Live in the present or look forward to the future?
Cheng Yaojin drew such a conclusion from Fang Jun's words, and he, who had always pursued profits, stood blankly in Du Ling's cemetery after Fang Jun left, surrounded by green pines and broken tiles, weeds and shrubs, and his heart There was actually a bit of inexplicable excitement.
He is not like Li Jing, who was the best in the art of war and who wrote books and theories and is destined to be famous throughout the ages, nor is he like Li Ji, who was the first person in the dynasty to control military affairs. No matter how great his achievements are, he is just a warrior in the end. He is like him in history. There are countless such people.
Apart from pursuing fame and fortune, living a more carefree and happy life for the rest of your life, and providing a lasting legacy for your children and grandchildren, what else do you want?
But now, standing under Du Ling, looking up at the thick seal, I suddenly realized that there is no lasting foundation in this world?
As autumn passes and spring comes, the tide rises and falls. The so-called prosperity and wealth are like these dead trees, weeds, gravels and barren graves, not even as good as a gorgeous cloud...
The next morning, shortly after Cheng Yaojin fell asleep, Niu Jinda woke him up: "Su Jia is here again."
Cheng Yaojin shook his head, grabbed his clothes and put them on, yawned and said: "The King of Jin is anxious. He probably knows that I left the camp with my soldiers last night but was missing. He thinks that I have something to do with His Majesty." Please contact me and let him in."
After returning from Duling last night, I sat alone in the camp and thought for a long time, and didn't go to bed until dawn. At this time, I was woken up and it was obvious that I didn't have enough sleep. I not only sighed quietly.
I remember that in those days he was full of energy. When he was marching and fighting, he would often stay up for days and still be in high spirits. Now, he just stayed up for a few nights and his energy was exhausted, and he couldn't do it anymore.
Now it seems that the fame and wealth that I have been pursuing tirelessly in the past seems to be of little use. At such an age, even women can't understand it. What else do you need to have a generous salary and a feudal family name?
Even if you really leave a feudal kingdom, how long can your sons hold it after your death?
Twenty or fifty years later, I will be buried in a mausoleum like Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, surrounded by barren grass and dead trees, with no descendants and no one to worship...
Compared with the eternal stars, moon, mountains and rivers, I suddenly feel that my lifelong pursuit is meaningless.
Niu Jinda was horrified: "The commander-in-chief is saying that there is an informant of the King of Jin in the army? I will have people investigate carefully and find out the traitor!"
"forget it!"
Cheng Yaojin yawned and waved his hand: "Not just the Jin King's informants? His Majesty's, Li Ji's, even Fang Jun's... With tens of thousands of troops, it is inevitable that someone will be bribed to leak military information. Isn't that what we do in other people's armies? ? Don’t worry about this kind of thing, even if you check, you won’t be able to find out clearly. One batch was found today, and another batch will be bribed tomorrow... Go ahead, call Su Jia in, and see what King Jin has to say about him. "
"Here!"
Niu Jinda had no choice but to give up and turned around to go out. Soon, Su Jia stepped inside.
Su Jia came forward to greet him and saw that Cheng Yaojin looked sleepy and depressed. He pointed out: "The autumn weather is getting colder, and the wind is clear and cold at night. The commander-in-chief should try to go out as little as possible, otherwise if he is not careful It’s really not appropriate to catch the wind and cold.”
Cheng Yaojin drooped his eyelids and asked Su Jia to sit down. He said angrily: "I have acted recklessly all my life. Even Emperor Taizong laughed it off. How dare you interfere with my business? I can go wherever I want." Hey, you can do whatever you want, and if you don’t like it, you have to hold it in for me.”….
Su Jia looked a little embarrassed. These words were obviously not meant for him, but to warn King Jin: I haven't promised you yet, anything is possible...
He simply said bluntly: "The general came here this time on the order of His Highness the King of Jin. Previously, my son was defeated and captured by Duke E and sent to Tongguan for detention. His Highness the King of Jin could not bear to be treated as a prisoner, so he ordered him to live in the military camp. I have never treated you harshly. This time I raised my troops and went south, taking your son with me in the rear..."
Cheng Yaojin's complexion changed.
Rear army?
According to the battle report, King Jin's rear army stayed in the original camp of the Tongren to try to stop Xue Wanche's Youwu Guards. They were surrounded and unable to fly. It was only a matter of time before they were destroyed. Maybe they would receive the entire Cui family's private army this morning. The battle report of destruction, if Cheng Chubi stayed in the rear army and the soldiers were in danger, could it be...
…
Su Jia paused deliberately. Seeing Cheng Yaojin's expression change, he smiled and said, "Commander, you have misunderstood. How could His Highness leave your son behind in the army to suffer danger? This afternoon, the last army also The general will cross the river and arrive at Bailuyuan, and the son will be in the army. His Highness ordered the general to come here, but he told the commander not to worry. He will send someone to deliver him as soon as he arrives at Bailuyuan. This can be regarded as a sign of sincerity on the part of His Highness."
Cheng Yaojin snorted, sincerity? Damn sincerity!
It sounds nice, but if you don't agree to King Jin's conditions, maybe what you send back is your son's head...
He looked gloomy: "Prince Jin wants to threaten me?"
Su Jia hurriedly said: "No such intention! His Highness the King of Jin has always relied heavily on the commander-in-chief. He only wants to join forces with the commander-in-chief, fight side by side, and create great achievements for the emperor. How can he have the slightest intention to kill others? You are overthinking. .”
