Chapter 81 Loyal ministers in the border town strategize (1)
In the custody room of the magistrate's office in Xiazhou City of the Western Xia Kingdom, Zhang Yuanqing, the magistrate of Xiazhou and deputy commander of the Xiangyou Military Division, was anxiously walking back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.
There were five people sitting in the room, all of whom were his confidants and held various positions in the Xiazhou Prefectural Government. Their faces were nervous, and their eyes followed Zhang Yuanqing's figure as they moved back and forth. Even Zhang Yuanqing's every step would make these five people nervous.
The muscles on his face couldn't help but beat a few times.
"Mr. Zhang, don't be impatient. News will come from Youzhou soon." A confidant couldn't bear it anymore and advised him.
Zhang Yuanqing stopped when he heard the sound, looked at his five confidants, and realized that he was too impatient and a little lost his temper. He turned around, walked to his seat, and sat down slowly.
"We couldn't help but not be in a hurry. This time the Song army was dispatched in full force. It was a thunderous blow. The first part of the Jinning Army and the Hengshan Division of Yinzhou surrounded Shizhou. There are few soldiers in Shizhou City. I don't know how long they can hold out. This
We don’t even know if we have fallen or not. If Shizhou is destroyed, our Xiazhou will no longer have a barrier and will be completely exposed to the Song army’s troops.”
"The main force of the Dingbian Army has just sent out troops, and Longzhou has surrendered. Hongzhou... I'm afraid the situation is more dire than bad."
At this point, Zhang Yuanqing's tone couldn't help but become anxious again, "Both the Long and Hong states have been lost. Seeing that the Song army's troops are reaching the gate of Youzhou city, what on earth is Gao Shouzhong doing? If he hesitates any longer, all the jade and stone will be burned."
The five confidants looked at each other, muttering in their hearts.
You are worried that Gao Shouzhong and his jade will be destroyed, but you are not worried that your family will suffer the disaster of war.
I have to say, Mr. Zhang, you are really clever at playing this game with the high-ranking officials.
Shi Wan rushed back from the Song Dynasty in a hurry. After informing the king of the news that the Song Dynasty was about to raise its troops, he volunteered to go out to Zhenxia Prefecture - a place where he had been serving as governor of the prefecture and had staff to help manage it.
In times of crisis, he showed loyalty and courage, and was a loyal minister of the Xia Kingdom from generation to generation.
I heard that His Majesty the King was so moved that his eyes filled with tears. He took Zhang Yuanqing's hand and said, "The Northeast Barrier will be handed over to you."
Several other important ministers, Xue Yuanli and Gao Shouzhong, also volunteered one after another, requesting to go out of the town to defend the enemy to the death and share the difficulties with the country. It is said that at that time, a strong and righteous energy, like Bai Lian, descended from the sky to Xingqing Mansion.
So the emperor appointed Xue Yuanli to guard Yanzhou and Gao Shouzhong to guard Youzhou. Inside and outside the court, a feeling of common hatred and hatred stirred in everyone's chest.
Zhang Yuanqing rushed to Xiazhou, quietly summoned these confidants, and asked them to write secret letters and find a suitable excuse with their relatives in the Zhang family to go to Youzhou City.
Several confidants followed the instructions one by one, not understanding what the mystery was at that time. After a few days, when Gao Shouzhong and several of his confidants and relatives quietly rushed to Xiazhou, they suddenly realized it.
First, he volunteered to leave the town of Waizhou and leave the dead place of Xingqing Mansion. When he arrived in Waizhou, he was the same as a local boss, with power in his hands and no restrictions, so he would be able to jump into the world.
The only bond remains with the family members who remain in Xingqing Mansion. If they can escape, everything will be complete.
So Gao Shouzhong's family members came to Xiazhou, and Zhang Yuanqing's family members went to Youzhou. Wouldn't this mean they had to escape?
The reason is not easy to make up? For example, two to three hundred members of the Zhang family, in order not to increase the burden on the court, voluntarily went to Youzhou to "eat".
How could it be considered escaping and treason if they did not go directly to Xiazhou, where Zhang Yuanqing was guarding? The Zhang and Gao families have been loyal to the Xia State for generations. They have been running the court for many years, and they have made countless friends with the nobles of the clan.
It's impossible not to give this little favor.
