After hearing what Li Yuan said, everyone present looked at each other in shock.
Who is Li Jinquan? It is no exaggeration to say that in the Southern Tang Dynasty, everyone from the court to the people knew his name. Because he was the adopted son of Li Siyuan, Emperor Mingzong of the Later Tang Dynasty. After the fall of the Later Tang Dynasty, he was reused by Shi Jingtang. He was appointed as the governor of the Anyuan Army. He was extremely brave and had a large number of troops. He was called the first general to be surrendered in the Southern Tang Dynasty.
Emperor Li Jing was naturally overjoyed that people like Li Jinquan surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. He specially issued an edict to announce this to the whole country. The general idea was that even the envoys and generals from the Central Plains had surrendered. This shows that I am the one who wants the people all over the world. It is destiny. The Lord is so...
On the other hand, they were very worried about him. After all, Li Jinquan did not go south unarmed. He still had 20,000 elite soldiers under his command. So after giving him a reward and exhorting him, he ordered him to be stationed at the border of Shouzhou and not to move unless called upon.
Li Yuan knew in his heart that the former emperor Li Jing appointed him as the envoy of the Wei Sheng military commander, directly replacing Li Jinquan, and added "Wei Sheng camp affairs" to the imperial edict. His intention was nothing more than to make Li Yuan Receive Li Jinquan's troops and horses.
How could this be so easy? For a surrendered general, being trapped on the border is very frustrating. The so-called removal of his military power is like killing his life. This is probably the trigger of Li Jinquan's rebellion.
Thinking of this, Li Yuan felt helpless. This emperor really has high hopes for me! This thankless task has been entrusted to me. Are you too naive or do you think Li Jinquan is being honest?
Good thing this time, Li Jinquan really rebelled.
Li Yuan sighed, and then asked: "Since your defeated troops came to ask for help on the order of Marshal Liu, what happened to Ezhou City?"
"Commander, we have no choice but to wait! Then the Ezhou guard heard that,"
"Did you ever mention that you were following Marshal Liu's military orders?"
"Of course I said it! But it was useless to say it. The soldiers guarding the city didn't listen at all. They neither allowed me to enter the city nor sent scouts out to investigate. It just kept going like this. I was hungry for a few days and finally left. Not moving, and having nowhere to go at this time..."
Looking at the sad faces of the defeated soldiers in front of him, Li Yuan said in a deep voice: "At this time, Marshal Liu is out on an expedition. It is always right for the defender to be more cautious. That's all, I will go over and take a look first."
After a moment, the defenders on Ezhou City heard that Wuping Jiedushi Li Yuan had arrived. After observing the flags, they quickly turned around to report. In less than half an hour, the cold south city gate finally opened, the suspension bridge was slowly lowered, and Ezhou officials of all sizes came out to greet them.
At the Wuchang Jiedu Envoy Office, Li Yuan also met Liu Chongjian and dozens of military and political officials. When he heard the name Liu Chongjian, his first reaction was that he must ask for help. To no avail.
Liu Chongjian, who is twenty-three years old this year, is not much older than Li Yuan, but his background is very different. As the most pampered son of Liu Renzhan and his wife Xue, he has been doted on by the whole family since he was a child. He is also well-educated in military science and arrogant. So when he grew up, he took charge of the military at a young age and has always been regarded as Liu Renzhan's son. successor.
And such a good son is indeed as his mother expected, "the Liu family will leave a name in history"! However, Liu Chongjian's reputation in history is completely different from that of his father Liu Renzhan, a loyal minister and good general who was respected even by the enemy emperor Chai Rong.
At that time, the Zhou army besieged Shouzhou. Liu Renzhan took the lead and held on for several months at any cost. However, this good son saw that the Zhou army was powerful and lured him with high-ranking officials and generous salaries, so he secretly plotted to open the city and surrender, and even made a special trip to surrender. Dad prepared a coffin...
Fortunately, several people who helped defend the city discovered something strange and reported it in time, so Liu Chongjian failed in the end. Later, Liu Renzhan was so angry that he almost cut him in half, but Xue and the generals persuaded him hard and relented and pardoned him.
This matter can really be described as "the father is kind and the son is filial"!
Li Yuan couldn't help but take a look at Liu Chongjian, who was sitting in the handsome position. He was a bit fat, fair and tender. He had a calm attitude, but it was not difficult to see the arrogance on his face.
"Deputy Commander Liu, I heard the report of the rout outside the city and said that Shouzhou was in urgent need. Your Majesty has led the army from Haozhou and ordered them to come to Ezhou for help. Deputy Commander Liu has the responsibility to defend the city and stick to the city gate. Shuai naturally understands, but why didn’t even a scout be sent out to investigate?”
As soon as these words came out, the civil and military officials in the hall began to whisper. Li Yuan could infer from the confusion on their faces that this matter might have been suppressed secretly by Liu Chongjian, so that most people did not know about it.
