As soon as this order was issued, the surrendering generals of Xixia were certainly grateful, and the surrendering soldiers were also extremely happy. For those generals who surrendered to Yanyun, what they cared about most was naturally their official position and wealth. Although Yang Peng deprived them of their military power, he allowed them to continue to serve in high-level local posts, which was what they wanted; and for ordinary soldiers, For them, it is gratifying to be able to reunite with their families, and it is even more happy to obtain considerable land or pasture.
Yang Peng's approach made all the surrendered soldiers happy, but it also made other people extremely angry and hated Yang Peng to the core. These people are the traditional nobles of Xixia. The heaven, earth and pastures of Xixia were originally in the hands of the party nobles. Most of the common people did not have land. The land that Yang Peng distributed to the surrendered soldiers did not fall from the sky, but came from the confiscation of the party's traditional nobles. land, how could the traditional nobles of Dangxiang not hate Yang Peng to the core?
Yang Peng had already expected the hatred of the party nobles. If you take away other people's things, if others don't hate you, then you are a ghost! At first, some people suggested using the redemption method to buy the land from the party nobles and then dispose of it. However, Yang Peng, Ye Qi Guanyin and others rejected this proposal after careful discussion, because using the redemption method, it would really be impossible. I don’t know how those party nobles will open their mouths. It will be an incalculable huge expense. And if the land of the party nobles is forcibly purchased at a lower price, it will cost a lot, and in this way, the party nobles will I will not be grateful to you, and I will still hate you in my heart. This is simply spending money to not thank you. Therefore, Yang Peng and others finally decided to simply formulate a law to confiscate the land of the nobles, and then confiscate most of the land in the hands of the party nobles. All the land was taken over.
Nowadays, the land that was originally in the hands of the Dangxiang nobles has basically fallen into the hands of Yan Yun. Part of this land is used to distribute it to the common people who have no land in the Hexi Corridor Map of Ningxia and the Xixia sergeants who surrendered. The other part is used as Crown farms and ranches. In this way, although the traditional party aristocrats hated Yang Peng and Yan Yun, ordinary people were grateful to Yang Peng and Yan Yun. They only felt that being a citizen of Yanyun was far better than being a citizen of Xixia. In addition, Thanks to the vigorous propaganda by local governments, most people in Ningxia and the Hexi Corridor have been won over.
The military and political situation in the Hexi Corridor had stabilized. That morning, Yang Peng, together with Ye Qi Guanyin and hundreds of secret guards, quietly left Xiliang Mansion and returned to Tianjing New City.
The focus turns to Bianjing in Henan.
In the middle of the night, Emperor Zhao Heng was pacing back and forth in his study in his pajamas, with a look of panic on his face, holding in his hand a report that had just been sent by Wang Qinruo. Wang Qinruo, dressed in official robes, stood nearby and looked at the emperor who was pacing back and forth. The study was very quiet, the only sound was Zhao Heng's footsteps pacing back and forth.
Zhao Heng stopped and couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect it, I didn't expect it! Xixia is over like this!" Zhao Heng felt a sad feeling in his heart. Yan Yun's unstoppable military front made him terrified. At this moment Yanyun destroyed Xixia, who will they destroy next?
Zhao Heng then thought: "In any case, Yan Yun is also a subject of our Song Dynasty. Although Yang Peng, King of Yan, is powerful in the world, he is just a minister of our Song Dynasty. They should not dare to risk the disapproval of the world." Come and attack your master? ! 'As soon as I thought of this, my originally flustered heart couldn't help but calm down.
Wang Qinruo said: "Your Majesty, the wolfish ambition of King Yan has been fully exposed this time! Now that Yan Yun has devoured Xixia, he is afraid that he will attack our Song Dynasty in the future! Your Majesty, we must take precautions against this matter, and we must not leave it to them. Take advantage of this opportunity!"
Zhao Heng turned around and frowned: "Is the Prime Minister worried too much? After all, King Yan is my minister of the Song Dynasty. How dare he risk the disapproval of the world to cause trouble? Isn't he afraid of the accusations of thousands of people? "
Wang Qinruo said in his stomach: "He is so afraid of being criticized by thousands of people that he will destroy even Confucianism!" Naturally, I didn't dare to say that when I caught up with him, so he said to Zhao Heng: "Your Majesty sees people with benevolence and righteousness, but tigers and wolves see you with the heart of a beast. Your Majesty must not be careless!"
