Tokyo, in the Zichen Hall of the Imperial City, Emperor Daojun is sitting in court.
There was no trace of blood on his face, and he looked like dead leaves in late autumn, haggard and gray.
After the meeting yesterday, Emperor Daojun summoned a group of important ministers to discuss matters. The result was such a noise that the lid of Paiyun Pavilion almost lifted. It was probably due to the timing and number of troops to send out, as well as the issue of who is in charge and who is in charge. Debate continues.
When he saw everyone fighting for power and criticizing each other, he drove them all away in anger.
Emperor Daojun knew that the sooner the bandits were suppressed, the better. Wang Qing's experience was vividly remembered. If he had not delayed and sent the Western Army to redress the rebellion early, the entire Huaixi would not have almost fallen into the hands of the thieves.
The Gyeonggi Forbidden Army went on three expeditions. Although the war was finally put down, the losses were huge. However, Fangla's attack was menacing, and its momentum was far more powerful than Wang Qing's. The number of soldiers and horses was even more unmatched by Wang Qing's, so it was necessary to destroy them as quickly as possible. This group of thieves avoids shaking the country's foundation and causing catastrophe.
At this time, the ministers had finished their congratulations, and Emperor Daojun coughed lightly: "The rebel Fang La in the south of the Yangtze River has captured more than a dozen cities. He is really a serious problem for the country. If it is not eliminated immediately, half of the southeastern wall will be lost. What can you do? Let’s share our worries together.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Guangjie, the imperial envoy from Zuoban, stepped forward and saluted: "I just returned from the south of the Yangtze River yesterday, and I was about to report the bandits. There are no less than hundreds of thousands of rebels from Fangla in Zhejiang and Jiangjiang. They are among the bandits in the southeast." First of all, the others include Zhu Yan and Wu Bang of Lingshan in Quzhou, Lu Xing'er of Gui'an in Huzhou, Dakou Shisheng of Suzhou, Fu Qiu of Yiwu of Wuzhou, Qiu Taoist of Tanxian of Yuezhou, Hongzai of Chuzhou, Xianju Lu Shinang of Taizhou, and Chen of Wenzhou. 14. Yu Dawang and Jinyun Huo Chengfu. Although these people were all led by Fang La, they each claimed the title of king and formed their own situation. They attacked states and plundered counties and were not under the unified control. However, although they captured many places, they could defend few. Only The leader of the thieves, Fang La, is very ambitious. He calls himself Emperor Shenggong and changes his reign to Yongle. He establishes three academies and six ministries, nine ministers and four prime ministers, and hundreds of generals. He is so powerful that officials should send out troops as soon as possible."
Zhao Tong listened clearly and knew that these were the leaders of Mingjiao branches in various places in the south of the Yangtze River. The princes of the area were all great leaders.
After hearing this, Emperor Daojun had a look of astonishment on his face. He realized that besides Fang La, there were actually many small groups of bandits. He couldn't help but become even more worried: "My dear friends, the bandits are so rampant. What can be done?"
At this time, Cai Jing came out of the class tremblingly and said: "Officials, don't worry. There has been no war in the southeast for a long time. Wen Tian is active in martial arts. Once he encounters the enemy, he panics and flees without fighting. Therefore, the city and land are lost. If the officials can send The elite soldiers marching south will surely be able to wipe them out in one fell swoop and show off our divine power."
Emperor Daojun glanced at him and ignored his words. He sighed and said, "All the soldiers and horses of the Western Army are on their way, and the Gyeonggi Forbidden Army has completed its inspection. The matter in the southeast is urgent and there is no need to delay."
Tong Guan came out of the squad and said: "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the traitor Fang La is like a cancer in his confidants. If not removed immediately, the danger will become deeper, so it is better to send troops immediately."
Emperor Daojun was hesitant after hearing this. After all, the Western Army was still on the road at the moment. If he wanted to send one, he could only send the Gyeonggi Forbidden Army. However, the Gyeonggi Forbidden Army was tired and exhausted from Wang Qing's expedition against Tianhu last year and lost many troops. Since he had planned to mobilize the Western Army this time, he thought Let the Western Army take the lead.
At this moment, suddenly there was an urgent military report outside the palace. It was originally reported to Zhongshu's sect. Wang Fu did not dare to hide it since he was reprimanded last time. Even if he went to court, he would have someone send it to him urgently as soon as he received it.
At this time, he ran to the palace gate in person, took the book and returned to the palace. Emperor Daojun hurriedly asked: "Ai Qing, where is the urgent report?"
Wang Fu had already seen the address of the memorial. His heart trembled and he replied: "Your Majesty, this is where Zhu Meng was promoted by the Jiangnan Yingfeng Bureau."
