The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 304
Liu Chengyou also wanted to defeat the rebels in Yedu as soon as possible, and capture Guo Wei to the Taimiao to apologize.

Throughout the ages, very few kings of a country have been attacked by rebel troops and trapped in the capital. If such a shame and humiliation cannot be washed away, Liu Chengyou feels that he is not worthy of being the emperor.

However, no matter how eager he was to defeat the enemy, he still understood some simple principles. If the general was not satisfied with his life, and he rashly ordered the battle, he was afraid that it would disrupt Murong Yanchao's arrangements.

Liu Chengyou pondered for a moment, then hesitated and said: "I have appointed General Murong as my commander-in-chief and asked him to lead the imperial army to fight against the rebels. If I issue an order at this time, it is easy for Murong Yanchao to mistakenly think that I do not trust him.

What's more, before leaving, I also promised in person that Murong Yanchao would make all military affairs decisions. Yesterday, Murong Yanchao sent someone to report. After reconnaissance, it was found that the Yedu rebels were in full swing. They should stay away from the front until their vigor fades. Find another opportunity to send troops."

Li Ye's face was full of indignation: "But the Guo traitors openly wrote letters to provoke the officials. Yedu's army stationed troops in Chigang and sent people to spread rumors, saying that the officials were deceived by ministers and others, killed meritorious veterans, harmed the loyal and good, and the cruel and unkind traitors corrupted the officials. I really can't bear the family's reputation! The imperial army was forced by the rebels and did not send a single soldier. If word spread, people in the world will think that the imperial court is afraid of the rebels in Yedu, and the officials are afraid of the Guo thieves!"

As expected, Liu Chengyou was filled with anger by Li Ye. He said with a gloomy face, "Guo is a treacherous thief and wants to shake people's hearts! Once the enemy is defeated and the thief is captured, I will cut him open and disembowel him!"

Li Ye hurriedly added words of jealousy: "The thief Guo is so hateful, we should defeat him as soon as possible and let the world see the power of the imperial army. Even the Yedu rebels are vulnerable to the might of the emperor!"

Liu Chengyou still shook his head hesitantly and said: "Neither you nor I know much about military matters, so we should still follow the advice of the generals at the front. Safety should be the most important thing in this battle. If you blindly pursue speed, you will inevitably make mistakes."

Li Ye's expression changed, his eyes darted around, and he gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "But Murong Yanchao has a heavy army and has been reluctant to send troops to fight the rebels. I am worried that as time goes by, variables will arise here."

Liu Chengyou frowned and heard something behind Li Ye's words: "Are you worried that Murong Yanchao will betray me?"

As soon as these words came out, even Liu Chengyou himself was taken aback.

Now two-thirds of the Kaifeng Forbidden Army is in the hands of Murong Yanchao. Once he has second thoughts, or has secret contacts with the Guo thieves, or switches sides in the face of battle, it will be a disaster for the court.

Liu Chengyou took a breath, unable to imagine what that situation would be like.

Li Ye's eyes flickered and he said: "I am not saying that General Murong is disloyal, but just in case of unexpected events, the officials should be prepared!

Just imagine, even if the morale of the Yedu rebels was high, they should have sent troops to test the enemy's strength. However, after Murong Yanchao led his army to the suburbs of Qili, he only ordered the sergeants to dig trenches and trenches, and ordered the sergeants not to leave the camp gate.

However, the rebels in Yedu are stationed in Chigang, which is far away from Qilijiao. Both sides are standing still. I'm afraid there is something wrong with this."

Liu Chengyou hurriedly asked: "What's wrong?"

Li Ye said seriously: "I am not worried about the rebels attacking Kaifeng City, but I am worried that Murong Yanchao will support his troops and use the safety of Kaifeng City and the official family as a bargaining chip to start negotiations with the Guo thieves. Or maybe Murong Yanchao, He regarded himself as the commander-in-chief of the imperial army and thought that the safety of his family and the imperial court were tied to him. As a result, he became arrogant and asked for all kinds of benefits.
Before Master Wang left Kaifeng, Nie Wenjin told his ministers that Murong Yanchao had privately told his generals that when the rebels were defeated and captured Guo Wei, the officials would make him the privy envoy and also command the vassal town. Promote his generals to serve in the Forbidden Army, or station them in feudal towns as commanders."

