On November 10th, Yonggong Yang Anxuan's memorial was sent to the court. The memorial impeached the Military Intelligence Department for secretly sabotaging the imperial examination and demanded severe punishment from the emperor. The memorial was followed by the signatures of more than 8,000 people more than two feet high.
Even though Jiankang was firmly controlled by Song Gong Liu Yu's forces, such a major event as the evacuation of thousands of people was still spreading in the capital. There had never been such a thing since the founding of the Jin Dynasty.
Langya King Sima Dewen fell ill and went to court to inquire about the cause of the matter and discuss with the ministers how to deal with it. Liang Wang Sima Zhenzhi and others have returned from Xiangyang, bringing back the news that a spy from the Military Intelligence Department was killed by thieves at Zhukou, and various speculations are rampant.
Some people say it was Duke Yong who killed people to vent his anger, some people say it was Duke Song who killed people to silence them, and others said it was because these spies disobeyed the will and were sent by heaven... Teahouses and restaurants talked vividly about thousands of people, ranging from a few feet high to several feet high. Finally, one or several boats loaded the signatures, and some people claimed to have witnessed more than a dozen ox carts pulling the memorials into the imperial city.
Watching the excitement is not afraid of big troubles, the more it spreads, the more evil it becomes. The aristocratic clan looked deeper and smelled the faint smell of blood. Many people lamented in their hearts that the Sima family's strength was exhausted. The Song and Yong Dukes were showing their plans. Are they ready to go to war?
Liu Muzhi sent out his officers to arrest the people who spread the rumors. Unexpectedly, the rumors spread even more widely. Seeing that the situation was gradually getting out of control, Liu Muzhi had to send a letter to Liu Yu in Jingkou, asking him to return to Jiankang Town.
Liu Yu has raised 38,000 soldiers and horses, which are distributed in Jingkou, Qu'a, Hailing and other places for training. Liu Yu travels around to inspect the results of the training. Seeing the new army gradually showing its strength, Liu Yu is happy.
Yang Anxuan's message was like a thunder that made Liu Yu's eyes dizzy and his ears ringing. Knowing from Liu Muzhi's letter that there was an undercurrent in the capital, Liu Yu did not dare to delay and immediately got up and returned to Jiankang.
After seeing with his own eyes the Wan Min Shu written by Yang Anxuan and the confession written by Ling Mo and others, Liu Yu was so angry that he cursed,
"It is not a pity that Ling Mo and others should die." Shen Tianzi bowed his head and admitted his mistake, Liu Yu waved his hand and said, "It's none of your business. This is Yang Anxuan's opportunity to attack Yu. Ling Mo and others carelessly revealed their identities, and they were in a loss of control, which led to today's difficulties." Xu Xianzhi said: "Public opinion in the capital is chaotic. My lord must make a decision early to set the record straight." Liu Yu frowned and thought for a moment, then said: "In order to calm down the trend, Jingguang will have to suffer some injustice and be fined for one year." Everyone knows that the fine is just It's superficial, Shen Tianzi said in a deep voice.
"The Military Intelligence Department's sabotage of the imperial examination was presumed to be Ling Mo's act on his own initiative. Anyway, there is no proof, and the gossip will dissipate after a while." Liu Muzhi stroked his beard and said: "Lin Yiguo sent troops to attack Jiaozhou. Du Governor After defeating Lin Yi's army, Lin Yi's state paid tribute with a batch of elephants, gold, silver, ancient shells and other items. It might as well be displayed in the market to not only demonstrate the country's prestige but also divert the attention of the people in the capital." Fu Liang said angrily: "This matter will be decided by the imperial examination. Favoritism has arisen, and Duke Yong must be strictly ordered to investigate and report any favoritism, and to investigate and punish those who practice favoritism." There was an awkward silence in the hall, and Fu Liang realized that he had said the wrong thing.
The favoritists were officials who went to Xiangyang to supervise the imperial examinations, and those candidates who were selected for favoritism came to Jiankang with the ship, waiting for placement by the officials.
Xu Xianzhi smiled and said: "Ji You is right. We should also write an official article to give an explanation to the world. No matter how you say the favoritism, it is Yonggong's fault. I have ordered Yonggong to defend this matter."
"My lord, there are 760 people who were selected for the imperial examination in Xiangyang. Forty-six of them came to the capital, especially Yan Song, who is number one on the list. I have met him once. He has a rich chest and is worthy of being reused." Liu Mu Zhi said.
