Standing on the steps of the government office and watching Zhang Feng coming on horseback, Li Qiang was in a daze. This young general was known as the "Twin Eagles in the Army" together with Yang Anxuan's sister-in-law Shen Qingzhi, and was regarded as one of the younger men in the army. A leading figure among his generation.
Thinking that Zhang Feng had not yet reached the age of 30, he had become the prefect of Guanghan on the same level as himself. He was the lord's confidant and disciple, and also the son-in-law of Zhao Sima. He would definitely have a bright future in the future. Now that I am past my forties, my achievements are limited no matter how hard I work, my thoughts of surrendering to the imperial court are instantly firmed up in my mind, and I give it a try.
Laughing, he walked down the steps to meet Zhang Feng who jumped off his horse. Li Qiang said: "Zong Ming, you said the day before yesterday that you would wait for Zhu Sima to come with you. Why are you here in such a hurry now? Where is Zhu Sima?"
Zhang Feng greeted Li Qiang with a smile and said, "Brother Li, don't mention it. Zhu Sima was impatient and originally agreed to come to Jiangzhou together, but the next day he came again and urged his servants to leave earlier. The changes happened three times a day, making it difficult to serve. "
These words touched Li Qiang's mind, but he couldn't criticize Zhu Chaoshi verbally, so he said haha, "Zong Ming hasn't eaten yet, please come in and I'll throw a banquet to cleanse you."
Zhang Feng stood still and said hello to the generals and lieutenants next to Li Qiang, "Master Yu, Master Zhang, Brother Li, and Brother He, please come and be well."
Among the eight people who accompanied Li Qiang to greet him, half of them knew Zhang Feng. Li Qiang asked strangely: "How come Zong Ming is familiar with them?"
Zhang Feng said with a smile: "Masters Yu and Master Zhang once taught me martial arts. Brother Li and Brother He were from Paoze when we fought together against Qin. We haven't seen each other for several years. I didn't expect to meet again here. It's really a great joy."
Seeing Zhang Feng chatting and joking with everyone in a familiar manner, Li Qiang felt secretly in his heart. The person who came was not good. I am afraid that there will be twists and turns in today's city presentation.
As the group walked inside, Zhang Feng asked, "Brother Li, when we entered the city, we heard from the soldiers guarding the city that the imperial navy had arrived. What's the situation?"
"The imperial navy has arrived with four to five hundred ships and tens of thousands of troops, but they have not launched an attack yet." Li Qiang responded simply, but he was thinking about how to deal with Zhang Feng.
Drinking was not allowed during the war, but the food was plentiful. Everyone talked and laughed. Zhang Feng was smart and flexible. He soon got to know Li Qiang's generals, and they became brothers and talked happily.
Zhang Feng's status is prominent, and no one wants to be friends with him. He is young, and if nothing happens, he will have at least thirty or forty years left, and it is possible that he will become a highly respected minister in the future.
Zhang Feng secretly paid attention to Li Qiang's movements. Seeing that Li Qiang was in a trance, he became more and more suspicious. It seemed that the secret guard's report was probably true. However, Li Qiang was the governor of Ba County and the commander-in-chief of Jiangzhou City. Zhang Feng could not capture Li Qiang without conclusive evidence. If a mutiny was provoked, things would go wrong.
After finally finishing the meal, Li Qiang said: "Zong Ming, you have been working hard all the way, so you have a good rest tonight. I have ordered people to tidy up your accommodation. If you rest early, there may be a big battle tomorrow."
Zhang Feng said with a smile: "Thank you very much for Brother Li's kindness, but I don't dare to obey my order. When I came, Zhu Sima repeatedly told me to help Brother Li defend the city as soon as possible. If the lord learns that the army is pressing down on the country and Yu is still snoring in the house, I have to give Yu a whip. Brother Li, Yu has been in the army for a long time. He can sleep on any city wall and sleep more soundly. Let Yu sleep on the wall."
Li Qiang was secretly anxious, and he and Gao Jinzhi agreed to open the Golden Purple Gate at 2:00 pm tonight and let the imperial troops enter the city. If Zhang Feng slept at the top of the city, it would be okay.
