Steel Dynasty - Chapter 654

[Chapter 653 The third prince’s request]

“Twenty thousand soldiers enter Shu!”

The Third Prince’s expression was a little stiff.

This time the King of Chu betrayed him, which was equivalent to betraying the King of Shu. After all, the King of Shu would not be loyal to the King of Chu because of his rebelliousness.

As a result, the King of Shu became a loner and could not sustain for long in the face of King Zhao’s attack.

After all, after King Zhao mastered the forging technology of matchlock guns, he trained a group of musketeers. With muskets, black armor cavalry and barbarian cavalry, the situation of King Shu was very difficult.

If Xiao Ming had not provided him with a batch of artillery to defend the city, it would have been a question whether the King of Shu could have survived until now. Therefore, in the eyes of the third prince, Xiao Ming attached great importance to Bashu, otherwise he would not have abandoned the King of Shu who had disliked him in the past. Provide artillery and ammunition.

It was precisely with this issue in mind that when the King of Chu decided to escort him to Qingzhou, he was somewhat lucky, because to Xiao Ming he was still somewhat useful, but to the King of Chu he was a complete drag.

“This is just the first batch of soldiers. In my opinion, 20,000 elites are enough to help the King of Shu stop the King of Zhao from going south. Of course, the premise is that the King of Shu surrenders to me. If he doesn’t do it, these 20,000 people will be the last straw to crush him. Straw, do you understand?” Xiao Ming’s tone left no room for doubt.

The third prince was silent for a while, and then he said: “Could it be that the emperor allowed the guilty minister to go to Shu to persuade the King of Shu to return to his heart?”

“No, I did it to replace you. The King of Shu is stupid, but you are talented, so I will hand over Bashu to you.” It’s appropriate.”

“Leave it to the guilty minister? Isn’t the emperor afraid that the guilty minister will occupy the Bashu army?” The third prince was a little confused.

Xiao Ming laughed when he heard this, “I just asked you to be responsible for the government affairs of Bashu. I have the final say on this military matter. Do you think that these 20,000 people entered Shu just to help resist King Zhao?” The

third prince’s heart sank. , only then did he understand what Xiao Ming was planning. Once the King of Shu declared himself a vassal, Xiao Ming could justifiably revoke the title of the King of Shu based on the unfavorable situation of the King of Shu resisting the King of Zhao.

In order to appease the King of Shu, Xiao Ming asked him to replace the King of Shu. However, all he could have was the title of King of Shu, but he did not have the reality of being the King of Shu.

Seeing that the third prince fell silent, Xiao Ming reminded him at this time: “For me, this is just a way. Even if King Zhao takes Bashu, I will just spend more effort in the future.”

“The coalition of the three kings was defeated miserably. How can a King Zhao be the emperor’s opponent? The third prince, the emperor just can’t bear the royal family to continue killing each other. This is a chance for you to survive and continue to enjoy the glory and wealth. If you miss it, it will really be gone. ” Qian Dafuhe. Xiao Ming sang a double act.

The third prince’s expression was complicated, and he was obviously struggling in his heart. He asked, “What are you going to do with the King of Shu?”

“How about I let him be a free prince?” Xiao Ming picked up the tea and took a sip. For him, the most important thing now is The purpose is to stabilize Bashu and prevent King Zhao’s plan from succeeding.

As for the third prince and the King of Shu staying temporarily, it doesn’t matter. After all, they have no military power and are just fish on the chopping board.

It would be fine if the two of them could honestly be free princes. If they were dishonest, they could be killed at any time.

And if his plan succeeds, he will be able to obtain Bashu, a land of abundance, avoid an expedition and also curb the expansion of King Zhao.

“The emperor means what he said!”

The third prince rolled his eyes, but he was not a fool. He had thought of everything Xiao Ming thought of, so he said: “If the emperor is sincere, I hope the emperor can grant the King of Shu and the guilty ministers immunity. Gold medal for death! No one can be killed except for treason!”

“Gold medal for avoiding death!” Xiao Ming looked confused.

Qian Dafu knew that Xiao Ming was not very clear about Dayu’s past, so he explained: “Your Majesty, at the beginning of the founding of Dayu, Emperor Gaozu once rewarded three of his generals with gold medals to avoid death, and he also set a rule that those who won the gold medals would be exempted from death. Those who are not guilty of treason cannot be killed.”

Xiao Ming nodded upon hearing this. This gold medal for immunity from death has also appeared in contemporary history. In fact, it is just a form of appeasement by the emperor to his meritorious ministers.

In the course of contemporary history, this gold medal of immunity from death has proven to be of little use. Since the crime of treason cannot be exempted from death, officials can still kill them as long as they make a fuss about it. After all, sometimes you are guilty even if you are not guilty. Not guilty, guilty and not guilty.

But if the third prince could really change his past and support him loyally, there would be no need for him to kill him.

So Xiao Ming just thought for a moment and said: “This is easy. As long as you complete this matter for me, I will give you two gold medals to avoid death, so that you can enjoy prosperity for the rest of your life.”

The third prince breathed a sigh of relief, and this This time he made the right bet. For him, if things continued to develop, he and his brother would be nothing more than dead words, and he was lucky to be alive now.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.” The third prince bowed deeply.

Xiao Ming was even satisfied in his heart. If he captured Yan, Liang, Zhao, and then Bashu, he would no longer be able to challenge anyone in the Chongqing Kingdom.

The two reached an agreement. Xiao Ming asked Qian Dafu to arrange a house for the third prince to stay temporarily in Qingzhou City. When 20,000 soldiers from the front line returned, he would send the third prince and these soldiers to enter along the Yangtze River on warships and merchant ships. Bashu.

After all, the King of Huainan surrendered, and the warships along the Yangtze River could be supplied, and the feudal kingdom between the King of Shu and the King of Huainan was just the Ruyang King who only owned three states, and his location was equivalent to the junction of contemporary western Hubei and Chongqing.

At the same time, entering Shu this time is also a deterrent to King Ruyang. Now only King Ruyang has not been in contact with him, and he does not know what King Ruyang is thinking.

After taking control of Bashu, King Ruyang was sandwiched between King Huainan and the Bashu he controlled. He believed that King Ruyang would be unable to sit still at this time.

The third prince left, and then Qian Dafu said again: “Your Majesty, in addition to the third prince, Cui Xue’er, the daughter of the King of Huainan, has also arrived in Qingzhou. Does the emperor want to see what Cui Xue’er looks like? The emperor has worked hard day and night these days, and he has the right to do so. Just for fun.”

When he said this, Qian Dafu suddenly laughed mischievously. In his opinion, it was perfectly normal for the emperor to have a concubine.

Xiao Ming’s heart moved slightly when he heard this, but he thought about it and gave up the idea. After all, since Cui Xue’er has arrived, he will probably go to the palace to see the Queen Mother soon. At this time, he will accompany the Queen Mother to see her.

Moreover, Fei Yue’er was pregnant and was about to give birth. At this time, he was playing with the romantic affairs. He still felt a little guilty, and he didn’t want to be caught by the ministers.

Thinking of this, he said to Qian Dafu: “That’s all. Why don’t you follow me to see how the palace is being built?”

(End of Chapter)