The news of Zhang Han's defeat spread like a gust of wind throughout Guanzhong. At this time, the people west of Hangu Pass became excited and the people were frightened. Even the local officials were in danger. Although there was no big storm in the palace

//There were waves, but some palace people had already learned the news of Zhang Han's defeat, and they began to whisper and discuss.

The imperial court has not held an early morning court meeting for several months. The officials, headed by Zhao Gao, rarely go to the court room. However, the news of Zhang Han's defeat made these usually pampered officials become anxious. They rushed to the court room one after another.

Wanted to discuss countermeasures, but unexpectedly found that Zhao Gao didn't seem to care about this matter. He was still hiding in the house these days, not knowing what he was busy with.

At the same time that the DPRK caused a big wave due to Zhang Han's defeat, Sima Xin hurried back to Xianyang along the Chi Road. In the early morning, not long after the city gate was opened, the soldiers of the Qin army set up their antlers and patrolled back and forth.

, Sima Xin, escorted by hundreds of cavalry, hurried over. He held a bamboo slip in his hand and shouted: "Hebei urgent report, anyone who dares to stop him will be killed without mercy!"

Hebei urgently reported that this was the news of Zhang Han's defeat. The defenders at the city gate did not dare to intercept Sima Xin. Moreover, Sima Xin had served in the court and many people knew him. At this time, the soldiers hurriedly removed the antlers.

, Sima Xin and other cavalry hurriedly entered. After they were far away, the Qin Army soldiers at the gate of the city restored martial law again. Both the people passing by and the Qin Army soldiers stationed here were discussing the war in Hebei, as if,

Zhang Han was defeated and Xiang Yu was about to enter the Pass. Everyone looked panicked during the discussion.

At this time, Sima Xin passed through the city gate and hurriedly ran through the streets of Xianyang City. Since leaving Jiyuan, Sima Xin entered the pass from Hedong and worked hard all the way without any delay. Finally, he rushed back to the city today, with all his

The hope of the Qin army and the hope of Jiyuan's 200,000 Qin troops were all pinned on the request for aid in his hand.

The busy people in the street and the carriages passing by all gave way to Sima Xin. Sima Xin galloped for a long time before he arrived at the front hall of Ganquan Palace. He hurriedly dismounted, ran a few steps, and arrived in front of the palace gate. A guard guarded the palace gate.

The general stopped Sima Xin. He took a step forward, cupped his hands and said, "I have something important and want to see His Majesty the Emperor!"

"Your Majesty is resting in the harem. If you have anything, please tell me." Zhonglang bowed his hand to Sima Xin. At this time, when he saw the bamboo slips in Sima Xin's hand, he could see that it was sent back from the front line.

There was an urgent matter, but Sima Xin was unwilling to pass it on through this general. He said a little impatiently: "This matter cannot be delayed. I also ask this general to inform me."

"This..." Lang Jiang hesitated for a moment, nodded and said: "Okay, I will take you to see the Prime Minister. If you have any questions, tell him."

Under the leadership of the general, Sima Xin came to the Zhongcheng Mansion. Although Sima Xin was extremely angry and even wanted to question the general, who in the court had the final say? Did he have to ask Zhao Gao for instructions if he wanted to see the emperor?

?But after thinking about it, Sima Xin believed that there was no need to offend Zhao Gao, so he tolerated it.

At this time, Sima Xin was waiting anxiously outside the mansion. Soon, Lang Jiang quickly walked out of Zhao Gao's mansion and came to Sima Xin. He cupped his hands and said, "Sir Ma, the Prime Minister invites you."

This sentence from the Prime Minister made Sima Xin feel extremely unhappy, but he was eager to request reinforcements from the court, so he had to endure it. At this time, under the guidance of General Lang, Sima Xin walked through the long corridor and came to the side of Zhongcheng Mansion.

Hall, this is also where Zhao Gao’s study is located.