However, Li Qiang has always been decisive, and he can't just go along with the flow when he sees things. He smiled and said: "In this case, it will be hard for Zong Ming. Yu Xuan, you will take General Zhang to Dongshui Gate. Zong Ming, Dongshui Gate is the focus of the imperial navy's attack, and there are many capable people. No, but it’s up to you, Muneaki.”
Yu Xuan was guarding Dongshui Gate. Li Qiang saw that he and Zhang Feng were having a lively chat, so he simply put Zhang Feng in his place. The government office is located inside Taipingmen. To the northeast of Taipingmen city wall, past Tai'anmen, is Dongshuimen. To the west of Taipingmen are Renhemen, Chuqimen, and then to Jinzimen. There are four gates between Dongshuimen and Jinzimen. There are two city gates, several miles apart. He welcomes the imperial troops into the city at the Golden Purple Gate. When Zhang Feng learns about it, he can't react.
It was already the end of the year when Zhang Feng was sent away, and it was only a little over an hour before Haishi. At this time, he had not yet communicated with his confidants, and Li Qiang felt his heart pounding with nervousness.
He originally planned to summon his cronies to tell them about his intention to submit to the imperial court at dinner. If anyone objected, he would do so on the spot.
Kill to control the situation. However, Zhang Feng's sudden arrival disrupted his plan. During the banquet, he saw everyone chatting and laughing with Zhang Feng. He couldn't help but have doubts about the confidants he identified as whether Zhang Feng and these people here would accompany him to surrender.
Qiang calmly thought about it, and Li Qiang decided to tell the matter to only three people he absolutely trusted. Li Zhi was his third brother, and Ma Yuan and Cheng Feng were his personal guards. They followed him and did a lot of confidential things. They followed him from Anding County. He came to take office and promoted them to be sixth-grade generals. He should be trustworthy.
He found the three people in the inner room and informed them of his plan. Their expressions changed greatly. Li Qiang said: "Song Gong promised to confer a marquis and serve as the governor of a state after the completion of the project. I am so stupid that the rich will not forget you. As a county governor, The position is the lowest, so I will ask Song Gong for merit for you and strive to be awarded a title."
Ma Yuan gritted his teeth and said: "Wealth and honor are sought in danger. Thanks to General Li's cultivation today, I am willing to follow General Li and submit to the imperial court."
Li Zhi and Cheng Feng also expressed their willingness to follow Li Qiang. Li Qiang said happily: "Yu has made an agreement with the imperial soldiers and horses. Tonight at Hai hour, the golden and purple gates will be opened to welcome the imperial soldiers and horses into the city. You each return to the camp to prepare. I said Yu will lead the army out of the city." Night attack, follow orders then."
Li Zhi and others nodded in agreement and went back to camp to prepare troops without mentioning it. …
Zhang Feng followed Yu Xuan out of the government office and took the accompanying 600 soldiers to Dongshui Gate to hand over. When the soldiers at Dongshui Gate saw Zhang Feng's arrival, their morale became even higher, and they cheered one after another.
After chatting with the soldiers for a while, Zhang Feng and Yu Xuan came to sit in the archery tower on the city wall. Zhang Feng waved away his guards and said to Yu Xuan with a straight face: "General Yu, I was foolish enough to ask you to teach me martial arts. I know you have He is the lord's personal guard, Yu is here because someone may be harmful to the lord, I wonder if General Yu is willing to help Yu."
Yu Xuan heard Zhang Feng's serious words and his title changed from Master Yu to General Yu. Knowing that the next words were very important, he quickly said solemnly: "My servant is from the Yang family army and is loyal to my lord. As long as it is beneficial to my lord's great cause, , Why should I fear death?"
Zhang Feng nodded and told him in a low voice that the secret guards had found out that Li Qiang intended to surrender Jiangzhou City and surrendered to the imperial court.
Yu Xuan became furious and shouted: "This thief, my lord has been so kind to him, but he dares to do such a thing that is worse than a pig or a dog. I will never spare him. General Zhang didn't say it on the spot and killed this thief." .”
Zhang Feng said: "This matter is just speculation. It has not been confirmed yet and cannot be made public. At present, the imperial troops are outside the city. If Li Qiang is taken down rashly, it will shake the morale of the army and make things worse."
