king's order, I just say this." Ying Zhu couldn't help asking again: "Lu Buwei was able to stay in Lishi, why can't he return to Xianyang? We welcome you personally, What a courtesy!" Cai Ze said solemnly: "Old King Qin's edict: Lu Buwei's meritorious service to life and death, the two lords greeted each other on behalf of the king, and we must not be neglected." With a last smile, "Are you and I still polite?" Ying Zhulue After thinking about it, he said: "You just said when to go north!" Cai Ze smiled and said: "If Mr. An is not inconvenient, how about noon today?" Ying Zhu slapped the table: "State affairs come first, what's the inconvenience? I will leave in an hour !" "Okay!" Cai Ze laughed loudly, "I'm waiting for you in Beiban." Get up and go.

March 15th was the opening day of Lishi Fortress. Those who open the camp are also called that the army lifted the winter hard wall and resumed the inspection of the defense area.This is the unified law for the garrison of the four counties in the northwest of Qin State (Longxi, Beidi, Shangjun, and Jiuyuan).Every year from the first heavy snowfall, the garrisons of the four counties in the Northwest have entered the period of winter camp.Castles and fortresses have deep ditches and high fortifications, and villages and common people have strong walls and clear fields. Unless there is an emergency military situation and secret orders for military affairs, the army will not leave the camp.In the coming spring and March, although the Longxi Mountains and Hexi Plateau are still a boundless yellow world, the mighty spring breeze that rages day and night has already melted the remaining snow and the river ice has just melted away, and the Populus euphratica forests all over the mountains and plains have lost all their withered yellow leaves. Bright hazy green.In another half month and one month, Hu Qi, the Xiongnu in the Yinshan grassland and deep in the desert, can spread their hooves and go south to plunder the Central Plains.It is this difference in weather that made the three kingdoms of Qin, Zhao, and Yan adjacent to the northern border have a common military system: camps will be opened in mid-March, and troops will be prepared to prepare for the southward march of Hu Qi.

During the Warring States period, there were four most critical fortresses in the pass of the Qin State, and the old Qin people called them "the four fortresses for the garrison".The first is Hangu Pass, the second is Wuguan, the third is Lishi, and the fourth is Jiuyuan.Among the four fortresses, only the Hangu Pass and Lishi Fortress are the ones where the elite main forces are stationed.The so-called elite main force, first, has a complete range of arms and cavalry, second, is equipped with large weapons, and third is a division that has fought on the battlefield for a long time.The fundamental reason for this is that the defensive enemies are different and the terrain is different.Hangu Pass is naturally the top priority in the face of the two great powers of Wei and Han in the Central Plains and the Allied Forces of the Six Nations that may form a alliance at any time.Wuguan mainly guards against Chu and is located in a mountain pass, so only 20,000 infantry were stationed.Jiuyuan defended the Xiongnu, so they stationed only 30,000 light cavalry and 5,000 crossbowmen.Lishi Fortress is in the middle of the Hexi Plateau, facing Jinyang in the northeast across the canyon and river. Facing the most powerful state of Zhao in the late Warring States period, the garrison is equivalent to that of Hangu Pass: the most elite 30,000 cavalry, 20,000 heavy Armored infantry, 5,000 barracks craftsmen (engineers), and various large weapons are readily available.In fact, Hangu Pass is the east gate of Qin State, and Lishi Fortress is the de facto north gate of Qin State.The two main generals have always been famous generals of the Qin army.The current guard of Hangu Pass is veteran Huan He, and the guard of Lishi is veteran Wang Ling.Meng Wu's previous position as the chief general of the army was transferred to the deputy general of the Lishi Fortress, but the title was the same, but it was regarded as a promotion. The reason was that the generals of the large army listened to the command of the commander, while the chief general of the heavily armed fortress had to be the sole commander. The day when the Mengwu horse team rushed back to the Lishi Fortress coincided with the opening of the camp drill, and the barracks were filled with the sound of killing and horse neighing.Meng