The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 533 Secret Meeting Yan Ping
"My subordinate Yan Ping is here to meet the Duke!"

At night, in the camp, Yan Ping came specially to have a secret meeting.

"Get up and sit down!"

Yan Ping looked solemn, lowered his eyelids, bowed and sat down next to Zhu Xiu.

Zhu Xiu looked at him and suddenly smiled: "I haven't seen you for a few years, why have you looked so much older? If I remember correctly, you should be about 26 years old this year."

Yan Ping's face was slightly moved, he raised his eyes quickly, then hurriedly lowered his eyes, cupped his hands and said, "My lord still remembers the age of my subordinate."

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "How could you not remember? When Lao Shi captured me in Jingzhou, I was the first to know you and Chen An in the Zhangyi Army."

Yan Ping sighed and said: "Yes, I didn't expect that so many years have passed in a blink of an eye, and the young envoy has become the founding county magistrate, and his style is even better than before."

Zhu Xiu looked at him with a smile, feeling a little sad in her heart.

I still remember the first time I met Yan Ping eight years ago, when he and Chen An were just two pawns in the Chang Yi Army.

Because they were orphans of veterans in the army, they had been living in the military camp since childhood. Seeing their intelligence, Shi Kuangwei took them under his side and prepared to train them as personal guards.

At an age, they are already veterans in the army, but they still have the vitality of young people.

Nowadays, Yan Ping is not very old, but his hair is graying and his face has obvious wrinkles. It is not surprising to say that he looks like 40 years old.

"Did you inflict the scar on your face yourself?" Zhu Xiu said softly.

Yan Ping touched a shocking scar on his left cheek and chuckled: "That year, my subordinate made a big mistake and voluntarily accepted the punishment of assassination.

Later, when I arrived in Hedong, there were many prisoners with tattoos on their faces. They were all border guards sent from various places. After checking the tattoos, it was easy to guess who they were from. It was troublesome, so my subordinates made a few random cuts. . "

The smile on Zhu Xiu's face faded a little bit, he was silent for a moment, and sighed: "It's been hard for you to operate in Hedong these years."

Yan Ping said: "Compared with the torture that Commander Ma suffered back then, the suffering of my subordinates is nothing."

Zhu Xiu nodded silently and said nothing more.

"Tell me about the current situation in Taiyuan. If you need any help, just ask."

Zhu Xiu smiled and said, "I'm here. If you have any requests or complaints, just say them. Don't wait until I leave to complain again. I won't listen then!"

Yan Ping smiled, and said seriously: "The subordinates looked for an opportunity to leave Taiyuan before the siege. Before Liu Chong defeated Bagongyuan, he escaped from Jiangzhuling, and returned to Taiyuan to order the walls to be cleared. Activity.

Originally, the people of Taiyuan did not respond much to the Zhou army's attack. Liu Chong sent people to spread rumors that the Zhou army had spread rumors that after the city was defeated, they would massacre the city and pay homage to the soldiers who died in the battle.

As a result, the city of Taiyuan was in turmoil and the people were frightened. Liu Chong also forced the young men to defend the city, demolished the houses and strengthened the city defenses. Now the whole city is in panic, and the people have many complaints against Zhou's army. "

After a pause, Yan Ping continued: "Recently, there has been another incident of Zhou troops plundering nearby villages and towns. When the news reached the city, Liu Chong sent people to spread the word. The people became more and more frightened and anxious. The defenders who supported the Northern Han Dynasty's puppet imperial court became more and more worried. Come more and more.”

Zhu Xiu scolded: "Liu Chong deliberately ruined the reputation of our army!"

Liu Chong’s actions were as expected. The Northern Han puppet dynasty’s rule in Hedong was basically weak, and it was only possible to gain a foothold thanks to the support of the Khitan. If the people in Hedong were not forced to oppose the Zhou army, when the whole city was defended, I am afraid that the people would change. .