Both of them originally planned to hide Fang La's matter, but now Zhu Meng has officially filed a memorial, which means that the matter in western Zhejiang has been corrupted and they dare not hide it anymore.
When Emperor Daojun heard this, his withered face suddenly turned black. He did not think that the chaos in Jiangnan was caused by flowers and stones. After all, the flowers and stones were not food and money. The rebels wanted to kill Zhu Meng, but it was just Xiang Zhuang dancing with his sword. He was interested in Peigong because he was an official of the Song Dynasty, but Zhu Meng kept concealing military information and did not report it, which made him angry.
Wang Fu wanted to submit a memorial, but Emperor Daojun only said: "What's the matter? Please read it to your family."
Wang Fu took the order and hurriedly looked through it. The next moment he fell to his knees with a "plop" and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, Hangzhou has been lost, Chen Jian died for his country, Zhao Ting is missing, and the number of rebels has reached more than 200,000. In recent days, Set fire to the city, burn, kill and loot..."
As soon as these words came out, the two groups of ministers suddenly took a breath of cold air. Hangzhou was an important town in the south of the Yangtze River. Once it fell, the entire western Zhejiang Province would definitely be in danger.
Emperor Daojun's eyes widened, he leaned forward and opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.
Tong Guan hurriedly went out again at this time: "Your Majesty, please send troops quickly to defeat the thieves."
After a long while, Daojun Emperor said: "Where is the Western Army now?"
Tong Guandao: "The five armies of Xihe, Qinfeng, Huanqing, Jingyuan, and Yanyan will arrive in two or three days, and the Hedong army will arrive tomorrow afternoon at the latest."
After hearing this, Emperor Daojun calmed down for a moment and thought: "It is my decree that Zhu Meng corrupted the people and caused chaos in the southeast. He was deposed as a commoner. Zhao Ting retreated before the battle. He regarded it as rebellion and was arrested and questioned. The rest may surrender or surrender before the battle. Fleeing officials are guilty of the same crime, Jiangnan should be ordered to... be abolished!"
Tong Guan was stunned. He knew the Tao Lord and Emperor's intentions. For such a big event involving the world, there must be someone who takes the blame. Now that Chen Jian in western Zhejiang is dead, he has died for his country. Not only can he not be held responsible, but he must also treat his heirs well, so Zhu Meng Is it too light to step out and be demoted to a common people?
"The officials are wise!" The civil and military officials in the court shouted in unison.
Emperor Daojun pondered for a moment, and his eyes fell on Zhao Tong: "The King of Qin listens to the decree!"
Zhao Tong walked out of the class and heard the Emperor Daojun say: "King Qin, I grant you the title of Xuanfu and Zhizhi Envoy in the Huaihe River. You will be appointed as a bodyguard and army officer with 30,000 troops and horses. You will have military and political power in the Huaihe River and go south to fight against thieves!"
Zhao Tong took the order and returned to work.
Emperor Daojun looked at Zhao Kai again, and Zhao Kai came out. Emperor Daojun said: "King Yun, I grant you the title of governor of Liangjiang and the appointment of an envoy. You will be in charge of 30,000 troops and horses in front of the palace. You will have military and political power in the two rivers. Go south to fight against thieves!"
Zhao Kai hurriedly took orders and returned to work.
At this time, Tong Guanshang was standing outside the class. Emperor Daojun looked at him and said, "Tong Aiqing!"
Tong Guandao: "Wei Chen is here!"
Emperor Daojun nodded: "This time you will lead the Western Army. I will grant you the title of envoy to the two Zhejiang provinces, and lead the Western Army on five routes and one on the east side of the river. They will go south to fight against the thieves. On the day of victory, I will have my own reward!" "
Tong Guan fell to his knees with a "plop" and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I dare not do my best to repay Your Majesty!"
Emperor Daojun nodded and ordered him to get up and go back to work. He pondered for a while and said:
He was granted the title of Liu Yanqing, deputy envoy of Xuanfu and Zhejiang Provinces, and was in charge of the elite Han and Tibetan troops of the Western Army and the Hedong Army.
Xin Xingzong and Yang Weizhong, deputy commanders of Xihe Bingzong.
Liu Zhen was under the military control of Jingyuan.
Yang Keshi and Zhao Ming, deputy commanders of the Huanqing Army.
Huang Di was under the control of Yan Yanbing.
Wang Huan, Ma Gongzhi, and Qin Fengbing were the deputy rulers.
Yijing was under the control of Hedong soldiers.
These people are all generals of the Western Army and are still on the road at this moment. However, the Emperor Daojun has issued an oral order, and someone immediately issued an edict to greet them.
