In Lin'an, Zhang Jun's report on Wang Gui's impeachment was sent to Emperor Zhao Gou's court.
In the report, Zhang Jun added another crime to Wang Gui on top of the three crimes against counselor Wang Jingxiu, cooperating with the Western Army to collect ships on the east bank of the Han River, leaving them without boats to cross the river.
The situation was serious, and Zhao Gou was so angry that he immediately summoned several ministers to discuss countermeasures.
Qin Hui bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I agree with Zhang Jun's impeachment. In fact, the reason is very simple. So many of Yue Fei's troops surrendered to the Western Army. It is impossible for Wang Gui's army to be completely different from the previous army. They must have been there before.
There are countless connections. First of all, there are many family members of Yue Fei's army in Xiangyang, and Wang Gui did not drive them away. Based on this, Wang Gui could not distance himself from the relationship between him and the Western Army.
Your Majesty, Chen Qing has captured the Jinghu South Road. Even if he is not eager to capture the Jinghu North Road, the Jinghu North Road must still be under his control. Wang Gui is probably loyal to Your Majesty in name only, but in fact he has secretly defected to Chen Qing.
"
Zhu Shengfei also said: "Wei Chen found it strange that the salt tax revenue from Jinghu North Road has been almost zero in the past two years. It is impossible for the people not to eat salt. So where does their salt come from? It turns out that the salt tax from Jinghu North Road has been seized by Chen Qing
Well, how could Wang Gui not know about such a major event? Beizhi has specially checked and found that the time when we lost the salt tax on Jinghu North Road coincided with the time when he became the chief military officer. So Beizhi is almost certain that it was him.
Introducing official salt from Sichuan and Shaanxi to Jinghu North Road."
The emperor Zhao Gou actually had a very good impression of Wang Gui. He felt that he could withstand Chen Qing's temptation and defend Xiangyang for himself. His loyalty was commendable and worthy of praise, so he appointed Wang Gui as the envoy of Xiangzhou and ordered him to lead the way.
Twenty thousand troops guard Xiangyang. If nothing happens, Zhao Gou will be promoted to the commander of the capital by the end of the year.
But the biggest problem with Zhao Gou is that he has a soft ear. He can easily waver in his stance and easily listen to slander. Zhang Jun's impeachment letter is well-founded and well-organized. He has already believed it seven to eight points. Now he has added two prime ministers.
With rational analysis, Zhao Gou was completely convinced.
He walked a few steps with his hands behind his hands, then turned back and asked Xu Xiantu, "What do you think, Mr. Xu?"
Xu Xiantu said calmly: "We will not wrong any good person, and we will never let go of the ministers who betrayed the court and His Majesty. I suggest we use the old method. Xuan Wanggui went to Beijing to report on his duties, and then temporarily placed him under house arrest and sent people to investigate the situation.
If it’s true, then Wang Gui will be held accountable, and I’m afraid he won’t be able to escape.”
"Wei Chen also agrees with Xianggong Xu's opinion!"
Qin Hui said on the side: "If Wang Gui has no guilt in his heart, he should go to Beijing calmly. If he has a ghost in his heart, he will definitely find various reasons to shirk it. At this time, your majesty will authorize Zhang Jun to find a way to relieve him."
With Wang Gui’s military power, he was escorted back to Lin’an for trial.”
Zhu Shengfei also said: "Wei ministers also agree to call him to Beijing to report on his work!"
Zhao Gou made up his mind and nodded, "That's good! Pass on my decree and immediately summon Wang Gui, the envoy of Xiangzhou, to come to Beijing to report on his duties!"
Zhao Gou used the gold medal to rush by foot, traveling day and night, covering three hundred miles a day. Five days later, the imperial edict calling Wang Gui to Beijing to report on his duties was delivered to Xiangyang City.
At noon, Lieutenant General Tang Huai walked into the Tanxi Restaurant located in the west of Xiangyang City. He came to the Haitang Room and met Xu Mu who was waiting for him. The day after Xu Mu met Cai Rang, he visited Tang Huai again.
.
Tang Huai and Xu Qing had a very close personal relationship. Xu Mu handed Xu Qing's letter of persuasion to Tang Huai, and Tang Huai was tempted by Xu Qing's persuasion. Xu Mu promptly handed Chen Qing's letter to Tang Huai, and Tang Huai
Huai finally made up his mind to join the Western Army.
Of course Chen Qing would not hang himself on a tree. What he wanted was Xiangyang, not Wang Gui. If Wang Gui refused to surrender, then Tang Huai's surrender would be the same thing.
"Counsellor Xu, today the imperial court sent someone to deliver the emperor's edict. The emperor summoned Wang Tongzhi to return to the capital to report on his duties."
Xu Mu quickly asked: "When did it happen?"
"Just now, half an hour ago."
Xu Mu pondered for a moment and then asked: "What is Wang Gui's attitude?"
