Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4230
The gurgling night rain, the patter.

Listening to the sound of rain outside the window, Fang Jun sighed and said, "The rain is finally a little lighter. Now the waters of all the rivers in Guanzhong are soaring. Although the dams were repaired and the rivers were dredged last year, such a large flood still endangers the entire Guanzhong. , I don’t know how much farmland will be submerged. The king of Jin has rebelled and soldiers have suffered everywhere. This year, the people in Guanzhong have a hard time.”

In fact, the people in Guanzhong had a hard time when His Majesty Li Er devoted all his power to conquer Goguryeo.Since Zhenguan, due to the clear administration of officials and correct policies, the whole country has been full of great productivity, and the national strength has been increasing day by day.

But at the same time, the empire almost never stopped attacking. In the second year of Zhenguan, Liang Shidu was destroyed, in the third year of Zhenguan, the Eastern Turks were destroyed, in the seventh year of Zhenguan, the Liaoren rebelled, in the ninth year of Zhenguan, Tuyuhun was attacked, and in the 12th year of Zhenguan, the Liaoren rebelled again. , destroyed Gaochang, destroyed Xue Yantuo, defeated Tuyuhun, invaded the Western Regions...

Years of battles, although all victories have been achieved, making the losses within a certain controllable range, but the consumption of population, food fodder, and ordnance is extremely serious.

And His Majesty Li Er's eastward expedition to Goguryeo, the reason why he "put all the power of the country" means that the entire Guanzhong was almost emptied, and the troops, food, supplies... were almost exhausted, and there was no surplus.

The most direct impact of resource depletion is the livelihood of the people.

Xing, the people suffer.

Death, the people suffer...

For the current plan, we can only quell the rebellion as soon as possible, open up Tongguan and the Yellow River line, so that the navy can transport the grain purchased from the Nanyang countries to the audience, and then start trade with the East and Nanyang countries to enrich the resources in Guanzhong.

There are advantages and disadvantages in everything, and when there is difficulty and danger, it is also a good time to not break or stand...

Queen Seondeok doesn't care about this, she can't even control the life and death of the people of Silla, how can she care about the life and death of the people of Datang?
As long as she is sure that Li Chengqian's throne can be held, and that the man she is committed to has a stable power and status, who can protect her prosperity and wealth and spend the rest of her life in this most prosperous super city in the world, she doesn't care about the rest.

For this reason, she was even willing to hand over the last armed force of the Jin royal family to Fang Jun, to help him protect the new emperor and turn back the possible storm...

Women are always emotional, even if they are the king of a country. When the demise of the country is a foregone conclusion and cannot be changed, it is also satisfying to be able to fly side by side with a man who conquers his body and mind for the rest of his life.

It was already late at night, Fang Jun didn't intend to leave in the rain, so he turned over, embraced the beautiful woman's soft waist and brought him into his arms, and said with a smile: "It's been a long time since I've been with His Highness, so why not share the bed tonight?" Lie down, express your lovesickness."

"Ouch!"

The queen let out a tender cry, her body had already fallen into a wide and warm embrace, she did not struggle, but curled up and was embraced by her strong arms, her phoenix eyes narrowed, and her delicate and tall nose let out a comfortable murmur.

For women, the mighty storm is important, but the gentleness after the storm is equally important...

"Your Majesty, the soldiers of the Duke of Yue outside asked to see him, saying that there is something urgent to report."

The maid's voice sounded outside the house, and the two people who were entangled on the same bed immediately stopped and separated. Fang Jun got up and walked off the bed. On top of the body, he took another belt and tied it. He walked quickly to the door and opened it.

Wei Ying came up from downstairs quickly, saw Fang Jun at the door, quickly knelt down on one knee, and said anxiously: "Qi Erlang, I just received the news that Yu Chigong has launched a surprise attack in Tongguan, Li Siwen, Cheng Chu Both of Bi and his troops were defeated, they were all captured, and suffered countless casualties. Yu Chigong has already led all the right guards under his command to dispatch, both land and water, and headed straight for Chang'an!"

