The two rode to the military camp west of Ba Bridge. Gu Shengan, who was stationed here, was already standing at the head of the bridge. When they saw Li Jing and Li Ji riding together, they quickly dismounted and stood by the roadside to greet them.
The two of them also reined in their reins, dismounted, and returned the favor.
Li Jing patted Gu Shengan's shoulder and asked: "I heard that you have submitted a request to the Ministry of War to be transferred to the Western Region Protectorate? You guys are really proud. The war is going on here, and the outcome is not decided, but I have already begun to think about the war. I went to the Ministry of War to do business the day before yesterday and saw Cui Dunli, only to find out that there are more than 70 officers above the rank of colonel who have submitted requests to go to the Western Regions... What a weird girl."
Gu Shengan grinned and showed his white teeth. He looked humble in front of Li Jing and said with a smile: "Why do you care about the rebels? With you two world-class military gods sitting in command, the rebels can only be wiped out with a single blow. But I After spending a lifetime waiting in the army, if I stay in Guanzhong and enjoy wealth in the future, I am afraid that all my bones will get rusty. In the future, where there will be wars in the Tang Dynasty, one will be in the Navy and the other in the Western Regions. It is just a matter of choosing which one. That’s all, if I can die on the battlefield one day, wrap my body in horse leather, and earn a special honor for my wife and children at home, then this life will be worth it.”
This is what almost all soldiers are thinking right now.
At the beginning of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the world was in an uncertain state. Not only were wars rising across China, but powerful states were rising, and barbarians were raging outside the country. Therefore, the two emperors Gaozu and Taizong formulated national policies to advocate military merit, and the treatment and status of soldiers were extremely high.
After the rebels are put down, the country will inevitably focus on domestic affairs and control external wars. How can these generals who have fought for a lifetime have the ability to govern local areas and run government offices?
He can only strive to go to a place where there is a battle to fight, continue his military career, and ensure his position of power...
Li Ji snorted: "We all have good ideas, but whether it's the Navy or the Western Regions, there are only so many officers needed. How can anyone just go if they want? Besides, you all ran away. Guanzhong, Hedong, Shandong, Who does Jiangnan want to be in charge of? They all want good things!"
Gu Shengan smiled and said yes again and again, looking apprehensive and not daring to say anything.
Seeing him like this, Li Ji didn't say much and asked, "Where are the people?"
Gu Shengan's eyes were somewhat meaningful and he said: "When the man arrived at the bridge, he loudly shouted with the soldiers that he wanted to see you, Ying Gong. He also said that he had a secret message that he wanted to hand over to you... The general felt that since it was a secret message, it would not be easy to cause trouble. To make it known to everyone, I first asked people to spread the word and not discuss the matter, then invited people to the camp, and then sent people to invite you to come over."
"Hey!"
Li Ji glanced at Li Jing next to him, glared at Gu Shen and said, "If I'm in love, I still have to love you?"
Now that there has been a lot of commotion, you should be selfless and aboveboard in your heart to defeat the rumors. Instead, the ancient gods took people away and locked them up, and even prohibited discussion in the army. Isn't this "covering up the truth"?
This ancient god was a lieutenant under Li Jing's command back then. He has been serving in the army since Li Jing lived in seclusion in his mansion. But if he said that he was no longer Li Jing's man, no one would believe it...
This piece of shit is so bad.
Gu Shengan shook his head repeatedly and said with a stern face: "Don't dare, I don't dare. It is the honor of the general to be able to solve the problem for Ying Gong."
These words made Li Ji laugh angrily.
It is true that these killers in the army have not read any books, and they act vulgarly, boldly, and straightforwardly. However, if anyone thinks that they are simple-minded or even stupid, that is pure nonsense. Especially these middle-level generals, who have no profound military strategies or prominent tribal family backgrounds. They have experienced countless dangers and wounds from a soldier on the battlefield of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and climbed to high positions step by step. Which one? Not a human essence among human essences?
Now Gu Shengan has a pure face and innocent eyes, as if his "hidden desire" to help Li Ji is sincere, but Li Ji believes that he is a ghost...
But since he is Li Jing's person, let's just tolerate him for a while. We must first find out whether it was Gu Shen's own initiative or Li Jing's instruction.
…
In the camp, a middle-aged man dressed as an ordinary soldier but with a haggard look and a haggard expression saw Li Ji. He immediately stepped forward to greet Li Ji excitedly. Then he took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Li Ji with both hands: "The master of the family has a destiny. , this letter must be handed into the hands of your father-in-law, I hope you will live up to your mission."
He spent almost all his time sneaking in Lishan Mountain. He encountered ferocious beasts looking for food several times, and almost became a delicacy under the tiger's kiss... After walking out of Lishan Mountain, he had to avoid scouts from both sides, and one of them almost escaped. He was caught as a spy by the farmers working in the fields...
Li Ji glanced at the middle-aged man and confirmed that he didn't recognize him. After looking at the cover of the letter, he saw the words "My brother Mao Gong personally writes on it" without a signature.
After pondering for a while, Li Ji asked: "Whose family are you from?"
The middle-aged man said: "Your Majesty will know after seeing the letter."
Li Ji was not sure whether this was a trap. He was currently in a bad situation. His Majesty was suspicious of him. He could not rule out that someone wanted to frame him.
After thinking for a while, he said to Li Jing: "Let's take a look together?"
With Li Jing by your side, no matter what you say in your heart or who makes the accusation afterwards, you will have a chance to prove your innocence.
