Since being grounded, Lei Qi has been very silent at home.
Eat, sleep, and just read the map in the study if you have nothing to do.
After looking back and forth, I didn't sleep at night. I spent the whole night squatting in the study, with figures flickering, and I didn't know what I was thinking about.
When an old husband and wife are old, there is naturally no passion, so if they don't sleep at night, the old wife won't think wrong.
But when it was time to eat, the man was still thinking in the study, and the whole family did not dare to call him, which made the old wife unable to bear it.
She came to the study room angrily, "What are you thinking about, husband? Your Majesty has already said that he should be grounded, and the whole family will have to worry about being exiled! Let's eat! After this meal, I don't know where the next meal will be.
Where to eat!"
What can I eat on the road of exile?
Lei Qi looked up, his hair was messy, and his eyes were bloodshot. He was stunned for a moment, "Have you eaten yet?"
The old wife said angrily: "Eat! The whole family is waiting for you!"
"oh!"
Just as Lei Qi was about to get up, he heard noisy sounds coming from outside.
"We lost, we lost!"
"Shiro is useless!"
"The Tang army is about to attack Bianjing!"
Lei Qi was startled, "Failed? It shouldn't have been so fast!"
The old wife sighed, "It has nothing to do with us, just eat!"
Lei Qi smiled bitterly, "Yes! It has nothing to do with us!"
Knock knock knock!
There have been no visitors to the Lei family in the past few days. The knock on the door at this moment made the servants frightened, fearing that they were coming to arrest someone.
This battle was a huge defeat. The court had to find several targets. Bai Xiong and Lei Qi both couldn't escape.
A servant was pushed out to open the door, and he carefully opened a gap.
Outside the door is a waiter.
The servant's heart trembled, and he smiled apologetically and said, "Are you here to look for my Alang?"
"yes."
The door opens.
The servants knelt on the ground consciously.
Because the chamberlain was followed by dozens of guards.
The waiter was stunned, then waved his hand, "You can stay here."
Lei Qi is here.
"Chief Lei, your Majesty has summoned you."
When he arrived at the palace, Nian Xu's first question was: "Does Lei Qing have any strategy to defend against the enemy?"
Important officials gathered in the palace.
Lei Qi said: "I still don't know how this battle will go."
A disgraced general stood up and said, "This battle was triggered by a ranger battle, and the two armies started fighting directly."
Shiro is too impatient!
Lei Qi took a look inside the hall. Sun Shi and others were standing on one side, looking high-spirited, while Peng Jing and others were on the other side, looking disgraced.
The difference is clear!
Yes!
Shiro is forced to do this!
"The Tang army was tenacious and broke through our right wing. Then Zhang Huan launched an attack. Our army collapsed after a moment of support."
"Where is the army?" Lei Qi asked.
The general bowed his head and said, "Many were captured. Some entered Yongzhou City and some escaped to Bianjing."
"Why is it like this?" Lei Qi didn't expect that he would be banned for only a few days, but the battle would collapse.
He had been thinking about this battle on the map for the past few days, so he was confident when he spoke.
"Your Majesty, this battle is unwinnable."
This is the basis. If the emperor insists that this battle can turn defeat into victory, then he would rather go back and continue to be banned.
There was a hint of disappointment in Nian Xu's eyes... He had indeed thought about the possibility of turning defeat into victory, "I know."
Lei Qi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The morale of the Tang army is as high as a rainbow at the moment. Our army must not go out to fight. We must be careful everywhere."
Nian Xu nodded.
"The second step is to ask people to go outside the city and bring all the people and food back to the city. Throw some feces and urine into the well. In a word, take away whatever can be used by the Tang army. Anything that cannot be taken away will be destroyed.
Lose!"
"Do you want to strengthen the wall and clear the country?"
"Yes." Lei Qi saluted, "Your Majesty, after the defeat, it is difficult to boost the morale of our army. When the Tang army comes from far away, it will definitely be short of food and grass. In this way, we can adopt the strategy of strengthening the wall and clearing the wilderness. The Tang army has no food and has no choice but to retreat."
