Early morning, mist.
A motorcade left Xiyangmen and stopped after traveling a few miles.
The sergeant immediately unfolded his weapons and climbed up to a high platform with a clatter. Then he hung up his crossbow and arranged sword and shield bearers and foot archers.
The high platform is very large and can accommodate hundreds of troops. It is more than five feet high. It was built by Liang Ji, the general of the Han Dynasty, and is called the "Emperor's Platform".
To the north of the Princess's Terrace is a large, messy building that has been burned by fire many times and not a single one of them remains.
This is one of the markets outside Luoyang City (Dashi, Nanshi, Mashi). It goes back eight miles and is very large. At its peak, there were all kinds of food, cloth, leather, salt and oil, sugar and tea, fruits and vegetables, etc., and the varieties were very wide.
Rich.
The largest fruit and vegetable store in the city is owned by Wang Yan's family. It has been closed for a long time. The store and warehouse have even been burned down, and it seems that it can no longer be opened.
To the north of the city is the imperial road outside Xiyang Gate. After entering, it is connected to the imperial road inside Xiyang Gate, which leads directly to the palace. At this time, troops are passing by, and they are marching out in large numbers.
Xu Lang, the commander of Zuowei's Third Division, looked at the imperial palace, pointed his hand, and said: "The two mountains are also occupied, with two hundred men each. We will set up another stronghold behind the fish pond, with four hundred men."
"No." A military academy took the order and left.
The first gate from south to north in the west end of Luoyang is Ximing Gate, and the second gate is Xiyang Gate.
The big market is a landmark building outside Xiyang Gate. There is the Queen's Terrace in the south and two earth mountains in the northwest. They are artificially built - "the mountains are built with earth, and there are nine slopes in ten miles to resemble the two hills."
As for what the fish pond at the foot of the mountain symbolizes, there are different opinions. It is more likely that it does not symbolize anything at all, it is just a big pit dug out of the mountain using soil to build it.
"Guarding the west city, but not even guarding the high places outside the city, this battle was so bad." Xu Lang sighed for a while and then shut up, without saying anything more.
When Xin'an was defeated, the retreating battalions were panic-stricken and their command was incompetent. They all wanted to infiltrate into the city and did not want to stay outside the city as scapegoats. At this time, who would actively set up defense lines?
It was only when most of the Hun cavalry outside the city had dispersed and they no longer looked so scary that they had the courage to leave the city and build a peripheral defense line outside the city.
"General, has Shi Le gone to Nancheng?" Huang Biao, commander of the forward battalion, took two steps closer and asked quietly.
"Yes." Xu Lang nodded.
"Then they must be cutting off the army's return route." Huang Biao said anxiously: "Why not send troops quickly to rescue him?"
"Who gave the order?" Xu Lang asked.
Huang Biao choked.
Xun Song's army was defeated and demoted several levels in a row. Now the Forbidden Army does not even have a commander. In theory, it is all under the control of Taiwei Wang Yan. But Wang Yan cannot let these defeated soldiers leave the city at this time.
Isn’t that sending someone to death?
"Don't worry." Xu Lang said: "Shi Le sent out only cavalry and no baggage troops. Starting from Xin'an, he can only carry food and water for seven days at most. If there is nothing to plunder, he will go back in a few days."
Huang Biao was still a little worried.
I don’t know what kind of battle Bei’an will be in. Even if they win, how long will they have enough food and grass to last?
One hundred thousand dendrobiums were given in early August, more than one hundred thousand dendrobiums were given in early September, and Xinzheng allocated 50,000 dendrobiums, which was enough for less than four months.
Even if some people were killed and some horses were injured in the battle, it would still be enough to last until the end of September at most.
Once defeated, it is really unimaginable.
Now Shi Le occupies the south bank of the Yellow River and sends cavalry to patrol along the river, which greatly affects the boat ferry supplies.
The most important thing is not this, but where the follow-up food and grass will come from!
Thinking of this, he decided to write a letter and send it to Xuchang, asking Duke Cao to find a solution as soon as possible. Don't count on the court. He doubted that the emperor would not give grain to Duke Chen at all, let alone send it out.
The sergeants leaving the city had already begun to build a defense line around the city. Xu Lang watched for a while, then got off the Queen's Platform, got on his horse, and patrolled along the Xiyang Gate Royal Road.
More than half a month has passed since the Battle of Xin'an. The Luoyang Forbidden Army has gradually recovered to 24,000 to 5,000 people, which is almost the same as before the war. However, the number is about the same, but the quality is much different.
