This big river begins to roar every rainy season and bursts repeatedly, turning the lower reaches into a marshland.
"Someone wants to change Yingshui's route and extend it all the way to block Datang on the other side."
On the bank of Yingshui, Peng Jing was dressed in a green shirt and looked like an outsider.
Fang Chong was wearing official uniform, holding a round fan in his hand and fanning gently, "That's a good idea, but we have to drive the Tang army out first."
"Zhang Huan is besieging Yezhou City, and Shi Zhongtang is charging and attacking on the right, Xinzhou is in danger. As for the left, the offensive is the most fierce, and now Huangzhou doesn't know what's going on."
Peng Jing sighed.
"Lei Qi is here, so he should be fine." Fang Chong felt that Peng Jing was too worried.
"Well Yang Xuan is a famous general in Northern Xinjiang. He is facing the Northern Liao people in the north." Peng Jing smiled bitterly, "Yes! But with Lei Qi here, at least Huangzhou can be defended."
"Yezhou in the middle is still holding on, but the middle is the main force in southern Xinjiang. I can't guard it for a few days." Fang Chong was a little dissatisfied. "Those generals said that reinforcements must be dispatched as soon as they opened their mouths, and tens of thousands were sent."
"Xinzhou is so big. When the reinforcements are sent, it is just a field battle with the Tang army. This battle can easily turn into a decisive battle. I think it is too early."
"It's too early. It's better to follow the established plan and weaken the Tang army first. When they reach the front line of Yongzhou, they will inevitably become exhausted and suffer heavy casualties. Only in this way can our army attack with a chance of victory."
Peng Jing nodded, "This battle is of great importance. If we lose, Sun Shi and his gang will take advantage of the situation and launch an attack."
"I don't care if they attack or not, but...if the New Deal hadn't caused an uproar in the world, everyone in the Zhou Dynasty would have united as one to expel the Tang army."
"Yes! As soon as the New Deal came out, the world was uneasy." Peng Jing was a little annoyed, "Scholars are the backbone and foundation of the Zhou Dynasty, but the New Deal is aimed at them.
Are you trying to take the initiative to break Dazhou's backbone?
I have been arguing with Sun Shi for a long time about this. That stubborn old man said that the world is not the world of a small group of people. The people are already overwhelmed. If there is no innovation, the world will be in chaos.
But look at it, the people live and work in peace and contentment. Occasionally some foolish men and women talk about rebellion. The people's hearts are as iron as iron, and the official law is as strong as a furnace. It's just a blow."
Fang Chong sneered, "Sun Shi and Han Bi just wanted to take advantage of those people and cut their flesh to please the people of the world. Your Majesty also followed the nonsense, but he didn't know that a powerful enemy was on the side. If there is further internal chaos, Dazhou...
How long can it last?"
"Look!" Peng Jing said: "This battle is the key."
A group of cavalry appeared on the other side.
Then more cavalry appeared.
"Where?" Peng Jing asked with narrowed eyes.
"The sun is glaring and I can't see clearly."
The cavalrymen passed slowly from the pontoon bridge, looking downcast.
"It seems to be Lei Qi's Wolf Cavalry?" a general said.
More than ten riders came towards this direction.
"Yes...it's Qian Nan!" Peng Jing's body shook and he saw Qian Nan and Lei Qi.
"I've met my two husbands."
Lei Qi dismounted and came over, knelt down and said: "I am an incompetent official and I have lost Huangzhou!"
Huangzhou was lost.
In the imperial city of Bianjing, Nian Xu almost fainted when he heard the news.
The medical officer came for some diagnosis and treatment, and he recovered a little.
"At first you said that with 20,000 troops and Lei Qi here, Huangzhou was impregnable, but it didn't take long before it was lost!"
Nian Xu endured his anger and asked, "Who can tell me what's going on?"
For things like this, several officials and generals must be captured, otherwise how can we show that rewards and punishments are clear?
