General Qin

The place where the First Emperor was assassinated was located in the Yunlong Mountain area south of Pengcheng, which was more than two hundred miles away from Xiaxiang where the Xiang family was.

Therefore, even if Zhao Tuo issued an order after the assassination, and asked the county lieutenant Zhao Guang to divide a thousand troops to go to Xiangxiang to surround the Xiang family, it would still take several days to get there quickly and slowly.

This puzzled many people. Faced with a sudden assassination, why did the martial arts prince not use all his strength to chase down the escaped assassin Zhang Liang, but instead ran to Xiaxiang, more than two hundred miles away, to surround Xiang Xiang? Shi.

"Could this prince have developed a grudge against Xiang Yan and his son when they attacked Chu State, and wanted to take advantage of the assassination to eradicate the Xiang family to avenge themselves?"

"If this is the case, it would be too stupid. What would the emperor think if he knew it?"

In confusion, some people inevitably make various doubts.

But fortunately, the First Emperor has handed over all matters of capturing the assassins to Zhao Tuo, and he has the decision-making power on all matters.

In this matter, Zhao Tuo's words are whatever he says. Even if some people have doubts, they will not be stupid enough to question Zhao Tuo's decision at this time.

Zhao Tuo had his own calculations about this.

After the assassination, the emperor's safety naturally came first.

The incident took place a few miles south of Pengcheng. Under the protection of three thousand Lang guards and one thousand county soldiers, the injured emperor was quickly sent to the palace in Pengcheng. After that, the Qin soldiers blocked the whole city, and added The hundreds of soldiers and horses originally stationed in Pengcheng were enough to protect the emperor's safety.

In addition, Zhao Tuo only had two thousand county soldiers at his disposal.

One thousand of them were sent to block traffic arteries and pursue the assassins along their escape routes.

Because he was afraid that the soldiers of Sishui County would have complaints and let go when they encountered the assassins, Zhao Tuo directly issued a reward order offering a reward of a thousand gold pieces for capturing Zhang Liang and a hundred gold pieces for capturing one of his accomplices.

As soon as this order came out, the county soldiers responsible for the pursuit immediately opened their eyes wide, and their motivation instantly rose. They dreamed of catching those assassins so that they could achieve lifelong wealth and freedom.

But Zhao Tuo doesn't have much hope for this.

Historically, Zhang Liang was hit by a vertebrae in his passenger car. The First Emperor was also looking for the thief all over the world. He was very eager to find the thief, but in the end he was not caught.

It can be seen from the incident of Baoding in Surabaya that Zhang Liang has matured at this time. He is a wise man with extraordinary resourcefulness and understanding of people's hearts. It is not easy to catch the opponent with a thousand county soldiers of worrying quality.

Compared to the slippery Zhang Liang, Xiang, who is in the lower phase, is obviously an easy target.

"Jun Hou, is Xiang really connected with the assassins?"

On the way to the next prime minister, Zhao Guang, the county lieutenant, looked worried.

Because of the Surabaya Baoding scam, Zhao Guang has been implicated by Zhang De. He is just waiting for Wang Wan's investigation to determine the final responsibility. If this matter is for Zhao Tuo's sake, it may become a big deal. The incident where the assassin ambushed him midway and hit the emperor's chariot with an iron spine was entirely his responsibility, Zhao Guang's.

The county lieutenant is in charge of military power and public security.

When assassins committed crimes under Zhao Guang's rule, he, the county lieutenant, was the first person responsible, and his responsibility was greater than that of the county guard.

Unless Zhao Guang catches the assassin, he may still have a chance to make up for his crime with a reduced rank and a light punishment. But if he doesn't even catch the assassin, it will definitely end badly.

Therefore, Zhao Guang was very uneasy about Zhao Tuo directly asking him to lead troops to the prime minister.

Zhao Tuo only glanced at the old subordinate and knew what he was thinking, so he explained: "I have dealt with Zhang Liang twice. The first time was when he led his troops to attack the Qi army. Tian Chong's army finally captured Tian Chong, but Zhang Liang ran away early."

"Later, when I led the army to conquer Dai, Zhang Liang was in Zhao Jia's army again, but before I attacked and destroyed Dai, he also ran away. This man was extremely resourceful and good at escaping. If he had sent out a thousand people If we can't catch him, it will be useless if you add a thousand people to it. If you do useless work, you will appear even more incompetent, and you will be blamed by the emperor."

"In the case of the Surabaya Baoding, there must be a powerful Chu family helping Zhang Liang behind the scenes. Otherwise, he would never have been able to cause such a battle as a Korean. I had heard before that Zhang Liang had a close relationship with the Xiang family, and the assassination If the Shis are definitely involved, you will know if they are caught and interrogated, and you may be able to get away with it."

Zhao Tuo spoke categorically. Coming from a later generation, he knew the relationship between Zhang Liang and Xiang Bo very well. It would be strange if Zhang Liang did not rely on the power of the Xiang family for his assassination this time.

Zhao Guang nodded. He had followed Wugong Hou for many years. He admired the Lord's judgment. Since the Lord said so, there must be no problem.

The Qin army of more than 1,200 people went straight to Xiaxiang along the road beside Surabaya.

In the Xiang family's mansion, a fierce debate was breaking out at this moment.

"I don't agree! You are trying to destroy my Xiang clan!"

"The Xiang family will be destroyed by you!"

Several gray-haired elders of the Xiang family shouted to Xiang Liang in the mansion, looking very excited.

The Xiang clan is a large family in the Chu Kingdom. Although they have gone through many hardships, there are still hundreds of Xiang clan members near Xiang Xiang, divided into many branches.

