Cao Hu suddenly remembered something and showed hesitation. Yang Peng saw this and asked, "Is there anything difficult for Mr. Cao?"
Cao Hu clasped his fists and said, "It's about my brother's family..." Yang Peng felt a little surprised and asked, "Is Cao Yong's family still in Tanzhou?" Cao Hu nodded and said quickly: "My brother is obsessed with it. Yan Yun is an enemy, but his family members have nothing to do with this matter, so I ask King Yan to treat them well!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Are you worried that I will use them to blackmail Cao Hu?" Cao Hu remained silent. Yang Peng said with a smile: "You don't have to worry about this at all! All actions of Yan Yun and others must abide by the law. Cao Yong's family is under the rule of Yan Yun. If there is no violation of the law, even I cannot arrest people randomly! Otherwise, it will be illegal. If I break the law, the cabinet will punish me!" Cao Hu and other surrendered generals and officials felt incredible when they heard this, but then they thought that this should be an example set by King Yan to strictly enforce military discipline, but it was not true. However, even so, one cannot help but be in awe, because from ancient times to the present, among the many founding kings, there are only a few who can set such an example.
Cao Hu bowed and said: "Thank you so much, King Yan! In addition, I have a kind request. I hope to go to my brother's house to visit my brother, sister-in-law and their children!" Yang Peng asked in surprise: "Don't you think so? Have you never visited?" Cao Hu said: "My subordinate is now a minister of Yan Yun, but my brother is loyal to Zhao Song. It is really inconvenient for my subordinate to visit without permission from King Yan."
Yang Peng waved his hand and said: "You don't have to worry about these at all. As the saying goes, a pure person will purify himself. All you need is a clear conscience! I can't blame you just because you went to visit your brother's family, and I have no right to blame you. You!" Cao Hu couldn't help but feel grateful and said, "Thank you so much, King Yan!"
After the meeting, Cao Hu personally led Yang Peng and his party outside the palace. Yang Peng saw the palace's mountains and rivers, and how magnificent it was. He couldn't help being surprised, and said: "That prince, who had just been restored to power and was still in internal strife with Zhao Heng, was so eager to build such a luxurious palace? He really knows how to enjoy it. Ah!" Cao Hu looked at the palace in front of him and frowned: "The Emperor of Song Dynasty was ignorant, which led to today's results. He really can't blame others! King Yan said, 'The king regards the world and the people as his private property, and he is satisfied with the public of the world. The phrase "one's own selfish desires" couldn't be more true! Looking back at the countless emperors throughout the ages, how many emperors can truly be selfless? I'm afraid there are none! It's ridiculous that the Confucian rules of king, minister, father, father, son, help The king fooled and enslaved the people, now that I think about it, this so-called way of a saint is extremely shameless!"
Yang Peng smiled and patted Cao Hu on the shoulder. Cao Hu clasped his fists and said, "The palace has been tidied up, and King Yan is invited to move in."
Yang Peng glanced at the splendid and luxurious palace in front of him, and said with a smile: "I'm afraid I'll be blinded by such splendid golden light!" Cao Hu was stunned. Yang Peng looked at Cao Hu and said, "I'd rather live in a post house and feel more comfortable!" Cao Hu was moved and said, "King Yan is really a holy king and a wise master!" Cao Hu thought that Yang Peng didn't want to indulge in luxury, so he was very moved. . Yang Peng smiled and said: "You are wrong. There are many things about our Yanyun that you don't understand yet. When you slowly understand, you won't say such things." Cao Hu showed confusion.
Yang Peng frowned and said: "Where is the post house? I feel uncomfortable now. I want to take a bath quickly and have a good sleep!" Cao Hu said quickly: "The body of King Yan is worth ten thousand gold. If you can't live in the palace, you can't live in the post house." The hotel! Please invite King Yan to live in the government office!" Yang Peng waved his hand, "I will live in the hotel! Lead the way!"
Seeing Yang Peng's insistence, Cao Hu didn't know what to say. He agreed and led Yang Peng and his party to leave the palace and go to the post house. At the same time, he sent one of his subordinates to go to the post house to set up a front station. Cao Hu clasped his fists towards Yang Peng and said, "To King Yan, there is something that needs to be dealt with by King Yan." Yang Peng hummed and waited for him to continue. Cao Hu continued: "It's about the maids in the palace. When we captured Tanzhou, there were five to six hundred maids in the palace. We need to ask King Yan for instructions on how to deal with these maids!"