Yu Xuan lowered his voice and said, "Yes, Li Qiang has many cronies in the army. If the generals start fighting each other, it will only benefit the imperial court."
Zhang Feng said: "Yu came all the way after learning the news. If nothing unexpected happens, Zhu Sima's reinforcements will arrive tomorrow. As long as Zhu Sima enters the city, we will have nothing to worry about. So tonight is the key. We need to send people to keep an eye on Li Qiang. If there is a misunderstanding, it will be fine. If Li Qiang really wants to surrender the city, he will most likely choose to take action tonight."
Yu Xuan felt sweat on his head and asked, "What should I do?"
"I came to Jiangzhou City for the first time and am not familiar with the situation. I have to ask General Yu to make arrangements for keeping an eye on Li Qiang." Zhang Feng said.
Yu Xuan patted his chest and said, "General Zhang, please give me some instructions."
"How many trustworthy people are there around you?"
Yu Xuan thought for a moment and said, "About fifty or sixty people."
Zhang Feng said: "That's enough. Divide these people into groups of two and arrange them near the government office, the city gate and the main intersections in the city. If you see Li Qiang moving, come and inform him in time."
Yu Xuan stood up and said, "Don't worry, General Zhang. I guarantee that Li Qiang will not be able to escape his every move."
After Yu Xuan left the arrangement, soldiers came in to report, and someone from the Military Intelligence Department asked to see him. With little effort, Jiang Tao led two secret guards inside to greet Zhang Feng.
The matter was urgent, so Zhang Feng ignored the pleasantries and asked, "Jiang Dianshi, how likely is it that you will report to General Li Qiang?"
Yang Anxuan once said that the secret guards collect intelligence and are not responsible for the truth or falsehood, so Jiang Tao said directly: "I just received the tip. Li Zhi, Ma Yuan, Cheng Feng and others are secretly gathering troops. Li Qiang will do the opposite at least." More than 60%.”
Zhang Feng clenched the sword at his waist and sneered: "What a thief, my lord treats you very well, and you actually betray me for glory. If you really want to sacrifice the city for rebellion, I swear you will take it."
There is a head on your neck. "
"Jiang Dianshi, which city gate do you think Li Qiang will open?"
Jiang Tao took out a map from his pocket and spread it on the case, pointing out: "Jiangzhou City has many gates, and the imperial troops are stationed on the river. I estimate that if Li Qiang opens the city, it should be in the south, with Taiping, Hehe, Chuqi, Jinzi , Phoenix and other city gates are all facing the river, so it is possible."
Pointing at the Taiping Gate with his finger, Jiang Tao said: "The government office is inside the Taiping Gate. Li Qiang is most likely to open the Taiping Gate."
Zhang Feng nodded and said: "Yu has ordered the six hundred soldiers he brought to be on guard and can go to suppress the rebellion at any time. Yu has asked Yu Xuan to send people to keep an eye on Li Qiang. Jiang Dianshi, there is something I want you to do. You If you think the generals in Jiangzhou City are trustworthy, you might as well inform them secretly in the name of the Commercial Information Department and Yu, so that they can prepare for contingency in advance."
With that said, Zhang Feng took off the copper seal of Guanghan Prefect from his waist and handed it to Jiang Tao. Jiang Tao hesitated for a moment, but General Li Qiang was just a guess based on various signs, and he was a secret guard. Once he showed up, he would not be able to stay in Jiangzhou anymore.
Zhang Feng smiled and said: "Jiang Dianshi, there is no need to worry, my lord will never treat you badly, just let him do what he wants."
Jiang Tao held the copper seal in the palm of his hand. The coolness in his palm felt extremely comfortable. He raised his eyebrows and said loudly, "Please rest assured, General Zhang. I will live up to the general's trust. Jiangzhou City will not be captured by the imperial court."
Zhang Feng stood up and clasped his fists and said, "Take care!"
Jiang Tao replied "Take care" and walked straight towards Chaotianmen without leaving the city.
In the government office, Li Qiang was wearing iron armor and sitting in the lobby with his eyes closed.
There was a sound of footsteps, and a guard came in and said, "General, it's already three o'clock in the morning, it's time to leave."
Li Qiang opened his eyes, stood up, his armor clanking, glanced at the brightly lit government office lobby, and walked out.
