The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 293 Zhu Dalang

Heavy snow in Bianliang.

Several guests were welcomed into the imperial palace built by Zhu Wen.

Zhu Dalang was lying on the bed with his hair disheveled, smiling like an immortal. A faint fragrance floated in the air. Zhu Wen's concubines Chen Zhaoyi and Li Meiren were only wearing bellybands and short skirts, standing at both ends, pinching his legs gently.

"General Zhu, this is my lord's condition." Looking at the leisurely Zhu Dalang, the guest said: "After you submit to the saint, General Zhu will fight with the saint and secretly help General Zhu. As you wish, we will fight Wei Bo together and divide the six states. My lord will not interfere in any disputes in the Central Plains."

"Haha." Zhu Dalang played with a pair of night-shining pearls and said frivolously, "It is true that I also hate saints, but King Li wants me to help him with empty words? Does he have no idea about his own credibility?"

The guest looked embarrassed and said, "If Zhu Shuai has any ideas, please speak up."

Zhu Dalang adjusted his hair and said, "That's not enough. As long as I want to fight Wei Bo, I can defeat him in three months. In a battle, I can challenge the emperor and all the heroes alone. How much use will his secret help have?"

Zhu Dalang sat up suddenly, kicked Li Meiren and Chen Zhaoyi, who were serving him tenderly, and glared at him, "If you want a thief to do something, you should first be known as a thief! Send one million for the troops. Also, marry Zhu Xie Miaowei to me, or send a son to be my son-in-law. I will naturally mediate. If you lead an army of 200,000 to the west, dare the saint not to restore his official position? If the saint has any opinions, let him come to me! In the future, when your master has problems, I will also support him."

Seeing that the guests were skeptical, he sneered twice: "I am not that old dog Zhu Wen, don't worry, I keep my word!"

"This..." The guest hesitated. How could the little princess marry Zhu if she was loyal to the saint? Forcing her to marry Zhu would probably result in death. The young prince doted on her so much that he was afraid that he would not let her go. "General Zhu, I just submitted a petition to plead for my master to be reinstated. The price is not that high."

"That's enough!" Zhu Dalang waved his hand impatiently. "You are too stupid, Li Keyong is too stupid, I am too lazy to argue. I have long been a thorn in the eyes of the court, and it doesn't matter if I fight with the saint for a few more rounds. It's easy to put pressure on Li Keyong. But why? What does his life and death have to do with me! If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold? Then take action. What's the point of just talking?"

The guests secretly cursed Zhu Dalang for being insidious.

This guy clearly wants the king to choose sides between Bian and Chang'an.

"You have to understand." Zhu Dalang joked, "He can win me over to deal with the Saint, and the Saint can also win me over to deal with him. I can ally with Jin to fight against Tang, and I can also take the opportunity to impress the Saint. For example, take over Zelu and return it to the court together with Henan Prefecture? Li Keyong would not think that with his little tricks in Luzhou, he can stop me, right? For example, lead the army into the river and cooperate with the Saint to destroy him? Or, get rid of Yang Shouliang for the Saint and let the court directly govern Shaanxi and Guo? This is not difficult for me."

"As long as I want to be a loyal minister, what does Zhu Wen's past grudges matter to me?"

"In a nutshell, Li Keyong is not qualified to negotiate with me. He thinks of himself as a hero, but I think of him as a dog. Understand?"

After saying that, Zhu Dalang crossed his legs and lay down again, looking at the frightened guests: "Go back, and tell Lao Li that you are already in your forties, don't be so childish. If you stop here, maybe you can have a good ending."

The guest suppressed his fear and patiently advised: "In fact, Zhu Shuai doesn't need to do anything, but asking for a token of appreciation can be regarded as a good relationship and the basis of friendship."

"If the whole of Hedong is ruled by idiots like you and Li Keyong, it will be destroyed soon." Zhu Dalang slammed the table with a look of disgust on his face: "Get lost!"