Yang Peng said: "This is a woman's matter. I don't care, and you don't care either. Han Bing is coming anyway. When she arrives, she will handle it." Cao Hu promised with clasped fists.
The group of people arrived outside the post house. The officials of the post house had received the news and were waiting at the gate. As soon as they saw Yang Peng, they hurriedly paid homage: "My subordinates pay homage to King Yan!" In the blink of an eye, nearly a hundred people knelt down in darkness. One place. Yang Peng dismounted, and everyone accompanying him also dismounted. The secret guards immediately rushed into the post house and controlled all the passages. Yang Peng shouted to everyone kneeling on the ground: "Everyone, get up!" Everyone thanked him and stood up. Yang Peng walked into the door, followed by everyone.
Later that day, Cao Hu, dressed in casual clothes, led several entourages and brought gifts to his brother's mansion to visit his brother and sister-in-law. Mrs. Cao and Cao Hu sat down on a small table across from each other. The servant served tea and retreated. Mrs. Cao said with some vigilance: "I heard that my uncle has taken refuge with King Yan. I wonder why I came here today?"
Cao Hu said apologetically: "My younger brother should have come to visit my sister-in-law a long time ago and ask my sister-in-law to forgive me!" Mrs. Cao said calmly: "Uncle, your words are serious! Uncle is now an important minister under King Yan, and we are just a survivor of the previous dynasty. How can I deserve what my uncle said!" Cao Hu sighed and said, "Sister-in-law seems to be unwilling to forgive my younger brother for taking refuge in Yanyun!"
But Mrs. Cao shook her head and said: "Everyone has his own ambitions, and good birds choose trees to roost in. Besides, the King of Yan is a hero, and my uncle went to him. It is well deserved. I have no intention of blaming him." He glanced at Cao Hu. , frowned and said: "It's just my uncle's brother, but my husband is a minister of the Song Dynasty. Each of them is their own master. That's why water and fire are incompatible!" Cao Hu was filled with emotions and didn't know what to say for a moment. .
Mrs. Cao asked: "What is the purpose of uncle's coming here? Does King Yan want to use us to deal with your brother?" Cao Hu quickly waved his hand and said: "Sister-in-law misunderstood! I am here to visit my sister-in-law, not for any reason. King Yu Yan gave it!" "Seriously?" Cao Hu said with a bitter smile: "Sister-in-law, don't you know who I am?" Mrs. Cao's expression softened, she nodded to Cao Hu and said, "I wronged uncle, please forgive me. !" Cao Hu quickly stood up and returned the greeting: "Sister-in-law, why are you like this!" Mrs. Cao stood up, pointed to Cao Hu's seat and said: "Uncle, please sit down, why do my family have to be so formal!" Cao Hu cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law! "Immediately sat down again, and Mrs. Cao also returned to her seat.
Mrs. Cao said: "Uncle, please tell me the truth, what exactly does King Yan plan to do with us?" Cao Hu said: "Sister-in-law, there is no need to worry. King Yan does not plan to do anything to you, sister-in-law?" Mrs. Cao couldn't believe it and asked : "Didn't he have any intention of using us to threaten your brother?"
Cao Hu shook his head, "No!" Then his face showed admiration and said, "King Yan is a real hero! He will never do such a thing of threatening his family members!" Mrs. Cao thought for a moment. He nodded and then let out a long sigh.
Cao Hu asked in surprise: "Why did my sister-in-law sigh?" Mrs. Cao smiled bitterly and shook her head, saying: "I was thinking that the master is an enemy of Yan Yun, the king of Yan and the princess, but the king of Yan himself does not persecute his family members because of this. . But the Zhao family court, for which I have devoted my whole life, sent people to try to capture us! What they did was just to blackmail me into working for them, unswervingly! One enemy and one friend on both sides, but their methods were inconsistent. It's completely the opposite. It's really disappointing!" After a pause, "On that day when the city was broken, Yan Yun's army was the victor, but no one harassed the people. They all slept on the streets. I finally understand why King Yan can rule the world. Why can Yanyun defeat powerful enemies and unify the Central Plains within a few years with Yanyun's small territory!"
