The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 277: Swearing to Sweep the Huns at the Risk of One's Life (Part )
Zhao En had nothing to say, so he nodded and said, "I was wrong. We can only wait for the rebels to come. Unfortunately, we should have set up camp on the north bank."

"Ridiculous." Zhao Cun said without hesitation: "We will be surrounded from the east and the west. This is a dead end. If we lose the battle, the whole army may not be able to survive. It is a military principle to put ourselves in a dead end and then survive, but our army has not yet reached the point where we need to enter a dead end."

Zhao En crossed his hands and stepped back.

"Your Majesty, the only solution now is to seek a decisive battle!" Seeing that no one had a good idea, Fu Cunshen stepped out and said, "The spirit thieves have been running all the way, and this is a good opportunity to engage them. Otherwise, once they have built their fortifications, it will be even harder to fight them, and we will completely lose the initiative. Why not cross the river at midnight tonight—"

"Difficult." The saint stared at the map. "The Spirit Bandits are used to fighting. They are best at fighting with fewer people, ambushes, encounters, and hand-to-hand combat. In terms of fighting alone, they have never lost in a hundred years. They can basically think of everything we can think of. We think it is at its weakest now, and it has probably taken advantage of this psychology. It is now the most vigilant time. In the first battle against the bandits, it may win but not lose. This plan is not a good plan."

"How about going to Mihun Garrison?" Fu Cun asked, "Bring the troops from Tongwan City to rescue us."

Mihun Fort is Dejing County, northeast of Tongwan City, also known as Guchengzi. It was one of the northern military towns in the Northern Zhou and Sui dynasties, and was also the hideout of the anti-Sui leader Liang Shidu.

"That is also a fortified city with unknown defenders. It is not as easy to attack as Tongwan City."

"I would like to lead 10,000 soldiers to capture Guchengzi. Within 30 days, this great threat will be eliminated."

The sage groaned and said, "Our military strength is limited and cannot be divided any further."

This... Fu Cunshen was a bit troubled. He was the type of general who liked to use strategies. Could he fight a grand battle array? Yes, but not fond of it. But every strategy was rejected. Did the saint not trust his ability, or was he just too cautious?
"Your Majesty, the strategy of wiping out Lingzhou and Xiazhou remains unchanged, but we can still see where the breakthrough point will come from. It would be better to summon Li Renmei and Sima Kanwu to go west and besiege the empty Lingzhou. If a fight breaks out over there, the logistics of the Lingzhou bandits here will not be able to hold up."

"Lingzhou..." The saint observed the geographical traffic in this area and said, "There is a stone fortress outside Lingzhou City. How can we break it?"

"We don't have to attack the city." Fu Cunshen replied, "Lingwu is densely populated, and it's time for summer harvest. We can just destroy their crops, set fire to the village, and capture their residents. By shaking the morale of the Ling bandits, we can gain more food and help our army last longer."

Is this a dirty trick? Yes. But Li Shimin also used it. When he attacked Liang Shidu, he first implemented the Three Lights policy for a long time in his area, which caused a famine, and then he put down the famine in one fell swoop.

The saint nodded and said, "Let's try Tongwan City first. Send an envoy—"

Lu Yanrang on the side spread out his pen and ink.

"Summon Sima Kanwu, Li Zan, and Li Renmei to join me immediately after receiving the order."

Lu Yanrang finished it in one stroke and stood up to see him off.

"When they arrive, we will cross the river and attack." The saint slammed the table, stood up, and the armor leaves clanged loudly: "First, flatten the Hongliu River and wipe out the invading spiritual thieves. Then go to Guchengzi to eliminate the defenders and the clan army that came to support, and finally attack Tongwan City."

"Great Sage, your opinion is brilliant!" the generals said in unison.

The saint looked at Zhao Jia and asked, "Any news about the Zhe and Yang families?"

Zhao Jia replied: "Your Majesty, Zhe Zongben and Yang Yue have responded. Here is the letter."

Zhao Jia handed over two scrolls of documents. The sage unfolded them and saw that Zhe Zongben and Yang Yue (Yue) were evading the task, saying that there were tribal rebellions in the territory and they also had to guard against Li Keyong, so they could only send a few hundred soldiers.