Zhao Heng frowned and asked: "Who are the jackals, tigers and leopards you are talking about? Is it King Yan?"
Wang Qinruo said: "The king of Yan, Yang Peng, is entrenched in the north and has a lot of troops. He has recently annexed Xixia. His ambition is obvious! He has long been disobedient. Now his power is unprecedentedly powerful. He may rebel against the imperial court at any time." Use troops! Although he has become the King of Yan, although the King of Yan is noble, he is far less noble than the emperor!"
Zhao Heng was shocked and said in a trembling voice: "You, you mean, he, he wants to be emperor?" Wang Qinruo did not answer directly, and said: "Even the Khitan barbarians back then had the heart of an emperor, and they have succeeded. Not to mention King Yan!" Zhao Heng was shocked and felt his chest was tight, as if it was difficult to breathe.
Wang Qinruo saw that Zhao Heng's demeanor changed drastically and knew that his words had an effect, so he struck while the iron was hot and said: "Your Majesty, people do not hurt tigers, but tigers eat people's hearts. Your Majesty rules the world with benevolence and righteousness, but tigers and wolves want to devour your Majesty's flesh and blood." !" Zhao Heng was so frightened that he staggered back two steps and fell on the chair. Wang Qinruo said again: "If we don't prepare in advance, if Yang Peng starts an army and causes chaos, we will have no choice but to wait and be killed!"
Zhao Heng was extremely frightened and asked quickly: "Prime Minister, what should we do?" Wang Qinruo clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to panic. I have a plan to resolve this crisis." Zhao Heng was like a drowning man at this time. After hearing Wang Qinruo's words, the man seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw. He was overjoyed and said anxiously: "If you have any clever ideas, please tell me quickly!"
Wang Qinruo said: "The Yanyun family is not the only strong one in the world today. The Japanese and Liao kingdoms are not weaker than Yanyun, and they all have enmity with Yanyun. If we can unite them, let alone contain Yanyun, we will completely eliminate Yanyun." Disaster is also possible!”
Zhao Heng couldn't help but feel disappointed when he heard that what Wang Qinruo said was such a strategy. He frowned and said, "Hasn't this strategy been implemented before? When we joined forces with the Liao Kingdom and Xixia, not only did we fail to eliminate Yanyun , On the contrary, Yan Yun is getting stronger and stronger as he fights, and his territory is getting bigger and bigger! It's really not worth the gain! Now, what's the use of uniting with the Khitans and Japanese?"
Wang Qinruo said quickly: "Your Majesty is wise, but today is different from the past! At that time, our alliance still had some problems, and the Xixia people had limited strength, while the Khitan people's main energy was not in the Central Plains, and there were also civil strife among them. Only then As a result, Yanyun escaped. But now it is different. The power of the Japanese is far from comparable to that of Xixia, but comparable to that of Yanyun and Liao. However, the Khitan people's civil strife has subsided and they can fully concentrate their strength. If we form an alliance with them, The close alliance aiming to eliminate Yan Yun will surely eradicate Yang Peng, the rebellious minister and traitor, and regain the Central Plains!"
Zhao Heng was a little moved, but still couldn't make up his mind. He frowned and said, "What Aiqing said is absolutely true, but the matter is very important. I have to think about it carefully!" Wang Qinruo was anxious, but felt that he had said everything he should say. If he pressed any further, he would be afraid of having the opposite effect, so he bowed and said, "Yes." Zhao Heng glanced at Wang Qinruo and said, "It's very late. My dear, please go down and rest." Wang Qinruo responded and bowed to Zhao Heng. , bowed and retreated. Zhao Heng was stunned for a while and went back to Concubine Zheng's palace.
When I arrived at the imperial concubine's palace, I saw the beautiful Concubine Zheng coming towards me, and most of my worries immediately subsided. Concubine Zheng walked up to the emperor and bowed down: "I have met your majesty, long live my emperor!" Zhao Heng laughed, stretched out his hand to pick up Concubine Zheng, and gently held Concubine Zheng's waist with his left hand. The two slowly walked towards the bed. ..., after a cloud and rain of just one stick of incense, Zhao Heng seemed to be exhausted. The still unfinished Concubine Zheng lay on Zhao Heng's chest, looking at Zhao Heng with a faint expression of frustration, and her heart was dissatisfied with desire. Very uncomfortable.