Yan Ping continued: "In the puppet court, Liu Chong's second son, Liu Chengjun, has a high reputation, so it shouldn't be a problem to succeed Liu Chong in the Northern Han Dynasty.

Liu Chengjun was modest on the surface, but in fact he was ruthless and cunning. If he succeeded to the throne, it would be a problem for Zhou Dynasty. "

Yan Ping whispered: "My subordinate is currently serving as Cao Cao of Taiyuan Prefecture and is responsible for receiving Khitan military aid for the imperial court. He can handle military horses, armor, and equipment.

Liu Chengjun is Taiyuan Yin, and sometimes his subordinates can get in touch with him. Do you want to find an opportunity to get rid of this person? "

Zhu Xiu pondered for a moment: "How confident are you?"

Yan Ping said: "About [-]%!"

Zhu Xiu looked at him in surprise, but she didn't expect him to be so sure of getting rid of Liu Chengjun.

"Yes, you have been lurking in Taiyuan for many years, and you have achieved remarkable results!" Zhu Xiu praised.

Yan Ping cupped his hands: "It's all the brothers from the Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department who are fighting for their lives, and the subordinates dare not take credit for it!"

Zhu Xiu smiled. After so many years, he has indeed matured a lot.

"Let's put aside the assassination for the time being. You just need to be patient and lurk, and do your best to gain the trust of the Northern Han Dynasty. During this period, be careful and don't reveal your flaws!

I will not interfere with your actions in Taiyuan unless necessary.

You even have to regard yourself as a real Northern Han official and try your best to strive for a high position.

When the time is right, I will give you the next instructions. "

Zhu Xiu warned.

Yan Ping was stunned, as if he did not expect that Zhu Xiu would deny his assassination plan.

Although he was puzzled, he didn't ask any more questions and said with his hands in hand: "I obey the order!"

Zhu Xiu knew that he was confused and didn't explain much.

Liu Chengjun will be a key figure in stabilizing the situation in Hedong. Although Hedong is still in a state of separatism in a short period of time, it will be difficult for the Northern Han Dynasty to pose a threat again in the future when the Great Sunday becomes stronger and stronger.

If Liu Chengjun died suddenly and suddenly, the future situation in Hedong would be unpredictable. Zhu Xiu was worried about changing the historical trajectory and bringing about uncontrollable risks.

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Liu Chong went through the disastrous defeat in Bagongyuan, and recovered his life in Jiangzhuling, his heart was exhausted, I don't think he will survive this year!

You go back and think carefully about what you can do while Liu Chong is dead, Liu Chengjun is on stage, and Taiyuan is in turmoil. "

Yan Ping was even more surprised. Zhu Xiu didn't even know what Liu Chongchang looked like. How could he conclude that he would die this year?

According to his information, which he also just heard about, Liu Chong has suffered from frequent illnesses since he fled back to Taiyuan.

However, after all, Liu Chong was old and had been on the war for several months. It was normal for him to get sick, so he didn't think about it deeply at all.

After all, Liu Chong was the emperor of the Northern Han Dynasty, and information about his health was classified, and it would not be possible to find out clearly in a short period of time.

So Yan Ping didn't intend to report the situation to Zhu Xiu at all.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Xiu told him with certainty that Liu Chong would definitely die of illness this year.

Looking at the smiling Zhu Xiu, Yan Ping hurriedly lowered his head and said: "I will obey the Lord's instructions!"

He sighed a little in his heart, after not seeing him for many years, the grandfather is still so puzzling.

But think about Cangzhou back then. My father-in-law could even predict the life and death of Emperor Yelu Deguang of Liao Dynasty. What did a mere Liu Chong mean?

Yan Ping laughed at himself, forgetting that his father-in-law was a hermit and learned the unpredictable divination skills.

Thinking about the history of Zhu Xiu's fortune, Yan Ping was even more convinced that only a genius like the father-in-law could become a prominent figure in the new dynasty in just a few years.

