Chapter 9 Chapter 41 Conspiracy and trickery
When Huangmen came out and told me that Dijun didn't see me, I was stunned.I said, "Why doesn't Your Majesty see me?"
Huang Men said with a bitter face, "Your Majesty doesn't want to see anyone now. General Chu, please go back first."
That day, I dispersed a group of honoring kings holding a flagpole with a Republican Army tied on it, and sent the leaders to Zhijinwu. Unexpectedly, the next evening, a large number of honoring kings came to gather outside my door for a parade.They unfurled banners and scolded me as a traitor of the "republican rebels" lurking in the imperial capital. They seemed to have completely forgotten that they called me a pillar of the empire.What annoyed me even more was that among the group of people, I actually saw the man I sent to the Ministry of Punishment, even the man who was beaten by Feng Qi.They smiled smugly, as if intending to come to demonstrate.Feng Qi was extremely annoyed, and asked me to give him an iron bullet, but I still held him back.When those royal groups left from morning to dark, I immediately drafted a memorial, ready to meet the emperor and hand it over to him, asking him to take back the edict that allowed the royal group to act cheaply.This kind of cheap action will definitely make the situation out of control. The royal group has already begun to attack the Republican Army's meeting office in the imperial capital. If this continues, the coalition government will be completely bankrupt.I ask the emperor to immediately issue an edict to arrest the rioting leaders, ban the royal group, and apologize to the Republican Army.
But as soon as the memorial was handed in, I returned it before the emperor summoned me.There are a few words written on it: "Zhen Wangtuanzhen's newborn son, loyalty is commendable, and must not be obstructed."
Seeing such comments, I almost died of anger.I just thought that the emperor was a bit wise, but he made such remarks.And the emperor doesn't know what prejudice against me now, I asked to see him three times, but was rejected, and told me to go back to the camp to wait for orders.When I was rejected for the third time, I knew Dijun was determined not to see me, and I was even more afraid that something might happen to the Republican Army meeting room, so I had to go there first.Ever since I heard about the attack by the Zunwang Group, I was so anxious that I immediately mobilized two armored vehicles from the Wude Camp to guard to prevent the Zunwang Group from doing anything else.Although there are no important figures in the Republican Army Council Office, they are all officials stationed in the imperial capital by the Republican Army. If something happens to them, it will be beyond control.
When I arrived at the meeting office, there were still two streets away, and I saw a sea of people. Many people rushed there happily, but black smoke rose from the meeting office.My heart sank, and I walked there. After walking for a while, I saw a pool of blood on the ground, and my heart sank even more.
After walking another street, you can already see the meeting office.As soon as I saw it, my heart was completely chilled.The two armored vehicles I sent were dragged aside, and a few words were written on them in large letters. Some called me a national traitor, and some vowed to defend the emperor to the death. Together, it seemed that I had the intention of assassinating the emperor.Fortunately, the armored car was solid and nothing happened.However, there are few people at the entrance of the meeting room. In fact, there is not even a door. It has been burnt to charcoal, and black smoke is emitting in clouds.
I stepped forward quickly and knocked on the door of the armored car.A window of the armored car was opened, and the soldier inside saw me, so he opened the door and jumped out with a look of frustration.I scolded: "Idiot! Who did this?"
A soldier said aggrievedly: "Captain, there are too many people, there are always tens of thousands. They came over like crazy and pushed us aside. We can't really crush them with our hands. They rushed in and killed the people inside." Catch them all."
When the soldier said this, his voice was a little choked up.Another continued: "They dragged out those officers of the Republican Army, beat them to death alive on the ground, and dragged away their corpses. General, I'm not afraid on the battlefield, but seeing their appearance, I'm really scared. "
They said it briefly, but I saw it, and my heart hurt like being torn apart.I just thought that the Royal Respect Group was just attacking the office, and I didn't dare to do anything about it. I didn't expect them to be really crazy and do such a thing.I looked at them, then looked around, and said dejectedly, "Go back to the camp."
I opened the door and jumped into the armored car.The soldiers also jumped into the car, and the driver saw me coming in, and said, "Captain, what if those royal groups stop us again?"
I said bitterly: "It doesn't matter if you crush it to death!"
I really hate it in my heart.The royal group completely destroyed the council, and they also destroyed the constitutional system.The republican army probably has not received the news now, but as soon as it is known, I dare say that the flames of war will be ignited immediately.Are these royal groups really crazy?But the emperor still supports them, is the emperor also crazy?
Armored vehicles were rampaging on the road.This time, those honoring kings must have known my determination, none of them dared to shake in front of the car, and the two armored cars drove directly into the barracks all the way.
Once back at the barracks, Jian Zhonglan came over to report something, I roared: "Stop talking now, no one is allowed to disturb me, and anyone who violates the law will be shot!"
This kind of order is extremely unreasonable, and I know it, but I really want to be quiet now.As of today, this year's peace has come to an end, and Nangong Wenli and I's efforts to establish a constitution this year have all come to nothing.I tried everything I could to avoid war, but war was imminent.Now I can't wait to order immediately to drive out the land army, and kill every king's army when I see it.But killing all the 200,000 kings now is useless, not to mention that if I really have such an order, I will definitely leave the name of "murderer Chu Xiuhong" in history.What's more, most of the members of the Zunwang Group are residents of the imperial capital, and many of them are related to those soldiers. If I ask them to kill people, most of them will not.
what should I do?Never before have I been more helpless than I am now, even at the height of my battle with the Snakeman.I really want to discuss it with someone now, but I am afraid that there is nothing to discuss in the local army.Even Yang Yi and Lian Baice must feel at a loss.If it was Cao Wendao, he might shout to wash the imperial capital with blood.