Wu immediately went to the shogunate of the Chinese army to see the general's tomb. After handing over all the military affairs, he whispered to Wang's tomb for a while.The old general, who was still wearing a splint on his left arm, only waved his hand: "Go! The Southeast Infantry Camp, you can recognize it without me telling you." As soon as Meng Wu left the shogunate, he hurried to look for Lu Buwei's big tent. When leaving Xianyang, the young Meng Wu was called into the palace as an exception.King Qin Zhao, who was sitting on the couch and pillows, could not help being horrified and moved when he heard him carefully describe the process of taking over the son and other people and the tragic scene of fighting to the death with the hundred-man cavalry.Meng Wu could clearly see that the snow-white head of the old Qin King was trembling slightly, his panting was as heavy as the howling of the wind, and his old eyes with white eyebrows were shining brightly with tears.After a long time of silence, the old king of Qin patted the railing of the couch with his skinny hands and said: "First, the stranger is temporarily staying in Luzhuang, and is not allowed to return to the prince's mansion; Lu Buwei recovered from his wounds and immediately escorted him back to the capital; thirdly, everything is in your name, not the king's orders. The rest of the matter will be dealt with by the king." Meng Wu was confused for a while, but he finally summoned up the courage and just said One thing I care most about: "Young master and the last general are in the same year, and after returning from the south, I feel at ease temporarily living in the last general's place. Lu Gong has not returned, and it is inconvenient to live in Lu Zhuang. The last general sees you, the young master should return to the prince's mansion first." The ceremony of recognizing the ancestors and returning to the clan, serving the parents at the knees, so as to comfort their restless hearts. My Wang Mingchao." "Meng Wu is wrong!" The old King of Qin smiled coldly, "The love and law are the same, how can princes and scholars be the same? Lu Buwei ruined his family and gave up his life. How can the old Qin people be merciless? Ministers do not betray the country, and kings do not betray their ministers. This is the way! Now that the Lu family is still injured and sick, and the stranger returns to the clan first, it is better to hurt the hearts of the martyrs in the world!" Meng Wu left profusely in sweat, his heart was still pounding outside the palace. Although he didn't directly criticize him, the old King Qin's admonition clearly implied his dissatisfaction with the way he handled it.No matter how many reasons there are, it is a bit hasty to abandon the seriously injured and seriously ill Lu Buwei in the bitter cold and escort Ying Yiren back first.If it wasn't for the old King Qin's handling of it so well, and then according to his own ideas to let Ying Yiren return to the Prince's Mansion first to recognize his ancestors and return to his clan, he would really be trapping the Qin royal family in an injustice.Meng Wu knew clearly that since Qin Xiaogong set a precedent of seeking talents from other countries in the East for reform, the Qin State formed a custom of honoring famous scholars in Shandong under the example of the royal family.Over time, the world has the reputation of respecting scholars of Qin State.Even those Confucian figures who despise Qin the most have to say: "Although Qin is a barbarian, it is okay to respect the virtuous!" To find an official, I am afraid that in the big countries of Qi, Zhao, Chu and Wei, you can easily become a high-ranking doctor or the like.However, Lu Buwei ended up befriending a dead man for the sake of a son of the Qin State who ruined his family and made money, and this time he almost died.For the state of Qin, what other thing is more precious than a scholar who sacrificed his life to be close to Qin?What the Qin State wants is the heart of the world, especially the heart of scholars, why didn't you, Meng Wu, think of this level!Escorting Ying Yiren back to Xianyang in secret, and secretly placing him in his own mansion, preventing the Yiren from communicating with the members of the Lu family who left Zhao and returned to Qin earlier, is an inappropriate move that hurts the Lu family even more. .Meng Wu, Meng Wu, you are the son of General Meng Ao, you have also become the former commander of the army by virtue of your military exploits, now you are entrusted with the post of Li