The Ugly Empress

Lu Shichen was a nerd, he was not good at marching and fighting, and he didn't have a strong sense of direction. Even if he got a horse, it took him a long time to return to Fengguo.

Lu Shichen had no money on him, not to mention accommodation, even food was a problem. He was unwilling to bow his head, so naturally he could only starve. Fortunately, this road was open, otherwise he really didn't know if he would be able to go back alive.

Feng Ming sent many people to look for Lu Xiang. Zhang Hong was fighting with Xue Guo in Mingshui, and the border was very chaotic. Lu Shichen had just passed Mingshui when he was found by Feng Ming's people and brought back.

People in the court knew that Lu Shichen was back, and they had different opinions. Some were thankful, and some expressed doubts. Although Lu Shichen looked haggard, the imperial doctor said that he was just hungry and had no injuries. He could recover within a few days of recuperation. up.

As expected, the ministers fell into Lang Jing's trap and questioned whether Lu Xiang was captured and escaped. Moreover, Lu Xiang's remarks did not mean that he had escaped at all, but that he was a spy who was bought and released by King Xue.

Naturally, among these people there are ministers who want to exclude him, even if Feng Ming believes in him, the rumors cannot be quelled.

King Feng summoned his ministers to discuss Zhang Hong's attack on Xue Guo.

Someone suggested that Feng Ming take this opportunity to attack Xue Guo immediately. Xue Guo was concentrating on fighting against Zhang Hong, so he must have lost his guard.

Lu Shichen said: "I don't think it's appropriate. Zhang Hong attacked Xue Guo, and he couldn't attack for so many days. When I crossed the Mingshui, I saw Xue Guo's camp in the distance. Let the king send troops there."

Although his words were reasonable, many people were prejudiced, and his words just happened to dissuade King Feng from sending troops, which inevitably made many people feel strange.

Lu Shichen said: "My minister is just a suggestion, and the king is required to make up his mind."

Feng Ming thought about it for a while, and said: "If you don't attack, then why don't you take action at this time? Although what Lu Xiang said is indeed reasonable, Gu is still not reconciled and just stays in the army like this."

The minister under Zhang Hong's camp, surnamed Qi Jie, who was also a famous scholar, suggested: "Your Majesty, you can build beacon towers along the Mingshui River, one tower every twenty miles, and send soldiers to guard the towers day and night to watch Zhang Hong and Xue at any time. military."

He also said: "Zhang Hong beat Xue Jun because he couldn't attack for a long time, and the army traveled long distances and deviated from the hinterland. The supply of food and grass behind was not enough, so he became a frightened bird and had to fight left and right. To tell the truth, Zhang Hong is a treacherous villain. Zhang Hong must fight Xue Jun. If you are defeated, your majesty can let the soldiers wait and see in the beacon tower. When Zhang Hong is defeated, he will beat the drums and send troops to help Xue Jun, and then send his officials to Xue Guo to ask for peace. This will not only eradicate Zhang Hong’s invasion, but also make the soldiers King Xue put down his guard."

Someone responded and said: "I heard that there is only one person in the mansion of Marquis Xue Guowannian.

For male concubines, the king can send someone to marry the daughters of the nine princes, and any daughter who is not married to a prince can be chosen by him to show his sincerity.Wannian Hou Jingnian was away, he was brave and good at fighting and made outstanding achievements repeatedly. Even the military power in his hands should not be underestimated. If the king has contacted Xue Houyang, why would he be afraid of King Xue? "

Feng Ming felt that it made sense. If the two armies were really facing each other head-on, it would not be a good thing, so he ordered Qi Zijie to personally dispatch troops to Mingshui to build a beacon tower, and allocated him [-] troops. After all, they were just doing it. It looks like it's not really a life-and-death fight, [-] soldiers and horses are enough.

Qi Zijie was grateful to Feng Ming for saving his life, and made him a general regardless of previous suspicions, so he took the order and immediately ordered ten thousand troops to rush to Mingshui.

Yu Chen led the troops to Mingshui, his official position was lower than the commander, but relying on his connections in Beijing and China, he wanted the commander to meet him, Lang Jing advised him to restrain his temper, Yu Chen simply dismissed him.

As a result, the coach didn't come that day, and he didn't even send a single soldier over. After making Yu Chen wait for several hours, the relationship between the two of them was settled like this.

The commander wanted to listen to Teng Yun's strategy and splash water on the Mingshui River to freeze it. Yu Chen felt that it was not enough to believe it on paper, so he refused to let the soldiers obey orders, drinking in the camp all day long, and calling the soldiers in the camp to wrestle for him to see. It's like playing around.

