vrcanaries Chapter 243: The thief Shen will die!
Chapter 243: The thief Shen will die!
Shen Changgong led an army of 350,000 and marched towards Kun State in a mighty manner.
This time, the State of Yan sent out a total of 500,000 troops, including:
The Changning Army has 100,000 troops, the Weihu Army has 100,000 troops, the Tianyu Army has 150,000 troops, the Zhennan Army has 50,000 troops, the Pingnan Army has 100,000 troops, and there are a number of people in the Shenji Camp.
They carried countless baggage and food supplies, twenty red-haired cannons, thousands of artillery shells, and thousands of divine thunders.
Those who stayed behind in Yan State included:
There were 10,000 garrison troops, 5,000 security troops, and 10,000 imperial guards in the capital.
Fifty thousand new soldiers are being trained outside the capital.
There are 30,000 troops in the three western passes.
There were 20,000 troops guarding Zhennan Pass in the south, and 20,000 troops guarding Yao Pass.
Apart from the thousands of scattered county soldiers and local troops in various places, there are only less than 150,000 people left in the country of Yan, and they have to garrison various passes.
After all, Yan State was a small country, and its population, military strength, and national power were not as good as those of a big country like Kun State.
This time, the State of Yan mobilized all its troops for a desperate battle.
If defeated, the consequences would be disastrous, and Yan State would be unable to withstand Kun State's counterattack.
So this time, it must succeed.
If you succeed, you will dominate the world; if you lose, your country will be destroyed and your family will be ruined.
This was a battle in which Yan State gambled its national destiny.
Two days after Yan sent troops, Qi and Liang also declared war on Kun.
Qi accused Kun of harboring a murderer and going too far.
The Liang State accused the Kun State of stealing the original Ma County for many years and refusing to return it, and wanted to take back the territory.
The two countries each sent out 400,000 troops towards Kun State.
The peaceful north was once again plunged into the vortex of war.
The countries in the central and southern parts of the world were also watching and sending out spies to closely monitor the progress of the war. They wanted to see whether this battle would result in the division of Kun among the three families of Yan, Qi, and Liang, or whether the old powerful country of Kun would be reborn from the ashes again.
While on the road, Shen Changgong continued to handle the affairs of various armies and review memorials. After all, fighting a war is not something that the commander can just do by dragging his men over to fight.
There are too many complicated military affairs to deal with.
The army's food, drink, defecation, fodder, marching, diseases, baggage, marching routes, etc. must all be carefully arranged.
Those who thought it was easy to lead troops in battle would probably only be able to be a soldier at best in that era.
The army marched for more than ten days and arrived at ** County. At dusk, the front army entered the city in an orderly manner, while the rear army stationed in the north of the city and set up camp.
"** City is my hometown. We stayed here for a long time back then."
Shen Changgong smiled and took Gongsun Wan'er, Tu Que Ling, and the guards in a carriage towards a royal palace.
"Humph, not good at all!"
Gongsun Wan'er puffed her lips and said,
"Especially this City Lord's Mansion."
Tu Que Ling said with a leisurely smile,
"Why? Are there any bad memories in here that you think of?"
“It’s just not good.”
"Really? But I felt like you were very happy that night, and the next day you were even carried out by the prince."
"Pah, pah, pah, you little slut, you are so happy. I will find you a man someday and discipline you properly."
Gongsun Wan'er glared at Tu Que Ling fiercely, and then asked Shen Changgong,
"Where are we staying tonight?"
"** City has a new governor. It's no longer appropriate for us to live in the City Lord's Mansion. Is anyone living in Prince Rui's Mansion now?"
Shen Changgong asked.
Gongsun Wan'er thought for a moment, sorted out the information in her mind, and said,
"No one lives there. It's been converted into a temporary palace for His Majesty to stay in when he's on tour. Normally, there aren't many people there. Who would dare live in a rebel's palace?"
"Then let's stay at the Prince's Mansion, so as not to disturb the City Lord. The City Lord's Mansion is where the government offices are located, and he would feel very restrained if we went there."
"As ordered."
Tu Que Ling came to the carriage door, opened the curtain, and said to the coachman,
"Send the order to the City Lord's Mansion."
"Yes!"
The carriage changed its route and headed towards Prince Rui's Palace.
The Prince Rui's Palace is no longer called this name. There is a plaque hanging on the gate with the two big words "Xing Palace" written on it.
Everyone got off the carriage, and a middle-aged manager in his forties or fifties hurried out from inside the door.
"This old servant pays homage to His Majesty. May His Majesty be well."
"Get up."
Shen Changgong walked inside.
The manager said quickly,
"Your Highness, I am a eunuch in the palace. I entered the palace in the twelfth year of Zhenghe. I have served the late Emperor Zhenghe, the late Emperor Changtai, and now Your Majesty.
After returning to the capital last time, His Majesty, mindful of my hard work and contributions, gave me a sinecure to manage the imperial palace."
"Oh, then you are also a veteran of three dynasties, very impressive."
"Your Highness, I am only doing my duty."
"What's your name?"
"This old slave has no name. Just as the late emperor called this slave Xiao Dengzi, and the late emperor called this slave Lao Dengzi, so now Your Majesty is also calling this slave Lao Dengzi."
The eunuch in charge nodded and said.
Gongsun Wan'er playfully tapped the other person's back and said with a smile,
"Lao Deng, straighten up! Look at how bent your back is now. You've already left the palace, but why hasn't this old problem of bending over been cured?"
"It's not a problem, it's not a problem. Thank you for your concern, Chief Steward."
Lao Deng said with a smile.
Gongsun Wan'er asked,
"Have we packed up our place yet?"
"Everything is packed. A few days ago, I heard that the prince was leading his army to an expedition and would pass through ** City, so I packed it early.
There are two retired maids in the palace, as well as some newly purchased servants and maids. There aren't many people, and we don't need too many people on a normal basis."
"That's fine. Let someone cook. I'm almost starving to death."
"Okay, okay, old slave, go right now."
Lao Deng left with a nod and a bow.
"I'm too tired. Let's go to the kitchen directly and sleep after dinner."
Gongsun Wan'er stretched and said to Shen Changgong,
"Lao Deng is a very honest and good person. The late emperor thought he was capable of doing things, so he let him take charge of all matters in the harem, and he has not made any mistakes over the years.
I've been in the palace for a few years and have interacted with him quite a bit. He's a very interesting old man."
"As long as they are good people, it's time for them to retire and enjoy their old age. For those without children, the inner treasury should also provide them with money to support them in their old age. We can't let them be left without support in their old age."
"You still have some conscience."
Gongsun Wan'er snorted coldly.
Everyone went to the kitchen together, then sat down, drinking tea and chatting while waiting for the meal to be served.
A maid brought up snacks and dried fruits.
They ate and talked.
After waiting for half an hour, a table full of dishes were served one after another, but Shen Changgong still felt that there were too many.
Tu Que Ling took a silver needle and tested the poison one by one. Lao Deng came in with a maid and a tray.
The maid had an ordinary appearance and unremarkable temperament. On the tray she was holding were three small bowls.
"Your Highness, this is the bird's nest soup specially prepared for the three of you. Please enjoy it."
The maid brought the tray, Lao Deng brought the bowl, and finally they came to Shen Changgong's side.
Lao Deng had just taken the bowl down and placed it on the table when the maid suddenly had murderous intent in her eyes. She flipped her hand, took out a dagger from under the tray, and stabbed at Shen Changgong.
"Die, Shen the thief!"