Cao Hu nodded with deep understanding and said: "King Yan is a great hero. Under his leadership, Yan Yun's temperament is naturally amazing!" Then he said: "Sister-in-law can live here with peace of mind, no one will come. Harassing you!" Mrs. Cao frowned and said, "I'm not worried about myself now, I'm worried about your brother!" Cao Hu was stunned and then understood: "My brother's family members are now under the rule of Yan Yun, Zhao How could the Song court not be suspicious of his brother? At this thought, Cao Hu couldn't help but become worried.
Mrs. Cao said to Cao Hu, "Uncle, I have a heartfelt request." Cao Hu clasped his fists and said, "Sister-in-law has an order. As long as I can do my best, I will definitely do it for my sister-in-law!" Mrs. Cao said, "I want to ask uncle to take me with me." Go see King Yan." Cao Hu was surprised, "What does my sister-in-law want to see King Yan for?"
Mrs. Cao asked, "Is it possible that uncle is unwilling?" Cao Hu said, "It's not that I'm unwilling, I just don't understand." Mrs. Cao smiled and said, "Uncle is afraid that I will offend King Yan and cause trouble, aren't you?" Cao Hu said She smiled and said, "Sister-in-law is a wise judge." Mrs. Cao shook her head and said, "Uncle, you are worrying too much. Am I the kind of person who doesn't know what's important? Besides, how can I offend King Yan? For someone who is extravagant and lustful without caring about the life and death of the people. The officials of Zhao Song Dynasty went to accuse the King of Yan who saved the Central Plains from foreigners and loved his people like his own son? Even if I have this intention, I can't say it out loud!"
Cao Hu asked curiously: "But why does my sister-in-law want to see King Yan?" Mrs. Cao frowned and said: "I want to ask King Yan for something. As this matter is unlikely, but I still hope to ask. Just beg him!"
After Yang Peng finished taking a shower, he walked to the table and sat down. There was already a stack of official documents and military reports on the table, which had just been delivered. Yang Peng picked up the military newspaper in the most eye-catching red envelope at the top and read it. The envelope read: Yin Mingde presented to King Yan. Thinking that it was the war situation in Jiangxi, Yang Peng quickly opened the envelope, took out the military report, and opened it to read.
Yin Mingde said in the military newspaper: "Brother, the two armies of our army are making good progress, destroying everything they pass. Now almost all of Jiangxi has been conquered. Zhang Jun led the remaining army to retreat to Baizhang Mountain." 'The so-called Baizhang Mountain is part of the Wuyi Mountains and is located at the junction of southeastern Jiangxi and Fujian.
It turned out that after Yin Mingde and Duan Zhixian's army crossed the Yangtze River from Linxiang, they divided into two groups, one going eastward along the Yangtze River, and the other attacking Jiangxi from the direction of Mufu Mountain. The two armies were overwhelming. Except for a few states and counties, most states and counties surrendered. Those states and counties that resisted were quickly defeated by Yan Yun's army with the help of the Mingjiao followers. Soon after, the army heading east along the Yangtze River first arrived in Hongzhou, which is now Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi Province. At this time, Zhang Jun had transferred all the troops guarding Zhao Heng back to Hongzhou, preparing for a decisive battle with Yan Yun's army.
Zhang Jun first relied on his military superiority to go out of the city to fight against Yan Yun's army. However, he underestimated the strong combat power of Yan Yun's army. In three battles outside the city, the Song army was defeated and lost troops. Zhang Jun saw that Yan Yun's army was brave and invincible, so he had to sacrifice a small part of his army to hold Yan Yun's army back, while the larger army hurriedly retreated to Hongzhou. The Yanyun army quickly eliminated the Song army that had been cut off, and then entered Bo City and stormed the city. They fought bloody battles for three consecutive days. Although the Yanyun army attacked the city many times, they were blocked by the Song army's reckless counterattacks. down. On the fourth day, the big ship arrived via waterway carrying the artillery team. Yanyun's army used cannons to destroy the city wall, and then the army surged in. The Song army could no longer resist and retreated into the city. Under the leadership of Zhang Jun, they fought with the Yanyun army in the streets. However, the Song Army lost the advantage of the city wall. How could it be the opponent of Yan Yun Army? After several rounds of bloody battles, the Song Army suffered heavy casualties. Zhang Jun was also injured in the tragic battle. He had no choice but to lead the remaining army to abandon Hongzhou and retreat to Fuzhou. .