Cheng Yaojin knew that his guess was correct. King Jin learned from his informants in the army that he was leaving camp at midnight, so he couldn't sit still for fear that he would be impressed by His Majesty's conditions and swear allegiance to His Majesty.
Calculating the time, the news was probably sent out when I left the camp last night...
Of course a son is important, but compared with the family business, it is weaker... Well, it seems that the family business is just that much now...
Fang Er, this demagogic bastard... Cheng Yaojin cursed in his heart and said to Su Jia: "Go back and tell His Highness King Jin that dogs with no virtue and talent are really a burden to our family. If His Highness King Jin can use them, , you can kill it, cook it, or sacrifice it to heaven. If I can really share your worries for His Highness, it will be a real honor for the dog."
Su Jia was speechless. Looking at Cheng Yaojin's face, he couldn't tell the authenticity of what he said. He could only ask: "We just discussed it last night. I wonder if the commander has made a decision?"
Cheng Yaojin said: "I'm still thinking about it."
Su Jia: "The situation is urgent now. If it is delayed for a long time, I'm afraid..."
Cheng Yaojin glared and said: "The situation is urgent for His Highness King Jin, not me. Do you want me to risk my life and property without thinking just to accommodate His Highness King Jin? His Highness Jin King is generous and kind, so it must be them." The eagle dog misinterpreted the Lord's intention and persecuted me, causing His Highness to suffer a harsh reputation! Someone, please capture this wolf and tie it up before Your Highness to hold me accountable!"
"Here!"
The soldiers outside the door rushed in.
"Slowly!"
Su Jia was so frightened that he broke out in white sweat all over his body. He stood up quickly to stop the soldiers who were rushing in. He bowed to Cheng Yaojin repeatedly and begged for mercy: "The commander-in-chief will do whatever he says. I will not say or do anything more." No? Go back and report to His Highness, and please spare me this time!”….
He knew that Cheng Yaojin did not dare to harm his life, but if he was really tied up in front of His Highness, even if it was proved that he had not "misinterpreted his intentions", the impression of "unfavorable" and "weak and incompetent" would never go away. Totally destroyed...
Cheng Yaojin squinted at him and snorted coldly: "Humph! I'll give Yuchi Laohei some face today and I won't argue with you. If you dare to make noises in front of me again, watch your head! Come on, let's see you off!"
"Here!"
"General Su, please!"
Seeing the soldiers on both sides glaring at him, Su Jia had no choice but to say "I will retire, general" and quickly exited the Chinese military tent. Under the escort of several soldiers, he sneaked into the Zuowuwei camp and returned to Bailuyuan.
*****
Tongguan.
The Yellow River is roaring, and the Guancheng across the river is standing amidst the roar, tightly holding a road that runs from east to west on the river bank. One man is in charge of the pass, and no one can open it.
There was a commotion inside and outside the city.
Although the King of Jin led his army southward, he still left more than a thousand soldiers stationed at Tongguan. Even if he could not withstand the enemy's offensive and eventually fell, it would be better if he could delay it for a few days. Unexpectedly, Liu Rengui and Zheng Rentai attacked Tongguan City by land and water. Their soldiers were brave and strategic, and Tongguan was captured in just half a day.
All the rebels defending the city were captured and imprisoned in a pen.
At the same time, the navy docked at the Yellow River wharf outside Tongguan, and countless grain, baggage, ordnance and weapons from the south of the Yangtze River were transported to the pass. The Zheng family in Xingyang also almost emptied their family resources and transferred the remaining baggage
Donate it and transport it to Tongguan by navy ship.
Countless supplies gathered in Tongguan, and two armies of nearly 20,000 troops were reorganized on the spot after they stationed in Guancheng, making it very lively.
Although the weather in autumn is cool and cold at night, if there is no wind or rain during the day, the autumn tiger will rage and the heat will be unbearable. Zheng Rentai came back from reorganizing the troops in the army. His armor and stomach were hot from the sun. He strode into the Chinese army barracks under the city gate. The cool environment made him let out a sigh of relief.
Liu Rengui, who was sitting among the books and dealing with military affairs, saw sweat dripping from his forehead. He stood up with a smile, took a teapot and poured him a large cup of warm tea and handed it over.
The two sat on the chair by the window together. Zheng Rentai took the water glass, thanked him, drank a large cup of tea, and wiped his face comfortably.
Then he looked at Liu Rengui and asked: "Tongguan has been captured and the King of Jin's retreat is cut off. Why not take advantage of the victory and pursue it and completely eliminate it before reaching Chang'an? There is no guarantee of victory in a war. If something goes wrong, the King of Jin arrives. Under Chang'an City, the situation will inevitably recur, and there is no telling what kind of changes will occur."
Since the capture of Tongguan, Liu Rengui ordered people to reorganize the army, transport supplies, and strengthen city defenses, but he had no intention of raising troops south to pursue the King of Jin, which puzzled Zheng Rentai.
Although I knew that the emperor must have comprehensive considerations and multiple plans for the entire war situation, even if he was trying to lure the emperor into his trap, he shouldn't have allowed the king of Jin to move south so leisurely and approach Chang'an, right?
Everyone knows that many people in the Guanzhong area are following the movements of King Jin. Once King Jin approaches Chang'an and the situation looks extremely favorable to him, those bystanders may raise troops to respond and besiege Chang'an.
As the saying goes, a gentleman should not stand behind dangerous walls. No matter how confident the emperor is and how meticulous his arrangements are, he should not take such risks. .
Young Master Xu
