Yan Tao stood on the carriage and was still a little confused after confirming again and again.
"When did Datong gain the title of His Highness Prince Jin? Why didn't I, the general, know about it?"
Ju Chuan, the deputy general next to him, said nonchalantly: "Xu is the newly appointed one by His Majesty our Emperor? There are already kings of Zhao and Chu in this world, as well as prime ministers of the four kingdoms of Qin, Zhou, Qi and Wei, and now there is another king of Jin and an emperor. Maybe you feel that there is a prince outside who can respond to you?"
Yan Tao laughed loudly: "What's the use of having multiple kings? It mainly depends on how many people he has. A few thousand people is nothing! If I, Dajin, have hundreds of cities like Zhao Chu, then I will Jin can also be called king or emperor, but now he is not the emperor who has the final say alone, it has to be his fist."
Yan Tao turned around and looked at the more than 2,000 elite soldiers behind him and couldn't help but feel comforted. The awe of Emperor Datong rubbed back and forth on the soles of his feet.
"Let's go and meet this new King Jin."
There was a huge team, and twenty chariots led the way first. Yan Tao was the Sima of the left army of the Kingdom of Jin, a serious general in charge of the first army, and a real leader of ten thousand people.
In Datong's military establishment, five brigades constitute one army, with a Sima commanding 10,000 troops, while the five brigades are divided into divisions, with registered generals commanding 50,000 troops.
There are five great commanders in the Jin Kingdom, and Datong respects the left. Therefore, although Yan Tao is one of the five great commanders, he is indeed the number one in the Jin Kingdom's army. He is also the great nephew of the leader of the Jin Kingdom.
Nowadays, most of the main forces of Peng and Shu are confronting the main force of Jin soldiers in the Yuhang area. Most of the remaining places are empty of troops. Naturally, Yan Tao does his part in this kind of peach picking. He doesn't have to put in much effort to get a lot of soldiers. Affordable.
The scouts on both sides were nervously testing each other. Although there was no fighting, the atmosphere was quite tense, especially since there were thousands of civilians and defeated soldiers from Peng and Shu in the camp. Many of them even threatened to give the Jin soldiers a good look. He was shouting cheerfully, and his eyes were very fierce as he stood in the camp.
Yan Tao didn't care, and immediately ordered his subordinates to set up camp, dragging out the plundered livestock and slaughtering them. The smell of blood soon spread out, making the already restless crowd even more angry, especially when they saw that there were many people in Jin's camp. After the young girl and daughter-in-law, this anger began to develop out of control.
Ju Chuan and Yan Tao stood on a high slope and looked at Guan Cheng's camp. The two sides were not very far away. The Jin soldiers were even digging holes and burying piles a hundred steps away. Even from here, they could hear the curses. come out.
"General, why don't you ask your men to retreat a little? If the other side suddenly rushes out, our army will not be ready."
Yan Tao said nonchalantly: "Laoju, you are still a little timid. That's why you have been with me for so many years and you have never been able to stand alone."
Mar Chuan did not dare to refute and quickly said no.
"Look at this terrain, it's high in the west and low in the east, and our army is just in the west. From here, you can see every move in the opponent's camp. As long as the flag is waved, the soldiers can wear armor and hold swords. Moreover, although the opponent has many people, it can be seen. Half of them are refugees from Peng and Shu, just a group of old, weak, women and children. Even their main force and elites have been taken away by us and they dare not go out. What can the exiles who can't even eat enough with these meals do?"
"You have to be brave and careful. This is also a kind of power. Do you understand?"
Ju Chuan bowed to the end and said sincerely: "I would like to thank the general for your teaching."
Yan Tao nodded and stopped talking, and continued to observe the camp opposite. Although he was the nephew of the leader of the Kingdom of Jin, he had to say that Yan Tao had some abilities, otherwise the other four major commanders would not tolerate him. Jin It is impossible for the leader of the country to entrust the most elite forces to him to command.
The sky began to reflect the fiery red sunset, and both sides felt a little relieved as they were sure that the other side was not the enemy for the time being.
"Report to Sima, there is someone on the other side asking to see you."
"Oh?" Yan Tao turned around, thought for a moment and said with a smile, "So fast?"
"Who is it?"
"Going back to Sima, the person who came here claimed to be Sima Wuchengju, the former East Palace guard and the current Jin Dynasty's left Sima."
Yan Tao suddenly had doubts in his heart: "Laoju?"
Ju Chuan said quickly: "Wu Chengju will eventually know that he traveled to various countries in the early years and was quite brave. Later he returned to Zhili and was called into the palace as a lieutenant in the Nangong Palace. Later he was transferred to the East Palace as a Sima and Prince Guan. Cheng's confidants say that he is the East Palace Guards' personal army Sima, but actually he doesn't even have 2,000 men under his command, but now he has been transferred to the Zuo Sima of the Jin Kingdom, so it's not clear who he will be."
