The God of Qiu Yi said calmly: "Have you seen the group of guards next to Zheng Xin? Although they are stupid and ignorant of current affairs, they have the word 'loyalty'. Therefore, I want to give them a battlefield death, I Give you twenty crossbow bolts, can you shoot them all to death?"
Meng Hong raised his eyes and saw that there were only eight guards in Qiu Yi's mouth, and they were standing on the flat ground with no cover. Twenty crossbow bolts shot them to death. It was really a piece of cake, so he raised his hand. Say one word: "Yes!"
"Okay!" Qiu Yizhi said as he took twenty crossbow arrows from others and handed them to Meng Hong, "Then let me see your magic shot!"
Meng Hong took the crossbow bolt and took out a powerful crossbow. He opened the crossbow with unusual ease, attached the crossbow bolt, raised the powerful crossbow levelly, took a brief aim and pulled the trigger. With the sharp sound the crossbow arrow made when it relaxed, a crossbow arrow flew straight out and hit a guard holding a long knife in the throat. The guard immediately spurted out a mouthful of blood, staggered and fell to the ground, twitching slightly. After a few blows, he died.
When the troops saw this, they immediately burst into a burst of earth-shattering cheers.
Meng Hong was extremely calm and fired another crossbow bolt, killing one of Zheng Xin's guards, followed by another burst of cheers.
In this way, Meng Hong kept repeating the action mechanically, and Zheng Xin lost one guard. The few remaining guards did not want to be killed like targets, and wanted to fight to the death. But when they looked up, they saw that they were surrounded by tens of thousands of troops. Even the King of Heaven, I, would never be able to do so. Rush out.
As soon as they hesitated, three or four more of their life and death companions fell down amidst the cheers of their opponents.
In just the blink of an eye, Meng Hong completed his mission, turned around and said with his hands in his hands: "My lord, the last general has obeyed the order and killed all Zheng Xin's guards. These are the remaining crossbow arrows. Please inspect them, sir." , holding a crossbow arrow and handing it to Qiu Yi's hand.
Qiu Yizhi took the remaining crossbow bolts and threw them on the ground. He patted Meng Hong on the shoulder with appreciation. He then raised his head and said to Zheng Xin: "Zheng Xin, you are now a bare-bones general. Why don't you act immediately?" surrender?"
Zheng Xin gritted his teeth and said, "I will not surrender until death. If you want to kill, just come and kill him!" As he said that, he pointed at Qiu Yi with the sword in his hand.
"Don't surrender? I'm afraid this matter is not up to you." Qiu Yizhi said bitterly, then turned to Yuchi Jiming beside him and said, "Jiming, this person is the culprit who killed your father, why don't you help me?" Did he take it?"
Yuchi Jiming waited for a long time, just waiting for Qiu Yizhi's words. After hearing what he said, he immediately rubbed his body and made a few gentle and skillful grasping movements to take the sword that maintained Zheng Xin's last dignity from his hand. He took off his clothes, grabbed Zheng Xin's clothes by the chest, and lifted him in front of Qiu Yi.
Qiu Yizhi was extremely proud. His mouth was so dry that it was almost on fire. He somehow got a mouthful of saliva in his mouth. He spat in Zheng Xin's face, and then he looked up to the sky and laughed.
What kind of person is Zheng Xin? He has never suffered such an insult. He really wants to throw himself on Qiu Yizhi, even if he bites him with his teeth, he will bite Qiu Yizhi to death. But beside him, Yu Chi Jiming put a gentle hand on his shoulder, making him unable to exert any strength and unable to move.
Seeing Zheng Xin's angry but helpless look, Qiu Yizhi finally got a chance to vent the resentment that had been pent up in her chest for a long time. She grinned and laughed loudly: "Zheng Xin, look at you, you look like No matter how hard you struggle, you can't escape the final blow!" He laughed again.
Everyone also burst into laughter, but unexpectedly Qiu Yizhi couldn't stop laughing. His laughter was so hysterical, so thrilling, and so wild and uninhibited that everyone was afraid that Qiu Yizhi would be injured due to his joy. The hearts and souls stopped laughing one after another.
Lin Shuhan took half a step forward, gently patted Qiu Yizhi's shoulder, and whispered: "Sir, there are still things to do. Zheng Xin only needs to humiliate him a little."