Shi's deputy general, in fact, you are asked to take over from the old general Wang Ling.The old king of Qin entrusted you with the responsibility of resisting Zhao Daren, but you are so ignorant about major issues. As a general, you only know how to talk about things, how ashamed! Back at the mansion, Meng Wu told Ying Yiren, who was playing with Qin Zheng and humming Qin Feng, about the process of entering the palace. Regardless of how the former classmate mumbled, he drove Yiren to Luzhuang on the south bank of Weishui overnight.A group of deacons, servants and strangers who had returned from Zhao before returning to Xianyang knew nothing about Lu Buwei's news. .The boss Ximen beat his chest and stomped his feet, insisting on going north with Meng Wu to take care of the master.Ying Yiren scolded impatiently: "Crying is so noisy! Who is not bothered? Lu Gong is not dead, so noisy!" He frowned and stopped talking. This time Meng Wu was very patient, seeing that he could not be dissuaded, he readily agreed to take Mr. Ximen to the north.The old boss burst into laughter immediately, and took Meng Wu to see his wife.To Meng Wu's surprise, this heavenly new wife heard that Lu Buwei was staying in Hexi due to injury, she only stared at him with bright eyes and bit her red lips without saying a word, she was silent for a long time, and finally It was a low voice: "Thank you, General, for the news." Then he went straight out of the hall.In that instant, the vigilant Meng Wu saw vigilance and doubts from those shining eyes, and his heart couldn't help trembling suddenly! Meng Wu left a thousand pieces of gold to Lu Zhuang's deacons. No matter how Mr. Ximen tried to evade, he couldn't refuse the sincere and kind but stubborn young general.On the way back to the mansion, Meng Wu stopped by the Internal History Office and asked the royal minister in charge of Xianyang's military affairs to send a 100-man light cavalry team to Luzhuang to patrol day and night.As soon as Meng Wu showed the secret edict of the special envoy of the old king of Qin, the old Nei Shi sent the cavalry out of the city without saying anything. The Mengwu cavalry team went northward at the same time, and they were almost in Gaonu, but they saw a black-covered carriage rattling and speeding ahead of the horse team.The moment the horse team passed the carriage, the old boss Ximen let out a beep in surprise.Meng Wu, who was galloping at the same time, suddenly brightened his heart, and immediately ordered a military officer to lead the three knights into plain clothes and follow the cart in a low voice.When the horse team arrived at Yangzhou Fortress, a knight in plain clothes flew over to report: the black-covered carriage was interrogated by the defenders in Gaonu, and it was learned that the woman in the carriage claimed to be Zhao Nu, and there was no Qin photo. ; The cart drove around day and night without eating or drinking. The military officials were worried that something would happen to the woman in the cart, so they sent an express horse to ask for a decision.Mr. Ximen suddenly realized: "Ma'am too! There must be no difference!" Meng Wu immediately ordered the horse team to camp and wait, and Mr. Ximen led ten horses back to meet him.In the early morning of the next day, at the foot of the Great Wall on the east bank of Luoshui River, I finally saw the smoky cart and the knights trailing from a distance.Meng Wu's flying horse leaped up to meet the volley, and forcibly strangled the two fierce horses that had no riders and ran wildly in the wilderness filled with yellow dust.When the boss tremblingly opened the curtains, he slipped and fell beside the car with a hoarse choking sound!In desperation, Meng Wu tore off the curtain of the car, but was so surprised that he was at a loss—the car was blood red, the blood splashed in the car and the messy red dress wrapped a face as pale as snow, clearly dead! "Who knows medicine? Hurry up!" The military officer in plain clothes rushed over, and suddenly exclaimed: "I am pregnant and collapsed! Please call the imperial physician!" Meng Wu was shocked, turned around and shouted loudly: "People put the army couch in place! Stay where you are! I'll take over the imperial doctor!" Turning over, he jumped on the steed's horse and galloped away... What Meng Wu is still afraid of is that if there is no accompanying imperial doctor, the new wife who drove bumpy for three days and nights and suffered a bloody collapse would really be unpredictable.If this lady died, how would he have