More than 300,000 Chu troops knocked on the gate of Hangu Pass, killed 17,000 Qin soldiers at Hangu Pass, and captured more than 5,000 surrendered troops. With great momentum, they advanced straight into the pass.

At this time, Zhou Wen was at the height of his power, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses marching westward from Hanguguan. No one dared to stop him. Along the way, in counties and villages, people begged for surrender, ate pots of pulp, and met Zhang Chu's army.

Is this the last battle that will lead to the demise of Qin? Everyone is waiting to see.

Under the leadership of Zhou Wen, Zhang Chu's army built camps in Hudi along the Hetao. The camps stretched for hundreds of miles. Every day, they sang and danced, slaughtered sheep and cooked wine to celebrate their victory. On the second day, Zhou Wen sent envoys to Chen County to report to Chen County.

Chen Sheng reported victory.

...

Xianyang City was in turmoil. The news that Zhou Wen had broken through Hangu Pass had already spread back. Many people had begun to prepare to flee Xianyang, and some merchants and their adopted sons-in-law were leaving Xianyang one after another. They were worried that the imperial court would recruit them into the army again.

Moreover, there are rumors that Zhou Wen's army will arrive at the city within half a month at the latest, and many officials in the city have begun to send their children to settle in the Longxi area.

But inside the Xianyang Palace, there was a different scene, with people singing and dancing, and tables full of wine and meat. The servants and maids did not know the coming danger, let alone that the majestic Qin Empire had even lost Hangu Pass.

.

But there are also some loyal ministers who have followed the Qin emperor for generations and served the Qin Dynasty for generations. At this time, Cheng Jing Yongnian, the censor, hurriedly entered the palace. He walked through Yongchang Gate and went straight to Changle Hall.

When they were about to reach the harem, a soldier from the Chinese army stopped Jing Yongnian and scolded him coldly: "How dare you, do you dare to break into His Majesty's harem?"

Jing Yongnian realized that he was really anxious and confused. If he broke into the harem without permission, he would be beheaded. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He clasped his fists and said to his servant: "Please tell your Majesty that I have an urgent military situation."

Report."

"Your Majesty has an order. If you don't see anyone, you'd better go back." Pu She replied decisively, but Jing Yongnian refused to leave. The survival of the country was at stake, so he had to bite the bullet and continued: "This general,

This matter is related to the safety of the country and cannot be delayed. Please take the trouble to tell His Majesty for me."

When the servant of the Central Army saw that it was related to Sheji, he did not dare to delay, so he had to hold his hands and said: "Okay, you wait here, I will go in and report."

After about half a stick of incense, the servant of the Central Army walked out dejectedly and sighed: "Your Majesty said, if you have anything to do, we can talk to you in the morning."

Jing Yongnian was in a hurry, and Hu Hai had not been to the morning court for half a month. How could he afford to delay this matter? He couldn't help but handed over his hand again and sighed: "Please give me a report, General."

"It really can't be done, Your Majesty is already angry!" Pu She was very upset, so Jing Yongnian had to take out some scattered gold from his arms, handed it to Pu She, and sighed: "It is about the survival of the country, so why don't you ask the general to protect the country?"

Righteousness is right."

Seeing how persistent Jing Yongnian was, Pu She had no choice but to sigh, return the gold to Jing Yongnian, turn around and go to the harem again.

...

In the Yongle Hall, Hu Hai covered his eyes with a brocade handkerchief and was playing hide-and-seek with several beloved concubines. The whole hall was filled with laughter. At this time, Pushe hurriedly walked in, knelt down on the ground, and reported: "The censor Zhongcheng refuses to leave."

Go, Your Majesty, you'd better meet me."

Hu Hai yanked off his blindfold and said angrily: "Didn't I already tell you? Missing!"

Pu She still wanted to speak, but Hu Hai scolded: "Don't you understand what I'm saying?"

"But your majesty, the censor Zhongcheng said that this matter is related to the country. The life and death of Qin State hangs on a thread. Please think about it again!" Pu She's last words finally convinced Hu Hai that life and death hang on a thread. Maybe Jing Yongnian wants to

What he was reporting to himself was really a big deal. Thinking of this, Hu Hai dismissed several favored concubines, sat back at the table, and ordered: "Bring him up."

