In the twelfth lunar month of winter, the land in Guanzhong was covered with snow. A group of Qin soldiers were walking hard on the north bank of the Weihe River. The snow was so thick that the horses could not move freely. These Qin soldiers could only hold the horses by themselves and walked back to Xianyang step by step.

The first general was a general. He held a long sword in his hand, a bow at his waist, and led an extremely majestic Guanzhong horse. The dozens of soldiers behind him were burly and all looked at them with eager eyes. But they were different from the previous Qin army. They were

The remnant of Li You's troops who had just returned from Shandong were led by Li You's deputy general Pang Delong.

After Li You died in battle, Pang Delong was chased by Xiang Yu and Liu Bang to Waihuang and defended the city. He thought that he would die in Waihuang in this battle, but in the battle of Dingtao, Xiang Liang was killed, causing the Chu army to return eastward in a hurry. Pang Delong

managed to escape with his life,

But Li You's body could not be stored for a long time. After Pang Delong confirmed that the Chu army had retreated, he cremated Li You's body on the spot, put it in a clay pot, and tied it to his horse. When he returned to Guanzhong this time, Pang Delong's only wish was to

Li You's ashes were returned to Li Si, so that Li You could return to his roots and be buried in his homeland.

In the battle with the Chu army, Pang Delong has completely realized that the Chu army is powerful and Xiang Yu is brave. He is definitely not a small person like himself who can compete with him. Therefore, as long as Pang Delong can return to Xianyang this time, he will quit the army and work for the people.

,

At this time, the team was still advancing slowly. Most of Li You's old troops had been killed by Xiang Yu. Some of the subordinates who had been gathered and gathered by Pang Delong also withdrew to Sanchuan County. At this time, Pang Delong only brought back some of his troops to Guanzhong.

There were probably more than a thousand of his old subordinates,

He could have rushed back to Guanzhong half a month ago, but heavy snow blocked Pang Delong's journey. He was repeatedly delayed on the road, and even today, he was unable to return to Xianyang. However, the land of Guanzhong has been covered with white snow. This kind of snow is unknown.

Pang Delong didn't want to be delayed on the road, so he led some soldiers to rush back to Xianyang first, and the rest of his old troops followed later.

At this time, a ray of sunshine shone on the earth and shone on the white snow. It was so dazzling that Pang Delong couldn't help but cover his eyes with his hands and looked into the distance. Not far away, there was Yueyang. After entering Yueyang, he was away from the capital.

, it’s not far,

Victory was in the distance. Pang Delon looked back at the ashes on the horse and sighed: "General, I will take you home soon."

,,,,,,

After Zhang Han asked for orders to send troops, he defeated Zhou Wen and chased him to Mianchi to commit suicide. Afterwards, Zhang Han fought everywhere and fought countless battles, winning more and losing less. From then on, in Guanzhong Da'an, Hu Hai was happy to return to the harem and spend time with his concubines.

Sharing the happiness of family, the great power in the DPRK was gradually controlled by Zhao Gao. The Zhao party was the dominant family in the DPRK, unmatched by anyone.

Zhao Gao gradually developed arrogant and extravagant habits. Every time he went out, he would be escorted by 3,000 troops and accompanied by six high chariots and four horses. When the people saw this, they all hated him. However, Zhao Gao's power was too great and had become deeply rooted.

No one can shake him, so everyone tries to avoid Zhao Gao. No one wants to touch Zhao Gao's bad luck.

But in autumn this year, unfavorable news for the Qin army spread to Xianyang one after another. First, Zhang Han destroyed Wei, and the Qin people all cheered. But then, Zhang Han was defeated in Dong'a, and was killed by Xiang Yu. He abandoned his armor and even the army.

Regardless, he fled in a hurry. Later, the Chu army chased the Qin army everywhere and blocked Zhang Han in Puyang. He almost died.

Once this kind of news flows into Xianyang, it will cause uproar in the city, and the people will be in panic. If Zhang Han is defeated, who else in the Qin State can fight with the Chu army?