the face to see this righteous businessman who had contributed to Qin again?Now that he is really going to see Lu Buwei, Meng Wu's heart is tumbling uncontrollably. Lu Buwei's big tent is in the southeast corner of the small castle. Walking through the continuous stretches of military tents, the first thing you see is a big flag with a black background and a white border, which is the same height and size as the flag of the general, but has no surname. The flag is surrounded by tall and thick The horse dung wall, a circle of people outside the wall are heavy armored warriors with three soldiers (spears, long swords, bows and crossbows).Walking into the horse dung wall through the residual snow, a large round tent stands alone. A huge layer of cotton quilts is obviously interlocked outside the cowhide tent. The fur-wrapped wooden door looks like a bulging mound of dust.Until the tent mouth, Meng Wu could not hear any movement in the tent.If it weren't for the bamboo chimney emitting light smoke from the top of the tent, no one would believe that there were people in this silent "mound".Meng Wu could see that among the icy and snowy plateau military camps, the warmth of this large tent was unique.Although the shogunate of the lord general's mausoleum is spacious, the cold and rough green brick floor, the thick but air-tight stone wall, and the iron armored soldiers entering and leaving cannot be so seamless no matter what. Can't think of the words "warm, comfortable and comfortable". "Wang Ling is finally a veteran of his father's generation!" Meng Wu couldn't help feeling greatly. At dusk that day, he hastily carried Lu Buwei into Lishi Castle on the army couch, and only briefly told Wang Ling to go to Handan to invite Mao Gong, and Meng Wu led his troops to escort Ying Yiren to the south at Xingye.In Meng Wu's heart, he had only one mission to come to the north under the imperial edict, and that was to escort the young master back to Qin. If the young master had an accident, he would be punished with death!When Lu Buwei suddenly lost his mind and changed his face, and Ying Yiren was stunned, Meng Wu didn't think of how to deal with it comprehensively.In the final analysis, the root cause lies in the lack of experience and lack of insight.Wang Ling was ignorant of this matter at first, but he was able to do his best after he left. Not only did he send elite scouts to Zhao to invite Mao Gong, but he also personally led 3,000 footmen to plan the snow and search the mountains for the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum. As a result, the rolling groove fell into a fracture!If the old general hadn't tried his best to satisfy Mao Gong's request, how could Lu Buwei's dying life be saved?If it is under orders, Meng Wu thinks he can do it well and neatly.However, when Wang Ling was neither ordered nor aware of it, he used impeccable deeds to respect the great rules of Qin's respect for scholars. Is it only shrewdness implied?No and no.Among the young generals of the Qin State, Meng Wu is known as "Cheng Naifu is meticulous and steady, but also shrewd and capable". If not, how could the old prince Yingzhu choose him to do this complicated and unpredictable event?But comparing the hatchback, you have to keep in mind the excellence of the old general Wang Ling.Thinking about it carefully, among the old generals of the Qin Army who were in charge of Baiqi, Lord Wu'an, there were many who could be compared to Wang Ling, not to mention his father Meng Ao, Wang He, Huan He, Hu Shang, Ying Bao and so on.Although their talents on the battlefield are different, they all have one thing in common: as generals, they care about the national system, and they must be respectful and respectful every time they marry a virtuous man. interest.Later, the scholars of the Six Kingdoms often ridiculed each other privately, "Where is the wind of tigers and wolves?"The criticisms against Qin became more and more colorless.Why?Perhaps these old generals have tasted the pain of the six kingdoms of Shandong despising Qin more deeply than Meng Wu's generation, and also experienced the benefits of respecting scholars more directly, so everyone wholeheartedly agrees with the style of seeking talents created by the ancestor Xiaogong.In the Mengwu generation, this kind of "world" heart was indifferent, so that they didn't know the importance when they saw scholars, and they didn't know the way when they saw the importance... "Crack!" The dull and clear knocking sound interrupted Meng Wu's thoughts. Lu Buwei and