Shen Yi only knew a rough idea of what happened in Yandu, but from this rough idea, he himself deduced some results.
In Xuzhou City, the banquet for Zhang Jian was ready. The two senior brothers sat across the table from each other. After Shen Yi poured Zhang Jian a glass of wine, he said with a smile: "Hu Qi's place is probably passed to The third child, but the fourth child is not convinced and will mutiny."
"The Qi army near Xuzhou was suddenly reduced by half. This is the reason."
After the two people clinked glasses, Mr. Shen continued: "However, there are many doubts about this matter. For example, there are many forbidden troops near Yandu, but they have not taken any action."
"Moreover, the Hu Emperor of the Northern Qi Dynasty is not a mediocre ruler. Even if he is old, he will not be able to control the situation. However, this time the succession of the throne in Yandu turned out to be such a mess."
Shen Yi squinted his eyes and smiled: "I can't think clearly about this matter after thinking about it."
Zhang Jian ate his food. After hearing this, he looked up at Shen Yi and said with a smile: "Zi Heng thinks about things that are not clear, so he might as well put them into Xuan Shuo."
Shen Yi was a little curious and asked, "What do you mean by Xuan Shuo?"
"National Destiny."
Zhang Fuzun smiled and said: "Perhaps there really is a pair of invisible hands in the dark, controlling the destiny of the world. The barbarians occupied the Central Plains for more than a century, but now their destiny is over."
"So he made a lot of mistakes."
Shen Yi was thoughtful, looked up at the sky outside the window, and then shook his head slightly: "I think luck depends on people. Master Zhu Li has only been in the pass for a few generations, and most of them have become so-called nobles who can't get a job. They only know how to eat, drink and have fun. There is absolutely no thought of being prepared for danger in times of peace.”
"After entering Xuzhou, more than 60% of the wealthy and wealthy households in the city belong to Zhu Li, and the remaining 30 to 40% are also related to Zhu Li."
Zhang Jian was silent for a while, then sighed slowly: "I heard that the Huai'an army confiscated Zhu Li's family property and confiscated the food of the big families in the city."
"Although it is refreshing to do this, if the general is spread out, the Northern Expedition may be more difficult in the future."
"The confiscation of Zhu Li's family property made me angry for a moment, but then I thought about it carefully and didn't think there was anything wrong with it."
Mr. Shen smiled and said: "After all, in this Northern Expedition, we are either going to drive them away or kill them. Even if we don't confiscate their property, they will still fight with us."
Zhang Jian thought for a while, then nodded and said: "That's the truth."
Mr. Shen took a sip of wine.
"These Zhuli masters no longer have the glory they once had. There is no need to be afraid of them."
Shen Yi said softly: If we don't be cruel to them, how can we avenge the past?"
"Emperor Sejong and many ministers who made the southern journey are still in hanging coffins and have not been buried."
Hearing this, Zhang Jian stopped talking.
The ancestors of the Zhang family came from the south. Compared with the aborigines of Jiangnan like the Shen family, the hatred between the country and the family was deeper.
After the two people talked for a while, Shen Yi started to talk about the progress of the Northern Expedition.
"If the fourth son of the Northern Qi Dynasty is indeed plotting rebellion, then after he ascends to the throne, he will need to defend Yandu with heavy troops for a long time."
"We can no longer divide our troops and go south."
Mr. Shen said with a smile: "Besides, before the end of the year, the imperial court's West Route Army will also take shape and march directly to Henan. If Northern Qi has to deal with it, it will inevitably divide its troops into two groups."
"Until the end of the year, the war situation will be optimistic."
After Zhang Jian thought for a while, he asked: "Will the Huai'an army have any major battles before the end of the year?"
Shen Yi shook his head silently: "Things on the battlefield are changing rapidly, and I can't explain it clearly now. But if the war goes well, we can push it to the north. It would be best..."
Master Shen said softly.
"The best thing is to get it back to Yanzhou Mansion."
Hearing the words "Yanzhou Prefecture", Zhang Jian put down the wine glass in his hand, silently raised his head to look at Shen Yi, and said, "Zi Heng wants to take Qufu?"
Qufu is the hometown of saints and the birthplace of Confucianism. Although it is not a large place, it is very important politically.
For many years, the Northern and Southern Dynasties did not recognize each other as orthodox, but Nanchen, who preferred to settle in the south of the Yangtze River, was somewhat less confident. Part of the reason was because Qufu was now in the hands of the Northern Qi Dynasty.
The Northern Qi Dynasty also worshiped saints and respected Confucianism.
It would be of great significance if it could be retrieved.
Shen Yi picked up the wine glass, clinked it with Zhang Jian, and said with a smile: "It's just a thought. At the moment, stability is the priority."
