The Zuowuwei light cavalry launched several feint attacks on the flanks of the Right Guards, making a surprise attack, sharpening their swords aggressively. However, the Right Guards remained unmoved, and the infantry retracted inward, while the crossbowmen always maintained contact with the Left Guards. The cavalry of the armed guards hid behind the sword and shield soldiers at a distance. Once the enemy came forward, they would fire arrows to block the enemy's charging momentum. More than a thousand armored cavalry stayed close to the central army, as stable as a rock.
Cheng Yaojin sat in the camp, listening to the news from the front reported by his scouts. He praised Gao Kan's calmness and said to the generals on his left and right: "Gao Kan may not have any amazing military talents. It is difficult to become a He is a famous general of his generation, but he has a restrained personality and calm tactics. In time, he will definitely become a figure of his own, and he is very capable."
Soldiers all worship the amazing and talented war gods like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, and yearn for the unparalleled feats of destroying barbarians thousands of miles away. But how many such military gods are there with spots of bluestone throughout the ages?
Most of them are mediocre. If they can be evaluated as a "conservative general", they are considered rare and unparalleled in the contemporary era.
If you have limited qualifications, but you are too ambitious and greedy for success, this is a big taboo for a soldier. Not only will you be easily killed, but your soldiers will also die innocently...
The generals in the tent seemed to understand but did not dare to say anything.
Someone asked boldly: "Gao Kan was worried because he was sure that the commander would not launch a large-scale raid on him, so he was confident. At this time, the Youtun Guards must have neglected their precautions. Why don't we take advantage of his negligence and make a false statement?" Then, launch a fierce cavalry raid?"
Someone immediately echoed: "These cowards in Youtunwei are usually so proud that their nostrils are soaring to the sky. Didn't they just win a few battles? Give them a good beating and let them see who is the real one." The most powerful army in the world!"
A group of generals started making noises.
Cheng Yaojin knocked on the table and reprimanded: "Shut up! I have won several battles in Liaodong, but I don't know how much I am worth? The right guard has made great achievements, and you are all jealous? Wait for a while, whoever dares to disobey military orders will be killed without mercy!"
During the Eastern Expedition, Zuo Wuwei acted as the vanguard, attacking cities and plundering the territory as if entering uninhabited territory, and defeated the Goguryeo army to the point of collapse, making great achievements in battle. I thought that such meritorious service would be the best in the army, and I was just waiting for rewards based on merit after the Eastern Expedition. As a result, Pingrang City could not be captured for a long time, and suffered heavy losses. His Majesty was also seriously injured in the army, so he had no choice but to be defeated without completing his full achievements. And return.
Finally, when I returned to Guanzhong, I learned that Youtunwei had continuously defeated powerful armies all over the world and fought thousands of miles to become famous. The entire Guanzhong was preaching about Youtunwei's invincible achievements, which inevitably made arrogant generals like Zuowuwei jealous... …
At this moment, he was thinking of ways to trick him, the commander-in-chief, into issuing military orders and having a good fight with the Youtun Guards to see who was the male and who was the female, and decide who would win or lose.
Just stupid...
All the generals were scolded by Cheng Yaojin and remained as silent as a cicada, daring not to say anything.
Cheng Yaojin scratched his head and took a sip of tea. He was unsure of what to do next and felt a little irritable.
It is said that he did not really want to follow the orders of the Shandong family and go up Zhongnan Mountain to wipe out the remnants of Guanlong in one fell swoop. The Youtun Guards blocked the way and that was what he wanted, but if the heads of the Shandong families got mad, they would have to be defeated by him. The Youtun Guard then wiped out the remnants of Guanlong, what should he do?
If we really start a war with Youtunwei, it will be a complete break with the East Palace. We can only follow the Shandong family to the dark side...
This is inconsistent with Cheng Yaojin’s position.
He hopes to gain the support of the Shandong family and maintain his status and power in the court, but he is absolutely unwilling to become a knife in the hands of the Shandong family to eradicate dissidents and become the executioner of the Shandong family, with no room for change.