Mao Gong are playing chess. There was a huge charcoal stove in front of the case, and the big tent was extremely warm.The tea girl quietly served the humble earthenware stove and pot, and suddenly got up and floated back and forth on the thick carpet, completely silent.Among the aroma of strong tea lingering in the big tent, there is only the indifferent sound of playing chess, rising and falling in a disorderly manner.The two bald heads face each other across the table, like a worldly expert in the deep mountains and forests.A white head shook its messy snow-white head while laying chess pieces, and chanted loudly: "If the water is not thick enough, it will not be able to carry the big boat. Cover the cup of water on the col hall, and it will be mustard." For a boat, put a cup and glue it. The water is shallow and the boat is big. The wind is not thick enough, so it will not be able to carry its large wings. Therefore, the wind is going down for ninety thousand li! The one who passed away, and now Jiang Tunan..." "Wind is flying, are you Kunpeng?" Baitou on the opposite side muttered impatiently. Meng Wu was completely ignorant, what is the use of the old man reciting this far-fetched Hongwen so earnestly?Why is the white-headed man on the other side so frustrated and impatient?After listening for a while, the two white-headed men were still playing chess casually and chanting, Meng Wu finally stepped forward and bowed deeply: "Meng Wu, the last general, has met Duke Lu." The white head with his back to the tent suddenly turned around for a look, then turned away again: "Grand Lu, the general greets you." "Ah—general?" The white-headed man who was staring at the chessboard raised his head to look at the big man in iron armor covered in mud, and smiled blankly, "Okay, General Wang Ling is here, please take a seat." "Hey, I'm confused!" The old man with disheveled white hair tapped the big case with a bamboo stick, "General Mengwu! You can't tell the difference between the old and the young, and you will be fined to drink three wines!" "What a yell? If you lose a chess game, you will vent your anger, and you will be promising." "Hey! Who will lose? This old man can lose to the Chaos people!" "Ah - come to think of it, I lose and I lose." The white-headed Lu Buwei stretched his waist and yawned for a while, laughing loudly, "It's good to lose, it's good to lose, it's good to lose!" Tears welled up his nose But when he came out, he just laughed to himself regardless.Mao Gong suddenly stood up, and the bamboo stick slapped the chessboard: "Lu Buwei! You claimed the chess championship in vain and lost to the old man. Don't you want to win it back!" The laughter stopped abruptly, and Lu Buwei stood up in a daze Staring at the burning stove, he muttered: "If you lose, you lose, and you can win back?" Mao Gong blushed and shouted suddenly: "Lu Buwei! Do you want to come again! Do you want to come again forever!" Lu Buwei turned around and nodded blankly with a smile: "Okay, okay, if you come again, you're afraid of losing everything?" Mao Gong suddenly smiled, and came to support Lu Buwei to sit in front of the case: "Old brother, courtesy is the first priority, after the meeting with the general, it's not too late to come again." After finishing speaking, he turned around and glanced at Meng Wu, then sat down beside Lu Buwei with a smile. "Why did General Wang Ling see me?" Lu Buwei smiled indifferently. "The last general, Meng Wu, was ordered to serve as Li Shi's deputy general. Before leaving, he was entrusted by the son of a stranger, so he came here to pay a special visit." "Ah, Meng Wu." Lu Buwei replied blankly. "Where is Ying Yiren kid?" Mao Gong suddenly asked, "Can't walk!" "Report to Duke Lu," Meng Wu bowed solemnly, "Young Master Yiren fled and fought with you, and was wounded in six places. After returning to Xianyang, he lay down in the last general's mansion to heal his wounds, and when he got better, he persisted and lived in Luzhuang in the south of the city; Knowing that the late general will go north to take up his post, the young master invited the disciples of Bian Que, a famous doctor in Central Qin Dynasty, to come and treat the late general together; on the other hand, the young master specially wrote a letter to Lu Gong." Meng Wu took out the copper pipe from the leather bag and held it up, but He was intercepted by the dark-faced Mr. Mao. Lu Buwei's eyes flashed suddenly: "The general is saying that the young master has not returned to the Prince's Mansion?" "Lv