Chapter 87 Section 7 Qin Xiaogong Dreams of Breaking the Guan River

During the spring plowing ceremony, Qin Xiaogong became seriously ill. People thought that after the winter, the monarch's condition would naturally be relieved a lot.But no one expected that Qin Xiaogong would be in critical condition precisely in this season of warm spring and flowers blooming!Crown Prince Ying Si presided over the ceremony of starting farming, but there was no jubilation as in previous years, and the courtiers were unable to laugh heavily.That night, Qin Xiaogong took Shang Yang's hand and said, "Tomorrow, go, Han, Gu, Guan." Then he fell into a coma.The prince looked at Shang Yang in surprise and bewilderment, not daring to speak.With tears in his eyes, Shang Yang held Xiaogong's hands, choked up and nodded.

Ying Si whispered: "Shang Jun, can you do it?" Shang Yang sighed, "Since the recovery of Hexi, Your Majesty has not visited Hangu Pass in person. This is the last wish..." In the early morning of this day, Guowei Cheying personally led a thousand cavalry and escorted a convoy out of the east gate of Xianyang.The car in the middle was very large, with thick black cotton curtains hanging on all sides, and the wheels were wrapped in three layers of leather. The four horses walked evenly and smoothly.This is the car that Shang Yang personally supervised and refitted for Qin Xiaogong overnight.Shang Yang and Ying Si rode on horses and walked alongside Xiaogong in his chariot, while the senior official Jing Jian led the other officials to the rear.

In the late spring, grass grows on the Weishui plain, warblers fly and cattle are everywhere.Weeping willows line the wide rammed-earth official road, catkins dance like flying snow, the wheat seedlings in the fields have turned green, the smoke from village cooking is rising, cocks and dogs are faintly heard, and it is a peaceful and happy spring.In less than an hour, the black archery tower of the ancient Liyang is in sight.Shang Yang looked at the car, Qin Xiaogong had asked Xuan Qi to open the cotton curtain, leaning against the thick quilt on the carriage board, staring intently at Liyang, with tears glistening in his eyes.

Ying Si raised his whip and pointed, "Father, Liyang has been renamed Liyi. Her mission has been completed." Qin Xiaogong muttered to himself, "Yongcheng, Liyang, and Xianyang. People from Qin have walked this road for four hundred years." Not far from Liyang to the east, you can see the boundless white saline-alkali beaches on both sides of the Weishui River, and the patches of water in the basil grass are shining with white light.The spring breeze passed by, rolling up the white dust and mist all over the field, and it turned into a howling white hair wind.Xuan Qi was about to put down the car curtain, but Qin Xiaogong took her hand, letting the wind of white hair brush past her face.

Shang Yang raised his whip and pointed at him, "Your Majesty, Qinchuan is eight hundred miles from east to west, and this saline-alkali land is right in the heart. It stretches from the west of Xianyang to Xiagu, near Luoshui, covering an area of ​​several million mu. If the salt-alkali flats become fertile fields, ditches will need to be repaired and water diverted for irrigation. If Qinchuan’s population reaches around 3 million, it will be able to open hundreds of miles of canals. At that time, Qinchuan will be the richest in the world and become The Kingdom of Abundance!" Qin Xiaogong looked at the prince eagerly.Ying Si said loudly: "I will remember it in my heart!"

After crossing Huashan Mountain for more than a hundred miles, the chariots, horses and iron cavalry drove into the Taolin Highland.People say that Kuafu died of thirst every day.Kuafu's cane turned into thousands of peach trees, and this mountain was called "Peach Forest".Every spring, the mountains and valleys here are covered with various peach blossoms, dotted among the green bushes, adding a bit of softness to the wild mountains and plains.In fact, Taolin Heights is a vast mountain plain, reaching Dahe in the north and Luoshui in the south, with ravines and ravines that are extremely closed.The reason why Hangu Pass is dangerous is because it is the entrance and exit of Taolin Heights.The Hangu Pass is at the entrance to the east of the canyon, and it is already an insurmountable Xingsheng Fortress.However, after entering Hangu Pass, one has to cross the only dangerous canyon road tens of miles long in the Taolin Heights before entering the east end of Guanzhong Pingchuan.This is the fundamental reason why Hangu Pass became the number one fortress in the world.Qin Xiaogong has been in the army for a long time, but he has never personally visited Hangu Pass, which is haunted by dreams and souls.Because it was occupied by Wei State for more than 50 years.After Shang Yang regained Hexi, he was going to make an inspection tour, but he couldn't spare a whole time, so he delayed again and again.It was not until he was dying of illness that he realized how big a shortcoming it was.

