Chapter 77 Section 4: The Mysterious Assassin in Xiaoshan Canyon

In the early morning of the next day, Shang Yang arrived in Shangnan City.This small castle is the administrative seat of Shangyu County, not far to the south of the castle is Wuguan, which guards the throat of Qin and Chu, and it is not the center of Shangyu Thirteen Counties.Since Qin Xiangong established the tradition of "the capital of the country facing the enemy" since Qin Xiangong, the governance of the border areas between Qin and the great powers were generally located in the frontier.As the county guard, Shangnan City directly became the backing of Wuguan, the southern gate of Qin State.

Shang Yang only lived in this small castle in the capital of his fiefdom for three days. Apart from inspecting the defense of Wuguan in detail for one day, he mainly did three things: first, he immediately ordered the county guard to send a team to Heilingou. Hundreds of soldiers, under the command of the supervising county official, assisted the villagers of Heilingou to save themselves.The second thing was to summon all the officials and chiefs of the great clans in Shangyu Thirteen Counties, as well as the famous village official.Shang Yang bitterly stated the disadvantages of law enforcement in the sudden change of Heilingou, severely reiterated the principle of obeying the law, and publicly announced that he would demote Shang Yu's prefect to two ranks as a punishment.The third item repeatedly affirmed the true meaning of the Qin law to retain the fief, and declared his "four nos" policy for the enjoyment of the fief in accordance with the law: no tax collection, no mansions, no governance rights, and no commercial use in any form by the government and the people. Sing praises to him.All in all, Shangyu Shisan County does not enjoy any privileges beyond the laws of Qin State, and it is completely the same as other counties in Qin State.

Most of the officials, patriarchs, and village officials in the thirteen counties of Shangyu met Daliang Zao, the Shang monarch who "governed Wu" for the first time. Yu Jiancheng Shangjun's eternal retreat.This was a common phenomenon in the Warring States period, and no one would be surprised.On the contrary, officials and ordinary people are very willing to be the foundation of sage heroes, because such heroes can give them more protection and privileges than the state government.The strategy of Sun Bin of Qi State persuading Tian Ji to vigorously rectify the fief and immediately retreat to the fief in case of danger is exactly the self-protection proposition based on the reality of the Warring States period.Later, Lord Mengchang, one of the "Four Great Princes" of the Warring States Period, escaped back to the fief when he was framed to be preserved.Who would have thought that Shang Yuren's sincere heart would be greatly indifferent and severely reprimanded by Shang Yang.Although Shang Yushanmin is simple, honest and clumsy in words, he is sharp in his heart and can definitely weigh the truth and falsehood.In their view, although Lord Shang is unkind, he is a rare selfless minister of power throughout the ages.For a person who categorically rejects the most fundamental wealth in the world - the land and the people, the people of the mountains and fields will naturally respect him in awe.But for some reason, Shangyu officials and common people also feel a little intimidated in front of this person—you can’t praise him, follow him, or dedicate your passion to him, you can only silently watch him serve the country and the people Wield your power and burn yourself to ashes.Just like the sacredness sent by heaven to save the people from water and fire, the fireworks of human desires can't infect him at all, and can't change him at all.Apart from being in awe of such a holiness, Xiaoxiao people cannot even have the passion to adore him and the right to dedicate themselves to him!

Shang Yu's officials and people finally fell silent, and they silently accepted this embarrassing saint. Three days later, Shang Yang left.There were no people lined the road to see him off, and no officials saw him off at the long pavilion.People watched him walk away from a distance, just like watching a god leave the noisy world. Shang Yang was very calm.He likes the relationship between the government and the people, such as "doing their own things without disturbing each other."In his view, officials causing trouble outside the law are officials disturbing the people, including Shangyu County magistrate's excessive benevolence.People who sing praises and make extra donations to ask for help outside the law are people disturbing officials.Officials harassing the people harm one side, but people harassing officials harm the whole world.When the government and the people do not interfere with each other, it is a good state of a mature legal system.It is impossible for Shang Yang to know that his political views had a profound impact on Qin.The later kings Qin Hui and Qin Zhao both severely punished officials and commoners who slaughtered cows, celebrated birthdays and sang meritorious deeds for the king.During the more than 160 years of the struggle against the Warring States, the government and the people of the Qin State have always maintained clarity, diligence and bravery.Otherwise, how can we unify China with one enemy six and win in a single battle?

