The rain was gurgling outside the window, and Yu and Lu sat facing each other in silence, with solemn expressions.
After much deliberation, they still didn't think that the conservative and unprogressive Dong Palace had any chance of winning in this situation, which made the two of them feel extremely heavy.
Lu Deming sighed softly, his expression and tone full of reluctance: "Since the ninth year of Wude, when His Majesty conferred the crown prince, we have been ordered by the emperor to go to the East Palace to teach the prince. In the blink of an eye, eighteen years have passed. We can be said to be conscientious and diligent. , I didn’t dare to slack off even a little bit. However, today, more than ten years of hard work have been in vain, and I have achieved nothing.”
In the ninth year of Wude, His Majesty became the emperor. In October of the same year, Li Chengqian, who was only eight years old, was canonized as the prince.
At that time, everyone believed that Li Chengqian was "majestic in appearance" and "benevolent and filial", and would definitely become a holy master in the future. Therefore, many people in the court wanted to enter the East Palace to assist Prince Zuo and achieve the "effort of following the dragon". How happy are Yu, Lu and others to receive this honor?
But he did not expect that the current situation would change. The prince was almost deposed several times. Today, not only has he not received any benefits, but he will sink with the broken ship of the East Palace...
Yu Zhining's expression changed and he said nothing.
After sighing, Lu Deming said helplessly: "What should we do now?"
As a great scholar in the world, he proclaims "the way of loyalty and righteousness" all day long, but when things come to a close, how can he be willing to drag the entire family along with the East Palace to capsize?
But this kind of words can only be hinted, not asked, and it still requires a bit of face...
Yu Zhining exhaled a long breath, rubbed his face, and said in a deep voice: "The prince was bewitched by traitors and went astray. As the prince's teachers, we should try our best to dissuade the prince. Even if we are shattered to pieces and left with a lifetime of infamy, No matter what it takes. Otherwise, how can I live with myself if I don't trust His Majesty?"
Lu Deming was stunned for a moment before he reacted. After thinking carefully, he nodded slowly.
*****
There is an undercurrent surging in the Taiji Palace, and tensions are already brewing inside and outside Chang'an City.
When the news came out that His Majesty had fainted again, Li Xiaogong immediately ordered Cheng Yaojin's entire army to be on alert and blockade the entire city. All city gates were strictly inspected, and only people were allowed to enter and no one was allowed to go out. All Jingzhao Prefecture patrol officers and government officials went out to patrol the streets to detect any traces of their whereabouts. Those who are unknown will be immediately taken to jail, and will be released after careful screening. If there is a past of committing crimes, or if the identity cannot be strictly disclosed, they will all be jailed.
For a time, the city of Chang'an was filled with tremors, and soldiers were guarding every corner. Entry and exit were prohibited unless necessary.
Outside the city of Chang'an, the Youhou Guards under Yuchi Gong also gathered urgently and waited outside the Chunming Gate. They were full of murderous intent. The people started to make changes and the business travelers disappeared.
The Sixteenth Guards troops stationed in various places in Guanzhong received the news one after another, and they also organized their troops individually, all focusing on Youhou Wei, paying attention to his every move.
At the same time, all parties also admire Yuchi Gong's courage. His Majesty's life and death are uncertain, the ownership of the throne is uncertain, and the situation is unpredictable. Unless Wei Chigong, a Zhenguan minister with a strong army and a high status, who dares to be so unscrupulous ?
Chaos means a reshuffling of the power structure. Whoever can play a mainstay role will naturally gain the most.
Therefore, all parties are full of envy and jealousy towards the bold Yu Chigong...
…
But Yu Chigong, who was envied by all kinds of people, was furious in the Chinese army tent outside Chunming Gate.
"boom!"
A tea cup was smashed to pieces, and Yuchi Gong roared angrily: "Child Cui Dunli, how dare you bully me like this? Oh my god, I must cut off the head of this dog to eliminate the hatred in my heart!"
On the side, Yu Wenshiji frowned and ignored Yuchi Gong, who was speaking arrogantly and furiously. He asked the captain who came to report the news: "Is it true that firearms were transported to the Sixth Command Station in the East Palace? Has the news been verified? Is it true? What misunderstanding?"
The captain replied: "This is absolutely true. The Foundry Bureau is full of smoke and heat all day long, but every time we go to urge for firearms and ordnance, we are rejected due to insufficient production capacity, limited production, etc. Previously, The commander-in-chief went there in person and was disappointed... Therefore, the commander-in-chief ordered a team of scouts to hide outside the Foundry Bureau and closely monitor its entry and exit of iron materials, equipment, and various ordnance. As a result, it was found that he went to the East Palace more than once The six-level camp transports firearms, stomachs, and other ordnance.”
Yuwen Shiji asked: "What is the specific number?"
The Ministry of War was under the control of Cui Dunli, Zhang Xingcheng was just a decoration, and all ministry affairs were decided by Cui Dunli. Without Cui Dunli's approval, Zhang Xingcheng's orders would not even be issued by the scribes in the ministry...
Several times before, Zhang Xingcheng was urged to order the foundry bureau to allocate ordnance and firearms to Youhou Wei. As a result, Zhang Xingcheng was completely ignored by the officials below, and there was nothing he could do.
It is impossible to say that Cui Dunli was the stumbling block in this, and Cui Dunli was a direct descendant of Donggong, so it was natural that the ordnance produced by the Foundry Bureau should be given priority to Donggong Liuli.
But the quantity of ordnance the Foundry Bureau can produce is the top priority...