The guest blushed and left with a bow.

"Marshal, without our support, given Li Keyong's personality, he will probably have no choice but to give it a try, right?" asked his aide Zuo Chuji.

"Does he dare?" Zhu Dalang said contemptuously, "What if he suffers a great defeat and is deprived of his position by Li Kening in Jinyang City, and is besieged by the troops of the Saint Yan people? Wouldn't that be unfair? Wait, when this person reports back, Li Keyong will know my intentions and will be frightened and run away. Help him make up his mind! He will not suffer, and the Saint will not suffer either, and this is the way to balance. If it were me, I would have to shrink my head now. If I am still arrogant at this time and want to stay out of trouble, I am not a hero, but I don't know how to live or die!"

"But..." Zuo Chuji asked doubtfully, "What if Li Keyong agrees to the Marshal's request and forms an alliance with me?"

"How do you do it?" Zhu Dalang hugged Lady Li and Chen Zhaoyi in his arms and said, "Sell him out and sit back and watch the chaos. I will do my own thing."

Zhu Dalang was in a panic, and he kept pressing on Chen and Li, making them gasp for breath. He said vaguely, "Not necessarily. Let's talk about it later. We still have to wait and see about the situation."

"Yes!" The live sex scene had already begun, and Zuo Chuji turned and left.

******
Changshan.

The city gate captain Wang Zimei leaned on the railing, looking at the Yongtai Temple and Lingxiao Pagoda across the wall, and remained silent for a long time.

How long can this peace and tranquility last?
After finishing his duty today, he went to meet with Liang Gongru, Li Honggui, Zhou Shi, Shangguan Daozi and other powerful officials in the military government to discuss current affairs.

Liu Rengong attacked Jin, and the Jin army in the north closed its gates and defended itself.

The Yiwu Army launched a rescue operation and went out of Feihukou to fight with the Yan Army in Weizhou.

Several leaders thought that the Yan army's deployment might be a blessing for the Holy Tang Dynasty, and could make Li Keyong return to his army. They also thought that the Yiwu army was not loyal, and if they helped Li Keyong share the pressure, the thief could stay in Guanzhong for another year or so.

Wang Zimei explained in detail the complex relationship between the imperial court and the various vassal states and towns in Hebei, and suggested an alliance with Yan to destroy Yi and cut off one of Li Keyong's arms, or to send troops out of Jingxing and enter Taiyuan Prefecture to force Li Keyong to return.

Several powerful officials were displeased when they heard this.

Li Honggui believed that he had brought disaster upon himself and would be blamed by that madman Li Keyong.

Liang Gongru felt that it was too arrogant to destroy Yiwu without authorization, and that they would have to face the Yan army directly after the border was established.

Zhou Shi was worried that if Hedong was destroyed, the imperial court would have ideas about Chengde after expanding to Hedong. They are allies now, but that doesn't mean they have always been allies. Weren't Li Keyong and the imperial court very close in the past few years?
In short, except for Shangguan Daozi who was relatively tough, others were unwilling to send troops for various reasons.

Li Honggui also said that General Wang had ordered to guard the borders carefully and provide all support to the sage except military force. He also mentioned that the military government had held a meeting and most people thought that the sage was stronger than Li Keyong and there was no need to send troops in the middle of winter.

Wang Zimei was in an even worse mood.

The holy Tang Dynasty was already riddled with holes, but the feudal lords' thoughts had not diminished a bit. Chengde had been peaceful for more than a hundred years, just like flowers in bloom, but smart people knew that it was difficult to continue. So many famous and wise men, great scholars, but most of them were busy with trivial matters, or they were drunk and immersed in the immortal way. As smart as he was, he had already been extremely discouraged. More than once, he had the ambition to come back. Find a field and bury my head in entertainment until I die.

Just when he was thinking about it, a saint suddenly emerged. He had no hobbies and no ties. He was diligent and hardworking, and only wanted to help the country. But he was not a reckless man. He almost single-handedly revived the morale of the people, and made the deadly Tang Dynasty suddenly rejuvenated.

