The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 337: Tide (I)

Early April.

The weather has warmed up a little, but living in Bianjing, I still feel the spring chill. I dare not change my winter clothes. But it makes me feel a little more relaxed. I don’t have to hunch my neck when I go out. At least I can move around like a normal person.

The turmoil caused by the incident involving the former prince of Jin State has gradually subsided in recent times.

For the citizens of Bianliang, no matter how big the event was, as long as the war did not reach the capital, it was not a big deal. At that time, the affairs of the prince of the previous dynasty were a hot topic because everyone said that a war was going to break out between Jin and Liang, and it might be a war involving hundreds of thousands of people, which made the people of Bianliang panic for several days.

However, as time went by, there seemed to be no news of the fall of border areas, and no bad news was heard from Hebei, which was newly conquered a year ago. No matter how brutal the people of Jin were, it was impossible for them to directly cross the river and then cross the Yellow River and go directly south, right?
Moreover, the court's personnel changes also greatly reassured the citizens.

The Chongzhengyuan has issued a transfer order, and the Shaanxi Jiedushi and Inspector Taibao Kang Huaiying will lead the Longxiang Army north to Cangzhou to take charge, and Wang Yanzhang, the military envoy of the Longxiang Army and the commander-in-chief of the Guide Army's cavalry, will assist him.

Cangzhou belongs to the eastern route, while the western route is still guarded by Yang Shihou, the Prince of Hongnong and the commander of the Luzhou camp. In addition, the court will also set up a pacification and control envoy for the various armies in Hezhong in Heyang (Zezhou). Yang Shihou will lead the chief envoy but still guard Chang'an, and the deputy envoy will be led by Xie Yanzhang, the cavalry commander of the Bianjing cavalry, and will take over Zezhou to guard against the Jin army in Luzhou.

Before the State of Jin took any action, the Daliang court had already carried out personnel transfers in various places in an orderly manner, apparently intending to protect the entire country perfectly.

There were transfer orders for each town, and with the changes in the court, almost every general in charge of a region benefited, and the generals posted outside the capital were all given real power. This affected countless people in the court and required them to re-choose their positions.

The most notable among them was that Taibao Kang Huaiying led the Longxiang Army to garrison Cangzhou. Not only that, the transfer order also allowed him to take away Longxiang Army's military envoy Wang Yanzhang.

Who is Wang Yanzhang?

He started out as a lower-level military officer, and followed the Champion Marquis Xiao Yan in Hebei where he won numerous military merits. He was promoted several levels to the military envoy of the Longxiang Army. He was one of the powerful generals in the imperial army, and Xiao Yan's right-hand man. The two were very close.

Xiao Yan had just been appointed as the Recruiting Envoy of Youzhou Camp in Hebei, but after a period of time, Kang Huaiying suddenly took away some of his power. At least Xiao Yan's power over the military affairs in Hebei had to be limited to Cangzhou.

This made people wonder what had happened to Marquis Guanjun that offended the Holy Grace. However, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Xiao Yan had recently been systematically picking out three thousand elite soldiers from various armies. This made things even more puzzling.

The situation in the court changes every day.

…………

Chongzhengyuan.

Jing Xiang looked a little worried. He looked at the report in his hand for a long time and sighed.

"Your Majesty has changed his mind at the last minute. After all, he is unwilling to leave the military affairs of Hebei in the hands of you alone."

He pinched his brows with a headache, looked at Han Yanhui who was sitting next to him with a wry smile, and said, "I hope Zang Ming will go back and tell you that you can still have full jurisdiction over all the military affairs in Hebei except Cangzhou."

Han Yanhui's expression did not change much, he just thought: "May I ask, Prime Minister, is there any change in the palace?"

"The Ghost King has entered the palace many times recently..." Jing Xiang sighed.

------

Imperial city, forbidden alchemy room.

Zhu Wen walked out of the palace with a ruddy face, holding his stomach, looking somewhat excited.