A very ordinary countermeasure!
Nian Xu pondered for a long time.
He is not willing to give in!
Lei Qi finally said: "Moreover, your Majesty, please order all the people to be diligent!"
"This will shake the country and the country!" Sun Shi categorically objected. "Once the kings from all over the country are ordered to be diligent, those people will think that the Great Zhou Dynasty is unsustainable. Even if the Tang army retreats, the mess left behind will probably take decades to calm down."
Lei Qi said: "It's just around Bianjing."
"Make a gesture?" Sun Shi's eyes lit up.
Lei Qi nodded, "If I guess correctly, the Tang army just wanted to make a gesture and retreat with dignity."
Nian Xu perked up, "Are you sure what Lei Qing said?"
"Yes!" Lei Qi said with certainty: "I said that the Tang army came from afar and lacked food and grass. If a lone army goes deep, it will inevitably be frightened. When King Qin's order is issued, the Tang army will definitely want to retreat!"
This series of coping methods can be called a chain, one link after another.
"Lei Qing is a great talent, let's act accordingly!" Nian Xu decided, "Lei Qing will be in charge of the rest of this battle!"
When Lei Qi saw the displeasure on the faces of the important ministers, he felt cold in his heart and quickly declined, "Your Majesty, my talents are few and far between, and I am not qualified to lead an army. I sincerely request your Majesty to send some important ministers to serve as commanders."
——You can just let a junior official take charge, but don’t let me be at the front.
I'm scared of them!
Nian Xu turned his eyes and said, "That's fine, Fang Qing."
Fang Chong was in a state of wandering mind, and he woke up after being pushed.
"Fang Qing takes command!"
What?
I'm in charge?
Fang Chong couldn't believe it, and then thought of something, "Take the order!"
The ministers dispersed.
Nian Xu sat there, looking a little lonely.
He suddenly asked: "Fang Chong is not good at martial arts, and he has suffered a new defeat, but I still put him in command and draw the bow. Are you surprised?"
Xie Yingong nodded.
"Sun Xiang and the others looked a little unhappy."
"I know." Nian Xu said calmly: "I wish I could chop Fang Chong and others alive, but I have to keep them and even reuse them."
Xie Yingong's head almost dropped to his chest.
He knew that the emperor really had murderous intentions.
"The emperors of the Zhou Dynasty and the scholar-bureaucrats ruled the world together. This was said by Emperor Taizu.
As a result, civil servants became the rulers of the Zhou Dynasty.
Nowadays, the national situation is difficult, and I am determined to innovate, so I asked Sun Shi and others to take the lead.
Fang Chong and others obstructed me in every possible way, and I deeply hate them!
But once I expel Peng Jing and others, the country will become the domain of Sun Shi and others.
At that time, they can join forces and isolate me, and in the name of the New Deal, they can act like a powerful minister!"
Xie Yingong said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, you cannot say such things."
"Are you worried that if the news is spread outside, those ministers will join forces to suppress me?" Nian Xu said with a smile.
Xie Yingong didn't dare to say.
Nian Xu sighed, "Lei Qi is a great talent, but he still dare not lead the army alone. I ordered Fang Chong to take command, just to tell Sun Shi and others that Peng Jing can go and serve as an official. Fang Chong, I still need it!"
Emperor, it’s not easy!
Lei Qi walked outside the palace gate, turned around and thanked the chamberlain who sent him off.
The chamberlain said: "Your Majesty has something to say."
Lei Qi quickly stood up.
"Qian Nan, he's dead!"
Lei Qi took a deep breath, turned away, and said: "Your Majesty... you are wise!"
…
The Southern Zhou army was on the move.
The villages near Bianjing were all relocated, and the people took their few possessions and followed the officials or sergeants to nearby cities.
Envoys came out everywhere with King Qin's orders. The Southern Zhou Dynasty, which had been peaceful for many years, was shrouded in a crisis of national subjugation.
