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In response, Wang Mang and Cao Zhaonan led thousands of elite soldiers stationed in the Xixia camp, using the Xixia army as cover, and helped Shangguan Jinghao escape.
*
It was a blurry night.
Xixia general’s tent.
Dozens of miles away, there were mountains of corpses and a dark moon in the sky.
"Your Majesty, the eldest prince must be avenged. Hao will return to Chaoge secretly through a secluded path and mobilize the army. Shangguan Jinghong and Yan Zixi are still stationed here. You are in Kanghou City and I am in Qiancheng. We will attack from both sides. I have more than 200,000 soldiers and horses, and I have 50,000 soldiers and horses from the Qiao clan in Beidi. Yesterday, I received a report from a spy that the troops of Beidi will soon arrive in the suburbs of Yecheng secretly. Why should you and I, with our 45-man army, be afraid of their less than 300,000 troops?"
Shangguan Jinghao's eyes were as dark as the bottom of the sea, and he said slowly. Qiao Zhenning's 50,000 troops and horses are fine, the key is the tens of thousands of stones of food and grass. According to the schedule, the Dongxiao soldiers will be out of food and grass today, but it doesn't matter - he has already made instructions before the trip, and General Qin will lead his troops out of the city to attack Yecheng tomorrow night and bring in the food and grass. Shangguan Jinghong led a part of the troops and horses, and there are only 80,000 troops and horses left in Yecheng at most. If the two sides fight, the food will definitely be obtained smoothly.
The King of Xixia looked listless, as if he had suddenly become more pale and old. Yun Ji was stunned, and now she was leaning in the tent, softly comforting him. The King of Xixia raised his eyelids and suddenly smiled, "I have suffered heavy losses, and now I have lost Chun'er. What's the use of beauty, what's the use of love? Beauty can come again, but the country's destiny is only one."
"His Majesty,"
Yun Ji said calmly, "I heard from the soldiers that during the battle today, when they were fighting on horseback, the Rui Wang Shangguan Jinghong said to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, 'Give me back my wife and children, give me back my land. Beauty is useless, but love is a testimony to our love. Family, country and the world, isn't it that family comes first, country comes second, and the world comes third? Love comes first, and then the people and the land. The Rui Wang won with this, with a few people, winning the battle with many."
The King of Xixia was speechless. Besides her beauty, he and Yun Ji had a long-standing relationship. Hearing this, he frowned and asked, "Are you angry with me, my beauty?"
"I dare not,"
"As my beloved concubine, I will not allow the King Rui to be arrogant. I swear to punish the hateful Yan Zixi and avenge my Chun'er! I don't know what Shangguan Jinghong promised him, how dare he betray my covenant!" The King of Xixia slammed the table, his eyebrows and beard were furious, and he shook his head from the pain of losing his son. He said, "Your Highness, please go. When you arrive in Chaoge, send spies to report to me."
Shangguan Jinghao glanced at Cai Ning, who had been silent in the tent, and knew that it might be Cai Ning who asked Yun Ji to be her lobbyist. Cai Ning had very good social connections in Xixia.
He nodded and led Wang and Cao away.
Inside the tent, Yun Ji said softly, "Your Highness, this is what Qu Yun Ji meant."
*
Outside the tent, Cai Ning was escorted to Lin's place. Shangguan Jinghao shook her hand and said, "Princess, please go back and wait for Hao's good news."
Cai Ning nodded, with a slightly worried look between her brows. "Speed is the most important thing in war, and a long march will easily tire you out. That's why you suggested that our Xixia army go through Kangcheng and then to Yecheng in the east. Your Highness, if you don't go through Kangcheng in the west, you'll have to go around for a long time before you can get back to Chaoge via the southern or northern cities. The journey is long, so be careful to prevent King Rui from chasing you."
"Princess, please be at ease. This journey is long, but there are many roads leading to the city from the north to the south. We have disguised ourselves and sent hundreds of elite soldiers to disguise themselves and split into dozens of groups to go to the roads to bypass them. I have personally fought with him and I am sure that his injuries are very serious. If he is not careful, he may even die. His men must be distracted and unable to take care of him. In addition, to prevent your Xixia attack, Kangcheng must be stationed with troops. Under these circumstances, unless they know my route, it is impossible for them to catch me."
