Chapter 46: What is the crime of the West Palace and the East Tower?(1/2)
"How did I, Dong Zhongying, end up in this situation today?" Dong Zhuo stroked the broken blade on the case and felt lost for a moment.
Liu Ai still closed his eyes to this.
"Chang Shi, how many soldiers are there in the outer wall?" Dong Zhuo waited for a long time. When no one responded, he pressed the broken blade and asked.
"More than two thousand, right?" Liu Ai finally opened his eyes and replied seriously.
"Isn't that a lot?" Dong Zhuo looked slightly stunned.
"This is because the dock wall is too high and there is only one gate, so it is difficult to escape." Liu Ai said earnestly. "If we open the door to fight, or General Wei launches a general attack, I am afraid that most of the people will defect."
"How many people from Gongsun Wenqi are outside now?" Dong Zhuo continued to ask.
"About 100,000 people." Liu Ai lowered his head and replied.
"Not so many." Dong Zhuo shook his head. "He brought out 20,000 soldiers. I had 70,000 or 80,000 soldiers. After fighting for a year, we lost a lot. In the meantime, he surrendered the Baibo bandits, and there were a lot more.
soldiers, but the two families combined must still have less than 100,000 soldiers... And if he had not lied to me before, then Li Jue, Li Meng, Duan Xuan, and Hu Zhen are only in the east of Tongguan, and 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers have not yet surrendered.
... Therefore, he has at most 50,000 or 60,000 soldiers, and the rest must be civilian men and strong men from the third auxiliary."
"So what if there are only 50,000 or 60,000 soldiers?" Liu Ai listened to his lord's words quietly, but asked calmly.
Dong Zhuo immediately fell silent.
When Liu Ai saw this, he didn't say much. He slightly arched his hands and prepared to leave the hall. But when he stepped out of the door and was about to walk to the outer corridor, he suddenly heard a soft sigh behind him: "What a great head, who can chop it off?"
Of?"
Liu Ai was stunned for a moment, feeling sour and indescribable for a moment, almost crying, but he quickly picked up his feet and walked out in a hurry.
Dong Zhuo watched his last confidant leave. After a long time, he managed to stand up holding on to his belt, then walked to the side corridor and looked at the military camp in the distance - the inner layer of Wansui Pier was specially mobilized to pound earth for the purpose.
The base is naturally located high, but the view is not that great.
In fact, these days, although Dong Zhuo drinks and has fun every day, he still comes here occasionally when he is sober to observe Gongsun Xun's military camp and guess the situation. However, with one piece of bad news after another, even his own brother's head was destroyed.
Gongsun Xun sent in, and as more and more soldiers and horses were gathered outside the wall, the camp became larger and larger, so this observation became meaningless.
"It is true that most of them are civilians."
After watching for a long time, Dong Zhuo came to a conclusion that it was unnecessary. Then he returned to the seat in the hall, picked up the familiar yet unfamiliar broken blade, and unsheathed it, revealing the...
The light of the sword is like autumn water.
In fact, Dong Zhongying knew from the beginning that this was just an extremely sharp broken blade from the old times, and it was by no means a 'historic item of Xiang Yu'. However, this statement came from the famous scholar Cai Bojie, and it represented Cai Yong's contempt for him, a Xiliang border official.
He wanted to get the recognition of the people in the world, so he followed the trend and told everyone he met that this sword was the 'Xiang Yu Broken Blade', in order to tell the world that Cai Bojie also thought highly of Dong Zhuo.
And when he became an old official of the Yuan family, and then became the governor of Bingzhou and served as a Fang Bo, he no longer needed to care about the evaluation of a mere Cai Yong, so the sword was given to the man he saw in the official temple of Jinyang City in the heavy rain that day.
A handsome man from Youzhou... speaking of it, it has been thirteen years.
Fortunately, it was this person, so his mother and granddaughter could probably be saved, right? At this thought, Dong Zhuo shook his head helplessly, and finally pointed the blade at himself.
However, something ridiculous happened at this time... It turned out that Dong Zhuo acted arrogantly after taking power and became increasingly obese in his later years. The handle of this broken blade was lengthened probably for the convenience of immediate use in Gongsun Xun's hands.
, so the man held the broken blade upside down and wanted to kill himself, but he couldn't stab his throat calmly.
Dong Zhuo himself laughed.
Of course, he laughed, but Master Dong didn't want to call Liu Ai back, even though he knew that his long history would be standing in the corner of the outer corridor waiting for news... This is not to say that he was worried about being seen in his ugly appearance before his death.