Someone in Bianjing said angrily: "Those beasts wanted to interrupt the New Deal by humiliating Li Mi. Now that the New Deal has not yet died, the Great Zhou Dynasty is about to die! Have they ever regretted it?"
No one regrets it.
If the Tao fails, he will ride on a raft and float in the sea.
This is just an idealistic statement.
The real statement is: If the Tao fails, I will destroy this foundation!
Why should I keep those who are not good to me?
As the saying goes, after I die, there will be no flooding. In fact, countless people have said similar things.
What kind of new deal are you trying to deprive us of our interests? If you can't stop the new deal, then why does this country still exist?
Destroy it!
"This reminds me of the Song Dynasty!"
Thousands of cavalry were resting. A nearby village was empty and there was no food to be found.
Yang Xuan stood by a well in the village, looking at the feces inside and feeling a little sad.
"Lang Jun, what is the Song Dynasty?" Wang Laoer sniffed.
"A lovely and hateful country!"
Lovely because of unprecedented business development and unprecedented culture.
What is hateful is that those in power put their own interests above those of the entire Song Dynasty, and eventually destroyed the Song Dynasty.
The Song Dynasty at that time was very similar to the Southern Zhou Dynasty today.
Han Ji came over with a sergeant.
"Lang Jun, the surrounding area of Bianjing is fortified and clear of wilderness."
"Something interesting!" Yang Xuan turned around, "Our army is going deep alone, and it is difficult to supply food and grass. Then, what follows should be harassment!"
"Yes. Bianjing sent an envoy to issue an order from King Qin."
Tsk!
Yang Xuan had a headache, "This is a stalking posture. If our army refuses to retreat, the trouble will only get worse."
He asked: "Whose idea was it?"
There was something wrong with this, so Yang Xuan asked again: "Who is in charge now?"
"It's said that Fang Chong. Lei Qi has also been activated."
"Fang Chong is just a stick!" Yang Xuan said contemptuously: "The second child can defeat him, so Lei Qi should be reused."
Wang Laoer said happily: "Then I will lead the army!"
"Boy, eat meat!"
Tu Shang found some kitchen utensils hidden in a house and cooked a meal.
"Coming, coming!"
Between Rou and Fang Chong, Wang Laoer chose Rou without hesitation.
"Lei Qi came out of the mountain?"
Yang Xuan was a little surprised.
Fang Chong did not fall, and the flavor here is worth pondering.
"Mr. Lang, it stands to reason that Fang Chong was defeated. Let alone punishment, he should be a good man with his tail between his legs at this moment. But Nian Xu continues to let him take command... I think this has something to do with the current political situation in Southern Zhou Dynasty."
Han Ji was a little disdainful.
"Nian Xu's will to support the New Deal is unshakable, but this time he did not take down Fang Chong. This is weird." Yang Xuan touched his chin, "This reminds me of Chang'an."
"Suspicion!" Han Ji narrowed his eyes.
"That's right!"
The two looked at each other.
The emperor's suspicion was everywhere. If Peng Jing and Fang Chong were taken down, who would restrain Sun Shi and others?
The New Deal should be supported, but the basis for supporting the New Deal is the stability of one's throne.
If Peng Jing and others are defeated, the new party led by Sun Shi will become a giant.
They hold great power. If things continue like this, whose Southern Zhou Dynasty belongs to them?
"There is something wrong with the power structure of the Southern Zhou Dynasty." Yang Xuan put the problem aside for the time being, "The walls will be strong and the country will be cleared, and then the King Qin's army from all over the country will continue to launch attacks. Let's see what Prime Minister Zhang means."
Zhang Huan arrived half a day later.
"How long has it been? Bianjing is still fighting for power, and Nian Xu is also timid. I believe that the Southern Zhou Dynasty will never be strong!"
Zhang Huan's evaluation of Southern Zhou was echoed by everyone.
"Go to Yingshui and have a look."
On the third day, the Tang army's scouts appeared in front of Yingshui.
