Jiuxi

Chapter 964 962 [All Past]

From Heluo City, go all the way north and cross 300 miles to enter the territory of Henan Road.

Now that this place has returned to the rule of Da Qi, it is natural that the name it had twenty years ago should be restored.

It's called Qingzhou.

This area is vast, the land is fertile, and the products are abundant.

To the west of Qingzhou are Weizhou and Lingzhou. At that time, Jing State occupied nearly half of Qi State's territory and supported the establishment of the pseudo-Yan State. It forcibly adjusted the division of Jiangbei, changing the three states of Qing, Wei and Ling to Henan Road and Weinan Road, changing Dingzhou to Dongyang Road, and changing the four states of Yong, Shang, Li and Tian to Jiangbei Road and Moyang Road.

The people of Jinglian intended to use more means to erase the traces of Qi on this land. Now that Lu Chen has restored order, he has petitioned the court to allow the old system to be restored in various parts of Jiangbei first, and then make adjustments after the war has subsided.

At the northern end of Qingzhou, the Jing River serves as the boundary.

This great river originates from the top of the mountains on the southwestern border of the Dai State, and almost runs across the continent from east to west. It has nurtured countless people for thousands of years, and its rich tributaries in the lower reaches have created the fertile land of Qingzhou.

Somewhere in Qingzhou, there is a low mountain about a hundred feet away from the south bank of the Jing River. On the top of the mountain there is a Cunpu Pavilion. Looking north, you can see the surging waves, rushing endlessly, which is extremely majestic and magnificent.

"That year, because of a small matter, the Marshal flew into a rage and ordered his men to beat me with a military stick, and then banished me to Huaizhou to serve as the commander of the Zhenbei Army. I am not a fool, so I naturally know that the Marshal was forced to do so, because the criticism of him in the court was becoming increasingly fierce, and he did not want to implicate people like us. But I did not expect that this time would be a farewell to death. If I could have predicted the future, I would never leave Qingzhou, and maybe I could have stopped the Marshal from returning to the capital for trial."

There was a man standing in the pavilion with his hands behind his back. He was wearing a simple robe, had a thin figure and gray hair.

It was Xiao Wangzhi, Duke Rong of the Great Qi Dynasty.

Another person came over and looked at the river in the north with him. He was slightly fat and had a gentle face, but his words were like stings: "What's the point of you staying here? Do you think no one advised the Marshal to stay here and not go back to the capital? In the final analysis, the Marshal didn't want to have his own army, and he was a bit naive, thinking that those people in the capital would at most take away his military power."

Xiao Wangzhi shook his head and said, "Of course you can say that in front of me, but do you dare to say that in front of the Marshal?"

"Why don't you dare?"

Although it was almost April, Lu Tong still put his hands in his sleeves habitually. He said in a cold voice: "Long before you were sent to Huaizhou, I told the commander-in-chief that you must never believe any promises made by those beasts in the capital. He always promised well, but ran back to the capital to die when I was away. What can I do? Even if I burn Li Yu and his sons who are worse than beasts to death, it can only vent a little of my anger. Can I let him live?"

Li Yu, also known as Emperor Chengzong of Qi, was Li Duan's father and one of the most incompetent rulers in the history of the Qi Dynasty.

"Ugh……"

Xiao Wangzhi sighed, turned around and looked at the anger on Lu Tong's face, and said with emotion: "After so many years, this is the first time I see you let down your guard and reveal some of the frustration in your heart."

"Of course I have hatred in my heart."

Lu Tong spoke slowly in a low voice, "This has nothing to do with my personal experience. Although I may have a chance to make a name for myself in the army, doing business is not a lowly occupation for me. What I was most proud of back then was helping the Jinghe Army to bear nearly 40% of the logistical supply. What I hate is that loyal ministers died unjustly, while treacherous officials rose to prominence. The world is unfair, and the way of heaven is unpredictable! If time could be reversed, I would risk everything, even my life, to kill all those tyrants and treacherous ministers before the Marshal enters the capital!"

Xiao Wangzhi remained silent.

In the distance, there are roaring waves of the river, rushing to the sea and never returning, just like their lives.

"Ah."

Lu Tong raised his head and looked into the distance. In his eyes, he saw the unharmed green mountains and the lingering spring scenery, but he also saw the absence of his old friends and the lingering regret.

"Twenty years...how many twenty years are there in a lifetime?" Xiao Wangzhi gradually showed his old age, and said softly: "After you go down, brother Li, tell the Marshal the story of these twenty years. I think it will comfort him."

"You will also accept old age?"

After all, Lu Tong was not a weak person, so he took the opportunity to change the subject.

Xiao Wangzhi pointed at his wrinkled face and laughed, "Don't I look old enough? But you, with your shiny face, look younger and younger as you get older."

"Who made me have an excellent son?"

Lu Tong raised his head slightly, raised his eyebrows and said, "I say, are you really planning to resign and retire? Why don't you stay and help my son?"

"Stop it."

Xiao Wangzhi shook his head without hesitation and said, "The battle of Pingyang shortened my life by ten years. Now that the land south of the Jing River has been returned to the Great Qi, the young people will naturally worry about the future. It's time for an old guy like me to enjoy the happiness of family life."

Lu Tong smiled and said, "Well, now that you have achieved your long-cherished wish, there is really no need to occupy the position for nothing. But your eldest and second sons should come out, right? You have hidden them for so many years, it's nothing more than that you don't trust those people in Jiangnan. Don't you trust Chen'er?"