Gongming." Meng Wu bowed solemnly again, "The general escorted the young master back to Qin, and he should have reported it to the prince immediately, but the young master insisted that he stayed in Lishi to heal his wounds, and did not let his parents know that he was back. Arriving in Xianyang, the general asked why, and the young master replied, "Grand Lu's life is in danger, and a stranger can enjoy the wealth alone! Thinking of the friendship between classmates in the same year, the final general fulfilled the prince's wish, and only told the king of Qin and the crown prince to return to their lives. You and your son have already returned to Qin, and they are both healing in Lishi. That's why you have never visited your parents." Lu Buwei nodded silently, and for the first time a stretched smile appeared on his indifferent face.Mao Gong just raised his head and slapped a piece of parchment on the table: "Okay! The boy is quite serious!" Lu Buwei glanced at the parchment and sighed, then nodded silently without saying a word. Meng Wu went, and there was silence in the big tent.Lu Buwei sighed softly and then smiled leisurely: "Mr. Mao, if a stranger can have such a heart, Buwei's death is enough!" Mr. Mao, who was blinking rapidly, burst into laughter suddenly: "Woo hoo! Do you see something strange in this?" Lu Buwei's uncomfortably stretched face suddenly became gloomy: "Brother, you mean, there are fakes in other people?" Mao Gong smiled mysteriously: "Hey, there are truths in the fakes, and there are fakes in the reals. Little lies and big truths, true and false mixed, wonderful!" Lu Buwei's mood was suddenly depressed and he looked at a loss: "I lost, I lost, that's all, why should I be surprised?" "It's wrong, it's wrong!" Mao Gong Repeatedly shooting the case, "Who loses and pays? It's a big win! Do you still have a bottom in chaos?" "Okay, you can say, I'm alright!" Lu Buwei suddenly became agitated, and stared at Mao Gong. "Hey, I didn't run away without shouting, it's a good thing after all!" Mao Gong also stared straight into Lu Buwei's eyes, "Listen well: first, that disciple of Bian Que from the State of Qin had already made an imperial medical order to win Yiren. The boy has just returned to Xianyang, can you please come? Second, the writing style of this cover book is close to Ying Yiren, but it is definitely not Ying Yiren! Don’t forget, the old man is the teacher of that kid! Third, Yiren really understands Dayi, how can you abandon your father and go first? If you abandon your father and go first, how can you return to Luzhuang abruptly? Fourth, this Meng Wu is a promising general in the Qin army. And just... oh, what a pity! Your old brother didn't even get it in his ears!" Lu Buwei's eyes were straightened and he remained silent for a long time, then suddenly said: "Speak! What can be proved by the four falsehoods?" "God! Old brother finally woke up, woke up!" Mao Gong waved his bamboo stick and danced around twice in the tent, panting, sat down cross-legged and lowered his voice, "Old man can't read wrong : There is truth after falsehood!" Seeing that Lu Buwei's eyes were twinkling and he didn't speak, Mao Gong snapped his fingers and said, "You can't come north without the order of the king and the imperial physician. This is one of them. There is no instruction, and no one will write for that kid. , even if someone writes for him, with General Meng Wu's seriousness, he will not be a messenger. The second thing is that the boy didn't go back to Lu Zhuang, but he didn't want to go back to Lu Zhuang. The two agreed and were able to move back to Luzhuang abruptly. It was definitely not that the boy and Meng Wu suddenly turned around, but it must be forced by God's will. Aside from the feeling of guilt, there must be something hidden behind it, and this is the fourth. All these and so on, it can be seen that there is always a master behind the scenes. Who is the master? Either the prince or the king of Qin! This old man sees the old prince of Qin as mediocre, who hides and handles this matter , must be the old Qin King Yingji! Your old brother said, is it right?" After a long time of silence, Lu Buwei smiled indifferently: "Qin has today, God's will, and human affairs." "No energy! Why don't you have a big drink with the old man?" Mao Gong muttered with a dark face. "I, I'm just sore and sleepy, I want to sleep, sleep..." Before he could finish his murmur, Lu Buwei fell limply on the carpet. "Little girl, come out!" Mao Gong laughed and knocked on the chessboard with a