The master book asked the coach to submit a letter to Yu Chen, but Yu Chen found out that he didn't take it seriously, and told them that even if he went to the capital, few people would dare to touch him, and Zhang Hong didn't need any splashing water and fire at all. Cattle formation, they travel long distances without backup, and they will be defeated after a long time, as long as they wait patiently, isn't it better to wait for work with ease than to drive cattle by splashing water?

An army cannot have two masters. Yu Chen had been drinking all day and hadn't lighted the food and grass. At this time, the enemy army was about to cross the river to attack under the banner of fire. When they saw the fire on the other side, they thought it was a banner to attack, so the thunder and drums shook the sky. Cross Mingshui.

When Xue Jun heard the sound of drums and shouts, he knew that the enemy army was coming. While they were crossing the river, he hurriedly rectified the army formation, and asked the soldiers to take up their weapons and go out one after another. There was still fire to be put out. Hong had crossed the Ming River a long time ago, and the frontline guards all went to put out the fire, but no one stopped them, and they went straight to the camp.

Yu Chen and the commander were killed by the enemy. Although Xue Jun was numerous, they were still defeated for twenty miles. Fortunately, Zhang Hong saw that the opponent was vulnerable, and he became suspicious. He was afraid that it was a trick to lure the enemy, so he did not dare to pursue them. , Ming Jin withdrew his troops.

Yu Chen asked the soldiers to set up another camp twenty miles away, preparing to fight Zhang Hong and get his face back. After this incident, the coach even had a gap with Yu Chen, and wanted to kill him privately before reporting to the court.

Yu Chen also hated the coach in his heart, fearing that he would blame him, he beheaded the coach first, and made himself a general, and even ordered Lang Jing to be arrested, and he wanted to kill him too.

郎靖

He smiled and said, "It doesn't matter if the general kills me, because the general will soon be defeated by Zhang Hong, and he will come to the underworld to accompany Lang Jing in person."

Yu Chen got goosebumps from what he said. He had seen Zhang Hong's bravery, so he was afraid of being convinced by Lang Jing, so he had to let him go and let him make suggestions.

Seeing that the commander had his head beheaded by Yu Chen and was still hanging on the commander's flag to demonstrate, the master wrote a letter at his own risk and asked someone to steal it out of the barracks and send it to the capital.

The news that King Xue wants to accept a male concubine quickly spread. Although the people were surprised for a moment when they heard it, these people don’t care which concubine the emperor favors today and which concubine he likes tomorrow, because they are all too far away from them some.

Those who really responded were all the ministers in the court, some persuaded King Xue to think twice, and some flattered King Xue and said nice things about the bride.

Xue Junliang didn't care much, because he didn't have any feelings for the new concubine who was about to enter the palace. There were so many beauties in the harem, who said that the king had to be trusted and visited after entering the palace?

Xue Junliang's purpose is to put him under house arrest in this way, without any murderous intentions, and at the same time silence the mouths of Youyou.

Xue Junliang pretended to set up a family banquet, called Teng Yun and Xue Houyang, and specifically asked Xue Houyang to bring his wife, because it was a family banquet, so there was no need to be too formal, and everyone just sat together for a meal.

Although Teng Shang didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in his gourd, it was definitely not a good medicine, but if he didn't go, it wouldn't be as simple as refusing a family feast, so he naturally went.

Xue Houyang was afraid that King Xue would make things difficult for Teng Shang, so he thought that he was also there, and King Xue was going to accept a male concubine, so he also acquiesced in himself and Teng Shang, so it shouldn't be difficult.

The two dared not let King Xue and the others enter the palace early, and there was no sign of Marquis Teng Nan when they arrived.

Xue Junliang didn't seem to have any intention of making things difficult, and asked some unimportant questions in a very friendly manner, as if it was a commonplace, and after talking for a while, he said, "Why hasn't Marquis Teng Nan arrived yet?"

Jiang Yu lowered his head and said, "Old servant, let's go and have a look."

As he spoke, he walked out of the hall, and just as he was leaving the door, Teng Yun happened to come, so he announced and led Teng Yun into the hall.

Teng Yun saw Teng Shang as soon as he entered the palace, and his eyes flickered a little. He looked like Teng Ying at this time, and he wondered if Teng Shang would hate him, after all, Teng Ying was not a loyal minister.