After Qiu Yizhi heard this, he stopped laughing, but he still smiled at the corner of his mouth. Just when he was about to answer, he heard a message from the "black-necked toad" behind him: "My lord, the emperor wants to come over, can he?"
Qiu Yizhi thought for a while and said: "It would be a good idea to ask the emperor to see the soldiers fighting through life and death. Let's invite him over." The emperor is arbitrary and authoritative. Today, he has reduced himself to the point where he can only move with the consent of a minister. It is appalling. .
Not long after, Emperor Zheng Qi arrived.
During the battle, there were not so many ceremonial guards for the emperor to support the show, so there were only eighteen well-dressed imperial guards, a bright yellow canopy, and a pure-colored royal chariot drawn by four white horses, which demonstrated the emperor's majesty.
When everyone saw that the emperor was coming, they all knelt down and kowtowed, shouting "Long live".
Only Qiu Yi stood tall and straight, looking at the respectful expressions of everyone with an expressionless face.
Zheng Qi had been the emperor for two months - even though he was a puppet - he was somewhat familiar with his supreme status and the corresponding etiquette. He was still wondering why Qiu Yizhi did not kneel to the ground.
But he saw Qiu Yi pressing the sword with his hand, walked up to the emperor in a leisurely manner, and said: "Your Majesty, these are all meritorious ministers who escaped from death after a bloody battle. Why don't you issue an order to ask them to escape without courtesy?"
Zheng Chao was stunned for a moment, then parroted his words and said, "All the ministers will be excused from the ceremony."
When everyone saw this scene, they all knew that Qiu Yizhi's actions showed that he did not take the emperor seriously, but they were frightened by his authority and did not dare to speak out.
Qiu Yizhi was a smart man and had guessed everyone's thoughts. He felt a little proud and a little wary. He seemed to feel that what he did on a whim was a little too much. He was about to find a way to divert his attention, but unexpectedly One person stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Sir, why don't you pay homage to the Emperor? You seem to be a little disrespectful of the courtesy of a minister, right?"
After hearing this, Qiu Yizhi was about to get angry, but when he turned around, he saw that the speaker was Zheng Tinghang. He immediately turned his anger into joy and said: "It turns out to be Mr. Zheng Tinghang, the director of water transportation. You will transport the grain and grass supplies stored in the south of the Yangtze River to the north of the Yangtze River. He also supported Marshal Dai, and this achievement is no worse than that of the general who fought tooth and nail on the battlefield... "
Zheng Tinghang interrupted Qiu Yizhi's words and said: "This is just a little bit of the official's duty. If the official asks the question, please ask the supervisor to answer."
Qiu Yizhi was choked by Zheng Tinghang's question, and suddenly remembered that Zheng Tinghang was an extremely stubborn and pedantic person. For such a high-spirited scholar, the details of etiquette are the most important. However, Zheng Tinghang is indeed a meritorious minister - he pressed so hard, but could not reprimand and punish him in public - this really put Qiu Yizhi into a dilemma.
At this moment, I heard Uncle Lin say coldly: "Hasn't Mr. Zheng read the "Book of Rites"? It says 'Mediators do not worship'; the sages also have allusions about 'men in armor do not worship'. Mr. Qiu is the leader. The commander-in-chief of the battle should kneel down and worship the emperor, but it is not illegal to forget it for a moment, and the emperor will naturally understand. "
Lin Shuhan was knowledgeable and knowledgeable. As soon as he said these few words, the aggressive Zheng Tinghang was speechless.
Qiu Yizhi felt relieved. Thinking of Zheng Tinghang's business acumen and great achievements, he bowed his hand to him and said, "I listened to what Mr. Zheng said. I just need to pay more attention in the future." It was an admission of mistake.
He suddenly changed the subject, pointed his finger, and shouted sternly: "Zheng Xin! The Emperor is here, why don't you bow?"
Only then did everyone realize that Zheng Xin, who had been captured, had been standing there the whole time and did not kneel down to salute the emperor.
I just heard Zheng Xin say coldly: "Zheng Qi is my son. Only sons have always knelt down to their fathers, and never fathers have knelt down to their sons!"
"Hahaha!" Qiu Yizhi laughed again, "You are wrong. The emperor is the son of Zheng Miao, the third son of Emperor Daxing. He has nothing to do with you, let alone your son. You are a rebellious minister. Thief, why can't you kneel down to him? If you are injured and can't bend your knees, I can certainly send someone to help you."
