By the time Zhong Mo walked out of the main south gate of the imperial city, the sky was already dark, and the surrounding area was heavily guarded. The imperial guards stood motionless like sculptures, not squinting at him, a commoner who walked out of the palace gate.
Above the night, a crescent moon hung, and the moonlight was dim. However, under the imperial city, Zhong Mo had a look of relief on his face. He looked back at the towering imperial city of Han Dynasty, and let out a sigh of relief. tone.
After a question and answer session with the Han Emperor, it was clear that his intention in letting him return to Jinling was to serve him as an internal agent of the Northern Han Dynasty in the small court of the Southern Tang Dynasty. For Zhong Mo, this is not too joyful, because upon reflection, it seems to be a poisonous fruit.
First of all, if he returns south from Tokyo, it will be a question whether he can gain the trust of Li Jing and the Southern Tang Dynasty. If he is like Li Deming, and is accused of collaborating with the enemy, such a result is not what he wants to see.
Secondly, I feel a little uncomfortable being a disciple who betrays the Lord. If you were given an official position in the Han Dynasty, you would still have such a big obstacle in your heart. If you return to Jinling and take the Tang Dynasty salary, but do something treasonous and treasonous, it will be bad for your reputation if word spreads.
However, after thinking about it, Zhong Mo found that he had no more choices. Once the Han Emperor summoned him, there would be no room for him to survive in the Tokyo market. On the other hand, although Zhong Mo could endure a miserable life, deep down in his heart, he really didn't want to live like this for a long time. In addition, his wife and family members were all in Jiangdong, so it was always a good thing to be able to return to his hometown.
Another point is that what Zhong Mo said to the Han Emperor was true to his heart. He really felt that according to the current development of the situation, it was only a matter of time before the Northern Han Dynasty flattened all the countries and unified the world.
Take one step, count one step, Zhong Mo can only make this plan temporarily. Probably knowing Zhong Mo's poverty and predicament, Liu Chengyou rewarded him with a hundred taels of silver. The reward was heavy in his arms, but Zhong Mo's steps were extremely brisk. When he returned to his rental place, Zhong Mo had already thought about how to explain to Li Jing and how to face the questioning of the Southern Tang court officials after returning to Jinling.
...
"Your Majesty, Zhong Mo took the ultimatum issued by the Ministry of Rites and boarded the ship to return to the south!" In the palace, Liu Chengyou received the report: "Before Zhong Mo left, he generously reported to his sojourners and benefactors, and hired people in the city. I hired two followers to protect me..."
"Since I can remember the kindness of lodging and food, I hope it can live up to my high expectations!" Liu Chengyou said lightly and ordered: "It is not convenient to pass on the checkpoints along the way!"
"yes!"
After the Ear Grain, the temperature has increased significantly, and the harvest of large wheat fields in Hebei has begun. Here in Tokyo, it’s another summer rain with heavy rainfall.
"Your Majesty, slow down, your clothes are wet!" Zhang Dejun held up a big umbrella and followed step by step, reminding him a little hurriedly.
It was not until they entered the Privy Council that Liu Chengyou's steps slowed down. Zhang Dejun put away his umbrella and hurriedly helped to wipe away some raindrops stained on the emperor's robe.
"Okay, take care of it yourself!" Liu Chengyou pointed at Zhang Dejun, who had left more than half of the eunuch's robe wet.
Inside the Privy Council, there was an orderly scene. Due to the weather, it was less busy and more leisurely. Along the way, all the officials put down their affairs and saluted.
In the military machine room, the two envoys Zhe Congruan and Guo Rong were discussing something. When they learned that the emperor was coming in person, they hurried out to greet him.
"No gift!"
"Cook tea for Your Majesty!" Guo Rongchao ordered his subordinates.
"Sit!" Liu Chengyou sat down with his horse and golden sword, motioned to Zhe and Guo, and asked, "What are you talking about?"