As soon as he walked into the study, Sima Xin saw Zhao Gao sitting at the desk. He hurriedly stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "I have met the Prime Minister in my humble position."

Zhao Gao glanced sideways at Sima Xin and said with a hint of displeasure: "Why didn't you report Zhang Han's defeat to me earlier?"

After Zhao Gao finished speaking, he snorted coldly. These days, rumors about Zhang Han's defeat have spread throughout Xianyang City, which made Zhao Gao furious. Zhao Gao believed that he should be the first to get such frontline battle reports, and he

But he heard it from the scouts sent by Zhao Cheng, which also made Zhao Gao think that Zhang Han was no longer loyal to him.

Blaming Sima Xin at this time was Zhao Gao's way of venting his dissatisfaction, but Sima Xin did not hear what Zhao Gao was saying. He hesitated for a moment and sighed: "The Chu army is very elite, and our army has been defeated repeatedly.

, Now we are trapped in Jiyuan. If the imperial court does not send reinforcements, I am afraid that the Jiyuan position will fall and our army will be forced to withdraw south. At that time, Hebei will no longer belong to the Qin army."

Sima Xin spoke eagerly, but Zhao Gao said unhappily: "It's just that Zhang Han is incompetent."

After a pause, Zhao Gao looked at Sima Xin coldly and ordered: "Go back first. I will report this matter to His Majesty the Emperor. You just need to wait for the news."

"Sir, you must not delay. If you delay for one day, the situation of the battle will change rapidly..."

"That's enough, go down!" Zhao Gao snorted coldly, stood up and ordered: "Send off the guests!"

Seeing that Zhao Gao could not persuade Sima Xin, he had no choice but to leave. At this time, Zhao Gao walked to the window with a slight worry and stared out the window. From behind the screen on the side, Zhao Cheng walked out slowly. He saw that Zhao Gao looked slightly worried.

Worried, he couldn't help but ask: "Brother, are you worried that Zhang Han will be defeated?"

"If Zhang Han is defeated, Guanzhong will be in danger." Zhao Gao sighed lightly.

Zhao Cheng sneered and encouraged from the side: "If Zhang Han is defeated, my brother can send someone else to lead the army. Why should you worry so much?"

Seeing what Zhao Cheng said, Zhao Gao said displeased: "Send someone else again? Do we have any generals who can fight against the Chu army now?"

Having said this, Zhao Gao stared out the window again. In the late autumn, there was a chilling atmosphere everywhere. After a long silence, Zhao Gao sighed softly: "What I am most worried about now is that Zhang Han will jump over the wall and surrender to the Chu army."

After finishing speaking, Zhao Gao stopped talking. It would be understandable if Zhang Han surrendered to the Chu army, but the Chu army was getting stronger and the Qin army was defeated repeatedly. How should he explain to the second emperor? On the side, Zhao Cheng

It was not inconvenient to disturb Zhao Gao anymore, so he just stood there quietly, looking out the window, and let out a long sigh.

...

As early as last year, Sima Xin moved his family to live in his old house in Beidi. Due to the tense war, Sima Xin's house in Xianyang has been empty. This time Sima Xin returned to Xianyang and met Zhao Gao.

Waiting for news in his house.

But two days have passed, and there is no news from the central government about the reinforcement of troops in Hebei. Sima Xin can't sit still. If it continues like this, the battle situation in Jiyuan will become even tighter, and Zhang Han doesn't know if he can survive it.

It’s difficult this time.

Thinking like this, Sima Xin got up and walked around the house. At this time, the soldiers who were sent out shouted outside the door: "Master Chang Shi, there is news."

Sima Xin heard the voice of the soldiers and immediately shouted: "Come in."

A soldier hurriedly walked in and raised his hand to Sima Xin. Sima Xin hurriedly asked: "Is there any news?"

"I've asked, but there doesn't seem to be any news from the palace," the soldier replied.