Wang Zimei was curious about all this. She thought that the situation that Zhu Liang was destined to replace Tang Dynasty had changed just because of one person. Could this martial saint who created miracles change the dead end of Sheng Tang Dynasty?
He also knew that this expectation was too difficult. The country was in unprecedented chaos.

But he just wanted to see, is it the times that make people, or is it people who control the times?
At this moment, he was a little bit surprised. A saint is nothing more than a righteous man with a proud character and a strong heart. That's why a man with aspirations like Xiao Xiu is willing to sacrifice for him. But in Zhao's house, Xiao Xiu is just eating and waiting to die. That's why I am worried about advancing and retreating. I am afraid of failing the world when I am in the temple. I am worried about my king and the country when I am in the remote vassal state. If I didn't have ambitions, if I didn't feel that he was worth it, how could I have such complicated thoughts?

There are still men who value serving their country, their ambitions, and the world's harmony more than anything else.

There are still men who regard their own lives and property as light as a feather for this.

It’s just that it’s difficult for a true saint to gather these gentlemen together.

A saint can give up everything just to make his country prosperous forever. If Xiao Xiu can give it all, why can't I?
I should also try my best to get rid of the evildoers and work together with the saints to restore the imperial country. If I fail, the worst I can do is to die a martyr. I am a warrior, so I am not afraid of death. Compared with living in the world for decades, it is nothing.

I only hope that when I die, I can look back on the past without regret for wasting my life, without shame for doing nothing, and can say with a clear mind: "I am not alone. My life and everything, my best things, have been dedicated to the Holy Tang Dynasty, to the most magnificent cause - the Three Revitalizations of the Holy Tang Dynasty."

Looking at the mountains in the distance, on the other side of the Guanzhong Plain, perhaps the Saint and Ah Xiu are fighting a bloody battle!
"Brother, it's time for dinner." Third sister Wang Shujun climbed up to the attic and said with a smile, "What are you thinking about in life?"

"I have no control over Chengde's business, nor do I have the power to do so." Wang Zimei answered irrelevantly. He turned around, his expression gradually becoming resolute: "But I can't just sit there and do nothing. If Chengde doesn't send troops and only engages in verbal battles, how can I live up to the repeated favors of the saints? How can I have the face to go to Chang'an to meet them? If a minister does not punish the enemy, he is not a minister. If the king is humiliated, I will just stand by and watch. How can I convince myself? Moreover, among the towns in Hebei, Zhao is the smallest and most isolated. Once the war spreads, without the support of the saints, there will be bloodshed for thousands of miles. How can I live up to the elders? This is also something I cannot accept. I am no longer a general, but I have received great favors from the late king and the entrustment of the late monarch..."

"I want to fight again!"

"Even if it costs me my life, I must get the military to send troops!"

“Brother…” Wang Shujun had a complicated expression.

Wang Zimei walked away and went straight to see Wang Rong.

In the palace, Wang Rong, who had just taken the golden elixir, was meditating and cultivating his Qi. He did not want to see Wang Rong, but Wang Zimei stood outside the door and refused to leave. Wang Rong was annoyed and had to invite this guy in to see what he wanted.

"General, it is difficult to move a large army, but I am willing to move." Wang Zimei lifted his clothes and knelt down in front of the futon: "I want to fight. As long as 10,000 infantry and cavalry enter Jin, I will definitely instigate Li Keyong to turn around and support the saint!" His tone was fast and urgent, leaving no room for Wang Rong to interrupt: "General, General, I know it is difficult to respond with a whole town, and it is difficult for you. I only want 10,000 infantry and cavalry, 10,000! I am willing to swear an oath. If it succeeds, the credit goes to the military government. If it fails, if Keyong asks for punishment in the future, or in other situations, I will surrender my head and take responsibility, but I will be executed alone, and no one else will be involved! As for the loss, if it exceeds 3,000 men, the military government can just chop off this useless head!"