bamboo stick, and ordered in a low voice to the maid who had just lifted the back curtain, "Help Lu Gong into the tent, take off his clothes and make him lie down. Remember to guard At the entrance of the tent, don’t allow anyone to make any movement to wake up Lu Gong!" The strong maid promised to pick up Lu Buwei and entered the back tent, and Mao Gong waved his bamboo stick to the silent tea making girl and hurried out. The account is gone. There was loud snoring in the tent... Lu Buwei suddenly turned into a fish in the northern ocean, Kunpeng drifted in the vast sky, its wings were like clouds hanging from the sky, soaring up to 90,000 miles, and then it turned into a feather, carrying the blue sky on its back and sailing in the sky with the wind. , the sparrows in the peng were chattering and talking about the creek by the stream, and the doves were muttering and laughing. Suddenly, the sun and the moon came out and the fire continued, and the big light and small light spread all over the world. Obtaining clouds, the mountains and mountains in the sky suddenly turned into big characters in the clouds-no self, no merit, no name!The Kunpeng's feathers are among the queer streams, and the mountains, the white clouds, the sea, and the earth suddenly merge into a boundless chaotic world... After the snowstorm and bloody battle three months ago, Lu Buwei's iron heart suddenly collapsed. When Mao Gong braved the heavy snow and rushed to Lishi Fortress, Lu Buwei was lying in the cold and empty Chinese Shogunate, dying.Mao Gong lost his temper with Wang Ling.With a smile on his face, Wang Ling explained the old barracks rules: Frostbite patients need to be relieved by cold, not suddenly warming up tents, why dare to treat heroes and righteous men lightly?Mao Gong repeatedly reprimanded the team for being careless and incomprehensible.Wang Ling never said a word.Mao Gong lost his temper, and immediately asked to set up a warm tent to save people.When Wang Ling gave an order, the sergeant actually built a closed warm tent with horse dung walls, double-layer cowhide and even quilts at the time of dinner.Mao Gong came prepared, and immediately invited the alchemist of the Qi State hired by a lot of money into the warm tent to cast spells. After a lot of luck and the mysterious pills to save the heart, Lu Buwei, who looked like a skeleton with a livid complexion and white hair, unexpectedly woke up miraculously. come over! The next day, Mao Gong dismissed the alchemist and started his own therapy of Peiben Guyuan.Hearing that the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum is needed to soothe the nerves and save the mind, Wang Ling personally led 3,000 soldiers into the mountain without saying a word. After ten days in a row, he finally found an extremely rare ancient Ganoderma in the deep snow-covered mountains and dense forests!Mao Gong was so happy that he laughed and kowtowed to Wang Ling, the white-haired old general was so shocked that he did not care about the broken arm and bowed again and again.After setting the bones of the injured king's mausoleum in Gungou, Mao Gong stayed with Lu Buwei all day long.One month later, Lu Buwei gradually sobered up. Although his blank eyes were empty and had nowhere to fall, he was finally able to speak obediently. After some deliberation, Lord Mao started his method of attacking the heart and saving the heart. As Wang Ling ordered, he brought in Yue Jianwu, the only cavalry swordsman left in the bloody battle. Yue Jianwu, who was seriously injured by thirteen swords and arrows, was placed in another tent by Wang Ling to live alone.Until Mao Gong arrived, Yue Jian Wucai said four words coldly: "I'll wait for Lu Gong." He didn't speak anymore.Mao Gong also said only one sentence: "Lu Gong lives and dies, it's all up to the righteous men of Yue! You think about it yourself." Then he left.From that day on, Yue Jian Wucai began to heal his wounds and eat, and he still couldn't stay in the bed even after a month.None of the Yuejians who were carried in saw the dead tree and white-haired Lu Buwei, and burst into tears at the sound of Lu Gong.Lu Buwei, who had been sitting dazed and withered, staggered towards him with a cry of surprise, hugged Yue Jianwu and wept into a ball.Mao Gong watched with cold eyes, Lu Buwei beat his chest and stamped his feet and cried, "There is no sword, no sword, you shouldn't have kept it from me! If I knew you were waiting for a righteous man to die, how could Lu Buwei do such a stupid thing! Let the hero and martyr go, Lu Buwei can't atone for his sins even though he died nine times what!" But Yue Jianwu stopped suddenly, wiped away his tears and cupped his hands and said: "Grand Lu's words are wrong! Those who have nothing to cry about in Jianwu, the Duke lost his soul and shape, and he is not a swordsman like us. Ren Xia swordsmen are born in the world, do not seek碌碌苟活，惟求死得其所！