"Brother, I have thought about it all. Call me tomorrow to reassure the army, and the day after tomorrow I will lead my troops north to have a showdown with the Raozhou army!" Yang He waved his hand and said:
"Tomorrow I will confer you the title of Military Advisor General. Are you satisfied? Then the morale will be boosted, everyone under the king's banner will be brave, and it will be easy to defeat the army and several regiments!"
"Your Majesty's majesty is so powerful that five people can stop it." Wang Xi bowed and said with a smile, "Then I will thank you in advance and congratulate your Majesty. I wonder...how will your Majesty confer the title of marshal?"
"He is already a marshal, does he still need to be conferred?" Yang He seemed not to have thought of this problem.
"Your Majesty, when Li Yuan rose up in rebellion, he made his son Li Jiancheng the crown prince, Li Shimin the king of Qin, Li Yuanji the king of Qi, and Li Xuanba the king of Wei. Zhao Kuangyin of the previous Song Dynasty wore a yellow robe and made his son Zhao Dezhao the king of Yan. These are all the works of our predecessors. Precedent." Xu Hongzu bowed and replied.
"Oh, then... let him be the king of Yan!" After Yang He finished speaking, he pointed at Xu Hongzu: "In the future, you, the prime minister, should think more about this kind of thing for me. Oh, that's right. It's not about sending someone there. My name is Axing, why didn’t he come?”
"Your Majesty, the enemy is advancing. Marshal, he must be busy preparing to block the attack. Otherwise, when the enemy arrives at the foot of the mountain tomorrow, your ceremony will be disrupted." Wang Xi quickly replied: "Marshal also wants to ask you to give an order to have the surrounding teams to attack him. Get closer and say that at least 4,000 troops are needed to barely block the invading enemy."
"Well, I understand." Yang He frowned and interrupted him: "He wants soldiers and horses again. He has 8,000 men and can't use them. How many more do he want?"
Wang Xi smiled awkwardly: "Yes, I feel sorry for Your Majesty for this defeat. The marshal said that he will do his best this time...!"
"Oh, needless to say, these are useless!" Yang He frowned and sat up straight: "I will let Luohu's troops go to meet him. He doesn't need to promise me this or that. I just want him to let the ceremony happen tomorrow. Finished perfectly.
As for the Raozhou Army, I will lead my troops north to meet Ah Xing early in the morning. Then you will see how I lead the three armies to defeat the enemy! Hey, what's the point of worrying about a few officers and soldiers plus some regiment training? You go back and tell Ah Xing, and tell him exactly what I said! "
Wang Xi could only agree loudly with a smile, and then withdrew. Just as I took over the horse's reins from the soldier, I heard the "private soldier" whisper: "Someone is coming."
Wang Xi got on his horse and turned around. He saw that Xu Hongzu had already arrived in front of the horse. He made a move to dismount, but the other party quickly stopped him and said softly: "I'm here to see off the general and give a few instructions."
"Prime Minister, please tell me." Wang Xi was surprised that he chased him out and didn't know what to do, so he quickly clasped his fists and said.
Xu Hongzu made a gesture and walked towards the camp gate first. Wang Xi followed him on his horse. After walking a dozen steps, I heard Xu Hongzu say:
"My lord was instigated by Mrs. Huang, so he decided to proclaim himself emperor tomorrow. Everything has been prepared. How will the general report back to the marshal after he returns?"
"Of course I tell the truth."
"That might make the marshal feel knotty in his heart." Xu Hongzu smiled bitterly.
"This..., what does Mr. Xiang mean?"
"Feng Shuai doesn't agree with making A Bao the crown prince, but Wang Zhen can't tell. He doesn't care who is the crown prince. As long as Yang He says it, he will recognize it! Do you see anything?" Xu Hongzu tilted his head. He asked with his face tilted up.
"What is Mr. Xiang referring to?"
"I mean that half of the army is still on the side of the marshal. But it cannot be denied that the few people here in the camp are from the 'Yellow Party' faction." Xu Hongzu smiled at the word he invented and continued: "If the Yellow Party is eliminated, The army will follow Asing."
Wang Xi was taken aback. He wanted to look back and see if Yang He had sent anyone to follow him, but out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of the "personal soldier" behind him. He was relieved: "What do you mean by this, Prime Minister? I'm sorry for my ignorance."
"Haha, Wang Yidou, you really can't hear it?" Xu Hongzu sighed: "My lord is confused, we can't continue to follow the nonsense! At this time, it is only right to withdraw the troops quickly, what kind of ceremony and enthronement should be held? Alas!"
I'm afraid that the day after tomorrow, instead of us going to fight against the officers and soldiers, someone will touch the edge of the bed and beat us up! "
"Yu Jiang...has been lost."
