Shenzhou has spent a long dark night, just like the long night when the winter solstice comes, this is the time when the day is short and the night is long, and it is also the most intense ink color in the world of great competition. On the day when the vassal states besieged Luoyang, no one knew when the night would end and when a new day would come.
Shenzhou fell asleep in this long night, as if it would never wake up. The battle of swords and guns could not make the giant open his eyes, and blood flowed in front of it, the blood of the princes, the blood of the ministers, the blood of the scholars. , the blood of the people - mixed together, pooled into a rushing river, driven by the amount of time, poured into the earth, and immersed the soil under the giant's feet.
Until that day, Ji Xun handed the golden seal to Jiang Heng, as if giving him the last bit of starlight in this long night. Subsequently, the Milky Way gradually moved westward, and a very pale crimson appeared in the sky, and the sky was finally about to light up.
When the sun shone into the palace, Jiang Heng slept for less than three hours, but he was very energetic. Forty-nine bells rang, just like what he and Geng Shu heard every day in Luoyang in the past, the only difference is that after the end of the bell this morning, there are six more long-tailed announcements, representing the princes gathered in the city of the Prince of Heaven. meaning.
The monarchs of the feudal kingdoms all waited for this day and came to the front of the venue one by one. It was the "hall of ceremonies" where the emperor received the ministers of all states. , located in the middle of the Luoyang Palace, surrounded by a brazier.
In the sound of Hong Zhong and Da Lu, gold and iron rang, first King Liang and a group of ministers, then King Zheng and Long Yu, then Zheng Guochen; again Mi Qing, Xiong Pi and Ying Chen, and finally Li Jin of Dai Guo.
Nearly a hundred people filed in, guarded by soldiers and accompanied the monarch to visit. All of them were ministers and ministers of each country. The emperor’s case was located in the north of the center, and the kings of the five countries were seated according to their seats. The state of Dai is in the west, the state of Zheng is in the east, the south of Ying is in the north, and the state of Liang is in the middle and lower right.
The place where Juicy Taki is sitting is not far from the emperor's seat.
Jiang Heng was the last to arrive, and when he walked into the venue, the ministers who were chatting in a low voice were silent and looked at Jiang Heng.
Jiang Heng, wearing the official uniform of the Taishi Ling, followed the Jin system, held the talisman festival, stood at the entrance, and met the gazes from all directions. Suddenly there was a sense of unreality. After seven years, he finally returned to this place and returned to the Son of Heaven.
"Master Jiang?" Liang Wang said.
Jiang Heng let out a long sigh, came to the front of the seat, and took the lead in kneeling towards the empty case.
"The emperor is well." Jiang Heng said.
The kings got up at the same time, Juicy turned around, and everyone faced the emperor's case, knelt on the ground, bent over and touched the ground with their foreheads.
"Meet the golden seal," said the kings respectfully, "if the Son of Heaven is well, the world will be at peace."
The chime sounded again, and after several consecutive sounds, everyone took their seats. Jiang Heng came to the side of the empty case and sat down, making way for the vacant seat.
"Seven years ago," Jiang Heng said, "Luoyang was in chaos, the emperor collapsed, the people were separated, and the land of the Central Plains was caught in a 'great dispute.'
The venue was silent, and only Jiang Heng's voice sounded: "The emperor died, and the three princes should have joined General Zhao to come forward and send a note to the kings. However, General Zhao and officials in the court died of the emperor. Now in the Jin court, the central officials, the only one Jiang Mou and General Nie Hai Nie. General Nie leads the troops outside, it is very inconvenient, so I have the full authority to entrust me to hold the emperor’s personal golden seal to preside over this alliance meeting.
Everyone said: "No objection."
Juicy sat on his knees and turned his body slightly to the north facing the Emperor's case. He looked at Jiang Heng and suddenly felt a strange feeling. He had always regarded Jiang Heng as a person from Yong, and when Jiang Heng came to Yongdi, he became a Juice's "own person".
And at this moment, Juicy began to feel the real, another identity hidden under Jiang Heng - he never seemed to belong to any country, and he was loyal to Ji Xun from beginning to end.
