"I Shao Ying Jun ordered: Zhongwu Zhonglang sent Qin Xiao out to train troops. He worked conscientiously and was loyal. He was commendable for his loyalty. He had the success of suppressing the rebellion in Jiangnan, and now he has recruited and surrendered Heishan behind. The soldiers were not killed. This is really my lucky star, and the Tang Dynasty
The humerus. Bandits have always been rampant in the four northeastern counties. In order to protect the peace of the people in the four counties, I am now conferring the title of Qin Xiao Champion and entrusting me with the post of general." Song Shilian's voice was steady and high. When he read out the edict,
Every word is extremely clear.
Song Shixin and many Liaodong officers and soldiers behind him were shocked when they heard this.
"Champion General Qin Xiao is responsible for all major and minor affairs of suppressing rebellions and suppressing bandits in the four northeastern counties. The troops and horses of the four counties are also controlled and commanded by Qin Xiao according to the imperial edict." Song Shilian said loudly: "Guarantee the peace of the Northeast and protect the country.
At the border gates of the Tang Dynasty, we must be vigilant day and night without any slack. Those who have merit must be rewarded, and those who are guilty must be punished. We must prepare the army and prepare weapons, and we must not be carried away in the slightest. You must live up to my expectations, work hard, and dedicate yourself to the country. My heart is also
I'm so relieved." After reading this, he looked up at Song Shixin and said loudly: "General Song, the champion general is here. If you think you are still a minister of the Tang Dynasty, come forward to see me immediately!"
Song Shixin's status in the Liaodong Army was actually not low. From the military position of a fourth-grade general, he was not considered an ordinary military general even if we looked at all the soldiers and horses in the entire Tang Dynasty.
However, although there were very few third-grade generals in the Tang Dynasty, there were quite a lot of fourth-grade generals. Moreover, military positions like Song Shixin's were local military positions, so they were naturally revered in the Liaodong Army. However, outside the Northeast, the local troops in other states and counties were actually
He would never take a lieutenant general of the Liaodong Army seriously.
As for the third-grade military position, it is a serious official title.
Both Wang Xingchao and Taishi Cunxu were promoted to third-grade military positions. Although one was in the northeast and the other was in the northern border, their military titles were serious court officials.
See salute.
Previously, Qin Xiao was only a fourth-grade Zhongwu Zhonglang General, with the same rank as Song Shixin. Even if Qin Xiao had the title of Viscount, Song Shixin would not take Qin Xiao seriously at all, let alone pay homage to Qin Xiao.
But after the edict was read, Qin Xiao suddenly changed and turned Zhonglang General into the champion general. Not to mention Song Shixin, who was just Zhonglang General, even if General Anton Wang Xingchao was present, according to the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty, Wang Xingchao would also
Get off your horse and go forward to see Qin Xiao.
Song Shixin looked solemn and moved his lips, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
He really didn't expect that the imperial court would actually confer Qin Xiao the title of Champion General.
Such an edict was simply unbelievable, but Song Shixin was also stunned and really didn't know how to deal with it.
Although the Liaodong Army became an independent force in the Northeast many years ago, with its own financial and military power, and even directly controlled a large area of land in the four northeastern counties. Even the court was very afraid of it, but in name, the Northeast was still
The territory of the Tang Dynasty, and the Liaodong Army still belonged to the Tang Dynasty.
Of course, the Liaodong Army did not dare to blatantly disobey the sage's edict.
Song Shilian read out the edict in full view of the public, and the content of the edict was very clear. Even the stupidest person could understand what the edict was.
The imperial court not only granted Qin Xiao the title of champion general, but also decreed that the military power of the four northeastern counties would be handed over to Qin Xiao. All troops and horses in the four northeastern counties would be controlled by Qin Xiao.
Of course this includes the Liaodong Army.
With an edict, the Liaodong Army, which had been guarding the Northeast for a hundred years, was controlled by a general who had been in the Northeast for less than a year. This was naturally unimaginable, and everyone felt that this edict was a bit of a joke.
If an edict could take away military power in the Northeast, the imperial court would have issued this edict decades ago.
Precisely because everyone knows that the Liaodong Army is deeply rooted in the Northeast, and the generals of all departments have common interests, forming an unbreakable community of interests, they all know that wresting military power from the Liaodong Army is even more difficult than climbing to the sky.
