Liu Zhiyuan's announcement instantly ignited the emotions of the entire army and also meant the complete break between Taiyuan and the Khitan.
New news is circulating in the army every day. Some say that Shi Chonggui has been executed by the Khitan Lord, some say that thieves are everywhere in the Central Plains, and some say that the Khitans are afraid that Liu Zhiyuan will send troops to Hebei to cut off the retreat, and have fled from Bianzhou. …
Guo Xin didn't really believe these rumors from unknown sources. There was only one thing that made him slightly confused, and that was Liu Zhiyuan's decision to send troops to welcome back the Jin Emperor?
You must know that the feud between Bianzhou and Taiyuan has been an open secret since Dashi Chonggui succeeded to the throne. Even when the Jin army and the Khitan people were fighting in Hebei in the past few years, Liu Zhiyuan was only appointed as the northern camp capital. The false name of the leader has no power to intervene in the war of various armies.
What's more, at this time, the legitimacy of the nobles of the Tian family has long become a joke, and no one will follow the old example of coercing the emperor to order the princes. The warriors in the feudal town now believe in the order of the emperor who has strong soldiers and horses, and whoever has the opportunity will be the first to do so. Thinking of becoming an emperor myself.
And whether judging from the subsequent historical results or the vague impression Guo Wei gave Guo Xin, it seems that Liu Zhiyuan is not a figure who is content with the status quo, and such a person probably has no reason not to become the emperor himself.
Guo Xin quickly figured out this through the subsequent actions in the army: Liu Zhiyuan was probably using the final role of the Jin Dynasty to invite names for himself, and by the way, he spread the news to interfere with the Khitan people's deployment, so as to prepare for subsequent actions.
Guo Xin waited in the army for a few days, and then someone brought a message from the city, saying that Guo Wei was at home waiting for him to return to discuss matters. Guo Xin couldn't think of anything important that Guo Wei would bring to him, but it should be closely related to the major events that were about to happen recently.
At this time, the atmosphere in the army was tense, and martial law was approaching everywhere. However, as a general, Guo Xin had no trouble getting in and out of the military camp, so he decided to go home first.
As soon as Guo Xin left the camp, he happened to meet Zhang Chenghua passing by with a few sergeants. Ever since he arrived, Zhang Chenghua seemed to be avoiding him intentionally or unintentionally, and almost never appeared in front of Guo Xin when nothing happened. Even if I have to show up during daily light-taking, I often don't want to say another word.
The expedition is about to begin, and he only has two men under his command. Wang Yuanmao seems to be unreliable on the battlefield. I am afraid that Zhang Chenghua will be needed in the actual battle, and the conflict between the two of them must be resolved as soon as possible.
The two met each other. Zhang Chenghua knew that he could not avoid it, but he happily saluted Guo Xin: "Guo Dutou."
Guo Xin responded with a salute on his horse: "Where has General Zhang gone?"
Zhang Chenghua pointed to the bulging cloth bags in the arms of several sergeants behind him, and said in a matter-of-fact tone: "Go get the dry food for Pontued in the middle of this month."
Guo Xin stopped his horse and already had an idea in his mind. He asked condescendingly on the horse: "Should Captain Zhang not let me know about this in advance?"
Zhang Chenghua's tone was indifferent: "I think Guo Dujiang is from a noble family, so he probably doesn't want to be troubled by such trivial matters, so we should take care of it for Guo Dujiang."
"But since the Zhang team general does not have a letter from the general, how did he get the dry food? A team general does not have a letter of seal and is not sent to the top. How can he go beyond the rank in the army?" Guo Xin said with a smile. But his eyes were fixed on Zhang Chenghua.
Zhang Chenghua knew that he was in the wrong and stood silently. The sergeants behind him looked at each other, not daring to say a word.
"Captain Zhang has a lot of affection for me, the third person on the left, so he always wants to do more things. Wang Yuanmao can't see this, but I know it, and Commander Zhang and I have the same idea."
But Guo Xin then changed to a very cold tone: "But the military commander still has to follow the rules. What will happen to the people below who don't follow the rules? Captain Zhang already told me on the first day, didn't he?"