, but that he had already hinted and requested once, but Liu Ai was obviously unwilling to do this.
He is the last of his confidants, and Taishi Dong has treated him with utmost benevolence and righteousness. Why should he embarrass others over such things again?
"Do any of you know how to use a knife?" In desperation, Dong Zhuo could only ask the concubines and beauties around him who had already turned pale. "The blade of this knife is the best in the world. Just stab my throat lightly."
As soon as these words came out, many women sitting or standing around were shocked, but in the chaos, a young and beautiful concubine stood up and responded loudly: "I am willing to give it a try!"
"Who are you, what are your origins, and what are you doing next to me?" Dong Zhuo saw this woman's kind face, but could not remember her origins, and was in a daze for a moment.
"Return to the Grand Master," the woman bowed slightly and said. "My surname is Ren. I was originally the palace maid of Zhaoyang and was always the female official of Diao Chan. Before the Grand Master came here, he ordered the selection of palace maids so that the ceremony here would be like that of the palace. I
I came here from the palace to take care of Taishi Diao Chan's crown, so everyone only calls me Diao Chan..."
Dong Zhuo suddenly realized... In other words, the reason why he selected so many beauties before was not just for the so-called lust. In fact, at his age, he was more than willing and unable to do anything. And the reason why he did this, especially the selection of palace maids, was actually for the sake of "nobility"
The supreme status is just for the sake of the phrase "the same ritual system as in the palace".
The city wall of Chang'an is seven feet high, so the outer wall of Dong Taishi's shed must also be seven feet high. The Weiyang Palace in Chang'an City is located high up, so his inner residence must be built on a high rammed earth platform.
He was a female official, so he took this palace maid named Ren from the palace and specially managed his clothes and hats...
So back to the present, this Diao Chan is actually his personal maid, so no wonder she looks familiar.
"I never thought that when a person is about to die, I, Dong Zhuo, can still have a maid who is so loyal and generous..." After finding out the identity of the other party, Grand Master Dong slowly shook his head, then simply pointed to the broken blade on the case and sighed softly. "
That’s okay, I’m sorry to bother you.”
Upon hearing this, Diao Chan stepped forward and took the knife with both hands directly in front of the case, but bowed slightly and said, "Grand Master, I have something to say to you. I wonder if you are willing to listen to it?"
"At this point, what can't you say, and what can't I say?" Dong Zhuo couldn't help stroking his belly and laughing.
"Grand Master." Diao Chan faced her solemnly, holding a sword. "I am a woman. I usually just dress my hat. I have never held a sword. But today I am willing to kill people with this sword. There is really a reason..."
"Tell me."
"The world is in chaos, and I am a weak woman. I am living as a palace maid in Luoyang. I have no other aspirations. I can only treat the fifteen female officials who were Diao Chan in the palace as dependents and rely on each other." Diao Chan tried her best to stand up and tell. "This is
Fifteen people, fourteen except me. When General He of Nangong died in the past, three people died first in the chaos. I thought it was already a huge number, but unexpectedly, the Grand Master forced the capital to be moved, and all the people in the west of the palace died.
I moved, leaving eleven people. One person died of illness on the way. Seven people were rewarded or even directly killed by soldiers. The Qiang and Hu soldiers robbed and took away seven people. Two people were lost on the way and their whereabouts are unknown. The remaining one followed me and just settled in Chang'an Palace.
The Grand Master was recruited, and we were separated... I don't understand what a noble person like the Grand Master would do, but for me, I always hate the Grand Master to the core! I am willing to hold a sword today, but my concubine just wants to kill the Grand Master, and
No other thoughts!"
Dong Zhuo was silent for a while after hearing this, but did not argue. He just raised his finger to point to the blood vessels on the side of his neck: "The best way to vent your hatred is to cut from here!"
Diao Chan didn't say a word, holding the knife in both hands and stabbing straight.
For a moment, a blood vessel in the neck of Taishi Dong, who was lying on his back, ruptured and blood spurted out, almost dyeing the tables in front of him blood red. The white paper with the doggerel sent by Gongsun Xun was also instantly wet with blood.
, the words of life and death can only be vaguely visible.
A moment later, hearing the chaos in the hall, Liu Ai, who was standing outside the corridor, sighed, but stopped for a moment before entering the hall. He ignored the bloody Diao Chan holding a knife and the many women in a mess.
He kowtowed to Dong Zhuo, who was already exhausted, and apologized. Then he left the hall again and turned back to take charge of the overall situation in the dock.