The saint threw the letter on the chopping board and said angrily, "You are playing both sides and seeking personal gain."

Everyone immediately realized that the two families were shirking their responsibilities.

"Your Majesty, calm down." Zhao Jia consoled him, "Yang Yue is a branch of the Hongnong Yang family. His father, Yang Sun, once governed Zibo and Qingzhou. The Zhe Zongben clan has always been on the sidelines. It is normal for something like this to happen. Both families are determined to control Linzhou and will definitely make a move."

Although the saint was angry, he acted like this mainly to show others, so that those present would know his attitude towards this matter.

He slapped the letter to the aisle below his seat and said gloomily, "After Lingxia is pacified, I will discuss the general situation of the world with the two of them."

On the tenth day of the sixth month, an envoy from Hedong came from the east and asked the emperor to withdraw his troops. The sage refused. The envoy then said, "Your Majesty has decided to fight the enemy, and the Zhenwu Army should come from the east to Shouxiang City to serve the king." The sage refused to listen and ordered them to return north.

Soon, the second wave of envoys arrived and announced that Li Keyong would personally enter the pass to fight the rebels.

Emperor Li just smiled and sent the messenger away.

Not surprising.

If I can join hands with Wang Zhongrong to kill the late emperor Boyue, why can’t I fight you?
Zhang Jun was appointed Prime Minister in the morning, and I arrived in the capital in the evening. Whose white jade crown is on your head? What kind of character do you think he is to say such things? Is he kidding you?

The original alliance was forced by Zhu Wen, a common powerful enemy, and both sides had to put aside their grievances and stick together for warmth. But what brings people together for profit can also bring them apart for profit. Once Zhu Wen died, there was no longer enough profit for both sides to maintain the alliance. With new and greater interests, they could also turn against each other.

For example, the father and son fought with the imperial court for two years over the interests of the Zhenwu Army and the Datong Army. For example, in order to win the position of commander of Hedong, the imperial court had to appoint him as the governor of Xin and Dai and hand over the two states of Xin and Dai as a deposit before they could send troops.

We are all in this together, no one would bother with you if there is no benefit.

As for whether he would be a loyal minister and not act recklessly because of fear of Zhu Wen's end, the sage once analyzed it and concluded that he would be like this when Zhu Wen just died. But time is the greatest force, enough to shake everything. As time passed, the shock gradually subsided, and it is estimated that he would recover.

Also, don't forget what era this is.

If the deterrent effect is strong enough, there won't be so many people who rebel against their superiors! People like Zhu Dalang should have surrendered long ago! They are all evil spirits that have crawled out of the slaughterhouse purgatory. Who are you trying to scare with butcher knives, heads and blood?
If he was willing to give up more interests, such as promising to add Hedong, Zhenwu Army, Datong Army, and Zelu to the Heshuo system, or promoting Li Keyong to the title of King of Jin, making Zhuxie Wusi the queen and the King of Dai the crown prince, and making the successor public and decided, then he might be able to keep it together forever.

But it's not realistic.

How could he sell out national interests and step on the accelerator of separatist chariot for the sake of Li Keyong and Hedong?

As for establishing a new crown prince.

If the Prince of De is a capable person, he will not hesitate to eliminate the power of the Privy Councilor and others. If the Prince of De is not a capable person, he will also ruthlessly deal with the Prince of De's followers, depose the Concubine Shu, and drive the mother and son into the abyss from which they will never be able to recover. Why did the Prince of Dai become the Crown Prince now?

To put it bluntly, Li Keyong was already a high-ranking official, dominating the government, and his daughter was also the third concubine. What else could he want except to maintain the status quo? He wanted her to remain loyal, but he didn't want to continue to collude with her for the benefit, and there was the risk of being eliminated. If you were in his shoes, you would do the same.

What's more, this old immortal has always been particular about resorting to force.

Difficult? Then don't do it!

Before setting out, the sage was prepared for Li Keyong's intervention and complicating the situation.

Let’s fight, have a couple of rounds, then you and I will sit down and talk it out.

You asked me before whose white jade crown was on my head. It just so happens that I want to ask you this time whose black gauze hat is on your head. You think I am the emperor, so I can only say that you are blind and have found the wrong person.

