Since Emperor Guangde came to power, he has been determined to implement the New Deal. Even if his ministers opposed it, his determination has never wavered.
In other words, no matter whether there is a rebellion in Liaodong or not, no matter how many rebels emerge in the empire, the New Deal must continue to be implemented. This is Liu Kan's bottom line.
The advancement of the people and the retreat of the country, the annexation of land, and the polarization between rich and poor will continue and intensify.
In layman's terms, the wheel of history is rolling forward and no force can stop it.
From this perspective, Deng Changxiong's attempt to persuade former brothers Paoze to surrender was doomed to fail.
However, this kind-hearted old general did not realize the source of the contradiction at this time.
The rebellion originated from the struggle between two lines and two systems, and the division was destined to be irreversible.
After Xing Zhongyi failed to persuade him to surrender, Duke Cheng Guo sent two more waves of envoys in the hope that He Longzhou would realize its lost ways and leave the city to surrender.
However, the Liaodong rebels' attack on the local tyrants to divide their land had touched Emperor Guangde's bottom line. Therefore, no matter what, it was impossible for He Longzhou and others to survive.
The night was deep, and whale oil lamps were burning brightly in the Qi army's large tent on the south bank of the Hun River. The tent where Duke Cheng Guo was located was as bright as day, with messengers coming in and out from time to time. Deng Changxiong was dressed in military uniform. Under his helmet, his temples were gray, and he was holding his hand at this moment. Holding the newspaper in front of the pond, he pondered in silence.
The training officer Xing Zhongyi and the battalion officers stood around, eagerly waiting for the order from Duke Cheng.
"Are reinforcements coming from Guan Nei again?"
Deng Changxiong nodded, then shook his head slightly.
"Additional firearms have been sent to the pass, including 3,000 siege guns, 50,000 rockets, and hundreds of airships. They will be transported by the navy to Shanhaiguan and will be here soon."
"This is a good thing. Why is Mr. Cheng Guo frowning?"
Deng Changxiong looked at Xing Zhongyi with a wry smile, handed the Tang newspaper to the instructor, and added: "Wu Aheng is coming soon, and Zhao Lijiao will also be transferred back from the Japanese country. The emperor is dissatisfied with the progress of the counter-rebellion, and will probably let the two of them take my place." .”
Everyone in the tent looked at each other in shock. They did not expect that Emperor Guangde would change his generals on the spot. Such an operation was really unbelievable.
"He Longzhou still wants to fight stubbornly, but with just his few troops, he cannot hold out for five days."
When they thought of Zhao Shujiao, the God of Death, everyone couldn't help but take a breath. If the Sixth Corps got involved, I don't know how many people would die in Liaodong.
"When the emperor was in Nanjing, his main concern was to annihilate all the rebels, leaving no chickens or dogs behind, and not allowing anyone to escape. Perhaps the peace negotiation was a mistake."
Deng Changxiong murmured to himself.
Xing Zhongyi saw what Duke Cheng Guo was thinking and lowered his voice: "Garrisoning troops under a fortified city cannot last long, and He Longzhou is the best at deceiving people. Many of our soldiers are veterans from Liaodong. If we let them Under the influence of the rebels, they collapsed without a fight.”
Compared to Deng Changxiong, Xing Zhongyi saw the situation more clearly.
At present, we must make a quick decision and put down the Liaodong rebellion as soon as possible, otherwise there will be endless troubles later, and maybe a few of them will be found in Liaodong.
"Mr. Cheng, I have something to say at the end of my life. I don't know whether I should say it or not?"
Xing Zhongyi looked up at Deng Changxiong and asked tentatively.
"Say it." Deng Changxiong sat back on his horse, his eyes fell on a map of Liaodong's mountains and rivers on the wall, and he fell into deep thought.
Xing Zhongyi winked at the generals, and they all exited the tent.
"Yesterday, General Mo was negotiating with the traitor He Longzhou at the top of Shenyang City. Many soldiers above and below the city heard it."
"So what?" Cheng Guogong said casually.
Xing Zhongyi said uneasily: "Although what He Longzhou said is treasonous and unethical, I saw that many sergeants in the city were already hesitant. I asked other training officers to investigate privately. Many soldiers believed that the rebel rebellion was justified... ···”
Deng Changxiong coughed twice violently, stood up with his long sword in his hand, and shifted his gaze from the Liaodong map to Xing Zhongyi.
"Pu Gang's soldiers will rebel, but the several regiments under my command will not!"
Xing Zhongyi echoed and expressed his thoughts.
"This is the truth. Cheng Guogong, no matter what, we must fight quickly and eliminate the rebels as soon as possible. Delay will cause changes. The emperor is already suspicious of us. If we continue to negotiate peace with the rebels and continue to encircle without fighting, it is estimated that Soon, our morale will be exhausted, and we will be unable to attack the city, and the emperor will not spare us. When Zhao Shujiao comes to clean up the mess, I am afraid that you and I will have to be buried with Pu Gang."
