Li Jing opened her mouth to speak but stopped, then nodded and said: "Continue reading."
Liu Jiangsheng obeyed the order and continued to read: "...Today the Han army has been defeated in Chenzhou and Yiyang. The enemy commanders are running for their lives and the army has declined. It is a God-given opportunity to regain the eight states in Guizhou. The advance cannot be delayed. However, the ruler of Lingnan claimed the destiny of heaven and regarded the Chu territory in his pocket. He was determined to be a traitor. According to the sergeant's report, the Han Dynasty had increased its troops in Chenzhou, and he pretended to be a strong army. However, after the battle, there were no casualties and no help. I knew full well that the army would be defeated by force. It’s hard to compete with the remaining strength. This is the second thing I said.”
"I beg your majesty to announce the decree to Dongxi as soon as possible to stabilize the hearts of the barbarians. This will not only stabilize the results of the war and secure the borders of the Chu land, but also allow the Wuping army to deal with the powerful enemy with all its strength. I have already arrived at Linyuan City in Chenzhou. Troops and horses were stationed along the border, and beacons were built along the line to provide timely warning in case something changes in Dongxi...
Both of them, your majesty, please recall the two generals Bianhao and Zhang Luan for serious crimes. These two people ignored your majesty's holy grace and lost their states and territories one after another, ruining the Heiyun army. Today, Li Jianqi of Tanzhou came to report. When the Han army besieged the city, these two People do not feel ashamed of defeat and do not worry about national calamity. Instead, they indulge in extravagance and enjoyment in the city. Their evil is so great that no one can tolerate it. If he behaves contrary to his will and causes trouble, he should not be punished. Is he afraid that the world will say that His Majesty does not know people well?
Once I take charge of Chu, I will never allow those who are incompetent and derelict in their duties to harm the army. I have no choice but to ask Your Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible so as to improve the overall situation of the Chu region..."
Liu Jiangsheng was a little frightened when he read this. He had heard that Li Yuan would directly state his ill health in the memorial, but he did not expect that his words were so sharp, and he couldn't help but secretly complain in his heart.
I saw Li Jing frowning, silently raising his hands to rub his forehead, and said in a deep voice: "According to Li Yuan's tone later, is he blaming me for being inaccurate in judging people and hiring people? He is really audacious!"
Liu Jiangsheng was anxious. He was about to open his mouth to tell the difference when he saw Queen Zhong smiling and saying: "Your Majesty, please calm down. I think Li Yuan doesn't mean that. Those who have merit will be rewarded, and those who are guilty should be punished. This is really unfaithful advice..."
"Queen, you talk too much today." Li Jing's face suddenly darkened, and her cold tone caught Mrs. Zhong off guard, so she had to keep silent.
"Have you not finished reading the memorial yet? Li Yuan just mentioned that the Han army will increase its troops to Guiguan, and there must be some requirements."
"Your Majesty is wise!" Seeing that Li Jing did not continue to pursue Li Yuan's sharp words, Liu Jiangsheng breathed a sigh of relief and continued to read: "Your Majesty has ordered his ministers to eliminate the barbarian enemies in Lingnan. However, the Han Dynasty has sent more troops to Chu and is watching with eager eyes. Even if I can lead an army to conquer Guangxi Province, I will not be able to sustain the power of the whole country in Lingnan with the remaining troops under my command. If things go on like this, I will probably lose all my achievements...
Since the two countries are bound to have a war, it is better to win by surprise than to be exhausted by a long war. I am not talented, so I am willing to go south, first pacify Guizhou and manage the eight states, and then destroy the puppet capital and build the royal palace, wipe out the Liu family water bandits, and survey Lingnan in one fell swoop, so as to serve Your Majesty again. Prosperity of the Tang Dynasty! I would like to ask your Majesty to increase the number of troops. If you can provide money and food...
"Wait a minute!" Li Jing looked obviously shocked and said with his eyes wide open: "Is Li Yuan kidding? After all, he is young and reckless. He has stopped fighting. It is understandable that he wants to take advantage of the victory to take Guiguan. How can he? Do you have the confidence to attack and destroy the Han Kingdom in one fell swoop? Now he is the governor of Langzhou who controls the entire Chu region. He can move his whole body with a single move and send out three armies with a single order. How can he act impulsively out of anger? Do he think he can do anything? The battle is invincible..."
After saying the last sentence, Li Jing suddenly stopped in time, and suddenly felt an inexplicable embarrassment. Let alone, so far, Li Yuan has indeed been victorious in every battle. There is no way to deny this.