Liu Yu asked about the situation of these forty-six people and learned that except for a few people who were seeking favoritism, they were all good. He said: "It seems that the imperial examination can indeed select talents for the country. Yang Anxuan got more than 700 useful talents at once." , let Yu envy you." After thinking for a while, Liu Yu said: "Daohe, you might as well hold a few more poetry gatherings, support Yan Song and others in front of everyone, and let the nobles in Beijing see these people from humble backgrounds. Compared with them, they are only stronger but not weaker. When the time is right, I will ask you to hold an imperial examination in Beijing to select scholars." The New Year is coming soon, and the market in Jiankang City has become lively. This year, there are more Wei Guo skins in the market. There are treasures from Qiu and Linyi, as well as glass, coral, pearls and seafood brought by sea ships. Occasionally there will be elephant performances to make children jump for joy.
People came and went in the streets and alleys, and boats came and went on the Qinhuai River. There was singing and dancing. On December 17, Shangshu Zuopushe and Liu Muzhi held a grand lake tour at the Xuanwu Lake, inviting hundreds of celebrities and disciples from the capital to join the tour, which became a great event.
Yan Song, who was sitting next to Liu Muzhi, was particularly eye-catching. This Hanshi Ding Ling had already changed his image. He was dressed in a brocade robe, with a jade hairpin, and his face was slightly thin, but his face was red and full of joy.
Privately, Liu Muzhi had promised him that when the imperial court conferred an officialship in the second year of next year, he would be awarded the fifth rank of Shizhong. This position was extremely noble, and even Wang Xie's direct descendants would hardly have such treatment.
Although he knew that he was buying bones with thousands of gold, Yan Song was still inexplicably grateful and vowed to be loyal to him. The wealthy families who got the news sent invitations to Yan Song one after another. When they learned that Yan Song was not married yet, a first-class wealthy family came to propose marriage.
This kind of treatment is completely different from when Yan Song was in Shangdangguyuan. He drank and sang every day, and heard praises in his ears, which made Yan Song feel a little elated.
"Mingzong, you have won the first place among more than 7,000 candidates. Why don't you write a poem for today's grand event to remember the grand event." Liu Muzhi ordered someone to pour wine and handed it to Yan Song.
Yan Zong happily took the cup and stood up. Facing the vast Xuanwu Lake, he held the wine in the wind, his clothes fluttering, and he pondered for a while and recited loudly: "The sun sets outside the mountains, and the Xuanwu grasses are deep; wherever there are stray guests, I serve my country with loyalty." Praise. Everyone stood up, Yan Zong drank all the wine in the cup and sat back down triumphantly.
......... On New Year's Eve, the lanterns are in full bloom in the Daji Hall, and the hall is full of colors. The singing and laughter in the hall were the same as in previous years, except that King Langya, who attended in place of the emperor in previous years, felt unwell and left early to rest after toasting three glasses of wine.
Duke Liu Yu of the Song Dynasty sat sideways on the high steps, and all the ministers came forward to toast him and celebrate his birthday. The current situation made Liu Yu feel a little dazed. He was only one step away from the throne. He could sit on the throne as soon as Yang Anxuan was defeated.
One hundred and eight bells rang, Liu Yu leisurely stood up and raised his glass, smiling and saying: "Masters, drink this glass of wine to the full and celebrate the New Year together." The twelfth year of Yixi has arrived, and a storm has changed the world. Come quietly.
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, in the lobby of the Duke of Song Dynasty, Liu Yu's civil and military officials gathered together to discuss how Yonggong Yang Anxuan would lead his army to leave Xiangyang to fight with the Xia Kingdom.
Thirty-six people from the Military Intelligence Department were killed in Zhukou. The emperor issued an edict to denounce them and fined Shen Tianzi a year's salary, which made the officials of the Military Intelligence Department very angry.
Shen Tianzi said four words in the official residence: After knowing shame, you will be brave. Many spies of the Military Intelligence Department have these four words engraved in their hearts.
The bloodshed did not scare the spies of the Military Intelligence Department. Those who requested to go to Yonggong to spy on the military intelligence were very enthusiastic, which made Shen Tianzi particularly gratified.
Yang Anxuan set up a memorial ceremony for Fu Hongzhi in the army, and then led an army of 30,000 to the north to attack Hu Xia. Liu Yu had mixed feelings after hearing the news. He had always thought about leading the Beifu army in the northern expedition to regain his homeland and achieve unparalleled achievements. It seems that Yang Anxuan Be better than yourself.
Liu Yu thought of his first acquaintance with Yang Anxuan. He knew heroes and valued heroes. Putting aside their hostile stance, Liu Yu felt that he could become friends with Yang Anxuan.
It's a pity that one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, and no one is willing to give up the great mountains and rivers, so we can only fight to the death.
The army of Yongzhou moved north, and the territory must be empty. Liu Yu asked: "Where did the 30,000 troops led by Yang Anxuan mobilize from?" At present, he and Yang Anxuan were in a stalemate in Yizhou, Jingzhou and northern Jizhou. Yang Anxuan must have taken away so many troops. When there was a void, Liu Yu planned to take advantage of it, tear open the opening, and bite Yang Anxuan hard.
