The stove was lit in the hall, and a small glass of wine and a plate of melon seeds were placed on the table.
Zhang Hongdao was holding a dossier about Chengdu and looking at it.
Be prepared to take over as the pacifier of Chengdu Fulu. This is the official thing he has to do.
A personal entourage came in and reported: "Wu Lang, someone from the Military Intelligence Department is here, saying they want to send a guest to Wu Lang."
Zhang Hongdao was not surprised and said: "Please come quickly."
After a while, a spy from the Military Intelligence Department came forward and reported the situation.
"The person took it in Shanxi. As soon as he left Tongguan, he took a boat to cross north and met Yi Shu'an in Jiezhou..."
"You have worked hard."
"Where do you plan to interrogate Wu Lang? Do you need to be taken to the torture chamber of our Military Intelligence Department?"
"No need, just stay in this hall."
…
Wang Xin looked very embarrassed, but he was still smiling when he entered the hall, as if he had just lost a small game like pot throwing.
"Wu Lang is reluctant to leave me and invites me back again?"
"Even now, I'm still smiling playfully. I'm afraid I don't know how to write the word "death"."
Wang Xingdao: "If I say that I want to go to Shandong via Shanxi, can Wu Lang believe it?"
"Do not believe."
"Then...I want to see Prince Li."
Zhang Hongdao's eyes turned stern and he said, "If it weren't for me, you would be being tortured at this moment, instead of being able to sit here and laugh."
After that, he leaned forward, stared at Wang Xin, and reminded: "Don't think that the prince is more polite than me, and don't exhaust my patience."
"Okay, I'll do it."
Wang Xun reached out and grabbed a handful of melon seeds from the table and said, "I came here this time really to trick Prince Li into sending troops to Shanxi or Heluo."
He was really thick-skinned. He had no memory of the last vow he made with Li Xia. He didn't feel the slightest bit ashamed. He was still chewing melon seeds while talking.
Zhang Hongdao asked: "Who asked you to come?"
"Liu Bingzhong."
"Where is Kublai Khan? Has he returned to Yanjing?"
"I don't know, it wasn't there when I went south."
Zhang Hongdao asked again: "Trying to trick us into sending troops, what happens next?"
"I only know that there are people training as water masters, preparing to cross the Yellow River and attack the key points."
"Who is training water master?"
"A certain Song general who surrendered, I don't know very well..."
Zhang Hongdao asked for a while, then showed contempt and sneered: "Is this what you call rebellion? You have been connecting with each other all these years, and the result is that you become Kublai Khan's dog?"
Wang Xun lowered his head rarely, with a rare look of helplessness in his eyes.
"Wulang, what I told you before was true. We have always wanted to rebel. But who would have thought that when Kublai Khan came to the throne, he would summon my father to Zhongshu Province to serve as prime minister?"
When Wang Xun said this, he spit out a mouthful of melon seed peels and became a little excited.
"Who would have thought of this? My father has been planning a rebellion for his brother-in-law, and everyone knows it, but Kublai Khan promoted my father to the post of Zhongshu Shengpingzhang... He appointed the rebel as prime minister in one fell swoop, which was unprecedented in ancient times.
Yes! You said this barbarian is simply ridiculous!"
Zhang Tongdao sneered: "So, you and your son betrayed the Zhang family and the historians, and revealed everything about what happened in Kaifeng?"
"Hey, why does Wu Lang keep mentioning this matter like a woman?" Wang Xun said: "What I'm saying is that Kublai Khan summoned my father to Zhongshu Province. This method is too powerful and we have nothing to do.
"
He obviously also had grievances.
"At that time, Kublai Khan returned from Ezhou with his army and summoned my father. If we didn't obey, it would be tantamount to rebellion immediately. How could my brother-in-law be Kublai Khan's opponent? My father had no choice but to join the court as an official."
"Oh, I have warned you long ago that this rebellion is not that easy."
"Isn't Wulang also rebelling today?"
"It depends on who he follows." Zhang Hongdao sneered: "Li Fenzhi is a man of great talent but not enough resourcefulness."
He said this six years ago, and he still says it today.
At this time, Wang Xun seemed very candid. He actually nodded and said: "My brother-in-law is really ambitious and talented, and he needs to be assisted by my father. Therefore, it is said that Kublai Khan's move is to draw fuel from the bottom of the cauldron. It is really remarkable!"
Zhang Hongdao was a little impatient, glanced lightly and said: "What I want is your explanation, not your praise of Kublai Khan."
