Chapter 19 Chapter Nineteen

The situation took a turn for the worse.The Lord and the monarchs and ministers all changed their attitudes.This was influenced by two people, one was Chen Tang and the other was Mao Yanshou. When Chen Tang was called to Beijing, he first went to see Shi Xian and blamed him for being too weak towards Hu Hanxie.In his view, the crusade against Hu Hanxie is not only imperative, but also victorious.In addition, Mao Yanshou came back with Kuang Heng and made some suggestions, which made him more sure of winning, so those who were hesitant became firm. Shi Xian has no fixed opinions on peace and war, and has only interests and no feelings for Hu Hanxie.His consideration is personal fame first, and national interests second.Now that Chen Tang has the confidence to subdue Hu Hanxie, it is naturally the meritorious deeds of the prime minister. It is beneficial to both himself and the country, and it can cater to the emperor's will, so why not do it?

Therefore, in the court meeting, he first spoke generously: "Hu Hanxie was supported by the big man, and he didn't want to be grateful. He dared to provoke him easily under the guise of a name. The situation is really abominable. I ask the emperor to issue a crusade today to extend the power of heaven. .” The emperor was more cautious. "Kuang Heng," he said, "you just came back from outside the Great Wall, what do you think?" "I have never learned anything about being a minister in the military. I secretly think that using soldiers to waste their salary will cost a lot of money if it takes a long time. The minister's duties and expenses must be planned in advance. I am afraid that it will not be completed overnight."

"Now, it's time for Chen Tang to speak!" "Yes!" Chen Tang answered calmly and confidently: "It has always been a rule to go to the Western Regions in expeditions and return in spring and autumn. If this is not the case, it will be restricted by the weather, severe winter and heavy snow, and there is a danger of being trapped. I think This time to crusade against Huhanxie, it is advisable to gather heavy troops and march at the same time, and we will win a few battles. If the food and military supplies can be properly planned in advance, there will be no shortage. I am sure that within four months, I will be victorious."

"If you only support a four-month war, you don't need to raise taxes, and the treasury can handle it." "Have you heard what Kuang Heng said?" The emperor looked around at the monarch and his subjects, and finally fell on King Feng Ye: "What's your opinion?" "Rong Chen asked Chen Tang first." Feng Yewang looked at the same row: "General Chen, may I ask, how sure are you?" "The morale is available and the military supplies are sufficient. I am very sure." "In this case," Feng Ye said on the court, "I would like to express my ambition to share the same hatred with the enemy."

"Good! Good!" the emperor said happily, "Even you can't bear it!" Then the emperor made a judgment and appointed Chen Tang as the commander of the crusade.All battle plans, collection of military supplies, deployment of troops, and matters related to this campaign will be handled by Shi Xian and Kuang Heng in conjunction with Chen Tangshang.They are all planned and ready within one month, so that they can choose a time to be a teacher. After retiring from the court, Shi Xian stayed again, because he had a secret interview with Chen Shang, so the monarch and his ministers had another conversation in the imperial study.

Before opening his mouth, Shi Xian unfolded a map in front of the emperor, on which was inscribed with the cross "Map of the Military Strategy and Situation of the Huhanxie Kingdom".The mountains, rivers, and roads are painted with Zhubucai and are very detailed. The emperor had never seen such an exquisite map before, so he couldn't help but stare at it intently. "Where did this map come from?" "Please don't ask your majesty for now." Shi Xian couldn't hide his smile, that is, he couldn't hide his pride. "I just ask the emperor to show me, is there any merit in this picture?"

"The drawing is very detailed, I'm afraid it's not good-looking." The emperor replied: "I have to let Chen Tang take a look, so that I can know how useful this map is." This answer was expected by Shi Xian, so he became more complacent, sat up straight and said: "I have seen Chen Tang, please the emperor call Chen Tang immediately, and ask him what he thinks." "So, you already know the look and feel! Tell me." "Chen Tang said that although he had been in the Western Regions for many years, he was not at Huhanxie's place to use his troops. Therefore," Shi Xian lowered his head and said calmly, "I am familiar with other places outside the Great Wall, except for Huhanxie. .Having this picture just makes up for his shortcomings."