After the two of them drank the wine, Shen Yi asked: "In addition to sending the prefect, Senior Brother, does the imperial court have any other officials? There are many prefectures and counties under the Xuzhou Prefecture that need officials."
Zhang Jian smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I came here right after I accepted the order. I don't know anything else about it, but as of now, I'm afraid I'm the only one."
"Senior brother, please visit Xuzhou more these days."
Mr. Shen smiled and said: "Wait a while, the second brother will be here. You and the second brother should communicate well. During your absence, the second brother will be responsible for the money, food and people's livelihood in Xuzhou."
Shen Yi paused and said, "And he did a good job."
"I'm going to write to the imperial court to recommend him as the magistrate of Xuzhou and senior brother Sasuke."
"Jizhou?"
Zhang Jian was a little surprised.
"He is in charge of Xuzhou's money, food and people's livelihood?"
As soon as Zhang Fuzun finished speaking, Zhao Jizhou's careless voice came from outside: "The person named Zhang looks down on me. Don't even think of asking me anything in the future!"
Shen Yi stood up to greet him and said with a smile: "Senior brother, please don't offend your second brother. Now I have to beg from him for the food I eat."
Zhang Jian also stood up and said with a smile: "It seems that the Qinhuai River is indeed a place to spend time. Jizhou is showing off its talents by following Zi Heng."
The three brothers looked at each other and laughed heartily.
………………
Yandu City, Xiude Hall.
Zhao Kai, the fourth son of the emperor, dressed in purple, was already sitting on the throne of Xiude Hall.
Lang Yan clasped his fists at him and said, "Your Highness, all the resisting forces in the city have been eliminated, and we have controlled everything inside and outside the palace."
Having said this, he paused and said in a deep voice: "Many generals of the Forbidden Army want to come to see His Highness."
Hearing the news, Zhao Kai took several deep breaths, unable to conceal the excitement in his heart. After a long time, he calmed down and said in a hoarse voice: "We will hold a banquet in the palace to entertain the generals of the Forbidden Army."
Lang Yan lowered his head and said, "Yes."
After that, he turned and left.
Zhou Yuanlang on the side, after hesitating for a while, whispered: "Your Highness, at this time, the Forbidden Army has no other way to go. I think that the first thing to do should not be to reward the Forbidden Army, but to find out..."
"The truth about King Qi's regicide."
Zhao Kai narrowed his eyes and said, "What else can be investigated? It is an indisputable fact that King Qi, together with Tong Jian and Ma Cheng, forced the palace to commit regicide and tampered with the imperial edict!"
"Who knows, up and down the capital of Yan?"
Zhou Yuanlang shook his head slightly and said: "Your Highness, others are afraid of the military power and have to follow His Highness's will, but they can't help but think too much in their hearts. At this moment, we need to rectify our hearts."
Zhao Kai looked at Zhou Yuanlang, and after being silent for a while, he still said, "Why do you teach me, sir?"
Zhou Yuanlang lowered his head and said, "My subordinates found out that Tong Ma and I were not the only ones who entered the palace to meet His Majesty. Prime Minister Yan Li also entered the palace."
"It's just that after entering the palace, he complained of illness and couldn't get out."
"Your Highness can go to Yan's Mansion and ask Prime Minister Yan to come out."
He lowered his head and said: "As long as Prime Minister Yan comes out, he can immediately correct people's hearts and establish the direction of the government."
Zhou Yuanlang knew what Zhao Kai was thinking. After a pause, he added: "In this way, His Highness's ascension to the throne will be justified."
When he heard the words "ascended to the throne", Zhao Kai's eyes lit up. He stood up and said, "Let's go to Yan's house."
Zhou Yuanlang did not move and continued: "Your Highness, in addition to this, we must also publish a notice that King Qi has deceived the government and the public. The whole government will not be held accountable except for Tong and Ma's family."
"In this way, the outline of the court has been decided."
Up to now, Zhao Kai was still very satisfied with Zhou Yuanlang. He nodded, waved his hand and said: "In that case, Mr. Zhou, go and draft the notice. After you finish writing it, show it to me first."
Zhou Yuanlang quickly lowered his head: "I obey my orders."
Zhao Kai reluctantly stepped down from the throne, looked back at the chair, and smiled at Zhou Yuanlang: "Sir, will you accompany me to the Yan family?"
"I obey my orders."
Less than half an hour later, Zhao Kai, with bloody hands, arrived at the door of Yan's house.
Before the door was called, the middle door of the Yan family opened wide.
The old prime minister bowed down and walked out with strict courtesy. Without saying a word, he knelt on the ground with a plop.