The wars became more and more frequent, and the Zhou army's intentions became more and more obvious, at least Meng Chang thought so.
Men, especially the monarch of a country, Meng Chang is also very good at mapping and opening up borders.
Before Sun Hanshao's military report arrived, Meng Chang had already made a judgment in his heart. Now as soon as Sun Hanshao's military report arrived, Meng Chang suddenly felt confident.
I can't help but feel a little complacent in my heart that the number one general in Shu is on the same level as him.
"Master Zhou is quite capable this time. He knows that Shu is not a small country like Nanping and Nanchu, so he chooses to seek safety by attacking Xingyuan Mansion first, and does not dare to take the risk of taking the Qishan Road to make a desperate move.
However, the Art of War says that all warriors must use the right combination to win by surprise.
The Zhou army was only upright but without any surprises, so it lost the meaning of Sun Wuzi who said, "He who is good at making surprises is as endless as the heaven and the earth, and as endless as the rivers and seas." "
As Meng Chang said this, a smug look almost appeared on his face. He knew it was Meng Chang, but he thought Sun Wu was possessed and left the marquis alive.
And Wang Zhaoyuan, who was beside Meng Chang, had the same virtue as him. He nodded frequently with a white and thin face like Lord Rabbit, and looked like Zhuge Liang, all he needed was a goose feather fan in his hand.
The virtue of this master and servant does not mean that Zhang Yan has some ability. This is completely self-praising.
Zhao Tingyin heard veins popping up on his forehead. He looked at Meng Chang's face that wanted to laugh but deliberately held back. He wanted to go up and slap Meng Chang to the ground, and then spit thick phlegm in his face.
Soldiers, important matters of the country, the place of life and death, the way of survival, the most dangerous things in the world, behind every light number, there is a huge weight, how can it be regarded as a joke and used in such a light way? Boast!
That Zhou Zhuangzhao started his career with only an old servant who was a troublemaker. In the past sixteen years, he had traveled tens of thousands of miles and dominated the world. He was a more powerful person than Zhu Quanzhong and Emperor Zhuangmiao. Is it possible that he would not make surprises? ?
Regardless of the slow pace of Zhou's unification of the world, it was because the Lord of Zhou did not have the opportunity of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty to take advantage of the world to punish Qin, nor did he have the family background and reputation of Emperor Taizong Wen.
He rose up from the bottom completely and suddenly. His uncle, the King of Jin, whom he relied on for help, was just a small king in the Western Regions, so he felt as if he was old even before his achievements.
But in fact, when there was no good wind to borrow from when he started from scratch, Zhou Zhu's rise from the frontier was already very legendary.
Zhao Tingyin knew how terrifying this kind of person was, and there was no way he could only attack Xingyuan Mansion. However, Zhao Tingyin couldn't guess where the Emperor Zhou's next move would come from.
But he still decided to advise that troops from anywhere could be mobilized, but the troops from Xingzhou (Lueyang County, Shaanxi Province) to Lizhou (Guangyuan, Sichuan) must not be mobilized. He even had to increase the number of troops at Motian Ridge on Yinping Road to beware of the Zhou Dynasty. The army will probably learn from Deng Ai.
But as soon as he turned around, Zhao Tingyin looked at his son Zhao Chongtao's extremely anxious expression.
Seeing that Zhao Tingyin noticed him, Zhao Chongtao shook his head repeatedly.
Zhao Tingyin knew what his son was afraid of. Meng Chang was originally dissatisfied with them, veterans of Meng Zhixiang's period. Zhao Tingyin thought Meng Chang just wanted to imprison Zhang Ye, but he did not expect that Meng Chang finally killed Zhang Ye's entire family of more than 70 people. Mouth, even babies under the age of 10 were not spared.
Almost all of the three thousand dead soldiers recruited by Zhang Ye were executed. Even the Suizhou Wuding Army who followed Zhang Ye had more than a hundred tooth soldiers killed together.
Meng Chang's disgust for these veterans was almost palpable.
If Zhao Tingyin still rushes forward by himself now, who knows if Meng Chang has buried hundreds of swordsmen and axemen in Xuanhua Palace.
Who dares to say that Meng Chang can kill Zhang Ye, but he cannot kill Zhao Tingyin.
Thinking of this, Zhao Tingyin felt completely despaired.
Originally, he was disgusted with Zhang Ye, because he was indeed arrogant, domineering and even rebellious, but Meng Chang's rough treatment and cruelty broke the heart of such an old minister and made him feel a little bit like others.
