In the evening in the Houya courtyard, Wang Xiaolian set up a wine banquet to catch the wind for Ye Mengde.
Shizhou is in a valley and is much warmer than in the mountains. A large screen was used to block the cold wind, and several pots of charcoal were lit, which was quite warm.
Wang Xiaolie raised his glass and said to Ye Mengde: "Everything is simple, don't be dissatisfied with participating in politics."
Ye Mengde smiled after hearing this and said: "This is the front line, and the Lieutenant has already worked hard. I deserve it!"
After saying that, he raised his glass and drank it down with Wang Xiaolie.
Putting down the wine glass, Wang Xiaolie said: "There will be wars at any time. There is no singing and dancing here, only the sound of swords and swords. If you are not used to participating in politics, you can go back in a day or two."
Ye Mengde said: "Why, is the Taiwei going to fight in the next few days?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "The Holy Emperor's edict clearly states that he wants me to pacify the Guanzhong area. The army is waiting for the moment and is preparing to set off."
Ye Mengde pondered for a while and then said: "Originally I wanted to say something, but everything here is different from other armies. After thinking about it, I'd better keep my mouth shut. Since the war is going to start, I will stay longer. Look at how our warriors compete with the barbarians!"
Wang Xiaolie smiled, didn't say anything more, and just drank.
There is no good food here in Shizhou, but sheep is good and cheap. Tonight, a sheep was slaughtered and pierced with skewers. Each person had a small stove in front of him and roasted it while eating. Served with a few cold vegetables, such as mung bean sprouts, lotus root slices, radish, etc., it is also a rich meal.
Drinking and chatting.
Although Ye Mengde was a civil servant, he was very interested in talking about the warriors on the battlefield. I heard some generals telling some war stories, and I was very interested.
It wasn't until late at night that they drank to their heart's content and dispersed.
Wang Xiaolie returned to the room, his soldiers served a pot of tea, and then left. Wang Xiaolie sat alone at the table, motionless. After a long time, he suddenly picked up the teapot and drank a lot.
Judging from Zhao Gou's edict, he has decided to make the Northern Expedition. It should be his own artillery that gave him courage and made him feel that he could have the upper hand against the Jin army.
Qin Hui resigned as prime minister and Zhang Jun returned to the court. The signal was very clear. In particular, recalling Zhang Jun was a show of goodwill to Wang Xiaolie, allowing him to have more freedom in Shaanxi. Over the years, Wang Xiaolie's avoidance of Zhang Jun has been very obvious, and others can certainly see it. Whatever the reason, it is obvious that Wang Xiaolie avoided contact with Zhang Jun.
At this time, it would be unreasonable to recall Zhang Jun and not set up another Xuanfu envoy on Chuanxia Fourth Road.
To quell the ugly crowd in Guanzhong, Wang Xiaolie recited these words silently, stood up and stood in front of the window.
Shaanxi Road is not only Guanzhong, nor only Shaanbei, but also Qinfeng Road in the west. If counted as transport routes, they can be divided into Yongxing Military Road and Qinfeng Road. If we count the Jinglue pacification envoy roads, there are even more, including Yongxingjun, Fuyan, Huanqing, Qinfeng, Jingyuan and Xihe roads. Zhao Gou deliberately did not explain clearly, but only said Guanzhong, which required Wang Xiaolie to think clearly.
After much deliberation, I can only think that it was Yongxing Military Road that Zhao Gou allowed Wang Xiaolie to occupy.
The Song army's resistance to the Jin army on Yongxing Army Road was not fierce, and the Jin army did little damage. The situation was much better than that on Jingxi Road and Hedong Road. As soon as Zhang Jun left, Wang Xiaolie wanted to move westward and occupy this territory where there were not many Jin troops. With this place, we have the capital to expand our army.
Looking at the dark night outside, Wang Xiaolie fell into deep thought.