In the afternoon, Liu Ai officially opened the dock door and asked for surrender.
"Go in and report back to Mrs. Dong." Just when Xi Zhong was about to personally lead Baima Yicong to take over Wansuiwu, he was sitting on a high platform in the camp. He had been chatting with Han Sui, Ma Teng and other famous officials from Guanxi.
Gongsun Xun suddenly spoke to Liu Ai who was kneeling on the ground. "Dong Zhuo is guilty of the country, and it is time for him to hang his head and show it to the public, and to punish him with justice. But no matter what, the parents of ninety-year-olds and their granddaughters who have not yet reached the age of hairpins, the so-called old, young, women and children
, will not continue to cause trouble. I have an old relationship with others, so I have to protect it. But being nameless and without distinction will inevitably attract people's opinions... So, ask the old lady for me, I want to use my second son Gongsun Ping.
I have a marriage agreement with Dong Bai, the daughter of the Dong family, but I wonder if she is willing?"
When Liu Ai heard this, he was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. However, many high-ranking officials and celebrities on the stage could not help but change their expressions, either surprised or suspicious.
In fact, it is nonsense to report to Mrs. Dong that she has no name or status, which is even more nonsense, because at this time, the entire Dong family can only be at the disposal of Gongsun Xun. And everyone knows that Gongsun Xun and Dong Zhuo have an old relationship.
Today, he sent a broken blade and a death-inducing poem to persuade Dong Zhuo to commit suicide. Everyone can also guess that he will save Dong Zhuo's mother and granddaughter.
But the problem is that preservation is preservation, but the Dong family can actually marry the Gongsun family, which is a bit unacceptable.
"General Wei!"
Sure enough, as soon as these words came out, before Liu Ai could turn around, someone stood up angrily. It was Song Yi, the prefect of Zuo Fengyi. "Dong Zhuo brought trouble to the country, and people and gods were angry. Even if the entire clan cannot be killed, the bones should be crushed to set the record straight."
, how can you just hang your head in public? And since the Dong family is a criminal, even if they don't kill, they should be exempted from rewards and exiled to their hometown. Why do they want to marry General Wei's son instead? If the matter is spread, aren't they afraid that the world will think it?
Are the general and Dong Zhuo the same species?"
"Why is this Duke so angry?" Gongsun Xun was not angry at being said to be the same raccoon dog. He just pointed at the person with a smile and asked curious questions to the left and right.
"Report to General Wei." The speaker was actually Han Sui. This 'old friend of General Wei' who had been killed once before on the banks of the Wei River was cautious and spoke softly. "The Governor of the Song Dynasty is an old official of the Yuan family. Taifu Yuan
Before Wei, his whole family was killed, so it is normal for him to be angry..."
Gongsun Xun suddenly realized.
Without waiting for this person to continue speaking, or for Gongsun Xun to speak, Xi Zhong, the former military strategist who was preparing to enter Wansuiwu, suddenly stopped and said: "I dare to ask the Lord of the Song Dynasty, Dong Zhuo has caused great harm to the country, but his sins are serious.
Isn't it my general who tried so hard to win over Dong Gongsheng? You don't want to be grateful, but you are rude, what's the point?!"
Song Yi also knew that he had made a mistake, so he could only quickly avoid the banquet, bow and apologize, and explain: "I didn't mean to criticize General Wei, but it was actually the Taifu's whole family who was executed. As an old official, he often felt troubled and secretly thought about revenge.
...General Wei, I am too talkative about marriage. I just ask the general to allow us and other former officials of the Yuan family to kill his body and burn his ashes to appease his hatred. If this can be done, I think Yuan Cheqi and the later general will do the same if they know about it.
Thank you General."
"Where did Yuan Chaqi come from?" Before Gongsun Xun could say anything, Xi Zhong became even more furious. "Yuan Shao claimed to be a chariot general and invaded the prefectures and counties. He brought trouble to the country and was clearly no less than Dong Zhuo! My general fought hard for three years.
We have traveled thousands of miles and worked hard for a year to help the danger and quell the chaos. You don't want to respect me, but instead you respect a traitor to the country?"
Hearing Gongsun Xun's confidants commenting on Yuan Shao like this, Song Yi was frightened and didn't know how to react. Even the rest of the people in the audience were also frightened.
"Okay." Gongsun Xun said unconcernedly. "Although Yuan Chaiqi's chariot general is a self-proclaimed chariot general, he is forced by current events and cannot be regarded as usurping... Zhicai, follow Liu Changshi to join the dock, here
I'll take care of it myself."
To be continued...