Chapter 16 Chapter Sixteen
Zheng Tian took the sword in a majestic manner, and said impassionedly: "General Wang, please rise!" After finishing speaking, he took the sword to the case, wiped the blood on the envoy's body, looked around, and raised his voice to the four He said: "A few days ago, I was supposed to meet the emperor! The emperor left a commandment before leaving, 'After I leave, Aiqing has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders-you must defend the front of the bandits in the east, caress the feudal vassals in the west, entangle the neighbors, and build Daxun! The road to Xingyuan is rough, and I am afraid that the traffic will be inconvenient. If you encounter a major event, you can do it cheaply, and you can make your own decisions, but Mo pardons the official!'Today, I killed the yellow thief and false envoy, so I can express myself Feng Xiang is loyal. Feng Xiang Yin has been favored by the emperor, and he doesn't want to serve the country. He confuses the army and dies. If anyone has second thoughts, he will end up the same as this person!"
All the generals hurriedly said yes, expressing their determination.Therefore, Zheng Tian made a blood alliance with all the people present, and then ordered to go down to finish the city moat, repair the equipment, train the soldiers, and make a secret appointment with the neighbors to join forces to fight against the thieves.In less than a month, the neighbors who received Zheng Tian's letter promised to send troops, and they would send the army to Fengxiang and hand it over to Zheng Tian's command.However, Zheng Tian knew in his heart that without the assistance of the famous Zhongwu Army in the Central Plains, it would be difficult to easily regain Chang'an.At this time, the Jiedu Envoy of the Zhongwu Army has been replaced by Zhou Ji, and the supervisor is still Yang Fuguang.Although Zheng Tian didn't know Zhou Ji well, he believed in his bones that most eunuchs like Yang Fuguang were greedy for life and afraid of death. If he wanted to persuade the loyal army to fight against the Yellow Bandit again, he could only start with Zhou Ji.So, he handed a secret letter to Meng Tu, and asked him to go to Henan Road overnight to persuade Zhou Ji, the loyal military governor who had already surrendered to Huang Chao.
Another year has passed.This year in Xuzhou was mostly spent in the midst of war, hunger and cold.
After Xiaohan passed, the place suddenly became dead silent and isolated from the world.Except for the cold weather, there is probably nothing more indignant and sad than the news of the fall of Chang'an.After all, it's not as simple as losing one or two cities!Today, people's hearts are divided, famine and war are still in the world, and soldiers from all walks of life are also standing on the sidelines... Could it be that the dynasty is really about to change? ——Yang Fuguang looked at Zhou Ji, the Jiedu Envoy who sent Huang Chao's envoy to Chuanshe under the Drum Tower, feeling uneasy.
This humiliating surrender agreement was signed inadvertently.This declares that the Zhongwu Army that governs the territory of Xuzhou will serve the Daqi regime in Chang'an from now on.In the past two years, there have been nearly a hundred battles with the rebel army. Although there are more victories than losses, a lot of troops have been lost after all.The loyal military army that once shocked the Central Plains is now only a few thousand people scattered.After Wang Jian, Jin Hui and others left, he still could only reuse the two giants Lu Yanhong and Zhang Zao.Although he has also promoted some young generals, after all, he lacks combat experience, and compared with the unstoppable Qi army today, he is still immature.
Yang Fuguang finally chose to watch the offending officials on the Drum Tower.After all, the Supervising Army is different from the Jiedushi. He shoulders a more important mission. This mission makes this eunuch want to maintain a bit of chastity towards Li Tang-even though he also knows that such an idea is not the same as Actions are nothing more than self-deception and futile consolation.He recalled his whole career, that is, his life of being loyal to Li Tang, and he could have a clear conscience about this.
"Supervisor, Fengxiang is here." Lu Yanhong interrupted Yang Fuguang's thoughts.
"What did you say? Where did you come from?"
"Return to the prison army, Fengxiang. Master Zhou has sent someone to arrange it."