Zhu Youwen walked up with a respectful smile and winked. The eunuch who was about to help Zhu Wen stepped aside, and Zhu Youwen took the opportunity to support Zhu Wen's arm and said with a smile: "Father has become healthier recently. I dare to speculate, has the magic been mastered?"

Zhu Wen laughed triumphantly, but did not answer the question. He just said casually, "You are so good at playing nice. Why did you come to the palace to see me again today? What's the matter?"

Zhu Youwen smiled naively and said respectfully, "Nothing can be hidden from your father's eyes. I am here to report an important matter to you."

"You guys go down."

Zhu Wen waved to the palace maids on his left and right, then shook off Zhu Youwen's support and walked towards the harem with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, saying, "Tell me."

"According to the spy's report."

Zhu Youwen whispered, "There are soldiers and horses from Qi State moving in the river, and there seem to be signs of fighting with the Jin people..."

Zhu Wen was stunned, turned around and asked in astonishment: "Is this true?"

"I dare not deceive you," Zhu Youwen took out a report from his bosom and handed it to Zhu Wen with both hands, saying, "Li Maozhen and Li Keyong had a personal grudge in their early years. Qi and Jin have only been reluctantly allied in recent years due to the pressure from our dynasty. The current war between Qi and Jin may be due to something filthy between the two Lis."

Seeing the change on Zhu Wen's face, Zhu Youwen calmly expressed his guess: "I think that it was the incident of Li Xingyun, the remnant of the previous dynasty, that made Li Maozhen dissatisfied, so he raised troops to ask Li Keyong for Li Xingyun. He might want to take this remnant of the previous dynasty to Fengxiang..."

"Is Li Maozhen so stupid?" Zhu Wen was a little surprised, but there was some happiness in his words.

"It's hard to say." Zhu Youwen said, "But the military report is indeed true. This is just the news that the Xuanming Sect sent back first. Master Yang will probably also send back this military intelligence later."

"Great!" Zhu Wen was delighted: "The two Li brothers are fighting over a remnant, which is exactly what I want!"

Zhu Youwen smiled and said, "In this way, Jin will be restrained and it may be difficult to mobilize a large army to attack..."

There was a flash of cold light in Zhu Wenhu's eyes, and he looked a little moved.

Zhu Youwen then struck while the iron was hot and advised: "Father, as the saying goes, when the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman gains. The internal strife between the two Lis is an opportunity for our dynasty. Why don't we mobilize troops to defeat the two Lis in one fell swoop?"

Zhu Wen thought about it again and again, and just waved his hand: "The two Lis are only fighting temporarily now. If I intervene immediately, won't the two Lis make peace again? This matter cannot be rushed, you can call all the ministers to discuss it."

"Father, your majesty is wise." Zhu Youwen looked like he agreed with what he said. After a pause, he immediately changed the subject: "But now that the Jin army has turned its attention to the west, the Yanmen line in the east may no longer pose the same threat as before. Maybe we can take advantage of the situation. In this way, we don't need to give Xiao Yan so much power..."

Zhu Wen frowned upon hearing this, and then glanced at Zhu Youwen: "Didn't I order Jing Xiang a few days ago to send Kang Huaiying to Cangzhou to guard against Xiao Yan? What are you thinking of bringing this up again now?"

Zhu Youwen shook his head: "Father, you have wronged me."

He explained, "A few days ago, I advised the emperor to summon Kang Taibao to guard against Xiao Yan. It was because of the situation that there was no choice. Hebei must have a great general to take charge, and Xiao Yan also wanted to advance to Yanmen, so if he was given the power, he only needed to let Kang Taibao take simple precautions in Cangzhou."

"But things are different now. Jin State is being restrained, and Yanmen may really be taken down by Xiao Yan."

"Wouldn't it be great if you could take it down?" Zhu Wen looked at Zhu Youwen calmly, "It has been my wish for many years to hold Li Yaer's weak spot."