**********
"Let's go!"

The avenue leading to the river in Beijing was filled with soldiers running and shouting.

Under the bright blue sky, the pursuing cavalry pulled their horses back and let the enemy go. There was no grudge or hatred in the river, and there was friendship for many years, so there was no need to kill them.

“Bang!” Wang Ke slapped the battlements and glared at the defeated soldiers pouring into the city: “Are we defeated already?”

Princess Guangde seemed to have expected this: "Wang Lang has little prestige in the army, and it is rare for him to lead the army out of the city for a battle."

"You!" Wang Ke glared at his wife. "I took such a risk for your Li family's empire, and you still insult me? Don't you know that the soldiers can just warn me and let the Jin thieves pass through the border?"

"I'm telling the truth." Guangde said aggrievedly, "I didn't mean to insult Wang Lang."

"Then just think about it in your heart. Don't I have any face to save?"

"sorry."

"Humph!" Wang Ke snorted coldly: "None of the women in your Li family are good. They are either arrogant or fickle. I really shouldn't marry you! No wonder no one wants your daughter!"

"Then don't tell Wang Lang about it." Princess Guangde covered her face with her sleeves: "I'm not that kind of bad woman... I just feel sorry for Wang Lang~"

The pitiful little expression, coupled with Princess Guangde's naturally soft and charming voice.

"Ugh~" Wang Ke covered his mouth: "Stop talking, I feel sick."

After saying this, he went down the city and headed towards the military headquarters, with Guangde following closely beside him.

"One wave has not yet subsided when another wave rises." Wang Ke frowned and sighed, "Why is there so much disaster in Hezhong? I don't know why the court has offended Li Keyong again. Forget it, forget it, I have done my best! If the soldiers don't want to fight, I can't take you to death, right?"

The King of Hedong refused to enter Yinzhou through Lan and Shidu Rivers under his jurisdiction, but wanted to go through Hezhong instead. Wang Ke knew something was wrong and tried to dissuade him, but failed. He then sent troops to intercept him, but was defeated. Now Li Keyong has arrived in Wenxi and is trying to enter the pass through Puguan and Longmenjin.

"This old thief, doesn't he learn from the lesson of Zhu Wen at all?" Wang Ke cursed.

"It's meaningless to talk about this now." Guangde said: "Since Wang Lang doesn't want to mobilize the army, the most urgent thing is to report to the court and let the court deal with it. Also, pack up your belongings. If things don't go well, my husband and I will escape back to the pass."

Wang Ke was stunned: "What's wrong with that?"

"You are a traitor!" Guangde gritted his teeth and said, "Did Wang Gong forget? How come Wang's son can use Zhu Wen as a helper to kill Zhongfu and usurp the throne, but Wang's son can't secretly contact Li Keyong to kill you, his brother, and usurp the throne? If you marry me, and Li Keyong gets angry with the Saint, you will be a thorn in his side."

"That bastard, I called him uncle!" Wang Ke was so angry that he nodded repeatedly and said, "Madam is right, let's go now. You take the children and leave quickly, I'll go--"

"Don't worry." Guangde straightened his collar for him: "The fight hasn't started yet, and Brother Qi is still alive. No one dares to do anything to you or me. Just stay behind closed doors and guard yourselves first."

"Okay, okay." Wang Ke patted her hips and said, "Why did this old dog suddenly attack me? I thought he was a loyal subject."

"I hate you for being poor and rich." Guangde rolled his eyes. "If he is comfortable, the court will not be comfortable. On the contrary, won't they stab him in the back? What does Wang Lang think society is? Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness? Bullshit, cheating, deceiving and stealing! Morality? How many states and armies are worth of that? Beauty seduces people, power and money make people lose wisdom, abdication? Abdication? Harmony between the monarch and his subjects? Harmony. I want to laugh when I hear it."

"You are so mean!" Wang Ke said unhappily, "You said integrity is worthless, then you definitely don't have it, so how can you still sleep with your seventh brother?"

"Ahem, how could I?" Guangde smiled mysteriously, "But there are other Li's daughters in other houses, too. There are many."

"Isn't this immoral?"

"Hey~ Don't look at me so strangely, this is how we in the Li family have always played."

