Spring has been here for a long time, and it is the season when all things are vigorous and restless.
At this time, Jinling City seemed to be restless. Xu Kuangheng, Liu Jiangsheng and his party traveled long distances for several days. Ever since they entered the south gate of Jinling, they saw galloping messengers coming and going in a hurry from time to time. The dust was flying during several shocks, which caused a lot of discussion among passers-by on the street. Not wanting to think too much, the two of them followed Li Yuan's instructions and decided to divide their forces into two groups. Liu Jiangsheng rushed back to his house to pick up his family and left the city, while Xu Kuangheng went straight to the Zhou Mansion in the east of the city.
Zhou Zong still behaved like an amiable elder. After Xu Kuangheng greeted him respectfully, he told Li Yuan what Li Yuan had told him truthfully and tactfully in his own way of expression. As expected, Zhou Zong listened patiently, thought for a moment, and agreed to Li Yuan's request, such as recruiting merchant ships and postponing the wedding.
Seeing that his efforts were not in vain, Xu Kuangheng breathed a sigh of relief and said with a joyful expression, "I would like to thank the commander-in-chief for staying behind!"
At this time, Zhou Zong just stared at Xu Kuangheng quietly, and then frowned for some unknown reason.
After all, Xu Kuangheng had been immersed in officialdom for many years, so he asked tentatively: "I would like to ask, why is Zhou Liushou worried?"
Zhou Zong sighed and seemed to hesitate in his heart. Finally he couldn't help but said: "Xu Changshi, I know that you are a great talent under my virtuous son-in-law. I wonder if you can give me some advice?"
Xu Kuangheng quickly replied: "Guidance is out of the question. Zhou stayed behind but it's okay to say it. I'm all ears!"
As if he was worried about something, Zhou Zong deliberately lowered his tone and whispered: "Recently, messengers have been coming from the north of the Yangtze River to report that our Northern Expedition army has been repeatedly frustrated under Xuzhou City. The Zhou Dynasty has divided its troops to go south. Chen Jue has written six memorials in a row, asking your Majesty to hurry up. We sent reinforcements and heard that General Liu Yanzhen was seriously injured and his life and death are still unknown! Three days ago, I heard that the Emperor Guo Wei of the Zhou Dynasty personally wrote a letter and sent it to Jinling. The letter was full of humiliating words for the Tang Dynasty. Your Majesty I got furious at the court meeting because of this..."
Seeing Xu Kuangheng's expression on his face and saying nothing, Zhou Zong continued: "The war in Guiguan is not going smoothly either. The armies of Bian Hao and Zhang Luan were defeated by Pan Chongche of Han Dynasty one after another. Now the remaining army is huddled in Chenzhou. , is begging the imperial court to send troops to rescue! Alas! The defeats in the north and south are reported one after another, and the fate of our country in the Tang Dynasty is worrying! I am heartbroken about this! "
Xu Kuangheng lightly twirled his long beard and thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "Then what does Your Majesty mean? Is it war or peace?"
"The two parties in North Korea and China have been quarreling fiercely in recent days, but your majesty may be more confident because of the victory in the last Western Expedition. In addition, Guo Wei's words have gone too far. Now he has no intention of ending the war! Your majesty has ordered the requisition of money and food again and is preparing to send reinforcements!"
Xu Kuangheng shook his head and said: "The north and the south started fighting at the same time, and suffered repeated defeats! Not to mention that the soldiers were exhausted and the people were grieving. If things go on like this, how can our country's national power be sustained for a long time? I wonder who your majesty is going to send for reinforcements?"
"In the war in Chu, your Majesty has ordered Li Jianqi of Tanzhou to send troops to rescue!" At this point, Zhou Zong's face suddenly darkened: "As for the north, in addition to dispatching Liu Renzhan's troops to defend the border, your Majesty did not know who else listened to the suggestion. Prepare to let King Yan lead the Northern Zhou Dynasty!"
Xu Kuangheng had probably heard a thing or two, and then asked: "Is Zhou Liushou worried about King Yan?"
Zhou Zong knew that Xu Kuangheng was Li Yuan's confidant, so there was no need to hide it. He said bluntly: "Exactly! I watched His Highness King Yan grow up! Although Your Highness has been practicing martial arts since childhood and has read many military books, he is still young and energetic after all. Sheng, and has never experienced war! Once defeated-"
Xu Kuangheng directly interjected: "If we lose the battle, and there are recent rumors that are not conducive to King Yan, I am afraid that King Yan's position will be in jeopardy, and the fight for the heir apparent will also be hindered, right?"