"Oh, it's the same words, I said I have a headache, so I won't go." Yang Fuguang replied, but he muttered in his heart: What did Zheng Tian send people to Xuzhou for?Persuading him to surrender, Chang'an's amnesty envoy has just left; Qin Wang, there are still countless passes between Xuzhou and Sanchuan, and it is impossible to say that Zhongwu's army is not there, not to mention that Zhongwu's situation is not better than Fengxiang's; if it is an alliance for revival... No meeting!Yang Fuguang knew that if this was the case, then Zheng Tian must have turned his back on Huang Chao.In his opinion, Zheng Tian has no need for this at all, let alone the courage.Although they are both Tang officials, Yang Fuguang still can't get used to these self-confident prime ministers because of the "North-South Controversy" for many years.
After dinner, Yang Fuguang felt very bored, so he ordered the maid to fetch water to wash his feet.At this time, Lu Yanhong came to his residence again, and said that the Jiedu envoy had sent a message that Mr. Zhou was invited.Fu Guang got up, and arrived right after the call.
Lu Yanhong carefully bit Yang Fuguang's ear: "The supervising army is not allowed to go! Forgive me for your boldness. The Zhongwu army has already surrendered the bandits, so Duke Zhou and the supervising army cannot keep their hearts at odds. If Duke Zhou really betrays Tang, he will definitely harm the supervising army. Going, wouldn't you throw yourself into a trap?"
Yang Fuguang nodded: "I also have concerns. However, the situation is as it is, and the righteousness is not complete. If General Zhou really rebels, I will give up my life to show my loyalty!" After finishing speaking, he went out to the courtyard and went to Jiedushi's mansion go.When they came to the gate of the mansion, there was an old housekeeper who went out to welcome Fuguang into the courtyard.Zhou Ji was dressed in casual attire, with a round-necked blue robe, a wide-sleeved soap-colored Ge shirt, a fur toe, and soft boots. He was already waiting behind the screen wall: "The supervisor's illness has not recovered, and Zhou insisted on inviting a banquet. It should be a crime." After saying that, he cupped his hands.
"I hope you won't be stingy when you bother the general for a glass of wine in the middle of the night." A clever sentence made the embarrassment of the past few days easy.Zhou Ji invited Fu Guang to enter the room, and said: "I have a lot of wine here, should the supervisor try rice wine or fruit wine?" Then he ordered the man to bring out a jar of red wine: "This is the best wine from the Western Regions at the beginning of the year. Fruit wine is made from high-quality grapes, and today I got drunk with the supervising army." Fu Guang pretended to be angry and said, "The general is so stingy, and you have to send me a jar of fruit wine?" Seeing Zhou Ji confused, Then he said with a smile: "I heard that the general just got ten altars of high-quality palace Shaochun from Jiannan...Why, don't you want to part with it?"
The two sat down as guests and hosts.But I saw that there were already rich delicacies on the table: several large plates of fresh and tender beef, lamb, and deer in the middle of the table exuded bursts of meaty fragrance, and the surrounding platters were stacked with camel's hoof soup, as well as Biluo cakes, flax cakes, and homemade rice cakes. Cake, crystal dragon and phoenix cake, jade dew balls and other exquisite desserts... Zhou Ji pointed to a plate of sashimi and said to Fu Guang: "This is the best sea bass, made with a first-class knife, and it is called Lilac Xianglin. I also just got a cook who can cook this delicacy, so I specially tasted the same delicacy with the supervisor today."
Seeing Zhou Ji making such a big show, Fu Guang was even more puzzled, wondering what kind of medicine the other party was selling in his gourd.However, it's not easy to ask too many questions, only to laugh and drink.During the banquet, the two only talked about eating and eating, not talking about current affairs.After drinking for three rounds, Yang Fuguang felt a little lighthearted, squinted around, and suddenly saw a figure shaking behind the screen.He immediately understood: Zhou Ji really wanted to harm him, so he set up an ambush behind the screen, and only after he was drunk, he would kill him.But thinking of this, the corner of his mouth couldn't help showing a smug smile: It seems that Zhou Ji is also afraid of himself.I think that although Fuguang is a weak eunuch, after all, he has been in the army for ten years and has commanded tens of thousands of loyal soldiers.Even if you want to harm me, Zhou Ji, you don't dare to attack me when I am awake.At this moment, he felt calmer, thinking, today is nothing more than death, but even if he died, he had to find out, Zhou Ji kept silent, why don't I preemptively strike, and find out what his plan is.After thinking about it, he drank the remaining wine in his hand, stretched out his hand and took out a piece of silk, deliberately covering his face with tears.