Liu Chengyou was shocked and said angrily: "When did I promise to let Murong Yanchao serve as Privy Councilor? For decades, only Guo Wei has been the Privy Councilor and leader of the feudal town. Now that tigers are in danger, how can I make the same mistake again?"

Li Ye took the opportunity to say: "Murong Yanchao is arrogant. His thinking like this shows that he lacks respect for the officials. Maybe after defeating the rebels, he wants to be the next Guo Wei!"

Liu Chengyou's face was livid, and he was thrown into confusion by Li Ye's words.

Nowadays, Yedu rebels and Chen Bing are on the outskirts of Kaifeng, and King Qin's soldiers and horses from various vassal towns have been delayed under various excuses. The only people who can rely on them are the Imperial Army and Murong Yanchao and other generals.

If even Murong Yanchao becomes disloyal, then the imperial court is not far away from being destroyed, and his reign as emperor may soon come to an end.

Li Ye's words were not entirely fabricated. Murong Yanchao had indeed said similar nonsense in front of his subordinates since he received the emperor's order and became the commander-in-chief of the imperial army.

But it's just a matter of character, and it doesn't prove that he has any objections in his heart.

Li Ye's complaint at this moment stirred up Liu Chengyou's fragile and tense heart, which inevitably caused his thoughts to wander.

"Tell me, what should I do?" Liu Chengyou's face was gloomy.

Li Ye took the opportunity to say: "The official issued an order to urge the war. Firstly, he tested the true strength of the rebels, and secondly, he tested Murong Yanchao's loyalty. As long as the war ends, Murong Yanchao and Guo Wei have completely broken up, and there is no other choice. We can only loyal to the officials and try our best to defeat the rebels."

Liu Chengyou's expression changed: "Okay! Let's do it!"

Just as he was about to walk quickly to the desk and write down the edict in his own hand, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment and said, "Why don't I go to Qili Suburban in person to supervise the battle, and reward the soldiers and boost their morale!"

Li Ye was stunned and said hurriedly: "It's better this way! When the official sage comes to the army, the soldiers of the King's division will be inspired. Once the fighter plane appears, they will definitely be able to defeat the rebels in one go!"

"Without further delay, send someone to send an order to Murong Yanchao to march towards Liuzipo. My Luan Jia will arrive soon!"

Liu Chengyou wrote urgently and wrote a decree to urge the war. Li Ye took out the seal and stamped it with the emperor's seal.

Immediately, Li Ye sent the inner palace sergeant to rush to the suburbs of Qili to convey the official decree, and the palace began to prepare for the emperor's departure from the city.

In the afternoon, Liu Chengyou was going to the Ancestral Temple to pay homage to his ancestors, pray for the imperial masters, and bless the imperial court to successfully annihilate the rebels.

Liu Chengyou put on the dragon robe and crown and was about to leave the Nuan Pavilion when a eunuch came to report that the Queen Mother's chariot had arrived.

A group of strong eunuchs arrived carrying a carriage, and Liu Chengyou had no choice but to walk out of the Nuan Pavilion to greet them.

Empress Dowager Li, who was dressed in a plain palace dress, rushed there with the help of her servant Zhang Gui.

"My son, I pay homage to my mother." Liu Chengyou bowed in salute.

Since the last time Empress Dowager Li learned that the Situ Mansion had been wiped out, she returned to Kunning Hall in grief and anger. She has been reciting scriptures in the Buddhist hall to save the souls of the dead. Liu Chengyou came to visit several times, but she always asked Zhang Gui to block her.

For half a month, Queen Mother Li had never left the Buddhist hall. She was worried every day, had difficulty sleeping, and had a very poor appetite. She looked haggard and looked haggard, like an old woman in her 60s or [-]s.

Queen Mother Li looked at Liu Chengyou with complicated eyes and sighed: "I heard that you are going out of the city to supervise the war in the army?"

Liu Chengyou said calmly: "Exactly. I don't want to alarm my mother. I wanted to wait until my son Luan Jia left the city before sending someone to inform my mother."