"If Yanmen Pass is breached, Li Keyong's weak spot will be controlled by my father." Zhu Youwen said softly, "Who controls Xiao Yan's weak spot?"

Zhu Wen felt a chill down his spine.

Zhu Youwen became serious and said, "Father, the reason why I made Xiao Inkstone is not because I have a personal grudge against him, but because of my concern for the Zhu family."

He spoke slowly: "Xiao Yan is young, but he has already been appointed a general and given a title of nobility, and is in charge of the military power of Hebei. In this way, he is the only provincial governor in Hebei."

"I admit that Xiao Yan is indeed a rare general and commander, but he has already seized power in Hebei during the battle in Hebei, and the Hebei army has taken advantage of his situation. It is possible that officials in Hebei have a close relationship with him. Now let him lead the Guide Army to control Hebei, but don't give him such a heavy power!"

Zhu Wen's face looked a little unhappy, but Zhu Youwen just continued to speak.

"If Jin is not controlled, Xiao Yan can still be cautious in Hebei. In the current situation, if Xiao Yan really seizes the opportunity to break through Yanmen, he will be able to control Jin's weak spot and Hebei's power. Jin will be threatened by him in turn. Maybe Li Keyong will have to make friends with Xiao Yan himself."

Zhu Youwen patiently persuaded him, "In this case, what kind of reward should the emperor give to stabilize Xiao Yan's heart? The battle in Hebei has already made him a noble and virtuous man. Now that Yanmen has been captured and Hebei is in hand, shouldn't Xiao Yan be made the King of Yan to satisfy his appetite?"

Zhu Wen snorted and laughed: "Even if I give him the title of King of Yan, what does it matter? When he is recalled to Bianjing, he is just a foreign minister, what does he count as?"

Zhu Youwen just lowered his head and said carefully: "If the Prince of Yan is not enough to satisfy Xiao Yan's appetite, will father..."

"How dare you!" Zhu Wen was furious: "Shut up, you evil creature!"

Zhu Youwen knelt down in panic and slapped himself twice. "It was my son who talked nonsense. Father, please don't be angry. No matter how wrong I am, it's all my fault! But father, my son's loyalty is all for the country of my Zhu family. Xiao Yan has accumulated a lot of wealth in the past two years. Money is not enough to tempt him. He has already been promoted to a higher position. He is still so young. I dare not let him take the power in Hebei alone..."

Zhu Youwen knelt on the ground with a resentful look on his face, and was about to cry, which made Zhu Wen particularly annoyed.

But when Zhu Wen calmed down and thought about it, he felt that what Zhu Youwen said was indeed reasonable. By conquering Yanmen, Xiao Yan had already strangled the throat of Jin State, and was only one step away from destroying the country.

In fact, Xiao Yan's victory in stabilizing Hebei was already considered a great achievement in destroying a country, so Zhu Wen was willing to let Xiao Yan directly establish a government and a festival.

If he succeeds in destroying another country, how should he be rewarded? If he is really not satisfied with the title of a prince, if he really has other intentions? Will he be allowed to rule Hebei?
Zhu Wen was a little angry and his face looked very ugly.

"How dare this brat!"

He cursed fiercely, then stared at Zhu Youwen viciously: "Get out of here, are you scared like this by such a stupid thing? Go, get someone to call Jing Xiang."

Zhu Youwen got up, but did not leave immediately. Instead, he whispered, "Father, I think this is inappropriate. I heard that Prime Minister Jing admires Xiao Yan very much. Xiao Yan is in charge of Hebei affairs this time, and Prime Minister Jing is also guaranteeing him. If we let Prime Minister Jing judge this matter, I am afraid..."

Zhu Wen frowned greatly.

Zhu Youwen suggested, "Your Majesty, why don't you make a prompt decision and appoint Ge Congzhou to govern Youzhou? However, Grand Tutor Ge is in poor health, so Your Majesty can also appoint Zhao Yan as his assistant and lead the Tianxing Army to take up the post, thereby sharing power with Xiao Yan."

