Chapter 17 7. True and false information: To create conditions, troops must be dispatched

The founding monarchs who were able to win great power in the flames of war all had one thing in common: outstanding military talents and political strategies, and talents in one aspect could only become a fierce general or a counselor, not a man of ten thousand people. The king of a country in the world.Zhao Kuangyin's military talents were comprehensively improved and displayed when he followed Sejong Chai Rong in the Quartet, so he gained Chai Rong's attention.But he kept a low profile, and did not make too much attention on the political stage in the later Zhou Dynasty. On the one hand, it may be because of his personality, and he is unwilling to compete for rewards; but on the other hand, it may be because he planned Far-reaching, don't want to show your sharpness.However, this kind of accumulation has a development stage, and when it needs to explode, its strength is no less than that of any generation of politicians.

After careful arrangements, Zhao Pu, Miao Xun and others felt that the time was almost ripe, and what was lacking now was just the best opportunity to make trouble. Zhao Pu said to Miao Xun and others: "At present, there are Fan Zhi and Wang Pu in the court, and Han Tong and Li Yun in the generals. Although these people have different intentions, they restrain each other, and no one will make the slightest move. These can be said to be Sejong's ingenious arrangements. But in this way, the inspecting general is also restrained by them, and he has no reason to leave the capital, so he has no chance to raise his troops."

Miao Xun said: "Yes, Sejong is a generation of British lords, but God does not protect people. We do this for the peace of the people in the world as soon as possible, so I believe God will help us." In this regard, Zhao Pu shook his head and said: "Whether God will help us or not, we can't see it now, maybe we will notice it in the future. But the most important thing now is that we have to help ourselves." Li Jixun, Wang Shenqi, Liu Qingyi and other generals hurriedly asked: "Sir, if you say so, you should have a good plan, right? Let's tell everyone quickly."

Zhao Pu said: "Yes, I have a plan in mind now, but to realize it, everyone needs to work together." Everyone hurriedly said: "I would like to hear the details." Zhao Pu said: "In a few days, it will be the Spring Festival. Presumably the palace will gather all the ministers together to have a feast. The first Spring Festival since the little emperor ascended the throne will be the result of Empress Dowager Fu and Fan Zhi. Waiting for people's greatest wish. So we have to make good use of this opportunity." As he said, Zhao Pu looked around at the concentrating crowd, and then said: "Khitan has always coveted my Great Zhou, but it's just out of fear of Sejong and the imperial court. Generals don’t dare to send troops easily. Now that Sejong is gone, I think Khitan may also be preparing to find an opportunity to send troops to Dazhou!"

Hearing this, Miao Xun nodded and smiled, and said, "Is that what you mean by helping yourself?" Zhao Pu smiled and said, "Yes! Now that the court is at peace, the queen mother and the prime minister don't want to see the flames of war, and it's the Spring Festival, and the generals don't want to leave home to fight. I'm going to the territory, so it's a good time to inspect the general and lead the troops out of Beijing!" Wang Shenqi hurriedly said, "But Khitan didn't come?" Zhao Pu said: "If he doesn't come, we can let him come! Dingzhou and Zhenzhou are the important towns that bear the brunt of the Khitan's southward invasion, and the governors of these two states are also our people. As long as they send an urgent report saying that the Khitan invaded, and Who wouldn't believe it?"

Everyone praised Zhao Pu's clever plan very much. Wang Shenqi said: "At that time, we will follow General Zhao to send troops out of Beijing. When foreign military orders are not accepted, we can dispatch troops from all over the country to use for me. Great timing!" Zhao Pu smiled and said, "You finally understand, but you can't leave Beijing with the general." Wang Shenqi asked: "Why? I still want to fight with the general and make achievements. Sir, don't stop me." Zhao Pu said: "Going out of the capital will certainly bring merit, but being on duty in the capital is more important for us in this incident. We have all left the capital, and if we want to come back, who will open the city gate for us? You and Shi Shouxin belong to the imperial army. Leader, your duty is to control the capital before we arrive, so that we can return to the capital smoothly, so that no one can compare to the credit of you two!"

Wang Shenqi laughed and said, "That's great!" Seeing his excitement, everyone laughed. In a blink of an eye, the Spring Festival is here. Empress Dowager Fu ordered civil and military officials to enter the palace to have a feast, to celebrate the first Spring Festival since Zhou Gong Emperor Chai Zongxun ascended the throne.All the ministers entered the palace one after another after receiving the decree, and for a while, there was a peaceful and prosperous scene of singing and dancing. When everyone was drinking and mingling, suddenly an urgent report came from outside the palace gate. The eunuch of the Huangmen whispered in the Empress Dowager Fu's ear, and the Empress Dowager's face turned pale immediately.

Fan Zhi hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Queen Mother, why are you so panicked?" Empress Dowager Fu said in a trembling voice, "Just now there was an urgent report from Dingzhou that the Khitan Khan has assembled an army of 300,000 troops and marched southward to avenge King Sejong's northern expedition." The singing and dancing in the main hall suddenly became silent, and the dancers and musicians found that the atmosphere that was still boiling just now suddenly seemed to be frozen, and they all retreated quietly.All the ministers also put down their wine glasses and looked at the prime minister and the queen mother solemnly. This news made the originally joyous festival full of surprises.