Yan Tao nodded slightly and said: "Then let's go and have a look. No matter how the Jin Kingdom came out, the Zuo Sima of this country is equal to this Sima. If we go, we can't weaken the reputation of Dajin. "
Wu Chengju felt very awkward sitting in the center of the Jin Army Tent. It had been a while since he had burned incense, but there was no one except the soldier who brought him a cup of tea. Such an inconvenience was simply too much. If it weren't for His Highness's important event, Wu Chengju was really I really want to walk away without this kind of birdiness.
The screams of women could be heard from time to time in the camp, and the noise of the soldiers made Wu Chengju feel upset. He was originally a ranger and loved to fight injustices. Later, he entered the palace and became a school captain and later became a Sima. The same was true for Guan. Cheng also appreciates this about him very much. Some people are born kind, and kindness is stupid but very valuable in troubled times.
The tea in the cup had reached the bottom, and when he was about to stand up, a burst of laughter came from him.
"Hahahahaha, hey, Wu Sima, I am busy with official duties. I went out on inspection just now. I made Wu Sima wait for a long time. It's a sin."
As soon as he finished speaking, the door curtain was raised by two soldiers, and a strong-backed general, wearing iron armor and a pointed helmet with a plume on his head and a bronze sword at his waist, walked in.
The appearance is very majestic.
Wu Chengju knew he was the opponent's general without having to guess.
Immediately he stood up and said politely: "Yan Sima is so polite, but I paid you a visit rashly. I'm sorry for bothering you."
Wu Cheng raised his voice and lowered his posture obviously, which made Yan Tao slightly satisfied.
The two sides sat down again, and Yan Tao asked: "I have heard about Wu Sima for a long time. I heard that Wu Sima is a person close to His Royal Highness, and he holds the post of Sima of the East Palace Guards and the Army. Why was he suddenly transferred to Zuo Sima of the Jin Kingdom?"
"But what grievances have you suffered? If Wu Sima tells me, I can introduce him to you. I, Dajin, have been longing for a talent like Wu Sima for a long time."
Not only Wu Chengju felt angry that he was directly poaching, but even the guards behind him felt that it was too much.
Wu Chengju said: "What did General Yan say? It's just a matter of eating the emperor's salary and being loyal to the emperor. Where does the grievance come from?"
Yan Tao didn't take it seriously when he encountered a nail that was neither soft nor hard. He paid tribute to the emperor and was loyal to the emperor. Who among the princes in the world would be willing to remember who the emperor is.
"Well, everyone has their own ambitions. I wonder why Wu Sima came here?"
"I came here to ask what Yan Sima and his army are doing here on the orders of His Royal Highness the King of Jin."
Yan Tao sneered and said, "Whatever I am doing here, I only need to report to my Lord Da Jin."
"But this is Peng State. The Jin army suddenly appeared here and set up camp a stone's throw away from our army. Could it be that they have some intention?"
"Uh ha ha ha ha." Yan Tao suddenly laughed a few times and said: "The names of Wu Sima are all brave, how can he be so cowardly? Our army is just stationed. As for why it is here, it is a national matter and has nothing to do. inform."
Yan Tao's behavior was extremely arrogant, and he tried to anger the other party.
"But Wu Sima, the current princes and generals in the world are aware of it, but they have never heard of the country title with the surname Jin, and they are still kings. Are there any other princes in the world besides Zhao Chu and Qin Qi Zhou Wei? Even the southeastern Wei Kingdom is nothing more than a duke."
"Presumptuous!" Wu Chengju couldn't bear it anymore and started shouting.
More than a dozen soldiers quickly poured into the tent, and their long swords were unsheathed and a cold light exploded.
"Hmph!" Yan Tao said disdainfully: "What does Wu Sima mean by this? Are you trying to take advantage of my power in the Jin Army's tent?"
Wu Chengju's face was livid, and his anger was obvious: "It's too much to bully others. Yan Tao, don't you think that this is a world where a little viscount from your Kingdom of Jin can do whatever he wants?"
Yan Tao couldn't bear to hear this. Although the Kingdom of Jin was small, it had great ambitions. Such words made Yan Tao already have murderous intentions in his heart.
"Yan Tao, listen, His Royal Highness the King of Jin is the eldest son of the current Holy Emperor, the former Crown Prince of the East Palace. Now he has assumed the vassal status under the Holy Order, and he is the king."
"As you said, both Zhao and Chu are principalities, and the other states such as Qin and Zhou are just feudal states. Datong has not yet conquered the world!"
After hearing this, Yan Tao burst out laughing again: "Wu Chengju, although my Dajin is small, I still have one hundred thousand soldiers. This place is less than four hundred miles away from Yong'an City!"
The threat was so obvious that Yan Tao even dropped the tea cup in his hand to the ground.
The situation was tense for a moment.
Wu Chengju was not afraid at all and sneered: "Yan Tao, I know that you are the nephew of the leader of the Jin Kingdom. You are known as the number one in the Jin Kingdom's army, but you are also somewhat brave. But you must not forget that the laws of this world still exist. Datong, if you dare to bully the nations of tomorrow today, you will be able to destroy your small country of forty-two counties."
