Xianyang is located in the hinterland of Qinchuan, which is 800 miles away. The Wei River runs through it to the south, and Mount Wei stretches to the north. It has both mountains and rivers, so it is called Xianyang.
Xianyang is the first city in the northwest and also the center of the northwest. At the beginning of the founding of the Northern Han Dynasty, turmoil occurred frequently in the northwest. The Han court repeatedly sent large armies to quell the turmoil in the northwest. Over the years, all the forces that threatened the Northern Han Dynasty in the northwest were almost wiped out. Kong, and because of this, although the Beitang clan took the lead in establishing a country in the north, they were unable to go south to conquer due to the turmoil in the territory. This gave the Xiao clan enough time to sweep across the south and establish the Great Chu Empire.
More than ten years ago, Qu Yuangu was transferred to the northwest as the general to control the west. Since then, the Qu family has settled in the northwest.
In the final analysis, Qu Yuangu was able to be transferred to the northwest because of nepotism. His sister was very beautiful. After entering the palace, she was favored by Beitang Huan, the late emperor of the Northern Han Dynasty, and was promoted to the imperial concubine. The prince Beitang Feng, and after the death of the Queen of the Northern Han Dynasty, Beitang Huan immediately ennobled Concubine Qu as the queen, and the Qu family immediately became the famous relatives of the Northern Han Dynasty.
It was precisely because of Queen Qu that although Qu Yuangu's talents were mediocre or even mediocre, he still rose to prominence and rose steadily in his official career. In the end, he was even named the General of Zhenxi by Jin and was transferred to the northwest to guard the northwest counties.
After Beitang Huan issued the decree, many people petitioned Beitang Huan to take back his order.
In fact, many people know in their hearts that the Beitang clan was relatives of the former Chu Empire. They rebelled and usurped the throne, but now they are using their relatives again, so they inevitably have to be wary of Qu Yuangu.
It's just that Beitang Huan was originally an arbitrary emperor. He didn't know whether it was because he loved Queen Qu too much that he didn't care what others said, or maybe he felt that Qu Yuangu was mediocre and couldn't make any big waves. Qu Yuangu went smoothly. The land reached the northwest and stayed there for more than ten years.
The Qu family has been in trouble for more than ten years in the northwest. At first, some officials from the northwest secretly made trouble to Beitang, impeaching Qu Yuangu and his son for misbehaving in the northwest. They not only exploited the people, but also supported their retainers. But as a result, Qu Yuangu not only They were not punished at all, but officials from Shangzhezi were convicted one after another. From then on, the Qu family became even more confident in the northwest. Although they all hated the Qu family and his son, they were helpless.
Qu Manbao was originally a child of an official family. He had been well-dressed and well-educated since he was a child. He had often bullied men and dominated women when he was young, but he still exercised some restraint. When he arrived in the northwest, he relied on his aunt who was the queen and who was the Zhenxi The general's father was even more unscrupulous. He was already notorious in the northwest, and no one dared to provoke him.
Qu Yuangu led his troops into the pass and took his second son to the army, but left his eldest son Qu Manbao to guard Xianyang.
There were not many people that Qu Manbao was afraid of, but the only one he was afraid of was Qu Yuangu.
Qu Yuangu was born in the military. He had a rough temperament and was unable to teach his children well. When his temper came, he would be whipped with a riding crop. Although Qu Manbao was arrogant, he was still wary of Qu Yuangu. He was fearless outside, but when he returned to the town The Western General's Mansion is still quite restrained.
When Qu Yuangu left, Qu Manbao felt relaxed, his blood was boiling, and he always wanted to stir up something.
He had been toiling in the northwest for many years, bullying men and women too much, but he no longer had much interest. Instead, he focused on Qu Yuangu's concubines.
The Qu family's father and son have a common hobby, which is the endless desire for beauty. Although Qu Yuangu is nearly sixty years old, he has more than a dozen concubines, and all of them are charming.
Few of the women Qu Manbao fell in love with in the northwest could escape his grasp. The only woman he dared not move was Qu Yuangu's woman. He occasionally saw his father's beautiful concubines in the General's Mansion in Zhenxi. Although Qu Manbao was itching in his heart, he did not dare to get involved. This time Qu Yuangu led his troops into the pass, even if everything went well, it would be impossible to return to the northwest within a few months. Therefore, Qu Manbao would take care of everything in the mansion. Those concubines were also taken care of by Qu Manbao.
Qu Manbao behaved himself in the first two days, but on the third night, he secretly sneaked into the room of Qu Yuangu's most beautiful concubine. Publicity.
After a few days, Qu Manbao lost interest and went into the rooms of other concubines. All the concubines in the house knew Qu Manbao's temper. This man was cruel and brutal. If he really resisted him, he would not wait until Qu Yuangu came back. , I'm afraid he will die inexplicably.
In less than two months, six of Qu Yuangu's concubines were raped by Qu Manbao, and no one dared to speak out.
After Qu Manbao's long-cherished wish came true, he was naturally very excited and had sex every day in the Zhenxi General's Mansion. However, he was not a long-term person and soon lost interest after exciting things happened.
Qu Yuangu has been guarding the northwest for many years, and the mansion has maintained many staff. Some of them are taken in by Qu Yuangu himself, but there are also strangers gathered by Qu Manbao.