Suddenly I heard Zheng Qi say: "I think... it's better to avoid it..." He has been Zheng Xin's son for nearly ten years, and it is quite difficult for him to accept his father's worship.
"Your Majesty, this is wrong. There are differences between superiors and subordinates, differences between government and opposition, differences between inside and outside, and differences between ourselves and the enemy. How is it reflected? It is reflected in a 'ritual'. This is the reason why the sage prescribed etiquette. Just now, Cai Chen forgot After the ceremony, Zheng Tinghang pointed out that such a loyal servant of the emperor has no shame. How can the emperor exempt Zheng Xin from the etiquette? "Qiu Yizhi's words were so decisive that Zheng I have nothing to say.
He turned around and saw that Zheng Xin still didn't kneel down. He smiled and said, "This person refuses to kneel down. Maybe his knee is broken. Since it's broken, there's no use in keeping it, so he simply interrupted." never mind!"
After all, Zheng Xin was still a direct descendant of the royal family. Although Qiu Yi's soldiers were all lawless bandits, after hearing this, they thought he was joking and looked at each other, but did not dare to take action.
But Qiu Yizhi laughed ferociously again and said: "What? Are you all deaf? Didn't you hear me clearly? Once I have spoken, someone will have to break his leg, either his leg will be broken or yours. Break!"
As soon as he said these words, the soldiers did not hesitate anymore, walked up to Zheng Xin in groups, and stood up Zheng Xin on the left and right.
Zheng Xin immediately became furious and scolded: "You are bold! You are presumptuous! What are you doing! I am the prince, and what you do is a capital offense!"
Before he could finish his bluffing shouting, he saw two other soldiers each holding a scabbard in their hands and striking hard at Zheng Xin's kneecap.
These two scabbards are made of fine whole pieces of nanmu, no different from two iron rods. When the two sticks were struck, Zheng Xin's two patellas were immediately shattered. His legs could no longer support him and he fell down.
As the eldest prince, Zheng Xin always acted like a courteous, virtuous and approachable person, whether intentionally or not, in order to win people's hearts. Now it is a civil war in the imperial court. Most of the soldiers from both sides have dealt with Zheng Xin. Seeing that the eldest prince who was respected only below the emperor in the past has become like this today. Although he is said to be "a successful king and a defeated enemy", he feels in his heart But they still couldn't bear it. Many people either turned away or lowered their heads, not wanting to see such a tragic scene.
At this time, Zheng Tinghang stepped forward and said: "Sir, Zheng Xin disobeys and makes trouble, and of course he should be punished. But after all, he is a descendant of the royal family. To use lynching in public and in full view of the public, where does the dignity of the royal family go? Where does the dignity of the court go? Please don’t torture Zuojian Zheng Xin.”
What Zheng Tinghang said is indeed reasonable.
Qiu Yizhi was also impulsive just now, but when he said this, he came to his senses, pursed his lips, and said to Zheng Xin as if he was explaining for himself: "Zheng Xin, if you had been willing to kneel sincerely just now, Why are you in this situation? Okay, let me ask two people to help you up."
Unexpectedly, Zheng Xin didn't appreciate it at all. He turned over on the ground and struggled to sit up. With an extremely painful expression on his face, he said, "Who wants you to show your kindness here?" '. If it weren't for the pirate Li Shengjie, if it wasn't for Dai Luanxiang's rebellion, you would have been captured alive by me. The one kneeling here now is you! You just won by chance, there is nothing to be proud of!"
Qiu Yizhi was an unforgiving man. After hearing what Zheng Xin said, he naturally wanted to argue with him: "I remember that after the failure of Prince Lingnan, Emperor Daxing and Prime Minister Zhongli discussed the success or failure of Prince Lingnan with me. Remember. At that time, when talking about the reason why the King of Lingnan failed, the most common thing the late emperor and his master said was, "If you succeed, you will get more help, but if you fail, you will get less help." The Prince of Lingnan had outstanding intelligence and strong soldiers, but he was defeated by the word "the way of heaven." . What’s more, you are a person with mediocre talents?”
Qiu Yizhi's words were ridiculed and scolded, and he continued: "Don't be unconvinced. Let me ask you, third brother Zheng Sen, left general Wei Hu, and general Zhang Long, they are all here Where? If they help you fight, how can Marshal Dai Luanxiang succeed so easily? How could you suffer such a big humiliation?"