He looked at Ximingmen to the south again.
The sergeants also left the city, but they only set up camp outside the city gate. They did not even dare to camp four miles outside the city like Xiyang Gate.
The frightened bird is full of gloom and gloom, what can I say?
****
Noon, light rain.
A motorcade arrived outside the pagoda of Prince Minhuai. The monks had been notified long ago and came out to greet and even salute.
According to the rules, people outside the country do not need to salute the Heavenly Family. But when is it now? The mages also have brains, why don’t they kneel down and lick some food and come back? If you continue this, let alone ringing the bell, you will not even have the energy to chant sutras.
ah.
Queen Liang Lanbi got out of the car, wearing a hat on her head, and after greeting the monks, she entered a Buddhist hall on the northwest side.
Everything had been prepared in the Buddhist hall. After the incense was burned, sutras and blessings were chanted.
Miao Yuan, the general in the palace, led his troops to protect the people outside and occasionally looked at the scenery of the temple.
Don't tell me, these mages really know how to enjoy themselves.
Although it is located in the city of Luoyang, it is well-kept, with green trees and bamboo groves, ponds, gardens, and winding corridors, and the scenery is quiet.
There are forty-two Buddhist temples around Luoyang, including the White Horse Temple, the Bodhisattva Temple, the Shita Temple, the Manshui Temple, the Dashi Temple, the Fashili Temple, the Panshan Temple, the Pagoda of Prince Huai, etc.
To be honest, these Buddhist temples have been affected by the war to a certain extent, and life is a bit difficult. The Prince Minhuai Pagoda located in Luoyang City can only survive through donations from the royal family and ministers.
The queen came to pray today, and the wizards were extremely happy.
Miao Yuan held his saber and began to patrol carefully.
In the Buddhist hall, Liang Lanbi had already taken out Buddhist scriptures one after another.
The Buddhist scriptures are made of elm hairpins (dǎng), which are extremely precious. They were originally stored in the White Horse Temple - "In the beginning, the elm hairpins held the sutras, and the white horse held the picture on the back, which represented the middle summer, so the white horse was the name of the temple."
The characters on the wooden slip were densely packed and elegant. Liang Lanbi could still read them smoothly, apparently having read them many times.
After reading one page, the palace staff gently placed the second one and then put away the previous one.
Liang Lanbi's legs felt numb as she read, but she held back and persisted in reading the last word.
The palace servant put away the last wooden slip.
Liang Lanbi closed her eyes and prayed silently: "I only hope that the world will be peaceful, that the monarch and his ministers will get along well with each other, and that the people will be healthy. If this wish comes true, I will devote myself to worshiping the Buddha and making offerings to him..."
After praying, his eyes were slightly red, and he said silently in his heart: "If there is any disaster, come to me. The emperor is just too worried, and even makes mistakes."
After reciting, he calmed down and slowly walked out of the Buddhist hall with the help of palace attendants.
The autumn wind rustled and fallen leaves covered the ground.
Seeing such a desolate scene, Liang Lanbi felt even more sad. She tightened the letter in her sleeves and hesitated.
The monks stood at a distance, bowing their heads and clasping their hands.
Liang Lanbi scanned them one by one and sighed softly when he saw a few thin little novice monks.
She called a palace maid, whispered something in a low voice, and then handed the letter to her.
The maid left quietly.
The rain gradually stopped, and the dark clouds quietly dispersed, revealing a few golden rays of light.
A look of surprise appeared on Liang Lanbi's face.
It turns out that I did nothing wrong? Does God also praise me in this way?
Duke Chen's army is Luoyang's last barrier. If it is left on the north bank of the river, Wang Mi can break through Luoyang without even needing the Xiongnu army to come. With Shi Le alone.
But then she felt a little panicked, because the rumors being spread were so scary that even she was shaken.
Isn’t Mr. Chen like this?
If you offend him, you will be in dire straits.
Liang Lanbi sighed in a low voice and walked out of the Minhuai Prince Pagoda in a distracted state, got in the car and left.
****
In the evening, the clouds fill the western sky.
Wang Yan was sitting behind the desk, slowly reading a letter.
The letter was written by Shao Xun. He wrote it in the Xiongnu camp at Chamati five days ago and sent it to Luoyang.
After reading, Wang Yan closed his eyes and thought silently.
No one in the capital knew the outcome of the Battle of Zhemati yet. Most of the ministers only knew that the war started there, or they learned about it from the court meeting.
Wang Yan has not expressed any opinions on this battle.