He indulged in excessive lust, but one of his staff was once a disciple of Taoism and was proficient in the art of alchemy. A few years ago, he secretly offered an elixir to Qu Manbao. After taking the elixir, Qu Manbao felt like a dragon and a tiger, and his whole body was full of power. With all his strength, this staff member became his confidant. No one else knew what he was doing in the house, but this staff member who was a Taoist disciple knew it all.
Qu Manbao was naturally proud of having occupied several of his father's concubines in the palace, but he did not dare to announce this matter to the outside world. He kept it in his heart but felt extremely uncomfortable. The only person who could reveal it was this aide.
It rained in Xianyang. The rain was not heavy, but it was rainy.
Although Qu Manbao was left behind to guard Xianyang, each yamen in Xianyang had its own officials to maintain it, so Qu Manbao didn't have to do anything at all, and everything ran in an orderly manner.
He was bored and lazy, lying on the bench with the stove burning next to it. It was already winter. In the bitter cold land of the northwest, the climate was harsh. Even during the day, it was chilly, but the inside of the house was as warm as spring.
The table was filled with fruits, wine and dishes, but Qu Manbao was not interested at all.
There was a knock on the door, and a voice sounded outside the door: "Young Master, there is a battle report coming from ahead."
"Come in!" Qu Manbao spent these days and nights sneaking into the rooms of his father's concubines. He indulged too much. Although he had taken the elixir, he still felt weak. He sat up slightly and saw the door of the room being pushed open, and the confidant and aide entered. Come, turn around and close the door.
"Daosheng, where is the army?"
The staff member named Daosheng was the one who presented the elixir to Qu Manbao. With a smile on his face, he came over with the military newspaper in his hand and said, "My lord, the good news is coming!" Handing the military newspaper over, Qu Manbao stretched out his hand and said, However, he did not go to receive the military report. Instead, he picked up the wine bottle on the table, took a big sip at the spout, and then said: "I hate looking at things the most. Just tell me what the situation is."
"After the army entered the pass, they conquered the two cities of Baiyang and Shaofu." Daosheng sat down on a chair next to him: "Moreover, the young master personally led the troops to capture these two cities. Now our army's morale is at its peak. If this continues, it will be a matter of time before we capture Luoyang."
Qu Manbao grinned and said, "Okay, this guy Manying is really giving our father Qu a face."
Daosheng said with a faint smile, "The eldest son seems to be very happy."
"Of course I'm happy." Qu Manbao said: "The army is invincible, and Manying has made military exploits. Of course I'm happy... Daosheng, you seem to have something to say, shouldn't I be happy?"
"Of course the eldest son should be happy, and the subordinates are also happy." Daosheng sighed: "But... eldest son, please forgive me for speaking frankly, but I feel that if this continues, it may not be of any benefit to the eldest son."
"Benefits?" Qu Manbao frowned and said: "After the northwest army captured Luoyang, they supported Beitangfeng to ascend the throne. When the time comes, our Qu family has contributed to supporting us, and Beitangfeng dare not not reward us. When my father left, he still He said that when he comes back, he will be crowned king and prime minister."
Daosheng nodded and said: "My subordinates are actually thinking the same thing as the eldest son. If Luoyang is successfully captured, the third prince will definitely ascend the throne as the emperor. The general's contribution is indispensable, and being granted the title of prince is nothing."
Qu Manbao said with a smile: "That's right, that's right. I heard that Beitang Hao is a very handsome boy and has collected several beauties from all over the country. I have already told Man Ying that when Luoyang is captured, I don't want the gold, silver and jewels. When the time comes, I will Just bring those women back to me. Daosheng, it's a pity that you don't like women, otherwise I could reward you with one."
"The eldest son can get a beauty, but what will the younger one get?" Daosheng smiled slightly and said with deep meaning.
Qu Manbao was stunned, and his smile gradually disappeared. Daosheng came closer and whispered: "My eldest son, once we capture Luoyang, no one in the world can compare with the great general's merits. Moreover, after the third prince ascended the throne, he recruited the emperor and the courtiers. The general will definitely be reused, and will even be left in Luoyang to assist in the affairs of the court." He raised his hand to stroke his beard and chuckled: "The third prince is young, and the eldest son also knows that his reputation in the court is not very good, so he can only Rely on the general's prestige and troops to intimidate the ministers. At that time, although the general is just a minister, he can completely decide the government affairs."
Qu Manbao chuckled and said: "I told my father that if everything goes well and we take control of Luoyang, we may not be unable to replace him. The Beitang family are relatives and they also usurped the throne. Since the Beitang family can be the emperor, Why can’t our Qu family succeed?”
Daosheng gave a thumbs up and said: "The eldest son is so ambitious that he is truly an unparalleled hero. There are few people in the world who can match this level of courage."
"Don't talk nonsense." Qu Manbao said: "Daosheng, what are you worried about, just say it clearly."
"This...!" Daosheng hesitated for a moment and then said: "My eldest son, whether the general is a king or prime minister, or he really establishes himself as an emperor, he always needs a successor."
Qu Manbao frowned and said harshly: "I am the eldest son. No matter whether my father is crowned king or declares himself emperor, I will of course be the successor. Is there any doubt about this?"