Zhu Wen paced back and forth, pondering, and felt quite tempted.

Ge Congzhou is a veteran, and his prestige in the army is no less than that of Yang Shihou, Kang Huaiying and other generals. Although Zhu Wen values ​​him, he is also a little afraid of him. A few years ago, during the turmoil in Bianjing, Zhu Wen took advantage of the situation to dismiss Ge Congzhou and let him stay at home. In addition, Ge Congzhou has been suffering from illness in recent years, so he is not a threat. As for Zhao Yan, he is Zhu Wen's son-in-law, and he is also quite pleasing to Zhu Wen. Although he is not very capable, he is loyal and is still a family member. With Ge Congzhou in Youzhou, Zhao Yan does not need to do anything, but only needs to help Ge Congzhou guard against Xiao Yan.

The Tianxing Army mentioned by Zhu Youwen is a personal guard of the imperial army. Zhu Wen had already set the rule that only princes were allowed to serve as military commanders. Prince Jun Zhu Youzhen is now the military commander of the Tianxing Army, and this army is trustworthy.

The three of them check and balance each other. Ge Congzhou has Zhao Yan to support him, but Zhao Yan cannot completely control the Tianxing Army. It's simply wonderful and makes people feel extremely relieved!

"You have been prepared for this." Zhu Wen glanced at Zhu Youwen.

The latter said respectfully: "To share the worries of the emperor father."

"Let's do it this way." Zhu Wen was too lazy to care whether this move would chill Xiao Yan's heart, and said directly: "Let Ge Congzhou and others prepare, enter Youzhou first, and then the Guide Army will advance north... If Yanmen can be broken, we still have to fight."

There was one more thing Zhu Wen did not say. If Xiao Yan really made this great contribution, what would happen if he was given a title of a prince? But of course he would not be a one-character prince like the Prince of Yan. He could just be a prince of any other name and be imprisoned in Bianjing in the future. This would be Zhu Wen's way of remembering his achievements.

What Zhu Youwen said was indeed correct, Xiao Yan was too young.

After hearing these words, Zhu Wen felt a chill in his heart. After breaking through Yanmen Pass this time, he decided not to use Xiao Yan anymore!

Of course Zhu Wen did not see it, but in the eyes of Zhu Youwen, who bowed down and called "Father, the Emperor is wise", endless joy finally appeared.

------

"The Dark Emperor's actions are indeed swift."

In Anle Pavilion, Xiao Yan looked at the reports Han Yanhui had compiled over the past two days and said with a smile, "He's quite smart. Not only did he seize the power of the Youzhou camp, he also transferred the Tianxing Army. Let me see, Wang Yanzhang and the Longxiang Army have been transferred, and Zhao Yan, the military envoy of the Yulin Army, has also been transferred. I'm afraid the Yulin Army has already been infiltrated like a sieve."

He put down the report, and although he was still smiling, his eyes were extremely sharp, and he said: "In this capital, apart from the Guide Army, it seems that the Dark Emperor will be the only one in power."

Han Yanhui sipped his tea and said calmly, "It seems that the Lord's early decision was right. The Dark Emperor has already made up his mind..."

As he spoke, he added indignantly: "The emperor is indeed old and confused. In such a situation, he still wants to maintain checks and balances. If he is defeated in a foreign war, the foundation of the court will be completely destroyed! The gradual weakening of Daliang is destroyed by these shortsighted insects!"

Opposite Han Yanhui, Yu Zhong, who was only in casual clothes, said in a deep voice: "After the news that Ge Congzhou and Zhao Yan entered Youzhou in the past two days was confirmed, the enthusiasm of several generals has cooled down a bit, fearing that they would be involved in the factional struggle between the prince and the ghost king."

Han Yanhui smiled bitterly.