Qian Nan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the guilty minister is incompetent... The Tang army is fierce, and the leader is Yang Xuan, the famous general of the Tang Dynasty. From the beginning of the war, the soldiers guarding the city were not afraid of death, and they went forward one after another..."
Han Bi sneered, "Then why was Huangzhou lost?"
Qian Nan was a member of Peng Jing's group and took advantage of his illness to kill him!
Beating up a drowned dog is one of Han Bi's special skills.
"Seeing the bravery of the enemy's army, the guilty minister suggested asking Bianjing to dispatch good men to prevent Yang Xuan's good men from making a surprise attack..."
Lei Qi raised his head suddenly, "You..."
Qian Nan pointed at Lei Qi and said sternly: "But Lei Qi flatly refused, saying that this move would shake Bianjing and damage the morale of our army.
The guilty minister argued hard, but in the end it was Lei Qi who commanded the battle, and the guilty minister could only watch helplessly as Yang Xuanling's men attacked and destroyed the city in one fell swoop."
Lei Qi's face turned livid, "That was my suggestion, but you interfered!"
Qian Nan sneered, "At that time, you kept saying that Bianjing was shaken and that I don't know how to fight... now you are making sense."
"Shameless!" Lei Qi stood up and clenched his fists.
"Well!" Peng Jing glanced at him, Lei Qi's cheeks trembled, and he saluted, "Mr. Peng, although this battle is directed by a subordinate, Qian Nan has repeatedly interfered. I am going to send someone to the two husbands to ask for some good hands.
Sitting in charge, Qian Nan said that this move would cause worries to the soldiers and civilians in Bianjing..."
"alright!"
Nian Xu interrupted the internal strife, "What happened in this battle will be investigated later."
Qian Nan sighed, "Then Yang Xuan is very experienced in using soldiers..."
One sentence means a lot.
——Lei Qi, the famous general of the Great Zhou Dynasty, is no match for the famous general of Northern Xinjiang.
Sun Shi said with a cold face, "Huangzhou is lost, and the Tang Army's left army will face Yongzhou directly. What's the next step?"
Peng Jing said: "I have sent people to invite Bai Xiong."
Bai Xiong, another famous general of the Southern Zhou Dynasty, had the same position as Peng Jing and others.
Bai Xiong came very quickly.
On the way, he asked about the battle situation, and his words were shocking.
"I'm afraid Yongzhou won't be able to defend it!"
Nian Xu was shocked, "Why?"
Baixiong said: "It's an unexpected surprise that Xinzhou in the middle can block Zhang Huan's army for so long, but we can't count on them later. The next step is for the three armies to attack Yongzhou together."
"Our elite troops from the Great Zhou Dynasty are now gathered in Yongzhou. Could it be that they are no match for the Southern Xinjiang Army?" Sun Shi said dissatisfied.
Bai Xiong said: "If we fight according to the current situation, we will not be able to defeat him."
"What about that?" Han Bi sneered.
Bai Xiong said: "We can see some clues from this battle... The two princes are thinking hard about the situation of the war, but there are countless people behind them who are holding back and stabbing. In this situation, even the invincible
It won’t help in the future!”
Nian Xu was silent.
This is asking for power for Peng and Jing!
"Who held them back?" Han Bi said with a sullen face, "Who vowed to make the Tang Army hate Xinzhou and Huangzhou? For this reason, they also transferred a lot of grain, grass and weapons to Huangzhou, and now they have become the Tang Army
supplies.”
Bai Xiong smiled, "Qian Zhizhou knows everything about this."
Qian Nan nodded and glanced at Lei Qi, "It's hard to explain in words!"
Only at this moment did Lei Qi realize that he had become cannon fodder in the struggle between the two factions.
No matter what the situation of the battle or the cause of defeat, they have become the tools of these two gangs!
It turns out that they don’t see the overall situation, only their own interests!
Nian Xu said calmly: "Lei Qi, go home and reflect on yourself!"
This is a ban in disguise!
A big battle ensued, with the two factions quarreling in front of the emperor.
Han Bi pointed at Peng Jing and cursed: "The loss of Huangzhou is Qian Nan's fault..."
