Li Tao, the assistant minister of Zhongshu, was dismissed by the emperor!
A piece of news suddenly spreads among the people, and people who don't know whether it is true or not are talking about it after dinner, but the secrets are often more tortuous than the gossip in the streets. Guo Xin is one of the few people who fully knows these secrets.
Li Tao used the excuse of Zhao Siwan from Guanxi to occupy Chang'an, intending to exclude the two privy envoys from leaving the capital. However, Yang Bin learned the news from the palace in advance, discussed with Guo Wei overnight, and went to the palace early in the morning to cry in front of Empress Dowager Li. Then he came up with a preliminary strategy to pacify Zhao Siwan.
The strategy began with a series of new appointments to the Guanxi Jiedushi envoy. Wang Shouen, the Jiedushi envoy of Jingnan (Pizhou), was moved to Yongxing (Chang'an), and Zhao Hui, the Jiedushi envoy of Baoyi (Shaanzhou), was transferred to Yongxing (Chang'an). Fengxiang Jiedushi replaced Wang Jingchong who was also ready to make a move in Fengxiang Mansion.
The second step is to order a group of forbidden troops to go to Kansai as soon as possible to keep an eye on Zhao Siwan, stabilize the chaos between the government and the opposition, and at the same time try to prevent the situation in Kansai from deteriorating further.
The appointment of personnel at the upper level has a distant relationship with Guo Xin, but the selection of the Forbidden Army for the expedition is directly related to him. Nowadays, Feng Guojun, the main infantry force of the Tokyo Forbidden Army, is undoubtedly the court's priority for overseas expeditions. Even without Guo Wei's reminder, Guo Xin is convinced that he will go on another expedition now.
Sure enough, within two days, the Privy Council passed the news in advance, ordering Guo Xin's Fengguo Zuoxiang First Army to march to Kansai. Wang Jin, as the commander of the Zuoxiang First Army, was naturally the leader of this army.
Although the news of the expedition was known to everyone, the military order officially announcing the date of departure had not yet been officially issued by the Privy Council. In order to prepare for his army's expedition, Guo Xin simply took Guo Pu and lived directly in the Forbidden Army barracks.
As the commander, Guo Xin notified his army early to prepare for the expedition. Under the supervision of the deputy commander Zhang Chenghua, Guo Xin stored all the items needed for the expedition: from leather pots for drinking water to armor for the battle. appropriate.
Guo Xin did not give the order himself, but just rode on his horse and arranged for the captains to supervise the soldiers to prepare and wait for the order. At this moment, looking at the generals busy in various places in the camp, I unconsciously began to dream of a forbidden army on the horse.
Since the Liu family took control of Tokyo, although they intended to enrich the Hedong pro-army into the Forbidden Army, first Du Chongwei's rebellion in Weizhou, and then the sudden death of the late emperor Liu Zhiyuan, caused the reorganization of the Forbidden Army to be put on hold again and again. At present, the combat strength of various compartments of the Forbidden Army is uneven, and generals at all levels are also numerous in the mountains such as the cavalry army, infantry army, Hedong army, and Qianjin army. Even on the surface, with potholes on the ground, dilapidated barracks and no money for repairs, it is difficult to have high expectations for the current Forbidden Army.
Wasn't Wang Jingchong, who was born in the Forbidden Army and was ready to make a move in Fengxiang, an example of the Forbidden Army's arrogance and neglect? What's more, Wang Jingchong was even a general appointed by the late emperor.
Guo Xin came to his senses and shook his head slightly. He shouldn't think too badly about his family's situation before setting off for the expedition. No matter what, the Tokyo Forbidden Army has good food and clothing, and is fully equipped with armor. Although there are many shortcomings, it is definitely better than the vassal army in outer towns.
At this moment, a military man in full armor came over to greet him. He said that Wang Jin, the commander of the army, would invite several commanders of the first army in the left chamber to discuss matters.
Guo Xin hurriedly told Guo Pu a few words and then went with the soldiers to discuss the matter. Soon he saw Wang Jin in the main hall of the left wing. He cupped his fists and saluted the king: "I have seen Wang Yuhou, last general."
"Brother Yi, please sit down first." Wang Jin waved his hand casually, pointed to a seat nearby, and lowered his voice and said, "Brother Yi, please stay for a while when you're done."