Zhang Chenghua's face was surprised at first, and then showed a very embarrassed look. After a long time, he said in a deep voice: "I understand what General Guo said."
Guo Xin nodded upon seeing this and expressed satisfaction with Zhang Chenghua's attitude. These days of getting along with his generals, he has gradually understood that at this time, the army is generally full of arrogant and fierce generals, and it is impossible to control it by relying only on gentleness.
…
When Guo Xin returned to Guo's Mansion, he saw the familiar stone steps and square gate, as well as the peach charms on the red gate that had not yet been plucked. He felt a feeling of long-lost nostalgia, but he had only been away for only a few days.
"Brother Yi is back." Guo Shou heard the noise in the gatehouse and came out to lead his horse. "The Lord and Brother Rong are all inside."
At this time, Guo Xin noticed that there were several horses tied outside the main door and asked casually: "Are there any guests at home?"
Guo Shou smiled and gave it away: "They are all from his own family. Brother Yi will know it when he gets in."
Guo Xin walked into the main hall and saw that there was already a circle of people sitting inside. In addition to his father Guo Wei, eldest brother Guo Rong, and elder brother Guo Tong, there are also his deceased mother Yang's brother, his uncle Yang Tingzhang, and his brother-in-law Zhang Yongde, who became Guo Wei's son-in-law in his early years and is one year younger than Guo Xin... There are also three half-grown boys with tiger heads and tiger brains who have never seen them before, standing next to Guo Wei. They don’t know where they come from.
Everyone in the hall saw Guo Xin and greeted him one after another.
Guo Xinchao saw the ceremony and said with a smile: "Today is really lively."
"My son-in-law is back!" Guo Wei seemed very happy to see Guo Xin. He pointed at the empty seat next to Guo Rong that seemed to be reserved for him and motioned for him to sit down: "Except for Zhongjin who is still in the south, our son-in-law is all here. Done."
Guo Xin knew that Guo Wei was talking about his cousin Li Chongjin. He had been working as an errand at the Forbidden Army Palace in Bianzhou. After the Khitans entered Bianzhou, he never came back. He had been acting as Guo Wei's eyes and ears in the south... As he spoke, he looked at the man standing next to Guo Wei. The three of them are all boys of seven or eight years old, so they are also their son-in-law?
Guo Rong, who was standing next to him, saw Guo Xin's doubts and explained to him: "These three sons are also heirs of the same family. My uncle in Shunzhou just died of illness a while ago and was brought to join my father."
Guo Xin said oh, it seemed that Guo Shou was right, there really wasn't a single customer here.
As expected, Guo Wei lovingly touched the heads of the three children one by one, pointed at Guo Xin and introduced: "That is my second son, and he is also your elder brother."
After hearing this, the three children came to stand in a row in front of Guo Xin, and they all raised their hands to him in a dignified manner: "I have seen Brother Ercong..."
Guo Xin looked at the three childish faces and was in a good mood: "What are your names?"
"Guo Shoujun."
"Guo Fengchao."
"Brother Guo Ding."
After saying that, the three of them ran back to Guo Wei. Guo Wei asked with a smile: "How is Erlang doing in the army?"
"Everything is going well for the child in the army," Guo Xin paused, "Commander Wang Jinwang also takes good care of the child."
Guo Wei stroked his beard with satisfaction and said three good words in succession.
At this time, Guo Tong, who was sitting opposite, suddenly said: "But how did I hear that Brother Yi started fighting with someone the day before he left?"
"Brother cares about me very much." Guo Xin glanced at Guo Tong, "It was just a misunderstanding, and we didn't take action. We only had some disputes..."
Guo Tong shook his head: "Brother Yi has loved getting into trouble since he was a child, and he has never changed his temper."
Guo Wei smiled and waved his hand: "What's the matter! When I was Yi Ge'er's age, I already had several lives under my command. A good man should be so high-spirited."
"But the gossip ends here," Guo Wei stood up and looked around at his nephews in the hall.
Everyone's faces became serious when they heard this, and Guo Xin also waited with bated breath for Guo Wei to speak.
I saw Guo Wei looking out of the hall door and slowly said: "The situation in Hedong is going to change..."