"That's my explanation!"
Wang Xun said again: "What is the most remarkable thing about Kublai Khan? He actually let my father take power... What was the purpose of my father helping his brother-in-law to rebel? Isn't it just to found the country and establish a system to show his ambition? Who can
To think that Kublai Khan really handed over this authority to him so easily? How generous is this?! How much does this show appreciation for my father’s talent?!”
"You're so generous." Zhang Hongdao sneered, "I thought you, Wang Miqiao, were thick-skinned. It turns out that Kublai Khan was the most thick-skinned. He had no bottom line and only sought benefits. He was extremely shameless."
"Wu Lang wants to say that Kublai Khan is taking advantage of my father? But what? This new dynasty was indeed established in my father's hands! There are hundreds of millions of mediocre people in this world, but how many of the founders of the country are there? You simply don't
I don’t know how far my father has achieved in these short two years!”
Wang Xun's hands were spread out and waving, describing his excitement.
"A barbarian king, under our guidance, learned Chinese studies, practiced Han law, and established Han tradition! But my father, from scratch, established a system for a brutal barbarian tribe and turned it into an orthodox dynasty...
…This is the largest dynasty in history! He will also become an eternal hero who will be remembered for generations!”
~~
Yanjing.
Liu Bingzhong walked into the Renzheng Hall, took a quick glance, and saw the figures of Dou Mo, Yao Shu, Wang E, Zhang Rou and others in front of him.
But Wang Wentong was not seen.
On the ground are several secret letters.
The angry voice of Kublai Khan was heard from above.
There are all veterans in the palace, and they all understand Mongolian, but today's discussion was very formal, with not only an interpreter, but also a living attendant taking notes.
"Look, Qing, there is a secret letter from Wang Wentong to Li Fen. The evidence of his treason is conclusive..."
The evidence is certainly conclusive. Everyone knew that Wang Wentong wanted to rebel a few years ago.
The problem is that in the past two years, Wang Wentong has become a very popular minister, so why is there any need to fight back?
In addition, where did this letter come from? Li Yanjian smuggled a living person back to Yidu, but several letters were intercepted?
Liu Bingzhong knew these problems very well. He raised his eyes and saw that the living man was writing quickly, and he felt a little uneasy.
"I promoted Wang Wentong to the position of prime minister with a commoner, and gave him political power. I treated him well, but how could he have failed me to this point?"
"Your Majesty, please don't be so sad..."
"Your Majesty, Wang Wentong's talents are rare and can be compared with him. The scale and laws of the current country are mostly due to his merits, not as good as..."
Kublai Khan waved his hand to interrupt these remonstrances, looking sad and distraught.
A close attendant came out and explained in detail Wang Wentong's wild and rebellious attitude.
Liu Bingzhong was shocked, and then he realized that Kublai Khan might really want to kill Wang Wentong.
Following Kublai Khan's question, the interpreter asked: "What crime do you think Wang Wentong deserves?"
"Your Majesty, if you are really treasonous, you should die, but..."
A group of civil servants still wanted to excuse Wang Wentong, but Kublai Khan's eyes were already looking at Zhang Rou.
Zhang Rou is a military commander, and she is the most jealous one in the palace today. Her disciples have had relationships with both Li Fen and Li Xia.
Facing Kublai Khan's gaze at this time, he no longer dared to defend Wang Wentong.
"I thought... Wang Wentong should be beheaded!"
Liu Bingzhong closed his eyes helplessly.
He knew that the attitude of His Majesty in the palace towards Han Fa had undergone major changes.
…
Kublai Khan not only beheaded Wang Wentong, but also informed the world of the cause and consequences of the incident.
Soon, an edict was sent from Yanjing.
"There are no generals for ministers, and this is an eternal Yi motto; the country's system is fixed, and those with double-mindedness will be punished! Wang Wentong, who is responsible for Pingzhang's political affairs, has the following reasons.
…”
~~
Hanzhong.
"...Wang Wentong betrayed the country's favor and conspired great treason, and he died unjustly; he was sentenced to death due to his position, and the time may not be known! I have many people to consult you, and I will show you my sincere sympathy."
"What did you say?! Impossible! Impossible!"
Wang Xun yelled and tried to rush forward and snatch the document from Zhang Hongdao's hand.
"Hold him down!"
Zhang Hongdao raised his hand and pointed, and someone stepped forward and knocked Wang Xun to the ground.
Wang Xun shouted: "You can't lie to me! You can't lie to me! My father can't be sentenced to death..."
