across the Quartet

Horizontal Chapter Two

At night in Xinzheng, it is far less brightly lit and full of tourists than Handan and Daliang.The wind swept across the deserted streets, only the broken branches and leaves that were left unattended rolled on the ground, and they were taken to nowhere by the warm wind.

Since the loss of Yiyang and Yewang, and surrendered the dangerous land of Shangdang, the western front of Handu has become almost undefendable. Qin's garrison in Shangdang County is like a sharp knife hanging over Xinzheng's head, and it may be hit hard at any time. When he fell, his neck was cut and his throat was cut, and his eyes were full of blood.

Even if he is a son of a nobleman who spends a lot of money, who else is in the mood to listen to string songs, enjoy music and dance, look for flowers and willows, and get drunk with prostitutes?Most of the elders and nobles whose fiefs were far away from Xinzheng stayed in their own fiefs, and even the imperial court often complained that they could not come to the court.Those wealthy businessmen who have made friends with other countries are also clear in their hearts. They have long known the truth that a dangerous city cannot be lived in. Who would stand by this precarious capital until the Qin army's cavalry broke through the city wall, looted all their belongings, and ended up in their own hands? What about money and money?Many businessmen have already sold their properties in Xinzheng, looking for a more stable and secure place to make money.Those who stay behind are just waiting and watching. Once the situation changes, they can immediately leave South Korea as quickly as possible to protect themselves.

However, there are always some people who can't avoid it even if they want to, and can't escape even if they want to.

It was late, but Prime Minister Han Xi was not sleepy yet.He was sitting blankly in the Xiangfu's study room, with a volume of "Spring and Autumn" spread out on the couch.

In fact, this important humerus official in South Korea was not reading at all; his eyes had long been distracted, and all the things he saw during the day passed before his eyes in fragments like glimpses in the water: sometimes it was King Han who was fidgeting at the meeting, and sometimes The cold and disdainful eyes of the envoys of the Qin State, sometimes it is the appearance of quarrels between the court officials and officials who have nothing to do to stabilize the country, and sometimes it is the white flag of filial piety on the mansion of Da Sikou Han Yu'an, curling up with green smoke...

There are rumors in the market that the assassin who killed Han Shangqing was eight feet long, with white hair and a childlike face, with the appearance of a fairy.And the gossip among the courtiers even whispered that this person is the orphan of the Wei family, who was saved by an expert before, and returned to the country three years later to take revenge.

White hair, white hair...Han Xi couldn't help but think of Zixu, the white-haired madman who came to light overnight more than 200 years ago. In order to avenge his father and brother, he did not hesitate to cast Wu Fachu, turn Yingdu into ruins overnight, and kill people like hemp , opening coffins and slaughtering corpses—what if Wei Shi's kid is also such a lunatic?

A gust of draft passed by, sweeping away the candles on the case; the prime minister was even more frightened for unknown reasons.

Suddenly, a boy servant in the mansion came to report: "Master Zhang, apprentice, please see me."

Han Xi smiled slightly, got up and put on his clothes, and let the boy servant help him to walk to the main hall.

Shen Tu Zhang Liang, in terms of seniority and seniority, is just a new junior in the Korean court, but the leader of the ministers, Mr. Xiangguo, treats him like a nephew and treats him differently. It is not just his three generations of Prime Minister Han. Family background, or the personal relationship between his deceased father Zhang Ping and Han Xi, but this son himself is different from ordinary people.Everyone at that time knew that Zhang's son could read at the age of three, recite poems at the age of five, learn piano and chess at the age of seven, and know the world at the age of nine; I heard that his father occasionally asked him about state affairs when he was alive, and this son also had unique and wonderful insights. After coming out, everyone was shocked.Although Han Xi is the prime minister, he is often at a loss for what to do about the foggy Korean court dispute; however, as long as he chats and laughs with this ten-year-old kid for a while, and listens to his quick and reasonable analysis, it seems like No matter how complicated and difficult things are, they can be easily solved.

Confucius said: Don't be ashamed to ask.It's no big deal for him to ask such a little doll dignifiedly.

Lord Shentu Zhang had been waiting in the main hall for a while; when he saw Han Xi coming to invite him in person, he hurriedly saluted and said, "I don't know that Lord Xiangguo has gone to bed, so please forgive me." Like a girl, the etiquette is very comprehensive, showing the style and demeanor of the children of the aristocratic family everywhere.

