The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 562
In October, the temperature in Huainan dropped sharply, and nearly one-third of the Zhou army on the eastern front had no winter clothes. Zhu Xiu sent people back to Kaifeng to ask the court to allocate armaments as soon as possible. The section of the river from Jiangning to Runzhou formed a coercive force on Jiangning.

In the middle of the month, the winter clothes allocated by the imperial court were sent to Liuhe, and they were accompanied by Cao Han, deputy envoy of Wude Department, Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture, and Xiang Xun, military envoy of Huazhou Town.

The two of them brought the sad news that the Empress Fu Jinzhan had passed away at the beginning of the month, and all the officials in Kaifeng were in mourning.

In Liuhe County, at the Huainan Former Army Camp East Front Command Post temporarily rebuilt by the county government, Zhu Xiu met Cao Han and Xiang Xun in mourning clothes.

Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Hongyin and his son who came from Chuzhou, Zhao Pu who had just been promoted to the judge of Chuzhou Jiedu, Han Lingkun who came from Yangzhou, and the main generals and officials of the Zhou Army on the Eastern Front gathered together.

"His Majesty will personally handle the funeral arrangements for the Queen. No later than the end of February next year, His Majesty will personally visit the Huainan front line."

Cao Han looked around the crowd, his eyes finally fell on Zhu Xiu.

Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Hongyin, Han Lingkun and others are all excited that His Majesty is going on a second expedition in person. With the situation in the Eastern Front looking good, the Zhou Army on the Eastern Front will definitely make greater progress in the war in the coming year.

Cao Han took out an edict from the brocade box next to him, held it in both hands and looked at Zhu Xiu: "Your Majesty posthumously gifted Marshal Shi Kuangwei as Taishi and Duke of Jing to be buried with Taizu Songling. When you came, your Majesty asked me to tell you, please My condolences to Duke Zhu!"

Everyone stood up and focused their attention on the posthumous edict.

Zhu Xiu let out a long sigh, took it with both hands, and bowed to the north: "On behalf of Commander Shijie, I would like to express my gratitude to the Emperor for his kindness!"

Cao Han added: "Your Majesty made Shi Xiangwen the Duke of Anding County and the general of Zuowei. Considering that Shi Xiangwen's situation is special, there is no need to accept the order to express gratitude on the spot."

Naturally, Zhu Xiu accepted it on his behalf.

There was also a decree on the table next to Cao Han. He and Xiang Xun looked at each other with wry smiles, as if no one wanted to take the initiative to mention this last decree.

Zhu Xiu looked at the two of them and said with a smile: "You two came together, I'm afraid, not only to send you winter clothes and to read out these decrees to us, but also to have other important things, so please tell them all!"

Xiang Xun said hurriedly: "Deputy Envoy Cao went south on His Majesty's order, so naturally he will announce it!"

Cao Han glared at him helplessly, and Xiang Xun turned his head away from him, as if to say that this had nothing to do with me in the first place.

Everyone looked at Cao Han, waiting for him to issue this last decree.

Cao Han hesitated for a moment, then picked up the imperial edict and unfolded it: "On the day when the edict is issued, Zhu Xiu will be relieved of his duties as deputy envoy for the Huainan Front Army Camp Recruitment and as Military Envoy for the Suppression of the Huai Army. He will return to Beijing immediately and will be appointed elsewhere!
Xiang Xun was appointed as the military envoy of Huainan Road, the deputy envoy for the recruitment of the Huainan front army, and the military envoy of the Huainan Army, with full authority to preside over the war in Huainan!
Make Cao Han the military and horse supervisor of the Huainan front army camp!

"

Zhu Xiu frowned. He didn't expect that Chai Rong would send him back to court just as he was about to attack Zijin Mountain.

No wonder Cao Han and Xiang Xun came together. In addition to announcing the decree, they also came to take over his duties.

Xiang Xun, in particular, held the title of military envoy of Huainan Province, and from then on became the de facto supreme commander of the Huainan region. Even Li Chongjin, who led the army to besiege Shouchun, was nominally under his control.

Xiang Xun has experienced the Battle of Gaoping and the Battle of Shu in recent years, and was promoted so fast that even Zhu Xiu could not catch up.

Now he has become the governor of Huainan, controlling the Zhou army on the east and west fronts, and nominally controlling the military and political affairs of the fourteen states in Huainan. He can be said to be the first official to seal the border in the dynasty.

