The "revolutionary" situation of the Shangdang is actually more optimistic than Liu Chengyou expected. Xiang Xun's feedback is actually still conservative.
Before the former Jiedu envoy Zhang Cong'en left for Bian, he entrusted all military affairs to three people. After knowing that Jiedu was staying, Zhao Xingqian, the Jiedu judge Gao Fang and the Luzhou inspection envoy Wang Shou'en.
Among these three people, except Zhao Xingqian, the other two expressed dissatisfaction with joining the Khitan. Especially Gao Fang, this person has great national integrity. When Zhang Congen had intended to "rebellion" and surrendered to the Khitan, he clearly and strongly expressed his opposition.
Since the Liang and Jin Dynasties fought for hegemony, the Central Plains regime has changed several times. In the process, a powerful force has emerged - the Hedong generals group. Especially after the demise of Zhu Liang, the Hedong Group was no longer limited to Shanxi and began to spread throughout the country. The rise and fall of the dynasty was basically the result of the internal strife and games among the Hedong generals group.
From the Later Tang Dynasty to the Later Jin Dynasty, and then to Liu Zhiyuan today, the iterations of the Central Plains dynasty have never departed from the basic base of "Hedong".
This high-defense team belongs to the Hedong general group, and is the largest level. He was born and raised in Jin and came from a family of military generals. For the previous two generations, he followed Jin kings Li Keyong and Li Cunxu and their sons to conquer the country. Although his status is not high and his reputation is not prominent, he is always active in the government and the military.
At present, the military and political affairs of Shangdang are in the hands of Gao Fang and Wang Shouen. Both of them were left by Zhang Congen to assist Zhao Xingqian. Wang Shou'en was Zhang Cong'en's in-law, and he was summoned to be appointed to an important position during his mourning period. As a result, Khitan envoys arrived and seized power and made money. Angry and resentful, he conspired with Gao Fangyi to oust Zhao Xingqian. As soon as Xiang Xun was ordered to contact him, he offered his sincerity without hesitation.
The only uncertain factor is the failure of Surui commander Li Wanchao. He has more than a thousand Surui sergeants stationed in Shangdang. However, this gentleman's attitude is even tougher than that of Gao Defeng. During the Yangcheng War, this gentleman even led the army in a bloody battle with the Khitans.
As for Zhao Xingqian, who stayed after Jiedu, it is not necessarily true that he was determined to join the Khitan and wanted to go all the way. However, in the remaining month after he was informed of his stay, he cooperated with Yelu Deguang's decree and worked with Luzhou's money envoys to extort money wantonly, offending too many people, and many soldiers and civilians in the city wanted to kill him. quick.
Even the most obtuse person can detect the dangerous situation in Shangdang City. There are soldiers and horses from Hedong in the north who are eager to enter the country, and there is a lot of disunity inside, but Zhao Xingqian has no choice. Now he can only huddle in the Jiedu Commandery Mansion with the Khitan envoys, waiting hard for Geng Chongmei's arrival. To this day, even letters urging for help cannot be sent out.
In the middle of the night, the land of Jinzhong was still shrouded in an ink-like twilight, and a cavalry team wiped the darkness and hurried south. Outside Shangdang City, it was divided into two waves. The large group passed through the city and continued southward. The small group of more than ten riders held torches and headed directly towards Shangdang City. The leader was Xiang Xun.
The originally peaceful city was immediately shattered. The primary school guard on duty alertly shouted, "Who is it?"
Xiang Xun led the men, reined in the horse at a safe distance, and took a few breaths. Looking up at the high city wall, he directly revealed his identity: "I am a friend of Judge Gao and Inspector Wang. Please go and report to me. I'm going to the party at night. If you have anything urgent to say!"
Revealing the names of Gao Fang and Wang Shouen was still very effective, and the primary school immediately sent someone to notify them. Before long, the city gate opened a hole, and Xiang Xun and more than ten people were easily put in.
In the city, where the Surui Army was stationed, Xiang Xun was commanded to welcome Li Wanchao into his military tent. Li Wancao has a strong build, a tough face, and an obvious scar on his head. At a glance, you can tell that he is a general who has experienced military service.