However, Li Jing had already sat on the chair, took the tea cup offered by Gu Shengan with both hands, and said with a smile: "It's up to you, but if anyone asks afterward, you can say that you watched it with me."
Holding the tea cup, he took a sip of tea.
This gesture was done well. It not only expressed trust in Li Ji, but also showed his loyalty, magnanimity and righteousness.
Li Ji smiled bitterly and shook his head. When he opened the envelope, he saw the seal on the seal. He looked carefully and found that it was a complicated figure. After identifying it, he confirmed that it was a family emblem. He had seen it vaguely, but was not familiar with it. After thinking for a while, he raised his head and frowned and asked the middle-aged man: "Qian Tang Chu family?"
】
The middle-aged man lowered his eyebrows and lowered his eyes, standing aside with his hands tied.
"Oh, what kind of trick is Chu Suiliang doing?"
Li Ji felt a little excited. He opened the envelope, took out the letter, sat down next to Li Jing, and read the entire letter at a glance.
After pondering for a moment, he handed the letter to Li Jing, but Li Jing didn't accept it: "I've already told you that I will be your guarantor, so don't worry, but I don't want to get involved in your affairs."
He is now the most trusted commander of His Majesty the Emperor. He has entrusted the command of an army of 100,000 people with full authority. Naturally, he does not want to get involved in the affairs of Li Ji, a man who is deeply jealous of the Emperor. As for the reason why he was willing to guarantee Li Ji, it was because he believed that Li Ji would not be so stupid that he attached himself to the rebels...
Li Ji said, "This matter really has something to do with you, Duke Wei. If you don't look at it now, you will still have to look at it after reporting it to His Majesty."
"Well?"
Li Jing frowned, thought for a while, and just took the letter.
After reading it, Li Ji asked, "Let's go and enter the palace together?"
Li Jing nodded and said to the middle-aged man: "You stay here and go back and take Duke Ying's reply back to Song Guogong."
The middle-aged man bowed his head in agreement.
Li Jing then told Gu Shengan: "Please treat me well, don't neglect me."
"Here!"
Li Jing then got up and left the camp with Li Ji. They got on their horses and galloped towards Chang'an City surrounded by their own soldiers.
…
"Chu Suiliang...are you willing to act as an internal agent?"
Li Chengqian met with Li Ji and Li Jing in Wude Hall and was a little surprised when he read Xiao Yu's letter.
If important ministers such as Xiao Yu and Chu Suiliang had not supported Pheasant Nu, how would Pheasant Nu have dared to escape from Taiji Palace and raise a rebel flag to fight for the throne? Later, Xiao Yu called on the Jiangnan nobles to recruit private soldiers and wanted to go north to Tongguan to assist the Zuo Pheasant Nu. Chu Suiliang was at the Pheasant Nu's side throughout the whole process to make suggestions...but now he wants to act as an internal agent and counterattack?
In particular, the letter mentioned that Xiao Yu would take the initiative to persuade Xue Wanche to lead his army across the Wei River to the south to meet the King of Jin, and then attack the Queen of Jin's rear formation. He asked the court to be prepared to send troops across the Ba River to confront the King of Jin. Hit hard, attacked from both front and back, King Jin will be defeated...
As for Xue Wanche's position, everyone "knows" that he did not listen to the emperor's orders before. Instead of crossing the Weishui River to stop Yuchi Gong, he led his army back to the station and threatened Chang'an across the Weishui River. He must be a pheasant slave. Why can Xiao Yu do this? "Persuading" Xue Wanche to betray Pheasant Nu?
However, there is one more important thing...
"Where's Xiao Yu's letter?"
Chu Suiliang said that Xiao Yu would advise him with a secret letter and plan how to defeat the King of Jin. But now Chu Suiliang's letter has arrived, but where is Xiao Yu's letter?
Li Jidao: "According to common sense, Chu Suiliang's servant is a Hutu. Since it is a confidential letter, it must be delivered secretly. Where can it be done with such fanfare? Although others do not know who the letter is from, the person who received the letter will make it public. , it’s always inappropriate. If Song Guogong sent someone to deliver a letter to His Majesty, he would have to do it by false hands. Now this letter must be in the hands of the person entrusted by Song Guogong. "
Li Chengqian was thoughtful.
In other words, Xiao Yu's letter must have been sent before Chu Suiliang. Now that Chu Suiliang's letter has arrived, Xiao Yu's letter is missing...either the messenger sent by Xiao Yu encountered an accident on the way, or the letter was entrusted by Xiao Yu People press down.
Now that the whole Guanzhong is in chaos, an accident to a messenger is not an accident, but if it is the latter...
This means that someone entrusted by Xiao Yu secretly colluded with the King of Jin. When he saw Xiao Yu's letter, he immediately suppressed it and did not submit it to the emperor.
Since it was not presented to the emperor, it was naturally returned secretly and sent back to the King of Jin...
Li Ji said: "Xiao Yu is in trouble."
Everyone nodded.
More than just trouble? King Jin is now fighting against the odds and risking his life to survive. It can be said that life and death depend on a thread. At this time, the most trusted ministers who were the first to encourage him to rebel and the most trusted ones suddenly betrayed him. You can almost imagine how furious King Jin would be, and it would be impossible to kill Xiao Yu. Too much.
Of course, the most important thing now is not Xiao Yu’s life or death...
Li Chengqian looked at everyone and asked, "Who will Xiao Yu entrust the letter to?"
This person must have a high status, otherwise it would be difficult to send the letter directly to the palace and present it to the emperor; and this person must be deeply trusted by Xiao Yu. They may be relatives and friends, or they may be former subordinates who have received favors from Xiao Yu...