"Okay, then I'm relieved. I'll send spies to keep you updated on your itinerary. You don't have to worry about my brother. I'll try to keep our alliance and help you."
Shangguan Jinghao saw Cai Ning lowering her head, her neck flushed red. Although she was not as beautiful as Qiao Chu, nor could she move his heart like Qiao Chu, but this woman could greatly help him in state affairs. He suppressed the anger and resentment of defeat in his heart, and slowly reached out to hold her in his arms.
The next night, on the outskirts of Dongling Jingcheng.
After finishing the food, Wang Mang asked Shangguan Jinghao, "Your Highness, do you need to continue on your journey?"
Shangguan Jinghao nodded, but suddenly his heart sank. He slowly put his hand on the long sword at his waist and sneered, "How dare you, the bandit here, set your sights on us!"
Cao Zhaonan immediately led dozens of soldiers and headed deep into the dense forest.
There are people who overestimate their own abilities. Shangguan Jinghao has been very angry these past two days, and it would be best if someone could serve as a scapegoat for him to vent his anger.
He and Wang Mang looked at each other and smiled. The trees in the forest moved, and indeed, a dozen people slowly walked out of the forest.
The person in the middle had white hair and a green robe, and walked over supported by two young men.
"Second brother, how are you? Jinghong has been waiting for you here for a long time."
———————————
427
Shangguan Jinghong.
It's him.
He looked as if he would die at any moment, his face as white as his hair.
However, the light in his eyes was gentle and pure, as if everything in the world was under his control. Yet, he seemed to not care at all.
Everyone looked at him with admiration...
He had no doubt that this man had recovered his memories of his past life.
It was as if he was in heaven, high above, but he seemed not to care, which caused many people to say that Fei Tian was a man of great character and embraced all things, and was an unparalleled Buddha.
The unparalleled Buddha
At the beginning of heaven and earth, they were born in the chaos.
Why is he the master of heaven and earth!
But, for a moment, his heart was still pounding.
Did he lose.
Did he really lose
After all these days of events, he did not practice, and would only practice after ascending the throne, regain his divine power, kill the two ancient Buddhas, rule the world, and return to his position by force - but if his physical body dies tonight... His heartbeat suddenly became so fast that he was at a loss. Does it mean that he will never be able to return to his position, because in terms of experiencing the calamity, he... failed. Too many people died in this war.
He can no longer return to his place naturally. Now, if he cannot even return to his place by force, where will his soul be placed? Will he return to the six realms of reincarnation? But even if he does, according to rewards and punishments, will he still be an animal or a hungry ghost? Or will he forever be a ghost, wandering in this world
"Lord Buddha..."
The trembling voices of Wang and Cao in his ears made him feel a chill down his spine and sweat drip down his face. He actually felt the greatest fear since the beginning of the world...
He looked at the people around Shangguan Jinghong one by one, the emperor, Mo Cunfeng, Xia Haibing, Zuo Bing, Prince Ning and the princes and their spouses in their sixties or seventies, the ministers of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Punishment, Zong Pu, Qin Dongning, Yan Zixi, Shen Qingling, General Lang, Lang Linling, Fang Ming, an old friend of Prince Rui's mansion, the two outstanding maids, Shangguan Jingcong and the woman named Lin Xiaoman.
There are only more than twenty people, and he has dozens of people on his side. What is he afraid of
He was slightly startled, but then he was filled with fear again - after hope, the fear made him even more trembling.
Whether it is Shangguan Jinghong or Feitian, this person never does anything without certainty.
Since this man intercepted him here, how could he not have set up an ambush around him
He lost!
For the first time, he understood clearly that he had lost, completely lost.
He still had 450,000 soldiers to fight this man, but he lost on this unknown forest road
Is he really inferior to him
It turns out? Huh
Shangguan Jinghong even knew that he was here.