Later, in the name of Hu Hai, Zhao Gao mobilized soldiers and horses from all walks of life to assist Zhang Han. Only then did Wang Li, Yang Xiong, Li You and other soldiers and horses gradually enter Dangjun, Shangjun and other places.

In the Battle of Dingtao, Zhang Han killed Xiang Liang and sent word that he had entered the capital. However, due to the heavy snowfall in Guanzhong, the road was difficult to travel, so the news of Zhang Han's victory has not been sent back, and the court hall exploded like a pot of boiling water.

It was also today that Hu Hai just learned the news of Zhang Han's fiasco. Although he complained that Zhao Gao should not have kept it from him, at this time Zhao Gao had won Hu Hai's heart and only said a few words to him without questioning him too much. At that time, ministers gathered in Xianyang Palace to discuss strategies to retreat from the enemy.

There was silence in the hall, and no one wanted to speak first. Hu Hai, who was sitting on the chair, had already dropped two inkstones and smashed them in the center of the hall, making a loud bang. After an unknown period of time, Zhao Gao coughed dryly and walked out of the courtroom slowly. , cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, most of the bandit troops in Changque are after the famous generals of Chu, with excellent civil and military skills, so they can attack Zhang Han. However, I think that although Zhang Han suffered a small defeat, it is insignificant. As long as the reinforcements from all directions arrive in Puyang, Zhang Han will be defeated." Han can also turn defeat into victory, please rest assured, Your Majesty,"

Zhao Gao's words were obviously perfunctory to him. How could Hu Hai not hear it? The anger that had just been extinguished in his heart was rekindled. In anger, Hu Hai stood up resolutely and scolded: "An army of 300,000 people was defeated in one battle. Is this... A small defeat?"

"this……"

Zhao Gao was suddenly questioned by Hu Hai and didn't know how to answer. Li Si took the opportunity to come out and said with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, I thought that in the battle of Dong'a, the Chu army only had more than 100,000 troops, but it could defeat us. The 300,000-strong division that has fought hundreds of battles, the responsibility of which belongs to the chief general. I ask Your Majesty to issue an order to transfer back to Zhang Han and select another strong general to command the three armies and fight against the Chu army again."

Although Li Si openly accused Zhang Han of dereliction of duty, in fact, Li Si was attacking Zhao Gao. Everyone in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty did not know that Zhang Han was a general promoted by Zhao Gao. At this time, Li Si accused Zhang Han of criticizing Sang and Huai.

Hu Hai also heard the meaning of Li Si's words, but Hu Hai didn't want to fall out with Zhao Gao at this time. After all, there were still many things in the court that needed Zhao Gao's help. Moreover, once Zhao Gao was gone, Hu Hai would not be able to live with peace of mind. Having fun in the harem, thinking of this, Hu Hai sat back on the chair again, looked at Li Si, and asked displeasedly: "Zhang Han's defeat, doesn't the Prime Minister have no responsibility?"

"This... minister is also responsible," Li Si sighed softly. He wanted to take the opportunity to attack, but Hu Hai kicked the matter out on him. Li Si had difficulty in defending himself, so he had to stand there, bowing his head and saying nothing. In this case, Hu Hai didn't want to say anything more. He coughed dryly, looked at the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, and said loudly: "Now, I don't want to find out who is right and who is wrong. I just want to know who has a plan to defeat the enemy."

There was silence in the hall, and no one answered Hu Hai, but this made Hu Hai even more angry: "At the critical moment, have you all become mute? What is the use of raising you?"

"Report..." Just when Hu Hai was about to have a seizure, a soldier rushed in outside the hall, holding a wooden box in his hand. He came to the center of the hall. The soldier knelt down on one knee, cupped his hands and said: "Report... Ding Tao After eight hundred miles of haste, General Zhang Han defeated the Chu army. He killed the Chu general Xiang Liang and killed 70,000 enemies. I specially offer his head for your Majesty's verification."

