The defeat of Hanzhong County made Tang Feng very angry. After arranging the wounded, he gathered the troops of Hanzhong County and even soldiers from various aristocratic families.
All of a sudden, another five thousand men and horses were gathered together. Under Tang Feng's order, they pursued Su Qi'an directly.
In this pursuit, the previous step-by-step approach was completely abandoned. As long as Su Qi'an's traces were found, he would bite him without mercy.
Su Qi'an would never be given any time to breathe. Tang Feng had already given the order for this attack. Every time the pursuit reached a place, soldiers from nearby counties and counties had to fully cooperate and actively send troops.
This kind of perseverance in pursuit has achieved some results.
Su Qi'an's Dongshan Army did not have much time to rest and recuperate. Originally, Su Qi'an planned to take advantage of the previous mobile warfare to specifically hunt down singles and harass a small group.
But Tang Feng had obviously learned a lesson. This time, he did not disperse his forces like before, but integrated his forces.
Although it is difficult to move, it is a whole, like an iron bucket.
With Su Qian's 2,000 men and horses, it would be difficult to devour the chasing 5,000 men in one go.
What Su Qi'an lacks is time. Once he is entangled, the follow-up army will definitely follow up quickly. This is Tang Feng's plan, and Su Qi'an will naturally not go as he wishes.
Therefore, the surprise attack failed, and the Dongshan Army began to circle around the territory of Xizhou with the pursuing soldiers.
As a result, the two sides fought back and forth and fought to the death. Before the fierce battle broke out, most of them retreated at the first touch.
In this way, the troops from both sides launched a long chase in Xizhou, with no one willing to take a step back.
As time passed, the friction and fighting in Xizhou spread to the Imperial City of Kyoto very quickly.
Everyone in the imperial city was shocked when they received the message asking for help from Xizhou Mu Tang Feng. Su Xuanyong took it seriously and quickly summoned ministers for discussion.
After all, who would have thought that Su Qi'an, who left Kyoto and returned to Xizhou, would cause such a big thing.
In their impression, Su Qi'an left Kyoto in a very embarrassed state and had to face rounds of interceptions.
He was lucky to be able to return to Xizhou safely. Who would have thought that when he returned to Xizhou, he would have two thousand so-called Dongshan troops in his hands.
There was even such a commotion in Xizhou that the captured Zhou Mu's son not only started a fight with Xizhou Mu.
If Su Qi'an's royal status was not taken into consideration, Su Qi'an's various behaviors would be comparable to rebellion.
When did the dignified marquis and the local state pastor directly use the army to fight in the territory of Great Liang? This is really unheard of.
Therefore, when Su Xuanyong summoned ministers for discussion, not surprisingly, most of them condemned him.
Among them, the three princes Zheng, Zhao and Chen were the most violent. They tried their best to hope that Your Majesty could take back the troops and horses in Su Qi'an's hands.
And at the same request of Xizhou Mu, Xizhou soldiers were allowed to return for reinforcements, forcing Su Qi'an to lay down his weapons and surrender immediately. Otherwise, if the trouble continues, things in Xizhou will be difficult to improve.
They knew very well what the Dongshan Army's combat strength was, although they didn't know how the two thousand Dongshan Army left Kyoto quietly.
But as a first-class official, I can still guess a little bit, so when I launched an attack, I did not directly point out the appearance of the Dongshan Army, but asked His Majesty to take back the military power.
Two thousand Dongshan troops are under the command of Su Qi'an at any time, and they are also making trouble in Xizhou. If they don't control themselves, who knows what will happen.
Therefore, based on various concerns, the requests of the three princes are more reasonable.
There were those who condemned, and naturally there were those who opposed it. Those who opposed it were undoubtedly Wenxuan and Chu Xiong, two important ministers of the court who were equally worthy of the three princes.
The reasons for their opposition are also very simple. First of all, what happened in Xizhou is just the opinion of the Xizhou Mu family.
Moreover, it is not unreasonable for Su Qi'an to have military power. He is a marquis himself. Having an army above the rank of a marquis is a blessing from the imperial court.
It is impossible to take back military power just because of the conflict with Xizhou Mu. If he did, it would not only hurt Su Qi'an's heart, but also the other princes.
how to think.
Who can afford to cause trouble when the time comes, so Wenxuan and Chuxiong advocated it.
This matter still needs to be confronted face to face by both parties. It is best to come to Kyoto and face it in front of His Majesty, tell all the causes and consequences of the matter, and let His Majesty make the final decision.
This suggestion directly made Zheng Guogong sneer with disdain, and he looked at Wen Xuandao.
"Humph, Mr. Wen, do you think this is a house game? Let the two of them come to Kyoto? And confront each other? One is a state shepherd, and the other is a descendant of the royal family and a marquis."
"We really came to Kyoto. Not to mention the long journey, and who can guarantee that nothing will happen on the way. Dongshan Hou is okay. He has some skills. He can intercept and kill him all the way from Kyoto, so there is no need to worry."
"But the Xizhou Shepherd, as far as I know, has no skills at all. If something happens to the Yizhou Shepherd on the road, can you afford it?"
"That is, Mr. Wen is still too ideal. He stays in the Hanlin Academy all year round and is unaware of the dangers in the outside world. Moreover, this Xizhou pastor has been working conscientiously for so many years. He is still a trustworthy person and will never treat Dongshan. Hou made a false accusation."