The captain shook his head and replied: "The foundry bureau is strictly managed and no one else can enter. Especially the firearms production department is personally managed by Liu Shi, a doctor in the Ministry of War. It is impossible for outsiders to know the inside story. Moreover, its management implements 'division of labor and coordination', and everyone They are only responsible for a certain component, and even if we buy it, we can't know the specific production quantity."
Yuwenshi frowned.
He is aware of this. It is said that the process implemented in the Foundry Bureau is to imitate the process of the pre-Qin Dynasty, which Fang Jun simply calls "assembly line operation". Each worker only needs to be familiar with a certain process, day after day. The workmanship is naturally refined, and then the various parts are assembled in one place.
I used to think that this could greatly improve efficiency, but today I found out that it can also prevent external penetration from detecting the actual situation within the foundry...
What a cunning plan.
He looked at Yuchi Gong and said warmly: "Don't be angry, Lord E. This matter was expected. As long as the foundry bureau does not supply Donggong Sixth Army with ordnance on a large scale, their combat power will not be able to increase quickly... We How is the lack of ordnance?"
Yuchi Gong said in a muffled voice: "About 13,000 new recruits have been recruited this time. After only simple training, not to mention there are not many firearms left, even Hengdao, armor and stomach and other ordnance are seriously lacking. A full 10,000 people are unarmed, and 10,000 new soldiers are unarmed. Once the situation changes, what will we use to fight the war? When Fang Erying established the Foundry Bureau, he proposed that the Ordnance Department be merged into it. I even expressed my approval in Taiji Hall, which was extremely stupid!"
First, there was the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo, and then there was another melee in Guanzhong. The troops of the Sixteenth Guards were seriously reduced in number, and their ordnance was severely depleted. They were rushing to replenish them during these days. Although the Tang Dynasty implemented a government military system, strong men took turns to enlist in the army. They went out to war during war and farmed in their spare time. The quality of the soldiers was excellent, but they had never been exposed to firearms. Without rigorous training, how could they be on the battlefield?
At the moment, Yuchi Gong no longer dares to hope that equipping his troops with firearms will greatly increase their combat effectiveness. He only hopes to complete the replenishment of swords, guns, armor and stomachs... He can't let these new soldiers under his command carry fire sticks into battle, can he?
Besides, even if you are burning fire sticks, it is not easy to get more than ten thousand sticks at once...
Yu Wenshi thought further: "In your opinion, how much ordnance can East Palace Sixth Replenish? How much combat power can be restored? Do you have a chance of winning against it?"
At present, all the armies are seriously lacking in ordnance. If Dong Gong Liu leads all the equipment, it will be troublesome...
Yuchi Gong thought for a while and said in a deep voice: "The military strategy of Duke Wei is the best in the world. Even the British Duke is slightly inferior. Who dares to win easily with the troops he has trained? But this time the Sixth Rate of the East Palace is at Guan The Long army suffered heavy losses under the siege. Almost half of its troops were lost, and it was difficult to regain combat strength for a while. The reconstruction of the foundry bureau was not a day's work, especially the production of firearms was not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also a waste of money, and the output was limited. Supplying the East Palace with six rates is a drop in the bucket."
He didn't think that Cui Dunli dared to lie to him in front of Zhang Xingcheng. Even if the funds he said at that time were exaggerated, they were still an astronomical figure. The court would definitely not be able to allocate them now. Is it all based on Kang's donation from the Eastern Palace Administrator who emptied his own treasury?
If this is really the case, then the prince is really what the people want and destiny is, and he should achieve great ambitions and hegemony...
Yu Wenshi nodded. He also believed that the Sixth Army of the East Palace could at most protect themselves and had no ability to make progress. In this case, as long as the King of Jin conquered Cheng Yaojin who was guarding the city, the situation would be set.
The East Palace can only resist stubbornly, and it will be destroyed sooner or later.
Of course, in everything, do not worry about victory before thinking about failure, prepare for the worst, and make the greatest efforts, so that nothing can go wrong...
He raised his head and looked at the rainy night outside, and said slowly: "I will go into the city later to collect the remnants of the former Sui Dynasty for His Highness Prince Jin, so that I can have a better chance of winning."
Chang'an City is currently only allowed in and out, which makes it easier for him...
Yuchi Gong pondered for a moment, looked hesitant, and said in a low voice: "Why should we... go all out to support King Jin? The risk is too great. Once His Majesty has something that he cannot bear to say and has not left a legacy, the Crown Prince will still be the crown prince of the country. Even though he is not as powerful as the King of Jin at the moment, because of his great reputation and righteousness, all parties in the world will rally and respond, so he may not be without the strength to fight."
The Guanlong clan has nominally surrendered to the East Palace. If they change their tune and support King Jin, it would be a blatant betrayal. The previous failure of military remonstrance has caused Guan Long to be suppressed by all parties. If there is another backstabbing incident, even if he finally supports the Jin Dynasty, his reputation will be bad.
Besides, who dares to say that the King of Jin will win?
Li Chengqian has been the prince for so many years, and his subordinates in the East Palace are powerful. When the Jedi counterattack, he may not have the opportunity to survive in desperate situations, survive in death, and launch a complete counterattack...
Yu Wenshiji stared at Yuchigong and warned: "This matter was unanimously decided by all the Guanlong families. There is no turning back when shooting, only success, no failure! The Duke of E is the pillar of Guanlong, and he has military power. Never waver in your will and do something stupid that will hurt your loved ones and please your enemies!"
Yuchi Gong remained silent.
Who is loyal, who is traitorous, who is right, who is wrong?
The current situation is already in chaos. It is difficult to see the direction of the situation, the faces of everyone, and the future...