While he was upset, soldiers from outside came in, saying that someone was coming to visit. Cheng Yaojin got up and went to the tent next to him, calling the person in to meet him. Sure enough, it was Zhang Xingcheng...
Looking at Zhang Xingcheng, who was half-wet and haggard, Cheng Yaojin wondered: "No matter how unavailable the Shandong family is, they can't just treat you like an errand running around, right? There are some things that don't require you to come in person and send someone to tell you." Just say yes."
Zhang Xingcheng sat down, wiped his face with a warm towel, took a sip of hot tea, and said with a wry smile: "Even if I come in person, Duke Lu is still very calculating and prevaricating. If I just send a servant, I'm afraid You can’t even get through the door.”
This duke has a rough appearance and heroic style, but in fact he has a delicate mind and a very upright idea. He is very difficult to deal with. How can he easily obey the orders of the Shandong family?
Cheng Yaojin snorted, without comment, picked up the tea cup and took a sip, saying: "Have said that, why are you here this time? Let me explain first, Youtunwei is not a kitten or puppy, how to fight me is up to you. I suggest that no one can make any noise on this matter. If you can’t trust me, then go ahead on your own."
Playing against the right guard gave him the biggest headache, so he blocked the topic first - I can play against the right guard, but it must be according to my own plan. Don't beep aside, otherwise I will withdraw and you will Go on your own.
As for how and when to fight... I have the final say.
Zhang Xingcheng put down his tea cup, looked a little solemn, shook his head and said: "It's not because of this, but because the situation has changed. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has issued an edict to the British Duke. Three days later, he will go to the Chunming Gate in person to greet the Holy Master. The British The Duke has no choice but to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the Crown Prince's edict, and is willing to take the blame for violating the Crown Prince's edict. Otherwise, the only option is to inform the world of His Majesty's death, hold a state funeral with great fanfare, and then respectfully welcome the Crown Prince to the throne."
Cheng Yaojin was stunned for a moment, and then praised: "The prince is so courageous!"
Although the prince has the power to supervise the country, he is still just a prince and is completely different from the emperor. Disobeying the prince's order is nothing. At most, it will cause the prince to be dissatisfied and resentful. However, if he disobeys the emperor's order, it is treason and even conspiracy. inverse.
The prince did not hesitate to put everything on the table and risk angering Li Ji, but also greatly shortened the process of ascending to the throne. This is very courageous.
Because for Li Ji, countless times of sitting back and watching the destruction of the East Palace from across the bank have already earned him the hatred of the prince. Once the prince successfully ascends the throne, with the support of the Shandong aristocratic family, the Jiangnan nobles, and the Guanlong clan, he can take control of the court in one fell swoop. Li Ji imposed sanctions.
Unless Li Ji rebels, how can he resist?
Even if Li Ji dared to commit treason regardless of the reputation of treason and his family descendants, how many of the hundreds of thousands of people in the Eastern Expedition Army would support him and follow him on the path of treason?
Therefore, Li Ji had only two choices - either to obediently express his support for the crown prince's ascension to the throne in exchange for the crown prince's possible understanding, or to ruthlessly rebel and embark on a path destined to self-destruction...
This is to force Li Ji to choose a path to go forward, rather than allowing him to hold back his troops and disrupt the situation.
Of course, because Li Ji's inclination has never been clear, and his position has never been revealed, the prince's use of such a drastic method to force Li Ji to express his position is extremely risky.
If Li Ji feels that his interests are not being met and that the prince's accession to the throne may be extremely detrimental to him, he may very well embark on a path that is contrary to the prince's wishes.
Once all parties get into a scuffle and the war resumes, it will be extremely detrimental to the prince.
With his mind spinning, Cheng Yaojin asked, "Now that De Li is here, what do you want me to do?"
"Deli" is the character of Zhang Xingcheng. Now Zhang Xingcheng has become an official and wears commoner clothes. Cheng Yaojin used this to show his closeness.