Qiu Yizhi mentioned the words of the old emperor Zheng Rong, and every word he said was true. Zheng Xin even more doubtlessly argued, but his eyes were still fixed on Qiu Yizhi, as if he wanted to The enemy in front of me sees through, sees through, and looks to death.
Qiu Yizhi was a little embarrassed by Zheng Xin's look, and said fiercely: "What are you looking at me for? If you have such leisure, why not look around, see that there are my soldiers and horses all around, as long as I open my lips, move Move your finger and you will turn into powder!"
Zheng Xin is not a person who is afraid of death. The power of Qiu Yizhi's harsh words is not as powerful as the layers of reasoning just now. Zheng Xin laughed "haha" and said: "Okay! The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit. But that's it. If you It’s the same thing if it falls into my hands, so just give the order!”
As soon as these words came out, Emperor Zheng became nervous at first, and said to Qiu Yizhi: "Uncle Superintendent of the Kingdom, this doesn't seem good, is it? Killing the royal relatives in front of so many people, the royal family's face doesn't know where it will go from now on. Can you please consider it for the sake of the fact that he has been with you for so many years?"
Everyone has only heard of the emperor's word for killing, killing when asked, and letting go when asked. No one has ever seen the emperor beg for mercy from a minister, and everyone is watching Qiu Yizhi to see how he will respond.
However, Qiu Yizhi did not listen to the emperor's plea at all, and said: "Your Majesty, you are still young and you don't understand this kind of thing. It's better for the humble minister to do it for the emperor."
With that said, he ordered the guards around the emperor: "The emperor is tired. You can escort the emperor down to rest now."
At this moment, Qiu Yizhi's words were much more effective than the emperor's imperial edict. After listening to his words, the imperial guards quickly retreated the imperial chariot that Emperor Zheng Qi was riding on.
Qiu Yiman thought that since the emperor was not present, there was no one to stop him from dealing with Zheng Xin, but Zheng Tinghang stepped forward and said: "Master Qiu, Zheng Xin is certainly guilty of heinous crimes. But the imperial court has its own system, and people like him Those who commit such a crime must naturally be prosecuted by the Zhongshu Province and the various ministries and the Metropolitan Procuratorate before being convicted. Otherwise, killing them privately would be detrimental to the dignity of the court. "
Qiu Yizhi had just turned things around when he was almost defeated. He was in a good mood after a big victory, but he didn't expect that Zheng Tinghang would come out to throw cold water on him again and again, which made Qiu Yizhi gnash his teeth with hatred.
He really wanted to ignore Zheng Tinghang's words, or simply drive him away, but then he thought about it. Although Zheng Tinghang was a little roundabout, what he said was the true thoughts of many scholars.
Until, although these nerds can't lift it with their hands or carry it on their shoulders, the bald pens in their hands are not forgiving. Let alone write a few strokes for you in official historical records, they will scold you in their own notebooks. A few words can make you infamy for eternity.
So Qiu Yizhi calmed down and said: "Master Zheng, you have misunderstood me. Now on the battlefield, if Zheng Xin is killed, he will die in battle. Such a method of death is more difficult than three trials and three trials." After the execution, it would be much more honorable to send him to the vegetable market for a stabbing!"
Zheng Tinghang was only thinking about etiquette and morality, and he really didn't expect this twist. He hesitated for a long time before saying: "The laws of the Han Dynasty have regulations on discussing marriage, discussing honor, and discussing merit. Zheng Xin's status and merit may not necessarily be..."
"Not necessarily what?" Qiu Yi's general Zheng Tinghang interrupted, "As a prince, Zheng Xin is indeed a royal relative, a nobleman, and he has indeed made some achievements. I admit these. However, he killed the king and killed the master. , Tu Di, any one of them is a heinous crime, and any one of them will inevitably require him to be shaved three thousand times before death. Whether it is marriage, wealth, or merit, what else can it count in the face of these crimes? Is it really necessary to expose all his sins to the world in order to preserve the dignity of the court? "
Qiu Yizhi's words were selfish yet selfless, unfair yet impartial, and finally made the upright Zheng Tinghang shut up.
So Qiu Yizhi turned to Zheng Xin and said, "Did you hear what I just said? I intend to preserve your dignity, but if you don't want it, I won't force it."
With that said, Qiu Yizhi took off his pure black sword from the Western Regions, together with the scabbard, from his waist, threw it in front of Zheng Xin, and left without looking back.