After leaving Shangnan City on horseback, Shang Yang ordered ten armored guards to go straight back to Xianyang from the official road, and present Qin Xiaogong's report on his handling of many matters in Shangyu. He himself only left Jingnan as his escort.The guard general was very worried, Shang Yang said with a smile: "Go back, it's all Qin land, everything will be fine." Then he took Jingnan and left. After leaving the mountain pass, Jing Nan even gestured to ask where he was going?Shang Yang smiled and said, "Go to Xiaoshan, do you know the way?" Jing Nan let out a happy "Oh", shook the rein and ran towards the southeast mountain.What Jing Nan was happy about was that after thirteen years, Shang Yang was finally going back to Xiaoshan!At the same time, he was very nervous, because after all, Xiaoshan was the native land of Wei State. Although it was ceded to Qin State at the moment, the mountain people would definitely not be as reassuring as the old Qin people.The guards sent by the monarch to Shang Jun are an elite cavalry team of thousands of men, and the commander of the thousands is a brave and skilled cavalry general.Qin Xiaogong strictly ordered the generals of the guards to "walk around Wei Yang. If something happens to Wei Yang, the whole team will be executed!" But before the recovery of Hexi, the number of armored guards brought by Shang Jun on tour was only two to three hundred at most.After the Hexi squadron, Shang Jun handed over all the Guards Thousand Cavalry Team to Guowei Che Ying, leaving only ten for himself.Even these ten guards were sent back to Xianyang today, and he was the only one in charge, wouldn't Jingnan be nervous?No matter how familiar I am with the surface of Xiaoshan, I have to be extra careful.Jingnan knew that Shang Jun didn't go north from Lantianyuan to Xiaoshan, but went southeast from Wuguan to enter Xiaoshan. In addition to being closer to this road, Shang Jun wanted to go back to the first time he visited Qin State. The old road, let's see how this mountain at the junction of Qin, Wei and Chu can build a strong fortress of Qin.For Shang Jun, state affairs are everywhere.Jing Nan has been with Shang Jun for twenty years, but he can't remember what private affairs Shang Jun has done?Even Snow White has been shelved for thirteen years without seeing each other, let alone other private matters?Seeing Shang Jun wearing white clothes and a red horse, walking freely and freely on the mountain road, Jing Nan was as happy as if he had a happy event.

The mountain road is rugged, and horses cannot be ridden.Seeing that it was already sunset on the western mountain, Shang Yang Jingnan just reached the valley of the upper reaches of Luoshui River.Walking along the Luoshui River Valley for more than 200 miles and then going northward is the Xiaoshan area. Even if you keep driving at night, you will have to reach Xiaoshan tomorrow morning. Shang Yang made a gesture and said with a smile: "Jing Nan, rest for a while, eat something before leaving." Jing Nan agreed with an "Oh", pointed to a smooth boulder and ran over, got off the horse and saw that it was sheltered from the wind and clean, and gestured to Shang Yang—it's just right here!Chasing Shang Yang to the foot of the boulder, Jing Nan had already laid out a cloth, dried meat, dry biscuits, wine bag and dagger on a large boulder, and moved a seat for Shang Yang.After gesturing to Shang Yang, he took off another skin bag from the horse and ran to the river to fetch water.Shang Yang let go of the reins of the two horses and let the mounts go to the river to drink water freely, so that Jingnan could fetch water and come back just to feed the horses.He sat in front of the boulder, cut the jerky biscuit into small pieces with a short sword, and waited for Jingnan to come back to eat together.

