In the autumn of the eighth year of Jianshi, Liu Yu led an army of 100,000 to the city of Handan, and the siege on all sides was decided.

Handan was very depressed at this time, and all the elite soldiers and strong generals were taken away by Liu Xiu. Most of the royal relatives and nobles took their families to Liaodong. Even the giant merchants and merchants moved out to refugees. Only the poor people were left in Handan City, and some old, weak and disabled soldiers were guarding the people, led by Liu Xiu's brother-in-law, Li Tong.

Li Tong raised an army in Nanyang, causing the entire Li family to suffer the genocide. His two sons were killed and left alone. After the founding of the country, Li Tong married Liu Xiu's sister Liu Boji, and the two gave birth to a son named Li Yin, which was Li Tong's only bloodline.

When Liu Xiu led his army north to Liaodong, he was very troubled by the candidates who stayed in Handan.

This person must be loyal, otherwise, once Liu Xiu leaves, he will rebel. If Handan changes hands quickly, Liu Xiu's world will collapse immediately, and I am afraid that the imperial army will not be able to go to Liaodong.

This person must have the ability to control Handan, be able to gather people and keep the ground, so that he can persist in Handan for a longer time and win time for Liu Xiu to arrive in Liaodong smoothly.

As Liu Xiu's brother-in-law, Li Tong has always been trusted by him. Every time Liu Xiu goes out to personally expedition, Li Tong stays in Handan, and never has any major troubles. Li Tong is loyal and capable enough, and is familiar with Handan's defense. He is the best candidate for staying behind.

Although Liu Xiu likes Li Tong, it is difficult to speak.

Handan is an abandoned city, and the left-behind people are abandoned people. Whoever stays will die.

Morally speaking, Liu Xiu couldn't speak this.

In a dilemma, Li Tong cleared Liu Xiu's siege. He took the initiative to ask to stay in Handan. His only request was to let his wife, Princess Ningping, Liu Boji, and youngest son Li Yin follow the army north.

Needless to say, Liu Xiu will definitely treat his son well, and there is no need to remind him.

Since Li Tong was so aware, Liu Xiu immediately agreed. In order to repay him, Liu Xiu did an unprecedented event: he named Li Tong the King of Wan. This was the first king of different surnames in the Jianwu Dynasty, and most likely the last one. Liu Xiu once adhered to the rules of his ancestors in the most difficult time and had never named King of different surnames, but now he has broken it for Li Tong. From this, it can be seen that Li Tong's active stay did solve Liu Xiu's big problem.

Li Tong's youngest son Li Yin was also named Marquis. The Li family reached the peak of power and honor when Liu Xiu's dynasty was about to collapse.

This is the last comfort this dynasty gave to Li Tong, but what's the use of a comfort that is about to collapse? In Liu Xiu's heart, Li Tong is almost dead, and this king's name is used to buy his life.

The matter of whoever keeps and leaves was resolved successfully, but at this time another accident occurred. The accident occurred on Li Tong's wife, Princess Ning Ping, Liu Boji.

A while ago, due to the murder of Deng Chen's family, Liu Boji and Liu Xiu's brother and sister had a conflict. Princess Ning Ping was severely scolded by the emperor and ordered her to think about her mistakes behind closed doors.

Deng Chen's wife is Liu Xiu's second sister, Princess Xinye, Liu Yuan. She died in the defeat of Little Chang'an by the new army. At that time, Liu Xiu watched her second sister fall into trouble but could not save her. The pain can be imagined. After becoming emperor, Liu Xiu always treated the children left by Liu Yuan. However, after Deng Chen rebelled, Liu Xiu mercilessly killed the second sister's flesh and blood one by one.

Out of sisterhood, Liu Boji strongly opposed extermination of Deng Chen. In her perception, it was Deng Chen's fault that was the only one. Why did Liu Yuan's child bear it? For this reason, she contradicted Liu Xiu in person, but still could not win back his cold emperor's heart.

Because of this, the brother and sister turned against each other, and a rift arises between the relatives.

Li Tong was determined to stay in Handan. Liu Boji should have followed the army to Liaodong, but she refused and insisted on staying with her husband. Liu Xiu was very angry, but this girl seemed to be having a fight with him, and the two of them could not communicate at all.