The war horse neighs.
Wang Laoer looked ahead and said, "Is this Bianjing?"
Bianjing is shocked!
"Tang Jun is coming!"
Lei Qi had calculated everything, but he just failed to calculate the human heart.
"The dignitaries are collecting their money, and the carriages are lined up in front of their homes as far as the eye can see."
"The common people also packed up their things and are now blocking the city gate, shouting to go south to escape."
"The scene of national subjugation!" an old minister sighed, his eyes filled with indifference as he saw through the world.
Nian Xu summoned Lei Qi.
"Just rush back." Lei Qi was very tough on this, "Don't indulge, otherwise the morale of the army will be weakened!"
Damn it, the dignitaries have all run away, and so have the people. It shows that no one is optimistic about this battle.
What are we still struggling with?
Waiting to die?
At that time, the Tang army only needs one attack, and Bianjing will probably become their spoils of war.
Nian Xu sighed, "Even if we can hold on, the price... I can't bear."
The people's morale has been dispersed, the military's morale has been dispersed, and those meat eaters have also become disengaged.
How long can this kind of Southern Zhou exist?
Can it still carry his dream?
"Send an envoy."
This decision hurt the military a little, but it won the support of the civilian officials.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Sun Shi objected, "Sending an envoy at this moment is showing weakness."
If this battle does not have a decent ending, the New Deal will be cast into a shadow.
Therefore, this battle cannot be stopped!
Let alone negotiate peace!
No matter how high the price is, we must fight on!
The Tang army would be dragged down even if it was delayed.
Peng Jing has been keeping his tail between his legs since his return and rarely speaks, but now he couldn't help but speak out, "The city has begun to be in chaos. Many people are hoarding and food prices are soaring. If we don't negotiate for peace, people will starve to death!"
Sun Shi looked at him, "Such scoundrels who are struggling to make money for the country should be hanged!"
Nian Xu felt that this momentum needed to be suppressed, "Sun Qing will handle this matter and get a few people to deal with it as soon as possible to scare the monkeys."
Sun Shi returned to the duty room and asked someone to check it out. He got the roster and said, "Let's start tomorrow!"
After returning home, the old wife said happily: "Both men will make money!"
"Making money?" Sun Shi was a little confused, "Can he make money?"
Of his two sons, the eldest is smart and the second is useless.
The old wife nodded, and Sun Shi called the second son over.
"Father, I bought a lot of grain. Now that the price of grain has soared, I have made a lot of money." Sun Yao, the second son, said proudly.
Sun Shi's face paled slightly and he took a deep breath, "Who gave you the money?"
Sun Yao said: "Haier recently met some businessmen friends. They are very loyal and willing to lend money to Haier."
Sun Shi clenched his fists, "But it's hard to buy food."
Sun Yao became more and more proud, "One of my friends is a big grain merchant, and the child bought grain from him."
Snap!
A crisp slap came from the backyard.
"Father!"
Snap!
The old wife hurried over and saw Sun Yao covering his face and looking at Sun Shi in disbelief.
Sun Shi's body was swaying, his face was pale, he pointed at Sun Yao and hissed: "I have been famous for a lifetime! I have been famous for a lifetime! I have been ruined by you, a traitor!"
"Alang, someone is coming from the palace."
It was a chambermaid who came.
"Your Majesty asked, has the hoarding been investigated?"
Sun Shi nodded.
"It's just a few small businessmen causing trouble, and it's generally good."
The waiter was confused, but he still said goodbye.
"Wait a minute."
The chamberlain turned around.
Sun Shi smiled and said: "Nothing... no!"
The chamberlain thought Sun Shi was a little weird.
But I didn't dare to ask.
The power of the Prime Minister is so great that it is not difficult to hire a servant.
He saw that Sun Shi's eyes seemed a little red.
Is this tiring?
The waiter thought.
Sun Shi took a deep breath and said, "Please tell your Majesty that the matter of negotiating peace... should be done sooner rather than later."