Although Meng Chang was smiling proudly, he was actually secretly observing the faces of everyone in the palace, so Meng Chang could clearly see the flash of anger and disgust on Zhao Tingyin's face.
Originally, he had preferred to let Zhao Tingyin lead the troops to rescue him, and he also knew that it was most appropriate for Zhao Tingyin to go. However, Zhao Tingyin's expression just now flashed through Meng Chang's mind.
This old guy, if he is allowed to lead the troops to repel the Zhou army this time, he will not know how to embarrass himself after returning to the court.
Good guy! Before the Zhou army really started to attack, Meng Chang thought that he had a sure chance of victory, and felt that he had figured out all Zhang Yan's plans.
This feeling of strategizing and winning a thousand-mile victory made Meng Chang unconsciously think that since he was so wise and powerful, he could send anyone to retreat from the Zhou army.
Seeing that Meng Chang was really hesitating, Wang Zhaoyuan's eyes lit up. He looked directly at Meng Chang with an expression like "choose me, choose me, choose me quickly." He almost wanted to recommend himself on the spot.
The reason why Wang Zhaoyuan wanted to go to the battlefield so much was because Meng Chang still had a desire to take advantage of the troubled times to compete in the world. Naturally, he liked to express this idea to Wang Zhaoyuan, who was close to him.
He often sighed that he, Saint Meng, was so wise and powerful, but he didn't have a great talent like King Zhuge Wuning to assist him.
If he had a great talent like Marquis Wu under his command, he would be able to conquer Qishan in just one visit.
What is good above will be replicated below. Meng Chang often expressed this, which made Wang Zhaoyuan, who mostly read without asking for deep understanding, become very interested in being a minister like Zhuge Wuhou.
Of course, it is also because Wang Zhaoyuan still has such a small advantage. Obviously, with his physical condition, Guan Yunchang and Zhao Zilong will definitely not be able to kill six generals through five levels, seven in and seven out.
But thinking about Zhuge Wuhou being a scholar, he might be similar to him.
Wang Zhaoyuan looked at his white clothes, his fingers were as green as jade, his nose was high and his eyes were big, and he walked like a fairy. Zhuge Wuhou must have looked like this, so that he could have the temperament to fight off millions of soldiers with a smile. Well.
However, Meng Chang still knows the depth. He does not doubt Wang Zhaoyuan's ability. On the contrary, because they often chat together, Meng Chang feels that Wang Zhaoyuan is a great talent.
But he knew that Wang Zhaoyuan had never been on the battlefield, so it was not appropriate to directly assign such an important task.
So Meng Chang turned his attention to the veteran Shi Kai. Since he didn't want to send Zhao Tingyin, only Shi Kai was more suitable.
However, Shi Kai was also a representative of the veterans, so Meng Chang thought about it and decided to recruit some new people.
"Deploy 10,000 troops from the Fengsheng, Yisheng, and Dingyuan armies, 15,000 troops from the Imperial Palace, and 5,000 barbarians from the three states of Lu, Rong, and Rong to reinforce Shannan Road."
The Fengsheng, Yisheng, and Dingyuan armies were three of the six Forbidden Army armies established during the Meng Zhixiang period.
The three prefectures of Lu, Rong, and Rong were Luzhou, Yibin, and Zigong in later generations. Except for Rongzhou and Zigong, which was relatively prosperous due to its salt, the other two places were still a bit remote at this time.
The common feature of the three states is that they are home to a large number of warlike ethnic minorities. The separatist regimes that have always occupied the Shu region like to recruit them as soldiers, and Meng Shu is no exception.
The fourth grade of the palace was the imperial army established during the Meng Chang period, and was selected from the sons of generals and the orphans of those who died in the king's affairs.
The fourth division was led by Li Jihong, the son of Li Renhan, an important minister of Meng Shu, Zhao Yuanzhen, the son of Zhao Jiliang, Zhang Jizhao, the son of Zhang Ye, Hou Lingqin, the son of Hou Hongshi, and Zhao Chongtao, the son of Zhao Tingyin.
But now, Li Renhan and Zhang Ye have been killed by Meng Chang, and of course Li Jihong and Zhang Jizhao have also been killed. Zhao Yuanzhen went out to take control of the feudal town.
Therefore, at this time, there were four divisions in the Meng Shu Palace, two of which were in the hands of Hou Lingqin and Zhao Chongtao. The remaining two divisions were ostensibly commanded by Meng Chang himself, but were actually controlled by Wang Zhaoyuan instead of Meng Chang.