The two generals Mi Xin and Tian Chongjin who were standing behind Zhu Xiu were shocked and angry. Mi Xin had a bad temper and couldn't help but open his mouth to question. Zhu Xiu glared hard and swallowed back the words that came to his lips.

Han Lingkun glanced at Zhu Xiu, then at Zhao Kuangyin, bowed his head and remained silent.

Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Hongyin, father and son, looked at ease.

Zhu Xiu was slightly dazed and felt a sense of loss in her heart.

But soon, he calmed down.

Scanning Zhao Da from the corner of his eye, he immediately understood what was going on.

Zhao Da's revenge came really quickly. He must have tipped off Chai Rong to make a black case about the killing of prisoners in Chuzhou and the killing of Han Chongyun's eleven generals by the Chuzhou army.

"Brother Cao, congratulations to the envoy!" Zhu Xiu said with a smile.

Cao Han shook his head and smiled wryly, waving his hands to Xun again and again, his face full of shame.

"Since His Majesty called me to return to the court, I should return as soon as possible. Today, I will hand over military affairs to you two. Zhao Yuhou and Old General Zhao, please go down and rest for a while. Mi Xin and Tian Chongjin, you two will also retreat. Down!"

"Yes!" Mi Xin accepted the order in a muffled voice, glared at Zhao Kuangyin and his son fiercely, and Hotan re-entered and walked out of the hall.

Zhao Kuangyin seemed a little unhappy, but seeing that Cao Han and Xiang Xun didn't show any intention to stay, he could only resigned with his old father.

There were only three people left in the main hall of the government office.

Xiang Xun said with an embarrassed look on his face: "Literary talent, it stands to reason that the Zhou army on the Eastern Front is winning successively under your command, and the situation is very good. A new offensive will be launched next year. The Zhou army on the Eastern Front will definitely bear the important task of marching into Zijin Mountain and attacking Jiangning. You should be the governor of Huainan Road.
Brother, I had a good time in Jingzhao. For some reason, His Majesty urgently transferred me to Huainan to take charge of the war.
I did not know about this beforehand, so please don't get me wrong! "

Zhu Xiu smiled heartily: "Brother Xiang, please don't worry too much. His Majesty's ordering you to preside over the battle in Huainan is a sign of trust and importance for you. This is a good thing. Brother, I am also happy for you!"

Xiang Xun rubbed his hands and asked tentatively: "Don't you hold a grudge in your heart that my brother rushed out halfway and took away your credit?"

"Haha~ In Brother Xiang's heart, is the younger brother the kind of person with a small belly?"

Xiang Xun chuckled, with a cunning flash in his eyes.

They are all generals who have led troops in wars. Who doesn't want to show off his skills in the Huainan War and win himself a lot of fame and honors.

So far, the war in Huainan has generally been going smoothly, especially on the eastern front. Under Zhu Xiu's leadership, except for an incident in Chuzhou, everything else has gone smoothly.

A new offensive will be launched against the Southern Tang Dynasty next year. Xiang Xun will take over Zhu Xiu's position at this time. In the eyes of outsiders, it is inevitable that he will be suspected of picking peaches.

Xiang Xun naturally wanted to participate in the vigorous Huainan War, but he didn't want to offend Zhu Xiu because of it.

Zhu Xiu smiled and comforted: "Brother Xiang, don't worry, since it is His Majesty's will, I will obey it! Besides, I haven't been back to Kaifeng for two years. I'm afraid the girls and boys at home don't remember me. It's time to take a breath and go back to visit The wife is young.

The war in Huainan and the children of the Huainan army are all entrusted to Brother Xiang! "

Zhu Xiu stood up and bowed solemnly.

On the contrary, Xiang Xun was a little at a loss, and hurriedly got up to support him: "Brother Zhu, don't worry, I will definitely not insult the reputation of the Zhenhuai Army and live up to your majesty's trust!"

Zhu Xiu was so sincere, Xiang Xun was grateful and admired.

Even if it were him, he would definitely feel unhappy if His Majesty suddenly changed the commander in the midst of consecutive battles and victories.

However, Zhu Xiu was able to hand over power quickly. This kind of mind is really nothing to say, and it will also help Xiang Xun to take over the military power in the future.

Cao Han whispered: "Actually, if the incident of three thousand Tang troops in Chuzhou had not been known to the court, many imperial censors had written letters of impeachment, and there was also a voice of condemnation in Jiangning, His Majesty would not have recalled Duke Zhu urgently."