Cars and horses rattled through the canyons of Taolin Heights.Qin Xiaogong leaned on the carriage excitedly, and ordered his servants to take off the roof tarpaulin and open the curtains on all sides.Looking around, there is a line of blue sky above the head, and the green hills on both sides of the bank stand between each other. The cavalry can only form pairs, and the vehicles can only travel one way.Two horses have been removed from his car, and he has to carefully avoid the rocks and dead trees that are within reach.Qin Xiaogong looked at the high mountains on both sides, and couldn't help laughing: "Mr. Shang, even if the enemy troops enter Hangu Pass, as long as there are thousands of soldiers and horses on the high mountains and valleys, they can be regarded as an army of one hundred thousand!"

"With this natural danger, Qinchuan is the Jincheng Tangchi." Shang Yang also laughed behind the car. "Look! Hangu Pass—!" Ying Si raised his whip in surprise and pointed at Taniguchi. At this time, the canyon was slightly wider, and looking at the mouth of the valley, I saw a castle stuck between two mountains standing tall, the black "Qin" battle flag fluttering in the wind, the soldiers on the tower with bright armor and spears like a forest, and the horns of the horns were long and loud. echoed through the valley.In a moment, horseshoes were like rain, and a group of knights came galloping and dismounted from their saddles, "Hangu Pass guard Sima Cuo, led his deputy to see the emperor! See the empress! See the prince! See the Shang!" The young generals reported their numbers and saluted.

Qin Xiaogong stood up with the help of the carriage, "Generals, please get up. Come, go to Hangu Pass." He knew that neither a cart nor a horse could reach the pass city like this.Although he was ill and fragmented, he still had to go to Hangu Pass in person. "Wait a minute, Your Majesty." Sima waved wrongly, and a group of pawns carrying a wooden couch came quickly behind him, "Your Majesty, please come to the couch." After saying that, he came to help him himself. Qin Xiaogong shook his hand, his face glowed red with excitement, "No need. I want to walk up Hangu Pass by myself!"

Shang Yang waved to Sima Cuo.Sima Cuo thought for a while, and waved his hand, and the soldiers stood in two rows beside the road, in an emergency posture.Knowing Xiaogong's character, Xuan Qi smiled and said, "Everyone go on your own, I'll take care of you." Then he put a black fur coat on Qin Xiaogong, and gently helped him to the tall stone ladder of Hangu Pass. Ascending Hangu Pass, it is the evening when the sun is leaning against the mountains and the sky is full of rays of light.Hangu Pass is on the top of the mountain, looking around, the vast distant mountains are dyed like blood and fire by the setting sun, the torrential river in the east lies across the endless wilderness, and the villages woven by wisps of cooking smoke seem to be floating in the vast sea. The sky and the earth are vast and vast, deep and boundless.