The guards of the Sixth Army, who were like the commander-in-chief of the Forbidden Army, had long been abolished by Meng Chang, and the military power of the Forbidden Army such as Yisheng and Dingyuan had long been taken back. It can be said that to some extent, Meng Chang and Zhang Yan are quite similar.
However, Zhang Yan had the courage and corresponding abilities to make the decision, but Meng Chang was not very well prepared for these three things.
Coupled with his noble birth, he never went down to the lowest level to take a look. As a result, Meng Chang was able to engage in political struggles, but when it came to micro-managing everything, Meng Chang was about the same as Zhang Chang. A Guo Rong is not on the same level at all.
Of course, it's just a lot lower, not nothing. Idiots like Ma Xiguang and Liu Chengyou have nothing.
For example, this time, after it was determined to reinforce Xingyuan Mansion, Meng Chang was very decisive.
Once these 30,000 men were mobilized, Meng Chang was left with only the Xiaorui, Feichu, and Yining armies.
Moreover, because these three armies were established during the Meng Zhixiang era and were purged after the deaths of Li Renhan and Zhang Ye, they are said to be three armies, but in fact they only have about 7,000 people, and their combat effectiveness cannot be compared with the 30,000 people who were transferred.
It can be said that once the target is determined, Meng Chang is still willing to go ahead and his actions are not sloppy at all.
He appointed the veteran general Shi Kai as the commander of the southwest camp, Wang Zhaoyuan as the supervisor (supervisor of the army), Li Tinggui as the forward recruiting envoy, Zhao Chongtao and Han Baozheng as the deputy recruiting envoys, and led an army of 30,000, together with tens of thousands of civilians, known as the Twenty Ten thousand troops went to support Sun Hanshao in Xingyuan Prefecture.
When the army set off, Meng Chang specially summoned Wang Zhaoyuan to his side, "Today's teacher is the one you have summoned, please do me a favor!"
Leading an army to conquer the world and achieve hegemony has always been what these two warrior saints like to do most.
As for the actual arrangement of the army, the veteran general Shi Kai, who was the commander of the camp, was actually just a tool man, and the power was still in the hands of the supervisor Wang Zhaoyuan.
The Forbidden Army has been guarding the capital and even the palace. Who should Shi Kai and Wang Zhaoyuan listen to? They are well-connected.
Of course Meng Chang also understood, so he had high hopes for Wang Zhaoyuan, hoping that Wang Zhaoyuan could make great achievements and really become a Zhuge Wuhou, so that Meng Chang could see hope.
After being encouraged, Meng Chang also asked the Prime Minister to arrange a banquet with Li Hao, the disciple of Zhongshu, to honor Wang Zhaoyuan.
During the dinner, Wang Zhaoyuan was very proud and drunk. He felt that Meng Shu's 30,000 elite soldiers should be invincible in the world, because Wang Zhaoyuan had never seen soldiers more powerful and fierce than them.
Immediately, this guy who had been the emperor's servant for more than ten years had just escaped from Meng Chang's control, and he didn't know how many bowls of food he should eat.
Wang Zhaoyuan actually held Tie Ruyi in his hand, rudely hugged Li Hao's shoulders, and said with drunken eyes: "My trip is more than just defeating the enemy. I will lead these 20,000 to 30,000 evil-faced young men to capture the Central Plains like the back of my hand!"
Li Hao was furious at first, because Wang Zhaoyuan was just a sycophant, and it was very rude to block the shoulders of the Prime Minister. However, after listening to Wang Zhaoyuan's words, Li Hao was already dumbfounded.
He looked at Wang Zhaoyuan's expression of wanting to reach up to the sky and embrace the moon. He opened and closed his mouth twice, and suddenly remembered what his son Li Xiaofeng said to him after returning from Zhou Kingdom. Li Hao suddenly decided to keep silent.
'The late emperor and I had the kindness to promote and use him in important positions, but I have already repaid the favor by assisting Young Master Zuo conscientiously for twelve years. It is impossible to end up with a whole family of more than fifty people for the sake of the Meng family's separatist country. 'Li Hao thought coldly.
. . . . .
In the Han Mansion in the north of the city, Han Baosheng is anxiously waiting for the arrival of his brother Han Baozheng.
The Han brothers were originally from Luzhou. Their parents were killed in the war. In order to survive, Han Baozheng, who had grown up, took his younger siblings to join the army of Meng Zhixiang, who was left behind in Taiyuan at the time.