Now how to do?I thought.Dijun suddenly changed his face, who persuaded him?Most of them are Zhang Longyou.Zhang Longyou found out that the incubator was blown up by Ding Henry, and all the original plans came to naught. He became angry and wanted to break with the Republican Army.It must be so.Originally, I had returned a little favor to Zhang Longyou, but now I hate him to the bone.Dijun trusts him even more than me, I can't say anything, the only thing I can do is fight.But, can I start a war with the people of the imperial capital?
I found that I used to think of everything too simply.I always think that the king is the light, the people are the most important, and the public will not be wrong.However, public opinion is sometimes completely different. When a person is crazy, there are often hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of people who follow him.
Empire is mad.I lay on the bed, thinking silently.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.I yelled: "Now I don't see anyone, get out!"
But the man outside was still knocking.I was so angry that I stood up and rushed to the door, opened it, and was about to yell a few more words, ordering him to get out, when the door opened, I saw Cao Wendao standing at the door, followed by Yang Yi and the others standing straight.I said coldly, "What are you going to do?"
Cao Wendao said loudly: "Control, I have something to report."
"No, come back later."
I was about to close the door, but Cao Wendao pushed against the door and said, "You are too impulsive."
Cao Wendao himself was very impulsive, but now he said I was impulsive, and I sneered, "General Cao, don't forget your identity."
Even though Cao Wendao was casual with me and joked endlessly, once I spoke to him seriously, he immediately respected him extremely.But now he didn't back down, straightened his waist and said: "Control, you are usually calm and calm, but now you are very abnormal. Lao Lian has something very important to report, you must listen."
Instead, he seemed to be ordering me.Another burst of anger rose in my heart, and I was about to explode, but when I saw the four of Yang Yi and the others behind him, it felt like a basin of cold water had poured over my heart.This remark was not only what Cao Wendao meant, but only Cao Wendao dared to say it.I wiped my forehead, nodded and said, "Okay, let General Lian come in."
Cao Wendao breathed a sigh of relief, and turned his head to gesture to Lian Baice.I turned and went into the house and sat down on a chair.After Lian Baice came in, he closed the door, and I said, "General Lian, what's the matter with you?"
Lian Baice looked at me, suddenly fell to his knees, and kowtowed heavily to me.I had never thought of his actions like this, and I was taken aback, but a flash of lightning flashed in my mind, and I said, "You... are you really a grown-up?"
Lian Baice raised his head.Tears welled up in his eyes, but he also smiled wryly, and said: "Bai Ce belongs to Master Zhang, and also belongs to Master Zhang."
From his words, I understood everything.What Shao Fengguan said was completely correct, he really guessed it was a hundred hits, but he also missed a little bit.I stood up and said: "At the beginning, Zhang Longyou was controlling the eyes and ears of adults, right?"
Lian Baice nodded, and said: "Zhen Wengong handed over the command of spying to Mr. Zhang, and Mr. Zhang deliberately arranged Baice at that time. Mr. Zhang said that you know me. As long as I can show my skills, he will kill me." You will intercede for me, and you will take me under your command in the future."
There is a piece of ice in my heart.As early as so long ago, Marquis Wen and Zhang Longyou had planted their eyes and ears around me, and I didn't realize it.Marquis Wen was negligent for a while, and handed over the command of eyes and ears to Zhang Longyou. This was also the key to being rebelled by the emperor and Zhang Longyou later.I nodded and said, "Then why did you tell me?"
Lian Baice kowtowed again, and said: "But Baice is first and foremost the commander of the Lianzi Battalion of the local army. General, when you asked me that day, I knew I couldn't hide it from the general. Now the last general would rather die than Keep it a secret from the general."
I pondered for a moment, helped him up, and said, "Brother Lian, get up. Who else have you told about this?"
Lian Baice said: "I only talked to General Yang and the other four."
"Let them all in."
Lian Baice agreed, and went out to call Yang Yi and the others in.When they arrived, I glanced at them and said, "First of all, I want to tell everyone that General Lian will always be a member of our army, and we will live and die together."
Lian Baice's breathing became short of breath, Yang Yi and the others looked at Lian Baice and nodded.They naturally understood what I meant, Yang Yi said: "Captain, Brother Lian will always be our brother."
I stretched out my hand and said, "In the past, I always felt that soldiers should not use personal friendship to win over the country. But now the situation has taken a turn for the worse, and the country can no longer trust us. Now I can only ask you to obey me unconditionally, even if you sacrifice your life." .”
They were all taken aback.I have always opposed the privatization of the army before, so in the Wude Battalion, I didn't get particularly close to any battalion, and all of them were treated equally.Seeing them hesitate, I said, "You can disagree, don't worry. It's just that what I'm going to do now must get your unconditional support."
Lian Baice said: "General Chu, maybe the general is not qualified, but the general is willing to obey unconditionally." He stretched out his hand and drew his waist knife to pierce his fingertips. Cao Wendao suddenly stretched out his hand to stop him, looked up at me and said : "Control, you first say what you want to do. If it goes against my heart, I will firmly oppose it."
In the Wude Camp, Cao Wendao is the closest to me in the eyes of others, and I have never doubted the loyalty of him and Chen Zhong, but I did not expect him to be the first to object now.My heart skipped a beat, and before I could speak, Yang Yi suddenly said: "Captain, are you going to admonish Your Majesty?"
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of several people changed drastically.If it is unsuccessful to remonstrate with the emperor, it will be regarded as a rebellion and the nine clans will be exterminated.Even if we succeed, I am afraid we will not be able to escape the infamy of future generations.I nodded and said, "Because this is not just my business, I would like to ask for your support."