Zhao Heng frowned when he heard what Wang Qinruo said just now. Concubine Zheng was thoughtful. When she saw Zhao Heng frowning, she immediately knew that Zhao Heng had something on his mind, so she asked, "Is your Majesty worried?"
Zhao Heng couldn't help but sigh and told the story about Yan Yun's army devouring Xixia. Concubine Zheng couldn't help but show surprise, and couldn't help but praise: "King Yan is really an unparalleled hero!" Zhao Heng couldn't help but show dissatisfaction when he heard this. Seeing Zhao Heng's unhappy look, Concubine Zheng was shocked to realize that she had made a mistake. She quickly said, "I am very happy that your majesty has achieved such an unparalleled feat. Your majesty has done this, which far surpasses Emperor Taizu and Taizong!" Yang Peng was still a minister of the Song Dynasty in name, so Concubine Zheng's statement also makes sense.
Zhao Heng was originally worried, but when he heard this, he couldn't help but feel happy. He just felt that he really seemed to be a holy king and wise master who had made great achievements in reviving the Song Dynasty! Then he frowned and murmured: "The so-called 'big tail can't be lost', although I have achieved such unparalleled feats with Yang Peng, I have also laid a huge hidden danger! Today's Yang Peng is really too big for the Song Dynasty. It is a big threat! I decided to unite with the Khitans and Japanese to completely destroy him!"
Concubine Zheng was taken aback and said quickly: "Your Majesty, King Yan has not shown any rebellious intentions. If your Majesty uses troops against him, wouldn't it force him to rebel? Wouldn't this be self-defeating?" Zhao Heng felt that Concubine Zheng was right. Reason, I can't help but be in a dilemma. …
The next morning, Zhao Heng called Taishi Pang to the Imperial Study Room and told him about Yan Yun's annihilation of Xixia and Wang Qinruo's suggestions. Master Pang's expression changed and he said anxiously: "Your Majesty, Wang Qinruo deserves to be killed!" The emperor was startled when he heard Master Pang say, "Wang Qinruo deserves to be killed." He asked, "Why did the Prime Minister say this? I think there is something wrong with what Wang Aiqing said. It makes sense!”
Taishi Pang said anxiously: "Your Majesty, you don't want to learn from the past, why have you forgotten it? Before, we jointly passed through Xixia, and the Tubo people also participated, but the result was a huge defeat for the coalition forces, a great victory for Yanyun, and Yanyun became even stronger ! If Yan Yun hadn't thought about being a vassal of the Song Dynasty, Yan Yun's army of tigers and wolves would have already crossed the Yellow River! Now Yan Yun's strength is even worse than before, and the millions of troops are all tigers and wolves. The army of dozens of brave generals is the best in the world. When the troops come out, they sweep across Liuhe and devour Xixia. No one can defeat them! If there is another joint crusade, I am afraid that the defeat will be even worse than before! This time, if the coalition forces are powerful If he is defeated, who can guarantee that King Yan will still be as pregnant as before? If King Yan is so angry and sends his troops south, what should we do?"
Zhao Heng's face turned pale. He felt that what Taishi Pang said was very true. He felt that Wang Qinruo's suggestion was simply a mistake for the country and the king, and he was filled with annoyance. Later that day, Zhao Heng issued an edict and reprimanded Wang Qinruo. At the same time, he named Grand Master Pang as the crown prince's guardian. It was really a happy situation for some people and a sad feeling for others.
His eyes turned back to Yang Peng. After Yang Peng and his party left Xiliang Mansion, they were not in a hurry and traveled day and night to Tianjing New City. That night, a group of people camped in Helanyuan. This Helanyuan was the junction of Xixia and Yanyun. Originally, the Xixia people built many fortresses in this area, but these fortresses are now all abandoned.
Dozens of bonfires were lit in the wilderness. Yang Peng, Ye Qian Guanyin and hundreds of secret guards were sitting around the bonfires, singing and laughing. The air was filled with the aroma of wine and meat, and echoed with beautiful or crude singing voices. Everyone was very happy. Ye Qi Guanyin likes the current atmosphere very much. It makes her feel like she has returned to her childhood. When she was a child, she hunted and camped in the wilderness with her elder brother, just like it does now.