The valley breeze is blowing, and it is already a little bit cold.Looking at the last fading sunset glow in the valley, Shang Yang suddenly thought of Bai Xue who had been away for thirteen years.Now, is she also looking at the autumn sun and sunset on the side of the mountain?Back then, Bai Xue left without saying goodbye, and if Hou Ying took her, the child would come to him when he was older.But for thirteen years, Bai Xue has neither looked for him nor even sent him any letters.Shang Yang only knew that she had left Anyi early and handed over the huge property of the Bai clan to Hou Ying, and she went to live in seclusion in a villa deep in Xiaoshan.Whenever he thinks of Bai Xue, Shang Yang's heart trembles, and he feels that this distant lady is like Zhong Ziqi to Yu Boya, his eternal bosom friend, no matter how long they are separated, their hearts will always melt together.Shang Yang rejoiced that God had favored him, so that he met two beautiful women with different personalities but equally kind and intelligent.As a princess of Qin State, Yingyu didn't have any of the disgusting dispositions of the nobles in the royal family. Otherwise, with Shang Yang's coldness and sternness, this marriage would have existed in name only.What Shang Yang didn't expect was that this marriage, which started with his depression, unexpectedly became harmonious and even happy later.Yingyu's generosity gave Shang Yang an invisible lubricating force in getting along with his colleagues.Yingyu's internal beauty and intelligence made her play an unexpected role every time she appeared with Shang Yang.More importantly, Yingyu's love, tolerance and meticulous consideration for him, like the dripping water under the eaves and the breeze passing through the hall, gradually melted his cold and hard heart.That's all there is to it, what impressed Shang Yang the most was Yingyu's heartfelt words to him one winter night three years ago.

That night, Shang Yang was still busy in the study.In the quieter hours, heavy snow fell in the sky.Yingyu came in and added charcoal to the brazier, and brought thick rice wine to hang on the fire to simmer.One month after the marriage, Yingyu made a private arrangement with the servants, and after the third watch, she would take care of the study by herself without the servants intervening.For more than ten years, as long as Shang Yang was busy in the study, Yingyu would never sleep on the couch by herself. She did all the trivial affairs meticulously and orderly, and she would never make any noise to disturb Shang Yang.When Shang Yang picked up a large brush, there happened to be a puddle of polished black ink in the inkstone at hand; the confidential order had to be carved by himself, and there happened to be a bunch of green bamboo slips spread out and cut on the side of the long case, and a carving knife on the cloth beside it. If you are thirsty, you will have rice wine, and when you are hot, you will open the doors and windows, and the draft will cool you down immediately; in the summer and autumn when mosquitoes are raging, there must be silently burning moxa ropes around the corners of the house, and in the cold winter , the charcoal in the brazier is always bright and warm... I don’t know which day, Shang Yang suddenly felt that handling official documents in the study at night is very fast, and suddenly realized that he summoned the head of the mansion and wanted to promote the servant of the night deacon Level Rewards!The steward opened his eyes wide in astonishment, "Master Zuo Shu, do you know who is in charge at night?" Shang Yang was always tired of such sloppy and non-positive answers, "Nonsense, why do I need to know?" The steward bowed in trepidation, "Mr Zuo Shu , After the third watch, the princess always takes care of the study." Shang Yang was stunned, but he was speechless for a long time.He was originally against women entering the study room, and instinctively thought that it was a kind of unreasonable disturbance, which was quite different from a servant, but now... Thinking over and over again, Shang Yang silently accepted this kind of care, even he himself couldn't figure it out, How did this change make him accept it?Today, Yingyu came in "blatantly", and he just needed to take a rest.

Yingyu knelt on the top of the long table, smiled slightly, "Husband, how about this scabbard?" She took out a silk bag less than two inches in size from her wide red sleeve, and opened it gently. "Is this a scabbard?" Shang Yang couldn't help teasing, "It's almost like making a scarf." "Wait a minute." Yingyu stretched out her right hand, smiled and picked up the red and yellow thing spread on the silk with her two fingers. With a slight shake, an almost transparent belt hung straight down with a peculiar slight sound! Shang Yang was surprised. He took the "belt" from Yingyu's hand and looked at it carefully. He knew that it was a scabbard made of leather.The peculiar sound came from both sides of the scabbard and the blade.When you open it, you can see that the two sides are sewn with silver thread as thin as a hair.Even the thin, almost transparent leather is unimaginably flexible.Shang Yang looked at it repeatedly, but he couldn't see what kind of rare animal skin it was.On the top of the scabbard hang two buckles wrapped in copper sheets, which are also very delicate.