"It's not that I can't trust them, it's just that they have their own ideas when they get older."

Xiao Wangzhi looked at Lu Tong's unfriendly face and said helplessly: "Forget it, let Lu Chen go to them directly, I won't stop him. Speaking of which, Xiao Lin now has three sons and two daughters, Xiao Hong has two sons and one daughter, and I haven't seen some of the younger ones yet. I have to accompany my precious grandchildren in the future, you go and discuss military and national affairs, don't bother me." "So many?"

Lu Tong's previous pride disappeared instantly. He turned around and looked at the young man who was sitting at the stone table and watching them bickering with a smile. He frowned and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Lu Chen couldn't help laughing and said, "Dad, I've been on the battlefield for more than a year. How can I have time to take care of having a baby?"

"You have to hurry up. You are already 26 years old. You are not young anymore."

Lu Tong would not argue, and changed the subject: "Did you hear what your uncle Xiao said just now? Although Xiao Lin and Xiao Hong are not well-known, they are both talented generals taught by your uncle Xiao, and are especially good at training and managing the army. Aren't you going to adjust the military structure next? Remember to let the two brothers of the Xiao family gain some experience. Apart from other things, the family will definitely not pretend to obey you, and will not be disloyal to you."

"take note of it."

Lu Chen smiled and nodded.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wangzhi came over and sat opposite him, and asked calmly, "How are you going to adjust?"

Lu Chen said frankly: "I plan to set up a large camp in Qingzhou and at the junction of Weizhou and Lingzhou, with a total standing force of about 80,000. In addition, the workshop in Baotai Mountain needs to be moved out. It is not very convenient in the mountains, but it will not be moved too far away, just to Gu County in the north of Dingzhou. It is now the home of ordinary members of the Seven Stars Gang, and it will also be the base of the Seven Stars Army in the future. My sister has already gone to Baotai Mountain, and it is estimated that she will be there soon."

"The Seven Star Army is stationed in the northern part of Dingzhou. This is a foolproof plan, and it is also convenient to enter Qingzhou from Dingfeng Road."

Xiao Wangzhi nodded slightly, and then said: "Are there any risks for the two camps with 80,000 people? What is the situation in Jingguo now?"

Jiang Sheng's report emerged in Lu Chen's mind. This shrewd and capable subordinate fanned the flames on the night of the Jinglian Six Surnames coup, and took his elite troops to kill many Jinglian nobles in the chaos. Then, taking advantage of the fact that the Jing Kingdom's top leaders were preoccupied with themselves, he returned to Da Qi safely and brought Lu Chen very detailed intelligence.

"The current emperor of Jing is only two years old. He is the youngest son of Ali Hehuandu. All other adult princes have died suddenly. The real power is in the hands of the six princes who took advantage of the coup, among whom the regent Qing Yu Huaijin is the first in the power of superintendent. In the past few months, the Jing army has been fighting and retreating, and finally retreated to the north of the Jing River. On the one hand, it is difficult to stop our offensive, and on the other hand, they are in turmoil. Although Qing Yu Huaijin controls the capital and most of the troops, he still cannot stop the forces loyal to the Ali He family from raising their flags."

Lu Chen smiled slightly, and then said confidently: "I estimate that the situation in Jing State will last at least a year. By this time next year, they will be able to calm down internally. Therefore, the two camps with 80,000 people are enough to deter the Jing army on the north bank of the Jing River. As for the future... In fact, Da Qi also needs time to solve many problems."

Xiao Wangzhi knew what was going on and didn't ask any further.

Lu Tong came over and sat down, looking at Xiao Wangzhi curiously and asked, "Why don't you ask him who will be the commander of the two camps?"

"It won't be me anyway."

Xiao Wangzhi smiled and said jokingly, "How about letting Lu Chen make you a nominal commander? That would also help make up for the regret of you leaving the army that year."

Lu Tong was rarely speechless.

Lu Chen's heart moved. He knew why Xiao Wangzhi avoided these key issues, and since the end of the Pingyang Battle, he no longer asked about any military affairs.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen said sincerely: "Uncle Xiao——"

"No need to say more."

Xiao Wangzhi obviously knew what he was going to say, and waved his hand and said, "Times are different now, you have to get used to being the boss."

The last four words are too straightforward.

Lu Tong frowned slightly and said, "Isn't it too early to say that?"

Xiao Wangzhi did not answer, but looked at Lu Chen and said, "You should have learned something from what I just said to your father?"

"Have."

Lu Chen said calmly: "I understand your good intentions. I wonder if Uncle Xiao still remembers that after the first battle in Lei Ze, you and I had a deep conversation."

"remember."

"I said at the time that I could not be compared with Marshal Yang, regardless of talent or loyalty to the court. I just wanted to be able to protect my family. In fact, there is a deeper meaning to these words..."

Facing the gazes of the two closest elders, Lu Chen said slowly, "I will not become the second Marshal Yang. I can give a lot to this beautiful land, but it will never include the lives of myself and those I care about. This is not a dilemma for me. If others wantonly hinder me, I will choose to do it myself."

The warm spring breeze blows through this quaint pavilion.

Lu Tong and Xiao Wangzhi looked at each other and laughed hearty and relieved laughter in perfect tacit understanding.

(End of this chapter)