Hearing that there was no news from the palace, Sima Xin felt vaguely that things seemed not as simple as he thought. He hurriedly picked up the cloak and sword on the table and ordered: "Gather everyone and follow me into the palace."

Sima Xin and his group of more than a hundred people hurried towards Ganquan Palace. As they approached the gate of the palace, Sima Xin dismounted and, accompanied by two soldiers, walked up quickly. He raised his hands to the general on duty and said, "I'm here.

Sima Xin, I have something urgent to ask to see His Majesty the Emperor, please inform me."

General Lang had already received orders from Zhao Gao not to allow Sima Xin to visit Hu Hai. However, General Lang was an upright person and he was unwilling to harm the country because of this incident. However, even if he allowed Sima Xin to meet with him, he would not be able to see him.

Arriving at Hu Hai, in the midst of the tangle, General Lang sighed softly and glanced at the deputy general beside him. The deputy general understood and left.

Outside the palace gate, only Lang Jiang and Sima Xin were left. There was a brief silence. Lang Jiang sighed softly first, and then whispered: "Master Chang Shi, the Prime Minister has issued an order that you are strictly prohibited from entering the palace to meet the Holy Spirit. Even if I let you go,

Even if you enter, you won’t be able to get in. If you are willing to listen to me, you’d better leave Xianyang quickly!”

General Lang made a gesture of cutting his neck with a knife to Sima Xin. Sima Xin couldn't help being frightened. He hurriedly made a gesture of thanks to General Lang. The two looked at each other silently for a while, and Sima Xin left without looking back.

.

After leaving Xianyang, Sima Xin did not dare to take the main road. He hurriedly turned to the small road and went straight to Dongjun.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt afraid. Zhao Gao did not report Zhang Han's defeat to Hu Hai for so many days. This can only show that Zhao Gao seems to be doing something secretly, but what his real purpose is, Sima Xin cannot guess.

arrive.

...

Zhao Gao did not get any news about Sima Xin's escape, but that day, news suddenly came from the palace, and Zhao Gao immediately came to see him. This made Zhao Gao feel something in his heart. Could it be that the news of Zhang Han's defeat was

Does Hu Hai know?

Although Zhao Gao was shocked and doubtful, he hurried to Xianyang Palace. When he first met Hu Hai, Hu Hai asked Zhao Gao about Zhang Han's defeat. Zhao Gao did not dare to report the truth truthfully, so he answered the matter tactfully.

He underestimated the enemy and used nepotism to offset his responsibilities. Hu Hai was furious after hearing this.

There was silence in the palace, and no one dared to persuade Hu Hai at this time. I don't know how long it had passed, but Zhao Gao had neglected his duty, neglected military affairs, and was defeated. He asked for severe punishment. Hu Hai ordered Zhang Han to be severely punished, and Zhao Gao accepted the order.

Just after leaving Xianyang Palace, Zhao Gao let out a long sigh of anger and suspicion, which made Zhao Gao think that the attendants around Hu Hai were all his own. Moreover, Hu Hai lived in the palace and was obsessed with the concubines in the harem all the year round. It was impossible to know what was ahead.

When Hu Hai suddenly asked about the war that had taken place, the only explanation was that Zhang Han revealed the news to Hu Hai, or that Sima Xin secretly colluded with the palace officials and passed the news to Hu Hai.

No matter what it was, Zhao Gao knew that he could neither keep Sima Xin nor let Zhang Han take power anymore. He had only one fate, and that was death.

With this in mind, Zhao Gao returned to the Zhongcheng Mansion. He immediately ordered Zhao Cheng to lead his troops to round up Sima Xin. However, in the afternoon, Zhao Cheng hurried back and informed Zhao Gao that Sima Xin had disappeared. Zhao Gao was very angry, but there was nothing he could do for the time being.

, had no choice but to endure and ordered to refuse to allocate any supplies to Zhang Han.

[The first release of this book is from 17k, see the original content for the first time!]
Chapter completed!