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On the contrary, the imperial court was worried that if it took any action, it might arouse the vigilance of the Liaodong Army and cause an uncontrollable situation. Therefore, it has been more conciliatory to the Liaodong Army over the years. Especially after the current saint ascended the throne, it has been more tolerant to the Liaodong Army.
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The edict read by Song Shilian was almost unimaginable before Long Ruijun came out of seclusion.
"Song Shixin, do you really want to secede from the Tang Dynasty and not be a citizen of the Tang Dynasty?" Song Shixin's voice was even colder: "Why don't you get off your horse and apologize to the champion general!"
The night wind whistled, and the flags of both sides also sounded in the night wind.
The officers and soldiers in Liaodong all looked at Song Shixin with bewildered expressions on their faces.
If before the edict was read out, the officers and soldiers of Liaodong had already prepared for a desperate fight, and everyone was at a loss at this time.
The young general opposite was already a champion general conferred by the imperial court, and he was also granted the power to control and command the troops in the Northeast. If he pointed his sword at the opponent at this time, it would be equivalent to pointing at the imperial court and the Tang Dynasty.
The Liaodong Army, which had always claimed to be loyal to the Tang Dynasty, instantly turned into a rebel army with its sword pointed at the Tang Dynasty.
Having a family, a business, and a military establishment of the Tang Dynasty, for most Liaodong officers and soldiers, it was not a last resort. Who would want to become a rebel who was targeted by the public?
Under the gaze of everyone, Song Shixin sheathed his sword, held the horse rein in his hand, slowly stepped forward, looked at Song Shilian who was holding the edict, and said in a deep voice: "Is this really an edict issued by a saint?"
"If you don't believe it, you can come over and take a closer look." Song Shilian said.
Song Shixin said: "If the edict is true, we will act according to the order and obey the instructions of the champion general." He slowly stepped forward and said calmly: "Of course I want to read this edict clearly. Do you dare to let me?"
Will you see?"
Song Shilian glanced at Qin Xiao, but without hesitation, he urged his horse forward. Two cavalrymen followed him immediately, one holding a torch and the other holding a saber, obviously to protect Song Shilian.
When the two sides reached between the two armies, Song Shilian opened his hands, faced Song Shixin with the contents of the edict, and said: "General Song, please read carefully."
Song Shixin was a few steps away from Song Shilian, but he did not stop his horse. He continued to move forward, stretched out his hand and said, "Bring it to me and see!"
However, Song Shilian put the edict back with great vigilance, frowned and said: "General Song, don't go any further, you can see clearly."
"You can't see clearly." Song Shixin's eyes suddenly flashed with cold light, and he said sternly: "This is obviously a fake edict. How dare you forge the edict." In the midst of the fierce shouting, he actually pulled out his saber with lightning speed and struck at the opponent.
Before he could react, he struck Song Shilian with a knife.
The goal of his sword was not to take Song Shilian's life, but to chop at the edict in Song Shilian's hand.
Seeing the saber coming, Song Shilian suddenly changed his color. Fortunately, a cavalryman beside him reacted quickly and said in a deep voice: "Stop." As if he was well prepared, he swung the saber and cut off Song Shixin's arm. He did not resist Song Shixin.
The sword was taken from his arm, but it was the means to encircle Wei and save Zhao.
Song Shixin only hoped that the edict could be destroyed with one knife.
Of course he knew that the timing of this edict was too fatal for the Liaodong Army.
The two armies have already started a war. If the edict is in the hands of the other party, Long Rui's army will have the absolute initiative. From then on, Long Rui's army can use this edict to take advantage of the righteousness to defeat any soldiers in the four northeastern counties who are enemies of Long Rui's army.
They will all be labeled as rebels.
This is of course something the Liaodong Army will never tolerate.
Song Shixin didn't care whether the edict was true or false at the moment, because no matter whether it was true or false, it could only be a false edict. If he surrendered to the opponent tonight, it would be equivalent to admitting that Long Ruijun had a reputation for righteousness, and also acknowledging that the edict was
Really, if this happens, it will definitely cause heavy damage to the Liaodong Army, and the Liaodong Army will not be able to continue fighting in the next war.
