The national policy of the Northern Expedition was set, and the specific planning schedule had to be put forward. Xu Zongwen left Taiwan and returned to the Linhe County Duke's Mansion, and asked Zhang San to invite the two major planners, Xi Jian and Guo Shang.
Zhang San once defeated Lou County during the pacification of Sun En's Rebellion, and was appointed as a school captain. He served as the General of the Conquest of Beida, Xi Caoyu, and was introduced to the shogunate.
The matters that Xu Zongwen discussed with Xi and Guo were important. Last time, there was an assassination attempt by the Eagle and Dog Division in the county government. Zhang San was worried that there were still dirty hands and feet in the government. In order to keep it secret, he first ordered the wolf guards to secretly guard the study. All around, servants in the mansion were asked to guard the study at the same time. No one was allowed to approach within fifty steps. Then he stepped alone to invite Xi Jian and Guo Shang.
"This is a document sent by the Minister of Finance. We have no right to tamper with it. Let the Lord decide."
"No! It's better not to report this matter to my lord. My lord has been busy studying the strategy of the Northern Expedition these past two days. It's better to leave it to Wang Lingjun and Xie Zhongshu to handle it properly."
"Zijin, this matter involves nobles and should not be dealt with hastily!"
"Brother keeping the promise, why do you need to worry about this? An imperial scholar is just offering wine. Is it possible that the Nanyang Fan family can compare with Wang Yuhuan Xie?"
"Zijin, this matter is extraordinary. If it is not handled properly, Xie Zhongshu will think it is the Lord's intention. It is a small thing to make people misunderstand, but it is a big thing to make Xie Zhongshu feel chilled."
…
Before Zhang San went to invite Xi and Guo, someone reported that they had arrived in the study early in the morning. When Zhang San saw Xu Zongwen going to the backyard to change clothes, he first sent some bamboo slips and silk books.
Before they even entered the door, the two people's disputes could be heard inside. Zhang San didn't dare to ask any more questions, so he hit something and went into the study.
"Xi Changshi, Guo Jijiu is fine!"
"Commander Zhang is here."
When Xi Jian saw Zhang San entering the room, he quickly stopped arguing with Guo Shang.
Zhang San carefully arranged the bamboo slips and documents neatly, and saluted the two of them with a smile: "My lord has just returned home. Please wait a moment. My lord has important matters to discuss with you two gentlemen today."
Hearing this, Guo Chang's eyes flashed, but he said nothing because Xi Jian couldn't help being curious and asked for him: "Commander Zhang, I wonder what the lord wants to discuss today?"
Zhang San knew that Xi Jian was an old man who had followed Xu Zongwen for a long time, so he did not hide it: "Back to Xi Changshi, my lord's Northern Expedition has been approved by the auxiliary ministers, and the imperial court must be sending troops soon. As for the lord looking for him What are the reasons for you two and what do you want to discuss? With your intelligence, you must have already guessed it without Zhang San telling you."
The Northern Expedition passed the court decision, and it was very obvious what Xu Zongwen wanted to do next.
"Keep your promise, Zijin, you came so early." Zhang San was about to leave when Xu Zongwen strode in from outside with a bright face.
Xi and Guo hurriedly bowed down and said, "Lord!"
"Tell me about it! I heard the quarrel between the two gentlemen all the way away. What on earth could have caused you two to be in such trouble?" Xu Zongwen sat down and motioned to Xi and Guo not to be rigid.
Guo Shang said nothing, holding his breath and concentrating, looking like an old monk in meditation. Xu Zongwen didn't even look at him and turned his attention directly to Xi Jian.
"My lord! My lord, do you still remember that you personally told the Imperial Academy to draft a posthumous title for the late Governor Xie Shi to comfort people's hearts?" It made him a little embarrassed.
Xu Zongwen squinted his eyes. If it wasn't just a posthumous title, what could it mean? "Then what did Taixue mean?"
Xi Jian hesitated, but still mustered up the courage to squeeze out two words from his lips: "Xiang Mo."
The explanation of the posthumous title records that he is called Xiang because of his meritorious service, and he is called Mo because he is corrupt and loses his official position.
Xu Zongwen was stunned for a moment. There seemed to be a thousand words in his heart, but they finally turned into two words: "You have the guts!"
Could it be that Fan Hongzhi is out of his mind?
Xie Shi has just been laid to rest. If these two words spread, will the Nanyang Fan family still gain a foothold among the noble clan?
If Xie Xuan knew about this, Fan Hongzhi might not be able to stay in Jiankang, and he might not even be able to save his life!
"Let's find a reason to demote Fan Hongzhi! As for the posthumous title of Governor Xie, we don't need the ink characters. One Xiang is enough!" Xu Zongwen wanted to save Fan Hongzhi's life before the matter escalated. As for whether he could achieve it. It all depends on the magnanimity of Mr. Xie of Chen County and the destiny of Mr. Fan Hongzhi!
Xu Zongwen thought for a while, then pointed to the bamboo slips on Xi Jian's case: "Bring Fan Hongzhi's memorial."
"No!" Soon, Zhang San handed the memorial over his head to Xu Zongwen.
"The Grand Governor Xie Shi's "Please Xing Fu Guo Xue Shu" opened a school to extend Zhouzi's life, although it has not flourished... Since ancient times, good ministers and virtuous assistants have always served the king with morality, talked about it all day long, or served the country diligently, day and night. Lazy. For those below, love others and cherish your efforts to help with current affairs, so as to avoid the responsibilities of being in vain and having a vegetarian meal. However, Xie Shi is in a high position, and there are four indescribable reasons for his betrayal of his post."