From the bottom of his heart, Wang Xiaolie did not want Zhao Gou to make the Northern Expedition. Once the Northern Expedition is won, Zhao Gou will accumulate huge reputation and his throne will be stable. At that time, even if Wang Xiaoye had a large number of troops, it would be difficult to shake Zhao Gou's dominance. Zhao Gou obviously understood this truth, so he was willing to delegate power to Wang Xiaolie in exchange for him sending troops on Hedong Road to coordinate the Northern Expedition. As long as the Northern Expedition succeeds, it will be easy to deal with Wang Xiaolie.
Why doesn't Wang Xiaolie understand? If this Northern Expedition succeeds, he will be like a shooting star in this world. He once flashed a dazzling light, but will eventually fall silent. I just don’t know if people will remember that light in the sky.
With Zhao Gou as a person, as long as Wang Xiaolie gives up military power, there is a high probability that he will be rich and wealthy for the rest of his life. Zhao Gou's greatest characteristic is that he can endure anything as long as he needs to.
Is this what you want?
Wang Xiaolie sat down at the table again, looked at the night quietly, and finally sighed.
What is the biggest contradiction of this era? Of course it was the Northern Expedition to fight against the Jin Dynasty. As long as Zhao Gou grasps this main contradiction, there is nothing others can do. Even if Wang Xiaolie had the power to overthrow Zhao Gou, he did not want the people to suffer. What's more, the loyalty of his subordinates is difficult to guarantee.
What can be done?
Zhao Gou said that he wanted to go to the Northern Expedition, so Wang Xiaolie had to do his best to help. Not thinking about his own retreat, he mobilized all his troops and captured Taiyuan. If Zhao Gou's Northern Expedition succeeds and the puppet Qi is destroyed, the Song Dynasty will have a better strategic situation. Zhao Gou's ambition is more ambitious, so he will continue to go north and occupy Youyan.
If Zhao Gou's Northern Expedition fails, it depends on how he acts. At this point, nothing is certain.
Leaning back on the chair, Wang Xiaolie felt as if a huge stone was pressing on his chest, and he could hardly breathe.
The next morning, Wang Xiaolie woke up leisurely. Only then did he realize that he had fallen asleep in the chair and was feeling pain everywhere. He stood up, staggered forward, and almost fell down. I felt hot all over my body, and when I touched my forehead, it was actually scalding hot.
Slowly sitting on the edge of the bed, I felt that I no longer had the strength to stand up. He just sat there for a long time and sighed.
He wanted to call his soldiers to the room, but found that his voice was hoarse and he could hardly make a sound. After sitting on the bed for a long time, I gathered enough strength to hold the table and move it to the door. Open the door, call the soldiers, and ask them to make a bowl of ginger water.
The soldiers didn't dare to ask any more questions. I went to make ginger water and reported to Cui Qing.
Cui Qing came running all the way. Seeing Wang Xiaolie standing there holding on to the doorframe. He looked weak, his eyes were empty, and his face was frighteningly white.
Stepping forward to support Wang Xiaolie, Cui Qing asked: "Xuanfu, what's wrong with you? You look really scary! Get some rest quickly, I'll call the military doctor!"
Wang Xiaolie shook his head: "I caught a cold last night. I drank some ginger water and had a good sleep. What's the use of calling a military doctor?"
Cui Qing helped Wang Xiao lie to the bed and sat down. Unfolding the quilt, he lay down and carefully tucked the corner of the quilt. Turning his head, he saw that the charcoal fire had long gone out. Said: "I said I wanted to install a fire tunnel in Xuanfu's room, but Xuanfu just refused. Alas, now -"
Seeing Wang Xiaolie looking at him with his eyes open, he hurriedly stopped and said nothing.
Wang Xiaolie said: "I am destined to have this calamity, so you don't have to blame yourself. If something happens, just take good care of yourself."
Cui Qing nodded.
The soldiers brought ginger water over. Jiang Qing took it and waited carefully for Wang Xiaolie to drink.
Passing the bowl back to the soldier, Cui Qing glared at him and pointed to the charcoal basin next to him. The soldier felt guilty and hurriedly lowered his head.