"Wang Gui didn't say anything and locked himself in the big tent."
"Did he summon Cai Rang?" Xu Mu asked again.
Tang Huai shook his head, "He didn't summon anyone."
After a pause, Tang Huai asked in surprise: "Is it possible that Cai Rang is also loyal to King Yong?"
Xu Mu smiled slightly and said: "The Cai family is a local snake in Xiangyang. Do you think they will be loyal to the imperial court or to King Yong?"
Tang Huai said calmly: "Lin'an is too far away, and King Yong's power is just a stone's throw away from Xiangyang. The Cai family may not even be as good as an ant in the eyes of the emperor, but in the eyes of King Yong, at least it is still a local snake that can be relied on. Of course the Cai family will choose
King Yong!"
"That's right. King Yong promised the Cai family that if things come true, he will appoint Cai Rang as the general magistrate of Xiangzhou. Likewise, regardless of whether Wang Gui surrenders to King Yong or not, King Yong will appoint General Tang as the commander, and Xu Qing,
Yue Yun and Zhang Xian are on the same level."
Tang Huai was moved and said: "The emperor regards us as rebels. Only King Yong values us so much. King Yong has given us the kindness of knowing us. Alas! I only regret that I did not decisively defect to His Highness King Yong last year."
Xu Mu smiled and comforted him and said: "This is God's will. God wanted King Yong to get Xiangyang, so he kept you here. So many things do not depend on leaving early, but on moving wisely."
Tang Huai nodded. He remembered something again and whispered: "I suspect that Zhang Xian has been won over by Zhang Jun."
"How does General Tang know?"
"Zhang Xian has a nephew named Zhang Daqiang. He came to seek refuge with Zhang Xian at the beginning of the year. When a subordinate of his subordinates was drinking with him, he drank a few more drinks and boasted about visiting a brothel in Shouchun. He was talking about what happened last year.
, indicating that he came from Shouchun, not Bianliang as mentioned in his resume.
And as far as I know, Zhang Xian doesn’t have any nephews. He only has one nephew, who has died a long time ago. I wonder where this nephew came from? It took me the past two days to realize that he was most likely sent by Zhang Jun.
Undercover, he serves as Zhang Xian's flag officer and is responsible for the contact between Zhang Xian and Zhang Jun."
Xu Mu thought for a moment and said, "Will Wang Gui come to Beijing?"
"The humble official thought that he would go to Lin'an and complain to the emperor about his grievances. The emperor promised to promote him to the governor of the capital at the end of the year. He has always been loyal to the emperor."
At this time, Xu Mu's subordinate Shen Changxin came over and said, "Qi Rang is going to join the army. Cai Rang has something urgent to ask for. I brought him here because of my humble position. He is outside."
Tang Huai was startled and stood up to leave through the back door. Xu Mu grabbed him and said, "It's best for you to meet each other and know each other well. From now on, we will all be colleagues."
"Okay!" Tang Huai sat down again.
Xu Mu gave Shen Changxin a wink, and Shen Changxin went out. Not long after, he led Cai Rang into the room quickly.
"Xu Canjun, the situation is a bit complicated."
Cai Rang suddenly saw Tang Huai and was stunned. Xu Mu smiled and said, "We are all our own people. Sit down and have a glass of wine and talk slowly!"
Cai Rang and Tang Huai smiled knowingly, and the trace of embarrassment just now disappeared in this smile.
Cai Rang sat down and said, "General Tang must have told Xu Canjun about the emperor's edict."
Xu Mu nodded, "I understand, General Tang said, Wang Gui wants to report on his duties?"
"Exactly!"
Cai Rang sighed and said, "I just met Wang Gui. He has already made a decision. He would rather die than suffer injustice. He wants to go to Beijing to report on his work and explain the situation clearly. He has made up his mind and I can't persuade him."
Xu Muxiao asked, "Does Cai Shenjun know that Zhang Xian is probably Zhang Jun's man?"
"I don't know, but I'm not surprised at all. Zhang Jun is eyeing our 20,000 troops, how could he not insert his men?"
Cai Rang was very anxious, and he quickly said: "Xu Canjun, the situation is urgent, what should I do now?"
Xu Mu thought for a moment and said: "Cai Shenjun wants to persuade Wang Gui to let Tang Huai take charge of Xiangyang and transfer Zhang Xian away from Xiangyang City."
"I can persuade Wang Gui, but I am afraid that Zhang Xian will also defend Xiangyang. He was responsible for defending Xiangyang in the past. Wang Gui and General Tang led their troops to defend north."
Xu Mu smiled slightly, "Don't worry! King Yong and Zhang Jun have an agreement that Zhang Jun will not fight for Xiangyang, so Zhang Xian will never propose to defend Xiangyang."
Cai Rang and Tang Huai looked at each other, with a look of surprise in their eyes. It turned out that King Yong had already arranged everything step by step.