Chapter 436

"The world thinks it is strange, but it is the norm for heroes. Where the Great Prince points, it is naturally outside the world's measure."

"I am outside the world's measure, so I can get your world-famous talent! Today, I will sail with you to hit the water and go out to level the world. What do you think?"

"The front army presses straight into the center of the river, advance when you see the flag, and don't look back!"

"I think he is a bit unclear about size! Then I have to teach him! You transmit my order, immediately take away all his power, leaving only the empty title of Military Commander!"

"Zhiyan, Zhiyan, you said it! You said that victory or defeat is still between five and five! You must have a way, right?!"

"Prince! Prince!"

The Prince of Badong woke up suddenly and grabbed the long sword beside him.

"Prince! It's me! Guo Wenyuan! Water and food have been found!"

Guo Wenyuan and three cavalry guards knelt halfway in the wild grass, everyone gray-faced and exhausted.

The Prince of Badong was stunned for a moment, the panic in his eyes gradually dissipated, his Adam's apple rolled, and he stared at the water bag in Guo Wenyuan's hand.

Guo Wenyuan hurriedly handed it over:

"Prince, drink some water first—"

The Prince of Badong snatched the water bag and drank a few big mouthfuls; after drinking, his spirit was better, and he asked in a low voice:

"Is there anything to eat?"

"Yes!"

Guo Wenyuan presented a piece of cloth cut from his clothes, containing something like wild vegetables:

"This humble official and others searched for a long time, only found these. This is—"

The Prince of Badong was hungry, didn't care what it was, grabbed it and stuffed it into his mouth; after chewing a few mouthfuls, he spat it out, bent over and retched endlessly.

Guo Wenyuan hurriedly stepped forward, patting his back and handing water.

The Prince of Badong poured two mouthfuls of water and panted for a long time before he caught his breath:

"What is this! Is it poisonous!"

Guo Wenyuan smiled bitterly:

"This is bitter wormwood, also known as acid grass, called small acid thatch in the countryside. Although the taste is not so good, it can be eaten raw, and it can also be used as medicine..."

The Prince of Badong waved his hands again and again:

"No, no, I can't eat this, share it with everyone."

The three cavalry guards were already hungry, and hearing this, they were not polite, took the handful of acid grass, and soon divided it, chewing with relish.

Guo Wenyuan presented another small handful of tender pods:

"Prince, try this. This is the seedling of the earth corner, also called cow seedling. When there is no food in the countryside, this can be used as a meal. The tender corners can be eaten directly, and the hard corners must be cooked to be eaten. There is even a sweet taste when cooked. But it is not convenient to light a fire now, Prince, make do with it. The taste is better than bitter wormwood."

The Prince of Badong barely ate some, swallowed some mountain leaves with mountain spring water, and left the rest for Guo Wenyuan and others to share. Seeing them eating messily, he sighed and said:

"If I had a bow, I wouldn't have fallen to the point of eating leaves..."

Guo Wenyuan wanted to remind him again that he couldn't light a fire, but thinking that there were no living things nearby except mounts, let the Prince satisfy his mouth...

The Prince of Badong looked around and finally realized something was wrong:

"Eh? Why are there only you few? Where are the others?"

Guo Wenyuan didn't dare to say they ran away, just said:

"This humble official and others were scattered when looking for food. In this wilderness, we couldn't find them for a while..."

The Prince of Badong didn't ask again.

He looked at the four people in front of him, scanning their faces one by one, his heart both sour and warm. Suddenly he stood up, his eyes firm, his expression heroic, and said in a low voice:

"Adversity knows loyal ministers! You are all my loyal ministers! When I recapture the army and reorganize, all four of you will be rewarded!"

The three cavalry guards knelt and thanked! Only Guo Wenyuan stood still.

The Prince of Badong looked at Guo Wenyuan:

"Don't you believe me?"

Guo Wenyuan hesitated for a moment, lifted his clothes, knelt on both knees, kowtowed and said:

"This humble official has heartfelt words to present, but please promise this humble official, no matter what I say, the Prince cannot be angry. Otherwise, this humble official would not dare to say it even if I die ten thousand times."

The Prince of Badong was silent for a moment and sighed:

"It was my fault for being angry before, it won't be like this in the future. From now on, just say whatever you have, no need to be like this, I guarantee I won't be angry."

Guo Wenyuan took a breath and said:

"This humble official thinks that the Prince should not go to find the Military Commander Wang!

In the past, the Prince seized the Changhu army because the Changhu army was unprepared, the main general was of medium talent, and the Prince suddenly attacked, using fame and power to overwhelm them, which was easy to take.