No wonder, the emperor thought in his heart, Chen Tang dared to have such confidence, so it was because of this military strategy map! "What about others?" The emperor was very careful: "There are quite a few people who have been to Huhanxie country, have you asked them?" "I asked. They all said it's not bad." "Roughly not bad?" The emperor thought for a while and asked, "Does this mean that it is not quite certain?" "That's not what it means. It's just that people who are envoys to the outside of the Great Wall take the main road, all the way through mountains and rivers. If people refuse to talk about it, it's inconvenient for me to ask, so I can only say 'almost' based on personal experience."

"It's true!" The emperor asked again: "Since this picture came from this way, anyone who wants to enter the picture must have been outside the Great Wall. Who is that?" "Yes! The minister must hear about it. It's just that the minister understands the origin of this picture and asks the emperor for his kindness." "Let's talk about it first, who is it? Who entered the picture?" "Mao Yanshou." "Mao Yanshou!" The emperor shook his head greatly: "Is it Mao Yanshou's picture? Unreliable, unreliable!" "If you can't rely on it, I dare not make false statements."

"I think," the emperor shook his head, "it's not very reliable!" "Returning to the emperor," Shi Xian said in a more emphatic tone: "Mao Yanshou knew that he had committed a serious crime, but he dared to return to the country. The reason he relied on it was that this picture was quite precious, and he felt that he could reduce the guilt a little. At this time, I ask the emperor to be merciful again, pity his repentant heart, and give him a chance to redeem his crimes." The emperor didn't say anything immediately.After a long while, he sighed and said, "You're going to make me feel uncomfortable again!"