Han Xi smiled and said: "It's still early, the old man just undressed for comfort, not going to bed." He dragged the little devil's hand and motioned him to sit down, "I don't know why Liangzi came to visit at night, why?"

"Without him, I heard that Mr. Xiangguo contracted a minor illness by chance, so I would like to offer you the health-care prescription that my father took for many years in the past. I hope Mr. Xiangguo will recover soon after using it."

"I'm sorry to bother you." Han Xi waved his hand to order the servant boy to accept the letter, then moved back to the left and right, approached Zhang Liang and said in a low voice, "These days, the old man is always restless. If you don't come to find the old man, the old man will look for it instead." is you."

"I don't know what Mr. Xiangguo is thinking about?"

"That's the one, Master Si Kouhan—"

"Sir, my lord." At this moment, the boy answering the door in Han Xi's mansion broke in again without hesitation, and stopped at the hall with a strange expression on his face, "Also, there is another guest."

"What guest?" Han Xi was very annoyed, "Didn't I tell you all to go down?! Tell him that the old man has already gone to bed and no guests."

"Then, the guest said, we can't see you." The little boy dared not leave, and Han Xi decided to give him a good meal tomorrow.

"Bastard! Who dares to say such a thing?"

"I."

A black-clothed and white-haired figure walked out slowly from the tree shadows in front of the hall, and entered the hall lightly like a ghost.

When the old prime minister moved his throat, he couldn't even scream.Now he knew why Xiaotong's expression was so strange - it was clearly the expression of being frightened out of his wits.

He didn't know that the expression on his own face at this moment was exactly the same.

"You, you are—"

"Little nephew Wei Zhuang, I have met Uncle Xiang." The maniac who murdered like a dog actually saluted respectfully, but it did not alleviate Han Xi's inner fear at all. "I haven't seen you for many years. I would like to offer you a small gift as a token of my affection. I hope uncle will not refuse." As he spoke, he presented a very delicate wooden box with both hands, as if waiting for someone to pick it up.

Han Xi was so trembling that he couldn't even stretch out his hands.He hoarsely shouted: "Come on, come on—"

"Uncle Xiang, why bother?" Wei Zhuang's mouth hooked slightly, and he threw the gift box forward flatly - the box seemed to be supported by an invisible force, and it fell firmly on the ground - freeing his hand to grab Han Xi left arm. "It is indecent for our own family to speak and be overheard by the servants."

"You... you, you, are you here to kill the old man?"

Wei Zhuang actually smiled even more happily, "Where is the uncle's words? Master Xiangguo is not Han Yu'an's party. If my nephew is half hostile to uncle, I am afraid that a moment ago, uncle's head would have been five feet away."

Han Xi rolled his eyes—just about to pass out, when Wei Zhuang exerted a little force on his hand, he regained his energy immediately.At this moment, he is deeply jealous of those old, weak, sick and disabled who can vomit blood and faint.

He didn't expect that the 13-year-old Zhang family kid would be so fearless as a newborn calf, he stood in front of him and shouted at the bold assassin: "Wei Zhuang! After you are a guilty minister, how dare you be so rude to the Prime Minister! !!"

Wei Zhuang's eyes turned to Zhang Liang thoughtfully, and they looked at each other for a long time, so long that Han Xi began to think about the feng shui of the cemetery—he gradually let go of Han Xi's arm—then he cupped his hands and said: "I just offended you a lot. Zhuang made such a bad plan because he had to do it. The tragedy of the Wei family back then was really a grievance. I hope the Prime Minister will learn from it."

Although Han Xi was given a hand, he still couldn't relax much.He knew that the person in front of him really wanted to take his life, he just raised his hand.

"Old man..."

"My nephew came back this time not only to take revenge, but also to cleanse his grievances." Wei Zhuang's sarcastic face suddenly changed into a sad expression of bitterness and hatred, "The former king was deceived by a traitor and killed me, Wei Zhuang. The family is full of loyalty and kindness, although Zhuang was lucky enough to survive, but he couldn't reveal this grievance to Han, how can he see his father under Jiuquan? My nephew asks his uncle to show mercy and help his younger nephew."

"How...how do you want me to help you?"

"My nephew wants to meet the current King of Han! I would like to personally argue the truth of this twists and turns under the throne, and I will not regret it even if I die!"

"This, this..." Han Xi screamed in his heart, how can this be done!If I recommend you to the king, if you suddenly go out to assassinate in the hall, wouldn't I become the assassin's party and want to destroy the three clans! !

