Fortunately, Geng Shu was not ambushed and lost his life, and the casualty statistics have not yet been drawn, but with Geng Shu leading the troops, this ambush will not fail miserably. It's still not difficult.
The key is, is it necessary to negotiate with Prince Ling
Juicong is caught in a situation where it is difficult to ride a tiger.
"The king can think about it more carefully." Prince Ling said seriously, "If you don't mind, I'd like to stay in Yubi Pass for a few more days. I think King Yong doesn't mind."
Prince Ling was about to get up, but Juicong's voice became much colder.
"Wait," Juicong said solemnly, "What else do you have to say, finish it all at once."
Juicong is worthy of being the king of a country. He can afford it and let it go. A momentary defeat is nothing. The strength of Yong's army is still there. Zheng Guo was lucky to win a game by luck and conspiracy, but he still lost to Dayong's strength. of rolling. When the two countries are fighting, tactics are just one of the factors, and more is still the competition of national strength, financial strength, and people.
Since Zhao Zilu's death, Zheng Guo's national strength has been declining, and the most glorious era of the East China Sea has passed. Ju Cong is confident and believes that Zheng Guo has never been his biggest enemy on his southern expedition.
Prince Ling said: "After the Yong Kingdom leaves the customs, the country will retreat back to Laoshan, and the two countries will sign a contract with the Yellow River as the boundary."
Juicong waited for the expected answer, but did not give a positive answer to Prince Ling.
Prince Ling unfolded the map in his hand, and Zeng Yu, who was standing behind Juicong, immediately stepped forward.
There are no flashing daggers in the picture.
Prince Ling shook the map and said: "To the north of the Yellow River, Anyang, Jezhou and other seven cities in the North Central Plains, together with Luoyang, the king of the world, belong to Yong. Zhaoshui in the south, together with Songxian County and Yuheng Mountain, the ten southern Central Plains south of the Yellow River. Ercheng, return to Zheng."
Juicong suddenly laughed wildly, nodded and said, "Interesting, do you want Song County?"
Prince Ling said: "Song County has no owner since ancient times, and Zheng Guo is willing to guard this throat pass for Yong. What's more, King Yong, even if you have the entire territory of Liang, you will not be able to eat it. At that time, your country will face Yingdi's enemies. Naval army, it seems that Beiyong does not have the ability to fight in the Yangtze River, so why bother?"
The navy has always been Yong's weak point. Since the founding of the state for more than a hundred years, the Yong Kingdom has never trained a navy. Prince Ling obviously saw this, so Juicong had to surrender the defense line along the Yangtze River. Otherwise, after crossing the Yellow River, there will still be the Yangtze River. After Yong Guo has conquered Liangdi, it must take at least ten years to digest it before he can begin to use troops against the south.
"My Dayong soldiers sent Yubi Pass, but you Zheng Kingdom picked up a big bargain and got the most fertile land in Liang Kingdom. This transaction is really worthwhile. I still want to ask, other than that," Ju Cong said. , "What else are you willing to give me?"
Prince Ling said: "I also brought you a person, you must need it."
Jiang Heng listened in for a full hour, and this critical moment finally came.
Juicong has unknowingly stepped into the trap of the princeling. At this time, no one thought that Zheng Guo had no intention of negotiating at all. Their real intention was to take his life.
Jiang Heng plucked the strings in response, with a "dong" sound.
The sound of the piano and the plucking of the strings was extremely slight, but that sound seemed to penetrate the thick wall of Yubi Pass for two thousand years, penetrated the land of Shenzhou, and swept away like an invisible thing, sweeping across the sky and mountains. with the earth.
Just like a guqin, after being silent for thirteen years, it once again announced to the world that a person has returned.
Juicong was about to open his mouth when he suddenly remembered something, with a shocked look on his face.
"Today, He Xixi, the boat is in the middle of the stream..."
"What day is it today, I have to be in the same boat with the prince..."
Jiang Heng only sang these two lines, and the young man had a slightly hoarse voice, which eventually became inaudible.
The hall was quiet again, Juicong thought of something, with a surprised look on his face, he walked down the stairs and walked towards Jiang Heng.
Prince Ling also got up, left the seat, walked to the front of the hall, turned his back to Juicong, and said loudly: "I know that King Yong has been looking for him for all these years, and let them talk about the specific process."
"Son," Juicong murmured, "who are you?"
Jiang Heng was silent, pressing lightly on the string with one hand, without answering Juicong.
"My name is Sun Ying, let me answer for him," Sun Ying said at this time, "King Yong."
"I'm asking about him!" Juicong snapped, "He can talk!"
Jiang Heng didn't answer, he lowered his head slightly, full of unease, avoiding Juicong's gaze.
Juicong couldn't wait for Jiang Heng's answer, but Sun Ying broke the silence and said, "Four years ago, a lady surnamed Jiang entrusted him to me..."
"Child, what's your name?" Juicong said in a trembling voice.
Jiang Heng finally spoke and replied in a low voice, "My name is Jiang Heng, Your Majesty."
