Chapter 1164 The Jade Tablet
At the end of September, the grass is dying and the branches are turning yellow.
However, the bleak and solemn feeling in autumn does not only come from these natural scenery, but also from the heavy city gate covered with sword marks, as well as the bloodstains on the walls on both sides.
Luoyang, once the eastern capital city that Chu Yang had carefully built and was like the brightest pearl in the Central Plains, has now become an isolated island in the vast ocean. Except for the team sent back to Luocang ten days ago to adjust grains, Outside of returning, there were almost no people coming in or out, and from time to time they were attacked by Sheng's army. It looked so lonely, desolate, tragic and helpless.
But today, Luoyang City is showing a kind of excitement that is like returning to the past.
Before it was completely light, there was a loud noise on the city tower. Someone brought bucket after bucket of water from the city tower and poured it down along the wall to wash away the blood stains that still exuded a strong smell of blood. It doesn't matter even if it's not completely washed off, because immediately, it will Someone took a bright red ribbon and hung it from the city tower to cover the dilapidated city wall that had been baptized by several wars. The bright color of the red silk was illuminated by the rising sun, making it dazzling and dazzling. The whole city seemed to be burning at once. The flame revealed a final glory that was on the verge of collapse.
Outside the city gate, the wilderness had long been cleared away by strong walls and all woods and shrubs, but a three-story earth platform appeared on the flat wasteland to the east.
That is the altar where Liang Shide wants to worship heaven.
He sent people out of the city to pile up the earthen platform several days in advance, and last night he had people move the altar, sacrifices, bronze cauldron and other items onto it. These things were all safe after being exposed to the dew all night. Quietly waiting for today on the altar.
Compared to the quiet altar, the city was noisy.
Before the city gate was opened, there was already a large group of people lined up at the city gate, with banners and drums blaring. On one of the golden cars sat a strong middle-aged man wearing a dragon robe, with a fluttering beard. With a complacent expression, Liang Shide, who had occupied Luoyang for several years, led his ceremonial guards and "civil and military ministers" from the Ziwei Palace, preparing to go out of the city to offer sacrifices.
In the city that had been silent for a long time, the people also poked their heads out to watch this scene.
In the past few months, the people of Luoyang have been devastated once again after experiencing the monstrous war when Chu Yang left the Eastern Capital. They never imagined that Luoyang City would encounter war again, and that it would be attacked several times in a row. The sun was not setting, and the people in the city were in panic, but Liang Shide was not allowed to open the city gate regardless of victory or defeat, so they could only huddle in the city, listening to the sound of killings hitting the city gate once every few days, or several times a day. The sound.
And this is still just spiritual fear.
What really made their lives worse than death was that Liang Shide did not prepare enough food before facing this battle. Although Yu Wencheng did not completely block the passages around Luoyang City, it was not easy to fight out. The food in the city had already been exhausted. , but Liang Shide himself blocked the city gate and did not allow any common people to leave the city. Up to now, a grain of rice in Luoyang City is even more expensive than a grain of golden melon seed. The princes and nobles can only live on coarse grains, while the common people are the worst, and can only eat rice bran mixed with floating soil.
Now, all of them are so hungry that they have no energy left. Even with such a lively scene, few people go out to see them.
However, Liang Shide couldn't control this.
At this moment, he was sitting on a golden carriage - this was one of the utensils used by the emperor that he found in the Ziwei Palace after he invaded Luoyang City. Of course, there were others that he had already enjoyed in these days. Well, he had wanted to use this golden car and the utensils on the altar outside the city for a long time, but was always discouraged by the people around him. Until today, he finally got what he wanted.
That’s what a man should be like!
Thinking of this, Liang Shide, who was sitting in the golden car, couldn't help stroking his beard and smiled proudly. However, in this somewhat stiff smile, he couldn't help but glance at the tower from the fluttering colorful flags in front of him. Both sides——
There, there was gunpowder that he had already prepared.
There are also several places in the city that he has made preparations for. From the day he occupied this city, Liang Shide had no intention of leaving, even though Xiao Yuansui is now trapped in Hulao Pass , there may be no way to rescue him, and if the siege continues, he and the people of Luoyang will be trapped and die here, but it doesn't matter.
If he dies, he will die in Luoyang!
Thinking of this, he couldn't help laughing.
The guards standing on both sides of the golden car couldn't help but look surprised when they heard his laughter - these days, Liang Shide's temper became more and more strange, and sometimes he was very excited, feeling that the world was under his control. Sometimes he is extremely panicked, fearing that Yu Wencheng will attack the city at the next moment. Once he falls into this mood, he will suddenly become furious, whip the people around him, and let them all fight on the tower to resist the enemy's attack. Invasion.
After several twists and turns, the cronies around him did not dare to approach, and the guards were also cautious.