Therefore, he must denounce this edict as a false edict in front of his subordinates, and must destroy this edict.
He came forward alone to take a risk.
When the sword was chopped down, Song Shilian, a civil servant, would definitely not be able to react. If everything went well, the edict would be destroyed in an instant.
Moreover, this sword is not only fast, but also powerful and heavy. Even if the cavalry on the side uses their swords to resist, they may not be able to block this sword.
But the cavalryman's ability to react at the last moment was so great that he did not subconsciously block the sword. Instead, he adopted the method of surrounding Wei and rescuing Zhao. This sword forced Song Shixin to save himself, otherwise not only would he not be able to destroy the edict, but he would also be cut off.
one arm.
Although he had well-developed limbs and a stout body, his reflexes were really impressive. He turned his wrist and slashed diagonally towards the cavalryman with his broadsword.
Almost at the same time, another cavalryman reached out and pulled the reins of Song Shilian's horse, turned the horse's head, and then poked the butt of Song Shilian's horse with the torch in his other hand. The torch poked the horse's butt, and the horse
Feeling the pain, he hissed in surprise and ran toward his own formation.
The cavalryman holding the torch did not retreat. He turned around and saw Song Shixin fighting with another cavalryman. He said sternly: "Third uncle, I'm here to help you!" He actually threw the torch in his hand at Song Shixin and pulled it out among the lightning and flint.
The sword was unsheathed and he slashed at Song Shixin with a swing of the sword.
It was Zhao Shengtai who had just resorted to the method of besieging Wei and rescuing Zhao, but it was Yu Buzhou who threw the torch at Song Shixin.
Zhao Shengtai and Yu Buzhou were both members of the Queen Mother's Congregation. The great scholar Zhao Yankuo signed a letter with twenty-six courtiers, objecting to the late emperor passing the throne to the Holy Queen Xiahou. Later, Xiahou retaliated and many loyal and good people were destroyed.
, and Zhao Shengtai led the few survivors of the Zhao family to defect to Qingzhou and participated in the rebellion of three states and seven counties.
Although Yu Buzhou has no blood relationship with Zhao Shengtai, he is also the successor of Zhongliang. After Zhao Shengtai and many remnants of Qingzhou were absorbed by Qin Xiao in Jiangnan, Yu Buzhou naturally followed Zhao Shengtai to join Qin Xiao. However, he was very young and had seniority.
Ye Qian, Qin Xiao could only give him the position of deputy lieutenant, and he has been working under Zhao Shengtai.
However, Yu Buzhou has always thought about being able to make military exploits on the battlefield. After the Qingzhou Army was recruited by the court, the charges were removed, and since then he no longer wears the label of rebelling against the party. Many people are thinking about having a chance.
Make great achievements and restore the honor of your family name.
Although Zhao Shengtai was rich in experience, he was not young after all and was approaching his fifties. Although Song Shilian escaped safely with a move to surround Wei and save Zhao, Song Shixin aimed at him and struck him with two swords in succession. The fierce and fierce wind really made Zhao Shengtai heartbroken.
Surprised, he avoided two knives in a row.
Yu Buzhou threw the torch over, but Song Shixin, who was about to strike Zhao Shengtai for the third time, swung his knife to light the torch. After opening the torch, Yu Buzhou was already close at hand, with the big knife in his hand pointed at the tall man in the air.
Song Shixin chopped it over.
Song Shixin showed disdain and blocked with his sword. He heard a "dang" sound and sparks flew everywhere. Yu Buzhou felt that his whole arm was numb from the shock. Before he could think more, Song Shixin's sword had already taken advantage of the situation.
He pulled it down, then raised it diagonally, and slashed straight towards Yu Buzhou's neck. Yu Buzhou's reaction was not slow, and he hurriedly raised his knife to block it. Who knew that Song Shixin's move was a false move, and Yu Buzhou raised his knife to block it.
At this moment, he turned his wrist and the big knife had reached Yu Buzhou's chest. With a strong force on his hand, the blade of the knife hit Yu Buzhou's chest hard.
However, Yu Buzhou felt like he was hit in the chest by an iron hammer. His body flew out from the horse and landed heavily on the ground. His chest and five internal organs rolled. With a "wow" sound, a mouthful of blood spurted out.