Chen Zhong suddenly said: "I agree." He has been silent, but now he speaks firmly.
Cao Wendao's lips trembled a few times, he slapped his right palm with his left hand, and said, "Okay, just do it! Commander, I'll follow you too."
Qian Wenyi looked at Yang Yi, and was about to speak, when Yang Yi suddenly stepped forward and said, "Captain, this is the next best thing to do, absolutely not."
Cao Wendao frowned, and said: "You said..." Yang Yi suddenly stretched out his hand, stopped him, and said in a low voice: "The emperor has turned his back on him, and he has lost the hope of the emperor. The general thought that if you want to do it, you must do it thoroughly and abolish it." killed him!"
He said the last three words lightly, but they were earth-shattering. Even I was shocked and looked at Yang Yi.What he said now is enough to be a crime of treason, enough to be broken and broken. I never thought that Yang Yi, who has always been prudent, would have such a proposal.I was about to tell him to shut up, but Yang Yi said: "The empire has been around for hundreds of years, and its strength is exhausted. The Republican Army is also talking about honey, and what they say is completely different from what they do. Commander, there is no force in the imperial capital that can fight against the land army." , Only when you establish yourself as emperor can you establish a truly new era!"
Yang Yi's eyes were shining brightly.He was a distant relative of Lu Xiang, Minister of the Ministry of War. As a result, Lu Xiang was overthrown by Marquis Wen, and he was detained without charge.Since then, he must have been completely disappointed in the empire.Cao Wendao looked at him, then at me, sweat dripping from his head, he suddenly reached out to pat the table, and said, "Brother Yang is very right! I agree! Old Chen, how about you?"
Chen Zhong seemed to be taken aback by Yang Yi's words, but he didn't think too much, just said: "General Chu is the emperor, I agree."
Seeing that Qian Wenyi and Lian Baice wanted to speak up, no matter whether they were seconding or opposing, I hurriedly said, "Needless to say, it is absolutely impossible."
Cao Wendao looked at me and said, "Control, I know you think what the Republican Army said is more reasonable. If you are not an emperor, it's the same if you are the commander of the Republican Army. You must be a wise emperor."
I shook my head and said: "Whether I am a Mingjun or not, if I use the army for personal gain, I have made a very bad appearance for future generations, even if there is a high-sounding excuse. This matter is not allowed to be mentioned again. Impossible."
Cao Wendao said with a low smile: "Rising troops and establishing ourselves as the emperor is to seek personal gain from the army. Isn't it wrong to remonstrate with soldiers? To control, you must do it thoroughly. Brother Yang, I agree with this!"
Cao Wendao and Yang Yi had never been on good terms before, but now they seem to be talking together.
My forehead was covered with cold sweat, and cold air crawled across my back.I originally just wanted them to support me in my remonstrance.Now the army in the imperial capital is the strongest, and the coercion is very likely to succeed, but I didn't expect them to talk about this.Those careerists, at the beginning, didn't they use the banner of serving the country and the people.Even though it was true at first, it changed later.Even if I will never change, I must block the way to achieve my goals with the power of the army.
But Cao Wendao’s words are clear. I think military remonstrance can show that I have no selfishness. It is selfishness to establish myself as an emperor. But there is actually no difference between the two. They both use force to achieve their goals.Today I can force the emperor to give up the resolution by admonishing, and tomorrow someone can use the same reason to rebel. Whether I have selfish intentions or not, I have set an example for future shamelessness.
No, never allowed.I straightened my body and said loudly: "Stop talking. From now on, if anyone, including me, wants the Land Legion to raise troops, no matter how righteous the slogan is, the Land Legion must not listen to it and treat it like a national thief. Kill immediately!"
Their expressions changed again.Just now I wanted him to obey all my orders unconditionally, but now this order seems to be against me.They didn't speak in a daze, I snorted and said, "Did you hear that?"
"Of course." They said at the same time.As soon as he finished speaking, Cao Wendao said urgently: "Then, Tong Zhi, what should you do?"
My head is in a mess.The emperor no longer sees me, and the Republican Army's meeting place has been destroyed by rioters.Now the Republican Army will naturally not get the news, but no matter how late, the news should have reached Wuyang City in a day or two.I don't know what preventive measures Dijun took to allow the Zunwangtuan to act mischievously. He was so passionate just now that he didn't care too much about it, so he calmed down now.I glanced at them and said, "Everyone, please sit down first. You said that the current situation has become like this, and the Republican Army will definitely raise troops when they hear about the change. How can we avoid it?"
They all sat down.As soon as Lian Baice sat down, he said, "General Chu, there is one thing. Marquis Zhen Wen asked me several times about your attitude. He should still want to recall you to his command. General Chu, is it possible to hand over the troops to Marquis Wen so that He handles it?"
We all know the talent of Marquis Wen.Lian Baice was actually arranged by Zhang Longyou. Now that he has such a proposal, it is obvious that he has completely shifted his position to the local army.Before I could speak, Yang Yi shook his head and said, "If Lord Wenhou can control the army, he will certainly be able to turn things around. But once he has power in his hands, he will be even more irresistible, like drinking poison to quench his thirst."
I was also concerned about this.If I turn to Marquis Wen now, then Marquis Wen can turn the situation around in one fell swoop if he is brought back from the dead, but he is not a character I can control, and I am afraid that the situation that has evolved into is something I don't want to see even more.I nodded and said, "Brother Yang is absolutely right."
Chen Zhonghu said: "Actually speaking, is there anyone instigating this matter?"
