November of the third year of Zhongping of the Great Han Kingdom (186 AD).

＝

Wang Guo, Huang Yan, Wudu, and Ma Teng stood in the big tent, their hearts pounding.

The military tent was in a mess, and the soldiers guarding the nine sheepskins were all killed with a single sword, and they were all drenched in blood and miserable.

Ma Teng retracted his gaze, glared at Huang Yan beside him, and asked, "You see, things are getting more and more troublesome." Why do you want to kill Lao Bian? Why? He's dying, how many days will he live? ”

Wu Du reached out and pulled Ma Teng's sleeve, signaling him to pay attention to the tone of his voice.

Huang Yan glanced at him and said expressionlessly: "Lao Bian's influence in Xiliang is too great, and his death, of course, will cause a series of shocks, which is normal." He pointed to the corpse in the big tent and said, "This person who robbed the nine sheepskins has very high martial arts, is there such a person in the army?" ”

The kingdom didn't understand this, and he turned his eyes to Ma Teng and Wu Du. The two men shook their heads.

Wu Du said with trepidation: "One person kills so much, only the legendary leopard has this kung fu." In Xiliang, no military general has this martial arts, and if there is, he is also a hermit like Fan Zhi and Zhang Ce. He glanced at the kingdom and asked suspiciously, "What did you do with the Nine Sheepskins?" Could it be that Nie Xiao sent someone to do it? What does he know about Nine Sheepskin? He didn't know anything. ”

Ma Teng glared at Huang Yan and sneered: "There is always someone who knows who killed Lao Bian." ”

Old friends died one after another, and Ma Teng was very sad and angry. He thought that Huang Yan sent someone to kill Bian Zhang, and then blamed Beigong Boyu. Han Sui, who was furious, didn't know the truth and killed Beigong Boyu again. So he hated Han Sui and hated Huang Yan even more.

Huang Yan smiled slightly and said, "Shoucheng misunderstood. I really didn't send someone to kill Bian Zhang, I can swear to God. ”

The kingdom sighed sadly and walked out of the tent. As he walked, he said to Ma Teng: "Lao Bian died a normal death, and none of us sent anyone to kill him." After he was injured, he stayed up for several months, and the oil had run out, and he had reached the limit. ”

Ma Teng can not believe Huang Yan, but he absolutely believes in the kingdom. He hurriedly walked out of the big tent and asked in a low voice, "Sir......"

The kingdom looked at Huang Yan and said, "Lord Huang, let's tell Shou Cheng and Yi An the ins and outs of this matter." Shou Cheng misunderstood the adults very much, let's make it clear, lest he always resent us in the future and think that Lao Bian was killed by us. ”

Huang Yan nodded and explained: "You know, the fact that Bian Zhang's army has been able to survive in the past two years is inseparable from the strong support of several wealthy families in Jincheng. So we sent people to Jincheng to contact the Yan family and the Zhang family and other major families, and prepared to ask them to come forward to put pressure on Bian Zhang and force him to give up the position of the marshal. I didn't tell you this, and it was for the sake of secrecy, and it didn't mean anything else. At that time, we had a big grasp. With the persuasion of the heads of several major families in Jincheng, coupled with Mr. Wang's own prestige, knowledge and financial resources, it will definitely not be a problem for Bian Zhang to give up his seat to Mr. Wang. ”

"However, things in the world are so mysterious and mysterious." Huang Yan sighed, "We just got in touch with these family heads, and before we could talk about it in detail, Bian Zhang suddenly died. What is especially amazing is that Bian Zhang died after drinking the beef bone soup sent by Beigong Boyu. Coincidentally, this is pure coincidence. ”

Huang Yan looked at Ma Teng with a surprised face, and shook his head again and again: "This coincidence is unbelievable, it seems to be fake when you say it." After hearing the news, several family heads immediately made a plan to deceive Han Sui and trap Beigong Boyu. It's as simple as that. Shoucheng, think about it, from the start of the war in Yicheng to the death of Mr. Bian, it was only a few days? Han Sui's son-in-law is by Bian Zhang's side every day, what can I do to kill him? ”

"Didn't Lao Bian be poisoned?" Wu Du asked in surprise.