"Can't you see it?" Yingyu smiled mischievously, "This is the first layer of rhinoceros hide. An ordinary craftsman can't peel it so thinly. I sewed the silver thread, and the rest were made by Shangfang. Hey, don't worry, I paid five thousand and a half taels, it's not illegal." "The scabbard is certainly exquisite, but there are such thin swords in the world, just for fun." Shang Yang obviously didn't think about spending five thousand yuan to make a plaything. "Who wants to play? Take out the sword at your waist." Yingyu yelled coquettishly.

Shang Yang was surprised, could it be that Yingyu made this scabbard for this plain female sword?For more than ten years, he has never talked about the origin of this plain female sword.Moreover, this sword is wrapped around his waist, which looks like a ribbon, and he has always been dressed in white. Almost no one has noticed that there is a rare sword around his waist, but how does Yingyu know?And it seems to already know.Shang Yang looked at Yingyu, and silently untied the Su Nu sword from his waist.Yingyu took the sword, inserted it into the scabbard, swung the hilt, and the copper-clad buckle caught the buckle with a "click", and the scabbard became one, it was seamless! "Let's see for yourself, is it suitable?" Yingyu smiled and handed over the hilt. As soon as he put his hands together, Shang Yang knew that the sheath matched the sword perfectly, neither loose nor slippery nor tight nor astringent nor soft nor hard nor long nor short.This plain female sword was originally a naked sword, after a hundred years, the luster has naturally worn away, so the sword bearer must be careful at all times to prevent the naked sword from hurting itself.Now this scabbard set not only protects the luster of the edge of this famous sword, but also saves a lot of inconvenience for the owner to move.What's even better is that taking the sheath does not affect the unique way of the Su Nv Sword as a belt saber.Yingyu leaned over and tied the Su Nu sword around Shang Yang's waist with her own hands. A faintly shiny pale yellow exquisite "belt" made the owner even more elegant! Yingyu clapped her hands happily, "That's good! Sister Bai must be happy to see it." Shang Yang couldn't help being stunned, "You? You know...Bai Xue?" Yingyu's face was flushed, and she smiled shyly: "I only found out after three months of marrying you. Sister Bai is a good person, a rare and wonderful woman..." Yingyu said, tears welled up in her eyes, "Husband, pick up Sister Bai Come to Xianyang. Let's live together. She has lived alone for more than ten years, and she has a husband and a son...it's unfair to treat her like this." Shang Yang's eyes were wet, and he couldn't help hugging Yingyu. However, at that time, the capital was to be moved, the new army had to be trained, and Shang Yang was so busy that he could only rest for one or two hours a day. How could he have the time to deal with such a major event that he had to handle personally?His gray hair on the temples was quietly born in those few years.This unforgettable event has been delayed again and again until today... Suddenly, "Oh-ho!" A roar came from the river.Jing Nan! Shang Yang got up abruptly, only to see a faint figure of people by the river in the twilight, and from time to time there were low and violent slashing sounds!With a vertical leap, Shang Yang jumped onto a large boulder next to him, looked around carefully, and found no sign of an ambush, so he jumped off the boulder to rescue Jingnan. "Shang Jun, can you leave?" A man with a black cloth mask was in charge! "Who are you? What do you want to do?" Seeing that the other party knew his identity, Shang Yang already understood that these people were definitely not thieves and robbers, so he really wanted to hear his self-report. "Who am I? Hmph, after I get your head, I will announce it to the world." Shang Yang laughed loudly, "It can be announced to the world, and it can be regarded as a hero. Why don't you take off the mask and let me know when I die?" The masked man sneered, "I'm not a hero, but I want you, a hero, to splatter Xiaoshan with blood. Shang Yang, Shang Yang, God has blessed you with great talent, but not with swordsmanship and martial arts. That dumb Jing Nan can't make it through , you cut off the head yourself, lest I get rough and lose my status as Shangjun." Shang Yang also sneered, "In this way, your master's swordsmanship is extraordinary? However, I always like