"Brother Xiang, please rest in the tent for a while. Wang and Duke Gao will be here shortly!" After entering, Li Wanchao pointed at the simply decorated military tent, cupped his fists and saluted.
"I won't be polite to the general!" Xiang Xun bowed his hand and returned the salute, and said very naturally: "Brothers who came south with me, please help the general to arrange something."
"That's natural, please rest assured, Brother Xiang!"
Xiang Xun's face had a shaggy beard, and his eyes seemed a little blurry, showing fatigue and a dull look. Running continuously from north to south, rarely stopping, and traveling at night, the journey of more than two hundred miles was indeed not easy for Xiang Xun. As soon as he fell down, he fell into a deep sleep, and the fatigue of his body seemed to dissipate with the lengthy snores.
Xiang Xun couldn't rest for long, but in just a moment, Gao Fang and Wang Shouen rushed to Su Rui Camp. There was no sign of impatience on Xiang Xun's face when he was called. After seeing the courtesy, he steeled himself to discuss important matters with the three of them. Li Wanchao was very considerate and prepared some food for Xiang Xun.
Although the food was simple, Xiang Xun ate deliciously. No longer caring about being polite, he talked to the three of them while eating: "You three, after learning about Shangdang's situation, His Highness has decided to send troops south overnight. The First Army of Longqi has already set off first, assessing its feet. Cheng, we should be able to reach the city before dawn. Your Majesty’s army, from behind, it’s up to you to go to the party’s side..."
Chewing something in his mouth, Xiang Xun's words were slightly muffled, but the three of them obviously heard clearly. Under Xiang Xun's gaze, the inspection envoy Wang Shou'en immediately expressed his stance: "We look forward to Master Wang as much as we look forward to the rain, and we will definitely lead the city back!"
It's hard to say that Wang Shou'en has any abilities. He is extremely greedy. Everywhere he works, he focuses on amassing money without any lower limit. It's just that he comes from a wealthy family and has a very powerful father. Under his protection, he has a prosperous official career.
His father, Wang Jian, was a famous minister who started his career with Emperor Mingzong of the Tang Dynasty. He was an extremely powerful figure with a fierce personality and ruthless methods. Although he killed many people, he was extremely prestigious. He was once so powerful that he was crowned king. Throughout the Five Dynasties, there were many people with different surnames who were crowned kings, but those who could be crowned kings were all momentary heroes.
Therefore, among Wang, Gao and Li, Wang Shou'en was the leader. After he finished his statement, Li Wanchao couldn't wait to answer: "Brother Xiang, don't worry, Zhao Xingqian and the Khitan money envoy did evil, and the army and the people were angry. We have long been unwilling to serve fish and meat for Hu Kouzu, even if Master Wang doesn't come, He also has a sense of righteousness!"
Xiang Xun had already figured out the attitude of these three people, otherwise he would not have boldly contacted them. Hearing this, he nodded and said solemnly: "His Highness's intention is that the whole city must be attacked and no unrest in the Shangdang should be caused. Next, we have to deal with the Khitan army that may go north."
"There is nothing to worry about!" Gao Fang spoke, with a steady look on his face, which made people feel at ease: "The Shangdang army is under our control. Zhao Xingqian and the Khitan envoys can't afford to overturn it." What a wave. But that Geng Chongmei, His Highness is right to worry and has to be on guard."
"If all the armies work together, great things will be accomplished!" Xiang Xun said with a smile.
"Without further delay! How about we raise our troops overnight, rush into the Commander's Mansion, kill Zhao Xingqian and the Khitan Hu chieftain, and surrender the city?" At this time, Li Wanchao clapped his thigh and looked at the three of them with burning eyes.
After hearing what he said, Xiang Xun said nothing and just glanced at Wang Shouen and Gao Fang. The two looked at each other, Gao Fang nodded, and Wang Shouen agreed: "General Li will lead his troops to attack Jiedu Mansion, and I will lead the city guards to control the entire city!"
"You three, I'm exhausted both physically and mentally. I'll leave you with the party matters. I'll just stay in this tent and take another nap. I hope that when I wake up, the whole city will be filled with good news." Seeing this, he asked The training was very easy.
Li Wanchao admired Xiang Xun's magnanimity very much. He laughed and stood up: "Brother Xiang, please have a good night's rest in this tent!"