Hearing his laughter at this moment, everyone didn't know if he was going to have another attack. They all held their breath, fearing that any movement would attract his attention to themselves, but Liang Shide didn't pay attention to them, only after laughing. , suddenly said: "Guan Chiying."
Upon hearing this name, several guards around him had expressions of disdain on their faces.
Someone lazily shouted: "Guan Chiying."
The name was spread widely, and after a while, a thin figure hurriedly ran up from behind, it was Guan Chiying.
He was wearing court clothes, and he didn't know which warehouse he had rummaged them from. Even the corners of his clothes were wrinkled, and he looked cowardly. He walked to the side of the golden car and saluted: "Xia "King..." Xia is the name of the country drawn up by Liang Shide himself.
When the ceremony to worship the heaven is completed later, he will call himself King of Xia, but a few days before that, his close followers, including the civil and military ministers, have already called him that.
Liang Shide glanced at him, then at the street, and then said: "Where are the people?"
Guan Chiying was stunned for a moment, then took a look around, and immediately said: "Today the King of Xia went to the altar to offer sacrifices. It's such a big event. Naturally, we can't let these people come out and disrupt the order. Therefore, I asked someone to keep an eye on them. Don’t let them out.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp voice came from the other side of the golden chariot: "The sacrifice of the King of Xia is such a big event, how can the people not congratulate it?"
Guan Chiying frowned and looked up. The person speaking was none other than Wei Yu, the chamberlain supervisor.
This person was a small fourth-grade chamberlain who stayed at Ziwei Palace when Chu Yang left the Eastern Capital. After Liang Shide invaded Luoyang City, he surrendered immediately without any resistance. From then on, he has been serving Liang Shide and working with Liang Shide. The First Lord is no different Liang Shide was not used to having such a person around him at first, but Wei Yu was a flatterer and a master of adapting to the situation. It didn't take long for him to serve him comfortably. Later, Liang Shide even couldn't live without him. This person.
Hearing his words, Liang Shide also showed an unhappy look on his face and looked at Guan Chiying coldly.
At this time, Guan Chiying's scalp was also numb.
He and Shang Ruyi agreed on this time. As long as Hulao Pass can win a big victory, Yu Wenye can lead his troops to attack Luoyang. Once Liang Shide goes out of the city to offer sacrifices, they will have an opportunity to take advantage of it. But at this time, the people will not It’s time to get involved, after all, swords have no eyes.
Besides, after eating leaves and floating soil for so many days, which ordinary person still has the energy to come out and watch this fun?
Guan Chiying smiled and was about to explain something when Wei Yu said coldly: "Master Guan, King Xia asked you to come not to explain, but to do things."
Guan Chiying's eyes turned cold and she glared at him fiercely.
Wei Yu didn't flinch - similarly, he looked down on Shangguan Chiying. He was a servile weakling, yet this man had to act like a loyal minister and good general. Besides, he himself was of no use, he was just a good general. A pawn followed Chen Cai After a trip back to Luocang, Chen Cai died, and he didn't even bring back an extra bag of grain. Just because he persuaded his family and several other die-hards to finally join the Xia King, for this time After the sacrifice was put on the congratulatory table, he became a hero.
The two people stood face to face for a moment.
Just when the atmosphere was somewhat deadlocked, a clear and solemn voice sounded from behind Guan Chiying: "King Xia."
Hearing this, Liang Shide had to turn slightly from the golden car and saw Guan Ao, the official who was discussing the matter, standing behind Guan Chiying, his cousin - thin and thin in comparison. Guan Chiying looked a little panicked, but his calm temperament and calm eyes gave people a more convincing feeling. I saw him saying slowly: "The auspicious time is approaching. If we drive all the people out - of course we can congratulate King Xia, but when the people are in chaos, it will inevitably be delayed."
"..."
"If King Xia doesn't care, then we will do it immediately."
Hearing this, Liang Shide's expression changed slightly - he couldn't miss his auspicious time. It took him a long time to calculate it; besides, after today, I'm afraid there will never be another...
He immediately said: "No need."
After saying that, he waved lightly, and Guan Ao led Guan Chiying back into the group of officials. Only Wei Yu gave them a cold look.
It wasn't until she returned to the team that Guan Chiying breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to Guan Ao and said, "Thank you, brother."
Guan Ao's face was solemn, and he only looked at the still closed gate in front of him - it was an auspicious time to open the city gate, and it was now. Although there was no expression on his face, people who were close could still see that his forehead was covered with cold sweat, and he asked in a low voice: "All of us believe not you, but that jade plaque."
As he spoke, he gave Guan Chiying a sharp look.
"Are you sure that King Qin and Princess Qin will be able to arrive today before the auspicious time?"