With a sound of "hum", Juicong turned around in an instant, tremblingly said: "Are you... Heng'er?"
When he heard this, Prince Ling's face instantly became suspicious, trying his best to control himself not to turn his head.
Juicong walked quickly to Jiang Heng, but the next moment, Zeng Yu held Juicong's wrist in the nick of time.
"Your Majesty," Zeng Yu whispered, "be careful."
Just like the huge waves that were overwhelming the sea in an instant, they disintegrated, drifted away, and turned into countless sprays. The thunder that should have crossed the night sky silently disappeared into the darkness.
Jiang Heng, Sun Ying, and Prince Ling, their clenched palms were full of sweat, and sighed in their hearts.
Juicong took a deep breath, and there was panic in his eyes. This kind of panic has only happened three times over the years. Once when his brother died; the second time, when he faced Geng Shu's life-threatening dagger.
"Take him down," Ju Cong finally said, "I will take good care of you. Prince Ling, Gu Wang promised you that he will seriously consider your proposal."
Prince Ling waited for an unexpected answer, pondered for a moment, but did not insist. If he made another move at this time, he had missed the best opportunity and had to nod his head.
"Let's go." Sun Ying whispered and put a hand on Jiang Heng's shoulder.
This is the password to cancel the assassination previously agreed, and everything is over.
When Prince Ling left the reception room in the building, he turned his head to take a look. The defeated Yong army was entering the customs one after another. One of the young men was wearing black armor and his cloak was flying.
That night.
Geng Shu had withdrawn his troops and returned. As early as three days ago, two hours after the dispatch of the troops, Geng Shu resolutely conceded defeat, and the entire army withdrew from Lingshan, abandoned the route south of Luoyang, and returned to Yubi Pass.
It is not shameful to admit defeat. When you are ambushed, it is obvious that conquering the Central Plains is a long-term plan, and preserving strength is the most important thing, compared to foolishly launching a decisive battle without dying. It is impossible for Zheng Jun to occupy Luoyang for a long time, otherwise the guards of Laoshan will be empty. Once it is breached, Jeju will not be guaranteed. Geng Shu is sure that as long as he waits for three months, Zheng Jun will retreat.
But the defeated general still has to accept the punishment. If you lose, you will lose. There is no excuse or reason.
"I'm back." Geng Shu said, "I lost, please punish me."
When Ju Cong was in a state of confusion, Geng Shu's defeat reminded him that Yong Jun was defeated again. Five years ago, he suffered a fiasco in Lingshan, and he left the border after five years. He was still ambushed in the same place and suffered a defeat.
There are ghosts of Ji Xun and Zhao Jie in the canyon of Lingshan Mountain. They will not be scattered for many years. Anyone who passes by will arouse their anger and kill soldiers of any country.
"This misjudgment," Ju Cong took his thoughts and said solemnly, "Half the responsibility lies with Taki'er."
Geng Shu said solemnly: "It's my fault. I didn't observe it carefully. I didn't expect that Che Ju would leave the main force in Lingshan. I killed innocent soldiers and I am willing to be demoted and punished."
Juicong sighed and said nothing more. At the end, he only said, "You two are still too young."
These words are more ruthless than punishing Geng Shu directly. After all, in the past four years, Juicong has never said a single harsh word to him, and Geng Shu has never let him down. He has won several expeditions and battles outside the customs. .
"That's fine," Juicong thought for a while, and said seriously, "The enemies inside the pass are different from those outside the pass. You must take it seriously. It's better for you to lose a battle in advance than the entire army."
Geng Shu didn't answer, knelt in front of Juicong, Juicong looked down at him, his lips moved.
"Get up," Juicong said, "My son, I can't blame you all."
Geng Shu got up, and Ju Cong instructed: "Go down and rest until Princess Wuying arrives and ask her to be stationed at Yubi Pass, and the king himself will send troops to take you to a decisive battle. Your ideas are good, there are not many people in Zheng who can fight. , this time as long as the car is blocked in Luoyang and the enemy army is completely wiped out, Zheng Guo will not be able to get out of the Weiguan for at least ten years."
Geng Shu said, "I heard that Prince Ling came to negotiate in person."
Juicong made a "uh" sound.
Geng Shu knew that Juicong was in a bad mood, so he didn't ask any more questions, and withdrew wisely.
"My son." Juicong said suddenly.
Geng Shu immediately turned around and faced the adoptive father who had raised him for four years and gave him everything that all beings dreamed of.
Juicong looked at Geng Shu's eyes, as if trying to find the shadow of his old friend.
"It's nothing." Juicong changed his mind again and said, "Go."
Geng Shu said, "Father?"
Juicong waved his hand and whispered, "I'm tired."
Geng Shu was very surprised, but he did not insist and exited the room.
He saw the 8,000 imperial guards stationed in front of the gate by Zheng Guo, and heard his subordinates tell him that today, Prince Ling brought two people to negotiate with his father. Presumably the content is related to Liang Guo and the Central Plains.