Liu Xiu is considered an emperor who values ​​love and has a lot of affection for this youngest sister. Although there is a crack between the brother and sister, Liu Xiu still wants to take her away and ensure her completeness.

Liu Xiu suppressed his anger and ordered Queen Yin to go and relieve his persuasion. For this reason, Queen Yin visited the princess's mansion and lingered for more than half a day. After returning to the palace, she said to Liu Xiu: "Bo Ji's heart is as strong as iron and stone, it should not be easier. Let her go!"

Liu Xiu said angrily: "It's getting more and more unruly. Does she want to resist the order?"

He was right, Liu Boji really dared to resist the order. She carried a short knife with her. If Liu Xiu forced her to leave, she would lead the knife to decide for herself. This decisive attitude touched Liu Xiu, and he finally did not force her again.

Liu Xiu did not expect that the cost of being an emperor was so great that he lost his stable pastoral life, his friends and brothers, and his relatives and affection.

The road to national development is like a one-way ship. Although there is a sea of ​​stars in front of you, you have to stay away from the shore where you set out and you can never look back.

Liu Boji stayed with her husband with her stubbornness. The couple guarded Handan together, supporting the twilight city, and retaining the last sunset for the Jianwu Dynasty.

When Emperor Jianshi's troops were at the city, the city was already panicked and the army began to slide out of control.

Liu Yu sent an envoy into the city and asked Li Tong to offer the city immediately. Li Tong replied: "I once made an appointment with the emperor. I could offer the city after half a month of guarding Handan. If this is the case, I would not be as guilty as my family. Please give your Majesty a grace period of half a month and I will definitely surrender."

Liu Yu flatly refused, and he replied to the letter: "I respect King Wan's loyalty and righteousness. I have given you a grace for one day. I will surrender before sunset tomorrow. If you violate this limit, the army will immediately attack the city. On the day the city is broken, the army will be in chaos. I dare not say that I can protect King Wan from all over the world. I hope that King Wan will judge the situation and return the whole city to avoid the ancient city being robbed and the people suffering."

Liu Yu did what he said, and he ordered his troops to stay still and wait for Li Tong to surrender.

The night was dark, and the ancient city of Handan was hidden in the darkness, only a light in the princess's mansion was like beans.

Li Tong and his wife sat together for a long time, and Li Tong took the lead in breaking the silence.

"Princess, the matter in Handan is no longer done. I want to surrender to the city tomorrow. You... pack up!"

"If a good man surrenders to Liu Yu, how will Yin'er deal with himself in Liaodong? Brother... Liu Xiu took Yin'er with him, just to take him as a hostage and threaten him. Ha! He is really a cruel person. His second sister is so kind to him, but he does not pity her flesh and blood." Liu Boji has always been resentful of the Deng family's destruction, and is full of resentment towards the brother he once respected.

"Boji, you have a deep misunderstanding of Your Majesty. This time, Deng Chen's surrender is out of irresponsibility, and my surrender is out of helplessness. What's more, Your Majesty has made it clear when he is leaving, asking me to try to protect myself and you."

"If he really wants to protect you and me, how could he let you cut off the rear for him? He left him and threw you to Liu Yu." Liu Boji became more and more angry as he thought about it, and he couldn't help but raise his voice.

"Your Majesty must always be done. Your Majesty is in a dilemma. As a minister and receives his favor, he should share his worries for the king." Li Tong sighed: "Your Majesty is not a ruthless person, but as the lord of a country, there are always some forced things. But there is no doubt that he will never want you to be in danger. When you are leaving, he repeatedly reminds you that you can take action on your own depending on the situation and do not have to think of the sound."