"Alright! Alright!"
Nian Xu smashed the jade pendant that was close to his body, and this stopped the fight from getting heated.
The eunuch Xie Yingong beside him shouted: "Quiet!"
Snap!
A chamberlain swung the whip.
The two groups stepped back and looked at Nian Xu.
Nian Xu said slowly: "Huangzhou has been lost, and the Tang army is coming fiercely. In this battle, Peng Qing, Fang Qing..." He glanced at Bai Xiong, "Bai Qing, you have to work hard. I will watch you in Bianjing."
!”
"yes!"
The ministers resigned.
Nian Xu sat on the throne and remained motionless for a long time.
"Ying Gong, what do you think about this matter?"
Xie bowed his head and said, "I dare not get involved in politics."
Nian Xu said calmly: "In the past, your gentlemen said that you should be careful of internal servants interfering in politics, but today they are so aggressive that I don't even have a chance to say a word.
I can’t explain it, so let others explain it. If you take a closer look, explain it to me.”
Xie Yingong was born as a general and said: "Your Majesty, all the ministers were optimistic about Huangzhou before the war. It was simply because Lei Qi was in charge. But Lei Qi was defeated.
That slave girl Yang Xuan still remembers... When he was sent as an envoy to Bianjing, His Majesty ordered the envoy to travel around. They encountered rebels in Yecheng. Seeing that they were invincible, Yang Xuan took over the command.
Although he was not familiar with the place, he still defeated the rebels with the remaining defenders. This slave has thought about this battle..."
"how?"
"Not ordinary! Extraordinary!"
"Oh! So you think Lei Qi was not unjustly defeated?"
"I dare not tell you who is more powerful, Lei Qi or Yang Xuan, but even if you lose, you shouldn't lose so quickly.
I heard what Qian Nan said earlier, and I wonder why these words are what Lei Qi should say?"
Nian Xu was silent and looked calm.
"The Great Zhou Dynasty valued literature over martial arts, and the status of warriors was low. If Qian Nan really wanted to hire a good hand to help him, there would be one in the palace. But the slave girl was surprised. How could Lei Qi stop him? Wouldn't it be good to have more good hands? Lei Qi was stupid.
?”
Nian Xu sighed softly, "It turns out that we are all smart people. But why do Peng Jing and others think that I am stupid? Under the clear sky and in broad daylight, I am full of nonsense."
There was anger hidden in his calm tone.
"But what can I do? If I don't stop it, Sun Shi and others will take advantage of the situation to attack later, and the court will be in chaos. So, what's the point of fighting this battle? I'll just surrender and go to Chang'an to be an Anlehou."
After the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the country was destroyed for more than ten years. When those so-called kings came to Chang'an, they were all given titles. The most famous among them was the king of Shu, who was given the title of Marquis of Anle.
This gentleman lived quite comfortably in Chang'an. Once when he went to the palace for a banquet and was asked whether he was adaptable to Chang'an, he replied: I am happy here and don't miss Shu.
Xie Yingong shook his head slightly, "Your Majesty, it's better to take care of yourself."
If he continues to be so anxious, the Emperor of Zhou is afraid that he will collapse again.
…
Lei Qi returned home.
The family members welcomed the news.
"This is slander!"
Even my old wife knows this is a slander.
Lei Qi sat down, "I know, everyone knows, but no one knows."
He looked at the sky in Bianjing and suddenly smiled.
"My biggest mistake was not taking any side, so today everyone knows that I was wronged, but no one shouted out for me...
injustice!"
A roar in the city of Bianjing was quickly lost in the enthusiasm.
When news spread that the Tang army had broken through Huangzhou and was about to approach Yongzhou, the gentry burst out with astonishing enthusiasm.
Food, grass, manpower, whatever you need!
Huge amounts of supplies gathered in Bianjing.
There is only one purpose: the old party must win!
"Ms. sir."
After being lost from Huangzhou, Meng Zhang stayed with Fang Chong.