"I think Master Wen trusts his students too much. Master Wen doesn't know that there is a saying that people's hearts can change."
"I was awarded the title of Marquis in one leap. I became the youngest and one of the top three Marquises in the history of Great Liang. I couldn't grasp the hearts of the people and suddenly fell into disarray. It's normal."
When Zheng Guogong's voice fell, Zhao Guogong on the side also spoke up.
Wenxuan was quite unhappy with the strange behavior of these two people. He was also the dean of the Hanlin Academy and the leader of the literary people of Daliang, so he really thought he was easy to bully.
Wenxuan was not polite at all and retorted directly, "Humph, I trust my students, what's wrong? Dongshan Marquis was my student before, I still understand his character."
"As for the Nishu Mu you are talking about? Why, this Nishu Mu has a close relationship with you two. If you speak for him like this, you might think that Nishu Mu is your student."
"Master Wen, what are you talking nonsense about? Don't think that because you are a leader of men of letters, you can talk nonsense and have deep friendship. We are just speaking objectively and there is absolutely no bias."
Duke Zhao immediately retorted, and both of them had a little excitement on their faces.
The words announced just now were actually quite cruel. If they didn't react and acquiesced, they might not be able to survive in front of His Majesty.
In Daliang, if court officials and local officials get too close, it is likely to form a clique for personal gain, which is a taboo for His Majesty.
Who would have thought that this usually peaceful propaganda could be so vicious that he almost led the two of them into a ditch.
Chu Xiong, who was standing on Wen Xuan's side, also spoke at this time, "Don't be so excited, Duke Zhao. Master Wen is also worried about his students. What he said just now is a bit radical. Don't take it to heart, two elders."
"However, I have some doubts. Since you two have no friendship with Xizhou Mu, your behavior seems to have the intention of killing the Marquis of Dongshan."
"Even if according to what Xizhou Mu said, Dongshan Hou provoked everything, but Dongshan Hou is a member of the royal family, so even if it is dealt with, it is not his turn. What does he mean by letting the Xizhou soldiers go back at this time?"
"In order to deal with Dongshan Hou, tens of thousands of Xizhou soldiers were mobilized. Does this mean to besiege? No matter how I look at it, it means to kill them all."
"Don't these princes not know this truth and just push this matter forward? I am very suspicious of the intentions of these princes."
Chu Xiong's voice was very soft, but the expressions of Zheng, Zhao, and Chen suddenly changed.
If Wenxuan was only protecting his students, they would still understand, but Chu Xiong's words directly put the three of them on the frying pan.
Isn't it because they suspected that the three of them were colluding with Xizhou Mu and took the opportunity to mobilize Xizhou soldiers to return reinforcements with the intention of conspiring against them.
This is because Chu Xiong deserved to have been the prime minister for so many years, and he just defeated them without saying a word.
Fortunately, the three princes were not novices at the court, so they immediately knelt down with a plop.
The first one to speak was Zheng Guogong. He kowtowed to Su Xuanyong repeatedly, while kowtowing.
release.
"My loyalty to Your Majesty and to Great Liang has been proven by the passing of time. Knowing what happened today, I went too far and did not take into account the royal status of Dongshan Marquis."
"I know that no matter how much I say, it will not help. In order to prove my loyalty, I can only retaliate with death."
"Your Majesty, all ministers, please take care!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Yuan stood up and without any hesitation, he directly hit the Panlong Pillar behind him.
Zhao Guogong and Chen Guogong behind him saw this and followed him one after another.
Just when the three of them were about to hit the Panlong Pillar and know their lives, Su Xuanyong seemed to have expected this scene.
The imperial guards who were standing in the palace to protect the safety quickly grabbed the three of them with one step.
The three people who were held back struggled and still crashed towards the Panlong Pillar in front of them.
"Your Majesty, just let me die. I can only die to prove my innocence, and I have no face to live."
At this time, Su Xuanyong, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"Okay, let's see how you guys look. You're discussing things properly, and you have to kill people. Do you want to laugh at me?"
Su Xuanyong's voice was filled with anger, and instantly, the ministers in the palace knelt down one after another.
This time Su Xuanyong was really angry. For so many years as a minister, Su Xuanyong had only been angry.
When Su Qi'an said this, Zheng Guogong and the other two people did not struggle, but immediately knelt down and confessed.
"The old minister is confused and has put your majesty in trouble. The old minister admits his guilt. How will your majesty punish him? The old minister admits it. I just ask your majesty not to get so angry."
Su Xuanyong rolled his eyes at Zheng Yuan and said coldly, "Huh, with you chattering like this, I will be pissed off by you sooner or later."
Su Xuanyong sighed, relaxed his mood a little, and said softly, "Okay, everyone, get up. This is the end of what happened just now. No one should mention it."
"Anyway, I can't discuss anything with you, so please step aside and let me think about this matter before I give you an answer."
"Your Majesty, please leave!"
Su Xuanyong said so, and both parties to the dispute could only recognize each other and resign.
But Zheng, Zhao, and Chen stood up and looked at each other with admiration for Zheng Yuan.
As expected of Zheng Guogong, who knows His Majesty best, he can always turn danger into safety at critical moments.
This scene was not in vain. They knew that in front of His Majesty, what happened just now was over and they were safe.