Liu Boji didn't say anything, she remembered what Queen Yin once said to her: "Since you insist on staying, I dare not force me anymore. Just rest assured, your son is my son. From now on, Yin'er will be my biological flesh and blood. No matter where you go to Liaodong or where you go, I will never let him suffer any grievances. Boji, I know that you are strong and unwilling to bow your head when encountering problems, but you are hard and easy to break, but only gentleness can keep your peace. We are women after all

, This is the matter of fighting for the world, all their men's affairs. I heard that Emperor Jianshi was somewhat ruthless, and he would not care about us women. If there was that day... Living is always good, and we brothers, sisters and sisters-in-law still have a date to meet each other, and you and Yin'er also have a day to meet again. Alas, a few years ago, looking at the prosperous city of Handan, who would have expected that there would be something happening now? By the same token, who can tell the future of things accurately?"

The meaning of Liu Xiu and Yin Lihua is already very obvious. Even if they offer the city and surrender, it is understandable and will not affect Li Yin. After all, Li Tong is willing to cover up Liu Xiu's escape by himself. What else can Liu Xiu force him?

Having said that, Liu Boji has her own pride. She is unwilling to bow her head to her brother, so how could she be willing to bow her knees to the emperor who herded cattle?

She raised her head and looked at Li Tong: "Good man, do you still remember that when the eldest brother died unjustly and the third brother was in Luoyang, my eldest sister and I went back to Xinye together, fearing that Liu Xuan, who was killed in the sky, would take our lives one day. I was afraid that the days of being dependent on others' roofs and being scared every day, I was afraid that the days of being scared by others! I was still young at that time. If I hadn't been determined to protect him, I wouldn't know if I could survive. Now that I'm used to living a good life, I wouldn't be able to live again like that."

Li Tong held her in his arms and said repeatedly: "Bo Ji, it's all my fault. You have made you suffer so much. Don't worry, if I'm here in the future, you don't have to be afraid of anything. No one can bully you, and no one dares to touch you at all."

Liu Boji broke free from his arms, pushed his body away, and pulled his face half a foot away. She looked into his eyes, and there was a sneer on her face.

"Just! Li Tong, do you really think you can protect me? I have seen through it. Big brother, third brother and you, you men are the same. For the sake of the world, power, and your ambition, you can do anything! What kind of wife, children and family can be left behind! When the eldest brother and the third brother rose up, Liu suffered, and the second brother and the second sister unfortunately died. You and Li Yi rebelled, and hundreds of people in the Li family lost their lives. Your father, mother, wife, and children are all your closest relatives, and you can't protect them. Now you are going to throw yourself into the cattle-herding emperor and send your knife out. Life and death are in the hands of others. You can't protect yourself. Why do you want to protect me? Don't you feel guilty when you say this?"

Li Tong's face turned red and white when she said it, but there was nothing to refute.

Liu Boji slowly retreated, lowered her head, and slowly stroked her right hand with her left thumb, saying, "I have lived for more than 30 years, suffered a lot of hardships, and enjoyed great blessings. I have lived enough in this life, even if I die now, I have no regrets. I have nothing to worry about with Yin'er. As for you, I will have a suitable match in the future, so I don't have to worry about it. We are married together, and now, this fate is over."

Her tone was so calm, but her words were so resolute. Li Tong was frightened and suddenly reached out to grab her hand and said, "Bo Ji, you must not think too much! For Yin'er and for me, you must cherish your life. If you really die, how can I live alone! I will go with you, how can you bear it?"

Liu Boji chuckled and said, "Whatever you can do is follow me, what you can't live alone, is just a saying. You can live and live well. I don't blame you, you don't have to die. Really, I hope you can live well and hope that you will live a hundred years old. You often say that a real man can bend and stretch, just like the third brother, pretending to be pitiful in front of Liu Xuan. Later, he was too big to put him in a big way? If you can bend, it's always good to live. But I advise you that things in the world are no longer possible. Even the heroes of the third brother cannot defeat him, so you don't have to plan anything anymore. Less unreasonable thoughts, you can live for a long time... Stay calm down and live a life, the Cattle Herding Emperor may give you some peace of mind."

"Boji, I, let me tell you the truth. I am old and don't think about the world or the power. I just want to have a peaceful life with you. You, you have to accompany me. We are in a relationship with each other and we have always been in love. You must not leave me alone!"