to punish assassins, and I want to bring you back to Xianyang Ming for punishment. What should I do?" "Shang Yang! I know you love torture, and today I will kill you, a criminal idiot, to show the kingship of the world!" The masked man shouted angrily, leaped in the air, and pierced his chest with a shining long sword.Unexpectedly, in the midst of this, with a hoarse roar, a group of dazzling sword lights flew over like meteors, and with a soft "噗!" Burst out a piece of sparks on the boulder! The masked man was shocked, let out a long cry, and disappeared without a trace. Jing Nan who rushed over kept roaring, obviously scolding these assassins. It turned out that what Jing Nan brought this time was the Chi You Tianyue Sword.On the battlefield in Hexi, Young Master Ang volunteered Chi You Sword to Shang Yang in order to survive.Shang Yang originally wanted to hand over this ancient famous sword to Gongziqian himself, so as to relieve Gongziqian's hatred for him.But three visits were rejected behind closed doors.In desperation, Shang Yang asked Qin Xiaogong to hand it over, but Qin Xiaogong smiled disapprovingly, "The Chiyou sword is originally an ancestral inheritance of the Ying clan, and it is useless if you want it. Today, I specially gave it to Shangjun for self-defense. Excalibur**, Only a great hero can conquer it." But this Chi You sword is a magic weapon on the battlefield, and it is an eyesore when it grows up, so how can Shang Yang wear it and walk between the court and the opposition?After much thought, Shang Yang handed the Chi You Sword to Jing Nan.One is that Jingnan's mighty power matches Chi Youjian's spirit, and the other is that Jingnan is his personal bodyguard, which makes sense for the monarch and his courtiers.Jing Nan was a "soldier idiot" by nature, but when he got the Chi You Sword, he was so excited that he worshiped him like a god, practicing the unique usage of the Crescent Moon Sword every day.First practiced with the famous curved sword "Wu Hook" of Chu State, and then changed to Chi You Sword after taking advantage of it.Although it has not reached the level of Gongziqian, it can be used proficiently.Jing Nan is a professional swordsman, and the sword is always on his body, which is the iron rule of action. When he goes to the river to fetch water, he also carries his sword with him. The moment Jing Nan bent down to draw water, six sharp swords sprang out from the rocks and bushes, stabbing at him all at once! Jing Nan was not congenitally deaf-mute, his hearing was excellent, and when he bent down, he could already hear Tianyue Sword faintly trembling in its scabbard.When there was a sword wind in the mountain rock, he instinctively drew the sword with his left hand, drawing an arc behind him!When he picked up the water bag with his right hand and turned around, the six long swords had all been chopped off.Jing Nan yelled repeatedly, letting Shang Yang hear and watch out, while chasing and killing six panicked assassins.Judging from the unusually sensitive vertical jumping skills between the mountains and rocks, the assassin is by no means an ordinary swordsman.But they are afraid of Jingnan's Tianyue Sword, they only have the power to parry and avoid it.Jing Nan danced the Tianyue Sword into a ray of light, and the sword wind reached five or six feet away. The assassins did not dare to approach, and Jing Nan had no intention of chasing and killing, so he rushed to Shang Yang's side with the sword. From three zhang away, seeing the masked man jumping up and stabbing, Jing Nan threw a flying throw, the Tianyue sword whistled loudly, and a ball of white light shot flying, and actually intercepted the masked man's length sword!This is the unique way of bending the sword, with proper strength, the bending sword can shoot like a round "sword cake", and the light of the sword soars like a bright moon! It was also the first time for Shang Yang to witness the power of the Tianyue Sword, and he couldn't help being amazed. Jing Nan made wow wow gestures, and Shang Yang couldn't help but fell into deep thought.He knew what Jing Nan meant. The masked man's concealment technique was very weird. As far as he knew, it was only available in an ancient sword-making sect in Chu State. This group of assassins must have something to do with Chu State!However, if Chu State wanted to kill him, would he use such a method?Shang Yang couldn't believe Jing Nan's judgment, his thoughts drifted far, far away...