Yang Yi looked at Lian Baice, Lian Baice blushed, and said, "General Chu, Zhang Shangshu is actually behind the Zunwang Tuan..."
When Cao Wendao heard this, he stood up abruptly and said, "Old Lian, why didn't you say it earlier!"
I was also a little angry, but seeing Lian Baice's appearance, I was relieved.Lian Baice, as the person Zhang Longyou sent to monitor me, must have been in a lot of hesitation and hardship all these years.Now that he has finally made up his mind to turn his back on Zhang Longyou, there is no time to tell what he knows.I said, "Did Zhang Longyou instigate this matter?"
Lian Baice said: "I don't know about the last general. But the leader of the royal regiment was won over by Zhang Shangshu, that's for sure."
Chen Zhongdao: "Commander, the general doesn't know too much, but the general feels that since Zhang Shangshu has already planned this matter, he must be prepared for the counterattack of the Republican army. Commander, you don't want to fight the Republican army, I'm afraid no."
Yang Yidao: "Brother Chen thinks that Zhang Shangshu actually sent people to take advantage of the emptiness to conquer Wuyang City? From the perspective of military tactics, this move is stupid. If he really has this kind of intention, there is no need to destroy the meeting place. It is not an important town, and there are no important ministers of the Republican Army in it. If I want to sneak attack Wuyang City, the first thing is to keep them, so that I can confuse the Republican Army, and at the same time send out surprise troops, and receive unexpected results. Destroy the meeting office , just to scare the snake away."
Chen Zhong is not good at the art of war, and Yang Yi is right.What Zhang Longyou is best at is strategy.Even Marquis Wen would be defeated by his tactics, so he must have thought of this, and would not get out of such a bad game.Qian Wenyi mused at this moment: "Supposing it wasn't Zhang Shangshu's idea to destroy the meeting place?"
Yang Yidao: "Even if the emperor comes up with such an idea, Zhang Longyou has to do it."
Qian Wenyi stopped talking.But I just felt a flash in my mind and thought of an idea.We all now feel that destroying the Republican Army’s meeting office and sneak attacking the Republican Army should be two steps of the same thing, but the words of Yang Yi and Qian Wenyi gave me a reminder. If the destroying of the meeting office is not to start a war with the Republican Army, But to remind the IRA?
There is only one person who can do this... Marquis Wen!
I was stunned by the thought.But that's the only way to make sense.Obviously, Zhang Longyou didn't fully grasp Wenhou's eyes and ears, and some of them were still controlled by Wenhou himself.I'm afraid that the one that the royal group really listens to is actually Marquis Wen!Only by thinking in this way can I understand why the Tongzunwangtuan came to the legion again and again to labor. I belong to the Emperor's side, and the Dijun doesn't need to use the Zunwangtuan to win over me.
The more I think about it, the sadder it becomes.Marquis Wen was indeed an unscrupulous person, he used Zhang Longyou's own weapon to beat him, and didn't care about the lives of those people at all.Regardless of whether it was the killed members of the Republican Army stationed in the imperial capital, or those members of the Respecting the King who thought they were doing something loyal to the emperor and patriotism, in the eyes of Marquis Wen, they were also like ants.
I stood up abruptly.They were all taken aback by me, and stood up, Yang Yi said cautiously: "Captain..."
I said: "It doesn't matter. You are waiting in full battle in the camp. Unless I come in person, don't accept any orders, including the warrants from the emperor and me."
Yang Yi asked anxiously, "What are you going to do?"
"See Lord Wenhou."
"General Chu, you are really rare."
When I arrived at Wenhou's mansion, Wenhou was writing a picture at his desk.Marquis Wen's calligraphy has always been excellent, but now that he has paper, he can practice even more.I looked at him and said, "My lord, I want to know if the Zunwang Group is following your command."
Marquis Wen suddenly raised his head, with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes, and said: "I never thought that you would only see it half a day later than Zhang Longyou, ha ha. However, the king's group he created was originally a loose organization, and I couldn't control it all. .”
I didn't expect Marquis Wen to be straightforward, and I felt even colder in my heart.If Wenhou categorically denies it, it means that he is still operating in secret, and there should be room for redemption.But now it shows that he has put everything on the table and can't change it anymore.I said: "My lord, have you ever thought that although Zhang Longyou's army will be defeated by doing this, the constitution will be completely destroyed."
Wen Hou said: "General Chu, do you know what is the most difficult to use, the easiest to use, the most powerful, and the most powerless thing in this world? It is the people's heart. The so-called people's heart is extremely powerful when mobilized. If you provoke When they get up, sometimes they may just say a word, and they will not hesitate, and they will jump into the abyss. But once provoked, they will be like a monster that has sprung out, and it can no longer be controlled." At this time, he finished his last stroke. , threw the pen into the pen container, looked up at me and said, "People's hearts are the easiest to manipulate. Zhang Longyou used this to push me down, and I admit defeat. But now I give these back to him."
I was stunned.I didn't find out until now that, in fact, there was something I hadn't even thought of.I said: "Then, Zhang Longyou told His Majesty not to interfere with the Honored Kings Group, isn't it because the Kings Honored Group is under his command?"
Marquis Wen laughed and said, "General Chu, if you were an opponent surnamed Zhang, I'm afraid you would have been ripped apart by him long ago. He is such a genius, he took away all the weapons in my hand. I use The only weapon left in his hand is also the most powerful weapon to fight him to the death, and he can deal with it flawlessly."