Seeing everyone like this, Liu Chongjian frowned slightly and replied jokingly: "I heard that Marshal Li is a famous general in the world and is favored by His Majesty. When I saw him today, it turned out to be the case! He was so majestic when he arrived in Ezhou and questioned me! City! Those defeated troops outside are just nonsense, how can Marshal Li believe it easily?"
Li Yuan responded calmly: "It's okay to just hear it from hearsay. But this matter is related to the security of the border. Now that the retribution has been reported, we need to investigate carefully. How can we just sit idly by and ignore it? If Shouzhou is really not safe, I will definitely The gate to the north of Tangjiang is open, and Jinling is in danger! If this is true, why should Deputy Commander Liu explain to your father and your majesty?
Your Majesty is a famous general in the world. If he sends someone to ask for help, he must have a purpose! I also ask Deputy Commander Liu to think again! We should immediately send out scouts to the north to find out the truth and make a decision as soon as possible! "
Hearing this, Liu Chongjian always looked disapproving, but Wuchang military commander Zhou Tinggou could not sit still, stood up and cupped his hands and said: "Deputy Commander, I am justified in saying this. Shouzhou is the gateway to the northern border of the Tang Dynasty. , must not be lost! If the commander really sends people to ask for help, how can we sit back and ignore it? Deputy commander, you are the son of the commander! Please also send scouts out of the city quickly. If the situation is true, the general is willing to lead the troops north!"
Liu Chongjian's expression changed and he shouted angrily: "When will it be your turn to make the decision for me again? Shouzhou and Ezhou are more than 800 miles apart. If the situation is really critical, how can distant water save a nearby fire? As the ancients said , It is unheard of to work hard to attack far away.
Since ancient times, there has been a dilemma between loyalty and filial piety. Since I am stationed in Ezhou, it is my responsibility to defend the territory of the Tang Dynasty. How can I rush to attack because of the love between father and son and waste my troops? Even though Shouzhou is in danger, I firmly believe that my father's military skills are as good as his own, and he can repel the enemy and return victoriously! "
What a dilemma between loyalty and filial piety! At this time, Li Yuan only felt that his heart was filled with panic. There was silence in the hall. Everyone present had learned about Liu Chongjian's methods. No matter how angry they were, how could they dare to refute? Zhou Tinggou had no choice but to sigh, turned around and sat down in frustration.
Li Yuan ignored him, turned around and scanned the crowd, and asked sternly: "Everyone, regardless of whether this matter is true or false, Marshal Liu is now on the front line, and his life and death situation is unknown. As subordinates, you are living in the rear, and you don't even go out of the city to inquire. Dare you? What’s your intention? I’ve heard for a long time that there are many powerful generals in Wuchang, but when I saw them today, I really thought they were a joke!”
Everyone couldn't help but tremble. Several military generals could no longer hold back any longer and clenched their swords around their waists angrily. However, several civil servants were calm and composed.
Liu Chongjian naturally heard that Li Yuan was deliberately provoking the general, and then sneered: "Commander Li, I respect you because you worship Wu Ping Jiedu! But this is Ezhou, not Langzhou, what rights do you have?" Are you talking nonsense here?"
Looking around, he saw that everyone was still unmoved and silent for a long time. Li Yuan decided not to be entangled anymore and said in a deep voice: "That's it. I'll finish my words here. You can do your own thing!"
Li Yuan turned around and left the government office, then quickly led the Qingqi out of the city from the north gate.
After learning that Li Yuan decided to change his route and head north, Lin Sichang said in shock: "Commander, aren't we going to Jinling? Wouldn't this delay the wedding ceremony?"
Li Yuanzheng had a headache and sighed helplessly: "It is important to welcome the bride, but now that Li Jinquan is rebelling, you must know that the soldiers under him belong to our holy army! How can I teach this commander to stand by and watch?"
Thinking of this, Li Yuan couldn't help but feel a little scared. Fortunately, he met these defeated troops. Otherwise, Li Jinquan led the Holy Guard Army to cause chaos. He must have been a hindsight when he was thousands of miles away. If the situation worsened, he might be blamed. One day I will blame it on myself...
Lin Sichang still advised with a worried look on his face: "Commander, we only have a thousand Qingqi on this trip. I'm afraid it won't help if we go there! It's better to go back to Langzhou to deploy troops and generals, and then make plans! What if something goes wrong with you? …”
Li Yuan shook his head decisively and said: "It's too late. I have made up my mind, don't try to persuade me any more! The country is in trouble, and since I have received so much kindness from Your Majesty, how can I care about my personal life and death!"
Seeing his commander's firm expression, Lin Sichang couldn't help but stand in awe. With his heart surging, he resolutely replied: "I will obey your orders! I am willing to die for the commander!"