This move was completely unexpected to Zhou Ji, and he hurriedly asked the superintendent why he was sad.Fuguang ignored him, and simply burst into tears, with all the bitterness and bitterness in the crying.Zhou Ji was even more flustered and happy, and quickly persuaded: "I share the leadership of Zhongwu with the supervising army, and we love brothers. You have been running the Zhongwu Army for ten years, and you are my respected elder brother! Brother, why are you embarrassing and sad? No matter what, Zhou is willing to help."
Only then did Yang Fuguang stop crying, wiped his tears and said: "The general thinks, who can be called a man?"
Zhou Ji said: "Only when you stand upright and resonate with kindness and righteousness can you be called a husband."
Yang Fuguang suddenly said sharply: "Born between the heaven and the earth, to be able to have the glory and wealth of today, don't you thank the emperor? Now the emperor is in trouble, and he is helpless. How can he be kind? You and I have been ministers of the same dynasty with Sanchuan in Hezhong for many years. Today The other army raised righteousness in order to recover, but we are greedy for the glory of Huangchao and fear the grass and bandits. How can it be righteous? Since the general said, what a man feels is kindness and righteousness, and the former is not a husband. Also! I, Yang Fuguang, an eunuch, do you care about life and death? But you, general, enjoy the nobleness of a prince. How can you give up the emperor of the eighteenth leaf and face the thieves in the north? How can there be any kindness or harm?!" After finishing speaking, Yang Fuguang snapped He stood up and glared at Zhou Ji.
Zhou Ji excitedly said: "Someone Zhou mistakenly used the heart of a villain to save the belly of a gentleman!" Seeing that Fuguang was puzzled, he shouted to the back of the screen: "General Meng, please come out." A person came out from behind the screen, with Danfeng eyes shining brightly showing the heroic spirit of a general, dressed in a tight-fitting plain Hu suit, with a sword hanging from his waist, came to the hall and saluted, "I have seen you two adults."
Zhou Ji recommended: "This general's surname is Meng Mingtu, and he is the former famous general of Fengxiang Jiedu envoy Zheng Gongzhang."
"But Qi Ze and Meng Tuzhi General Meng who once met Li Guochang to conquer Pang Xun?"
"It's the last general."
"It turned out to be a hero!"
Meng Tu said: "The two lords are too praised. The last general is sent by my family Zheng Gong, and I specially invited the two lords to conspire to regain Chang'an!"
Fu Guang wondered: "So, Mr. Zheng has already—"
"I have already beheaded the envoy to destroy Chang'an. Now, Zheng Gong is sent by the emperor, and he will work with the heroes of all paths to rejuvenate our royal family of Li and Tang."
Fu Guang reprimanded Zhou Ji, "Hey! Why didn't you mention such an important matter earlier!"
Zhou Ji said ashamedly: "I was worried that the supervising army would not be with me, so I—"
"That's why this Hongmen banquet is held?"
After the three laughed, they made an alliance with blood.
Zhou Ji said to Meng Tu again: "General Meng, if you want to restore Chang'an, you must take Jingxiang. Jingxiang is the barrier of Chang'an. It is located in a fortress and can attack and defend freely. But now, the bandits guard Zhu Wen with heavy troops. It is really difficult for me to revive the Tang Dynasty in Xuzhou."
Meng Tu asked: "My lord, I heard that the loyal military generals are stationed in the counties of Xuzhou, and their reputation is broadcast in Henan. Why do you say it is difficult?"
Zhou Ji sighed: "General Meng doesn't know something. I'm worried about Caizhou——Caizhou is my heart disease. The governor of Qin has a large army there. He betrayed my loyalty and occupied Caizhou. Now he has surrendered , I'm afraid you are not of the same mind as me!"
Yang Fuguang had long heard that Qin Zongquan of Caizhou was at odds with Zhou Ji, and had been recruiting troops and hoarding his own power over the years.Recently, I heard that even Wang Jian and Jin Hui have joined Qin Zongquan's sect, so he resolutely said: "General, I still have a few years of friendship with Zongquan. If the general trusts me, Yang is willing to go with me."