Qin Xiaogong supported the parapet of the crenel, and suddenly tears filled his eyes.A majestic picture scroll appeared in front of his eyes: One hundred thousand cavalry stepped out of Hangu Pass!As pointed by the black banner, the army flooded across the field like a tide!Eight hundred miles in one day, sweeping Zhou Dynasty Luoyang, South Korea Xinzheng, and Wei State Daliang in one fell swoop; crossing the Huai River, Chu State Yingdu is just around the corner; northward to Hewai, a partial division surprises Zhao Yan, and it is like breaking a bamboo.The army advances eastward, and the Qi State will be decisively fought three thousand miles away, and the Central Plains can be settled with one drum... Qin Xiaogong sighed deeply, God, God, if you give me another 20 years, Yingqu Liang will be the gold and iron horse to settle the Central Plains, end this endless disaster, and return the people of the world to live and work in peace and contentment.When is it not a holiday?To make Ying Quliang's ambition of conquering the whole world and sweeping the world, including the universe, turn into water flowing eastward?God, God, how unfair you are... "Your Majesty!" Shang Yang suddenly heard Qin Xiaogong's heavy breathing and felt something strange. As soon as the words fell, Qin Xiaogong suddenly spurted out a stream of blood, and his body limp and fell backwards! Xuan Qi screamed, embraced Xiao Gong, hugged him tightly in his arms, and sat down on the ground. Qin Xiaogong opened his eyes, stretched out his hand to hold Shang Yang, and panted heavily, "Shang Jun, I will help you in life and death...I, but I have to go first. I can't, what a pity to share the great cause with you..." "Your Majesty..." Shang Yang burst into tears, sobbing choked up. "Si'er," Qin Xiaogong took the crown prince's hand and placed it in Shang Yang's hand, "Mr. Shang, the world is the most important thing. Ying Si can be supported, but he can be supported. If you can't be supported, you can be the king of Qin. Definitely..." "Your Majesty!" Shang Yang was overwhelmed with shock and grief, and couldn't help weeping bitterly, "The prince is a generation of enlightened emperors, and your majesty is relieved..." Qin Xiaogong struggled and panted, "Xuan Qi, remember, my words... Mozi, master..." "Brother, I remember, I remember..." Xuan Qi held Duke Xiao in his arms, and suddenly burst into tears. Qin Xiaogong slowly let go of his hands, and collapsed into Xuan Qi's arms, but "looked" at Ying Si with his eyes wide open! "Father—!" Ying Si trembled all over, cried out, and gently wiped the eyes of Father-in-Law with trembling hands... The surrounding ministers and Hangu Pass officers and soldiers knelt down in awe. Facing the setting sun in Cangshan Mountain, the two long rows of horns at the head of the city whimpered and neighed. In 338 BC, Qin Xiaogong Ying Quliang passed away at the age of forty-five. Shang Yang suddenly stood up, "All ministers, workers and soldiers, in this critical period, no mourning or mourning is allowed. Everything is as usual, and nothing is allowed to be leaked." With a wave of Jing Jian's hand, the mourning from the top of the city suddenly stopped. Shang Yang inspected the crowd, and immediately began to order, "Guo Wei Che Ying, immediately take five hundred cavalry to escort the prince back to Xianyang day and night, and join forces with Xianyang Commander Wang Shi to closely guard the capital. But if there is a riot, arrest him immediately!" "Obey!" Che Ying strode down the city. "The guard of Hangu Pass, Sima Cuo, immediately block Hangu Pass, and the envoys and merchants of the six countries are not allowed to leave the pass!" "Obey!" Sima turned around wrongly and gave an order, and the gate of Hangu Pass closed rumblingly. "Shang Dafu Jingjian, lead the accompanying ministers, servants and five hundred cavalry to protect the emperor, and return to Xianyang immediately!" "Obey!" Jing Jian turned around with big strides, and immediately deployed. Shang Yang turned around and said to Ying Si: "Prince, you should go back to Xianyang first to settle down and do a good job in the affairs of the state. I will escort you to the next step, and you can go back to Xianyang for the funeral." Ying Si bowed deeply, "It's too much trouble, Mr. Shang." Turning around, he bowed to Xiaogong's body and left with tears. Three days later, a grand funeral was held in Xianyang, the capital of Qin, and the sad news of the unfortunate death of the monarch was announced to the people of the country. Xianyang City suddenly fell into boundless sorrow and sobs.The four-door archery tower is filled with white flags, and huge white flags hang down.Facing the north gate of Duke Xiao's cemetery, a white cloth banner that almost covered half of the city wall was hung—it hurts Duke Qin through the ages! On the day of the funeral, all the people of the country wore sackcloth and wrapped their heads in filial piety cloth, and lined the road leading to Beiban to pay their respects.The sound of crying bitterly resounded through the mountains.The people of Qin have sacred reverence for this monarch who gave them wealth, glory, dignity and strength.No matter women, children, young or old, almost everyone can tell a few stories about the monarch who is diligent in government, loves the people, wears clothes and eats food. The people of Qin have heartfelt grief for the monarch's premature death in his prime.No one started, no one gave orders, and the people of Qin didn't know much about complicated etiquette. They only saw off their king with their own unique simplicity and honesty.On both sides of the avenue, there are various sacrifices spontaneously brought up by the people of various counties. The heads of cattle, sheep, and pigs are all tied up with red cloth and neatly placed on the stone slabs beside the road.Dough people, noodle beasts, noodle cakes, dried fruits, dried meat, and so on.On the ten-mile official road from the north gate of Xianyang to the cemetery, the sacrifices were arranged like a long river.Every once in a while, there are old people sitting in a circle on straw mats, holding Tao Xun, bamboo chi, wooden clappers, and tiles, and playing the tragic music of "Qin Feng", which is unbearable to listen to. All of this is in line with