"Poisoned?" Huang Yan smiled and said, "How is it possible." Han Sui was worried about an accident, so he specially arranged for his son-in-law Yan Xing to return to Jincheng to protect Mr. Bian. Yan Xing was careful and meticulous, and the food and tea that Mr. Bian ate had to be inspected by him personally. Mr. Bian was poisoned, but it was just a lie of the wealthy family of Jincheng to deceive Han Sui and force Han Sui to slaughter Beigong Boyu. ”

Ma Teng and Wu Du looked at each other, and their hearts were very shocked. They found the news even more surprising than hearing the news of Bian Zhang's death.

Huang Yan looked at the kingdom and said worriedly: "Judging from the fact that someone broke into the camp at night and hijacked the Nine Sheepskins, there is a problem within our army, and the problem is very serious. Bian Zhang's death has a very big impact on everyone, especially on some generals who command the army. The subsequent incident of Han Sui's attack on and killing Beigong Boyu and Li Wenhou directly led to a split within the army. Although we have spent a lot of money to stop the division of the army and stabilize the morale of the army, the problem still exists. In order to get out of this dangerous situation as soon as possible, I think it is better to attack the city as soon as possible. ”

The kingdom groaned for a moment and said, "Do you want to wait a few more days?" Now the army is unstable, and the soldiers are suspicious of each other, especially Beigong Boyu's subordinates, who seem to have a deep grudge with Han Sui. Although these people were temporarily suppressed by us with strong means, they were not convinced in their hearts, and they were still provoking Han Sui intentionally or unintentionally in the past few days, intending to provoke disputes. I think we should make some efforts to win them over first. If you like money, you can pull them over first. ”

"No, attack immediately. Only by taking the city can they divert their attention and avoid more serious infighting. Huang Yan said resolutely.

＝

What the real name of the nine sheepskins is, no one knows. His father is Han and his mother is Qiang, and he has been a slave to Qiang since he was a child. Beigong Boyu once fought in order to grab salt and burn Dangqiang. Beigong Boyu didn't bring many people at that time, and he lost the battle, and he himself was almost killed by the people who burned Dangqiang. Later, Nine Sheepskins rescued him and fled with him to Huangzhong. Beigong Boyu admires him very much and has always treated him as his little brother.

After the nine sheepskins were thrown into the Weishui River by Jiang Wu, they quickly swam to the other side and ran all the way north. At this time, Li Hong's army was wandering nearby, and several of the scouts knew Jiuyangpi and immediately arrested him. Li Hong had met with Nine Sheepskin several times, liked his straightforwardness and agility, and heard that he had been caught by his own men, so he hurriedly led people to Scout Tun.

Nine sheepskin saw Li Hong crying bitterly.

"My lord, Mr. Bian is dead."

Li Hong was taken aback, and his heart was shocked.

"Brother Shi and Brother Wenhou went to Yunwu to mourn and were killed by Han Sui in the mourning hall."

Li Hong was dumbfounded and stammered. His heart was beating violently, and he vaguely felt a rush of excitement in his heart.

Nine sheepskins told Li Hong about Bian Zhang's sudden death and Han Sui's attack on Beigong Boyu and Li Wenhou.

"My lord, I was wronged, I really didn't kill Mr. Bian, and Brother Shi wouldn't kill him. Mrs. Bian drank a little bit of the can of beef bone soup, and I also drank a little bit at that time, it was Han Sui's son-in-law Yan Xing, and Mr. Bian also gave him a bowl. None of us died, but Mr. Bian did. I don't understand, how could Mr. Bian be poisoned by us? Han Sui, a villain, in order to snatch the position of the marshal of the Xiliang Army, disregarded his brotherly affection and attacked the eldest brother of Beigong, he was too shameless. ”

Li Hong stood up, lowered his head, and walked back and forth in the military tent, speechless for a long time.

Pound was very sad when he heard that Bian Zhang had died. He quietly walked out of the tent, squatted on the ground and hid his face and wept.

Nine sheepskins continued to recount what happened later in the camp of Yicheng.

Han Sui knew that he had killed Bian Zhang and Brother Shi, lost his prestige and military spirit in Xiliang, and it was difficult to get everyone's support, so after he returned to the Yicheng camp, he strongly recommended Wang Guo as the commander of the army. Fearing that we would avenge Brother Shi, the kingdom and Han Sui turned against us and commanded an army to surround us. The kingdom forced Nie Xiao, and Camel and a group of large and small commanders submitted to him and obeyed his orders. Lao Nie was forced by the current situation, and had no choice but to take everyone to bow his head. But if this revenge is not avenged, are we still human? ”

Nine sheepskin's eyes widened, glared at Li Hong and said, "We have decided to return to Lord Shun." ”

Li Hong looked at the angry Nine Sheepskins, and suddenly trembled all over his body, and his emotions of fear and excitement hit him fiercely like a stormy wave, and the continuous impact made his heart surge. Li Hong suddenly felt a suffocation, and his breathing suddenly became short.