Xiang Xun also smiled bitterly and said: "The killing of three thousand prisoners has caused quite a controversy in the court. Your Majesty also has the overall situation in mind and is worried that this will arouse the resistance of the people in the south of the Yangtze River, which will be detrimental to the future crossing of the Yangtze River."

Cao Han shook his head and said regretfully: "To be honest, Duke Zhu did something wrong in this matter. It doesn't matter that he didn't want the three thousand soldiers to be demoted. He just sent three thousand heads to Jiangning. This is a bit sensational." The two looked at each other with plain expressions. Zhu Xiu, who was still laughing, had a thought in his mind: This guy has a big heart, but his revenge methods are also ruthless.

Three thousand Tang army and eleven Zhou army generals were killed to comfort Shi Kuangwei's spirit in heaven. The news spread to Kaifeng, causing an uproar.

There are those who applaud him, and there are those who criticize him for his cruelty and cruelty. There are constant debates.

Cao Han and Xiang Xun concluded that this is an extremely scary guy, and it is better to be his friend than to be his enemy!
Chai Rong also urgently recalled Zhu Xiu in order to calm public opinion and avoid over-stimulating the Jiangnan subjects.

Zhu Xiu smiled and said, "Did Your Majesty scold me for the whole army in Chuzhou?"

Xiang Xun said: "Your Majesty was very angry when he learned that the Liuhe and Tianchang garrisons found suspected enemy traces but did not send anyone to investigate in detail. He praised you for your decisive handling, stabilizing the morale of the army in a timely manner, and improving military discipline. Otherwise, if things go on like this, it will definitely lead to catastrophe in the future!" "

Cao Han said with a smile: "After the Battle of Gaoping, His Majesty paid special attention to military discipline and laws. Although there were criticisms in the court about the treatment of the eleven people who neglected their duties, His Majesty strongly supported it. Duke Zhu does not need to worry."

"That's good." Zhu Xiu nodded.

After pondering for a while, Zhu Xiu cupped his hands and said, "Both brothers, apart from the normal handover of military affairs, I have two top-secret important tasks here, and I have to entrust the two brothers to perform them on their behalf!
If things go well, the progress of the war in Huainan will take another step forward, and it will also cause great trouble to the Jiangning court, making it overwhelmed, and giving our army the opportunity to completely establish a foothold in Huainan! "

The two of them looked at each other in surprise, and Xiang Xun said hurriedly: "Brother Zhu, let's be honest, we and I have always been strictly prohibited from talking about each other, and we will never reveal a word!"

Zhu Xiu said in a deep voice: "The first thing is, I have sent Wu Desi's secret agents to sneak into Shouchun City, and get in touch with Zheng Chong, the soldier and horse of the Qinghuai Army. !

Through Zheng Chong, I learned that in the Qing-Huai army currently trapped in Shouchun, the debate over whether to fight or surrender is becoming increasingly fierce. The surrender faction is headed by Liu Renzhan’s youngest son Liu Chongjian!

If we can get in touch with Liu Chongjian and promise to protect the Liu family after his surrender, maybe we can strengthen Liu Chongjian's intention to surrender and help our army conquer Shouchun as soon as possible! "

Cao Han and Xiang Xun looked at each other and were overjoyed. If this is true, if the nail in Shouchun is pulled out as soon as possible, the Zhou army on the western front will be able to fully occupy Shouzhou, and there will be no need to face Lin Renzhao's fierce counterattack like now.

Cao Han asked doubtfully: "Wude Si has not reported this matter to the court, and His Majesty doesn't know about it either?"

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Brother Cao, please forgive me. It's a confidential matter. I ordered the news to be blocked temporarily. Originally, I thought that after I had contacted Zheng Chong and Liu Chongjian, and set a time for the incident, I would report to His Majesty through Wu Desimi. .”

"So that's it." Cao Han suddenly realized it, and immediately pretended to complain: "As the deputy envoy of the Wude Department, I even kept such a secret from Lord Zhu. Is it because I'm afraid that Cao will know about it and steal the credit from you?"

"Hahaha~ Of course not!" Zhu Xiu laughed, "It's a serious matter and it's hard to report it to His Majesty before you're sure.

Now that my younger brother is about to return to Kaifeng, the important task of contacting Zheng Chong and Liu Chongjian must fall on Brother Cao.

Brother Cao and Brother Xiang will definitely be able to defeat Shouchun as soon as possible! "

The two looked at each other in surprise. They didn't expect that Zhu Xiu would give them such a big gift just after they arrived.

