After the Songshan Meeting, Zhang Jing and Cao Wei reached a consensus. In order to ease the tension between the two sides, they began to gradually withdraw large forces from Bingzhou, leaving only a small number to guard various passes.
Of course, there are tricks to this large-scale troop withdrawal.
It seemed that hundreds of thousands of troops were retreating in a mighty manner, with military flags covering the sky and the sun, and they retreated towards their respective garrison locations. But all this was just to deceive others, and only a part of the army was withdrawn. Among them, the Qinglong Cavalry Battalion and the Huben Cavalry Battalion secretly stayed behind. The most obvious thing that moved back was Zhang Ren's Dajun Banner.
You can see Zhang Ren's banner hanging high in the distance.
This purpose was naturally to let Cao Wei's hidden guards see clearly that Zhang Ren, the commander of Dajing's Bingzhou capital, led the army to retreat. At the same time, the Beizhou capital commander Lebat also retreated towards Yunzhong, and only the Luoyang capital commander Zhang Xian stood still.
Similarly, on the Jizhou side, General Cao Ren led his troops to retreat.
However, it is difficult to know how many tricks are hidden in Cao Wei's side. What is certain is that there must be many people left behind.
Zhang Xiu stayed in Panjiacheng for five days.
After meeting Chen Yu, the governor of Luoyang, and explaining some things to him, he set off back to Chang'an. The emperor's dragon carriage has not yet arrived in Chang'an, but the people of Chang'an are already so angry that they can't wait, because the front page of the Dajing Residence Newspaper has already reported a big news: Grand Military Parade.
In order to deepen the unity of the army and the people, Zhang Xiu decided to hold a grand military parade before the war, so that the people of Dajing could see the mighty lions of Dajing, and at the same time, it could also stimulate the people's enthusiasm to join the army.
The people were desperate, but the Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of War were very busy.
Not all public opinions on the Dajing Civil Code have been collected. The first nationwide Civil Code was distributed to prevent young people from causing chaos. The actual Dajing Civil Code is still being urgently compiled by the Ministry of Punishment.
Jingwu Palace.
The Jingwu Palace is an important place where hundreds of officials handle affairs. The palace is divided into three courtyards in the shape of a pin. The one in the middle is Shangcheng Pavilion. The two courtyards below are divided on the left and right, with the Government Affairs Yuan on the left and the Government Affairs Yuan on the right. Military Academy.
The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Industry are under the Military Affairs Council, and the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Ministry of Personnel are under the Government Affairs Council.
During this period of time, the busiest thing is the Military Academy, Dajing civil law, secret construction of dams, mobilization of troops and horses in Bingzhou, military parades, etc. The complicated things have made the people of the Military Academy very busy.
Early morning, in the middle of winter, the weather is bitterly cold.
At the beginning of Mao hour (five o'clock in the morning in later generations), Yan Xiang, the Minister of the Ministry of War, was wearing official robes and sitting in a warm sedan towards the Military Academy. He was a little too sleepy to open his eyes. The emperor is going to hold a grand military parade, which is when their Ministry of War shows its face. Since he became Minister of the Ministry of War, Yan Xiang has not made any outstanding political achievements. He will never let go of this opportunity now.
Because I was too excited, I spent half the night planning last night, which made me very sleepy this morning.
Suddenly, the sedan suddenly stopped.
The voice of the personal attendant came from outside: "Master, Prime Minister Liu's sedan is here."
Yan Xiang opened his bloodshot eyes, composed himself, and quickly got off the sedan. It was still dark outside, and the icy cold current poured in from his collar, which made him sober. Not far away, he saw a sedan slowly approaching, and it turned out to be the sedan of Liu Xiangfu.
Liu Ye is in charge of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Industry, and can be regarded as Yan Xiang's immediate boss.
Moreover, both of them are from the south and are relatively close to each other.
"Liu Xiang!" Yan Xiang bowed when Liu Ye's sedan arrived and stopped.