Sensing the strange look on Li Jing's expression, Liu Jiangsheng immediately bowed and said: "Your Majesty, regardless of whether the governor is reckless or not, the last general has just experienced a great battle. Our Wuping army fought first against Dongxi and then against the Han army. The soldiers suffered nearly 10,000 casualties and a great expense. The money and food are huge, all in order to live up to His Majesty's expectations...
Your Majesty, the Commander-in-Chief is loyal, courageous and sincere, and has always understood the difficulty of spending money for the imperial court. Therefore, I, the town of Wuping, have always borne the expenses on my own. If I were not stretched, how could I dare to ask Your Majesty..."
Li Jing had a headache and waved his hand: "It is easy to allocate money and food. As for increasing the number of soldiers, this matter is no small matter. The governors of each town are asking for an increase in the number of soldiers. Although your town of Wuping does not need to bear the burden of the court, the local The expenses will definitely increase, and the people under Wu Ping are also my subjects! What’s more, the court has its own laws and cannot increase troops at will. Wu Ping’s army has already increased its number of troops before, and there can be no more..."
Not allowing Liu Jiangsheng to ask any more questions, Li Jing added impatiently: "I can't promise you. All these matters will be discussed after the officials from the Ministry of Personnel enter the palace."
Obviously, Li Jing's mind was still focused on the bloody silk book, and the truth naturally determined the emperor's subsequent attitude towards Li Yuan. Liu Jiangsheng could only hand over his hand and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, I will obey your order!"
...
The night was getting darker, and suddenly there was a "bang" of thunder, and it began to rain in Jinling City. This was a rare heavy rain in Jinling City since the beginning of autumn. It poured down endlessly, lasting for half an hour, and the rain continued. No weakening seen.
Even for Jinling City, a prosperous capital that was considered advanced in urban construction in this era, the torrential rain had a great impact. Water accumulated on the streets as deep as the feet, and the water level of the Qinhuai River soared to almost level the bank. The ponds and lakes in the palace were full of water, and waterlogging occurred in many places in the city.
Everyone was frightened by the heavy rain. The people closed their doors and stayed at home worriedly, praying that the heavy rain would stop soon, lest the drainage system in the houses was not smooth and caused water to flood into their homes and ruin their homes. everything.
But not everyone is concerned about the impact of the heavy rain.
On a rainy night, several men wearing coir raincoats and hats riding horses were galloping down a flooded street. They sped out from Imperial Street, turned east through Qingxifang, went straight across the floating bridge, and then arrived at the East City Gate.
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The night garrison reluctantly stepped forward to ask in the heavy rain. Before they could find out the identity of the other party, a man on horseback waved his wet waistband in front of his face. The soldiers immediately shut up and quickly opened the city gate. The fast horses galloped past, and the water splashed by the horses' hoofs splashed on the faces of several soldiers, but they did not even dare to wipe it.
Go from the east gate and run for thirty miles to Zhongshan, where the tiger is sitting on the dragon's side. Apart from the former Anding Palace of Prince Zheng and Li Congjia, the most conspicuous building is the mansion of Xu Xuan, the right prime minister and minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
At this time, Xu Xuan was lying on the bed in the bedroom, with a hot towel on his head, his eyes closed motionless, listening to the sound of the pouring rain outside as if sleeping, his brows slightly wrinkled, making the weathered face under the candlelight even more so. Looks a bit older. Apparently, after learning that Wu Ping's envoys had arrived in Beijing and that Li Yuan had defeated the Han army, he, like his colleague Feng Yanji, fell ill at the same time.
"Prime Minister, Shen Zhao, the Minister of Civil Affairs, has come to ask for an audience. Do you want to see him or not?" The housekeeper of the Xu Mansion walked into Xu Xuan's room gently and reported in a low voice. He knew that Xu Xuan was not asleep. It was not because of his illness today. Ever since the letter written by King Zheng and Li Congjia was sent to Jinling a few days ago, Xu Xuan had been like this every day. Except when he went out to discuss matters, he almost always seemed to be asleep but not asleep. Not waking up, lingering on the bed every day makes people extremely worried.
Xu Xuan opened his eyes and sat up abruptly. The momentary dizziness almost made him sit still. Then he put his hand on his forehead and narrowed his eyes and frowned. The old housekeeper rushed forward to support Xu Xuan's body and held him behind his back. Put on some pillows.
"Don't worry about me. Go and ask Shen Zhao to see me." Xu Xuan closed his eyes and waved his hands.
The old housekeeper agreed and hurried out. After a while, footsteps were heard on the porch, the door curtain was lifted, and Shen Zhao, the wet servant of the Ministry of Personnel, stepped forward and bowed, saying in a deep voice: "Shen Zhao disturbed me late at night. Please forgive me, Mr. Xu! Is Mr. Xu feeling better? Something big is happening in the palace right now..."
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