I felt like I was frozen, unable to move or speak.It is far more than what I have guessed, it is just two strategists instigating their subordinates, but a duel using tactics to win the hearts of the people.He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. I have heard this saying many times. Under the hands of these strategists, the hearts of the people are just something that can be manipulated at will.What shocked me even more was that even though I thought I was truly people-oriented and everything was based on the interests of the people, it was still possible to be betrayed by the people.Therefore, although the Republican Army does not agree with what it says and what it does, it can still get a lot of support.Similarly, the empire's violent expropriation has not reached the point of anger and resentment.All of this is because people's hearts can be manipulated by people. Even if you tell them that the sun rises from the west and sets from the east, there are still many people who are unwilling to take a look at the facts and follow you.
Marquis Wen walked up to me and said softly: "Chu Xiuhong, if you come to me today, then I will give you the last choice, you and me, or stand there?"
He looked at me with a gleam in his eyes.I just felt dizzy, and murmured: "I...I..."
"To tell you the truth. If you don't stand by my side, my chances of victory are only 20% at most. But as long as you stand up, I have a 70% chance of defeating them. So I need your strength very much, Chu Xiuhong , I’m getting old, as long as you follow me, everything in the future will be yours. At that time, you can make whatever decree you want to make and what kind of country you want to establish.”
There seemed to be a magical power in Wenhou's words, and I almost nodded.However, there seems to be a stubborn voice in my heart roaring: "No, don't." If you listen to Marquis Wen, maybe it will be true as he said, but isn't this using the army to achieve your own goals?And I just swore a poisonous oath that I will never let anyone use the military to interfere in the political situation.The army can only be used to protect the people and has nothing to do with any political faction.
I shook my head heavily and said, "My lord, I won't help you."
Marquis Wen's eyes were extremely disappointed, and I even saw the faint murderous look behind his eyes.I ignored everything, and said: "My lord, the general has an ideal. The army cannot belong to anyone. The sharp edge of the army can only be used to show foreign enemies and cannot be used against oneself. So please forgive my ignorance. Neither will help."
Marquis Wen's eyes began to light up again: "You mean, the emperor wants you to arrest me? You won't obey?"
I didn't know whether to nod or shake my head, so I straightened my neck and said, "No matter what happens in the imperial capital, the land army can only be used to resist foreign enemies. Even if there is an uncontrollable riot in the imperial capital, the land army will only help maintain law and order. My lord, Finally, I will bid farewell."
Marquis Wen wants to win the hearts of the people, and he will not kill the king.He must still be able to control a part of the imperial army, and there are still some government soldiers. The emperor does not have a legion to adjust, so he will not use extreme methods.Perhaps, this choice is the best, let them fight, and see who wins the hearts of the people, and I will fall to whoever wins.
I looked at the sky and couldn't help smiling.I was at a loss when I came here, but now that I have made up my mind, I am much calmer.Isn't what I'm doing now also a kind of conspiracy?It's just that it can save many killings, and let the bloodshed be limited to these dignitaries.
However, on the fourth day, I knew that I was thinking too naively.
In the past few days, the Zunwang Group has been growing like a raging fire, and now almost all the residents of the entire imperial capital are involved.Due to the instigation of Marquis Wen and the laissez-faire of the emperor and Zhang Longyou, the Zunwang Tuan almost controlled the government, and even some clans began to wear red cloths on their heads and took to the streets, claiming to be members of the Zun Wang Tuan.The King's Regiment mobilized the entire imperial capital to hunt down the remnants of the Republican Army, and now it has grown to hunt down people who sympathize with the Republic.Only a few days later, the constitutional system was no longer mentioned, and someone even said something about the constitution in the teahouse, and was immediately captured by the royal group and tortured to death by lynching.In people's eyes, the Republican Army is the root of all misfortunes. The increase in taxes is due to the Republican Army, and natural and man-made disasters are also due to the Republican Army.In their eyes, as long as the Republican Army is destroyed, everything will become extremely beautiful, and everyone can live a prosperous life.
On the fourth day, Yang Yi brought people to my residence in a panic and told me that the Zunwang Group had lost control and started breaking into private houses and taking people away by force, so he had to stay in the army temporarily and not come out.I saw that his complexion was different, and he knew something was wrong. After questioning, Yang Yi finally said hesitantly that a major event happened today, and the King's Group started a "Qing King's side" movement early in the morning.There are more than a dozen treacherous ministers who were included in the list of treacherous ministers to be purged from the emperor's side. I was at the bottom, and Nangong Wenli, who worked hard for the establishment of the constitution, was at the top.
In the early hours of the morning, a dozen members of the Zunwang Group broke into Nangong Wenli's mansion with armed weapons while it was still dark, and assassinated Nangong Wenli on the spot.When the emperor heard that Nangong Wenli was killed, he was also taken aback, and ordered Zhi Jinwu to arrest the chief criminal. As a result, the king's group gathered 100,000 people under the imperial city, forcing the emperor to declare that Nangong Wenli was guilty and the murderer had merit.It is precisely because of this incident that the "Qingjun side" movement has only killed three people so far.Lian Baice is still in contact with some leaders of the Zunwang Group. When he heard the news, he immediately discussed with everyone and decided to split up the list of civil servants and generals that the Zunwang Group wanted to get rid of. Taking refuge, Yang Yi came to pick me up.
Hearing this news, I just felt that my heart was frozen into ice.The duel between Zhang Longyou and Marquis Wen with the hearts of the people is now beyond their control.The hearts of the people are already like monsters out of the gate, rampaging, I know that one of the two of them must be ruined and lose everything.
The imperial capital is in the greatest chaos ever seen.What is even more ironic is that this happened in a rare year without war and peace.Just a few days ago, everyone thought that a peaceful and prosperous age had kicked off, but when the curtain was lifted, it was discovered that it was an era of eternal doom.