"It's Uncle Bang!" Knowing that the person outside was Yan Xiang, Liu Ye ordered people to put down the sedan, and he got off the sedan to let them go first. He and Yan Xiang walked towards the Jingwu Palace, and Yan Xiang took a half step back respectfully. Then, Liu Ye said with enthusiasm, "In one month, the Emperor will return to Kyoto. Regarding the military parade, your Ministry of War must come up with a feasible charter before the Emperor returns to Kyoto."
"Prime Minister Liu, we discussed with the Minister of War last night and have already made a preliminary plan." Yan Xiang and the Minister of War discussed the countermeasures in the middle of the night. He originally wrote the memorial and handed it in today, but he didn't expect that in I met Liu Ye on the way.
Liu Ye walked forward slowly and listened carefully.
Yan Xiang said: "Your Majesty held the grand military parade for two reasons. One is to let the people feel the majesty and power of our Dajing Lion. The other is to unite the army and the people and stimulate the people's enthusiasm to join the army. I'm afraid it will have a negative impact on Wei's war. There are many uncertainties, and the follow-up strength of the military must be guaranteed."
After hearing Yan Xiang's words, Liu Ye showed a satisfied smile on his face, "Your analysis is spot on! When the Holy Spirit's decree came, we in Shangcheng Pavilion discussed it for half a day before figuring out the Holy Spirit. I didn't expect you to be so..." You’ll understand soon! Let’s talk about the specific implementation steps.”
Yan Xiang: "Since it is a grand military parade, all branches of arms must be present. The cavalry, infantry, navy, Modao battalion, chariot battalion, speed chariot and strong crossbow battalions all have to select elite troops to participate in the parade. The army starts from the east It starts from the Xi'an Gate, goes half a circle around the city, and ends at the West Gate. The main venue for the parade of the holy throne and the officials is set up at Xi'an Gate."
Liu Ye nodded and added: "The Holy One also has another intention, which is to deter other countries. Your Ministry of War will reveal one or two of some newly developed secret weapons for them to see."
Yan Xiang laughed: "Of course, this will definitely make the people of Dajing shine."
The secret development of weapons by the Ministry of War is top secret. Even Shang Chengge does not know what the new weapon is. Only Yan Xiang, the Military Governor's Office and Zhang Xiu know about it. Others have no right to know and dare not know.
While talking, the two of them arrived at the entrance of Jingwu Palace.
Rows of "Qi Si Feng" lamps were hung side by side, illuminating the inside and outside of the Jingwu Palace. The sky is gradually getting brighter, but the cold is still strong, and it may snow.
Yan Xiang bid farewell to Liu Ye and entered the Military Academy.
As soon as I entered the door, I found that the light in the punishment department on my right was still on. I was surprised who could enter the palace so early. I pushed the door and went in. I saw Xiang Man, the Minister of the punishment department, lying on the kang and asleep, with a pen in his hand. , the candle lamps on the Kang table were almost burned out.
It looked like it was all night.
"These days have been hard on the Ministry of Justice, but next is the Ministry of War." With this thought in his mind, he went in to put a windbreaker on Xiang Man, but he didn't expect Xiang Man to wake up.
Rubbing his dry eyes, he saw it was Yan Xiang and immediately stood up respectfully: "Yan Shangshu!"
Although both of them are high-ranking officials, Yan Xiang has a noble status. He is the Marquis of Wanxiang, one of the top ten marquises. He has a high and powerful position and he does not dare to be disrespectful.
Yan Xiang smiled and said with concern: "You must have stayed up all night last night!"
Xiang Man said with a smile: "The Holy Lord has shown me great kindness. This trouble is nothing. But Lord Marquis, you came so early because of the military parade."
Yan Xiang nodded, glanced at a thick book of Yueying paper on the desk, and said, "We have almost collected the civil laws!"
Xiang Man: "It's almost done. I can hand it over when the emperor comes."
Yan Xiang stood up and said, "It's still early. If you rest for a while, I won't disturb you." After saying that, he stood up and walked out the door. Xiang Man hurriedly saw him off.