Guo Xin nodded and agreed to Wang Jin, who was looking at him with a smile. He suddenly felt that Wang Jin, who was originally dark and strong, now looked fatter in face and body than before. Looking from a distance, he looked like a briquette. He secretly thought of Tokyo. The days since then are probably very moist.
The two chatted for a while, and when the remaining four commanders and generals of the left wing of the First Army arrived one after another, Wang Jin simply read out the Privy Council's departure instructions to a few people.
"...Hezhong Mansion does not obey the decree, and the Zhao family in Chang'an is causing trouble. The officials and the Privy Council have issued orders, and our army will immediately set off to Guanxi in three days."
Several people present were quite surprised when they heard this. You must know that it takes time for the imperial court to assemble the army, recruit vehicles, horses, food and fodder. They will set off on the road three days after the order is issued. It is not in a hurry. Guo Xin was not surprised by this. He knew that this expedition was not only for the imperial court to send troops to Guanxi to explore the way, but also involved the battle between the Privy Council and the Political Affairs Hall in the court. The earlier the expedition was launched, the sooner the advantage would be gained.
Wang Jin paid attention to the expressions of several people. He paused for a moment on Guo Xin's face, and then continued calmly: "Now we are no longer the vassal army in Hedong, but a serious imperial general of the imperial army. Guanzhong is full of thieves right now, and it’s time for the brothers to kill them all so that they can share the worries of the imperial family. I won’t be happy when the class teacher returns to the court and will be rewarded with honors!"
So there was no more words in the hall, and everyone held their fists and accepted the order.
After everyone said goodbye and left, Guo Xin asked Wang Jin: "I wonder if the Marquis of Yu has anything to ask the general to do?"
Unexpectedly, Wang Jin shook his head and said, "It's not that I have something to ask Brother Yi, but the host wants me to ask Brother Yi something."
Guo Xin couldn't think of anything Xie Hui could ask him, so he nodded: "Marquis Yu, it's okay to ask."
Wang Jin looked like he was hesitating to speak, and stammered: "Master Jie asked me to ask Brother Yi yesterday, does the death of Li Chongxun have anything to do with Brother Yi?"
Guo Xin was shocked at first when he heard this, and then quickly thought that Xie Hui had been hanging out with Shi Hongzhao very eagerly recently, and the person responsible for investigating Li Chongxun's case was the Guards Department headed by Shi Hongzhao. Was it the Guards Department that discovered the clues? If this is true, it may be a big deal in Shi Hongzhao's hands. Fortunately, Shi Hongzhao had a close relationship with the Privy Council. Even if it was determined that Li Chongxun was killed by himself, he would most likely not make any fuss about it. Rumor has it that asking questions may be a warning. But no matter what, there is only one answer for now.
Guo Xin shook his head and looked at Wang Jin sincerely: "Wang Yuhou still doesn't know who the general is? Although Li Chongxun and I compete on the court, it can't be called a feud. What reason would the general have to cause trouble and kill him? The Li family has always He is arrogant and domineering, and he must have many enemies in Tokyo."
"What a coincidence! That's exactly what I told Master Xie, but the Master insisted that I ask Brother Yi." Wang Jin betrayed Xie Hui without hesitation, and then he stroked his beard and said comfortingly: "Brother Yi, don't do it either. You have to be careful, I think the host is just curious. But it is true that people in Tokyo are impetuous now. There are even rumors from above that Li Shouzhen caused rebellion because his son Li Chongxun died in Tokyo for no apparent reason. If the court can find the murderer, Hezhong Prefecture will become a vassal again, and Guanxi will free itself without a fight.
Guo Xin felt that this idea of self-explanation without fighting was completely ridiculous, and he laughed and said: "Li Shouzhen has been rebelling for a long time, and the court is not unaware of it. Now that he has completely broken his face, is there still room for change?"
"Who says it's not?" Wang Jin patted the table and nodded with deep understanding, "Those swordsmen and pen-slingers have always only been able to talk about birdsong, and they were so frightened that they lost their eggs when they heard about war. Now that there is a war, it is not necessary to Are we relying on our warriors to fight tooth and nail to protect his glory and wealth?"