Xu Hongzu turned around and trembled
: "What did you say? When did you know this?"
"Before I set off, some scattered people who fled back were taken into custody at Qiligang." Wang Xi replied, "As for whether Jinxi is still there, I don't know. The prime minister had better send some sentries in that direction to have a look."
"Oh! Okay." Xu Hongzu nodded and continued: "Please tell the marshal: Don't be benevolent to women. You must learn from Li Shimin, otherwise you will regret it!"
"The general knows." Wang Xi still couldn't help but look behind him, leaned down and asked in a low voice: "So, Your Majesty...?"
"He is too persistent and wants to live up to the emperor's addiction. He does not understand that the emperor does not sit on the throne because of many soldiers, but because of kindness and virtue. Ah Xing has these, but the master..." Xu Hongzu shook his head. :
"What's the use of vanity and an unrealistic name? It's just to let him eat, drink and have fun to the extreme.
I originally thought he was a hero, asking for help for the world and saving people from disaster, but apparently he only remembers the dragon chair now! After a fight, I was extremely disappointed! "
"So, sir, you want to support the marshal to take charge of the Jiangshan Army?" Wang Xi lowered his voice.
"That's what I meant!" Xu Hongzu nodded, but looked forward: "But I don't know what the marshal himself thinks?"
Wang Xi was overjoyed. He originally wanted to stir up the relationship between father and son, but now it seems that he has Xu Hongzu's help. "I will ask the marshal on behalf of the public," he replied.
Xu Hongzu was very happy. It would be best if he could put aside this stupid Yang He. He stood at the gate of the camp and handed over to Wang Xi: "General, if you can facilitate this, it will benefit the whole army and it will be a great contribution! General, go quickly, Xu is here to wait for good news!"
Xu Hongzu came out to see Wang Xi off, which made Liu Wei suspicious. He came out on the pretext of going to the toilet, and called Song Zhen and Zhang Zhen behind the tent. He said softly to them: "The man named Xu sent Wang Xi out of the camp. He is very ghostly!"
"Is it strange that friends send each other off?" Song Zhen was a martial artist and didn't understand the key here.
"It's really strange to send someone from a high position to a lowly one," Zhang Zhen said.
"Not only that," Liu Wei told them, "I saw the two of them walking away slowly, muttering. I wonder what they were talking about?"
"Did Prime Minister Xu have any secrets to defeat the enemy?" Song Zhen grinned.
"It's not like that." Zhang Zhen blinked: "If it's a clever plan, why didn't you tell it to His Majesty just now?"
"Brother, what you said makes sense." Liu Wei nodded in agreement: "And I noticed Xu Hongzu's expression during the dinner. He was awarded the title of Prime Minister. How could he have no happy face, but he didn't talk much and drank very little? "
"You think I feel the same way." Zhang Zhen frowned: "But, why? We can't ask directly."
"Of course this won't work." Liu Wei stroked his beard: "What if his unhappiness can be resolved when he meets Wang Yidou?"
"What do you mean?" Song Zhen became more and more confused as he listened.
"What matter can he get a correct answer from Wang Yidou?" Zhang Zhen thought thoughtfully, and suddenly her eyes lit up: "No, it's not Wang Yidou, it's Yang Xing. Wang Yidou was sent by Yang Xing, and Xu Hongzu wants to get in touch with Yang Xing through Wang Yidou! "
"Why should it be so mysterious? He wants to find Ah Xing, or send an envoy, or come to the door in person. At the very least, a handwritten letter will do. How can he use an intermediary to pass the message?" Song Zhen still didn't understand.
Liu Wei suddenly looked at Zhang Zhen, and both of them said almost at the same time: "Oops!"
"Is this guy crazy? Your Majesty regards him as prime minister, why do you act like this?" Zhang Zhen asked in a trembling voice.
"He originally disagreed with His Majesty's ascension to the throne, but Wang Yidou came and gave him a legitimate opportunity to contact Qiligang!" Liu Wei gritted his teeth and replied: "Replacing Your Majesty with A Xing, this guy has a good idea!"
"What? Are you saying that Mr. Xu is going to rebel?" Song Zhen heard it this time, and the two of them hurriedly asked him to keep his voice down. "This, this, this is impossible, right?" Song Zhen found it unbelievable.
"Is it impossible? In history, there are not many powerful officials who have replaced disobedient emperors?" Zhang Zhen sneered.
"Xu Xiangye has always been at odds with his wife. He always felt that women should not interfere in military affairs. Moreover, he and Feng Zicai even sang in harmony, and neither of them agreed with your majesty.