Zhang Xingcheng did not express this, and said in a deep voice: "The intention of each family is to enable Duke Lu to retreat back to Chunming Gate to prevent the prince from leaving the city."
"Ah!"
Cheng Yaojin sneered, widened his eyes, and said dissatisfied: "Prevent the prince from leaving the city? No matter how Li Ji decides, no matter what the chaos in Guanzhong is, and no matter how you people plan behind the scenes... His Majesty has passed away, and Youtun With the six leaders of Wei and Donggong here, and the support of the court officials and the people of Guanzhong, it is inevitable for the crown prince to ascend the throne. As soon as you talk, let me block the future emperor inside the city gate and not allow him to visit Chang'an City. A step outside the land? You are not only asking me to die, but you are also asking me to have no bones left and no descendants! Absolutely impossible!"
Zhang Xingcheng was speechless and couldn't tell whether to laugh or cry: "Why did Lu Guogong speak so miserably? You are from Shandong, and now you are the banner of our strong support. We can only hope that you will reach a higher level. There is no reason to watch you suffer. ? This matter is not that serious. The prince made such a threat. It is more about testing Li Jizhi's attitude. He will not really leave the city. After all, we are trying to gain more control over time. The prince also needs time to clear the court. Preparations before taking the throne will take some time."
The change of imperial power has always been the most dangerous thing in the world. Facing the supreme position of power in the world, it has always been accompanied by the deepest conspiracy and turmoil in the world. In that position, struggle is everywhere.
Under such circumstances, the prince needs more time to clean up the court and clear out all the forces that oppose him, and then he can safely ascend the throne. Otherwise, just a small person may destroy the throne plan...
Cheng Yaojin shook his head: "What the prince thinks is one thing, whether he can ascend the throne is another matter. In my opinion, the prince's ascension to the throne is almost certain, so I will definitely not stop the prince at this time and suffer the prince's hatred. In the future When they are all liquidated, I can’t stand it.”
Zhang Xingcheng understood what Cheng Yaojin meant and made it clear what he wanted to gain.
Then he sighed and said: "After the crown prince ascends the throne, we have a chance to win the position of Minister of War."
Cheng Yaojin glared and sneered: "Even if you want to draw a big pie, you have to draw a more reliable one, right? Minister of the Ministry of War? Not to mention how you can take out this position in Fang Jun's pocket. Even if you really take it out, then The Ministry of War is full of Fang Jun’s troops, why don’t you ask me to be a bare-bones general? Furthermore, the position of Minister of the Ministry of War is coveted by all parties, so how can the Jiangnan nobles let us hold it in our hands?"
Faced with Cheng Yaojin's bargaining and questioning, Zhang Xingcheng became a little impatient and said calmly: "Don't forget, Duke Lu, that the British Duke is still from our Shandong family in the end. Although he has his own agenda, when the prince ascends the throne and the situation is stable, he will still We have to be on our side. With our inherent strength and the military power of the British Lord, how can a mere prince of the Ministry of War be reluctant to part with him? If Fang Jun is making trouble forever, what's the harm in giving him a Zhongshu Ling? The legitimate Prime Minister Assistant, please change the Ministry of War Minister, only a fool will not do it."
Zhongshu Ling was the Prime Minister of the Empire and one of the highest officials of the three provinces. Under the system without a prime minister, he was truly "one person below ten thousand people", and his status was unparalleled.
With a large number of nobles from Shandong and Jiangnan entering the court to support the crown prince, how could the prince not agree to exchange such a lofty position for a mere minister of the Ministry of War?
What the prince wants is face, a stable situation, and solid imperial power. What the Shandong family wants is actual power. Both sides get what they need. The prince can use the position of Prime Minister to appease heroes like Fang Jun. The Shandong family gets the Ministry of War. The real power department naturally benefits from both sides and hits it off.
Cheng Yaojin stroked his beard and felt a little moved.
(End of chapter)