But now is different from the past, the news of our defeat may have spread, and Military Commander Wang's power and strategy are by no means comparable to the Changhu main general!

If the Prince goes to seize the army lightly, if it fails, I'm afraid—"

The Prince of Badong suppressed his anger and sneered:

"Why, does Wang Yang really dare to rebel? Even if he really rebels, I have left a killer move to control him!"

Guo Wenyuan argued urgently:

"This humble official dare not speculate on the Military Commander's heart!

It's just that if the killer move left by the Prince can control the Military Commander, why has there been no news from the army attacking Yong!

Although Xue Shao is a supervisor, how can he be the Military Commander's opponent?

With the Military Commander's talent, let alone one Xue Shao, even ten, what can they do to the Military Commander?!"

The Prince of Badong's face was iron-blue, and he gritted his teeth and said:

"Even if Wang Yang really rebelled, but when the generals see me arrive in person, do they also rebel with him?"

Guo Wenyuan said painfully:

"If the Prince defeats the Tai army, with the power of great victory and the momentum of the whole army, and reappears in the army, it may still be possible!

But now that it is a complete defeat, going alone, people's hearts are unpredictable!

Wang Chongtian followed the Prince for a long time and was promoted by the Prince, yet he abandoned his master and ran away without looking back!

Wang Chongtian is like this, how can the hearts of the generals be guaranteed!"

The wild grass rustled in the autumn wind, the Prince of Badong stood there, his palm tightly gripping the hilt, for a long time, then slowly loosened it, his voice deep and astringent:

"Then what do you say to do?"

Guo Wenyuan knelt forward:

"The current plan is only to surrender to the Northern Dynasty.

Although the Prince is temporarily defeated, he is a descendant of the royal family and a descendant of the imperial family!

The Northern Dynasty has always recruited clothing and hats; seeing the Prince come to run, they will surely welcome him happily and treat him with special gifts.

In the past, Liu Chang ran to Wei and also got the title of Prince and married a princess. Now Liu Song has perished, and Great Qi is prosperous; if they get the Prince, not only will it increase their momentum, but it can also be capital for going south, how can there be no reason to value it?

The Prince will surely get a noble title this time!

As for reappearing in Jingzhou in the future and raising the great cause again, it is not empty talk!

Only hope the Prince thinks about it!"

Guo Wenyuan finished speaking and lay on the ground without getting up!

The Prince of Badong looked up to the north, his line of sight was blocked by the wild forest, and only a gray distant sky was hidden at the end of the forest tips.

He stared for a long time and slowly shook his head:

"A great man can never be a subject or concubine to the Hu barbarians."

Guo Wenyuan looked up and said urgently:

"The Prince is wrong!

In the past, Liu Yuan and Shi Le were both Rong and Di and occupied the Central Plains, and there was no lack of clothing and hat scholars under them.

Wang Meng assisted Qin and was called a meritorious achievement;

Zhang Bin assisted Zhao, and his merit was famous!

Are they all willing to be Hu subjects?

It is the trend of the times!

Now although Wei came out of the desert, it has had the land of China for a long time!

Cui, Lu, Zheng, and Wang all live in the temple;

The old families of the Central Plains are listed in the court!

Why does the Prince—"

The Prince of Badong raised his hand to interrupt Guo Wenyuan:

"You don't have to say it.

Wang Meng and the others are all Northerners. When the Northern land was lost, they surrendered to the Hu and served the captives; although it is not very good, it can barely be justified.

But I am a Prince, growing up in the imperial dynasty. If I rebel and surrender to the Hu, I am both a family thief and a national thief!

I can be a rebellious son, but I will never be a national thief!!!"

"Prince—"

The Prince of Badong raised his eyebrows:

"As for the examples you gave, no matter how many you give, it's useless!

What does other people's business have to do with me?

A person who forgets his roots, how can I imitate him!

When a person dies, the bird faces up!

I, Xiao Zixiang, am a dignified man, standing upright; even if I am defeated and die, I am still a hero of the end of the road!

Others can say I didn't accomplish things, but when they hear that I didn't surrender to the Hu when I was poor, how can they not say 'The Prince is righteous?'

If I go to lick the boots of the Xianbei people, how will it be recorded in history books?

In the future, under the nine springs, when I see the ancestors of the old Xiao family, I will say I didn't do my father, and I was dried down, then I won't blush!

When I see my father down, I will continue to call the board!

But if I knelt to the Hu children, I would really have no confidence to call my father, then I would not be reconciled even if I were a ghost!"