"Uncle Xiang can't trust your nephew?" Wei Zhuang still looked sad, "My nephew doesn't hate the former king or the Han family, but only hates the villain who framed you! Now that the thief is gone, Zhuang just asks me to explain it to you." King, how dare you think otherwise."

"This, this..." Han Xi reluctantly responded, "But there are some difficulties. Even if the old man says it, the king may not agree to see you..."

"I only hope that my uncle will confess my nephew's confession in front of the king. Wei Zhuang's strong loyalty to Han can show the sun and the moon." The speaker changed into a face of a passionate young man again; People are dumbfounded. "What's more, if we can meet each other by chance, the hall will be full of armored and sharp warriors. If Zhuang Dan has a different heart, blood will be spattered five steps away!"

"..."

"My nephew only hopes that my uncle will deliver the message. As for whether I can see the emperor, it depends on God's will. But please consider it, Mr. Xiangguo." Wei Zhuang bowed deeply again, then turned around and left.

It just went away.

After a long time, Han Xicai gradually came back to his senses, stroked his heart and said, "He...he really left?"

"gone."

"What did he mean by doing this...?"

"It's nothing more than asking the prime minister to introduce him."

"If the old man is not coerced by him," Han Xidong looked around for a while, and gradually regained his confidence, "From today on, he will stay in the palace and let the tigers accompany him around, what should he do?"

"Even if this person is excellent in martial arts, he may not have killed your lord in a short time. Besides, as he said, if he really intended, our lives would have been lost long ago." Zhang Liang said with a heavy tone, "It's just that I I am afraid of his intentions, not only this."

"what for?"

"Han Yu Ansu disagrees with your lord's political views, and his party members are all over Xinzheng. The eunuch Liu Ji and Sikong Zhongsi are all his people; the royal city guards who patrol the city at night may also have a lot of his eyeliner. Prince Wei Just now when he went out from the main gate, he didn't seem to have deliberately concealed his whereabouts. If Han Yu'an's party members saw it, they would probably spit blood at the court meeting, claiming that the assassin who killed the chief minister was hired by the prime minister. At that time, everyone said , the suspicion of the Prime Minister will be very difficult to clear."

Han Xi suddenly shuddered. "...Then what should we do?"

"For the present plan, the only way is to fulfill Wei Shizi's wish for the time being, and take down Han Yu'an's party in front of the king. I heard that when the king was the prince in the early years, he had a close friendship with Wei Shizi; this time he hastily proposed Mr. Mian, I think I have gone through some consideration."

"However, Wei Zhuang is too dangerous; if he has the heart of disobedience and endangers the emperor, the old man will not be redeemed—"

The young student Shen Tu thought for a while, then suddenly listened to him and said, "I have heard that the Prime Minister Yu Dianmen General Deng Armada has the kindness to support you, so why not ask him to consult with him secretly, and dress the Prince Wei as a bodyguard and sneak into the palace, so that his camera Confess to the king, and assign the servants of the minister's house to watch secretly; if they see him behave differently, they will order other guards to kill him on the spot; at that time, there will be no proof of death, who would know that you introduced this person to your majesty?"

Han Xi pondered for a long time, uncertain; after all, this move was too risky and involved too much, like a gamble. "The old man can invite Deng Armada to discuss it; I'm afraid that Wei Zi will be like Nie and Zhuan, who will not hesitate to kill him for the sake of assassination..."

Shentu shook his head and smiled, "In Yiliang's opinion, Prince Wei may not be such an arrogant and foolish person."

His tone and smiling face gave the old prime minister a strange confidence.At least in the past, this young boy's judgment has never been wrong.At this moment, Han Xi's heart has already been tilted seven or eight points, and the rest can only be decided after discussing with his cronies and disciples.

He stroked his chest and let out a few breaths, and suddenly noticed that the wooden box that Wei Zhuang brought was still quietly parked on the ground.

"I don't know what's inside?" He suddenly became curious and picked up the box carefully. After opening it, he found that it contained a set of jewelry worn by a woman, including golden hairpins, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Inlaid with glittering tortoiseshell, pearls and kingfisher feathers.

Under the jewelry is a layer of silk cloth with small characters written: "If the prime minister has made up his mind, this item can be dedicated to the head of Wang Ji—nephew Zhuang Dun."

The so-called Wang Ji actually refers to Zheng Ji, the most beloved beauty of King Han, which is well known throughout the country.

Han Xi was stunned.He never expected that the Wei family brat not only made sure that he would change his mind after leaving, but even arranged the back door for him to go through next.Zhang Liang on the side covered his mouth with his sleeve and sniggered. Seeing the prime minister raised his head, he immediately removed his sleeve and put on a serious expression.