Shen Tianzi reported: "Since August last year, Yang Anxuan has successively sent more troops to Chang'an. With the 30,000 troops this time, the number of troops transferred to the north should be more than 50,000. Most of these 50,000 troops are from the garrison and the The county army is composed of selected elites." Liu Yuyi frowned and said: "In other words, Yang Anxuan's elite troops stationed in various places have not changed much." Shen Tianzi nodded and continued: "In November this year, the Xia Kingdom and the Qin Kingdom faced off against Anding County. After launching an attack, Fu Hongzhi was besieged by several Xia troops in Quaigu City. He was captured at the end of his strength and was shot to death by random arrows rather than surrender. Yang Anxuan was heartbroken about Fu Hongzhi's death and personally led his army north to avenge him." Liu Yu sighed. With a sound, he said: "Fu Hongzhi is loyal and brave, which is admirable. If it were a fool, he would lead an army to avenge him." Liu Muzhi heard the meaning of Liu Yu's words and intended to use troops, and said in deep thought: "My lord, there was a large-scale recruitment in Jingkou last year. The army, the grain stored in the government has been almost used up. If we use troops during spring farming, we will definitely have to recruit troops. If there are no young people in the fields, I am afraid it will affect this year's grain production. Let's wait until the summer grain is put into the warehouse." Liu Yu said: "The imperial court and The Wei State was engaged in trade and secretly agreed to let the Wei army attack Yang Anxuan. However, the Wei people claimed that they had no food supplies and mobilized their soldiers to go to the fields. The Military Intelligence Department reported that the weather in Wei State last year was good and the food harvest was bumper. Now it is time to send troops." Liu Muzhi said: "On the 20th of the first lunar month, the merchant ship bound for Wei Yangxin will depart. At that time, an envoy will be sent to Pingcheng to meet the Emperor of Wei and urge Wei to send troops." Liu Yu asked about the cargo shipped this time, which was mostly silk, tea, utensils and other items, and said: "Since Wei has a good harvest of grain, we might as well bring more grain, cattle and sheep back on our return trip."
"This opportunity cannot be missed," Liu Yu said in a deep voice: "If we wait until July when the summer grain is put into the warehouse, Yang Anxuan will have stabilized the situation in the north by then, and the casualties of the soldiers will be too great if we use troops again." Liu Yu thought for a while and said decisively. "The long-term pain is worse than the short-term pain. Send troops in April at the latest." Now that Liu Yu had made the decision, Liu Muzhi had to say: "Don't worry, my lord, I will raise the food, grass and baggage needed for the army, and I will never delay my lord's use of the army. Liu Yu smiled with satisfaction and said, "Tao and Zhen are the fools of Xiao Heye." He turned around and asked Xu Xianzhi, who was sitting on the other side,
"Zongwen, how much saltpeter has been transported from Ningzhou in the past few months?" Xu Xianzhi asked: "Starting from October, Governor Fan has transported a total of three batches of saltpeter via waterway. The latest ship just arrived yesterday, with a total of more than 8,000 catty."
"Why so little?" Liu Yu asked dissatisfied. Xu Xianzhi responded: "Fan Governor said that saltpeter is produced in deep mountains and is difficult to excavate and transport. The Yong army set up checkpoints on the Yangtze River waterway very strictly. They were seized twice in the first time. They could only go through Dianchi Lake and walk across the Panjiang River to the Zoke River. Panyu, Guangzhou, and then transported by sea from Panyu to Jiankang. In November, there was a storm on the sea, a ship sank, and more than three thousand kilograms of saltpeter sank to the bottom of the sea." Liu Yu ordered: "We must compete with Yang Anxuan and leave Dan. How can the fire be achieved? Let Fan Yuanzhi increase the intensity of mining and recruit more labor. He must send another 20,000 kilograms before April." Xu Xianzhi nodded in agreement and added: "This time Fan Yuanzi also sent a treasure to the lord with the ship. ." Liu Yu was restrained by nature and did not like treasures, so he casually asked: "What is it?"
"It's an amber pillow half a foot long. It's crystal clear. It's a rare treasure." Xie Hui smiled and said, "Amber pillows can soothe the mind and nourish the essence and dredge the blood vessels. It's rare to find an amber pillow half a foot long. My lord will sleep on it at night. If you put it under your neck, you can sleep peacefully and be energetic the next day. It will have the effect of prolonging your life over time." Liu Yu said disapprovingly: "I heard that amber can cure wounds from swords and arrows, so I gave this pillow to Medical Officer Lu and asked him to crush it and treat it. The medicine will heal the wounded soldiers in the future." Everyone in the audience stood in awe, and Liu Muzhi sighed: "The Lord is benevolent, and the soldiers are willing to die in the service of the Lord." Jiankang City was preparing for the war intensively, and Yang Anxuan's reinforcements were struggling in the snow. Trek, the blood for blood battle is about to begin.