Without saying a word, Fang Jun turned and went back into the house.

Queen Shande, who knew the seriousness, also got up from the bed, took a silk robe and put it on, and waited for Fang Jun to dress neatly, and said softly: "Be careful in everything."

"Don't worry, jumping beam clown, why be afraid?"

Fang Jun smiled slightly, turned around and went downstairs, and when he walked out, his own soldiers had already stepped forward to cover him with coir raincoats and bamboo hats, and after Fang Jun got on his horse, they also jumped on the horse's back, hugging and protecting him After leaving the Furong Garden, I braved the heavy rain and went straight to Chengtian Gate.

Along the way, I encountered many patrolling soldiers and street checkpoints. I saw a troop of cavalry roaring and galloping on the long street in the rainy night, and stepped forward to intercept them. Back out of the way.

He rushed all the way to Zhuque Gate, called the city gate to open, passed through the imperial city and arrived at Chengtian Gate, and found that there were already many carriages waiting here. Fang Jun got off his horse and went to the gate. Said: "Your Majesty has already given an oral order. When the Duke of Yue arrives, there is no need to report. Please go straight to the palace. Your Majesty will meet you in the study of Wude Palace."

Fang Jun nodded, and then, led by two servants, entered Chengtian Gate and went straight to Wude Hall.

……

At this moment, the rain was a little weaker, the rain was pattering, and the entire palace was completely washed out. Countless lanterns and candles were burning. In the darkness, every palace, every pillar, every wall, and even every square brick The surface is as clear as water, reflecting streams of flames, rendering this most noble palace in the world brilliantly illuminated.

Fang Jun was led straight into the study on one side by his servants. He saw Li Ji, Li Jing, Li Xiaogong, Cen Wenwen, Li Daozong, Liu Ji, Ma Zhou and others all present. Li Ji and Li Jing were seated next, and opposite were Cen Wenwen, Liu Ji, Ma Zhou and others.

The servant at the back handed Fang Jun a copy of the battle report...

Fang Jun looked down at the battle report, Li Chengqian looked around, and asked in a deep voice: "Yu Chigong came in a menacing manner, Cheng Chubi and Li Siwen's troops have already been defeated, and their troops went as far as Chang'an, and now they have arrived near Xinfeng, not far from Baqiao. Far... do you guys have a good plan to break the ground?"

The crown prince is also a king, and he is one step away from the emperor, but it is actually a world of difference.Li Chengqian, who is the crown prince, trembles like walking on thin ice. He is in fear all day long, lest he make a mistake and be deposed by his father. He has no self-confidence and is timid.

Now enthroned as the emperor, ninety-five supreme, with imperial power in his hands, his whole temperament has been turned upside down.

Even though Yu Chigong was leading the army straight in and aggressive at this moment, Li Chengqian did not show any panic or urgency on his face, and his posture was calm and confident.

Everyone looked at Li Ji first. After all, this king is still "No. 1 in the imperial court" until now, with unparalleled power and prestige. Before that, he watched the fire from the other side and watched the success or failure. Now that the new emperor is on the throne, isn't it a good opportunity to change course and swear allegiance?
However, Li Ji lowered his eyelids, picked up the tea cup in front of him and took a sip, then remained silent...

Li Chengqian stared at Li Ji for a moment, then looked at Li Jing beside him.

Li Jing stroked his beard with one hand, glanced at Li Ji, and met Li Chengqian's gaze and said: "The Shandong private army has just arrived in Tongguan. It may not be completed so quickly, and its combat power is limited. But it is obviously a last resort to launch a surprise attack. As for The reason must have something to do with the navy behind it... According to the latest battle report, Liu Rengui has led the army to capture Xingyang, and Zheng Rentai led the Zheng family in Xingyang to surrender. They don’t have the confidence to defend Hangu Pass, so rather than wait until the navy breaks through Hangu Pass and completely cut off their retreat, causing morale to plummet and the army’s morale shaken, it is better to fight to the death and survive.”