I made Abao the heir apparent. Liu Wei shook his head and looked at the overall situation:
"Thinking about it this way, he has every reason to be dissatisfied with His Majesty, and has every reason to collude with King Yan and push him to the throne. By then, His Majesty will become Li Yuan behind the Xuanwu Sect. Ah Bao..." He did not continue. Going down, I just glanced at the pale Zhang Zhen.
"What should I do? Ask Sima to teach me." Zhang Zhen bowed and crossed her hands, and promised: "When the matter is completed, I will let my sister make you the prime minister, and I will never break my promise!"
Liu Wei did not answer immediately and turned to look at Song Zhen: "It depends on whether General Song is willing to help."
"How does Madam treat Mr. Song? I don't know how I care about it?" Song Zhen patted his chest: "Mr. Liu, just give me your orders, I will definitely help you with your work!"
"Okay, in this way, I can be half sure." Liu Wei waved the two of them closer and whispered his plan.
Back in the tent, Yang He asked them what they were doing. Zhang Zhen said to go to the latrine, and Song Zhen said that he remembered some military affairs that needed to be dealt with. Liu Wei asked Xu Hongzu to send Wang Xi off. Yang He wondered: "He sent the guests off by himself, what's the point?"
"It's okay if it's a normal gift, but it's different for the prime minister to give it away." After saying this, Liu Wei stood up and imitated the scene of the two of them biting their ears while walking towards the camp gate.
Seeing that his imitation was interesting, Yang He laughed at first, then laughed and laughed, but his smile suddenly disappeared. Asked Mrs. Huang: "Can you see anything wrong with me?"
Mrs. Huang snorted and said, "If you are a woman, you are a thief."
"Huh? How do you say it?"
"Your Majesty, how can you give someone away like this? Look, this is not only biting the ears, but also hiding from everyone and avoiding the eyes and ears. Why can't you just say it outright and have to whisper it to yourself in a place where Your Majesty can't see it? "
Mrs. Huang glanced at Liu Wei. She doesn't like that Yang Xing, he is only a few years older than her, and he is also her son's strongest competitor!
"I think he is asking for help from Ah Xing, so...?" She deliberately didn't say anything and let Yang Hekai use his brain to guess.
Yang He frowned as expected. He didn't like this. When his prime minister had something to say to his face, he had to go to a place where others couldn't see him and murmur in private. This was not normal!
Xu Hongzu came back at this time, and Yang He asked him why he had been gone for so long. Xu Hongzu replied and asked about the number of people, equipment, morale, etc. currently gathering the remaining troops in Qiligang.
Liu Wei then laughed and asked why he didn't ask such things in front of His Majesty. Besides, he had already guessed the situation of the troops. Why did he go out to ask for so long?
Xu Hongzu felt that he was yin and yang strange, so he ignored him. Seeing that he didn't speak, Yang He thought he was feeling guilty, so he became even more confused. Then he called people: "Xu Xiang is too drunk. Send him back to rest. No one can disturb him unless he has an order!"
Song Zhen waved his hand, and four soldiers came to surround Xu Hongzu, and he left the tent with the help of his attendants. The incident happened so suddenly that Xu Hongzu did not dare to resist or shout. He only stood up, thanked him, and then left.
Then Liu Wei praised Yang He's wise and decisive decision, saying that he was quite like the ancestors of the Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty. Yang He drank another glass proudly. At this time, Zhang Zhen said slowly: "Xu Hongzu is guilty, please punish him."
"Oh, what's the crime?"
"He has a problem with making friends with military commanders. Didn't Your Majesty notice? The last time this man joined forces with Commander Feng to oppose the Crown Prince, he was the one who danced the most happily!"
Yang He didn't say anything, and after a long time he said, "Send someone across the river to bring Feng Shuai over. How can tomorrow's ceremony be without him?"
"But...the troops outside the south gate cannot be without a commander!"
"It doesn't matter, let Lieutenant General Su Meisheng take over first." After Yang He finished speaking, he sighed: "I still miss my old brother Gu. Having an old brother around me makes people feel at ease. I plan to set up a Privy Council Office with Feng Shuai as the Privy Councilor. Even so, I feel safe sleeping with him by my side!"
Liu Wei and others exchanged glances with each other. Doesn't this mean that Feng Zicai's military power has been reduced in disguise?
"Your Majesty, I have some suggestions." Liu Wei bowed and said, "Since your Majesty has ascended to the throne, King Yan will be the prince." Yang He blinked his eyes for a long time before he figured out that this "King Yan" was his son Yang Xing, and quickly nodded. head.
"According to convention, the prince is not allowed to lead troops, but the current situation in Qiligang is tense and we cannot do without a commander."
"Well, what is your suggestion?"