"Oh my God!" Wang Ke sighed to the sky, his three views were completely shattered.

*******
In Wenxi County, there was fighting in the camps.

Li Keyong did not adopt Li Xiji's second plan because his first wife, a group of children, and several confidants strongly opposed it. Li Siyuan, who shouted "I oppose!" three times, had been imprisoned by him. Secondly, after a full assessment, the top leaders unanimously agreed that it was not time to go all the way. The demand was to lift the siege of Ling and Xia, not to fight a war with the court.

Therefore, he compromised. On the one hand, he sent envoys to the northern frontier to explain the reason, on the other hand, he frequently submitted memorials to the court, putting pressure on the ministers, and through them, he put pressure on the sage. On the other hand, he led his troops to Hezhong, pretending to enter Chang'an.

It was exactly the same way he handled the Guangqi relocation incident and Zhang Jun's attack on Jin.

I have to say, it’s quite effective.

Because there were cases, everyone believed that he could do it. So as soon as he arrived in Hezhong, the court could not sit still, and several prime ministers sent envoys.

"Please ask the Minister of Works to withdraw the troops and do not hurt the relationship between the monarch and his subjects, or the friendship between the king and his subjects!" Zheng Yanchang arrived first on behalf of Cui Yin. "Dingnan and Shuofang just want to restore their vassal status, so we should attack them. There are many people holding the banner of loyalty in the country now, so what's the point of attacking them? As a member of the Three Dukes and a relative of the emperor, I should correct such a mess, so how can I hurt their feelings?" Li Keyong inspected the camp without even looking at him.

"Of course the court is willing to grant the two towns flags and seals to calm down the situation." With Li Keyong's army in front of them, the court directly put the blame on Emperor Li: "But the saint is so powerful that he is determined to do what he wants. We can't stop him."

"Then what's the use of you?" Li Keyong glanced at Cui Yin with his one eye: "What does the court say now?"

Cui Yin hesitated to speak.

"If you have nothing to say, go back."

"Your Majesty——"

"What are you clamoring about? If you have anything to say, fart now!" Li Keyong slapped the saddle and suddenly became angry: "If you provoke me, I will turn you into Sun Kui!"

Cui Yin closed his eyes and said with difficulty: "The Zhongshumenmen are already in a meeting and want to promote Li Shuai to the position of King Jin."

Li Keyong's mind was moved. However, it was not easy to be the initiator, and with that guy's arrogant character, he would definitely not give it.

"The King of Fenyang was only rewarded with the title of King of the Prefecture for his contribution to the restoration of the country. What virtue and ability do I have to bear the criticism from the world?" Li Keyong waved his hand and said, "Go back, and go to the capital on a certain day to ask the officials in the court how they assist the government."

Cui Yin smiled bitterly and said, "Why must it come to this! Who would not praise the king's contribution to the restoration of the country? Now you raise troops to attack the imperial palace, and China is terrified. Once you travel abroad, people will be surprised and despised, and you will destroy your reputation as a loyal minister. In the future, when you meet people all over the world and those who come after you, it will be a pity!"

"What's the logic?" Li Keyong laughed. "My achievements are recorded in history and in people's hearts. Who else do I need to recognize? Who can deprive me of my title? As I said before, there are so many military governors in the world, and anyone can be appointed. Why don't Ling and Xia tolerate this? They sit together but have different names. Reward one and punish another. Is this the way to govern?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Yin's face became so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip from it.

His tone was so resolute that it seemed that he had to deal with the two thieves, Bao Ling and Xia. With a try-it attitude, he finally said, "The ruling Duke Zheng said that everything can be discussed."

"There is no room for negotiation on this matter." Li Keyong's patience was exhausted.

"Is Sikong's mind really unchangeable?"

"roll!"

Cui Yin didn't dare to talk back and just took note of it in his heart.

One-eyed dragon, one-eyed dragon, you are such a bastard who fears power but not morality. I can't afford to offend you, but there are saints and Wang Congxun who can afford to offend you.

"It seems that the current emperor is just like the last emperor. He won't yield unless he is given some punishment." Li Keyong stared at the group of people going away, stroking his beard: "What should we do next? Should we enter the pass directly?"

