How long does it take for a prince, with the emperor's will, to rush to the border of the empire at full speed under the escort of factory guards?
The answer is very fast, so fast that ordinary people cannot imagine it. Although compared with the 600-mile express to express military information urgently, the 800-mile express is definitely incomparable. However, it is inevitable that the road will be smooth wherever you go, and Xu Yongzhen is impatient.
Not to mention state affairs, the comfort of traveling and so on.
By the time he arrived in Liaoyang in turmoil, Jiang Wan was still in Phoenix City and had not returned to Zhenjiang Fort.
Sun Chuanting didn't know the purpose of the Duke's visit, but Xu Yongzhen told him without any secret that the purpose of his trip was Zhenjiang Fort. Although Sun Chuanting was a little surprised, thinking about the achievements of Liaodong Dusi this time, he felt like
Not so surprising anymore.
Out of caution, Sun Chuanting still hoped that Kaizhou would send an outpost, and Xu Yongzhen had to be patient and wait for the news from Zhenjiang Fort to return.
Liaoyang is already the front line, and Zhenjiang Fort is the front line among the front lines. Even if Xu Yongzhen is eager to complete his errands, he also knows that if his arrival affects Sun Chuanting or Jiang Wan's battle plan
, that is definitely inappropriate. As for putting yourself in danger, it is even more irresponsible to the emperor and yourself.
In terms of stability and maturity, he, as the eldest brother, is infinitely better than Xu Renzhi.
Xu Caining did not come with him. Knowing that he was coming to Liaodong, Xu Caining did not ask to follow him, nor did he mention this. Both of them knew that at this time, probably anyone in the Xu family could go to Liaodong, but only Xu Caining and
His children must stay in the capital.
However, as the commander of Guangning Guards, Xu Renzhi followed Xu Yongzhen to Liaoyang after Xu Yongzhen arrived in Jinzhou. It is said that father and son go into battle and brothers fight tigers. He took his confidants to protect his brother all the way.
In Liaoyang, no one can blame him at all.
When the two brothers were stranded in Liaoyang, waiting for news from Zhenjiang Fort, they were severely shocked by the situation in front of them. The so-called hardships on the front line were completely different from what they heard and saw with their own eyes.
Looking around, Liaoyang City is full of ruins. Except for the place where the army was stationed and the Liaoyang Governor's Yamen, which is still a little bit in shape, there are almost no complete buildings in the entire Liaoyang City.
This shows how brutal the battle in Liaoyang was that day.
There are quite a few simple shacks made of grass and trees. It is said that they are the residences of newly arrived immigrants. However, because of the several wars that Liaoyang has experienced, the trees near the city have been cut down by the army. Although there is no shortage in Liaodong,
Timber, but if these immigrants in Liaoyang City want to cut down wood to build houses, they have to spend far more time and energy than in other places.
It is said that Sun Chuanting also specially organized a logging team to find forests outside the city and cut down the trees and bring them to the city. However, based on what the two brothers saw now, it was obvious that the efficiency of this logging team was not very high.
"You said that you escorted Wang Chengen to Jiang Wan that day and stayed there for such a long time. Didn't you see any clues?"
"Brother, you can't say that about me!" Xu Renzhi's chat with his brother was naturally not serious: "Then I am the brother-in-law. What clues can I see? I am not his subordinate. I just went to Guangning to take up the post.
, by the way, I stayed at his place for a while. If you really want to know any clues, wouldn’t you know everything by asking my sister? I can’t hide my brother-in-law’s things from anyone but my sister, right?”
"How could she know the details!" Xu Yongzhen glared at his brother: "She is in the capital, and Jiang Wan is in Zhenjiang Fort. Can these things be written to her in a letter? That Jiang Yanran comes back and forth to our house.
When we were walking, I should have known that something was wrong, that girl was so arrogant, even if something happened, it was Jiang Wan who told her, and she told Caining!"
"Then she can't handle things well!" Xu Renzhi curled his lips: "Everyone close to Jiang Wan found a reason to leave the capital, but he left my sister and my nephew in the capital. If His Majesty really turns against him
, then my sister will suffer. As for our family’s reputation, I’m afraid we can’t save my sister!”
"Caining must not leave the capital!" Xu Yongzhen saw this clearly: "If Caining really left the capital, then there is no need for me to appear here today, which means that Jiang Wan has completely
He doesn't trust His Majesty, and even has objections. If that is the case, His Majesty's first thought is not to appease him, but to think about how to get rid of him..."
He sighed heavily: "The imperial court has had a hard time in the past few years, and your Majesty's life has not been easy either. There have been disasters inside, the refugees are making trouble everywhere, the Tartars have repeatedly invaded the border outside, and the troops inside and outside the court are unable to make ends meet. Moreover, those who are making trouble
The refugees were put down by the imperial soldiers and horses, and the Tartars outside the pass will definitely make trouble again. And when the imperial soldiers and horses turn their heads to deal with the Tatars with all their strength, the troubled refugees will definitely reappear, making our court unhappy.
Stop..."
Xu Renzhi also sighed in agreement: "Yes, brother, what are you talking about in this world? Why is it so unstoppable? Our Ming Dynasty has blessed the world and has strong soldiers and horses, so why is it like this?
…”
"So, Jiang Wan must return to Beijing!" Xu Yongzhen said with a very serious face: "I pledged my life in front of His Majesty. If he doesn't return to Beijing, I can't believe what will happen next.
Our ancestors have enjoyed the country's favor for generations in the name of loyalty since they became ancestors. Our family's title is 'Dingguo', and now, what we do must not bear the word 'Dingguo'!"
"I understand!" Xu Renzhi nodded: "I will do whatever the elder brother says. At this time, I should repay the country's favor first, and then talk about personal affairs!"
"There is one more thing you should know!" Xu Yongzhen glanced at his brother: "When I came out, His Majesty asked me to report on the establishment of the crown prince, which probably made me feel at ease. Song'er is still young. In the current situation,
Under the circumstances, making him the crown prince is not a wise choice..."
Xu Renzhi took a breath and looked at his elder brother sincerely: "Brother, I can't do it, and besides, you are still alive and well..."
Xu Yongzhen looked at his brother angrily: "If you open your mouth to Jiang Wan, please stop talking..."
Xu Yongzhen, who was almost thrown off his rhythm by Xu Renzhi, took a deep breath, calmed down his emotions, and said slowly: "Of course I know you can't do it, so Caining and I discussed it, if
Jiang Wan really returned to Beijing this time. Then, he and Caining's second son, I want to come to the Xu family and follow our surname. Our Xu family can have two families in one family, or maybe one family.
The Duke of the Three Kingdoms..."
"Ah..." Xu Renzhi looked at Xu Yongzhen, and his mind didn't turn around. His eyes widened and his mouth opened wide, as if he was frightened.
"Jiang Wan wants to be knighted?"
"What do you think?"
Xu Yongzhen shook his head and sighed: "There are really not many things the court can give him..."