Then Emperor Daojun promised another reward:
Anyone who captures or kills the thief chief Fangla will be rewarded with the title of defense envoy by civilian officials and rewarded with 10,000 pieces of silk, 10,000 guan of money, 10,000 taels of silver, and 500 taels of gold.
Anyone who captures or kills a thief general will be awarded the title of Wuyi Dafu by civilian officials, and will be rewarded with five thousand bolts of silk, five thousand guan of money, five thousand taels of silver, and three hundred taels of gold.
If a well-known leader is captured alive or killed, the civilian official will be granted the title of Dunwu Lang and will be rewarded with a thousand pieces of silk, three thousand guan of money, one thousand taels of silver, and one hundred taels of gold.
If there are any of the above who do not want to be an official, they can be left to their own devices and their rewards can be increased. If they are imperial officials, civil and military students, envoys and minor officials, generals and soldiers who are brave, capture or kill the thieves mentioned in the preceding paragraph, etc., they can be transferred to official positions. Reward gold, silver, money, and silk. If a thief joins the party and turns to the bright side, and captures and kills the person mentioned above, etc., and the leader or head of the thief is sent to the official for verification, he will be exempted from the death penalty, and will not be held accountable for the past, and the reward will be extended according to the reward. Give.
After arranging the three armies, Emperor Daojun felt relieved. This time, the Western Army was the main force to conquer the thieves, with King Qin and King Yun assisting. The two kings only led the Gyeonggi Forbidden Army.
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty all knew the reason. They did not want the two princes to have too much contact with the soldiers of the Western Army, so they let Tong Guan lead the Western Army.
Emperor Daojun looked down and said: "Although the situation in the south of the Yangtze River is urgent, it is not appropriate to send troops hastily and panicfully. Wait for the Western Army to arrive in three days and go out together with the Gyeonggi Army!"
Tong Guan couldn't help but sigh when he heard this. Soldiers are very fast and they should send out troops immediately. However, Emperor Daojun obviously refused to let the Gyeonggi Forbidden Army take the lead and still had to wait for the Western Army to set off together.
Afterwards, they discussed matters for an hour or two, and then the court dispersed. Emperor Daojun felt dizzy and went to Zhilan Xiaozhu to rest.
Zhilan Xiaozhu was the study room. When he arrived, a palace maid came to bring tea. Emperor Daojun picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, stood up and walked around with his hands behind his back.
He was bored, so he looked at the calligraphy and paintings on the wall, and saw the "Three Hundred Miles of Jialing River and Mountains" painted by Wu Daozi and Li Sixun. It was majestic and magnificent. The two people's brushwork was different and each was extremely wonderful. Seeing the benefits, Emperor Daojun nodded frequently. Seeing the disadvantages, he sighed.
Then he came to the "Hibiscus and Golden Pheasant", which he painted not long ago. Both Li Tang and Zhang Zeduan were full of praise after seeing it. Emperor Daojun paused in front of his painting for a long time, lost in thought.
In the picture, a beautiful golden pheasant landed on a hibiscus branch, with gorgeous and plump feathers. It dragged its long and gorgeous tail and looked back. Butterflies danced on the side, picking flowers and leaves, obsessed with flowers. The autumn chrysanthemums in the lower left corner were sparse and swaying. , quite proud and proud.
The more he looked, the more he became dazed, his mind was confused and he didn't seem to know what to do next.
At this time, Cai You came outside and asked to see him. Emperor Daojun just moved and summoned someone to ask what was going on.
Cai You came in and said politely: "The official family, I saw that the official family was busy working on state affairs day and night, Feisi was worried, so I specially trained some red and green geishas, and they are waiting outside the palace today to entertain Long live with a show."
Emperor Daojun asked people to come to see him. After a while, Cai You led them to kneel down together.
Emperor Daojun looked at Cai You and said, "I have been busy with state affairs for the past few days and am mentally exhausted. It is difficult for me to be loyal to you."
Cai Youlian said that he was a minister, and then he asked two female artists to perform sumo wrestling. The two female artists had thin waists and tied their arms. They wrestled in circles on the field. It was very ridiculous. After a while, one girl was knocked down and the other was pinned down on it.
When Emperor Daojun saw it, his face was overjoyed. He opened his mouth and told the winner to reward the winner with a piece of colorful silk. The winner came to receive the reward and kowtowed in thanks, while the loser was ashamed and covered his face with his hands.
Then a male entertainer in green came up from below. He had regular facial features, thin skin and tender flesh. He looked like a handsome young man.