As the world's number one military general, his analysis of the current situation naturally convinced everyone.

Cen Wenwen nodded and said: "That's right, but Yuchi Gong is a veteran of many battles, brave and resourceful, and his subordinate You Houwei is even more powerful. I wonder how Duke Wei plans to resist?"

Li Jing got up, came to the map hanging on the wall, pointed to several locations marked by black circles around Chang'an, and said: "At present, the Six Commanders of the Eastern Palace are scattered everywhere, and ensure that all roads to Chang'an are under control. Yuchi Gong concentrates his forces and goes straight to Chang'an, our troops everywhere are hard to resist."

After a pause, he looked around and said calmly: "So we must decide the strategy now, whether to fight to the death with Yu Chigong and Tongguan soldiers, or just stick to Chang'an, delaying time, and wait for the navy to capture Hangu Pass from behind, forming a A situation where things are pinching?"

Everyone fell silent.

The situation is not complicated. Because Tongguan has a navy behind it making waves and advancing furiously, the back road may be cut off anytime and anywhere. Once the back road is cut off, it not only means that all support from Shandong, Hedong and other places will stop, but it will also seriously affect the Army morale.

More than [-] troops lined up are enough to cover the mountains and plains, but most of them are private troops recruited temporarily. Naturally, it is no problem to fight with the wind, but once the army's morale is slackened and morale collapses, the army will be defeated in an instant.

Therefore, Tongguan could not wait, and did not dare to wait. It could only send troops brazenly before the reorganization of the army was completed, trying to rely on "soldier speed" and "surprise" to quickly capture Chang'an and settle the overall situation.

Perhaps, there is no need to wait until the capture of Chang'an, as long as the situation changes drastically and the attack is reversed, the troops stationed in various places in Guanzhong will mutiny...

Fang Jun had already read the battle report at this time, and had a clear understanding of the situation. While looking at the situation marked on the map, he asked: "Wei Gong's words are penetrating. In my opinion, we might as well shrink our troops and stick to Chang'an. As long as Chang'an is defended, the navy will capture Hangu Pass and cut off the rebel army's retreat, and when the time comes, the rebel army will be defeated."

Liu Ji praised with great emotion: "Nowadays, the navy is strong and powerful. Before the prince sent troops to Yanziji to defeat the private army in the south of the Yangtze River, and then went north to Banzhu to defeat Zheng Rentai. Now the troops are even targeting Luoyang... If you wait until Hangu Pass was also captured. It is worthy of the reputation of "the most powerful army in the world". Not only is it invincible in water battles, but it is also invincible even on land. The creation of such an army by the Duke of Yue is enough to shine in history and be famous. In future generations, I will really admire you."

With a single word, the atmosphere in the study froze instantly.

Fang Jun narrowed his eyes and looked at Liu Jie who was looking admiringly...

"Cough cough!"

Li Xiaogong coughed twice, breaking the silence and solemnity, interjected: "The strength of the navy is the second thing, if the key is to face the rebels head-on, there will inevitably be heavy casualties, it is better to retreat to Chang'an and wait for the navy to capture Hangu Pass. As for the meritorious service of the navy... when the country is in peril and the country is in turmoil, it is time for capable people to die and serve, how can they be jealous of the virtuous and capable, and cut off their own arms?"

The dispute between civil and military affairs was fully revealed in the Eastern Palace when His Majesty was still the crown prince. The civil official group headed by Xiao Yu and Cen Wenwen were dissatisfied with the military's meritorious deeds and guarded against the military being too powerful and encroaching on the interests of the civil officials. His Majesty ascended the throne, and this struggle over the basic interests of both parties naturally intensified.

However, Liu Jie's act of disregarding the overall situation and excluding dissidents made him extremely dissatisfied.

Even if you want to fight, you have to wait until the rebel army is wiped out and the world is peaceful, right?Now that the enemy is at hand, he doesn't care about the overall situation, and behaves badly.

(End of this chapter)