"1. If you are appointed, you will talk about Taoism and sing words without any intention of being loyal to the country. If you keep your position, you are just a shelter, which cannot be called serving the king; 2. If you are in charge of the capital and the capital, you will never tire of amassing it, which cannot be called a serious person; 3. Sitting on the masses and invading the people ..."The Book of Songs" says: To wander far and near, to be filled with resentment in the hearts of many, cannot be called loving; 4. To work in vain on earthwork, to think in ingenuity, to spend all your spoils in maids and concubines, to use wealth in silk tung, cannot be called pity. Strength is a great harm to people and ministers, and it should be taken away if there is a country to warn future generations."
Xu Zongwen read Fan Hongzhi's memorial word for word. He had to say that Fan Hongzhi was worthy of being an imperial scholar. With his literary talents and his courage to give advice, he was indeed a famous minister.
However, Xu Zongwen could not allow Fan Hongzhi to stay in Jiankang in the current situation. People like Fan Hongzhi were too upright. He had previously broken with the blood-related Wang family of Taiyuan for the sake of justice, but now he had no hesitation in offending the Xie family of Chen County, and then let him If he stays in Jiankang, Nanyang Fan family will probably become the target of public criticism!
Let him return to the court after the Northern Expedition is over!
After hearing Xu Zongwen's decision, Guo Shang handed over another document: "Wang Lingjun recommended Xi Hui, Huangmen's servant, to be the general of Yangwei, and return to the lord's account to participate in the Northern Expedition." Guo Shang took out a letter from it: "This is Wang Lingjun recommendation letter."
Xi Hui is currently serving as the minister of Huangmen, serving as the provincial minister, leading the crown prince’s right guard. He is one of the most outstanding among the Xi clan in Gaoping. Xi Hui is also the grandson of Taiwei Xi Jian. He is well-known among hundreds of officials and has also led troops. He is a rare person. All-rounder in civil and military affairs.
Xu Zongwen said categorically: "Let Xi Hui go north with the army. The Northern Expedition requires a steady stream of talents. As I say, anyone with talent can join the shogunate. I will take up the post according to their talents."
"No!" Xi and Guo responded with loud voices.
"Now let's discuss how to march." After Xu Zongwen dealt with Fan Hongzhi's matter, he ordered Zhang San to hang up the map of the north.
Talking about the war, Guo Shang said eloquently: "According to the plan, all the main force of the Xiaoqi Army was committed to Guanzhong. The general of the town army led the troops of Yanzhou, Qingzhou and Xingyang Liu Laozhi to go north to attack the State of Yan. We cannot let the Yan army attack Bingzhou too much. smoothly……"
Xu Zongwen stood up, stroked the map, and said solemnly: "With the military power of our Cavalry Army, there shouldn't be much problem in dealing with the enemies in Guanzhong. Guanzhong and Yizhou will be ours sooner or later!"
Xi Jian looked at Xu Zongwen's tall back and asked: "My lord, the heroic cavalry army suffered heavy losses during the Sun En Rebellion. Do you want to continue recruiting?"
"No, soldiers are more expensive than more. So many people will consume more food and grass. Murong Chong in Guanzhong only has 30,000 to 50,000 men. These people are just stragglers. It is easy to deal with Fu Jian's remaining soldiers and defeated generals. But compared with our well-trained Cavalry Army, I'm afraid they are no match!"
The military strength of Murong Chong's men was not the same as that of Murong Chui. They were stronger than Murong Chui. Wasn't it also a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Bailangdu by the Xiaoqi Army?
Xu Zongwen paused and thought: "As for Fu Jian, he is already in danger. Leave Yao Chang, Qi Fu Guoren and those rats aside for the time being. If we show our Jin army's banner, they will not hit the stone with an egg, but will surrender obediently. These things The Hu people are naturally afraid of strength and dare not take the initiative to provoke our Western Expeditionary Army."
Yao Chang and Qifu Guoren have a small territory and limited power. Provoking the Jin army will undoubtedly lead to their own destruction. They are as cunning as foxes and not so stupid!
"So, my lord, is he going to sit in Luoyang and direct the overall situation?" Seeing that Xi Jian stopped talking, Guo Shang asked a crucial question.
"No! I will not stay in Luoyang. I will go north to attack Yan with the general of the town army. The military affairs in Guanzhong will be handed over to Shen Yu, Zheng Lue, and Tian Luo. Zhang Gui will be transferred to assist. Shen Chong will be responsible for guarding Luoyang. Pei Fu The machine is in charge and is coordinating the food, grass and military equipment!" Xu Zongwen turned his head sharply and turned to Xi and Guo. The pressure in his eyes made them tremble involuntarily!
Sure enough, the lord didn't take Murong Chong and the Qin army in Guanzhong seriously at all. The only one he could regard as an opponent was Murong Chui!
The next day, with a green thunder horse and a steel knife, Xu Zongwen left Jiangzuo where he had stayed for half a year. The dust kicked up by the Wolf Guard cavalry along the way made this general who had been away from the battlefield for a long time look resolute and cold.
"Central Plains, Guanzhong, the world—I, Xu Zongwen, am here!"