Deng Changxiong pondered for a long time and sighed, stroking his palms: "I have already given He Longzhou a chance. He is determined to be the emperor of Liao Dynasty. We can only help him and send him on his way."
Xing Zhongyi added: "Tomorrow we will attack the city with all our strength. The rebels will definitely be unable to withstand it. When they kill the people in the city to vent their anger, it will be a good time to boost the morale of our army."
At this time, the family records of the Qi army living in Shenyang City basically covered all the corps. The number of these family records was not only 8,000, but also 10,000.
Before raising the army, He Longzhou used the hostages in the city as an important bargaining chip for his rebellion. If necessary, he could use these hostages in exchange for his escape.
Now that the Qi army wants to win a quick victory, it must fight every fish and break the net, move forward without hesitation, and not be restrained by these family documents.
"What if the rebels don't kill Jiajuan, but just use them as hostages to hinder the siege?"
Deng Changxiong asked with a puzzled look on his face.
Xing Zhongyi looked around with murderous intent, gritted his teeth and said: "I'm afraid Cheng Guogong doesn't know yet, but when he came from Nanjing this time, the coir raincoat guards secretly handed over Pu Gang to our trainer. At this time, Pu Gang is in our hands. . Most of the rebels in Shenyang City are the remnants of the Eighth Corps. If Pu Gang is killed in front of them tomorrow, what do you think will happen?"
"I'm afraid this is inappropriate?"
"What's wrong? The emperor can use any means to implement the New Deal, and we should do the same to pacify Liaodong. Otherwise, you and I will end up worse than Pu Gang and others." When Xing Zhongyi said these words, his tone was particularly calm, as if he had been discussing for a long time. distant things.
"Mr. Cheng Guo, times have changed. Since you helped Emperor Guangde once, you should help him to the end. To be honest, the emperor is worried about the commanders of the regiments left by the Supreme Emperor. Pu Gang is just the beginning, and there will be more to come. There will be other generals who will be purged. Since Duke Cheng Guo is already your Majesty's servant, Quan should submit a petition at this time. After Liaodong is pacified, Your Majesty will naturally know who is a loyal minister and who is a treacherous minister..."
Deng Changxiong knew clearly that the chief instructor Xing Zhongyi standing in front of him appeared to be the instructor of the First Corps, but in fact he was the supervisory army sent to Liaodong by Emperor Guangde, representing the emperor's will. Unless he also imagined He Longzhou If you rebel like that, you will never disobey this person.
"Mr. Cheng Guo, I know. I know that you and Pu Gang are brothers from Paoze. You two are brothers who were killed together from Sarhu. You have a close relationship. I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to kill him. But now, This person wants to rebel against Da Qi. His subordinate He Longzhou has already arrogated the title of emperor and turned the army and people of Liaodong into enemies of Da Qi. No matter what, Pu Gang cannot be retained. If you still want to be a loyal minister of Da Qi, I also want my son in Nanjing to continue to be the commander of the Five Cities Military and Horse Division. I will kill Pu Gang tomorrow with my own hands. With one blow, my family and life will be saved, and the millions of lives in Liaodong will also be saved. Kill one person and save millions. People, which one is more important or less important, please consider it before Duke Cheng!"
Deng Changxiong did not listen to what Xing Zhongyi said. A picture of himself and Pu Gang working together appeared in front of his eyes.
The mighty general who once turned the tide in Linqing to save Da Qi, because he opposed Emperor Guangde's new policy, inexplicably became Da Qi's biggest traitor. He was arrested by the Capricorn Guards and was humiliated time and time again by officials with swords and pens. In the end, he returned. To be killed by his brother Paoze, I wonder what Pu Gang would feel at the last moment?
I can't kill Pu Gang?
Pu Gang cannot die in my hands.
Duke Cheng's face turned red, he clenched his fists, his eyes were blazing, and he looked at Xing Zhongyi who was standing opposite.
Xing Zhongyi looked back at Deng Changxiong in a tit-for-tat manner, neither humble nor arrogant.
The two sides faced each other a few steps apart.
"Gong Cheng, think twice before you act. Everything you have today, including the glory and wealth of the Deng family, is all in the hands of Duke Cheng. The emperor intends to marry the daughter of your family as his concubine... You have also seen it. Now all the corps have He is the emperor’s man.”
Deng Changxiong subconsciously looked at the door of the tent, where several battalion officers looked with cold expressions.
When he thought of his lovely wife and concubine at home, and his eldest son who had just served as the commander of the Five Cities Army, Deng Changxiong's clenched fists gradually loosened. As soon as his fists were loosened, his whole body quickly relaxed.
"I will act according to your plan. I will not interfere in this matter. You can handle it yourself."
Xing Zhongyi looked up to the sky and laughed, stepped forward to gently support Duke Cheng, and said with a kind face: "Gong Cheng understands the righteousness well and will not abandon the public for personal reasons. With the general here, my emperor has no worries. After this battle, the general will be the last." I personally ask for credit for Duke Cheng, hahahaha."