He closed his eyes and laughed, but then he opened them fiercely in indignation and asked in a deep voice, "How did you know I was here? Have you recovered your magic power?"
Shangguan Jinghong didn't say anything, just glanced at him and saw a person walking quickly out of the woods.
But it was the girl who had only been separated for a day. She had a pretty face, but her brows occasionally revealed a gleam of ambition.
"Chaining?"
Shangguan Jinghao was shocked and stunned. Wang and Cao also couldn't believe it. Shangguan Jinghao was so angry that he wanted to kill this woman. He clenched his fist with one hand and pointed at her with the other hand, "You betrayed me? Yan Zixi helped Shangguan Jinghong, and the account of Chunfeng should be counted on Shangguan Jinghong. Shangguan Jinghong killed nearly 100,000 soldiers of your Xixia, and you forgot the hatred for the country and the agreement between you and me to betray me?"
At this time, everyone around Shangguan Jinghong was full of doubts. Last night, Laotie brought news from Shangguan Jinghong, saying that he would meet Shangguan Jinghao today. Everyone was surprised and hurried here, and indeed they saw this person.
However, no one knew where the news about Shangguan Jinghong came from until Cai Ning came out.
But as Shangguan Jinghao said, how could Cai Ning possibly help Shangguan Jinghong.
Cai Ning smiled gently, her eyes wandering on the long scarf around her neck.
—It was a long scarf that had been cut into pieces.
Someone remembered that it was actually something Cai Ning gave to Shangguan Jinghong at a palace banquet, but Shangguan Jinghong gave it to Qiaochu instead.
"You still love Shangguan Jinghong? Cai Ning, are you crazy? You betrayed your country for him?"
Shangguan Jinghao smiled coldly, which expressed the shock in everyone's hearts.
Cai Ning also smiled, her red lips showing a bright color, unlike her usual gentle look.
"I like Shangguan Jinghong. We Xixia women dare to love and hate. There is nothing I dare not say."
She slowly raised her right hand, and there were three silver needles in her slender jade fingers. "I can even tell you that Chunfeng's death was also caused by me. I was right next to him at the time, and it was me who stabbed him on his horse's back with needles, causing him to fall towards my brother, the King of Xixia, and block Yan Zixi's spear."
Everyone was shocked when they heard this. They looked at Cai Ning several times, and then secretly looked at Shangguan Jinghong. The latter had a calm face and only stared at Shangguan Jinghao, keeping him in his sight at all times.
Shangguan Jinghao stared at Cai Ning and said through gritted teeth: "You are willing to betray your country for him!"
Cai Ning shook her head and smiled, calmly meeting his gaze that seemed to want to tear her apart, "Treason? I am not you, Your Highness. No matter how much I love a man, I will not sell out my country for this. You don't understand me at all, how dare you ask me to help you wholeheartedly."
As she spoke, she slowly took out a piece of letter from her arms.
Xiao Man was originally in Shangguan Jingcong's arms. At this moment, her heart tightened and she struggled free unconsciously. Like everyone else, she looked at the letter in Cai Ning's hand.
"Do you remember Tianxiang Pavilion? I met you and Prince Rui there that day. At the palace banquet, Prince Rui first gave my gift to Concubine Qiao, and then returned it to me in Tianxiang Pavilion. I was furious at the time, but when he handed the gift to me, I felt something hard in the towel. I cut it open and found a handwritten letter from him to me."
As she spoke, she reached for the handkerchief around her neck and the letter fell from her hand.
Shangguan Jinghao suddenly remembered that day when they met in Tianxiang Pavilion, Cai Ning had a torn long scarf in her hand. He thought she had torn it in anger, but it turned out that...
His eyes were gloomy and he slowly bent down to pick up the letter.
It only says:
"The princess's love and care, Shangguan Jinghong has a share in my heart, and I have no way to repay it; the princess has lofty ambitions, Shangguan Jinghong, if he is in charge of the country in the future, I will definitely do my best to help you achieve the emperor's career."
At the end of the signature is the big red seal of King Rui.