On February 17th, the chaos in the imperial capital reached its peak.Almost all the residents of the imperial capital have taken to the streets, whether they are men, women, old people, or children, all wearing red cloth strips on their heads, walking in the streets and alleys.From time to time, someone chanted slogans, saying that they would defend the empire to the death and be loyal to the emperor to the death.During the period, someone put up a banner, and mentioned the merits of Marquis Wen in breaking the siege of the imperial capital, praising Marquis Wen's virtue of regeneration for the people of the empire.Others also unfurled banners, praising His Majesty for his wisdom and martial arts, leading the battle to break the siege of the imperial capital.The two factions are at war with each other, each talking about their own.Just when the battle was about to change from verbal to physical, suddenly a fast horse galloped into the palace.
The special envoy came to report that the water and fire armies successfully attacked Wuyang City.
The Water Corps and the Fire Corps were originally stationed in Dongping City, but Deng Canglan set up an empty city plan and secretly went out to sea for an expedition.At that time, Wuyang City was empty of defense, and the water army, relying on the strength of its warships, smashed the fleet of Wuyang City.Wuyang City started with a water army, and the water army was extremely powerful, but Deng Canglan got Pu Anli to act as an internal response, and beat Wuyang City's water army to the ground. The second general Ba Wenyan died in battle, and He Congjing himself became a prisoner.Now the water and fire armies are heading north, and He Congjing will be escorted to Beijing in one month.
This news surprised me too.What surprised me was not that Zhang Longyou had such a backhand, but that the Republican Army was careless.Negotiations that may last for more than a year have also paralyzed He Congjing, so much so that he thinks that the empire will spend so much effort to discuss constitutional issues, and it will definitely not launch a surprise attack.It will take about a month for the water corps to garrison Dongping City and enter Wuyang City by sea from Dongping City. Counting the days, Deng Canglan will leave in mid-January at the latest, and the negotiations have not yet been completed.
As soon as this news came out, cheers from all over the empire erupted, and the theory of the emperor's greatness immediately overwhelmed the theory of Marquis Wen's wisdom.I couldn't help but sigh, Marquis Wen estimated that he only had a 20% chance of winning at most, but he overestimated the 20% chance of winning. Zhang Longyou used his power to turn the 80% chance into 100%.Now the emperor's reputation is even higher than that of Marquis Wen after breaking the siege of the imperial capital. Even if Marquis Wen still has people in the royal group, those people will no longer support him now.What surprised me again was that Wu Wanling, who was in the Fire Legion, actually made this insidious but grand plan.I didn't expect that Wu Wanling, who is only good at organizing the army, has grown so fast in the past few years. Although this plan is a bit treacherous, every step of the plan is extremely detailed and rigorous, and there is no slippage.
The outcome has been decided, but I am not a little happy.
Nangong Wenli died.This man who would become the wisest man in the history of the empire just fell on the way, worthless, even full of infamy, and even the murderer could not be found.Those who killed him may never know that it was Nangong Wenli who insisted on a constitutional law that reduced taxes and allocated Tucheng to poor households not long ago.
I secretly met Ke Na, Nangong Wenli's widow.Ke Na is not very old, in fact, she is almost the same as me, but this woman is unexpectedly calm.She rejected my suggestion that she temporarily take refuge in the army and still live at home.However, I saw that those members of the honoring king group respected her quite a lot, and God Lord Desheng would definitely rehabilitate Nangong Wenli, so I didn't insist anymore.
In mid-March, news came that the remnants of Wuyang City raised their flags in the Gaojiu City area, re-established the Republic, officially declared rebellion, and recaptured Wuyang City.In the same month, the Qing Emperor's side movement of the Zunwang Group ended, and several leaders of the Zunwang Group were arrested and beheaded by the Ministry of Criminal Justice on the charge of "conspiracy to overthrow the empire instigated by the Republican Army", and they were naturally those who obeyed Marquis Wen.Nangong Wenli was officially rehabilitated and was posthumously awarded the Marquis of Wen. As the widow of Nangong Wenli, Ke Na was granted the title of Qingjie County Lord, and made an exception to take over the post of Minister of Rites.Since the founding of the empire, there have been several female officials, but it is the first female minister to appear.The first thing Kona did when she became Minister of Rites was to announce the control of civilian weapons and collect weapons scattered among the people.The Zunwang Group has many weapons, and this order from Ke Na is naturally aimed at them. After collecting the weapons, those people will at most hang around on the street.
In April, the imperial capital was peaceful, and the land army was ordered to conquer the Republican Army, because the Republican Army began to prepare for the Northern Expedition.The short-lived peace officially ended, and the flames of war were rekindled.When I set off from the imperial capital, I saw that the refugees who had just settled down along the way were once again packing up their things and preparing to flee, and the wasteland that had just been reclaimed was also abandoned piece by piece, and the pain still gripped people's hearts.