Da da da da da... the rapid sound of horse hooves came from Xi'an. Everyone couldn't help but stop laughing and singing, and looked around to follow the sound, only to see a fast horse galloping from the west.
Immediately two secret guards rode up to meet him. He stopped the knight in the distance, said a few words, and then came over together. Arriving not far behind Yang Peng, the three of them got off their horses and the two secret guards stayed in place. The knight ran straight to a short distance behind Yang Peng, knelt down on one knee and reported: "The villain is from Xingqing Mansion. Your Majesty sent a messenger to deliver the urgent military information from Tianjing New City." As he spoke, he took off the bamboo tube on his back and raised his hands high.
Wang Kai walked over to take the bamboo tube and returned and presented it to Yang Peng. Yang Peng took the bamboo tube and saw that the sealing mud was orange. He opened the mud seal, unscrewed the screw cap, turned the bamboo tube upside down and poured out a letter. Picking up the letter, he put the bamboo tube screw caps on the ground, opened the envelope, took out the letter paper, unfolded it and read it. After thinking for a while, he smiled and said to Ye Qi Guanyin: "Guanyin, you don't have to worry about the Liao Kingdom! Your brother led the Liao Kingdom army to defeat the Mongolian coalition forces on the south bank of the North Sea, and captured the Mongolian princes. The Mongolian tribes have already Completely surrendered to the Liao Kingdom!"
Ye Qi Guanyin showed an expression of surprise, then frowned, and a look of sadness came into her heart. Ye Qi Guanyin's mood was complicated. She was happy that the Liao Kingdom had turned the corner and annihilated Mongolia in one fell swoop, but she was also worried about her eldest brother and Yan Yun. Fortunately, the Liao Kingdom took advantage of the sudden death of the Mongolian Han to devour Mongolia in one fell swoop, and its strength expanded crazily. As a result, it would be even more difficult for the big brother to fight with the Liao Kingdom. Maybe the war between the two sides would become A protracted battle with no winner or loser. However, the next target of the Liao Kingdom should not be Yanyun, but the Japanese. For Yanyun, they should unite with the Japanese to deal with the Liao Kingdom. Although Ye Qi Guanyin thought so, she really didn't want her eldest brother to really do it. He couldn't help but look at his elder brother.
Yang Peng thought and murmured: "The Queen Mother of the Liao Kingdom has long wanted to help Koryo recover, but she never had the chance. Now that the Liao Kingdom has annexed Mongolia, the next step must be to use troops against the Japanese to help Koryo recover!..." After saying this, he stopped and turned to look at Ye Qi Guanyin.
Ye Qi Guanyin misunderstood Yang Peng's meaning and said angrily: "You don't have to worry about me, just go and join forces with the Japanese! Since I have married you to be your wife, I won't hold you back!" Although Qi Guanyin's tone was a little angry and helpless, she also showed a firm tone. Although she loved the Liao Kingdom, she loved her eldest brother even more. For the sake of her eldest brother, she was willing to become the enemy of the Liao Kingdom.
Yang Peng was so moved that a husband could not ask for such a wife. He stretched out his hand and held the palm of Ye Qi Guanyin's hand, and said with a smile: "You misunderstood. How could eldest brother join forces with the Japanese?" Ye Qi Guanyin was stunned for a moment, and then showed an extremely moved expression. She thought Yang Peng was doing it for her. That’s what I decided.
The group returned to Tianjing New City. At this time, Du Cai received another report from the Liao Kingdom. The report said: The Liao Kingdom has decided to move all the Mongolians to live south of the Beihai, and at the same time move some Jurchens and Khitans to live with the Mongols. Hundreds of thousands more Han, Jurchen, and Khitan people were moved to settle north of the Beihai; the Liao court had already sent an envoy to Tianjing New City, which should be to further consolidate the peaceful relations between the two sides and further expand commercial exchanges. In addition, the Liao court also issued a decree exempting agricultural taxes across the country for two years to encourage business activities.
Yelu Hanyu thought: "Based on the content of this information, if it is correct, then although the Khitans engulfed Mongolia this time, they may have also exhausted their food and grass reserves. I am afraid that they have not only exhausted the food and grass in the warehouse, but also exhausted the food and grass reserves in the warehouse. I'm afraid even the food and grass for the people have been exhausted. They need time to recuperate, and at the same time they need to have a good relationship with us."