"I have known that you are an ambitious woman. You are from the royal family of Western Xia. In Western Xia, no matter how noble you are, you can only marry the son of a high-ranking official. If you help me, you can enjoy the position of Queen of Dongling. The most noble position for a woman in the world is this. You actually want to be an empress?!" Shangguan Jinghao clenched the letter tightly and trembled all over.
At this point, everyone was shocked to see the woman's smile gradually fade and her brows become serious.
Cai Ning narrowed her eyes, clasped her hands behind her back, and questioned word by word: "Why not? Who says that women can't be emperors?"
"My brother is ambitious and lacks ability. He doesn't think about recuperating and strengthening the country. He ignores the welfare of the people and only thinks about how to expand the country's territory. Unfortunately, Xixia is far from being strong enough to unify Yuncang. Even if he can win the battle against Dongling, what about the next country? Sooner or later, the foundation of our ancestors will be lost in his hands. He is not worthy of being the king of this country."
"I know that even without my mediation, you and my brother will be able to reach an agreement on cooperation. I am powerless to stop my brother, and he will never listen to me on this point. He has cultivated me, and I cannot kill him, but the defeat of the Western Xia army and the death of Chunfeng have dealt him a heavy blow, and he has already hesitated. In addition, after you leave, my spies will tell him that the Miluo clan has trapped the northern troops with the help of King Rui's secret guards, and the prince's troops have run out of food and grass. Yun Ji is on good terms with me, and will help me persuade him to withdraw his troops. I informed King Rui after you left and followed him. After one day and one night, I think the Western Xia has withdrawn from Dongling now."
"Your Highness, Shangguan Jinghong doesn't love me, but he respects me and sees what I really want. You are just a queen of Dongling, and I, Yan Caining, don't care about you. I, Marquis Yan, and Prince Rui are not in favor of war, and the world can live together."
In other words, compared to him, Yan Caining chose Shangguan Jinghong
Are the northern troops also trapped
It turned out that Shangguan Jinghong had made all the preparations before sending troops to Kangcheng. Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jinghao clenched his hands, laughed for a long time, and looked at Yan Zixi coldly, "Has Prince Yan also reached an alliance with my eighth brother long ago?"
Yan Zixi nodded, "Zixi's father and the Lang family are old friends. Zixi went to Dongling, one to find his wife who ran away, and two to help the virtuous king at the invitation of Lang. In fact, the lord of my Yan State is willing to join forces with Xixia to divide the territory from Dongling. Zixi does not advocate war, but the king's order cannot be disobeyed. Until the night of the Tianxiang Pavilion bidding, I saw Chunfeng's domineering and trampling on the people of Xixia. Then I was determined not to help Xixia, and only helped the virtuous king to seize power. Later, I met the king Rui again at the Xuanxiang Restaurant with the virtuous king. The king asked me in Yan language if I was willing to have a private meeting. Zixi's wife is ugly, but Zixi loves her like a treasure. The king Rui's concubine Qiao also has flaws in appearance, but the king Rui also seems to love her very much. Zixi was touched and agreed."
"Prince Rui took out General Lang's confidant, and Zixi realized that General Lang's heart belonged to Prince Rui instead of Prince Xian. My father's friendship with the Lang family started with General Lang. Moreover, Prince Rui and Zixi have the same vision, and both want the world to be peaceful. He said that his wife Qiaochu treats people with peace, and in the past, she had said that she hoped for a peaceful and prosperous world where the people could live in peace. He was willing to create a peaceful and happy world for her and return her everlasting love. Zixi had no hesitation and chose Prince Rui over Prince Xian."
Shangguan Jinghao suddenly laughed softly and looked at Shangguan Jinghong slowly. "Eighth brother, good, really good, you have been hiding the bidding for Tianxiang Pavilion. You didn't want to get the ugly courtesan surnamed Cui at that time, but to put on a show for Yan Zixi to make him give up cooperating with Xixia."
Shangguan Jinghong didn't say anything, but the emperor smiled bitterly, his expression complicated, "Yes, the Marquis of Yan has entered the country, and I have also received news from the spies. Once I issue an edict to declare the next monarch, Dongling will be in chaos, I will