At the same time, another Yanyun army had already captured Luling, which is now Ji'an City, Jiangxi Province, and the important town of Ganzhou in the south, which is now Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province. The prefect, under the lobbying of Mingjiao believers, raised the city Surrendered, and now the entire western part of Jiangxi has been conquered by Yanyun. Zhang Jun retreated to Fuzhou. He originally wanted to rely on Fuzhou City and several rivers such as Ru River to resist Yan Yun's army. However, the news of the fall of Ganzhou and other places forced him to give up this plan. Because Ganzhou and other places were lost, Fuzhou's flanks were completely With the hole open, Yanyun's army can come from Ganzhou and cut off its retreat into Fujian.
Zhang Jun had no choice but to reluctantly abandon Fuzhou, Jianchang and other places, and retreated all the way into Baizhang Mountain. He finally jumped out of the encirclement before Yanyun's army cut off his retreat. At this point, the Battle of Jiangxi ended, and the entire Jiangxi was included in Yanyun's territory. In this battle, the Yanyun Army spent almost no effort except for the Battle of Hongzhou, which weakened the Yanyun Army.
Yang Peng couldn't help but be very happy when he saw the military newspaper saying that he had occupied all of Jiangxi. Keep reading, the second half of the military report is about Zhao Heng. It turns out that when Yanyun's army marched southward, Zhao Heng raised 200,000 troops with Liu Guangshi as the commander and marched westward to attack Poyang, which is now the city of Boyang. On the east bank of Poyang Lake, at the beginning of the war, Zhang Jun assembled an army Fight against Zhao Gou's army here. However, the western front collapsed and Yanyun's army invaded Jiangxi. Jiangxi was in danger. Zhang Jun had no choice but to give up his plan to counterattack Liu Guangshi and switch from offense to defense, leaving a small force to guard Poyang. He himself led the main force back to Fanghong Prefecture. At the same time, he was urgently ordered to be on guard at the passes along the Wuyi Mountains and to report to Guangzhou.
Seeing that Zhang Jun's main force returned to the defense, Liu Guangshi immediately felt confident and launched his army to attack Poyang. At this time, Liu Guangshi planned to use his left hand to fish for advantage. After conquering Poyang, he wanted to wait for Yan Yun's army and Zhang Jun to fight in Hongzhou, where both sides would lose. In the name of aiding the war, he took the opportunity to attack Hongzhou in one go. That is, since Hongzhou has been captured by our own side, even if Yanyun is dissatisfied, there is nothing he can do about it, and he has achieved unparalleled achievements. However, things didn't go as planned. First, his 200,000 troops besieged Poyang, which was only defended by 5,000 troops. It took ten days to finally capture it. Immediately after receiving a report, Yan Yun's army had defeated Hongzhou, and Zhang Jun led the remaining troops to flee south.
Liu Guangshi was depressed and at the same time very frightened. When he thought about it, his 200,000 troops attacked Poyang, which was only defended by 5,000 soldiers and horses, and they were exhausted. It took ten days and sacrificed many soldiers to finally capture it. However, Yan Yun's army was at the foot of Hongzhou City. Their military strength was not as good as Zhang Jun's, but they actually captured Hongzhou in less than five days and severely wounded Zhang Jun, causing Zhang Jun and his remaining soldiers to flee. It can be said that their combat power was astonishing! Immediately, Liu Guangshi did not dare to have any more ideas about Jiangxi. He had an idea and left a force to guard Poyang and sent people to Jinling to report the victory. At the same time, he sent an envoy with generous gifts to Hongzhou to show his goodwill to Yanyun. Then he led the main force The army turned around and headed south, attacking Fujian Road from Pucheng.
When Yang Peng saw this, he couldn't help laughing and said: "Liu Guangshi is not entirely without merit! His sudden turn in has hit the Eighth Prince's weakness. I'm afraid it will be difficult to save Fujian Road!" After thinking for a while, After thinking about it, he wrote a letter, folded it and packed it, called Wang Kai, handed the letter to him, and ordered: "Send a messenger to deliver it to Duan Zhixian immediately!" Wang Kai clasped his fists in agreement and ran down.
Yang Peng glanced at the other official documents on the table and was too lazy to read them. He stretched, stood up, and walked out of the room. It will be getting late at this time, and the sky will be filled with red clouds. Wang Kai led Cao Hu over. Wang Kai clasped his fists and said: "Master Cao Hu is here." Then Cao Hu stepped forward and saluted: "I have met King Yan." Yang Peng said with a smile: "You are here just in time. Let's go outside and take a look. Dinner has also been taken care of." Cao Hu said quickly: "To inform King Yan, I have taken the liberty to disturb you for the sake of my sister-in-law."