Han Baozheng was brave and good at fighting and always took the lead in every battle. He soon gained the respect of Meng Zhixiang and was taken as his personal attendant.
After that, the Meng family entered Shu, and Han Baozheng also rose through the ranks. After Meng Chang succeeded to the throne, he became the military commander when he went outside, and controlled the imperial army when he went inside.
However, like all veterans of Meng Zhixiang's period, Meng Chang was both useful and defensive towards Han Baozheng.
In addition, Han Baozheng was an upright man, and he would complain if he couldn't stand it. Last year, Meng Chang built the Xuanhua Palace and elected private beauties to fill the palace. None of the ministers dared to speak. Only Han Baozheng wrote a fierce petition.
Although in the end Meng Chang was forced to release a group of beauties who were forcibly selected into the palace, and he also praised Han Baozheng.
It seems that the ministers are honest and speak out, and the king knows his mistakes and can correct them.
But in fact, Meng Chang also classified Han Baozheng as a domineering veteran from then on, promoted him to the North Court of Xuanhui to such a high position with fame but no power, deprived him of actual military power and put him in a high position.
If it hadn't been for the Zhou army's attack this time, Meng Chang wouldn't have given Han Baozheng a chance to recruit his deputy envoy.
When Han Baozheng returned to his mansion, he immediately asked his followers to prepare armor and stomach weapons.
Although he was not as pessimistic as Zhao Tingyin, he also felt in his heart that this war would not be what Meng Chang said, where he could retreat from the Zhou army.
However, when he saw Han Baosheng, Han Baozheng frowned.
He has one younger brother and one younger sister. The younger brother Han Baosheng is not fond of martial arts, but he is very good at academics and has considerable attainments in medicine.
Not only is he famous in Shu, but he is also extremely famous in the Zhou Dynasty and Nengdi in the Southern Tang Dynasty.
His younger sister, Han Qiniang, married into the Zhao family of Jingzhou, a famous doctor in Guanzhong, in her early years. However, Jingzhou later suffered a military rebellion, and Han Baozheng thought that his sister and brother-in-law had perished.
But he didn't want to be rescued by the Zhou Lord who was the Jiedushi of the Guiyi Army at the time. Not only did he not die, but his brother-in-law Zhao Jinfang became the minister of Taichang Temple and was also in charge of the Imperial Medical Office.
Her younger sister, Han Qiniang, was known as Han Niangniang in the army because she was good at treating people with guns and sticks, and she was named the Lady of Shangdang County. She was the only third-grade imperial concubine in the Zhou Kingdom who did not rely on her husband or son.
It can be said that in the Zhou Kingdom, my sister and brother-in-law's family were extremely favored, and they lived better than their brothers in the Shu Kingdom.
"What are you doing here again? If you still want to say those disobedient words, don't open your mouth."
Of course Han Baozheng knew what Han Baozheng was thinking. After speaking, he glared at his brother who was highly skilled in medicine but somewhat greedy for money. "As a human being, you still have to have some integrity."
Han Baosheng is very thick-skinned. In addition, he lost his parents when he was eleven years old. He has always relied on the protection of his elder brother to successfully grow up and even learn to read. Others say that an elder brother is like a father is just talk, but for Han Baosheng, I am a matter of fact. .
So even if his brother was angry in front of him, Han Baosheng didn't care at all, and he could even put a smile on his face.
"Brother, don't be too quick to blame me. Qiniang asked someone from Luoyang to bring a letter. Please take a look."
Han Baozheng wanted to grab the letter and tear it into pieces, but he had not seen his sister for almost twelve years. In addition, in order to prevent others from knowing about their relationship, Han Baozheng had always stated that his sister and brother-in-law's family had died in The army was in chaos.
At that time, her parents and many members of the Han clan died in the war, and only three of the dozen brothers and sisters in the clan died. At that time, my sister Qiniang was only six years old, and it was Han Baozheng who carried her on his back to support her. Yes, the relationship is much deeper than with Han Baosheng.
Now because I haven't seen him for more than ten years, there is a letter from his sister. Even though Han Baozheng knew what was written in it, he still couldn't bear to tear it into pieces without reading it, so he hesitated for a long time and finally took it and opened it.
The letter contained greetings and only said one thing, that is, Rongniang, the eldest daughter of her sister Han Qiniang and her brother-in-law Zhao Jinfang, was seventeen years old and was extremely talented in medicine.