But today's Juicong looks very different. He seems to be old and has some doubts.
He walked past the pass wall, and Yubi Pass had a full moon tonight, and the silver light was thousands of miles away, just like the night when he came here on the first day and stabbed Juicong with a dagger.
It was time for him to go back to the barracks and stay with his soldiers. But Geng Shu wanted to be alone and reflect on the battle of Luoyang that he lost because of pride. He should clearly know that Lingshan Canyon is suitable for ambush, and he has been ambush there before, why not observe carefully, send scouts, and check again and again
There was no other reason. Prince Taki had anticipated the situation in the first half of Luoyang in advance.
Father is right, they are still too young, young and energetic, and they are easy to underestimate the enemy. They did not take the strong in their eyes, nor did they think that the enemies inside the pass were different from the opponents outside the pass.
Outside of the once galloping fortress of the Yong Army, there is no single enemy, and there is nothing to be proud of. Those are all barbarians who do not know how to plan. Just pick out a few articles in the military book and you can beat them to nothing.
From now on, never underestimate the enemy.
Geng Shu thought so, and recalled the young man on the city wall. The young man he saw from a distance must be Prince Ling. Dare to come alone to negotiate with Wanjun, he is not small, and Prince Ling's uncle died at the hands of his father Geng Yuan in the past. The Geng family and all the monarchs in the Central Plains have an unforgettable and undying hatred.
At this time, he saw a dark shadow appear on the city wall.
That was Juicong. Juicong took Zeng Yu around the city wall and headed to the corner tower on the west side.
Geng Shu frowned slightly, watching them move on the city wall.
In the corner room, Jiang Heng gently plucked the strings a few times, intermittently out of tune. Sun Ying stood in front of the window and looked down.
"How?" Jiang Heng said.
"There are plains on both sides of Yubi Pass," Sun Ying said. "There is a moat below. The side facing us is heavily fortified. To the north, there are very few soldiers in their direction."
Jiang Heng: "Yeah."
Sun Ying replied: "His Royal Highness ordered that if you find an opportunity, you can do it. I have surveyed the surrounding terrain, you can jump out of this window at any time..."
Sun Ying opened the window, looked down, and said, "Although the river is frozen, it is very thin. After falling into the moat, I will go to rescue you immediately."
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Jiang Heng said softly, "Okay."
The two were silent for a moment, then Sun Ying suddenly said, "Mr. Luo, do you think you will surely die?"
Jiang Heng smiled and said, "What do you think, Mr. Sun?"
Sun Ying sighed and replied, "To tell the truth, you won't die. The one who will die should be me. Before leaving, His Royal Highness had already told me that this is a life-for-life deal. .You will definitely go back alive."
Jiang Heng understood, and the person who proposed the assassination plan was Sun Ying. But he couldn't pretend to be the son of Geng Yuan, he could only borrow the hands of others. And Sun Ying is the one who is really ready to die. After the assassination is launched, he will do everything possible to save Jiang Heng.
"So," said Sun Ying, "Mr. Luo, can you be a little more serious?"
Jiang Heng said: "I've always been serious, Mr. Sun, I don't care about life and death, because I'm really not afraid, not cowering. He will definitely come to see me tonight, I must kill him as soon as possible, otherwise he will not let you It's so easy to go back. You have to try to protect His Royal Highness, not me."
Sun Ying said, "I don't want to admit it, but Mr. Luo, you've been right every time."
Jiang Heng pondered and replied, "And if my expectations are not bad, after Juicong returns, Juicong will send troops to take Luoyang again. At that time, maybe he will carry Che Yu's head and come to continue the negotiation."
Sun Ying said: "Che has been fighting for so many years, don't underestimate him."
Jiang Heng said: "Fighting with Juiciao and fighting with Juicong are two different things. I hope he can find out and withdraw."
Sun Ying said, "He will not leave without His Highness's order."
Jiang Heng sighed softly and said, "Then we'll be in trouble, I still have a fake identity, Juicong will bring me to Luoyan and raise me as Geng Yuan's son, you two are afraid Get heads down."
Sun Ying said with a smile: "It's not that easy to kill me, even if I die, it doesn't matter. Mr. Luo might as well dormant beside him for ten years, when he finds an opportunity, he will stab him with a sword and avenge both of us. That's it."
Jiang Heng stopped talking. At this time, footsteps were heard outside.
Ju Cong finally whispered to Zeng Yu: "Don't tell anyone, including Wang Er."
"Yes." Zeng Yu faithfully carried out Juicong's instructions. From today, Prince Ling brought people to negotiate, to the time they were separated and guarded, no one heard any rumors.
Of course, he wouldn't ask why Juicong wanted to hide this person from Geng Shu.
"Go and save His Royal Highness," Jiang Heng finally said softly to Sun Ying, "I'm ready to do it."
Sun Ying: "..."
Immediately afterwards, Juicong stopped outside Jiang Heng's room and pushed open the door of his destiny.