Yang Peng felt a little surprised and asked: "What's the matter with your sister-in-law?" Yang Peng said: "That's it, my sister-in-law wants to see King Yan, and my subordinates came here to ask King Yan for permission. I wonder if King Yan would like to see her? "
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Since she wants to see me, just come over and don't be cautious." Cao Hu said: "My wife is waiting outside the door now. I will bring him in right now." Yang Peng nodded. Cao Hu bowed and retreated, and after a moment, he led Mrs. Cao back. Cao Hu cupped his fists and said, "King Yan, my sister-in-law is here." Mrs. Cao smiled slightly and said, "I have met King Yan!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "No need to be polite!" "Thank you, King Yan!" Then Mrs. Cao straightened up, raised her head, looked at King Yan, and saw a man who looked very powerful but was very young and kind. She couldn't help but The snack was a surprise. Mrs. Wu has heard many rumors about King Yan for a long time. King Yan has formed an impression in her mind. He is a dignified and unsmiling middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. However, when she saw him today, the legend King Yan, who was so powerful in the world, turned out to be such a young man. How could she not be surprised and confused! Fortunately, she was well-educated and returned to normal after the shock.
Yang Peng took a look at Mrs. Wu and saw that she was in her fifties and had an amiable temperament. He couldn't help but feel good about her and asked with a smile: "Mrs. Cao wants to see me?" Mrs. Cao said: "A civilian woman takes the liberty to ask for a meeting. An unkind favor!”
Yang Peng said: "Say it." Mrs. Cao said: "The women of the people heard about the kindness of King Yan, so they came to ask King Yan to let our family reunite with the master." Cao Hu, who was standing aside, was shocked when he heard this. , secretly became anxious: "How could my sister-in-law come and make such a request? How could King Yan be so accurate no matter how pregnant he is?" If King Yan misunderstands, I'm afraid..." Although I was worried in my heart, I didn't dare to speak out in front of King Yan.
Yang Peng looked at Mrs. Cao, and Mrs. Cao looked at Yang Peng without any fear. Yang Peng said with a smile: "Mrs. Cao, I didn't expect you to make such a request to me! If it were anyone else, she would never say that. She would definitely say something more grand: Your Highness, King Yan, a common woman is willing to go I want to persuade my master to join King Yan. If King Yan can trust the women, the women will come."
Mrs. Cao said: "The King of Yan is extremely wise and a hero! It is better to be honest in front of the King of Yan! If the King of Yan does not allow it, the women will have no choice but to give up."
Yang Peng said: "You don't have to ask me about this kind of thing." Mrs. Cao nodded, sighed, and said, "It's a common woman's wishful thinking! A common woman is disturbing King Yan!" She felt blessed after saying this. Yang Peng smiled and waved his hand and said: "You misunderstood, I didn't mean that. I meant that it's your freedom to go there, so why do you have to ask me what I mean?"
Mrs. Cao looked at Chen Xiao in surprise. Yang Peng smiled and said: "In Yanyun, everything is governed by the law. If the law does not prohibit you from leaving Tanzhou, no one can stop you, not even me!" Mrs. Cao felt unbelievable. Yang Peng further explained: "I, Yanyun, do not rule the country by Confucianism, but by Legalism. Therefore, the most important thing in Yanyun is the law, not the King of Yan. You should understand what I say."
Mrs. Cao sighed: "Women of the common people really didn't expect that the Legalists would be more benevolent and righteous than the Confucianists who advocate benevolence and righteousness!" Yang Peng smiled and asked: "Mrs. Cao, do you have any questions?"
Mrs. Cao looked at Yang Peng and said in disbelief: "My master is the enemy of King Yan. Our family is going to him. King Yan really won't stop him?" Yang Peng smiled and nodded, "I have no reason to stop him. ! Mrs. Cao doesn't have to have any worries!" Mrs. Cao was moved in her heart and couldn't help but bow to Yang Peng. This bow was definitely from the bottom of her heart.
Yang Peng frowned and said: "However, although I won't stop you, you have to think carefully about it. You passed by us safe and sound. Considering the character of Zhao Song and his courtiers, I'm afraid there will be suspicion!"
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