It takes two months to travel from the imperial capital to Wuyang City.The ground army arrived at Dongping City nearly a month later, and the forward of the Republican Army had already arrived at Dongping City, blocking our way.当时东平城已齐聚地火水风四军团，本以为手到擒来，但出乎我的意料，这一战艰苦之极，地军团险些被击溃。
因为共和军的炮火威力远远超过了火军团。火军团的火炮射程大约一百多步，共和军的火炮竟然远达七百余步。我记得在攻入伏羲谷时，简仲岚曾提醒过我，但当时我觉得这太不可能，一直在怀疑。在东平城下第一次确认，就更加惊心。我们的战法一直是火军团先用火炮轰击，当敌军发生混乱后再由地军团突击。这种战法屡试不爽，可是这一次彻底失败，火军团的炮火根本还没碰到共和军的影子，就被共和军的炮火扫灭了近一半。这一战打得毕炜痛哭失声，几乎要自尽，幸好当我冒险命地军团突击时，共和军军中突然发出一声巨响，似乎是发生了什么事故，结果共和军败退下去，但他们在败退前仍然将地军团的一架铁甲车也击毁了。铁甲车一直被看成是陆战无敌，连蛇人对之都毫无办法，可是共和军的炮火竟然能摧毁铁甲车，让我们惊心不已。
这一战共和军虽退，损失却是我们更大，所以其实地军团是败北的。从地军团成军以来，这是第一次失败，五德营群情激昂，誓要雪耻。然而我另有打算，在出发前，我向帝君上过奏折，要求以何从景为筹码，建议停战，恢复当初谈定的立宪制，说好的共和军享有权利一律不变。帝君虽然有些不肯，但我向他陈说利害，帝君最终还是同意了。
趁现在只是交战过一次，不至于到不可收拾的地步，我向共和军派出使者，要求和谈。
共和军回应了。可是，与我想的不同，虽然何从景被帝国活捉，共和军反倒提出更苛刻的要求，甚至要求修改国号，去帝号，帝君只能作为特殊人物在国家享有优待。
共和军的强硬出乎我的意料。然而我仍然希望不要再有战争，所以不论共和军提出的条件有多么苛刻，我仍然一步步谈判，该还的还，只希望达成一个共和军和帝君都能同意的条件。
只是，变化还是来得太快。谈判从五月谈到七月，突然传来一个消息，尊王团又在帝都发动一次运动，刺杀了何从景。
消息传来，最后一线和谈的希望破灭，战火重开。这是帝国自新四年、共和元年七月的事，这一年，张龙友晋升为太师，正式成为帝国最有权势的人，而文侯重新被贬为侯爵，文公的爵位给了蒲安礼。同时，我终于在二十九岁的最后一个月里被封为帅，成为帝国有史以来最年轻的元帅。同时，邵风观、毕炜、邓沧澜三人同时升为上将军。这时帝君也正式提出要我迎娶十九公主的事，但我以郡主为理由而拒绝。
自新五年、共和二年三月，我正在抵御共和军的新一轮攻势，传来一个消息，文侯逃亡入狄，地军团与风军团立刻返回征讨。
回到帝国后，整编了部队，我和邵风观率地风联军五千人进入沙漠，经过激战，活捉了文侯。然而，在这一战中发生了很多事：我的百辟刀在与叶飞鹄对刀时碎裂，小王子则在与随文侯出逃的武昭老师对枪时枪挑武昭老师，而地军团参军简仲岚竟然要杀我。
帝君现在正倚仗我，他不会杀我。要杀我的，只有因为我拜帅后权位逼近他的张龙友。张龙友要做的，是加强帝君对帝国的控制权，然而我作为帝国元帅，率先反对任何人独断，在张龙友眼里，我就是他控制地军团的最大障碍了。
然而，我只有一步步地做下去。至少，现在只有我才能制约张龙友，不让他成为第二个文侯。
文侯被捉拿回来后，我与邵风观、邓沧澜联名请求赦免他的死罪。不管怎么说，文侯为帝国立下了极大的功劳，他也确实有治国的能力，就算让他成为一个幕僚，也能够向他请教许多治国之策。毕炜虽然没有与我们联命，但他也没有提议要杀文侯。坚决要杀文侯的，却是晋升为文公的蒲安礼。
蒲安礼上疏，说文侯跋扈难制，不臣之心永无宁日，因此必须斩杀，张龙友也附和他的建议。张龙友和蒲安礼，这两个帝国目前地位最高的人都坚持如此，虽然有我们四相军团三统领联命保奏，仍然无济于事。不过好在我们也不算毫无地位，帝君决定，赐文侯一死，给他留一个全尸，不至于身首异处。
自新五年七月，文侯走到了生命的尽头。当时，我正奉命抵御丁亨利的共和军北上。
丁亨利非同凡响。共和军重新举旗以来，虽然仍遭四相军团压制，无法渡江北上，但他们的实力越来越强，而且每次挫折都无法给他们实质打击，往往过了几个月共和军就恢复元气。我几乎要以为共和军真的拥有那种能造出人类的孵化机了，可是经过详细调查，共和军根本没有这种东西，他们的法宝就是征兵。
与帝国军征兵时不同，共和军征兵完全凭自愿，只是承诺会把土地按军功分发给他们。与帝国的土地私有不同，共和军宣称土地国有，人人皆可拥有。这一点对于流离失所的难民极有吸引力，而且大江以南的土地要比大江以北肥沃得多，不要说帝国那些拥有广袤封地的宗室王和功臣们不愿把自己的土地分给难民，就算他们肯，这些土地的吸引力也不及共和军控制区。更何况随着战火蔓延，劳力下降，当初立宪时定下的减免赋税已成了一句空话，实际赋税反而增加起来。而越是这样，逃离帝国控制区的难民就越多，共和军的兵源也更充份。当我发现被我们占领的地方的民众也开始传说有一个地方没有贵族压迫，不必缴纳苛捐杂税，土地也归自己所有时，我明白，帝制先天上比共和制就有着致命的缺陷。我不相信共和军能永远把土地分给民众，可是在当今，共和制再华而不实，帝国再有明君贤臣出现，对于民众来说，共和制仍然要好得多。