Teng Yun invited Ann, and Xue Junliang stood up himself, gave him a little help, and said with a smile: "Teng Qing really made Gu Hao wait."

"Wei Chen is guilty."

Xue Junliang didn't mind his indifference, let everyone sit at the table, and told Jiang Yu to serve meals.

at the table

It seemed that they were not very enthusiastic. When Xue Junliang was silent, the remaining three people did not speak. Xue Houyang really wanted to say something to ease the atmosphere, but he thought he was the most stupid, and he was afraid that it would be self-defeating.

Xue Junliang said with a smile: "Gu Wang suddenly remembered that Lang Jing had told Gu before he left for the expedition that Teng Shang was knowledgeable and knew a lot of things. Lang Jing was naturally clever, and he said that Mr. Teng was the wisest man."

Teng Shang was called by name, but said: "Your Majesty is absurd."

"Don't be humble."

Xue Junliang waved his hand and said: "When the queen was still here, she often recommended your talent to Gu. Your talent is obvious to all."

As soon as he mentioned the word "Queen", Teng Shang was indeed stiff for a moment, not only Teng Shang, but even Teng Yun was also unnatural for a moment.

Xue Junliang himself had listened to Lang Jing's words. If he wanted to know about the queen, he had to test Teng Shang and start from Teng Shang. How could he know that was the case? Although Teng Shang's expression quickly returned to normal, but that A moment of change is absolutely unmissable.

As for Teng Yun's unnaturalness, Xue Junliang thought he was the one who set the fire, so he felt guilty, and it was inevitable when he was mentioned.

Xue Junliang has tested Teng Yun hot and cold these days, and found that this person has not only changed a lot in his achievements, but he used to be a sword-bearer who tended to power and would only please flattery, but now he suddenly became calm and wise, even speaking. There are also some changes in the habit of doing things.

Become very much like the late queen...

However, Xue Junliang does not think that a man and a woman he cares about is a thing that makes him happy. What Xue Junliang feels most is still guarding. The changes of a person are so great, it is inevitable that Xue Junliang feels that this person In fact, it was deliberately close to the queen's behavior or habit, so that he could let go of his guard.

Xue Junliang doesn't think he is a good person, he just needs to be a good king, so he doesn't have to think too well of anyone.

Teng Yun was always a pimple in Teng Shang's heart, and when he was suddenly brought up, the food that he couldn't eat at first was like a stone, choked in his throat, and even scratched his throat sorely.

Xue Junliang seemed to sigh a little, and said: "When the queen was still here, she also said that Mr. Teng is a great talent, and it seems that he and Mr. Teng are very close."

Teng Shang glanced at Xue Junliang calmly, he had already heard that the other party was trying to test himself, but King Teng became a commoner, and Teng Yun died again, so there was no need to worry about leaving him alone, but he felt nothing to be afraid of. Nothing more than that.

Teng Shang said: "The grass people also admire the Queen's character. There are not many people with such resourcefulness in the whole world."

Xue Junliang really sighed this time, testing

On the contrary, others were aroused by others' words. When Xue Junliang lost his queen, he was indeed saddened as well as regretful. This was the only person he cared about. He thought it was not unforgettable. These are too hypocritical, he is the king of a country, if he puts his son and daughter's affair in his heart, how can he sit firmly in the dragon chair.

But thinking about it now, although this feeling is very weak, it seems that it can't bear any scrutiny at all, but as time goes by, it really becomes deeper and clearer, and Xue Junliang can't let go of it.

When Xue Junliang tentatively tested Teng Nanhou, he couldn't tell whether he was sincere or fake. No matter what the purpose of that person was to get close to the Queen's temperament and habits, Xue Junliang had to admit that it was really similar...

Xue Junliang regained his composure, and continued: "In Yigu's opinion, you and the queen seem to have a good relationship, did you know each other before?"

What Teng Shang was waiting for was his words. He said calmly and without any flaws on his face: "Of course I don't know. The empress was born with golden branches and jade leaves, and then formed a good relationship with the king in Qin and Jin Dynasties. Living on the bank of Zhishui, he was kindly adopted by someone who picked him up, how could he be lucky enough to meet the empress?"

Xue Junliang listened to what he said was impeccable, but the more satisfactory the answer was, the more suspicious he was, and he just said: "The queen once told Gu a little story about the origin of your name, it was really touching and made Gu A lot of emotion."

At the end of the two conversations, Xue Houyang half-understood, while Teng Yun was really sweating.