"Prince—"

"Besides, even if I surrender to the North, it's not that easy. Crossing the border means passing through Yongzhou; in our current situation, it's barely enough to get rid of the pursuers, how can we pass through Yongzhou? Now the Yongzhou Inspector is Xiao Luan's younger brother, a person of the Eastern Palace. If we are captured on the way to surrender to the Hu, I don't know how we will be ridiculed! I am also a person who wants face, no matter what, I can't let my brother look down on me!"

Guo Wenyuan said unwillingly:

"The Prince should think about Goujian serving Wu and then restoring Yue—"

The Prince of Badong's voice was determined:

"If you still recognize me as a Prince, then don't say any more!

I will absolutely not take this path!

I have decided, let's go back to Jingzhou!

Wang Yi and Liu Tan are in Jingzhou, where is my root deeper than theirs?!

Let's gather the scattered soldiers all the way to Badong County!

Badong is my fief, I am most familiar with it!

If I can pull up an army, or if Wang Yang didn't actually rebel, then we will do it again! If it doesn't work, then enter Shu from Badong.

What do you think?"

Guo Wenyuan looked at the spirit appearing in the Prince of Badong's eyes, as if he had restored his past spirit! He moved his lips, wanting to say something, but finally just lowered his head and said hoarsely:

"This humble official listens to the Prince's instructions."

The Prince of Badong made a decision, his expression light:

"Okay, let the horses rest their feet, we will leave in a while!"

After speaking, he sat down again, leaned against the earth ridge, and closed his eyes to rest.

Guo Wenyuan stood blankly.

After a while, he walked to the Prince of Badong and said softly:

"Prince, this humble official will go to get some water."

The Prince of Badong didn't open his eyes:

"Go."

Guo Wenyuan turned and left.

Guo Wenyuan didn't walk far, a cavalry guard leaned forward:

"Prince, Advisor Guo is probably not right! He said he went to get water, but didn't bring a water bag. And the mountain spring is in the northeast, but he went to the southwest."

"I know."

The Prince of Badong opened his eyes, his eyes calm.

The cavalry guard was stunned:

"This subordinate will go to chase!"

The Prince of Badong stopped the cavalry guard:

"No need, let him go.

He followed me all the way here, and didn't take the water bag when he left, which is already benevolent and righteous.

I can't use his strategy, if he wants to go, I don't blame him.

If he can bring out those words I just said, and record them in history books in the future, it will be considered to be famous for me."

He said and looked at the three cavalry guards:

"You too. In the future, whether you go or surrender, I don't blame you. When you are really in danger, remember, don't die lightly! If there is a chance to live, pass on my words, so that future generations will know my heart, then I can have no hatred."

The three guards knelt together, full of determination:

"Swear to follow the Prince to the death!"

Guo Wenyuan was destined to fail the Prince of Badong's expectations.

He knew that in the current situation, with his status, whether he escaped or surrendered, it would be a dead end in the end. Only by following the Prince of Badong to the Northern Dynasty would there be a chance. And from the moment the Prince of Badong refused to surrender to the North, he was already desperate.

He walked through the forest and stepped on the grass, walked for I don't know how long, the front suddenly opened up, a big river lay in the night, the moonlight was miserable, and the river sound was mighty.

Guo Wenyuan looked at the rolling river, thought of Li Jingxuan's foresight, left early, and couldn't help but sigh:

"I am far inferior to Li Gongyu..."

After sighing, he jumped, and a little water splashed—

The river surface soon returned to calm, only the moonlight was still coldly shining...

——————

Note: Wang Chongtian first appeared in chapters 47 and 48. At that time, his name was not mentioned, only that he introduced himself as the cavalry guard chief. It was not until Chapter 82 "Langya King vs. Hedong Liu" that it was revealed: "Cavalry guard chief Wang Chongtian, holding a bow and standing by his side." He was specifically helping the Prince of Badong hold the bow. And his running away was also one of the reasons why the Prince of Badong had no bow in this chapter.

In addition, the 1972 Zhonghua Book Company edition of "Nan Qi Shu · Wu Seventeen Kings" records the original timeline: "The next day, the fierce party fought with the Tai army, Zixiang shot a crossbow on the embankment, and the fugitive Wang Chongtian and others covered the city with shields, and the Tai army was defeated."

This version is based on the Song Baina edition as "Wang Chongtian", the Wuyingdian edition and the Jin Ling Book Company edition are both "Wang Chongtian", and the "Nan Shi" Jigu Pavilion edition is also "Chongtian". The book is written as Chongtian, which may not be the original history. Mr. Zhu Jihai wrote "Nan Qi Shu School Discussion" saying that this person's original name was Chongtian, but the author of "Nan Qi Shu" "Li Gai Zhi" changed it to Chongtian. This is a speculative word, and it is also lost.