"Your Majesty, this is the harem, please come to the front hall in person." Pu She persuaded in a low voice, but at this time, Hu Hai laughed and said: "If you don't tell me, I will forget it!"

...

In the side hall of Ganquan Palace, Jing Yongnian anxiously wandered around. After all his requests, he was finally summoned by Hu Hai. At this time, he had already arrived at the side hall, waiting for Hu Hai's arrival.

If Hu Hai is still willing to listen to him at this time, get rid of Zhao Gao, get rid of the corrupt officials in the government, clear out the government and the opposition, and send troops back from the north to help, Xianyang will be safe, otherwise Xianyang will be in danger if the troops press the border.

But Jing Yongnian was really not confident that he could persuade Hu Hai. At this moment, there were rapid footsteps outside the palace. Jing Yongnian thought that it was Hu Hai who was coming. He hurried out to greet him and bowed and saluted: "I see your Majesty,

Long live my emperor!"

The visitor ignored him, and Jing Yongnian was slightly surprised. He looked up and saw that the visitor was not Hu Hai, but Zhao Gao. At this time, Zhao Gao was glaring at him, as if he already knew the purpose of his entry into the palace.

Someone had leaked this matter. It seemed that he had underestimated Zhao Gao. Zhao Gao's eyes and ears were now in every corner of the palace.

Just when Jing Yongnian was about to explain, someone else walked in. Jing Yongnian looked and saw that it was Prime Minister Li Si and Dr. Shusun Tong. They had just walked in when a chamberlain shouted loudly from outside: "Your Majesty the Emperor."

Arrive."

Soon, Hu Hai walked into the main hall accompanied by several chamberlains. He walked to the soft mat and sat down. Several people knelt down and saluted: "Long live my emperor."

Hu Hai raised his hands and everyone stood up. At this time, Hu Hai stared at Jing Yongnian and asked: "Tell me, why are you so anxious that you can't wait until the morning to talk about it?"

When Jing Yongnian saw Hu Hai's expression was different, he already understood something in his heart. However, the rebels were approaching and as a Qin official, he had to say it. Thinking of this, Jing Yongnian held up his hands and said, "Have you ever heard that the Shandong bandits gathered for thirty

Yu Wan has already entered Hangu Pass, will the troops arrive in Xianyang soon?"

"Bang!" Hu Hai slammed the table, stood up resolutely, and said angrily: "What did you say?"

"Your Majesty, if you don't send troops back for reinforcements, Xianyang will be in danger!" Jing Yongnian suddenly knelt down. At this time, Hu Hai looked at Zhao Gao and Li Si in despair and scolded: "Is what he said true?"

When Zhao Gao saw that Jing Yongnian was really here for this matter, he couldn't help but sneer in his heart. Fortunately, he was more skilled and pulled Li Si over. At this time, they could coordinate with each other. Thinking of this, Zhao Gao sneered and said: "Your Majesty, this is someone

Some people are spreading rumors to cause trouble, but this is absolutely not the case."

"Really?" Hu Hai's anxious heart calmed down slightly. At this time, Zhao Gao laughed and said: "The Shandong rebels did have some defiance, but they definitely did not have the 300,000 troops approaching Xianyang as Jing Yongnian said.

, if this is the case, won’t our Great Qin be destroyed?”

Hu Hai did not believe Zhao Gao's words 100%. He couldn't help but look at Li Si and asked: "Prime Minister, please tell me."

Li Si had mixed feelings in his heart. He was very upset. Zhao Gao had threatened him on the grounds that he would lose Hangu Pass because of Li You's failure in supervising the battle. Once he admitted that his son was involved in Jing Yongnian's team, he would definitely be punished for dereliction of duty, but he could

He didn't say anything, but his conscience was condemned. In such a dilemma, Li Si gritted his teeth and said: "Your Majesty, what Master Zhongcheng said is absolutely true."

Zhao Gao was secretly happy when he saw Li Si leaning towards him. His eyes fell on Shusun Tong again and asked: "Sir Doctor, tell me, have we fooled His Majesty?"