Shi Xian knew that the emperor hated Mao Yanshou, unless the emperor could think of someone more hateful than Mao Yanshou, he would divert his mind and put Mao Yanshou aside for the time being. Thinking about it like this, he immediately got into trouble: "I thought," he said, "Mao Yanshou is abominable, but it's not as abominable as Hu Hanxie asking me to be the number one beauty in the Celestial Dynasty!" "That's a good statement!" The emperor said in a huff: "Okay! Mao Yanshou will make atonement. However, Shi Xian, you have to watch him well." "Yes!" Shi Xian replied, "Mao Yanshou lives in the courtier's house, and the courtier has sent slaves to watch him day and night." Before he could finish his sentence, a call came from outside the hall, and the empress dowager arrived.As a result, the two monarchs and ministers looked at each other in astonishment, and it was extremely rare for the Empress Dowager to suddenly visit the emperor's imperial study.It can be seen that there must be something to do here. "Rong Chen resigns!" "Don't go far away!" The emperor pointed to the rear window, and hurried out to greet him. When Shi Xian came out of the side, the queen mother had already stepped on the steps.The emperor agreed, personally helped him into the hall, and invited him to sit up. "No need! I'll leave after a few words." The queen mother continued, "I heard that you called a court meeting today to discuss the use of troops?" "yes!" "The results of it?" "Civil and military rulers and ministers see the same thing." The emperor said with high spirits: "They all advocate the crusade against Hu Hanxie." "This time is different from the last time!" The queen mother was surprised: "Last time everyone was in favor of calming things down, so why is it completely changed this time?" "This is because Chen Tang returned to the court, and he is very sure about the war." "According to this, it is Chen Tang who is the emperor? He said he wanted to crusade, and everyone followed him and said that he should be crusaded!" "The queen mother's words," the emperor said disapprovingly, "it's too heavy!" "Too heavy? Huh!" The queen mother sneered slightly: "Don't think about it, the society is the most important thing, listening to Chen Tang's one-sided words, and using troops lightly, it is too ill-considered! Let me ask you again, what does Kuang Heng say?" "He said that if the war ends within four months, the treasury will be used and there will be no need to raise taxes." "Four months can't end? Isn't the burden on the people heavier?" The queen mother paused and said, "Sure enough, the people are willing to go bankrupt and finance military supplies in order to save the country. A man would approve of this battle!" This is very clear.Shi Xian thought to himself, the Queen Mother is really powerful, it is better to avoid her.Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager is more powerful than he imagined, knowing that he was hiding under the back window, deliberately pretending not to know, waiting for his figure to flash past the window, but not letting him escape. "Who is outside?" the Queen Mother asked sharply. Everyone outside the hall heard the drink.When the imperial guard heard the police, of course they would search around.Let them grab and push him in front of the queen mother, what face will the prime minister have?So Shi Xian showed up very knowledgeably and embarrassedly. "Chen Shixian kowtowed to see the Queen Mother!" Shi Xian kowtowed and said, "The kindness came suddenly, and I couldn't avoid it in time. It is a capital offense, a capital offense!" "Your capital crime does not lie in this." The Empress Dowager said: "As the order of Zhongshu, you occupy the position of Zaifu. The emperor used his emotions to fight lightly, have you advised him against it?" "The empress dowager's reproach makes me feel ashamed." "The queen mother doesn't have to blame Shi Xian." The emperor interjected: "The big plan is decided by the minister alone." "You should ask me too!" "The family law of this dynasty, the great government should not be troubled by compassion." As soon as this remark came out, the empress dowager's face changed, and the emperor was also dumbfounded!I regret that my words are too indiscreet.This sentence is really too heavy. The queen mother was very sad and very angry.Consciously saying any more words would be superfluous, so she turned around and left, and walked very hastily, the supporting maid was frightened, fearing that she would fall down.The emperor was even more terrified, shouting again and again: "Mother, mother!" He even knelt down, but the queen mother dismissed it. This time, a lot of rumors and unease were caused. First of all, Chen Tang was the most anxious.He specially went to see Shi Xian, and said that dispatching troops is not a trivial matter, if you give up halfway, it is better not to move, now that the empress dowager and the emperor disagree on the big plan, and the verbal conflict is so severe, what should we do, which makes the ministers very confused. Shi Xian answered him like this: "It seems that the emperor's intention is very firm, and sooner or later a battle is inevitable. However, since the empress dowager is very angry, it is inconvenient to do anything in front of the emperor, so as not to deepen the misunderstanding." "I knew I should take it easy, but it would be a waste of time if I had no choice but to take it easy. That's what I'm asking." "I also know this is what you want to ask. Unfortunately, even the emperor has no idea. General Chen, I would like to ask, what should I do if I