"Excellent!" Meng Tu picked up the wine cup on the table, "Meng Tu borrowed Zhou Gong's banquet to supervise the Zhuang army! If all states in the Tang Dynasty can unite as one, why are they afraid of other mere yellow thieves?" Meng Tu said, It made Zhou Ji's blood boil.He immediately passed down a message, ordering people to kill Huang Chao's envoy overnight.In the early morning of the next day, Yang Fuguang packed his bags, said goodbye to Zhou Ji and Meng Tu, and went to Caizhou alone to persuade Qin Zongquan.
Facing the unstoppable rebel army, even Gao Pian, a famous general who was famous for pacifying the Southwest Nanzhao rebellion, was frightened, not to mention Qin Zongquan, who was illiterate and known for his brutality.However, since occupying Caizhou, Qin Zongquan has followed the counselor's advice and recruited troops and gathered talented people in the Central Plains. In less than a year, he has gathered a large group of brave and skilled soldiers under his command.
It has been more than half a year since Wang Jian and his party came to Caizhou.In the past few months, Qin Zongquan had treated them well, and even promoted Wang Jian to be Marquis of Huaixi Army.However, over time, Wang Jian gradually discovered that Qin Zongquan's recruitment of talents was not for the purpose of serving the country, but for his own plan.At this time, the Central Plains had been tormented by the repeated attacks of the insurgents, and many states and counties had already disobeyed the orders of the imperial court.Some generals, as long as their men are armed, can take advantage of the chaos of the country and do whatever they want.Before and after Huang Chao's rebellion, the Jiedu envoys of the Zhongwu Army changed several times. Not long after Xue Neng, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, took office, Zhou Ji, a powerful Xuzhou general, rebelled and killed Xue Neng's family.At this time, Tang Ting was already unable to restrain himself, so he could only acquiesce in Zhou Ji's appointment as the new envoy of the Zhongwu Army. This is why Yang Fuguang was afraid that Zhou Ji would murder him.Wang Jian later learned that the process of Qin Zongquan's becoming the governor of Caizhou was surprisingly similar to that of Zhou Ji, and it was also through a mutiny.In this chaotic age, such things are not uncommon.Wang Jian has been waiting for Qin Zongquan to take this opportunity to devote himself to the battle to suppress the rebel army.In the past few years of fighting between the north and the south, he gradually had a premonition that perhaps only in this way would he be able to obtain a formal reward from the court in the future.However, as the days passed, such thoughts became more and more unrealistic.He saw with his own eyes that the uprising army led by Huang Chao broke through the natural barriers of Tongguan and captured the capital Chang'an... He expected Qin Zongquan to send troops to serve the king at this time. The new owner of the Daming Palace, the Emperor Daqi, proclaimed his vassal.
Just when Wang Jian was disheartened and thought that Datang might really perish, a piece of news that shocked him suddenly came: Yang Fuguang has arrived in Caizhou!Wang Jian had been with Yang Fuguang for a period of time. Although the contact time was not too long, he could clearly feel that this eunuch had an innate loyalty to the royal family of Li and Tang—this kind of loyalty was even close to obsession. !He immediately realized that Yang Fuguang was probably here to persuade Qin Zongquan to oppose Qi Baotang!Regardless of whether Qin Zongquan will agree or not, if he can return to the Zhongwu Army, he will definitely be able to participate in a new round of decisive battles - isn't this what he has always expected?But when he thought about violating the military order and fleeing privately, he felt that even if he went back, he would have no face to order the soldiers.
"Brother-in-law—" Wang Jian was thinking, when Zhou Dequan suddenly walked into his room, and a friendly address made him feel warm.After marrying the Zhou family, Wang Jian renamed Dequan's little nephew Wang Zongfan, and the family moved from Xuzhou to Caizhou. Although life was peaceful, it was very warm. "Brother-in-law, Supervisor Yang has arrived in Caizhou!"
"I've heard..."
"Then we should visit him as soon as possible so that we can return to Xuzhou!"
Wang Jian shook his head.
"Why?" Zhou Dequan's eyes were full of doubts, "Don't you want to go back day and night? Go back to Brother Shitai and the others!"
"You said, can I go back? Will the supervising army take me in?"