In an instant, Yan Ping's expression became more humble and submissive.After not seeing each other for many years, Zhu Xiu's image was actually a bit blurry in his mind.

This meeting, in a few words, rebuilt the reverence in his heart.

The subtle changes in Yan Ping's expression fell into Zhu Xiu's eyes, and she could see them clearly.

He smiled slightly, naturally not explaining anything.

After so many years, he has become a hermit and high disciple that the world believes in relying on his image of a half-bad god. He has tasted a lot of sweetness and is used to it.

Yan Ping hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "My lord, I have a question, should I ask it?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said, "Just say it."

Yan Pingdao: "My lord is now serving as the Wude Envoy, in charge of the Wude Department, and is responsible for the court intelligence. In this way, the use of the Zangfengying and the Anti-Affair Department to the lord is getting smaller and smaller. Will they be banned in the future? ?

After all, the Wude Division has the support of the imperial court, and its apparent power is far greater than that of the Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department. "

Zhu Xiu raised her eyebrows slightly, and Yan Ping asked this, indicating that he had carefully considered his future.

The implication is to ask him, now that the Zhou Dynasty has been established, and there is no life or death threat, why are there still Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department?
Wouldn't it be better to leave the espionage work to Wu Desi?After all, it is a government force recognized by the imperial court, and can deploy resources openly and aboveboard.

Zhu Xiu said calmly: "The Wude Division is loyal to Your Majesty and the imperial court, while the Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department are only loyal to me. Do you understand?"

Yan Ping was startled, and said in a low voice: "But the Lord is now a courtier of the Great Zhou."

Zhu Xiu was silent for a moment and said with a smile: "I can only tell you that the drastic changes in this world are not over yet, and everyone's destiny has not yet been fully revealed, including you and me!"

Yan Ping was shocked and confused, and was speechless for a long time.

In his view, the situation in the world has become clear. The Great Sunday is getting stronger and stronger, and the Tang Kingdom in the south is decaying day by day. As long as the dispute between the North and the South comes to an end, the world can be reunited.

Under such circumstances, wouldn't it be the best choice to just be Zhou Chen with peace of mind?

Yan Ping couldn't guess the meaning of Zhu Xiu's words, let alone what he wanted to do, but he found Zhu Xiu more and more elusive.

The young envoy of Changyi Army back then was just a smart and resourceful young man, but today's founding county magistrate Zhu Xiu is becoming more and more cunning.

Zhu Xiu suddenly smiled and asked, "I heard that you are not married yet?"

Yan Ping was stunned for a moment and said with a smile: "Let me make you laugh. I have been busy with affairs for many years and have never had the time to think about this."

"No matter how busy you are, you have to start a family and start a career. Find a good girl to get married as soon as possible. We won't be able to enjoy the wedding wine. I will send someone to send congratulations."

Zhu Xiu paused and said, "For no other reason, it's good to keep it for later, so as not to have any regrets in the future."

Yan Ping nodded silently: "I understand."

After talking for a while, Yan Ping said goodbye and left, and Zhu Wu personally saw him off the camp.

Zhu Xiu extinguished the candle, put on his clothes and lay down, closing his eyes. It was pitch dark in the tent, but he didn't feel sleepy at all.

Ma Qing, Yan Ping, Chen An, and Hu Guangyue are the four subordinates around him who are responsible for confidential matters.

In terms of loyalty, Ma Qing is naturally the number one. Ever since he was rescued from death row in Cangzhou, this guy has regarded himself as a slave of the Zhu family.

The remaining three are equally loyal.

Hu Guangyue has strong execution ability, but lacks a bit of quick wit.

Chen An has mediocre abilities, works hard and doesn't have much ambition.

Yan Ping is the most capable among the four. After years of lurking in Taiyuan, he has become more mature and sophisticated.

Zhu Xiu was not worried about his ability, but he was a little worried about his ambition.

It can be seen that Yan Ping is a person who desires power and will not be willing to be a spy leader for the rest of his life.