Of course he also heard that Xue Junliang was testing Teng Shang, and Teng Yun was beating in his heart. Could it be that King Xue had already found out that there was something wrong with the queen, or that Lang Jing had spoken to him before he left to make him feel uncomfortable. King Xue pointed the finger at Teng Shang, and started from Teng Shang.

With his current status, it is not easy to speak out to help Teng Shang, so Teng Yun can only act in a hurry.

Fortunately, Xue Junliang was just probing, and after a few words, he stopped talking, turned his head and said with a smile: "I'm so confused, I left Teng Qing in the cold."

Teng Yun didn't speak, Xue Junliang continued: "A few days ago someone found a treasure, and I thought it was very suitable for Teng Qing. Since Teng Qing is going to enter the palace soon, Gu can't be too stingy, so I want to take this Send the treasure to Teng Qing."

As he spoke, he beckoned, Jiang Yu retreated, and came in again after a while, followed by two servants, each holding a lacquered red brocade box.

The two brocade boxes are not small, they are rectangular in shape, and the engravings on the brocade boxes are not festive fancy patterns, but Yazi.

According to legend, Yazi is the second son of the dragon. He has a strong personality and loves to kill and fight. He is usually carved on the top of the sword, because the sword is a fierce weapon, and the carving of Yazi has the purpose of warding off evil spirits.

Xue Junliang opened the first brocade box with a smile, and there was indeed a treasured sword inside.

Although the blade looks a bit bulky, it is cold, and a knowledgeable person can tell at a glance that it is a good sword from ancient times.

Xue Junliang said: "In ancient times, there were three precious swords, Dragon Tooth, Tiger Wing and Dog God. Now the lonely king has found two good swords. Although they can't compare with the ancient artifacts, they are hard to find in the world. They just call these two swords Dragon Teeth. And Tiger Wing. I left Dragon Tooth alone, so I gave Tiger Wing to Teng Qing."

Although Teng Yun is not a bloodthirsty person, he has practiced martial arts since he was a child, and he is considered a martial arts idiot. He naturally likes good knives, but Xue Junliang has something to say.

He opened another brocade box behind him, and there was a scabbard in it, "Although it is a good knife, it would be inconvenient for Teng Qing to carry it when she entered the harem. Gu specially ordered someone to make a scabbard worthy of it." The scabbard, but this scabbard is not called a scabbard, the reason why the scabbard can be called a scabbard is because the knife has a day to be drawn out, and this... is more suitable to be called a saber coffin."

Teng Yun listened quietly to what he said, and finally understood what it meant. Sending a good knife and the coffin with this good knife was to tell Teng Yun that no matter how capable he was, entering the harem would be like a treasure in ancient times. The treasured sword of the artifact was buckled in the coffin, and it could no longer do anything.

Teng Yun laughed, and just reached out to pick up the Tiger Wing Knife from the brocade box. The blade was long and slightly flat, with a slightly upturned blade.

Teng Yun put his fingers together and stroked the blade lightly. The Tiger Wing Knife seemed to be very sharp, and he stabbed his finger with blood. The blood flowed down the blood groove. Out of the cold, it became more and more moist.

Teng Yun didn't take this little injury to heart. After looking at the knife, he put the tiger wings back into the brocade box, and then thanked Xue Junliang.

Teng Shang sat on the side, seeing his movements, and couldn't help being stunned.

Teng Yun has a little trick, that is, when he gets the weapon he likes, he will support it like this. Teng Yun said that because the sword also has aura, after sacrificing blood, he can go through life and death together. A real general puts his own Weapons are as important as Shuai Qi.

Teng Shang stared at the blood dripping on the ground for a long time and could not regain his senses. Maybe it was just a coincidence, because many people thought so. Some warriors also regarded swords as their own lives. Even the bones were not collected. After the troops were withdrawn, everyone would go to pick up some weapons and bury him in the soil, which was regarded as a grave.

Seeing his gaffe, Xue Houyang reached out to touch him under the table, Teng Shang turned to look at him, Xue Houyang took advantage of King Xue not paying attention, turned his head and said softly: "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

滕裳

It is inevitable to be sad when thinking of some past events, but his face was reddened by Xue Houyang's words. Xue Houyang saw that his face was slightly flushed, and thought he was sick, but the man turned his head and stopped looking at him, and Xue Houyang found the roots of his ears Seems to be red.

Xue Houyang coughed lightly, remembering what he said just now, although it was a bit unintentional, but it must have made the other party think of that aspect, Xue Houyang couldn't help thinking of Teng Shang's initiative at night, and smiled smirkly.