Shusun Tong was a smooth man. He knew how to protect himself wisely and not offend the powerful. At this time, Jing Yongnian had fallen out of favor, and no one helped him clarify why he had to offend Zhao Gao and others and put himself in the fire for him.

Thinking about it, Shusun Tong raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I have also heard that they are just a small group of rebels and they are not enough to achieve anything. If your Majesty is willing, I am willing to go to Shandong to investigate in person and bring you real battle reports."

Seeing that Shusun Tong personally invited him to Shandong, Hu Hai nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Since I love you so much, I am sure."

At this time, Hu Hai's eyes were filled with murderous intent. He glared at Jing Yongnian angrily and shouted: "How dare you tease me? Come and pull Jing Yongnian out and behead him!"

"Your Majesty, the survival of the Qin Dynasty depends only on your thoughts, Your Majesty..." Before Jing Yongnian could finish his words, he was ruthlessly pulled out of the hall by the guards. At this time, Hu Hai stood up and took advantage of his laziness to look at Zhao Gao and others.

The man sighed: "If you have anything, please report it to me in time."

...

In Chen County City, a cavalryman galloped into the city, running wildly in the street, holding a bamboo slip in his hand and shouting: "The great victory at Hangu Pass..."

In the palace of Zhang Chu, Chen Sheng had married more than thirty concubines. The harem was filled with singing, laughter, wine and delicacies every day. At this time, Chen Sheng, accompanied by more than a hundred palace maids, was caught playing hide and seek.

The maid of honor had to accompany Chen Sheng to bed at night.

Laughter and the sound of wine glasses being knocked down and broken filled the entire Qingxiao Hall.

The lofty words and ambitions he once had were gone. Chen Sheng had already developed the habit of being arrogant and extravagant in the past few months. He was squandering his youth and energy without limit.

Moreover, the increasingly stable Zhang Chu regime cannot be easily shaken by the Qin State. Therefore, when people are at ease, what they like most is to have enough food and drink to indulge in lust.

At this time, Chen Sheng was testing in front of him with his hands, listening to the positions of the palace maids with his ears. He laughed loudly and rushed towards the nearest palace maid, but missed. At this time, a report from his followers sounded outside the palace: "Your Majesty."

, Cai Ci asked for an audience in the front hall."

Chen Sheng reached out and took off his blindfold. Although he was unhappy and unwilling to go, Cai Ci was his loyal minister after all. Chen Sheng could not help Cai Ci's face, so he had to order: "Let him wait, I will be here soon."

arrive."

After he left, Chen Sheng sat back on the soft seat, picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and shouted to everyone: "Change my clothes."

In the front hall, Cai Ci and Kong Yu were very excited and were waiting anxiously for Chen Sheng. Kong Yu had just learned the news of the victory at Hangu Pass. He was extremely happy. At this time, the sound of rapid footsteps came from outside the hall.

Accompanied by several chamberlains, Chen Sheng walked in quickly. He sat down on the soft mat, stared at the two of them, and asked, "Why are you so anxious to find me?"

"Your Majesty, we have sent messages from Hangu Pass and Zhao Di. Zhao Di has pacified many counties. At this time, the military officials have more than 10,000 troops. Hangu Pass has been captured by Zhou Wen. At this time, there are 300,000 troops and the garrison is in Hu Di.

." Cai Ci said excitedly, and Chen Sheng was very excited. The news of victory came from the two groups of soldiers and horses at the same time. This was simply a surprise from heaven. Chen Sheng couldn't help but said: "Send an order to reward Zhou Wen's army with thousands of sheep, thousands of pots of wine, and a large sum of money.

Reward the three armies and repair them for half a month."

Kong Yu saw that Chen Sheng was arrogant and extravagant and did not take the opportunity to continue marching westward. He said anxiously: "The king has already broken through the Qin Pass. It is best to take advantage of the victory and march westward. Taking advantage of the high morale, it is best to conquer the capital of Qin in one fell swoop. Otherwise, we may be too late."

Something has changed!”

Chen Shengluo pondered for a while. He couldn't believe that Kong Kun had always favored the Xiang family and the Wei family, so he waved his hands and sighed: "Qin is already a dry bone in the grave, so there is nothing to be afraid of. Mr. Kong is too worried!"
Chapter completed!