While watching with cold eyes, he discovered that the court had actually been divided.
If in the past, everyone had to cooperate with Mr. Chen because of their wealth and life, but it was different now.
Some people really want Chen Gong to uphold the government.
Follow the story of Sima Yue, taking charge of the imperial army, the court, and the governor's war against the Huns.
The result of the Battle of Chamati has not yet been reported, and many people support Chen Gong. What will happen if he wins?
Wang Yan just felt a little ridiculous, laughing at these people and himself.
At this time, I won’t mention Shao Xun’s background. I can tolerate him climbing on top of me, being arrogant at first and then respectful later. The thought of it makes people laugh.
"Alas!" Wang Yan put down the letter.
Reality is the most educational.
If I can bear it once or twice, it will not change my views since I was young.
What about three or four times? I’m afraid it’s a bit shaken.
Okay, you could still hold it three or four times. Now it has been five or six times, can you still hold it?
In Luoyang City, even the families of the ministers did not have much food left, let alone the common people.
At the end of this battle, whether Chen Gong wins or not, there will be another wave of southward climax.
Those who are unwilling to cross south should think carefully about who can protect their own interests better? The imperial court or Chen Gong?
After sighing, Wang Yan took a pen and paper, wrote a letter, and ordered the servant to send it to the Chenjun Du branch.
Meizi is supervising the water transportation in Chen County, and another batch of water ships will be coming soon.
With this letter, he will definitely go to Cao Fu to discuss it. With the two of them working together, things will be easier to handle.
The emperor is really fooling around! No matter how long it takes. If you continue this, everyone will betray you and no one will be able to save you. In this matter, Wang Yan will not understand the emperor's worries, nor is he willing to understand.
After the letter was sent, he picked up another one on the desk and began to read it a second time, tasting the flavor carefully.
The letter was written by Mao Hong (Director Wang), and it was mostly related to Jianye.
After reading it, Wang Yan was very emotional, it was not easy for Mao Hong there.
When they first crossed to the south, the Wu people didn't buy it and even looked at them coldly. Unfortunately, they had to bring a lot of people with them, so the expenses were huge and they couldn't make ends meet.
At the most difficult time, all the officials in the shogunate of King Langya rushed to tell each other when they got a dolphin, and they were extremely happy.
Several years have passed, and the situation has greatly improved.
Maohong cultivated relationships and made friends everywhere. He even attended gatherings of powerful people with lower status in Jiangdong regardless of his status. This gradually made Jiangdong's wealthy people have a different view of King Langya and gradually supported him.
Then he wooed powerful people in Wu, gave them official positions and real power, and boasted for them, which put tremendous pressure on the aristocratic families of Wu, headed by the Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang families.
Now, the Jiangdong nobles and powerful people have come to join us, and their foundation has become increasingly solid, and life has become much better.
Next, Maohong needs to balance the relationship between the Nandu scholars, Jiangdong scholars, and the new rich and powerful.
This is what Wang Yan is good at, and it is also the unique skill of the Wang family. He is not worried at all.
What he was more worried about was the attitude of the Jianye shogunate towards Shao Xun.
Mao Hong asked Shao Xun in the letter whether he would risk the disapproval of the world, control the government, and abolish the establishment of the government.
Wang Yan could only smile bitterly at this.
Since when have we started fighting among ourselves?
Is internal fighting a characteristic of our Jin Dynasty?
He knew very well the meaning of Mao Hong's question. It was simply that King Langya and the three forces that were gradually forming behind him (Nandu nobles, Jiangdong old money, and powerful new rich) were paying attention to the Luoyang court and testing whether it was still necessary to respect this court.
.
If you feel it is necessary, just hold your nose and continue delivering money, food and materials.
If it is not necessary, then let King Langya "take over the supervision of the country" in Jianye.
As for who is the producer and supervisory country, it doesn't matter, as long as the Jiangdong forces recognize you.
Since Chen Min's rebellion, the Jiangdong gentry have been wandering between self-reliance and non-self-reliance, with a very serious tendency to centrifuge.
Nowadays, the prestige of the imperial court is far less than when Chen Min started the rebellion, and there are even more people who support self-reliance.
If one is not careful, the Jin Dynasty will fall apart.
Wang Yan did not allow such a thing to happen. He felt that he had to go to the palace to "converse" the emperor to dispel his worries and not force him to rebel.
With the battle of Zhemati defeated, the three cities of Heyang can be built as scheduled. Next, it is up to Chen Gong to deal with Wang Mi who is entrenched in Hongnong.
Chapter completed!