"Brother-in-law, I don't think Jianjun Yang is the kind of narrow-minded person. There was a reason for the incident. Brother Jin was in a hurry to go to the funeral. I think the supervisor and the loyal soldiers would not blame you for leaving without saying goodbye if they knew the whole story. Right now is an extraordinary period, and it cannot be judged by common sense. Brother-in-law, think about it, Chang'an has fallen into the hands of the bandit army. As the Iron Army of the Central Plains, the Zhongwu Army will inevitably shoulder the heavy responsibility of King Qin. The Supervisor Army will certainly want to expand its strength. If you If you take the initiative to invite Ying at this time, he will definitely let the past go and use you again!"
Wang Jian felt that Zhou Dequan's analysis made sense.If he stays in Caizhou, he will not be able to serve the country, and secondly, he will not be able to redeem himself, and with the expansion of Qin Zongquan's ambitions, he may become a pawn in his hands-this is what he does not want.
"Brother-in-law, I just inquired about it. Yang Jianjun has already met with the governor of Qin, and the governor promised to call all the generals to discuss Qin Wang's plan tomorrow!"
"Okay!" Wang Jian stood up abruptly, "Dequan, I've figured it out, no matter what the supervisors and Zhongwu brothers think of me, I will ask for my order to go back tomorrow!"
Accompanied by the rising red sun, the tiger-skin drum in front of Caizhou Governor's Yamen was beat rhythmically, and the sound went far away, shaking the quiet county town.
Yang Fuguang's sudden arrival surprised Qin Zongquan.Although he was reluctant, he did not dare to blatantly reject this loyal military supervisor who enjoyed high prestige in the Central Plains.What's more, behind Yang Fuguang is Zheng Tian, and behind Zheng Tian is the emperor of the dynasty.Right now, Caizhou obviously surrendered Daqi, but if he really wanted to break with Li Tang, his soldiers would probably not agree to it—thinking of this, Qin Zongquan simply gave Yang Fuguang this face, and sent an order to gather the generals.
Yang Fuguang was invited to sit on a grand teacher's chair, looking sideways, in the hall, there were more than fifty military generals in two rows, all of them neatly armored and imposing.He stood up and dusted off his robe, and said to the generals with a firm and serious face: "Generals, the Son of Heaven is lucky to Shu, and has granted Fengxiang Duke Zheng Jiedu all the powers. I am entrusted by Zheng Gong and sent by Zhongwu Zhou Gong to come to the tent of General Qin , to discuss the great plan to rejuvenate the country and destroy the thieves. The yellow thieves rebelled and gained power for a while, but they will not be able to live in peace for a long time. Now it is time for the country to employ people, Caizhou soldiers are full of fine food, and they should set an example for the world, and we will rejuvenate Li and Tang!... "
Qin Zongquan's face turned red and white, he was afraid that if Fu Guang continued to speak, his shady plans would be exposed even more.He hurriedly interrupted Yang Fuguang, and said to the crowd: "What the envoy Yang Jun said was exactly what I was thinking about in Qin. A few days ago, I was forced to surrender in Caizhou because I was alone and out of helplessness. Now and now I have to meet the military envoys to come and give me the opportunity for Caizhou soldiers to serve the country. Who is willing to accompany the military envoys to conquer Chang'an and establish meritorious deeds?"
Qin Zongquan's words made Wang Jian's eyes light up, so he was the first to stand up: "The last general is not talented, and I am willing to take back Chang'an with the military envoy." He raised his head and met Fuguang's gaze.He saw that the supervisor's eyes were full of expectation and approval.At that moment, he felt relieved immediately, and said in his heart: Maybe I really thought too much.What Dequan said is right, the military supervisor really needs help right now, or in other words, the emperor needs help right now!At this time, various magnificent scenes of fighting against the insurgents before flashed in his mind unconsciously.He couldn't deny that Huang Chao, Chai Cun, and Shang Rang were all heroes in troubled times.And he was born in a poor peasant family since he was a child, and he has the same salt sales experience as Wang Xianzhi, so he naturally understands why these rebels wanted to rebel.However, he finally chose to devote himself to loyalty and fight against these poor soldiers—was it accidental or inevitable... Wang Jian didn't want to continue thinking about it. The morality of many years of walking in the rivers and lakes buried in his heart that "good generals do not serve two masters" The only thing he can do now is to follow Yang Fuguang's allegiance to the Li Tang Dynasty...