Liu Chengyou glanced at Zhang Gui, who was standing aside with his eyebrows lowered and supporting Empress Dowager Li. He must be this damn slave talking nonsense again.Empress Dowager Li said sincerely: "A gentleman will not stand behind a dangerous wall. What's more, you are the emperor. How can Luan Jia leave the capital so easily? The war is dangerous and unpredictable. How can we ensure your safety when you go to the army?"

Liu Chengyou frowned impatiently: "Mother, there is no need to worry. I am in the army and will be protected by the soldiers of the Forbidden Army. Now is the time when the country is in crisis. I should be with the soldiers to fight the national crisis together!"

Moreover, with me personally supervising the battle, the morale of the Forbidden Army soldiers will be boosted, and they will definitely be able to defeat the rebels in one fell swoop! "

Empress Dowager Li shook her head with a wry smile: "The conditions in the army are difficult. You have been pampered since childhood. How can you bear the hardships of marching? If you can't truly share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers, not only will it fail to inspire morale, but it will become a burden for the army.
You don’t know much about military affairs, and going to the army will only make the generals feel constrained, so you should just stay in the palace and wait for news."

Liu Chengyou interrupted angrily: "My mother, don't talk too much! I have grown up and been on the throne for more than three years. I know the important affairs of the country by heart, so there is no need for my mother to keep nagging!"

Empress Dowager Li sighed bitterly: "That's all, you don't want to listen, so I won't say more. But have you ever thought about it, if you go to the army in person to supervise the battle, there will be no room for maneuver between the court and Yedu, and you and Guo Wei room.

Guo Wei is an old friend of my family. He got to this point completely because he was instigated by an adulterer.How about you follow what Guo Wei said in your heart, tie up the four Li Ye and send them to the Yedu army, and let Guo Wei fall into disgrace. When he avenges his family, maybe he will take the initiative to plead guilty, and it will not lead to a war. situation."

Liu Chengyou was startled and said angrily: "Mother, you take it too much for granted! Guo Wei's family has been killed, how can he still be loyal to me? Don't mention this matter again, Guo Wei has long been rebellious and doesn't care about his family. Whether he was killed or not, sooner or later he would rebel!
Since he dares to rebel, I will personally send troops to destroy him!I would like to teach people all over the world what will happen if they dare to disobey the holy will and go against the imperial court! "

Liu Chengyou is murderous and extremely confident.

"Furthermore, Li Ye is my mother's brother and my uncle. Could my mother have the heart to kill him just to please the traitor?"

Empress Dowager Li's eyes were full of hatred and she said sternly: "Li Ye is the heinous traitor! If it weren't for him, how could the situation be as bad as it is now? I really regret that I didn't listen to the late emperor's words and drove him out of Kaifeng early before letting him. The country has been harmed to the point it is today!"

Li Ye, who was running all the way from the corridor with his official robe in hand, heard the Queen Mother scolding him in front of the officials. He was so frightened that his legs went weak. He staggered a few steps and rushed over. He knelt down in front of Queen Mother Li and banged Kowtowing, with tears streaming down his face, he said with grief and anger: "What did I do that makes the Queen Mother want to kill me?" Kill yourself in front of you!"

Empress Dowager Li pointed at him and shouted angrily: "I don't have a brother with such a heart as you! If I can use your head to calm Guo Wei's anger, I will kill you without hesitation!"

Li Yeqian howled for a moment, then kowtowed to Liu Chengyou and cried: "The officials make the decision for me! In order to please the traitor Guo, the Queen Mother even wanted to kill me! I am wronged!~~wuwuwu~ ~"

Liu Chengyou shouted impatiently: "Stop getting entangled here and leave the city with me quickly!"

Li Ye responded hurriedly, wiped the corners of his eyes, stood up, and whispered angrily: "Excuse me, I can't serve the Queen Mother for the time being. When the rebels are defeated and the officials return to Beijing in triumph, I will go to Kunning Palace to face you." Take the blame!"

Queen Mother Li was shaking with anger, her red eyes full of resentment.

"Mother, stay here, son and minister, take your leave!"