Fang Chong raised his head, "Well, there are some good hands around Yang Xuan. It is said that the Qi and blood are strong and ordinary good hands are vulnerable. Some people say that monks should be used to resist, what do you think?"
Meng Zhang said: "The so-called monks are just people who devote themselves to cultivation and seek eternal life. The most pious ones never interfere in worldly affairs, for fear of being distracted and affecting their cultivation.
Furthermore, monks may seem powerful, but they are just ordinary people. They have to retreat when faced with powerful crossbows. If they are surrounded by a large army and use crossbows to clear the way, the monks can only become fierce ghosts."
Fang Chong's heart moved, "If we use bed slaves..."
Meng Zhang said with a smile: "I'm afraid even the gods will have to stay away."
…
Huangzhou was broken.
This news stimulated the army in the middle.
Zhang Chumao took the lead and almost broke the city several times, but was driven back tenaciously by the defenders.
After attacking like this for several days, Zhang Huanmao became angry. When he appeared in armor one early morning, the entire army in the center became angry.
This battle was so futile that the general needed to take action.
“Enough with the wine and meat!”
The aroma of wine and meat began to fill the camp.
A sergeant said with salivation: "This is a rare delicacy."
An old soldier grinned and said: "You have to have a full meal before you die!"
After a meal of wine and meat, the Tang army launched another attack.
This time, no one retreated.
All Ming Jin's belongings were collected.
The defenders also knew that today was probably the decisive battle, and even the people boarded the city.
"People are in the city!"
The guard roared and was taken away by a crossbow bolt.
The deputy general shouted and took over the command.
Half a day later, the city was destroyed!
"Ms. sir, massacre the city!"
"These bitches have killed so many of our brothers!"
"Ms. sir!"
His subordinates were furious and Zhang Huan knew it.
The red-eyed army needs to be appeased, and the best way is to continue killing, burning, killing, and looting.
Zhou Zun said calmly: "Once the city is massacred, the next step will be even more difficult."
Of course Zhang Huan knew this truth, "Go back all, and those captured in the city will be given first to the families of the fallen soldiers."
Using money to appease the morale of the military is also effective.
"Mr. Sir, the right-wing army has defeated Shuangfeng."
Shi Zhongtang also speeded up the attack.
But it's still lagging behind.
"Tell him that the army will rest in Yezhou for five days. After five days, Xinzhou will not be broken. Come and see him!"
Zhou Zun returned to his residence and said to Chang Mu: "I feel that the Southern Expedition has really begun."
Chang Mu said: "Yes! I underestimated the enemy at first. The army was blocked at the Yezhou line, which gave the Yongzhou Zhou army a chance to prepare calmly. The next battle... I feel that the sky will be filled with blood!"
Zhou Zun sat down tiredly, and someone brought tea.
He took a sip of tea and said, "The Northern Xinjiang Army was supposed to be a support in this battle, but unexpectedly it became a highlight."
Chang Mu said with a smile: "I have been wandering around the camp these past two days and heard the soldiers speak highly of me when they mentioned my uncle. I heard more than one person say that my uncle is a famous general of the Tang Dynasty."
"Famous General of the Tang Dynasty!"
Zhou Zun's eyes were filled with relief, "I'm quite surprised that he can shine this time."
Chang Mu tentatively said: "I think my uncle seems to want to take root in northern Xinjiang. Now that he is the governor, it will be more and more difficult for him to climb up in the future."
Zhou Zun said: "Ms. Zhou, we should do our best to help!"
The family is rich in resources, but not everyone can use these resources. As the head of the family, Zhou Zun needs to take overall consideration of the entire Zhou family and distribute the resources as fairly as possible.
Otherwise, who would be convinced?
Once internal discord arises due to unfair distribution of resources, no matter how powerful a family is, it will decline.
This is a truth proven countless times by history.
Chang Mu smiled and said: "After this battle, who can be dissatisfied?"
Zhou Zun put down his tea cup and said quietly:
"If the Zhou family sends out an envoy to Northern Xinjiang...the five surnames of this family should also be called!"