Guo Rong chuckled and said: "Cao Yin of Lizhou reported that Zhou Xingfeng sent troops to Langzhou. He sent 7,000 troops from Changsha, advancing by land and water, with the target directly at Wuling!"
"This Zhou Xingfeng can't sit still anymore!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help laughing.
In the past two months since the end of the Huainan War, things have changed dramatically in Hunan. With Ma Chu's old generals Wang Kui and Zhou Xingfeng as the protagonists, and other sworn brothers, surrounding Langzhou, a series of changes and brothers turned against each other. .
The cause of the incident lies in Wuping Jiedushi Wang Kui. He was ordered to attack the Tang Dynasty and intended to take a bite of the fat meat of the Southern Tang Dynasty. However, he did not expect that Ezhou was a tough nut and was beaten to a pulp by Liu Renfan, the general of the Tang Dynasty. , nearly half of the troops were lost, and they returned in embarrassment and returned to Langzhou.
After Ma Chu was destroyed, the rest of Hunan's military and political affairs, except for the areas south of Gui and Chen, which were captured by the Southern Han army, were basically divided among the ten brothers Wang Kui. Among them, Wang Kui was the strongest, occupying Langzhou, and most of his soldiers were Wuling warriors. They were the backbone of their original army to fight against the Ma family and the Tang army.
However, after the defeat of Ezhou, the military strength was greatly reduced, and the strength of the brothers was no longer the best, causing the internal balance of Hunan to be broken. Wang Kui, a warrior, was originally just a subordinate general under Ma Xi'e. He was rough and brave, had little strategy, and had no foresight. He had a perverse personality and was greedy. Due to fate, he was able to separate the territory and control one area.
Of course, it was probably because of an instinct that he felt his strength was weakening and was afraid of attracting prying eyes from others, especially Zhou Xingfeng who occupied Tanzhou. If you want to expand your strength, the simplest and fastest way is to annex other people's troops.
Therefore, Wang Kui set his sights on Chenzhou to the west of Langzhou. Pan Shusi, one of the ten brothers, occupied it. He sent his subordinates to lead two thousand troops westward along the Yuanshui River to ask for money and grain to replenish Wuling.
Wang Kui was greedy, and his subordinates were even more greedy than him, and they were even more unintelligent. Pan Shusi was not a fool. Faced with the pressure of Lang's soldiers, he simply defeated the army sent by Wang Kui at the foot of Yuanling City.
After making a move, there was no room left. Pan Shusi made a fierce move and simply mobilized all the Chenzhou soldiers and quickly advanced eastward, intending to strike first before Wang Kui could react. When they raided Wuling City, Wang Kui was unprepared and was captured in one fell swoop. Wang Kui was killed by the rebels.
From this, Pan Shusi successfully occupied Langzhou, the source of trouble in Hunan.
Perhaps Uncle Pan didn't expect that the progress would be so easy, and he was very happy. However, his actions were swift. He collected scattered soldiers and annexed Wang Kui's subordinates. He was able to occupy the two states of Lang and Chen. With more than 5,000 troops, he became a major force in Hunan, and his ambitions also followed.
After occupying Langzhou, Pan Shusi quickly changed his position and began to worry about his other brothers. The biggest threat to him was of course Zhou Xingfeng who occupied Changsha.
Zhou Xingfeng originally had the city of Changsha raided and destroyed by the Tang army, but he was ruthless and capable enough. After taking control of Changsha, he killed hundreds of people who broke the law in one day. He showed no mercy and was able to quickly stabilize people's hearts and restore order.
Later, he recruited refugees and took in Chu soldiers. When the war in Huainan was in full swing, he sent troops southward and controlled Hengzhou. On the orders of the Han Dynasty, he recruited Gui, Chen, Yong, Dao and other states, and actively suggested that Zhang Wenbiao and other brothers be allowed to To garrison.
Later, he and Wang Kui had a disagreement, and each wrote to the court pointing fingers at the other. Liu Chengyou naturally reconciled with Xini and asked Zhou Xingfeng to lead the army to attack Tang Dynasty. Zhou Xingfeng did the same and led his army out of the city to attack Yuanzhou in the Southern Tang Dynasty.