"The minister suggested that it would be better for General Song to lead two thousand cavalry troops to Qiligang at night to take over the army. King Yan is right, the location of Qiligang is indeed important.
Two thousand cavalry can make Qiligang's troops stronger and more foolproof. When Luohu troops arrive, they will be enough to resist. Waiting for His Majesty to lead the army to arrive, a two-pronged attack is the way to win! Liu Wei said.
"This..., the pro-military army cannot be left alone, right?"
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Didn't you already send an envoy to invite General Feng to come back to attend the celebration? When he arrives, you can order him to act as a pro-army general, and the troops will be safe." Zhang Zhen said immediately.
"Oh! That makes sense!" Yang He slapped his forehead: "Okay, that's it!"
"According to the order! I will take my leave now. The military order is urgent, so I will take the first step!" Song Zhen said, bowed, and strode out.
Zhang Zhen excused herself to see him outside, watched him move the saddle and mount the horse, and whispered: "If Yang Xing comes back obediently, if he refuses to submit, general, don't be a woman!" She gestured with her hands.
"Don't worry, sir, please wait for the good news about me, madam!" After Song Zhen finished speaking, he hurried back to the military camp with his two soldiers.
There are only two thousand cavalry in the pro-army, but they are all fierce and old soldiers. They are said to be cavalry, but they are actually mounted infantry, and they move very quickly.
Song Zhen made a rough estimate that for more than 30 miles, even if walking at night would be slower than during the day, it would take about three hours.
Calculating mentally but not intentionally, Song Zhen thought that although Yang Xing was good at strategies and calculations, he was still young and would not have thought that one of his own would take action.
However, Song Zhen knew that there were hundreds of elite veterans around Yang Xing, and these veterans would fight to the death, so Song Zhen ordered 300 crossbows to be brought as backup.
He understood what Zhang Zhen meant: if Yang Xing was still alive, Yang Bao would always be the second son!
Since ancient times, he has been neither a poisonous nor a husband. It was Mrs. Huang who promoted him from a civilian to a team leader. After his meritorious service on the battlefield, he gradually became the commander of the pro-army army. Song Zhen, an orphan, had a sister-like feeling for Mrs. Huang in his heart. Thinking of Abao He left Yang Xing, who was half a master, behind.
There are clouds in the sky, and the moon hides in the clouds from time to time, as if they can't bear to watch this scene of cannibalism. Two thousand troops riding mules and horses marched very fast, and Chou arrived at Lanfang Village not far from the post.
He couldn't continue riding at this point. The movement of two thousand livestock was too loud! Most of the team must dismount here and then follow the trail up the east side.
Qiligang, as its name suggests, is a small hill, extending long from northeast to southwest. The official road from Dongxiang passes through the hills. A Fengxi water flows along the east side. There is a bridge on the stream called "Daiqiao". To the east of the bridge is Fengxi Village, and one mile west of the bridge is Qiligang Town.
The town is not big, with about a hundred households and houses and shops built along both sides of the official road. About a mile west from the town hall is the highest point in this area. The locals call it "Dai Qiu", but no one can tell its origin.
Yang Xing set up a camp on Dai Qiu, collected the defeated troops and prepared to block the invading army. Wang Xi came back and relayed Yang He's words to him. After hearing this, Yang Xing said irritably:
"Why does he have to be the emperor? We raised the army not to be bullied by the officials, but not to make our ceremonial guards louder and the titles in the proclamations longer! I don't care about this King of Yan, who wants to be Who’s in charge!”
"Marshal, please don't do this. The enemy should be more stable now. Just let the lord do whatever he wants." Feng Baishan advised. He is Feng Zicai's nephew, so he has long known that his uncle has placed all his treasure on Yang Xing, so he is extremely loyal.
Although he was not interested in Yang He's eagerness to proclaim himself emperor, for the sake of the overall situation of the Jiangshan Army, he still tried hard to sew up the conflict between father and son so that it would not expand as much as possible.
"Have I not been accommodating him? But everyone should have a limit!" Yang Xing said angrily: "If you have to become emperor, is this hat really so fun? You
My uncle once said that half of the generals feel that now is not the time, and I agree! What's the situation now?
The enemy is only a dozen miles away, and their spies may be eavesdropping on you and me in the grass outside.
words, but my father was singing and dancing, thinking about becoming an emperor and being worshiped as soon as possible! How can we act like this for a long time? "
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a commotion outside. A guard hurriedly opened the door and came in: "Marshal, there's a fire and it's spreading this way!"
"What, there's a fire in the camp?"
"No, no, it is said that the fire started from outside the village wall. Because our village wall is made of bamboo and wood, it burned very quickly. The sergeants were busy putting out the fire. There were several stables made of bamboo and straw. It’s lit!”