If Nie Xiao decides to take all the Qiang people who belong to him to launch a mutiny and defect to the battle, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to break the enemy. He has 50,000 people, plus Beigong Boyu's 40,000 people, and his own men and horses have 90,000 people, which has slightly surpassed the rebels in terms of numbers, and Nie Xiao defected to the battle, and with a backhand blow, the blow to the rebels was almost devastating. The obvious odds of winning and the huge temptation made it difficult for Li Hong to control his emotions. He frowned, walking back and forth in the tent, restless. If this is a trap set by the rebels, their 50,000 army will be defeated, and after the whole army is annihilated, Guanzhong and Kansai will also give up.

"Your Excellency, don't you believe us?" Seeing that Li Hong only lowered his head and pondered, he had not spoken, he was very disappointed, and he said in frustration, "In this case, it is normal for adults not to believe us. It's a pity ......."

Li Hong raised his eyes to look at him, but still did not speak.

"The Battle of Linghe, the adults did not kill us, but tried their best to spare our lives, and later the adults recruited us as soldiers in order to keep us fed and clothed, we are not fools, nor idiots, we are grateful for what the adults have done for us. For so many years, as long as we are Han people, whether they are officials or ordinary soldiers, they don't treat us as human beings. Only the adults and their men look at us as brothers, and value our lives more than your own. We will never forget the kindness of adults to us. ”

"Now, we have betrayed you, but we have the audacity to come to your rescue, hoping for your help, we are indeed excessive."

With tears in his eyes, he suddenly shouted, "My lord, we just want revenge, we want revenge." ”

He rolled over and knelt down, tore open his shirt vigorously, revealing the scars from the torture, and cried bitterly: "My lord, we beg you, help us once." Although we may all die in battle, we have taken revenge, and the adults can also take the opportunity to relieve the siege of Yicheng and hit the kingdom and Han Sui hard. My lord, please believe us once, Mr. Bian is dead, and Big Brother Beigong and Big Brother Wenhou are also dead, can't their deaths allow us to gain the trust of adults? ”

Li Hong had no way to make an accurate judgment at all, his heart was fluctuating, he hesitated, he was afraid, he thought of the lives of 50,000 people, he couldn't make a decision, he was at a loss.

He stared blankly at the weeping Nine Sheepskins, silent.

Nine sheepskins were completely disappointed.

He was helpless and sad, he raised his hands and opened his mouth to shout: "Sir......, big brother......, open your eyes and see, I have worked hard, we can only sacrifice your dead with our own blood......"

Li Hong heard the shouts of the Nine Sheepskins and knew that if Nie Xiao didn't have his help, he would also launch a rebellion in order to take revenge. He believed in Lao Nie in his heart, but he had 50,000 lives on his shoulders, and he couldn't let 50,000 of his subordinates take this risk because of his own wishes and because of his likes and dislikes. Once you fail, once you win, the price is blood and life.

Li Hong patted the shoulder of the nine sheepskin vigorously and strode out of the military tent.

From beginning to end, he didn't say a word.

＝

Li Hong moved with his army to a valley.

"Is Nine Sheepskin okay?" Li Hong looked at the stream in the valley, washed his face, and asked Pang Dedao.

Pound's expression was gloomy and he nodded slightly. Li Hong sighed, wanting to comfort him, but he didn't know what to say, he was very depressed in his heart, and his mind was in chaos. He plunged his head into the stream.

"My lord, don't you believe Nie Xiao?" Pound asked.

Li Hong looked puzzled and did not answer. He sat motionless by the stream, letting the water from his long hair spill on the hem of his clothes.

"Adult ......"

Li Hong smiled bitterly and said: "50,000 people, I am responsible for the lives of 50,000 people, I can't make up my mind." ”

Zhao Yun came over and handed Li Hong an urgent book. After Li Hong hurriedly read it, his face became even more gloomy.