"What do you guys have to say, it's okay to say it today." Jiang Heng untied the cloth outside the golden seal. The dark iron thing, now the monarchs of various countries, are seeing for the first time, and their eyes are focused on the emperor's case. .
"Although the emperor has collapsed," Jiang Heng added, "but seeing this seal is like seeing the destiny of Shenzhou. Today, apart from eliminating disputes, you still have a great responsibility, that is, to propose a new emperor for the people of the world."
The participants naturally knew that the battle had come to an end and it was time to establish a new order.
"Is that the seal of the kingdom?" Mi Qing said, "It's the first time I've seen it. The late king mentioned it more than once. Can you let me know?"
Jiang Heng took off the golden seal and handed it over to everyone, and said, "Seven years ago, the emperor's order was to let me find someone who is suitable to be the king of the world."
After everyone watched it for a round, this symbol of royal power returned to the case again.
"But with the current situation," Jiang Heng said, "this is not the most important thing. I would like to hear what the monarchs mean. The future fate of Shenzhou is in the hands of today's participants."
"The Son of Heaven has died," Xiong Pi said.
Xiong Pi and Mi Qing exchanged glances. Jiang Heng knew what he was implying that the siege of Luoyang by the five kingdoms was a bad deal. Yong Guo believed that the four kingdoms in Guan were the first to provoke the war. , no one can argue with the other, and each has its own argument, so I will put it aside for the time being.
Immediately, Xiong Pi paused and said, "Yong Guo tore up the agreement a few years ago, started a war in the alliance of brothers in Anyang Chao, and slaughtered 100,000 soldiers in our country. This account must be calculated today."
The venue was silent. This was what the ministers had reminded Jutaki long ago, but Jutaki didn't mind, just smiled.
"Liang Guo also said the same." Immediately, King Liang said, "Anyang, Hengyang, Zhaoshui and other places are now occupied by Yong Guo. When will they be returned to us? Please also ask Lord Jiang to preside over justice for my Liang."
Beside the young King Zheng, Zhu Lingjie spoke on his behalf: "In the battle of Jeju in the Zheng Kingdom, life was devastated, and the Yong Kingdom was inhumane, and committed all kinds of evil deeds. Although Juicong died, there are still many people who died. Now who will apologize for this war?"
Li Jin sneered and looked at Jiang Heng, but he didn't come to seek revenge. He knew that Jiang Heng was unable to cope with the current situation, and it was not too late to add Dai Guo's demands.
Jui Taki first said to Xiong Pi: "In the battle of Anyang, the 100,000 Ying army was not killed by my Yong people, but died of poisoning. Your country must have received a report after collecting the corpses. The Yong army also has nearly 10,000 people, who were killed by natural disasters. Therefore."
Xiong Pi said seriously: "Since the Paoze people died in Anyang, and Anyang was captured by King Yong, it's up to the Ju family to explain, otherwise?"
"Your Highness." Mi Qing Dynasty Xiong Pi whispered to persuade,
Jiang Heng squinted his eyes and gestured for you to say what
Juicy Taki also explained: "Yong Kingdom is also investigating, given time, I will definitely give your country an explanation."
Jiang Heng suspected the battle of Anyang several times. The one move that killed more than 100,000 people, leaving the city with no one left, came from Luo Xuanzhi, but he couldn't find his master's. People, it is even more impossible to ask him.
"We believe in King Yong." Mi Qing replied.
Xiong Pi stopped raising objections for the time being, and the prince and princess sang and began to discuss in a low voice.
"Then what about us?" said Liang Wang Bi Shao.
After the death of Prince Ling, Bi Shao seemed to grow up overnight. Although he was only twelve years old, he already had the appearance of a young adult.
Jui Taki said: "The Anyang Rebellion is not the only original intention. Since the Federation was called today, I have already figured it out clearly. The capital of the King of Liang will be returned as it is, and Zhaoshui City will be temporarily managed by the Yong Army. handover."
When Jui Taki said this, everyone was in an uproar. No one thought that Yong Guo would give up the land he had acquired!
"Thank you." Bi Shao said lightly.
"The people who died in battle," said Chunling, Xiangguo, who was beside King Liang, "what else does King Yong say? Don't put your father's decision irrelevant to you as a prevarication. Now that you are the monarch, the responsibility is yours. On yourself!"