Yan Tao doesn't have to be afraid of Datong. Zhili County is limited to those eight counties, so no one will be afraid. But if there is an excuse, no one from Liang, Zhou or even Chu will give up such an honest opportunity.
Ju Chuan also whispered at this time: "General, you should think twice about this matter. Zhili County is not a concern, but Liang and Zhou are both ambitious."
Yan Tao's face was uncertain, but he finally waved his hand bitterly, and the soldiers hesitated and exited the tent.
Wu Chengju asked: "Yan Sima, on behalf of my family, I would like to ask you why you are here."
Yan Tao rolled his eyes and said: "Since His Highness the King of Jin is asking me, I have nothing to hide. A few days ago, Peng and Shu joined forces to fight against me. Our Lord had no choice but to fight back. Now that the two sides are fighting, I have been ordered to hunt down Work carefully to ensure the army's retreat."
Wu Chengju's eyebrows twitched slightly. This was simply bullshit. The logistics and arrest details were almost reaching Zhili County.
But now that the situation is weak, it is good to have a reason.
"In this case, I will report back to His Highness Prince Jin later, but Yan Sima needs to get out of the way tomorrow morning to allow us to pass."
Yan Tao smiled and said, "That's natural, but where is the Jin Kingdom?"
Wu Chengju asked with great interest: "What? Does Yan Sima also want to serve in the Jin Kingdom? If Yan Sima comes, I will recommend you a good job."
Yan Tao didn't expect Wu Chengju to be waiting for him here, but then he said: "Wu Sima is joking. His Highness the King of Jin is passing by. I have to report it to the king no matter what, and prepare some small profits to express my congratulations."
"Yan Sima is interested. His Highness's vassal territory this time is in the southwest. Yan Sima, I have important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."
"Thank you, Wu Sima, for informing me. I'm sorry to see you off so far."
Yan Tao and others sent him out of the tent until his back disappeared.
At this time, the sky had darkened, and countless torches were burning to illuminate the surroundings. Occasionally, there was the faint sound of grease exploding.
Yan Tao's face looked a little gloomy in the firelight.
Chase, who cares about Chase now? Even if there is, I'm afraid it's just a fig leaf excuse that I care about.
Wu Chengju, who returned to the camp, immediately reported the situation to Guan Cheng.
Guan Cheng summoned Wang Ye again and asked, "Do you know anything about Yan Tao?"
Wang Ye thought about it for a while and then said: "Back to your highness, although this person is a relative of the benefactor, he is very talented in using soldiers. Every time he encounters a battle, he must take the lead. Although he is ruthless, he treats the soldiers very generously. Therefore, all the soldiers under his command are I am willing to die for him. However, he often shows his arrogance to others, and the other four commanders of the Jin Kingdom do not like him, so he is considered a lonely minister."
"What is he like as a person? What are his shortcomings?"
Wang Ye blurted out without thinking: "Greedy for money, greedy for merit, lustful!"
Guan Cheng sighed: "He is greedy for money, lustful and arrogant, and the soldiers under his command are willing to die in service. It seems that this person is not a simple person."
Wang Yeshen felt the same way: "What His Highness said is absolutely true. It was this person who took advantage of the confrontation between our army and the Jin army to personally lead ten chariots and two hundred infantry over the mountain to attack our rear. As a result, the coalition forces were defeated, with losses exceeding 20,000, and Peng Guo's main force basically gone. Later, this person conquered Zhongshu County, and my father probably died in the hands of this thief!"
This news surprised Guan Cheng and Wu Chengju. They didn't expect there to be such hatred.
"Wang Ye, don't worry, I'll avenge this feud for you!"
Wang Ye quickly stood up and knelt down on one knee and said: "Your Highness loves me so much, but now our army still has to go to Jin first. How can we delay it because of personal affairs of minor ministers?"
Guan Cheng stood up and helped Wang Ye up before saying: "Since you have decided to follow Gu, then Gu is your king. As your king, I will naturally protect you. If Gu is indifferent to your revenge for killing your father, then who can You still dare to take refuge in Gu."
After hearing this, Wang Ye still refused and said: "Your Highness, the enemy is strong and we are weak, we must not be rash. Your Highness is moved by your benevolent heart. However, we need to pass through the Kingdom of Jin on our way to the west. We cannot ruin your Highness's important affairs just because of you. Please take back your orders." .”
Guan Cheng returned to the main seat and said: "You made it clear to Gu, but if Gu wants the world, the difficulties in the world will be much more difficult than the two or three thousand people of Yan Tao. If Gu is afraid of even this, then why go to Jin. , wouldn’t it be nice to just be an orphaned prince in Yong’an City and wait for his successor as human emperor?”
Seeing that Wang Ye wanted to speak more, Guan Cheng immediately interrupted him and continued: "Wang Ye, remember, if you serve Gu, Gu will make the decision for you. Even if the sky falls, Gu will support you. As long as Gu is No one can insult you. Yan Tao's fate has been decided for you!"
"I have made up my mind, no more words"