吕公谋事存志节，待士有大义，我等人怀必死之心，非仅图报吕公，更求名扬天下！若吕公耿耿不能释怀，视我等之死为一己罪责，岂非玷污我等任侠求死之风？此番心境，原非剑无私撰。吕公请看，剑无可曾背错一字？”话方慷慨，越剑无已经唰地撕开胸前，扯下一方血迹斑斑的羊皮递过。吕不韦颤抖着双手接过，竟是不忍卒睹。毛公接过一看，薄韧的白羊皮上血字历历，分明与越剑无所念一字不差，下方赫然一片已经变黑的斑斑印记，无疑便是百名剑士的手印指印！ “吕公，确是荆云义士手笔。” 吕不韦双手接过抚在胸前，对着越剑无便是深深一躬。 “今日事毕，剑无去也。”便在这刹那之间，挺身跪坐军榻的越剑无将一口短剑猛然插入了肚腹，一股鲜血喷溅大帐与吕不韦白衣之上，越剑无平和地笑着，“吕公，你非侠者，不能轻生求死，珍重……” 那一夜，吕不韦抱着越剑无冰冷的尸体坐到天亮，虽然一句话没说，旁边的毛公却看到了吕不韦苍白的脸膛有了一丝红晕。直到三日后将越剑无安葬到了马队剑士的谷地，吕不韦才扶着毛公的肩膀长叹了一声：“学无止境，吕不韦自认知人，不想竟如此无知也！” 自那日起，毛公开始了与吕不韦的对弈。在淡漠茫然的棋盘敲打中，毛公向吕不韦点点滴滴地叙说了各方事变：薛公没能赶来，老哥哥护送赵姬到天卓庄去了；虽说平原君并未大张旗鼓地拘拿“事秦党”，但却在暗地里搜寻嬴异人留下的妻子；薛公以为，只有将赵姬送回卓氏故里并恢复“卓昭”本名，在民多胡风嫁娶寻常的赵国，平原君才无法追究这笔秦妻账；目下料想已经安置妥当，邯郸该当无事了。嬴异人小子伤得不能动弹，又发热，他请蒙武将这小子送回了咸阳，想必开春之后这小子便要来接你回秦了。西门老总事也捎来了消息，吕庄上下人等都好，陈渲日夜祈盼只等着你吕公归来入政。总之统之，只要你吕不韦平安无事，结结实实的一件大事便做成了！ 但是，无论毛公如何喋喋不休地絮叨，吕不韦都茫茫然心不在焉。毛公清楚吕不韦心结，便每日敲着棋子曼声吟诵庄子的《逍遥游》，每念到“若夫乘天地之正，御六气之辨，以游无穷者，彼且恶何待哉！故曰：至人无己，神人无功，圣人无名。”便是抑扬顿挫反复吟诵，常常引得吕不韦木然盯着他也不由自主地跟着念诵起来。 念归念，说归说，吕不韦终是没有真正地清醒振作过来。毛公颓丧了。也许，他只能将吕不韦送到这一步，吕不韦能否恢复雄风，便只有天意了。那晚，毛公将一卷密封的羊皮纸书简交给了那位终日默默却诚实可信的茶女，叮嘱待吕不韦真正清醒时交给他。便在他陪着吕不韦下最后一局棋的时候，蒙武来了。 毛公看到了一线显然的光亮！果然，吕不韦松心了。 象一只苍老狡黠的土拨鼠，毛公连日出没在冰雪军营之间，旬日之后才回到了吕不韦的保暖大帐。吕不韦已经清醒过来，面色红润了，脸膛也荡出了久违的微笑，见毛公风尘仆仆满面脏污却又神秘兮兮地溜进帐来，不禁便是一阵哈哈大笑：“老哥哥也！通了通了！原是不韦求人太切，凡事以义责人。人皆义士，何有世事也！” 毛公惊讶地瞪着一双老眼，提着竹杖绕着吕不韦直转圈子，突然站定便嚷了起来：“羊肉酒饭！咥饱肚子再说！前心后心没得分，饿死老夫也！”吕不韦看得乐不可支，转身连呼酒肉饭上齐，便坐在对案饶有兴味地看着毛公大举饕餮。 “当真？”毛公撂下割肉刀突兀抬头。 “当真。”吕不韦坦然点头。 “其理何在？”毛公第一次没了嘿嘿笑声。 “权力公器之道，自有法度准则。”吕不韦平和的面容又弥漫出往昔的一团春风，“以义行之，则公器化为私道。不韦执拗于'义本'，原是以风尘商旅之道求权力公器之道。不容些许负义之行，于公器之道实为偏执。以此心入仕途，终将大毁也！异人离我回秦，于义于情有差而于法度无碍。不韦耿耿不能释怀，犹鲲鹏未得大风，不能高天远观也！” “嘿嘿，有进境，好！”毛公啪的摔下擦拭油嘴的布巾，“老兄弟，若是猝然丧子，你会如何？能如这般撑持过去么？” “老哥哥此说，不知所云也。”吕不韦自嘲地笑了，“生平无女运，先妻十载尚无一子一女。邯郸欲妻，又被人夺。只怕是应得一句老话，财旺人亏，子女还在爪洼国也！” “嘿嘿，只怕未必。你目下没有娶妻么？” “你说陈渲？”吕不韦目光骤然一亮又释然摇头，“原是不得已，笑谈耳耳。” “是也是也，笑谈罢了。”毛公嘿嘿一阵站起身摇到帐外，拖进一只口袋用竹杖指点着，“明日开始一月之内，老夫便要你这白头变黑！看好这药！否则啊，嘿嘿，你我老兄弟便负了人心也。” 吕不韦哈哈大笑：“老哥哥自己须发如雪，倒是来医我这白头！” “嘿嘿，懵懂！”毛公悠然甩着白头，“老夫年逾花甲，你几多大？白当其年为老，白不当年为病。老不可医，病可医。晓得无？” “好好好，晓得晓得。无非吃药，随你也。”吕不韦一阵笑声未了，便软倒在榻大放鼾声。毛公唤来侍女一阵叮嘱，便又点着竹杖摇出了暖帐。 倏忽之间河冻消开春风变暖，新叶勃发的胡杨林绿蓬蓬覆盖了沟壑纵横的莽莽高原。四月中开始，吕不韦的一头白发眼看着日复一日地变黑，到了五月来临，形同白发骷髅的吕不韦竟又变成了一团和煦春风的洒脱士子！从来没见过昔日吕不韦风采的王陵蒙武应毛公之邀踏进久违的马粪墙圈时，远远看见帐外迎候的丰神士子，竟是恍若隔世，惊讶得连连感叹！庆贺小宴上，得意的毛公矜持地点着竹杖宣布了对吕不韦的解禁令，便来者不拒地与每个颂扬者劝饮者接踵痛饮，宴席未散便酩酊大醉了。 安置好毛公，王陵恭敬地邀吕不韦到幕府商议南下回秦事宜，将吕不韦请上了一辆军营罕见的青铜轺车。蒙武亲自驾车，驶向了小城堡外的河谷军营。夕阳晚照之下，冬日血战逃亡的冰雪天地已经是万绿覆盖辽阔山塬，吕不韦极目四望，不禁便是万千感慨。入得军营深处，但见营帐连绵旗幡猎猎炊烟袅袅战马萧萧，勃勃生机令人怦然心动。蓦然之间，轺车驶过营区进入了一片幽静的谷地，吕不韦心头顿时迷惑——主将幕府如何能在这里？ “东公——”一声苍老的哭喊，一个白发老人踉踉跄跄地扑了过来。 “西门老爹！”吕不韦飞身下车，跪地抱住了跌倒的老人。 “东公……”老人哭声摇着吕不韦臂膊，“夫人等你，她苦也！” “夫人？”惊愕的吕不韦恍然醒悟，“你说是她，她也来了？” “老朽粗疏，害东公大事也！”老人捶胸顿足断断续续叙说了经过，只抹着眼泪反复絮叨，“我只说夫人在庄，谁想她能自家北上？老朽何其蠢也！” “西门老爹莫得自责。这是上天罚我，不韦认了。”吕不韦扶起老人，目光痴痴盯着前方洼地的马粪高墙与黑色帐篷，突然拔脚飞步大跑了过去。 一模一样的马粪墙，一模一样的棉被帐，这里却清幽孤寂得令人心颤！吕不韦突然止步，心跳得怦怦大响，眼前一黑便扒着马粪墙软了下去……倏忽醒来，眼前一片红光！吕不韦屏住气息睁开眼睛，却见一个红裙女子拥在身旁，裙裾正搭在自己脸上，一双温热细腻的手灵巧地婆娑在胸膛，雪白般的胸脯与脖颈在蒙蒙红光之中分外润泽丰腴。 “陈渲！”吕不韦霍然坐起将女子揽在了怀中。 “夫君……”陈渲滚烫的泪水洒满了吕不韦的胸膛。 这一夜，两人都没有睡意，裹着大被拥着燎炉挑着铜灯直坐到东方发白，娓娓侃侃缠缠绵绵，一番磨难竟使两人都生出一种咀嚼不尽言说不清的再生心境。陈渲说，若非蒙武随带太医，她便暴亡中途了；若非西门老总事着意寻来毛公对她施行固本培元疗法，她也恢复不了元气；她没能侍奉夫君倒添了诸多累赘，实在是心有愧疚。吕不韦抚慰说，你怀了一次身孕便是吕门最大功臣，我还没有想过自己会有儿子，值乎值乎愧疚甚来！陈渲抚着吕不韦蓄起的胡须说，夫君变了，柔和的圆脸变成了棱角分明的方砖，不怒自威我却不怕。吕不韦拍打着陈渲丰腴的身段说，我妻也变了，一个原本身轻如燕纤细窈窕做掌上舞的少女，倏忽变做了一个珠圆玉润的可人少妇，真是我妻了。陈渲红着脸笑说，她原本以为自己不会生子，少女时的舞技磨练太严苛了，直到仓谷溪吕不韦强使她初经人事，她才第一次来了女红；此次历经大变，知道了自己能够身孕，她高兴得浑身发抖，日后要给吕不韦多多生一群儿子女儿，那怕变成一只丑陋的老母鸡！吕不韦哈哈大笑说让你生，猛然便将陈渲压在了大被中，两人滚做一团笑做一团尽皆大汗淋漓气喘吁吁。吕不韦说，天道有常人事不测，欲求不成，不求反就，他无论如何没想到已有婚约的卓昭嫁给了异人，而买来应对异人的陈渲却成了他妻，目下想来竟是颠倒得有趣。陈渲说，其实她第一眼就看出了其中奥妙：那位公子以死心求卓昭，卓昭则是犹可犹不可并不执一，主人属意卓昭却也并非不可变更；她则第一次便不喜欢那位公子，而喜欢买她的主人。吕不韦大奇，舞女耶巫女耶？你个小女子有先知之能？陈渲说，公子痴情却没有义根，卓昭美艳却无志节，主人秉性坚实情心渊深，非等闲心志所能体察激荡，她只喜欢主人这等深情之士。吕不韦摇头说，既然喜欢主人，为何要闭门辞世？陈渲说，嫁出卓昭后主人不能自拔，我怕主人送我重回绿楼，宁在主人身边死去。吕不韦紧紧抱住了陈渲低声耳语，我要你你也没想拒绝，可是？陈渲大红着脸说，若非主人强为，便是等闲武士也近不得我身。吕不韦促狭笑道，可你已经奄奄一息了，拒绝得何人？陈渲娇嗔说，我若病体不能护身，绿楼生涯岂有处子清白？甚法偏不说！吕不韦又是哈哈大笑，命数命数！你个小女子天生是我妻奴也！纵藏身绿楼，也被主人挖了来！陈渲娇笑着叫了一声好主人，猛然便将吕不韦扑倒，贪婪地喘息起来…… 次日过午，洼地一片车马辚辚之声。毛公与西门老总事陪着蒙武亲带三车百骑来迎接护送吕不韦夫妇回归离石城。吕不韦与陈渲携手迎出马粪墙，对着三人逐一躬身大拜，蒙武老总事手足无措，逗得毛公手舞足蹈不亦乐乎。陈渲执意敬了每人一大碗自酿的马奶酒，才许蒙武下令拆帐装车。夕阳暮色时分，车马便辚辚出了洼地出了军营。到得离石城下，却见两人立马以待遥遥拱手：“吕公别来无恙乎！” “纲成君？安国君？”吕不韦惊讶得几乎不相信自己的眼睛。 “正是老夫不差！我等恭候大驾月余矣！”蔡泽尚在嘎嘎大笑，嬴柱已经当先下马，远远迎着吕不韦轺车便是深深一躬。吕不韦连忙整衣下车肃然一拜：“不韦尺寸辛劳，何敢当安国君如此大礼也。”嬴柱抢步过来扶住吕不韦道：“公存我子，功在社稷，安得不拜？公但上车便是。”说罢顺势将吕不韦扶上轺车，回身牵住马缰一招手，“吕公稳坐便是。”一圈马缰便徒步牵马进城。离开洼地帐篷时，吕不韦已经坚执谢绝了蒙武驾车，如今自己夫妇双双坐于伞盖之下，却让太子牵马前行，不禁大为不安，本当跃身下车，却见旁行蔡泽连连摇手，只好叹息一声了事。