don't take it easy?" Chen Tang's thick eyebrows were knotted, his thick lips were closed, he pondered for a while, and then said: "Shi Gong, I am a soldier, and I have a straight temper. I have to ask myself what the emperor's intention is. Please ask Shi Gong to play the Ming Emperor, and give him a special summons." "Should, should." Shi Xian hurriedly agreed: "You and I will meet in the court room at five o'clock tomorrow." At dawn the next day, Chen Tang arrived first.Not long after, Shi Xian also came, bringing a man with him, wearing a Han costume, but his appearance was slightly different from that of the Han people.Chen Tang has been in Hudi for a long time, and he is a Hun at a glance. "Shi Gong, I've been waiting for a long time." Chen Tang went up to greet him, but his eyes fell on the man behind him. "General Chen, I have something to tell you." Shi Xian told the person behind him, "Zhu Ke, just stand on that porch and don't wander around!" The man named Zhu Ke nodded, turned away without answering.Chen Tang waited for him to go far away and immediately asked: "Shi Gong, who is this?" "I came to identify Mao Yanshou's map." Shi Xian expressed worry, "I'm afraid that map is fraudulent." "What?" Chen Tang was startled: "Mao Yanshou tricked him?" "I don't know yet. That's what I want to talk to you about." It turned out that shortly after Chen Tang resigned from the prime minister's residence yesterday, Shi Xian was urgently summoned to enter the palace to pay homage to the emperor.Because the emperor heard people mention that map, saying that there is a valley in it, there is no road, but a road is drawn on the map.Therefore, the emperor asked Shi Xian to find someone who knew Hu Hanxie well to see the difference between this map and the actual terrain. "This Zhu Ke is not from Huhanye, but he has lived in Huhanye for seven or eight years, so let him identify it." Shi Xian made a helpless expression, "It seems that the crusade must be done. Let's discuss it. Let's talk about it when we see you later!" Chen Tang was silent, making up his mind.Shi Xian also had no time to talk in detail, so they rushed to the imperial study to wait for the order.When the map of Mao Yanshou was sent out, Zhu Ke was summoned to take a closer look, and he pointed out that three places were inconsistent with the reality. One was that the mountain was indeed the Valley of Death as the emperor had heard; It is marked, but the place marked with aquatic plants is yellow and dusty, and it is difficult to see people for thousands of miles. So Shi Xian and Chen Tang entered the hall to meet and play back according to the facts.The emperor was furious, "Mao Yanshou really deserves to be hacked into pieces. If we draw up a battle plan according to his plan, thousands of troops will fall into the valley of death, what will happen? Shi Xian," the emperor ordered: "Execute Mao Yanshou immediately!" "May the emperor spare Mao and prolong his life." Chen Tang begged on his behalf: "It is useful for me to keep him." "What's the use of such a person?" "Soldiers never tire of cheating!" Chen Tang replied, "If Mao Yanshou deliberately drew him wrong in this picture, there must be a reason for it. If you can find out the reason, you can use it." "Ah! Ah!" the emperor said gratifiedly, "I understand what you mean. Deceit against deceit." "yes." "I think he made a deliberate mistake, just to lure people into a trap." "The emperor is holy!" "Okay! Let's save Mao Yanshou for now." The emperor asked again: "Based on this, is it safe to fight?" "I can see through his mechanism, I am sure." "If you are sure, don't bother with unexpected disturbances. You are still ready as usual." Saying "you" included Shi Xian, so the two replied at the same time: "Zunzhi. Withdrew from the palace, Chen Tang's mood was greatly relieved, because his doubts and worries were swept away.After discussing with Shi Xian, they decided to ask Mao Yanshou immediately. When they arrived at Zhongshu Mansion, they sent someone to pick up Mao Yanshou. Shi Xian pointed to Chen Tang and asked, "This is General Chen. Have you seen him?" "Of course I met Mao Yanshou, but General Chen didn't know Mao Yanshou. I've heard of General Chen's reputation for a long time, so it's a pleasure to meet you today." "Please sit down, please sit down!" Chen Tang said politely, "I have something to ask you for advice." "Don't dare." Mao Yanshou sat down. "Have you been to Hu Hanxie's place?" "been." "Do you know the situation there?" "It's okay." Mao Yanshou said: "Although I have only been there once, I have to be prepared in my heart and pay attention to it so that I can report to the Prime Minister when I come back, so I read it very carefully." "You really have a heart!" Shi Xian pretended to be very pleased, and his ambition was commendable. Chen Tang also expressed his appreciation in his expression, and then he spread out the map and asked, "Did you draw this picture?" "I stole Hu Hanxie's secret book and copied it." "Hu Hanxie's camp is here?" Chen Tang pointed to the picture and asked. "yes." "Is there a shortcut to the east of their camp?" "yes." "Have you been this way?" "Go by." "Is the road wide?" "There are wide and narrow." "Mmm! Mmm!" Chen Tang pondered.Then half-talked to himself: "If there is a sudden attack from east to west, surprise soldiers come out from this road and go straight to Hu Hanxie's camp. I don't know where he will flee?" "General Chen," Shi Xian pretended to stop him, "we will discuss the strategy of advancing troops later." "Yes, yes!" Chen Tang also seemed to have awakened, and kept silent.