Now there is no doubt about his loyalty, but as his ambition expands and he wants to seek a higher position, Zhu Xiu is not sure whether he can still control it.

Fortunately, Yan Ping's foundation is in Taiyuan. For a period of time, whether he is loyal or not will not affect the overall situation.

From this point of view, it is completely correct to maintain a single-line connection with Taiyuan.

Yan Ping also had no chance to get in touch with Zhu Xiu's layout and management in Kaifeng.

The national power of the Great Zhou was growing stronger day by day, and the Northern Han Dynasty could only survive in peace, unable to pose a real threat.

In the future, the situation in the Central Plains will be clear, and diseases like the Northern Han Puppet Dynasty can only be cured in the face of the overwhelming situation.

In a daze, Zhu Xiu felt sleepy and fell into a deep sleep.

This was also the most peaceful sleep he had ever had since entering Taiyuan.
On May 29, Zhou Jun took charge of the army.

The governor of Fuzhou, Zhe De, and the military governor of Kuang, General Yao Yuanfu, asked themselves to be the commander of the army.

Yao Yuanfu followed Wang Yanchao's West Route Army from Fenzhou to Taiyuan. Most of them were from Hedong and were familiar with the local environment and climate.

Three days after the Zhou army retreated, Liu Chong sent an army out of Taiyuan City to pursue it. They were ambushed by Yao Yuanfu and Zhe Deku in the northern suburbs of Qingyuan County. They returned in defeat. After that, they did not dare to pursue the army again. The Zhou army successfully retreated to Luzhou. After resting for a few days, he returned to Zezhou. After passing the Zezhou army, he returned to Kaifeng first. Chai Rong took only a thousand troops with him, and went with Zhu Xiu, Li Chongjin, Zhang Yongde and others to Xinzheng County to worship the late Emperor Songling.

As for the West Route Army, Wang Yanchao and Han Tong returned to their respective bases, while Yao Yuanfu and Zhe Deku also separated in Jiaocheng.

When they arrived in Zezhou, Fu Yanqing sent back the news that Yelu Talie stationed in Xinkou all evacuated within a day, retreated from Yanmen Pass and returned to Yunzhou.

The East Route Army stayed for a few more days and then disbanded on the spot. Shi Yanchao led part of the Imperial Army back to Kaifeng, while Fu Yanqing led the Tianxiong Army back to Yedu.

Fenzhou, Qinzhou, Longzhou and other places that had surrendered to Dazhou before, after the Zhou army withdrew, the officials left behind fled south one after another. These places were returned to the Northern Han Dynasty, and only Liaozhou was left. After dispatching troops from Xingzhou to station, Liu Chong did not dare to start a war again, so he could only accept the status quo full of resentment.

Zhu Xiu arrived in Mengzhou with Chai Rong, and after crossing the Yellow River, he received a report from Ma Qing that Shi Lingyan gave birth to a fat girl for him, and the mother and daughter were safe.

Zhu Xiu cried with joy on the spot while holding the letter from her family. She wished she could fly back to Kaifeng with wings. She was laughed at by Li Chongjin.

On June [-]th, Chai Rong came to Songling. The construction of the tomb of the late emperor Guo Wei had been completed. After the new emperor entered the underground palace to worship, the stone would be removed and the earth would be sealed.

Compared with the emperors of previous dynasties, Guo Wei's Mausoleum is extremely shabby. There are almost no valuable funerary objects in the tomb, and there are even very few murals.

Looking from the outside of the tomb, and only from the towering Shinto monument, we can know that the person buried underground is actually the founding king of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

During the sacrifice, Chai Rong couldn't help himself, and wept on top of the stone coffin, and Li Chongjin cried like thunder, and everyone who followed the sacrifice was in tears.

Feng Dao, the envoy to Shanling of the Daxing Emperor, suddenly fell seriously ill half a month ago and was sent back to Kaifeng to recuperate in advance.

Five days later, Chai Rong led his troops back to Kaifeng.

(End of this chapter)