After saying that, the soldier dragged the wooden box with one hand and opened the lid. A lifelike head was covered with white ash. Coupled with the continuous winter snow and cold weather, the head was clearly visible. Hu Hai covered his nose and looked at it. He was very far away. He couldn't see clearly from far away, and it was just a formality. At this time, when he heard that the Chu army had been defeated, Hu Hai couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. His nervous mood suddenly relaxed, and he couldn't help laughing loudly: "Master Zhao, you have been beaten again this time. That's right, Zhang Han really didn't disappoint me,"

After a pause, Hu Hai said again: "I want to reward Zhang Han and the soldiers in the front army."

"My Holy Emperor, may my Emperor live long, long live," Baiguan Shan shouted, kneeling on the ground. At this time, Hu Hai had forgotten about Zhang Han's recent defeat. He stood up with a laugh. , walked towards the outside of the palace,

"Your Majesty has decreed to withdraw from the court," a young eunuch stepped forward and shouted loudly,

,,,,,,

After leaving Xianyang Palace, Hu Hai's car went straight to Ganquan Palace. He was in a very good mood at this time. Zhang Han's victory broke Hu Hai's heart knot in the past few days. At this time, he reached out and opened the side curtains. Outside was The sky is white and heavy snow covers the entire Guanzhong. Although it can be seen that the snow on the road has been cleared, Hu Hai's car still keeps moving forward at a slow speed.

At this time, a carriage quickly chased him and stopped a hundred steps away from Hu Hai's carriage. At this time, a guard rode his horse to the window, raised his hands on the horse and said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhao's carriage is here."

Hu Hai nodded and Luan Yu stopped moving forward. At this time, Zhao Gao's slightly fat body appeared in Hu Hai's field of vision. He jogged all the way and soon came to Luan Yu. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, you are looking for me."

Hu Hai's hoarse voice came from inside the car: "Zhao Qing, come in,"

A chamberlain put the pedals in front of the carriage, and Zhao Gao walked slowly into the carriage. At this time, the chamberlain put away the pedals again and ordered to the coachman on the side: "Get started."

The carriage entered slowly again. Inside the carriage, Zhao Gao was half-bent, accompanied by his attendant. Both of them were silent. After an unknown period of time, Hu Hai sighed softly, looked at Zhao Gao attentively, and sighed: "Qing Zhao, I know. Why am I looking for you?"

"I don't know..."

"Although Zhang Han temporarily reversed the situation in the Shandong battle, I am very worried about whether the bandit army will revive." Speaking of this, Hu Hai's sharp eyes wandered over Zhao Gao and continued: "When Zhou Shi entered the customs, he almost We arrived in Xianyang. I still remember it vividly when I think about it. This time, I want you to write a letter of divorce and urge Zhang Han to wipe out the bandits as much as possible. I don’t want to hear any news that is unfavorable to the court."

Zhao Gao bowed his hands and sang the promise. Hu Hai put his thoughts back in front of his eyes and said again: "Everything in Xianyang has been going well recently."

Hu Hai was obsessed with the harem all day long and had no interest in the control of Xianyang. He only asked about it when he remembered it occasionally. At this time, Hu Hai suddenly asked about the current situation in Xianyang. Zhao Gao was slightly surprised and couldn't help but laughed and said: "Since your Majesty ascended the throne, everything in Xianyang has changed." It's fine, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and all praise your Majesty's kindness, but there are only a few officials..."

Zhao Gao deliberately stopped talking. Hu Hai vaguely heard that there was something wrong in Zhao Gao's words. He scolded him displeasedly: "Speak directly if you have something to say, don't hesitate."

"Well," Zhao Gao pretended to be frightened and said softly: "I have heard occasionally recently that many courtiers have slanderous opinions on Your Majesty and often discuss the current situation in the wine shop. This will seriously threaten Your Majesty's reputation. Please ask Your Majesty Holy Judgment,"

"This is unreasonable," Hu Hai was furious. He looked at Zhao Gao and said angrily: "You have full authority to handle this matter for me. Anyone who dares to make arrogant comments will be killed without mercy."

What Zhao Gao wanted was Hu Hai's words. At this time, he hurriedly handed over his hand and said, "I have written it down."

...
Chapter completed!