Zhang Hongdao stepped forward and slapped Wang Xin.
There was a "pop" sound, followed by another heavy sound.
He first slapped Wang Xuan on the left cheek, and then slapped the right cheek with his backhand.
"I lied to you? I had the time to lie to you? Wang Muqiao, who do you think you are?"
Zhang Hongdao cursed and threw the information in his hand in front of Wang Xun.
"Is this what you want to be famous for all eternity? Are you pinning your hopes of practicing Han Dharma on Kublai Khan, thinking you will be praised for eternity?"
"No, my father is not dead, he will not die like this..."
"He deserved his death! Kublai Khan really appreciated him for practicing Han law? Haha, he was counting on a Hu man to protect him and establish the system. This Hu man can't even speak Chinese. Your father died more than worthy of his death!"
"Zhang Hongdao! Shut up, you can't lie to me..."
"That's enough, calm down for me, and then I will take you to see the prince... help him calm down!"
~~
Walking through Hanzhong City, you will find that the atmosphere in the city is very different after the New Year.
The city defenses are much tighter.
There were also many soldiers rushing back and forth on the road.
When you climb up to the Wangjiang Tower in Hantai, you can see groups of carriages carrying grain and soldiers galloping towards the north.
Zhang Hongdao walked behind Li Xia, looked at the dust and smoke in the distance, and asked, "Is this going to start a war?"
"Maybe." Li Xia said: "The latest information is that Kublai Khan's northern expedition to Haraholin, and before the army arrived, Alibaba abandoned the city and fled to Jili Jisi... This Jili Jisi, Wen Jing and I
After discussing it all night, we still haven’t figured out where it is.”
Zhang Hongdao knows a little about this and said: "The upper reaches of the Qian River were called 'Xiaojiasi' in the Tang Dynasty. The land in Jilijisi and Qianqian Prefecture is fertile and suitable for farming. It can be planted in summer and grown in autumn. It also produces good iron.
Later, many craftsmen were moved there. Genghis Khan granted that territory to his youngest son Tuolei. When Tuolei died, his youngest son Alibuge inherited it..."
"how far?"
"I've only heard of it." Zhang Hongdao responded: "It must be unimaginably far away."
"Far beyond the North Sea?"
"It's much farther than the North Sea."
"Okay, anyway, Brother Ali has escaped back to his fiefdom."
This time, Li Xia was very disappointed with Brother Ali.
But on the other hand, Brother Ali at least knows how to escape, is still alive, and still has a chance.
"It's hard for Li Fen to escape."
Zhang Hongdao sighed: "Presumably Li Fen has also learned about Wang Wentong's murder, and he doesn't know how panicked he should be."
"He will not dare to attack Yanjing again, then he will be completely passive."
Li Xia shook his head and said: "In short, the battle for the Mongolian Khanship is not over yet, but both sides are already resting and recuperating. Kublai Khan wants to take advantage of this gap to destroy me and Li Fen, and we cannot let him do so easily."
"Can the current situation in Sichuan and Shaanxi handle a war?"
"When war is about to break out, we don't care whether people are ready or not. We will never be timid when foreign enemies come."
Li Xia looked very determined.
Even though Kublai Khan had not yet discovered any signs of launching troops in Guanzhong, he was already ready to fight.
Whether it is guarding Guanlong or preventing Li Fen's demise, if war is about to break out, there will be no luck.
"But it's difficult to save Li Fen, right?"
"Well, the current situation is that the Military Intelligence Department has discovered that the Mongolian army is indeed training a navy in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and the rebel general Liu Zheng is in charge..."
~~
Liangzhou.
This was once the fiefdom of the second prince of Wokuotai, the great Khan of the Great Mongolia, the commander-in-chief of the Western Route Army, and the king of Liang, Kuoduan.
Kuoduan once set up his headquarters here, ruling Hetao, Tubo, Hexi Corridor, Guanzhong, Longxi, Sichuan and other regions.
Ten years ago, Kuo Duan died and his five sons inherited the fief.
On this day, under the setting sun and the sky was full of wind and sand, a group of cavalry rode to Liangzhou.
"Hush!"
The Mongolian knight on the horse was still very young. He took out the talisman and found it was a golden tiger talisman.
"According to the order of the Great Khan, I, Wu Liangha A Shu, take over as the commander-in-chief of the Western Route Army of the Mongolian Kingdom, and I will send you to see Meili Jiji as soon as possible..."