The male artist and the victorious female artist fought in sumo for more than ten rounds. The boy held the female artist's arms with both hands and raised them three times. The female artist's body was as light as a swallow and her waist was flexible. She stood firm every time she landed. The boy couldn't knock down the female artist, and was so anxious that he was sweating profusely. The female artist took advantage of the momentum and lifted the boy up, three times up and down. When the last fall came, the female artist took advantage of the boy's heel, which was not stable, and hugged the boy's waist with both hands. After a moment of force, the boy couldn't stand and fell to the ground on his back, with the female artist pressing on the boy.
Emperor Daojun couldn't stop laughing when he saw it, and tears came out, "Quickly get another piece of colorful silk as a reward."
The female artist took the colorful silk and put it down. The boy's face was red with embarrassment and he was ashamed.
Cai You saw the heat at this time, so he immediately took off his long cotton robe and put on short clothes and narrow trousers. He found someone to paint his mouth in vermilion and his face in pastel, and went on stage in person to sumo wrestle with the female artist.
Since the female artists were no match for him, they waved randomly. The female artists behind them came up together and trapped Cai You in the middle. They spun around like a revolving lantern, half jumping and half playing. They were all panting from exhaustion and dripping with sweat, and even more so. nice.
Emperor Daojun was immediately beaming with joy. At this moment, he had forgotten all the important events in the south of the Yangtze River...
Let's talk about Zhao Tao's return home after leaving the court. He made a calculation in his mind for a moment. This Jiangnan expedition was dominated by the Western Army. Emperor Daojun had the idea of preserving the strength of the Imperial Guards in the capital. Although he and Zhao Kai each led the way, as long as they held Jiangbei and Jiangxi are completed, not seeking merit, but seeking no faults.
In fact, there is nothing wrong with Emperor Daojun's arrangement. As long as the two Huaihe and two rivers are tightly strangled, and Fujian in the south is mountainous and inconvenient for the army to move, then the two Zhejiang provinces will be a situation of catching a turtle in a urn.
The only disadvantage is that Hangzhou has fallen. If Fang La has the foresight, the next step is to attack Jiangning, the capital of Jiangnan East Road. Once Jiangning is captured, he will then capture Runzhou and Taipingzhou, which will form a confrontation with Jiangbei. In this situation, relying on the natural dangers of the Yangtze River to temporarily defend the two Huaihe Rivers, the following may not be unable to deal with the Western Army led by Tong Guan.
But these are not immediate considerations. The decision will have to be made based on changes in the situation. No one knows what Fang La will do next.
Just a few days ago, after the Jiangnan incident, Zhao Tong had already sent someone to deliver a message to Huang Jue of Fujian, asking him to immediately lead the pirates. Taking advantage of the chaos in the southeast and the eyes of the world on the two Zhejiang provinces, he quietly went to Guangzhou to destroy Pu As long as the Hu people and the Pu tribe are wiped out, they can get countless gold and silver ships. When Huang Gu takes control of Fuzhou and controls Guangdong and Guangxi in the south, the situation will be complete.
Zhao Tong thought for a moment, then got up and went to Suiyulou again. This time the southern expedition was not as good as the last time he defeated Wang Qing. Wang Qing did not have as many troops and horses as Fang La, let alone many masters.
Fang La's subordinates like Wang Laofu and Chen Houtong are all masters, and according to Lianaza, the martial arts of the Seven Buddhas of Seven Lives and Seven Deaths are also extremely high. She has been observing for a long time, but she doesn't know which realm they are in.
In addition, there are Bao Daoyi, Shi Bao, Fang Jie, Deng Yuanjue, Chen Fan, Pang Wanchun, Wang Yin, Li Tianrun, Si Xingfang, Zheng Biao, etc., all of whom are highly skilled in martial arts.
There are also great leaders from various places, such as Suzhou Shisheng, Yuezhou Qiu Daoren, Chuzhou Hongzai, and Xianju Lu Shinang. They are not ordinary people, far from being comparable to Wang Qing's subordinates.
This time he not only wanted to take away all the capable military generals in the Guards and Military Division, but also some people from Suiyu Tower, and he also wanted to pick up the capable ones and take them away.
In addition to being prepared for emergencies, he also has other ideas, which require close men to complete.
After arranging the manpower in Suiyulou, it was already getting late, so Zhao Tong asked Lei San to drive the carriage to Zhao Yuannu's place.
As soon as they entered the small courtyard, Zhao Yuannu Pingpingtingting came out to welcome her. Seeing that she was beautiful and charming, she said softly: "Your Highness, why do you have time to come to this slave's house?"
Zhao Tong glanced at her and said with a smile: "Take care of yourself and come with me to Yangzhou in three days!"
(End of chapter)