"Alas!" Zhou Zong nodded heavily without comment.
As Li Yuan's best adviser, Xu Kuangheng knew that Zhou Zong had a close connection with King Yan. It was normal to have such worries. But there was always something strange today. Xu Kuangheng still couldn't figure it out. After all, Zhou Zong was a veteran of the founding of the country. Although he retired, The court, but the former disciples and old officials are all over the world, why do you need to make a special trip to ask for advice from this little long history of Wuping?
After a moment of silence, Xu Kuangheng said calmly: "Zhou Liudu, please forgive me for speaking frankly. King Yan is going north, but does he need my commander to send troops to help?"
Hearing this, Zhou Zong was stunned for a while, swallowed his saliva and said: "Xu Changshi knows me! No one in the Tang Dynasty knows that my virtuous son-in-law is a famous general in the world. If he can send troops to help, maybe His Highness's situation will be better! I I was about to report this matter to His Majesty..."
Xu Kuangheng waved his hands before he could think too much and said: "Zhou is left behind. It's difficult for the commander-in-chief at this moment! Although the commander-in-chief is called the Commander-in-Chief of the Wei Sheng Army and serves as the envoy of Wuping, the right wing of the Wei Sheng is still in the hands of Li Jinquan, and the left wing is still in the hands of Li Jinquan. Most of them were taken away by Chen Shixiang. At this moment, he has only ten thousand people, and he is also responsible for guarding the land. I am afraid that he is powerless! Even if he sends troops to the north, thousands of soldiers and horses will face the powerful Zhou Kingdom, and it may not be of any help!
To be honest, my trip to Jinling was on the orders of the commander-in-chief to ask the imperial court for permission to expand the army in Wuping! "
Seeing Xu Kuangheng take out a letter from his pocket, Zhou Zong hesitated and said: "Xu Changshi, can you let me see it?"
Xu Kuangheng smiled and handed it over: "Please leave Zhou behind! I haven't had time to submit it to the Privy Council, and this letter happens to be unsealed..."
After talking for a long time, Xu Kuangheng felt his mouth was dry, so he turned his head and signaled, and the maid on the side quickly stepped forward to add more tea. After Zhou Zong read it carefully and fell into deep thought, Xu Kuangheng spoke first: "Zhou stayed behind. The commander-in-chief made it clear in his letter that we have no choice but to expand our army in Wuping! We are enemies from the north and south. It is difficult to move without troops, and it is difficult to fight with bare hands." ah!"
Seeing Xu Kuangheng's unhurried look, Zhou Zong seemed to have some plans in mind, and said calmly: "Li Lang is my good son-in-law, and he will take care of his own affairs! Leave the matter of army expansion to me!"
Xu Kuangheng smiled faintly, then raised his hands and asked: "Zhou stayed behind, the commander-in-chief ordered me to rush back to Langzhou as soon as possible! So I boldly ask, how long will it take to accomplish this?"
Zhou Zong simply threw up his robe sleeves and replied decisively: "I will enter the palace immediately to meet the saint."
"I would like to express my gratitude to Zhou Liu for staying behind, Marshal!"
"Xu Changshi, what about sending troops?"
Xu Kuangheng explained sincerely: "Zhou stayed at Mingjian. If the imperial court ordered Wu Ping to go north, how dare the commander-in-chief disobey the order? But even if the imperial court allowed the expansion of the army, the commander-in-chief would still need time to train the new soldiers. If he sent troops in a hurry, he might miss Yan's troops. King!"
"Xu Changshi's words are reasonable. I also went to the battlefield with the late emperor, so I naturally understand."
Xu Kuangheng lingered for a moment and continued: "Zhou stayed behind. I have another question. If the commander-in-chief sends troops north this time, it will be a long way to get to the Zhou Kingdom. If the war is in a stalemate, what will happen to the commander-in-chief and his wife? I'm afraid the marriage will be postponed again, and if I keep delaying it to this point, I'm afraid it will be criticized..."
"Well, it's just that I haven't thought about it well. The wedding date really can't be delayed any longer! So Xu Changshi, what do you think we should do?"
Xu Kuangheng stood up and cupped his hands and said: "The marriage between the two families is urgent! Without further ado, please give Zhou Liushou a personal letter to me. When I get off, I will ride back to Langzhou and ask the commander to come to welcome the bride immediately!"
Zhou Zong nodded repeatedly and made a decisive decision: "That's very good! I will ask the servants in charge of the mansion to carry the daughter's dowry, followed closely, and send it to Langzhou..."