If things are done and Shouchun is successfully captured, it will be a great achievement!

Zhu Xiu joked: "Brothers, don't be too busy having fun now, I still have a great achievement to perform!

I have laid out a plan in Jiangning to assassinate Li Jing's brother, King Li Jingsui of Jin, and to blame the crown prince Li Hongji, which will completely intensify the dispute over the throne in the Jiangning court for many years! "

The two were startled, and Cao Han hurriedly said, "Maybe explain in detail!"

Xiang Xun also looked solemn, as if listening.

Zhu Xiu explained: "You two should know about the uncle-nephew fight between Li Jingsui and Li Hongji.

For many years, there have been serious party disputes in the Jiangning court. The princeling party headed by Li Hongji, Song Qiqiu and others, and the clan party headed by Li Jingsui and Li Jingda are in dire straits.

If the Huainan War had not broken out and the internal conflicts in the Jiangning court had not been transferred to the North-South War, Li Hongji and others would have attacked Li Jingsui and Li Jingda long ago, and they would not have allowed Li Jingda to lead the expedition and control the military power.

Not long ago, the son of Yuan Congfan, the governor of Jiangning Sixth Army, was killed by Li Jingda for embezzling military pay. Yuan Congfan was heartbroken and now he has gradually turned to Li Hongji.

I arranged for the Wude Inspector to bribe Yuan Congfan's house to take charge of affairs, and arranged for people to sneak into Yuan Congfan's house.

Now, Li Jingsui has been granted the titles of General Tiance and Grand Marshal of Jiangnan West Road, and the Jiangning Forbidden Army is under his control.

With Yuan Congfan's position, he had many opportunities to get close to Li Jingsui.

We can assign Yuan Congfan to spy on him and find an opportunity to kill Li Jingsui. In this way, the Jiangning government and the public will think that Yuan Congfan took revenge on Li Jingsui and Li Jingda brothers out of personal grievances, and the real mastermind behind the scenes only needs to spread a wave of rumors. It will naturally lead to Li Hongji. "

Cao Han listened carefully and his eyes became brighter and brighter: "Li Jingsui has long been known as a wise king, and his death will definitely cause shock in the south of the Yangtze River.

Even if it can't be proven that Li Hongji appointed him in the end, he can't escape his involvement!
In this way, the Jiangning court will be completely split, and the conflict between the two sides will intensify, and Li Jing will definitely be devastated! "

Zhu Xiu smiled slightly: "What Brother Cao said is absolutely true! This plan is already in progress, and the follow-up arrangements will be left to Brother Cao!"

Cao Han's face glowed with joy and he cupped his hands and said: "Jun Zhu is generous and gives such great credit to Cao. You really deserve it!"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "We are all working for His Majesty and the imperial court. As long as the plan can be successful, why should we distinguish between you and me?"

"Sigh~ Duke Zhu's broad-mindedness really makes Cao admire him!" Cao Han was grateful and happy at the same time.

A bit of suspicion also flashed in my heart.

It's Wu Desi's plan again, but why doesn't he know about it at all?
Presumably, it was because the confidentiality was so important that Zhu Xiu issued a hush-hush order.

What Cao Han didn't know was that the early stages of Shouchun Neiying and Jiangning's assassination plan were completed by the Zangfeng Battalion and the Police Department, and a lot of manpower was lost for this purpose.

It was later handed over to Wude Division.

Xiang Xun clenched his fists excitedly: "Once Li Jingsui dies, the Jiangning court will be in chaos. Coupled with Shouchun's surrender, our army will be able to fully cross the Huaihe River and occupy the entire territory of Huainan without any worries!"

The two looked at each other and laughed. They never expected that they would be able to get two great things when they arrived.

"Mr. Zhu Jun gave it generously, and the two of us will remember it in our hearts!"

Cao Han and Xiang Xun stood up and bowed together.

"Hey, brothers, please get up quickly, I can't bear it!"

Zhu Xiu hurriedly helped him, but he couldn't help but laugh in his heart.

These two heavy favors are not given in vain. At critical moments in the future, I still count on these two elder brothers to stand up and support him.

Originally, Zhu Xiu planned to personally preside over these two matters, but Chai Rong issued an edict ordering him to rush back to Kaifeng.

In this case, it would be better to give him a favor and let Cao Han and Xiang Xun accept his kindness.

(End of this chapter)