Liu Chengyou bowed to say goodbye, boarded the chariot, and Li Ye also got on the carriage. The imperial guards in the inner palace cleared the way, and yellow umbrellas were used to block the sun. The emperor's support was displayed, and the long procession left from the north arch gate of the palace.

Empress Dowager Li watched the emperor's car drive away slowly, with two lines of clear tears flowing from her weathered eyes. Her body seemed to be deflated and she was a little unsteady. Zhang Gui hurriedly supported her.

"The queen mother must take care of her health!" Zhang Gui was worried.

Empress Dowager Li sighed bitterly: "It's too late, it's too late for everything. The big mistake has been made. If there is no way to remedy it, within ten days, the Yedu army will be at the gate of Kaifeng!"

Zhang Gui hesitated for a while, looked around cautiously, and said in a low voice: "Marshal Guo has clear grudges and will not vent his anger on the Queen Mother, only the officials."

Empress Dowager Li's eyes were full of struggle. After a long time, she sighed: "Well, after all, it is the imperial court that has failed Guo Wei. As long as he is willing to spare Chengyou's life, I am willing to make any concessions! This can be regarded as a mother, for The last thing he could do."

Zhang Gui took a deep breath and understood the meaning of the Queen Mother's words.

As long as Guo Wei promised to spare the officials and not harm their lives, the Queen Mother agreed to all conditions, even announcing her abdication and abdication.
"Zhang Gui, hurry up and inform your family members in Kaifeng and ask them to find a safer place to hide. If the army enters the city, it will inevitably cause turmoil."

Queen Mother Li seemed much older for a moment, her waist was stooped, and her voice was weak and weak.

Zhang Gui supported her and said softly: "It turns out that I have a nephew in my family. He is the only son of my elder brother. He works as a clerk in Kaifeng Mansion and copies official documents. The year before last, he went out to socialize and had a dispute with someone in a restaurant. He killed him and unfortunately died.
Now there are no relatives in the family, and only this servant is left alive in this world."

Queen Mother Li was stunned for a moment and murmured: "I remember, you once told me about this. Alas, young people, act impulsively without considering the consequences, and in the end they will mislead others and themselves."

Zhang Gui smiled sadly, said nothing more, supported Queen Mother Li and whispered, "I will send the Queen Mother back to the palace."

Helping the Queen Mother to sit on the carriage, Zhang Gui waved to get off.

Zhang Gui lowered his head, folded his sleeves with his hands, and followed Ruanyu's side. The biting winter wind blew along the palace corridor, and the gray hair hanging down from his temples under his black hat was flying messily.

No one knew that his poor nephew was beaten to death by Li Ye's men on the spot.

That time his nephew was getting together with his friends in a restaurant, and Li Ye arrived. People came upstairs like stars and sent people to forcibly clear the place. His friend was dissatisfied with Li Ye's overbearing behavior and said a few words of complaint. The evil slaves sent by Li Ye severely beat him on the spot, resulting in the tragedy of killing two people and injuring one.

The Kaifeng Mansion knew that uncle Li Ye had committed the crime and did not dare to pursue the matter. They sent people to quietly cancel his nephew's official title. It was not until two months later that Zhang Gui sent people to inquire many times and found out the whole story.

He endured his grief, took leave of absence from the palace, collected the bones of his nephew, and found a cemetery on the outskirts of the city for burial.

He didn't tell anyone about this matter, and when the Queen Mother intervened, he only said that it was because his nephew got involved in an argument and unfortunately died.

He knew that even if the Queen Mother knew the truth, she would not be able to make the decision for him. Li Ye was favored by the officials and had great power. If Li Ye knew that he was related to this case, he might not be able to survive.

It has been more than a year since this incident, and Li Ye may have forgotten it long ago.

But Zhang Gui didn't forget that he was his brother's only flesh and blood. He was an honest and kind man, and he suffered unreasonable disasters in vain.

Zhang Gui turned his head coldly and looked northeast of the palace city, praying silently in his heart that Marshal Guo's Yedu army could enter the city as soon as possible.

It is indeed time for Kaifeng and the imperial court to change their situation in such a smoky atmosphere.
(End of this chapter)