Now he has entered the palace as a doctor of physical therapy in the Imperial Medical Office and is the chief medicine officer of the Food Bureau. He is very popular with the queen and is always by her side. The emperor often summons him.
After Han Baozheng finished reading, he was silent for more than ten breaths, and then asked with some difficulty: "What is the purpose of Qiniang's letter saying this?"
A trace of excitement and pride flashed across Han Baosheng's face, "In the palace, the saint favored the daughter of Fu Yanqing, the Duke of Zhending, and the daughter of Gao Xingzhou, the Duke of Huailai.
The queen felt uneasy and wanted to recommend Qiniang's daughter, Rong Niang, to accompany the emperor. Rong Niang was beautiful and proficient in medicine, so she would definitely be a great help to the queen! "
Okay! Han Baosheng was regarded as a Hanlin bachelor of Shu, but he had already begun to call Zhang Yan a saint.
What Han Qiniang said in her letter is also true. Queen Cao Yanxi is no longer worried about Li Ruoliu because she has no fundamental conflict with her aunt.
On the contrary, because of the historical celebrity effect, Zhang Yan almost exclusively favored Fu Ying'er and Gao Eniang. In addition, these two women each had a group of generals behind them, so Queen Cao Yanxi was very wary.
Twelve years ago, Zhang Yan rescued Han Qiniang's mother and son from the sea of blood in Jingzhou Corpse Mountain. The little girl who was held by Han Qiniang in his chest at that time has grown up and is extremely beautiful. In addition, she is proficient in medicine, especially massage. It caught Zhang Yan's attention.
Queen Cao Yanxi then decided to push Zhao Rongniang into the harem and take away some of Fu and Tuesday's favor.
It was difficult for Cao Yanxi to handle elders like Fu Yanqing and Gao Xingzhou, but there was no problem with Zhao Jinfang and Han Qiniang. Therefore, she was not afraid of Zhao Rongniang being pampered to the heavens.
Han Baozheng didn't know how he felt. On the one hand, he was happy for his sister, but on the other hand, he knew that he was in big trouble.
It is true that Meng Shu was not good at collecting intelligence, but once Zhao Rongniang entered the palace and became favored, her family background could still be easily found out.
At this time, Han Baosheng presented another portrait. The woman in the portrait was wearing an underskirt, holding Ruyi in her hand, standing in the pavilion, with lotus flowers blooming behind her, which contrasted with the woman's beauty, making her a beautiful woman.
Seeing that the woman's appearance was 60-70% similar to Han Qiniang, and even 40-50% similar to his mother when she was young, Han Baozheng knew that this must be Zhao Rongniang.
With such an appearance, once he enters the palace and his background is simple, it is impossible not to be favored.
Thinking of this, Han Baozheng was furious. He drew out the short knife from his waist and looked at Han Baosheng fiercely.
"Why do you want to harm me? I am so sincere! A certain Han Baozheng was deeply favored by the late emperor. Without the late emperor, you and I would have died in the ravine long ago. We would not be rich and noble today.
When Han Baozheng was alive, how could he be a traitor to his country and seek glory? "
Han Baosheng was startled. This was the first time his brother showed such a ferocious expression, but he didn't panic and ran straight back behind the pillar and shouted.
"Sister-in-law, save me!"
There was a crash, and there was a sound of footsteps. Han Baozheng's wife suddenly appeared with his three sons and three daughters.
The old wife burst into tears, and she was very smart not to persuade Han Baozheng to defect, but burst into tears.
"If you want to repay the kindness of the late emperor, please kill my mother and seven children first, so as not to suffer the pain of the sword and ax when the Zhou army enters the city in the future."
Hearing their mother crying, the children, who still didn't understand what was happening, also started crying loudly.
Death is the only solution to hardships throughout the ages, and this is not absolute. For a Chinese, what is even more difficult is that the whole family dies together.
Han Baozheng wanted to die to serve his country, but he was not cruel enough to take his whole family to die.
Han Baosheng hid behind the pillar and shouted loudly: "I went to Luzhou seven years ago. There are still relatives in my Han family. The eldest son of the third uncle has his brother-in-law as his guarantee, and he has already become Baili Marquis of Holy Week.
My parents’ tombs and ancestral halls are all in Luzhou. My brother doesn’t want to go back to see Ye Niang, but I, Han Sanlang, still want to go! "
With a clang, the short knife in Han Baozheng's hand fell to the ground. This warrior with little courage sat down on the ground and burst into tears.