Zhu Lingjie: "How do you explain the battle of Jeju?"
Jutaki didn't answer, everyone looked at him. After a long silence, Jiang Heng said again: "King Yong, they are all asking you, what do you say?"
Jue Taki said to Jiang Heng: "Whether to cede the land or pay indemnity to pay for the lives of the people who died in the war, I can accept it."
Immediately everyone became vigilant, Jue Taki's posture was too low, I was afraid of deceit. Behind him, Zeng Rong, Zhou You, and the others were all watching the faces of the lords. They must have retreated as their advance, and there might be more trouble later.
"There's only one thing," Jui Taki said again, "I also want to ask the emperor to do justice for my Dayong. A year ago, Liang and Zheng formed a coalition, invaded the territory of the Yong Kingdom, defeated Luoyan, and took the lead in provoking the war. Who will atone for this?"
Jiang Heng immediately looked at King Liang, King Zheng and others, as well as the officials who followed.
Zhu Ling explained: "Fifteen years ago, Juicong sent Geng Yuan to assassinate the dignitaries of the various countries at the Four Nations League meeting. The blood feud was not shared by the sky, so it started. It is reasonable."
Jiang Heng said, "What was the issue at that meeting?"
The faces of the feudal lords were a bit unnatural. That time, Chong Wen took the lead and united the four kingdoms in the Guan to divide up the land. This was the most important thing.
"Men Yong people are like tigers and wolves," Zhu Lingjie said sternly, "Invade Guanzhong at any time..."
"Stop making rhetoric! Sophistication!" Jiang Heng exclaimed in a rage, "Believe me, I'll kill you right now?!"
Jin Xi slapped the table with a loud noise, and everyone was startled immediately, even Juicy's heart almost jumped out.
Zhu Lingjie was so shocked that he stopped talking immediately.
With anger on his face, Jiang Heng scolded: "I believe that all the monarchs came here with the desire to eliminate the war. If you don't openly and honestly, trust each other, rebuild trust, and use sophistry to argue more, what's the point?! General Long Yu!"
After a while, Long Yu said slowly, "The end will be here."
When Geng Shu was not at the meeting, Jiang Heng lost his trust. This was the only shortcoming of his presiding over the meeting today. But even if Long Yu is a general of a country, his identity is still the minister of the emperor. As long as he recognizes the Jin family, he must obey this status.
"Whoever makes excuses and disturbs the venue on charges of making something out of nothing," Jiang Heng said, "I authorize to drag out the arrogant people and execute them."
For a moment no one spoke again.
After a while, Jutaki broke the silence.
"Fifteen years ago, the Yong Kingdom had not yet stepped out of the Yubi Pass," said Juicy Taki. "Your country has heard about the generals, but has already begun planning to gather the four kingdoms, divide up our land, and exile our people."
Jiang Heng said lightly: "From now on, we will only discuss the facts that have happened, and we must not have any criticism. Otherwise, it will be regarded as a provocation."
"Because your Yong Kingdom's position is not right." Xiong Pi said.
This is a fact. One hundred and twenty-two years ago, the official of the Ju family went to the Taiwei of Jinting, and the title was only the duke. Anger is also the source of the fall of kingship.
"Has the Son of Heaven issued an appeal order?" Juicy asked rhetorically.
This is also a fact - although the Ji family was angry at the behavior of the Ju family, they finally gave him the seven cauldrons and recognized the position of the prince of the Ju family. If you want to settle accounts, you have to go to the emperor, and you can't turn over the dead for questioning. , not to mention the emperor also has the right to refuse to give this account.
The facts of more than 100 years ago are too long ago. After five or even six generations, the various countries did not immediately attack Yong, and they each had their own wishful thinking to seize the kingship by taking this opportunity. Who is to blame
The princes were speechless.
"No." Jiang Heng replied on behalf of the princes, "The Son of Heaven bestowed one bell and seven cauldrons. The Juicy is a prince recognized by the central government, and his title is justified."
Juicy said seriously: "Then Master Jiang, as well as the monarchs, the vassal states use this as the reason for declaring war, it makes no sense."
Jiang Heng said, "How are you all doing?"