Even if there was an eye-catching person in the court who noticed something fishy, how could he make such wild guesses without any evidence and at such a tense and delicate time and hurt the hearts of so many "loyal ministers"?
When the time comes to destroy the Great Wall, you will regret it!
The five confidants considered the whole situation in their minds, and had to admire Zhang Yuanqing, Gao Shouzhong and others for their scheming and ability to assess the situation.
"Father!" A young man ran in hurriedly.
His face was covered with dust, and marks were washed away one after another by sweat. The lake green sweater he was wearing was wrinkled and full of dust, and its original color could hardly be seen.
Zhang Yuanqing was shocked and quickly stretched out his hands to support him.
"Silang, why are you here? Aren't you in Yuzhou?"
Zhang Silang was about to speak, but a breath was stuck in his throat. He rolled his eyes and fell straight backwards.
The two confidants hurriedly helped him to a chair, then moved around stroking his chest to calm his breathing, and filled him with warm tea and water.
Zhang Yuanqing was jumping anxiously next to him, as if a cat with chili powder on its butt was fidgeting.
After some comfort and "rescue", Zhang Silang's eyes finally returned to normal. He gasped for air, and his breathing became more and more normal.
"Father, Li Renzhong went to Youzhou, and Li Renli is coming to Xiazhou."
After hearing this, Zhang Yuanqing calmed down and asked: "Li Renzhong and Li Renli of the clan?"
Zhang Silang swallowed a sip of saliva, nodded, and then said slowly in a slow tone: "Three days ago, Li Renzhong went to Youzhou to supervise the war as the Minister of War. Gao Shishu spent two days with him to find out the details.
Ask your son to come quickly overnight and report the news to your father. In addition to Li Renzhong, Li Renli will come to Xiazhou as the Henan transit envoy to supervise the war."
Zhang Yuanqing stroked the beard on his chin, his eyes flashing coldly.
"I knew that the children of the Li family wouldn't trust me when I leave town."
A confidant came up and said: "Li Renzhong, Li Renli's father, Li Jingsi of the clan, was a close confidant of the late emperor (Xia Huizong Li Bingchang). He was secretly harmed because he opposed the Liang family's arbitrary power. And his two brothers were familiar with Tibetan and Chinese characters.
He is good at poetry and prose, and has been His Majesty's companion since childhood and his most trusted confidant."
"Now being sent to Henan to supervise the war, Mr. Zhang, this matter is no small matter."
Zhang Yuanqing smiled faintly, "It's easy to say just these two kids. If it were Li Liangfu or Wei Ming Anhui, it would be difficult. But Keyimen in the north and Xiping Prefecture (Lingzhou), Jingzhou and other places in the south are more difficult to deal with.
Xia, You, Wei and other states are much more important. Li Qianshun doesn't have many people available, but he is reluctant to use his trusted generals like Li Liangfu and Weiming Anhui to work with us."
Having said this, he asked his son: "What did your Uncle Gao Shi tell you?"
Zhang Silang looked at the five confidants behind Zhang Yuanqing, his eyes flickering.
Zhang Yuanqing said disapprovingly: "We are all in the same boat now. If the boat capsizes, no one can escape. We are all our own people, so it doesn't matter, Shiro, just say it."
"Father, Uncle Gao Shi has decided that today and tomorrow, he will find an opportunity to kill Li Renzhong..." Zhang Silang raised his right hand and struck down hard.
The face covered with dust and sweat looked particularly ferocious.
"Uncle Gao Shi hopes that father will make a decisive decision on Li Renli and not miss important matters."
Zhang Yuanqing smiled coldly, "Heroes see the same thing. Good birds choose trees to roost in. This tree in Bai Gaoguo is about to fall, so of course we have to find a way."
Having said this, he turned around, looked at his five confidants, and said with a smile: "It concerns your lives and futures. I guess no one is willing to be buried with Wei Mingjia."
The five confidants immediately said in unison: "We are willing to follow our benefactor to the death, through fire and water, no matter what!"
At this time, someone outside the house reported: "Report! Henan transit envoy Li Guanren, with dozens of followers, is calling outside the west gate."
"Hurry up and open the door to welcome you." Zhang Yuanqing ordered, and then said to his five confidants: "There is no need to go through fire and water. If we capture this Li Renli and dedicate it to Xiazhou City, it will be a great achievement for us."
You are a genius, remember in one second: Red Oasis: This chapter has been completed!