Fan Zhi and Wang Pu looked at each other. At this time, although there are all officials in the hall, the decision-making power rests with them who bear the heavy responsibility, so the queen mother also places her hopes on them. Wang Pu said: "Now my country is in great prosperity. Although Sejong passed away early, Weatherford has been captured everywhere. The Empress Dowager does not need to panic. As long as she dispatches troops and generals, she will definitely be able to keep Khitan out of the country." As soon as the words fell, a loud voice said: "Is the prime minister not going to approve the urgent report received in a hurry, so he wants to send troops?"

Fan Zhi saw that it was Han Tong, another Tuogu minister. He came striding from outside the hall who did not attend the imperial banquet. It seemed that he had heard the news, so he rushed over. Han Tong paid his respects to the emperor and the empress dowager, and said in a loud voice: "Dingzhou is in a hurry, and the Khitan invades. These are all urgent matters. But according to the instructions of King Sejong, you can't easily send troops to go out. If you go out of the camp, the emperor's order is difficult, so you must approve it." Is the information received true?"

Empress Dowager Fu asked anxiously: "Shizong said this, but now that the Khitan's 300,000 troops have marched south, according to the general's opinion, what should we do?" Before Han Tong had time to reply, the eunuchs sent another urgent report: There is also news from Zhenzhou that the Khitan army has arrived! Seeing this, Li Jixun, Liu Qingyi and other generals hurriedly said: "Zhenzhou and Dingzhou are the two places closest to Khitan in Dazhou. The news from both of them shows that this is indeed the case. If we don't send troops again, I'm afraid these two prefectures will be destroyed." Fallen!" Empress Dowager Fu looked at Fan Zhi and Wang Pu, not knowing what to do.Fan Zhi quietly discussed with Wang Pu: "The military situation is more powerful than the fire situation, it seems that we should send troops immediately!" Wang Pu said: "It is true, but who should be sent to the war now is safer? When Sejong was alive, he repeatedly explained that he should not send troops easily, and that he must choose his generals carefully if he wants to go out, otherwise there will be danger of overthrowing the country." Fan Zhining thought for a while and said: "Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde, one is Taizu's nephew and the other is Taizu's son-in-law, and they have the same clan friendship with Sejong. But both of them support themselves, and Sejong is still alive. I was very taboo against them at that time, it seems that it is not acceptable.” Wang Pu nodded and said: "Before Shizong died, he revoked Zhang Yongde's post of inspection in front of the palace. It is for this reason. If he is sent again at this time, he will definitely not be able to. In addition, there is also Li Yun. He is also proud of himself recently. It’s quite invincible.” Fan Zhi said: "Although General Han Tong is also a minister of Tuogu, he is responsible for defending the capital. Sejong has repeatedly explained that no matter what happens, Han Tong must be stationed in the capital, so as to protect Dazhou from perishing!" Wang Pu nodded, and said softly: "It seems that there is only one suitable candidate at present." Fan Zhi nodded, and the two had already tacitly agreed. Fan Zhi and Wang Pu asked Empress Dowager Fu to leave the table and come to the harem to discuss, and said to her: "Now the military situation is urgent, it seems that we can only send troops to go there immediately." Empress Dowager Fu hurriedly asked: "Sejong told us that you must be cautious about sending troops and generals. Who do you think is safer to send out now?" Wang Pu said: "Looking at all the generals in the court, there is only one person with this qualification and ability, and that is Zhao Kuangyin who is inspected in front of the palace. First, he has been following Sejong in the southern and northern wars, and he has been serving as a servant since the time of Taizu. On the left and right, he has outstanding talents and a deep friendship with Sejong, which can reassure us; secondly, this talent is in his thirties. Compared with Li Chongjin, Zhang Yongde and others, he is the youngest and has the lowest qualifications; thirdly, Sejong It is in harmony with him that he has always been a monarch and a minister, and before he died, he was asked to replace Zhang Yongde for the inspection in front of the palace, which shows that Sejong trusts him very much. Therefore, only letting him send troops is the most reliable." Empress Dowager Fu nodded when she heard the words: "Sejong really appreciates this man. If so, let the inspector Zhao Kuangyin lead the army to go out!" Under the collegiality of everyone, Zhao Kuangyin was immediately appointed as Marshal of the Northern Expedition.On the first day of the new year, he bid farewell to his wife and went to the Imperial Army barracks to order soldiers; on the second day of the first lunar month, under Zhao Kuangyin's order, Murong Yanzhao, the deputy capital inspector in front of the temple, led the vanguard troops and left the capital. Starting the Northern Expedition; on the third day of the first lunar month, Zhao Kuangyin led an orderly army from Kaifeng to the north. During the entire process of Zhao Kuangyin's seizure of power, seemingly accidental factors were controlled by him and his advisers.In ancient times, there were those who used false edicts to attack the enemy and seize power, and there were also those who falsely preached imperial edicts to fight for power and profit. They all used false information to create favorable conditions for their own actions. This time, Zhao Kuangyin, who used false information as an excuse to create opportunities for himself to lead the army, is absolutely unprecedented. Zhao Kuangyin, who gained military power, stayed overnight in Chenqiaoyi. His troops were noisy and sleepless all night, and a shocking coup was brewing.But Kaifeng City tonight has already entered a peaceful dreamland, without the slightest notice that it is undergoing a historic change.