"Let the word spread first. Enter the pass within three days to scare the capital, causing chaos in the three prefectures, and causing all officials and civilians to flee." Gai Yu said, "In this way, the logistics of the front line will be affected and most of them will stop operating. There will also be troops taking the opportunity to cause chaos, looting the market and the palace, and scaring the imperial concubine. It is still unknown whether there will be generals who rebel. In addition to creating trouble for the saint, it will also increase pressure on the saint and force him to come back."

This strategy is in the style of the late Tang and Five Dynasties, and it will indeed produce the expected effect.

This is also Li Keyong's style.

Later, when Li Maozhen was brought back, he spread similar rumors and announced that he would "pay homage". The imperial court was so frightened that they sent envoys to persuade him and raised 300 million yuan before he said in front of the envoy: "From the intention of the imperial court, it seems that I have ulterior motives?" Then he left with a big laugh.

Before this, Zhaozong also lost a wife, the aloof Chen Cailian. It must be said that the historian's level is still high - "Madam Chen of Wei State is the most talented and beautiful among the harem. On Wu Zi, the emperor gave her to Keyong. Keyong ordered to attack the Pear Garden. On Geng Yin, the emperor moved to the palace."

All three events are fine when read separately. But first, the emperor emphasizes that the concubine is very beautiful, and then suddenly tells you that she was rewarded. Then, he is ordered to attack the Pear Garden. Then, the emperor returns home. Although the historical truth has long been glossed over and cannot be known, if you read more history and see this kind of writing, you will find that the historian is deliberately concealing something while conveying something.

Obviously, this is an exchange.

When Zhaozong moved to Da'nei, he was also "escorted" into the palace by armed forces.

Why? The Chronicle says: "Xing was moved to Chen Yi. Why was he moved? It was his intention. Why was he moved? It was not his intention."

When "Qian" appears in history books, it means that the person concerned was forced to do so.

In this case, Zhaozong was brought into the palace by Li Keyong, and it is unclear whether he slept on the dragon bed overnight. In addition, many words such as "次", "败", "归", "师", "卒", etc. are professional words with specific meanings in history books and cannot be understood by translating classical Chinese.

So, laymen read history for fun, while experts unravel the history to find the truth.

Ahem, I've strayed off topic. Let Aunt Liu move in someday! I think my mother-in-law still has her charm.

"Let's do it this way." Li Keyong approved, and then asked: "Don't worry about the situation in the capital for now. The initiative is in my hands, and the core now is the saint. I have sent several petitions, have you received any response?"

"The latest one is not available yet." Li Xiji replied: "The last envoy returned yesterday and reported that -"

"say what?"

"The saint said that I heard that your army is strong and powerful. Today I see that it is indeed true..."

"We are busy with matters in the northern frontier and have no time to look back. We have ordered the Shaanxi Jiedushi Congxun and others to go hunting with the guild and play in Guanzhong. We will temporarily entertain them..."

"When Lingxia is pacified, I will not let your trip be in vain. Let's see my face and drink in Penglai..."

"Hahaha." Li Keyong laughed loudly, and his teeth gritted back and forth twice.

Isn't it because of face-saving? Saints like to rub salt into wounds and embarrass those who care about face.

Your face is worthless to me.

***********
Daming Palace, Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The usually quiet palace was no longer lonely, with palace maids and eunuchs running around.

The dark bedroom was filled with a fishy smell. Concubine Xian was lying behind the curtains, her whole body trapped in the shadows, sweating profusely.

In the corridor in front of the palace, Concubine Shu watched the people coming and going anxiously with her hands in her lap, and kept reminding them: Make sure the mother and child are safe, and pay attention to the umbilical cord! ………

The virtuous concubine gave birth to her second child, but it was not an auspicious day.

"What should we do..." In the corner, several female historians who came from Taiyuan as a dowry were whispering anxiously, "I feel like the Shufei is not important enough. How about going to Fanyunfuyu Tower to find some connections? I have a sister who is acquainted with Concubine Meng."

"It's difficult. They have no relationship with His Highness. It's better to find Concubine Liang. She is kind, has a high position, and has a strong backer..." Another female historian glanced around and whispered, "I'll go now, you guys..."