"When I think of the days when Xinye takes refuge, I feel scared. I can't stand that kind of life anymore. It's not that I can't stand the suffering, but I can't stand the humiliation," Liu Boji suddenly shook off Li Tong's hand, stood up suddenly, and said sternly: "I am a descendant of the Liu royal family, the descendant of Emperor Gao, the eldest son of the Zhutian General Liu Yan, who was the first to promote the righteous flag and destroy the Mang. The God of War in Kunyang, and the invincible Emperor Jianwu is my brother.

I am the dignified Princess Ningping. How could I beg for life from a little calf official? If I were to beg for mercy at Liu Yu's feet, would I be worthy of my ancestors? Although my eldest brother and the third brother are ruthless, they are all the best heroes in the world! I shed the same blood as them, and even though they are women, I would not bow my knees to serve others, which would damage their reputation! If I could only live on my knees, I would rather die standing! I would just die, what's the fear of death!"

Li Tong sat on the mat and looked at Liu Boji, speechless. Her originally petite figure looked very tall under the light, which made him look up. Li Tong felt like he was struck by lightning, and he was stuck in something, but he couldn't move at all. His head was buzzing, and his heart couldn't help but surging blood.

At this time, he couldn't tell what it felt, he felt shocked, admired, and ashamed. He stared at his wife tightly, but couldn't say a word.

Liu Boji suddenly stretched out his left hand to him, and an indescribable smile appeared on his face.

Li Tong seemed to be unlocked, and finally was able to move and speak.

"Bo Ji..." He murmured and stretched out his hand and held his wife. He felt that her whole body was bathed in light at this moment, and there was a thrilling beauty that made him dissipate his soul and be dazzling.

But the next moment, Li Tong was frightened to find that there was a big red color on the hands that the two of them were holding each other. The red color spreads on their hands, from his fingers to her fingers, like a rapidly growing red branch, growing wildly and shockingly.

He heard a loud "dang" sound in his ears. Li Tong was so scared that he shivered all over, and watched a short knife fall on the ground in front of him, full of red blood.

Liu Boji leaned to the side, and Li Tong unconsciously reached out to take it, seeing a long crack on her neck, like a hideous animal mouth, bleeding from inside.

"Princess...Bo Ji..." Li Tong's voice was hoarse and hoarse, but his voice was very light, as if he was afraid to wake her up, so he did not dare to call out loudly.

The candlelight on the table flashed a few times and went out.

Li Tong sat in the pool of blood with Liu Boji in his arms for a long time, until the dawn was dim, and there was a light in the room. His eyes moved, and he saw the short knife on the ground, and he grabbed it. He opened his eyes wide and looked carefully. He saw that the blood of his wife was still stained with his wife, which was originally bright red, but was already black and solidified at this time.

Li Tong raised his hand and placed the short knife on his neck. With a little force, a stinging pain came from his neck, which made him stop. Li Tong could clearly feel a hotline slowly flowing down his neck, like an ant crawling down, itchy, but it made the blood that had just surged on his head slowly fall back into his chest.

Li Tong's hand holding the knife was trembling slightly, not knowing whether it was because of anger or fear. He was indeed a little angry, angry with himself, so that he bit his lips tightly and said to himself: "Isn't it just a death? Isn't it just a knife? As long as you work harder, you can go with Bo Ji in one go. The road to the underworld is not far away, and you may be able to catch up with her."

He kept praising his strength for himself, his hands tightly and loosen, but his hands were shaking harder and weaker. Until the end, the hand that had held a spear and killed countless enemies for many years seemed to be unable to bear the weight of the small short sword. Li Tong let go of his five fingers and let the short sword fall to the ground.

He suddenly felt sad and couldn't help but lean down, hugged Liu Boji's cold body tightly, and burst into tears.

The sky was bright, and Handan City stood silently in the sun. Emperor Jianshi Liu Yu rode his horse into the city surrounded by the Yulin Army. When passing the high city gate, Liu Yu raised his head and glanced over the heads of the surrendered ministers of Handan who were kneeling on both sides of the road.

The first of the surrendered generals was Li Tong, the King of Wan of the Jianwu Dynasty. He was dressed in a plain manner, bowed his head and bent his knees, protruded to the ground, and knelt beside the city gate to welcome Emperor Jianshi into the city.
Chapter completed!