Zhou Xingfeng was quite scheming. When he entered the territory of the Tang Dynasty, he didn't care when faced with the Tang generals who defended the city. He led an army to monitor, and sent his subordinates to plunder the property and people in Yuanzhou, and captured 7,000 men, women and children. The goods were returned to Changsha.
Within half a year, Zhou Xingfeng was able to take control of Tan and Heng prefectures, with tens of thousands of troops, and his strength completely overwhelmed the defeated Wang Kui.
Therefore, when Uncle Pan arrived in Langzhou, how could he not express fear of Zhou Xingfeng, a hungry wolf? While training soldiers and horses, repairing the city, and collecting money and food, he sent people to Changsha to tell Zhou Xingfeng his "difficulties" in attacking Wang Kui, saying that he was just trying to survive, and generously invited Zhou Xingfeng to stay in Wuling City.
Zhou Xingfeng expressed his understanding of this and offered to petition the Tokyo court to grant Pan Shusi the title of envoy to the Wuping Army. Pan Shusi refused and helped Liu Yan, the former Jiedu envoy who was originally regarded as the "face" by the ten brothers, to come to power. He became the deputy envoy and went to Tokyo at the same time.
Regarding the situation in Hunan, the Han court had no intention of intervening. It took a sit-and-see attitude and agreed to the imperial edict. After getting what he wanted and "righteousness" in hand, Pan Shusi felt stable and began to enjoy Wuling City.
Zhou Xingfeng, how could he not have ambitions for Langzhou? Seeing that he had succeeded in paralyzing Pan Shusi, he began to provoke his subordinates. Previously in Changsha, Sun Lang and Cao Jin, who had rebelled against the border, came into his sight.
At the beginning, these two men led their men to defect to Wang Kui and were highly used. In the process of expelling the Tang army, they made many achievements based on their familiarity with the Tang army. After Wang Kui was killed by Pan Shusi, he was recruited together. However, under Pan Shusi's command, his wealth and official position were not improved, and he felt resentful.
Faced with Zhou Xingfeng's secret contact, he was indeed tempted. Not long ago, he held a banquet to kill Pan Shusi, and directly led an army to raid the commander's mansion, and also killed Liu Yan, the military governor. Later, the two occupied Langzhou. Sun Lang claimed to be the governor of Wupingjun, and Cao Jin was the governor of Chenzhou, and petitioned the imperial court for the title.
In this regard, before the Han court responded, Zhou Xingfeng took action first.
Guo Rong said to Liu Chengyou: "Zhou Xingfeng, under the banner of 'doing justice for heaven and suppressing violence and quelling chaos', widely circulated messages to the brothers in the south, saying that he wanted to avenge Liu Yan and Pan Shusi. I discussed with Duke Zhe. It is believed that after several rebellions and attacks in Langzhou, the military strength has been reduced sharply and the morale of the army is unstable. Sun Lang and Cao Jin are afraid that they will not be able to stop Zhou Xingfeng!"
Liu Chengyou nodded and asked: "In response to the chaos in Hunan, how do you think the court should respond?"
Zhe Congruan replied: "Wang Kui, Liu Yan, and Pan Shusi were all rewarded by the imperial court. Their subordinates rebelled and attacked each other, completely ignoring the imperial authority. If based on this, in order to consolidate the majesty of the imperial court, we should Support Zhou Xingfeng to quell the rebellion. However, Zhou Xingfeng sent troops privately without the permission of the court. It was clearly for annexation and expansion in the name of quelling the rebellion and revenge. His ambition is obvious and cannot be indulged! If Zhou Xingfeng is allowed to, If Langzhou is occupied again, it will occupy the sacred land of Hunan, which is bound to cause harm, and it will be even more difficult for the court to control in the future!"
"Have you noticed that Zhou Xingfeng is extremely skilled at using tiger skins to make banners?" Liu Chengyou nodded and chuckled.