"Since that's the case, the prime minister can rest assured; the son of Wei did not want to see my king for the purpose of assassination."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Zhang Liang asked Prime Minister Han Xi to resign, and left the Prime Minister's mansion alone.He refused the servants to accompany him, and lit a candle alone, as if he didn't care about the cold and quiet night in Xinzheng and the unknown dangers lurking in the darkness.

After walking about hundreds of steps, a tall black figure suddenly blocked the way.Although the young Shentu stopped, he didn't show any surprise.

Heiying sneered and saluted, "Thank you, Liangzi, for speaking kindly in front of the prime minister for me. I just don't know what your final decision will be?"

The torch in Zhang Liang's hand illuminated the person's silver hair and light gray eyes—this person was Wei Zhuang who had left earlier!

"Little brother is only doing things according to plan, so why should Brother Wei ask questions knowingly?" Zhang Liang also laughed.

Han Xi can also be regarded as a veteran planner who has established himself in the Korean temple for decades, but he would never have imagined that his most trusted nephew and nephew, and the dangerous assassin who recently turned the country's capital upside down, would have long ago colluded. guys.

Speaking of the friendship between Wei Zhuang and Zhang Liang, it can be traced back to three or five years ago.At that time, Wei Zhuang was working as his son-in-law in Xinzheng, and his main business was flying eagles and lackeys, bullying others and becoming the city's hegemon.Most of the children of famous families in Xinzheng were taken in by him as his servants, and the few remaining were bullied so that they dared not go out all day.Moreover, Wei Zhuang deceives others, not only suppressing them physically, but also destroying them mentally; relying on his family's possession of the private information of countless officials and nobles, he scolds people and chooses the most secret and vulnerable places of his opponents to attack, making him People are miserable—for example, someone’s grandfather has some problems, someone’s biological mother was a prostitute in the city, someone’s father got his title by offering aphrodisiac to the royal family... all the way , invincible.

However, the patience of the teenagers who have lived under the majesty of Wei Shizi all the year round is also limited.At that time, the youngest son of the old prime minister Zhang Ping's family was being passed down to the world as a "child prodigy".One day, a brother from the same clan asked this boy prodigy if there was a way to cure a certain demon named Wei, regardless of face.Xiao Zhangliang really gave them an idea, to ambush them on Weizhuang's usual road of horses parading through the streets, and hit them halfway with rotten melons and fruits.Unexpectedly, when Wei Zhuang rode his horse the next day, he brought a few followers with him, and when the fruit hit someone, Wei Zhuang himself survived.After this incident, Wei Zhuang took out the mastermind Zhang Liang without any effort, but he was surprised to find that he was still a baby under ten years old.Afterwards, what shocked the young noblemen in Xinzheng was that the two had formed a friendship. Wei Zhuang even said to Zhang Liang, "If I am a general, I must use my son as a servant".The days of darkness, from now on even more headless...

Three years ago, Wei's family had an accident, just as Zhang Liang was in mourning for his father, so he couldn't do anything.But Zhang Liang never believed in the rumors that the Wei family betrayed Han to Qin.When Wei Zhuang returned to Xinzheng this time, the first thing he did was to secretly visit the Zhang family: First, Zhang Liang’s mind and position made him trustworthy; It was Zhang Liang, which also facilitated Wei Zhuang's secret access.On the big plan to win over Han Xi, the current prime minister, the two have conspired for a long time, feeling that neither threats nor persuasion are absolutely sure, only the two of them should cooperate with each other inside and outside, and use both soft and hard methods to completely take down the old man.The final situation turned out to be exactly as they expected.

"Brother Wei, although the prime minister has promised to introduce you, you still bear the stigma of assassinating the minister in front of the king. How will you defend yourself then?"

"It doesn't matter, as long as Han Yu'an's identity in the Qin Dynasty is confirmed, I will be a hero for eliminating traitors and Qingjun."

Zhang Liang sighed, "Having said that, the Korean court today is dark and filthy, and there are nobles and powerful officials, how many people have never been bribed by Qin envoys, colluded with cronies, deceived the Lord, and corrupted the law - we can get rid of one, and we can get rid of thousands Surely?"

Wei Zhuang raised his eyebrows and said, "So in order to deal with this group of silverfish that gnaw on the pillars of our country, we must invite a real expert who knows the law and advocates selfishness and the foundation of the country."

"you are right……"

"Just a stutter."