Xiao Yan did not move, but just slowly drank his tea, pointed at the three words "Tianxing Army" on the report, and said with a smile: "It seems that Zhu Youzhen has suffered an unprovoked disaster. I am afraid that in the eyes of the world, I am really a member of Prince Jun's party."

As he spoke, he gave a forced smile: "That's fine too. It would be best if everyone just thought this was just an ordinary party dispute..."

After saying this, Xiao Yan looked at Han Yanhui and Yu Zhong with a smile: "Who will win?"

Han Yanhui smiled but said nothing, while Yu Zhong grinned and said, "I just regret that you are unwilling to kill that tyrant..."

"The time has not come yet."

Xiao Yan stood up with a smile, asked about the time, and said, "Okay, it's settled. You two can do what you want from now on. You have to let them relax for a few days. I have an important banquet to go to, so I won't accompany you."

Han Yanhui and the other two knew what Xiao Yan was going to do, so they just stood up with a smile and said, "See you, my Lord."

Xiao Yan sighed, walked out of the room, and under the personal guidance of Yu Youshu outside the door, he came to a secret room. After hesitating for a moment, he pushed the door open and went in.

In the room, Zhang Zhenniang glanced at him indifferently, then withdrew her gaze as if with resentment, and her tone sounded quite distant.

"Who was I thinking? It turns out it was the Champion Marquis who invited me here. What's the matter?"

Xiao Yan sighed and said, "I have been back in Beijing for many days. I finally got around to asking Zhenniang to see me. There was nothing else to do. After the meeting, Yan said goodbye."

"and many more!"

Xiao Yan had already retracted his foot that was about to step into the door, but when he saw Zhang Zhenniang hurriedly stand up, he stopped turning around.

"Come here." Zhang Zhenniang waved her hand, with a bit of charm on her face. After Xiao Yan walked in, she deliberately put her arm around his shoulders, as if she was holding Xiao Yan in her arms, and whispered, "You are such a heartless person. You have been back in Beijing for many days and have refused to come to see me. I said a lot of good things for you in front of that person before, and you treat me like this? Humph, leave as soon as you say so!"

"Zhen Niang misunderstood." Xiao Yan took the initiative to hold her hand and apologized, "Yan is an outsider, and dare not meet Zhen Niang too often. Even if he misses her, he can only bear it, especially since there were so many outsiders around him in the past few days. If it weren't for the fact that the house has been quiet in the past two days, Yan would not be so anxious to find an opportunity to see Zhen Niang."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan said somewhat dejectedly: "Zhenniang is His Majesty's concubine. The whole world can be given to Zhenniang. How can Yan win Zhenniang's favor? If he continues to pester her too much, Zhenniang will get tired of her and just leave. What will happen to Yan's deep love for her? If I didn't miss her so much, I really wouldn't want to invite Zhenniang here. I miss her every time I see her..."

"Nonsense!" Zhang Zhenniang was very happy in her heart, but she said angrily: "There are so many women around you, I don't believe you will miss me."

"It seems that Zhenniang really doesn't understand me."

Xiao Yan was sad and wanted to leave.

"Don't go, don't go!" Zhang Zhenniang was reluctant to let Xiao Yan leave. She held Xiao Yan's hand and whispered, "I trust you. Of course I trust you. If you didn't really like me, how dare you take the risk and secretly ask someone to invite me?"

Xiao Yan remained silent, but was coaxed and persuaded to go back.

Zhang Zhenniang had no choice but to follow Xiao Yan's thoughts. She liked men like Xiao Yan too much. Not only was he handsome, but he was also famous and talented. His masculinity far surpassed all the men she had ever met, not to mention Zhu Wen, who was not even worthy of carrying Xiao Yan's shoes!

She was really envious of Xiao Yan.

Zhang Zhenniang leaned in Xiao Yan's arms and whispered to him for a while. She also took advantage of Xiao Yan wantonly. She was already intoxicated and fascinated. She hugged Xiao Yan's neck and said with a chuckle, "Tell me, what did you mean by the deserted house just now?"