Han Bing said: "By the time we leave next year, we will be able to store enough food and grass, and we can take this opportunity to attack the Liao Kingdom." Yang Peng shook his head and said, "The Liao Kingdom is preparing to use troops against the Japanese. I don't intend to delay the Liao Kingdom." The country's retreat." Everyone showed a clear look. Yelu Hanyu joked: "You love the house and the bird, so of course you can't let it go!" Everyone laughed, and Ye Qi Guanyin also smiled and said to Yang Peng: "Brother, don't worry about it. If my eldest brother uses troops against the Liao Kingdom, my little sister is willing to be your vanguard!" When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but be in awe and looked at Ye Qi Guanyin with admiration.
Yang Peng said: "I don't want to use troops against the Liao Kingdom yet, at least not until the Japanese are completely defeated." Everyone knew Yang Peng's attitude for a long time. After hearing this, they were naturally not surprised, but they didn't know the reason. Know well.
After the meeting, everyone left except Yelu Hanyu. Yang Peng stood up, walked to Yelu Hanyu, and said with a smile: "Meier, are you worried?" Yelu Hanyu hesitated for a moment, looked up at Yang Peng, and asked: "I heard that Yang Yanzhao was with me at Yumen Pass. The army of Xiliao encountered an enemy and fought a battle?"
Yang Peng nodded and said: "Yes. Brother Wei Mingxiu and others saw the demise of Xixia, so they took refuge in Xiliao. The Xiliao army sent troops to reinforce, and our army fought with the Xiliao army." Yelu Hanyu looked complicated and said, "I, I really don't know what to say." Seeing her like this, Yang Peng couldn't help but feel pity in his heart, and wanted to give her a promise not to attack Xiliao, but the words It came to my lips but never came out.
Yelu Hanyu raised his head and looked at Yang Peng, wanting to ask his eldest brother not to be an enemy of Xiliao. He felt that if he begged, his eldest brother would most likely agree. However, he felt that it would be too selfish for him to do so. He was outclassed by that Jurchen vixen! He frowned and finally didn't ask for help.
Yelu Hanyu felt miserable, lowered his head and whispered: "Brother, I, I'm a little uncomfortable, so I'm leaving now!" Then he turned around and left. Yang Peng looked at Yelu Hanyu's back and couldn't help but sigh, feeling that he was sorry for her. …
His eyes turned to Yanjing. On this day, Yang Jiumei was handling official business in the government office as usual. Suddenly, she felt the ground shaking and the whole hall creaking loudly, as if it would collapse at any time. With Yang Jiumei's determination, when she was suddenly faced with such a scene, she couldn't help but turn pale with fright. She quickly left her seat and staggered out of the hall. At the same time, all the officials and servants of the government office also rushed to the front yard in panic.
I saw the entire government office shaking violently, the weak buildings collapsed one after another, and the surrounding walls fell to the ground section after section, making a loud rumbling noise; not only the government office, but also the entire Yanjing city. The sound of shaking, the collapse of buildings, and the sounds of people screaming and shouting all rang out. At this moment, everyone was as small as ants.
The thrilling earthquake lasted for a while and then gradually subsided. People were shocked and pale, and the cries of children could be heard from everywhere in the city.
Yang Jiumei was the first to react and immediately shouted to her staff who were still in shock: "Immediately send out fast horses to inquire about the disaster situation in various places. At the same time, officials in various places should not panic and use the support at hand to save themselves first. On the Yanjing side and on the Yanwang side , the rescue team will be here soon!" All the staff members came to their senses, agreed one after another, and ran down.
Later that day, rumors spread in the city of Yanjing, saying that 'because King Yan was rebellious and did not obey Confucius and Mencius, God was angry and sent huge natural disasters to punish us! If the King of Yan does not change his ways and return to the ways of Confucius and Mencius, God will bring even greater natural disasters. At that time, not only will the earth shake, but there will also be great floods, and there will also be great fires. A catastrophic disaster, the only way to die! 'This rumor spread all over the city of Yanjing, making people panic. Many foolish men and women really thought that the sudden earthquake was caused by Yang Peng's fault, so complaints about Chen Xiao gradually appeared, and spread.
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