Xian Yufu came to the book, and he told Li Hong that Xiao Lazy had escorted the grain and grass to Zixiu Mountain, accompanied by the four adults who came to the army. He met privately with Liu Yu's son, Liu He. Liu He said that the recent verbal and written criticism of Li Hong by the whole court has reached the point of madness, and the impeachment recitals are piled up in Shangshutai's room. His Majesty had just started to speak for Li Hong, but then after Li Hong refused to release people from the Huaili camp, His Majesty was unhappy. His Majesty took the ransom money and issued a **** edict, but Li Hong did not give him face and openly resisted the decree, which made His Majesty very annoyed. Now that His Majesty no longer supports Li Hong, Li Hong's situation is very dangerous. If the rebellion in Xiliang cannot be quelled this year, or if the rebels enter Sanfu, waiting for Li Hong's estimation is a certain death. Xian Yufu urged Li Hong to find a fighter as soon as possible and win in danger.

Li Hong was furious. He did something wrong to deserve this fate. He wants to kill people, kill the courtiers who framed him, there are too many villains around the Son of Heaven.

He decided to take a gamble. If he dies, his gang of subordinates will be mixed, and everyone will have an accident. As long as someone takes the lead in rebellion, none of these 50,000 people will end well. Of course, those who rebel and make trouble will be killed, but those soldiers who did not participate in the rebellion will not escape responsibility, they will be implicated, and even if they do not die, they will lose their skin. If this is the case, it is better to lead the army to take the risk and fight the rebels in Yicheng. If Nie Xiao succeeds in defecting, he has at least a seventy percent chance of winning. If he wins, he will not only be able to temporarily get out of the crisis, but his subordinates will also be able to make meritorious deeds and become famous. Lost, whether it was a plan or a mistactic error, 50,000 people died on the battlefield, even if they died, they also died vigorously. It is far better to die on the battlefield than to die in prison, to die on the execution ground, to die on the battlefield of rebellion.

Li Hong weighed it for a long time, and finally planned to take a risk.

＝

Li Hong asked the excited Nine Sheepskin to draw the location of the rebel troops on the ground, and then compared it with the results of his scout's reconnaissance, and then called Tan Nu, dictated his combat deployment to him, and then ordered him to rush back to Zixiu Mountain immediately, verbally explain his strategy to Xian Yufu, and asked Xian Yufu to immediately lead his troops south to Yicheng to participate in the battle.

"Ling Ming, you and Jiu Yangpi immediately cross the river and find a way to sneak into Lao Nie's military camp." Li Hong looked at the Nine Sheepskins standing in the distance, and whispered to Pang De, "Until the last moment, we must not reveal our entire attack strategy to Lao Nie. ”

Pound nodded calmly and said, "Don't worry, my lord, I know what I should do." ”

Li Hong smiled, hugged his shoulders affectionately and said, "If you see that this is a treacherous plan of the rebels, you must leak the fake attack route to Nie Xiao in time, so that our main force can attack smoothly." Once the two armies go to war, you kill them immediately. I believe in your martial arts. ”

Pound said movingly: "I will definitely come back and continue to follow the adults to conquer the world." ”

Li Hong smiled: "Okay, I'll wait for you to come back." ”

The machete took the seal ribbon from Li Hong's hand, carefully put it into his arms, and put it away closely.

"Machete, you rush back to Huaili day and night, hand over my seal ribbon to Zuo Sima and Uncle Tian, and ask them to immediately behead all the corrupt officials in the camp."

The machete and Zhao Yun's faces changed drastically.

"My lord, these people have the **** order of the Son of Heaven, and we can't kill them." Zhao Yun said in a panic.

Li Hong said with a smile: "When I was in Jincheng, I promised Mr. Bian that I must kill these corrupt officials and corrupt officials to comfort the innocent Xiliang who have been humiliated and killed for decades. I swore it. He then sighed and continued, "Killing these people is equivalent to cutting off our 50,000 people. Now, everyone has no other way but to fight to the death and defeat the Xiliang rebels. In this battle, you can only win, not lose. Even if you lose, you will be punished for both crimes, and no one will survive. ”

The machete laughed. He praised: "My lord's trick is really amazing. ”

"After the killing, order Zuo Yan to lead people to Zixiu Mountain immediately."

"What about the prisoner's family?" The machete asked suspiciously, "Bring it to Zixiu Mountain together?" ”

"Shoot and kill. Kill a few thousand people and let those court traitors see, this is the consequence of provoking me. Kill. Li Hong waved his big hand and said categorically.

＝