"What's that buzzing?" A cold voice came from afar. Several people were so scared that they all looked towards the sound. It was Gao Mingyue, Yuwen Rou, and Nangong Chongyan, followed by a large group of eunuchs, some seven or eight years old, and some in their teens.

Concubine Shu suddenly raised her head.

"Has the baby been born?" Nangong Chongyan glanced around at the scene.

"It's happening now," someone answered.

Nangong Chongyan, Yuwen Rou and Gao Mingyue looked at each other, and the three of them stood there facing the palace door without moving.

"Madam Zhao, Madam Wei, Madam Bohai..." Concubine Shu came over and said with courage: "A married woman is like spilled water. The matter of Sikong has nothing to do with Concubine Xian, and Concubine Xian did not instruct her. The saint has always protected Concubine Xian..."

Nangong Chongyan interrupted, "Whether she ordered him to do so or not, how can you tell if Concubine Shu never leaves the house?"

Shufei's face turned pale, she pursed her lips, and did not dare to argue with this woman.

After a long time, a sharp cry was heard from the hall.

"Tattatata..." With hurried footsteps, a female historian in the depths of the hall was getting closer and closer, shouting: "It's born, it's born..."

Yuwenrou walked in through the door.

Concubine Shu struggled for a while, and followed Concubine Xian in, fearing that these vicious women might harm her.

……

In the palace, Zhu Xiewusi, who was barely breathing, touched the blood on her thigh. She was terrified that she had walked through the gates of hell, and was surprised by the silence around her. She could only hear the loud cry of the baby. She weakly stretched out her hand and said to the vague figure beside the bed: "The child... is it a boy or a girl... let me see..."

But someone broke in and took the child away.

"What are you doing... Let me see... Put it down..."

Before she finished, another group of people came in. After carefully wiping off her sweat and blood, they lifted her onto a bed and covered her with a blanket, then carried her out without saying a word.

"I... I..." Zhu Xiewusi struggled hard but couldn't utter a complete sentence. The people carrying the bed ignored him. He could only faintly hear Concubine Shu arguing with someone.

Zhu Xiewusi cried and howled.

As soon as he came out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he fainted as the golden sunlight fell on his face.

"Send Consort Xian and Prince Dai to the torture chamber for a while." Nangong Chongyan gently patted the baby boy in her arms to comfort him. Yuwen Rou ordered: "Everything remains the same in terms of living conditions, but she cannot see anyone. No one can see her."

"Yes." Dozens of eunuchs and palace maids took the order and left.

Concubine Shu watched with a trembling heart, feeling a little sad. Out of sympathy and the desire to maintain a good relationship with Concubine Xian, she said with a stiff upper lip: "Concubine Xian just gave birth, and the conditions in the torture chamber are too poor. She should be fine if she lives in the palace."

"If the prince is stolen, and Concubine Xian commits suicide, if Concubine Shu can take the responsibility—" Yuwen Rou said woodenly, "Okay."

The palace is a complicated place, and many people come and go every day. Especially at this moment when people are so nervous, it is not absolutely safe.

Concubine Shu didn't dare to take responsibility for this matter, so she had to keep quiet.

"Can you let me take care of this child temporarily?" she asked again. The child was separated from his mother when he was born, and was held in the arms of a wicked woman like Nangong Chongyan, and she didn't know where she was going to take him. Concubine Shu couldn't bear it.

"Okay." Yu Wenrou raised her hand and turned away from looking at Concubine Shu. She took the swaddling clothes from Nangong's arms and looked at them for a while before sighing softly, "Another wonderful child. Concubine Xian is so lucky, but it's a pity that the child has a thief father. I'm breastfeeding, so I'll take care of the child for a while."

Concubine Shu breathed a sigh of relief. Yuwen Rou's poison was only used on the inner servants, and she was also measured in her actions, loyal, meticulous, and responsible. She could rest assured that she could give the child to her.

Seeing Concubine Shu's face full of relief, Yuwenrou frowned secretly. She was not that optimistic. If Li Keyong entered the pass, she would need to deal with the two saints personally when necessary. This was the order of the saint himself.

I hope the one-eyed dragon doesn't seek death for himself.

If you force your grandson to death, sooner or later, the saint will force his brother-in-law to death.

You have to believe that he can do it.

(End of this chapter)