只是，我现在已经踏上了不归路，无法再回头了。唯一的办法就是走下去，把另一条路截断，这条路才会是一条康庄大道。
自新五年十一月，四相军团齐聚，经过商讨，决定对五羊城发动一次水陆攻势。由于共和军的水军被邓沧澜击败后，实力大不如前，所以我们的水军占了绝对优势，共和军也干脆放弃水面决胜之心，把精力全部放在了陆军上。虽然地军团的兵力较丁亨利稍占优势，但这优势远未到必胜的地步。共和军的七天将都在，而且他们还有那种威力远远超过我们的火炮，陆战实力之比最多只是五五之数。
我定下的是声东击西之计。
表面上，由地军团发动首攻，似乎为了掩饰水军团从海上的进攻，其实邓沧澜才真正是佯攻，地军团最终发动的是主攻。以这种看似不合理的战术来打击共和军出现的空隙，也是丁亨利露出的唯一破绽。丁亨利深通兵法，我与他也交手多年，知道寻常的计谋瞒不过他，但也正因为对兵法太熟悉了，他一贯不做冒险之事。丁亨利与我惺惺相惜，可我们也都知道对方在战场上决不会留情，战争对于我们都不是一件儿戏，我以地军团孤军深入，随时会遭到重创，他一定会认为我是在故意引诱他，真正的杀手是以水军团从海面攻击。只是当他把兵力移到水门时，地军团将不顾一切突然发动最后的攻势，一举破城。
这个计策太过冒险，如果是平时，我决不会用这种手段。一来可行性太低，二来即使成功，损失也会大得超出预计。
可是我还是实行了。帝国军第二次攻破五羊城。
这一次本应给共和军带来灭顶之灾，可是最终却令我失望，丁亨利仍然率领三分之二的士兵逃遁。这个人不愧今世数一数二的名将，即使处于绝境，仍然能如游鱼一般脱身。
攻破五羊城，本应是一个转机。我建议对五羊城采取怀柔政策，让这些共和军控制地的民众知道，帝制并非如共和军说得那么可怕，他们仍然可以生活得安祥幸福。然而让我始料未及的是张龙友突然莅临五羊城，他亲自在城中搜捕共和军残部，随即斩首示众。
我知道他是想用雷霆手段震慑共和军民众，让他们不敢再依附共和军，使共和军成为无源之水，无本之木。然而，他所做的这一切适得其反，毫无效果，反倒映证了共和军宣传的“帝制邪恶”，我在攻破五羊城初期采取的一些怀柔手段相应成了两面三刀，前功尽弃。攻下共和军的大本营，岂但没有消灭共和军，反倒让他们的生存余地更大了。
我现在的希望，只能寄托在能揭示出天法师的真面目。伏羲谷一战后，因为天法师不知所踪，我一直在追踪这个人的下落，不知他躲在共和军还是帝国的背后。经过数年的追查，我终于发现了天法师是躲在共和军的南武公子处。我将这个消息通知丁亨利。我告诉他，这一切其实都是天法师捣的鬼，包括最开始的尊王团捣毁共和军帝都议事处，以及水火两军团偷袭五羊城。天法师是把我们当成了他手中的武器，他想要做的是消灭我们人类。
丁亨利答应了。他同意停战，先去南武公子处追查此事下落。然而，这时南武公子却到了军前，带来的却是天法师那风干已久的首级。
早在几年前，天法师就已经被南武公子看出破绽杀死了。只是天法师让我们火并的计划，却经过南武公子修改后，一步步成为现实。
最后一线和解的希望也破灭了，战火重新开始。此时，共和军的实力已经占了上风，而屋漏偏逢连宵雨，孤悬海中的海靖省都督，海靖伯孙琢之宣告独立，不再听从帝国命令。与之相应，西府军都督、司辰伯陶百狐宣布天水省独立。
海靖省是海上门户。孙琢之独立后，水军团已无法再从海上长驱直入，进攻五羊城了。天水省则是西北门户，陶百狐一独立，西北诸省从此与帝国失去联系。
自新八年，也就是共和五年的五月，最后一击来临了。狄人以为文侯和沙吉罕报仇为名大举入关，实力大不如前的青月公再不能守，被狄人全线突破，防线彻底崩溃，青月公阖家自焚而死。同月，句罗岛宣布与帝国绝交，改奉共和国为正朔。
句罗是帝国最为忠实的藩属，每当句罗有难，帝国也不惜一切代价援助。连句罗都背弃了帝国，我也似乎看到了帝国的末日。只是，我仍然不愿就此放弃，我仍想做最后一搏。
自新八年年底，我率地军团装作不支共和军进攻之势，将共和军引入大江中游的对马山和屏风山一带的坠星原。
当初帝国与共和军第一次同盟，陆经渔因为不愿回归帝国，于是率旧部盘踞此地，屡次偷袭帝国补给，就是在此地被我带领首次上阵的地军团铁甲车队击败。我还记得那一次陆经渔引以为傲的铁骑军被铁甲车追杀殆尽时，他嗒然若死的样子。那一次，他告诉我，属于他的时代过去了，接下来将是属于我的时代。现在就是在这个地方，我与陆经渔最得意的弟子又开始了一次决战，这也将决定接下来的时代属于谁的问题。
战争就是如此。我定下最后一个细节时，想着。可是我没有一丝欣喜，却只有失望乃至绝望。我的眼前看不到一丝光明，当初武侯阵亡前所说的“不仁者天诛之”六个字，时时在我耳边回响。我一直引以为戒，可是渐渐的，我自己也成为一个自己不愿的“不仁者”。
自新九年、共和六年的一月，决定帝国与共和军最后命运的一战开始了。丁亨利率领的共和军主力陷入了地军团的包围，可是，共和军的实力却只有在地军团之上。尽管将丁亨利包围，我仍然不知道这一次是鱼死还是网破。