what Confucius said about the funeral, "It is better to have more than enough rites than to mourn enough, but to have more than enough to mourn." When the sun rises to the top of the mountain, a simple and grand funeral procession sets out at the north gate of Xianyang.In the front line is a thousand-man infantry team in white clothes and armor holding high a white banner.After that, there are six rows of mourning and filial sons of the sons and daughters of the official family.Qin Xiaogong's hearse was covered with a large black cloth, and it was slowly moving forward pulled by four white horses.The crown prince Ying Si wore hemp and filial piety and walked forward with the coffin in his hands.Xuan Qi and Ying Yu were holding the coffin left and right behind the hearse and crying bitterly.The four red-clothed wizards held their swords, and repeatedly shouted in a deep and melodious voice: "The lord is back, let me rest in peace——!" (After the abolition of human sacrifice, the pottery figurines became servants who followed the princes and nobles to the Netherworld).After the terracotta chariot came Shang Yang in white clothes and a white horse, followed by envoys from various countries and a procession of hundreds of officials on foot.The last white phalanx was the three thousand cavalry led by Che Ying.They held up their white spears, like a forest of white spears. The funeral long queue marched to the foot of Beibanyuan.All of a sudden, the clear sky was dark and cloudy, the thunder was rumbling, and the rustling rain enveloped the Xianyang field in an instant!The Beiban official road is long and steep, and the porcelain-solid rammed earth road surface is suddenly smooth and bright.The horse's hoof of the explorer knight slipped a few feet, and five or six war horses fell down in a row.The road is slippery in the rain, how does the hearse get on the six-mile-long slope?Prince Yingsi and the funeral ministers were at a loss what to do, they knelt together in the rain, begging God to show mercy.The envoys of various countries stood on the side of the road and watched indifferently. According to the ancient custom, heavy rain at a funeral means that God sheds tears, which is not a "broken mourning" in itself.However, if this prevents or disrupts the funeral as usual, it will be a big "broken funeral" and will often attract endless criticism.This is exactly what the envoys of various countries are looking forward to. They hope that the world will regard Qin Xiaogong as a tyrant who "suffered from heaven". How could Shang Yang not know this situation?He rode forward and came to the front to check in person, hoping to come up with a solution. At this moment, hundreds of white-haired old men rushed in from the rain, and behind them was a large group of shirtless men lined up neatly!They knelt together in front of the road, and an old man at the head shouted loudly: "Heaven is raining heavily, God is sad! We are waiting for the people, please carry Qin Gong's hearse up the mountain—!" Shang Yang was very surprised. He got off his horse and saw that it was the old patriarch of the Bai clan in Mei County!He didn't care to say more, and asked with tears in his eyes: "Dare to ask the old man, the hearse is huge, and the weather is rainy and the road is slippery, how do you carry it?" The old man suddenly stood up, turned around and shouted: "Fathers, get out of the way—!" The old people moved away in an uproar, and a huge wooden frame made of thick logs criss-crossing appeared in the road!The old man waved his hand again, and more than a dozen shirtless men clattered and clattered, and another thick layer of planks was laid on the wooden frame. The old man turned around and knelt down, "Mr. Shang, please invite the hearse of the monarch!" With tears in his eyes, Shang Yang ordered in a hissed voice, "The hearse is on the shelves—!" The black hearse rumbled onto the wooden frame.The imperial hand unloaded the horse neatly. The old man took out a small white flag from his bosom and shouted, "The descendants of Mei County listen up! Thirty people go forward and dig a foot hole! First lift, ninety-nine people, go up—!" Hearing a "Hi!" from the shirtless phalanx, four rows of strong men holding big sticks and thick ropes stood out in awe, and quickly stood around the wooden frame, "Boom! Boom! Boom!" three times With a loud bang, the big rope fell down in a uniform order-knotted the wooden frame tightly-the big bar was inserted into the noose.A series of movements, neat and neat, is worthy of the old Qin people with long military traditions! The rain is boundless, and the world is solemn.The old patriarch of the Bai clan bowed deeply to the hearse, raised the command flag, stomped his foot down, and yelled, "Old Qin——!" "Send off the king—!" The brawny men cried out, and the wooden hearse rose steadily. "My lord—!" With a chant, I burst into tears. "Go early—!" Echoed in unison, and the crowd cried bitterly. "Good day—!" The rain and mist rustled, and the sky and the earth changed color. "Where is the Lord—!" The women and children joined hands, but the boy was silent. ... The heavy rain was torrential, white crowds surged all over the mountains and plains, echoing passionate and painful cries all over the mountains and plains. The six-mile-long Beiban, walked for an entire hour amidst the heart-piercing chant and crying of the old Qin people. When the hearse was surrounded by thousands of people and carried up to the wild and gray Beiban, the wind blew away the clouds and the red sun was shining brightly. The envoys of the Shandong countries were stunned.Who has seen such a funeral?Who has seen such popularity?In their memory, since the Warring States period, Zhao Suhou's funeral was the most solemn: each of the six great powers sent 10,000 cavalry to form a large phalanx to protect the funeral. Extremely.But when I thought about it afterwards, it was all just a ostentation of "more than enough courtesy and not enough mourning". How could it be compared to this countryman who bravely raised his spirit for the king and went up to Liuli Beiban in the heavy rain?How can it compare to the mourning that shakes the whole country?How can it be compared to this boundless turbulent cry? If the Qin people are like this, how will the world be safe?