These white-haired old men were all elders of other branches. Now they were summoned by Xiang Liang, saying that they might be implicated in the assassination, so if necessary, they would mobilize the entire clan to resist the violent Qin.

Xiang Liang's words shocked these old men. All the young men of the Xiang family, plus the children and slaves of various branches, could make up to 600 people at most.

With this small number of people, it may not be a big problem to capture the Prime Minister's County, but if you want to go against the entire huge Qin State, it is tantamount to hitting an egg against a stone, and the entire clan will definitely be wiped out.

At that time, such a big country of Chu was destroyed by the Qin people. Now just a few hundred members of the Xiang family want to rebel against Qin. There must be something wrong with Xiang Liang's brain. He is completely leading the entire clan to seek death!

They first scolded Xiang who was secretly helping Zhang Liang, and then began to oppose Xiang Liang's plan to cause trouble.

"Zhang Liang's name was already exposed when he committed the assassination. How could the Qin people suspect our Xiang clan who are more than two hundred miles away if they let the assassin who was close at hand not be arrested? This is completely impossible. Things, we just need to wait and see what happens, there is no need to take risks and put the clan in danger."

The old man named Xiang Cang advised Xiang Liang earnestly, and the others also nodded.

Xiang Liang sat on the main seat with one hand on his waist, gently stroking the hilt of the sword, quietly waiting for these elders of the Xiang family to finish speaking.

After they stopped talking, Xiang Liang spoke calmly.

"The Qin people will naturally catch assassins, and will use all their strength to catch them. There are seven of Zhang Liang and others. How many do you think they can escape? As long as one of them falls into the hands of the Qin people, then I, the Xiang family, will take them in , everything about Xiang Juan helping them spread the news will be leaked, do you think the Qin people will let us go?"

Xiang Juan and many of the elders of the Xiang family turned pale, and Xiang Cang argued: "Zhang Liang has always been resourceful, and he is assassinating people in this Chu land. As long as they burrow into the mountains and forests, it will not be easy for the Qin people to catch them, and Even if they are caught, they may not betray Xiang, there is no need to take risks just for this conjecture."

"Yes, yes, what if the Qin people didn't catch the assassin in the first place, but instead suspected our Xiang family because of our own chaos, wouldn't that be an injustice in vain?"

"I have sent people to the county temple to inquire. The county magistrate only received an order to strengthen the blockade and arrest the assassins. My Xiang family was not mentioned at all. It can be seen that the Qin people have not suspected us yet. .”

Self-comfort in the face of everyone.

Xiang Liang sneered and said: "My lords, lords, you have forgotten who is following the Emperor of Qin this time. It's Zhao Tuo! This man can defeat my father and brother at a young age, and he is also the leader of Qin Dynasty." The emperor's son-in-law is deeply trusted and favored by him, and he is a smart man in the Qin court. Do you think that with Zhao Tuo by his side, he will not be aware of the rumor about the Surabaya tripod?"

"You must know that Xiang Juan played a role in the Sishui wealthy families who persuaded the county governor to offer auspicious gifts to the emperor. They only need to follow this line and interrogate those wealthy people to know that I am Xiang Tang. The others are also involved, and sooner or later they will find out about us. Do you think they ran away? As long as Zhao Tuo wants to investigate, there will be flaws everywhere!"

"As for the matter of the county temple, if the Qin people really want to capture us, they will naturally think of the power of the Xiang family under the Prime Minister. It is impossible to notify the county magistrate in advance that they want to arrest us. They will only send troops!"

Xiang Liang's voice was calm, but the meaning behind his words shocked the elders of the Xiang family and turned pale.

Yes, Xiang Juan revealed many flaws when he helped Zhang Liang spread the news. As long as the Qin people follow the rumors of Surabaya and interrogate those wealthy people in Surabaya, sooner or later they will find out about the Xiang family. It's a big hidden danger. "

But rising against the Qin Dynasty, such a major matter that affects the life and death of the entire clan, still makes many elders of the Xiang family unable to make up their minds, and no one dares to gamble.

Until the news came that confirmed Xiang Liang's statement.

Hou Wu ran from the mansion all the way sweating profusely. As soon as he entered the house, he threw himself to the ground and shouted to Xiang Liang: "Jun Xiang, something serious has happened. According to what we found out, Sishui County Lieutenant Zhao Guangzheng led Thousands of county soldiers are rushing towards our minister!"

"What!"

Xiang Cang asked anxiously: "Zhao Guang brought so many county soldiers here to minister, did you tell them what they were doing?"

Hou Wu shook his head and said, "I don't know."

No one cared about Hou Wu's answer. It would be strange if this could reveal the commander's plan.

Everyone in the room has the answer in their hearts.

"Brother, it's all my fault. I mistrusted Zhang Liang and harmed the Xiang family!"

"I am willing to die to apologize!"

Xiang Juan screamed miserably. He reached out and pulled out the sword from his waist, just as he was about to wipe his neck.

Xiang Liang's eyes were quick and he kicked Xiang Mao over with a flying kick. The two Xiang clan members next to him immediately stepped forward and held Xiang Mao down.

Xiang Liang glanced at him coldly, then glanced at the pale and trembling Xiang clan members in the room, and snorted: "You see, there are not no wise men among the people of Qin. If Xiang Juan does something, I, Xiang, will It will be difficult for you to escape from this whirlpool."

"I...what should we do?"

Someone spoke tremblingly.

Xiang Liang took a deep breath, and then shouted to all the Xiang clan members in the room.

"The Qin army is approaching the prime minister. I, the Xiang family, will die even if I hang my hands now. I will die even if I carry out great plans. If I wait to die, I will die for the country!"