Wang Rong, in his flowing Taoist robe, sat cross-legged under the mural, just staring at Wang Zimei.

Wang Zimei's voice was crackling non-stop, causing the whole room to buzz in response: "If it succeeds, the Marshal will be promoted to a higher position, and the whole town will be honored. If it fails, it will only be my death, which is insignificant to Zhao. Besides, for the country and Zhao, why should I care about my life? I only ask the Marshal to help me!"

"How can I refuse such a man of integrity? I can give him 10,000 men." Wang Rong stroked his hair slowly and sighed, "But the Jin army has many soldiers and generals, and the division is connected to four towns. What use can 10,000 infantry and cavalry have?"

"Everything depends on human effort. I will do my best."

Wang Rong lowered his eyelids, looking somewhat lonely and puzzled: "You and the saint only met once, why do you have to do this?"

"Because it's worth it. Dying for the saint is my supreme honor!" Wang Zimei worshipped repeatedly on the cushion: "Sheng Tang can move without anyone, but without the saint, I think it really can't move, and it can't move for too long. People in the world will die without anyone, but many more will die without the saint. It's difficult for a country to have a lord who can make the country prosperous. It's like serving a god who can fall at any time..."

"Okay, okay." Wang Rong was fed up with the corny words and interrupted, "Think about it again."

"I swear to die in this plea!" Prince Mei bowed his head.

"You!" Wang Rong pointed his fingers up and down.

Outside the palace, Xiao Gan and Fu Shouchong, the generals who came after hearing the news, also knocked on the door. After being allowed in, the two knelt on one knee and took off their hats in their hands: "Last time when we were serving the king, the sage summoned us, and his words were full of thoughts for our country. Seeing each other with blood on the swords, why would we care about honors when we die? We are not willing to end up in chaos. What the military officials said is reasonable, but we must try our best and take a gamble! I only hope that I can serve my country for the rest of my life, and I don't have to return to Yumen Pass alive! I am worthy of being a warrior and shameless as a scholar."

"Okay, you three." Wang Rong looked at Xiao Gan and Fu Shouchong in surprise. These two handsome and tall Xiren and Han yamen generals were standing on one knee like sculptures. At this point, they could only go with the flow, and the officials had no rebuttal. Are they going to suppress the actions of 10,000 people who take responsibility for themselves? These three guys are not vegetarians either, and they will definitely draw their swords against each other.

Looking at Wang Zimei, then at Xiao Gan and Fu Shouchong, Wang Rong just laughed twice: "All right! All right! The Zhao family is indeed full of loyal people! In this case, I can only promise one thing. The safety of the saint depends on you three! Go to the clerk's room and bring pen and ink!"

After that, he looked at Wang Zimei and the other two indifferently, and said coldly: "Chengde can't fight to the death with Li Keyong for the three of you. As Zimei said, regardless of success or failure, as long as Li Keyong wants to punish you and kill you, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Wang Zimei was indifferent, she just bowed, and said in unison with Xiao Gan: "Just as you said!"

After leaving the mansion, Xiao Gan said with a smile: "Zimei, let's go now. How about leaving in three days? When we get to Taiyuan Prefecture, give Li Keyong a big gift!"

Wang Zimei smiled bitterly: "You... this is my business, why are you bothering me?"

Xiao Gan flicked his whip and said, "The bodies of the 30,000 soldiers at the foot of Chiri Ridge were eaten up by the Jin people. I watched them being dismembered and put into the pot... How could I let them be humiliated in vain? This damn place is so boring, it's better to be on the battlefield!"

After saying this, he rode away in a big hurry.

Wang Zimei smiled faintly and looked up to face the heavy snow.

Saint, I offer you the loyalty of a warrior who has never had any faith, until death.

If we work together, we will surely be able to restore light!
(End of this chapter)