Xiao Yan shook his head: "Don't talk about these when meeting Zhenniang."

"Tell me, maybe I can help you." Zhang Zhenniang said charmingly and affectionately: "The more you owe me, the more I believe you can't escape from my palm."

Xiao Yan smiled bitterly, and told some of the things that the Ghost King had done to him, and then said: "With the Ghost King deliberately suppressing me, I am afraid that it will be difficult for His Majesty to have a good heart. The current situation is difficult, and I am afraid that I will be expelled from the capital in the future, and it will be difficult for me to see Zhenniang again."

Zhang Zhenniang was shocked, and then angrily said: "It's not Zhu Youwen who is targeting you, it's clearly Zhu You..."

She stopped talking instantly, and then said resentfully: "Anyway, this bastard has always been jealous of talented people. I don't know how many slanders he has heard. He is just jealous of you, Xiao Lang, and he is very annoying."

Xiao Yan smiled bitterly and did not answer.

Zhang Zhenniang felt distressed by this sadness. She couldn't help but touch Xiao Yan's face and said, "What can I do? Tell me, I will definitely help you if I can."

Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment and said, "Zhen Niang, are you really willing to help me?"

"Why not?" Zhang Zhenniang was in high spirits, pulling Xiao Yan's hand and pressing it against her chest: "For you, Xiao Lang, I am willing to do anything."

"Mrs. Zhenniang has been so kind to me, I really have no way to repay her." Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, and said, "I've thought about it. Your Majesty has always loved cooking since you summoned me to the court, but you have never personally come to Anle Pavilion to taste it. If possible, I would like to invite Your Majesty to Anle Pavilion. By then, I will spend some time to please Your Majesty, and maybe I can get out of the current predicament."

After hesitating for a moment, he added, "Besides, I can find an opportunity to meet Zhenniang again then..."

Zhang Zhenniang's face lit up with joy, and she whispered, "Is it that simple?"

"It is not easy to ask Your Majesty to leave the palace." Xiao Yan said with a smile.

"That's nothing." Zhang Zhenniang snorted, "I have my own way to get the old man to leave the imperial city, even a secret visit is no problem."

Xiao Yan was overjoyed, but said in surprise, "There's no need to let Your Majesty go on a secret visit, right?"

"What's the point of mobilizing so many people?" Zhang Zhenniang said indifferently, "When the time comes, there will be no one in Anle Pavilion, which will be boring. And if there are too many people accompanying us, how can we meet?"

Xiao Yan held her hand and nodded: "What Zhenniang said makes sense. Let me make some arrangements. Five days later, Zhenniang will take His Majesty out of the palace..."

"Just look at me."

------

Zhang Zhenniang did not stay for too long, but Xiao Yan still let her taste the sweetness of happiness, which made her very satisfied. Before leaving, she swore a solemn oath that she would make Zhu Wen willingly come to Anle Pavilion for the appointment.

Xiao Yan used his inner strength to erase the kiss mark on his neck, walked into a room, and looked at the Bianjing city defense map hanging on the wall with an indifferent and cold gaze.

"How's Shi Hongzhao doing?"

A bad man who had been waiting for orders replied, "Everything is going well. According to Shi Hongzhao, he can mobilize nearly a thousand people to join your plan. Li Mang will be responsible for leading people to assist him, so nothing will go wrong."

"Tell Li Mang that there is no need to make promises. Things are ever-changing and there will always be some variables. Just tell him that it is my intention and let him go and cooperate with Shi Hongzhao."

Xiao Yan's eyes slowly swept across Prince Bo's (Zhu Youwen) residence, Nanxun Gate in the south of the city, the corvée station, Qiushizi, Anle Pavilion and other directions, while continuing to speak.

"Send someone to invite Meng Po and Zhong Xiaokui from the Xuanming Sect to come over."

"Here."

(End of this chapter)