King Liang was the first to admit: "General Chongwen took the lead in starting the war in the name of 'threat', which is inappropriate. But fifteen years ago or even more, Yong and I, Daliang, fought frequently because of land disputes. fact."
Jiang Heng said: "According to the rules, if countries have territorial disputes, they must meet the emperor and ask for a ruling. After the emperor's ruling, if the princes refuse to obey the order, they should issue the emperor's order, and the whole world will discuss it. Has Liang Guo met the emperor before? "
Zhu Lingjie sneered. From a hundred years ago to the present, this has been the situation. Whoever has the most powerful force has the final say. What use can the emperor speak
"Lord Zhuling," Jiang Heng said again, "What are you laughing at?"
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"Then the court has to reflect on it," Zhu Lingjie said coldly, "Why did the emperor issue the order, but the princes didn't? What? Master Jiang, this is a fact. I just told the truth. If you want to kill me, kill me. I'm not afraid!"
"The monarchs of all countries have to reflect on themselves," Jiang Heng replied. "What made Er et al. endlessly launch wars for land and wealth? Is it really just for survival?"
"Mr. Jiang is right." King Zheng was young, but he couldn't help but say, "In a world of great rivalry, it is difficult for everyone to be immune, but who started this dispute in the first place? Just insatiable greed.”
"Shh." Long Yu immediately motioned to King Zheng to tell him not to dismantle his own platform.
"Even a child understands the truth." Jiang Heng sighed and replied, "The monarch is in his position, and every decision is related to the life and death of thousands of people in the territory of the feudal lords. My lord, I thought I still had the heart of a child, but now it looks like it's really disappointing."
Xiong Pi sneered, obviously disapproving of Jiang Hengzhi's words, with a mocking expression on his face.
Mi Qing looked at Jiang Heng seriously. Liang Wang Bi Shao sighed.
"Will Yong Kingdom really return the territory of Liang Kingdom?" Bi Shao said.
"Yes." Jui Taki replied without hesitation this time, "Someone has to give in first. This is a decision made by Gu Wang and Lord Jiang early. No matter whether they meet today or not, they will not forcefully occupy Anyang. "
Jiang Heng looked at everyone silently.
"Master Jiang really wants to solve the problem today," Chunling thought for a while and said, "I really admire the actions of Master Jiang."
Chunling showed a rare expression of admiration, squinting his eyes, and said, "Mr. Jiang, many years ago, first assassinated King Yong and retreated to the army outside the Yubi Pass..."
Long Yu nodded and said, "That's right, as the person of Lord Jiang, this general has nothing to say. Although I have been an enemy, I will protect the capital of King Yong so that it will not be destroyed, and I will protect it with General Nie Hainie. Jeju, although young, wanders the world, treats the people of every country, only to save the people, treat them like their own family..."
Jiang Heng didn't want to listen to this compliment anymore, he suddenly felt tired and interrupted Long Yu.
"That's right," Jiang Heng said. "I called everyone here because I wanted to solve the problem. But today, seeing everyone talking to themselves, as always, I am afraid that many questions will never be answered."
Mi Qing said: "We came here to solve the problem and we can't fight anymore."
This is a truth that even seven-year-old Zhao Cong understands. Today, the world is no longer what it used to be. The devastation of war has made the land of China dark, the people are difficult to cultivate, the fertile fields have become wasteland, and the mansions have become ruins. When will it end?
"But how to solve this problem?" Jiang Heng couldn't help but say, "At least at the meeting, as long as people come, I think everyone's goal is the same. Do we still need to follow the rules? The rules and the kingly way, recuperate and live a new life? Or break all the rules, like in the last hundred years, use the last battle to determine the ownership of the world?"
"After this alliance disbanded, there are only two answers." Jiang Heng ignored Li Jin, who was on the side, and said to the princes, "One is to rebuild the central court, respect the Son of Heaven, implement new decrees, and stop all wars. The second is to go home separately, gather armies, and kill each other until one side completely wins, overthrows everything at present, and starts all over again.”
Jiang Heng stalled and said, "I have tried my best over the years. Whether to grant the new king the golden seal and establish a new order according to Ji Tianzi's will, or to use war to decide the outcome, we can decide for ourselves."