Outside the Chunming Gate, there is the Sixth Army Camp in the East Palace.
Drizzle was falling outside the window, and the white light of the morning sun was blocked by thick clouds, revealing only a hazy light. The soldier replaced the candle on the candlestick with a different one, replaced the tea on the table with a cup, and quietly retreated.
go out.
Li Jing sat behind the bookcase, and battle reports from all over the place were flying in like snow. A thick pile was spread on the box on the side of the bookcase. Li Dazhi kept classifying the battle reports sent by the armies and placed them on the head of the bookcase and waist.
I'm almost exhausted...
"Li Daozong rebelled and raised troops to attack the inner gate."
"The Nei Zhongmen fell, and Li Daozong led his army into Tai Chi Palace."
"The rebels marched straight into the inner garden and occupied the inner garden, and the palace defenders struggled to support them."
"The troops outside Xuande Gate were led by Cheng Wuting, and they built defenses on the front line of Ganlu Hall with the imperial guards in the palace."
"The Zuotun guards assembled and arranged their troops in formation without authorization, with evil intentions."
"Li Daliang sneaked into Youtun Guard and rebelled against thousands of soldiers and generals. There was already civil strife in Youtun Guard, and Gao Kan led his troops to defend the central army tent."
…
Looking at the battle report in front of him, Li Jing's gray eyebrows were always frowning and he never relaxed for a moment.
After reading this pile, I picked up another pile.
"The rebels of the King of Jin occupy Yuanqiu, and the entire army is arrayed. They may launch a fierce attack on Mingde Gate at any time."
"The rebels arrayed themselves under the circular mound, getting ready to go."
"The rebels have not yet attacked Mingdemen."
"Zuowuwei suddenly gathered, left Fanchuan where they were temporarily stationed, and slowly moved towards the north."
"Xiao Yu left Yuanqiu and rushed to the Zuowu Guards to meet Cheng Yaojin. It is not known what they discussed."
…
After reading this, Li Jing let out a breath.
Although all countermeasures have been prepared in advance, the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, and any sudden decision made by anyone may affect the current situation, so as the person who controls the situation, he does not dare to slack off at all.
For example, Li Daliang's personal demise was an unexpected event. Li Fengjie had been jumping up and down in the Youtun Guards to instigate the rebel generals. He was under the supervision of Gao Kan and others, and everything was under control.
But Li Daliang obviously had a trick in building the plank road, secretly infiltrating Chencang, and deliberately exposing Li Fengjie to Gao Kan to attract everyone's attention. In fact, it was Li Daliang who personally bribed, coerced, and lured those who had something to do with him.
The military officers and soldiers with various connections were caught off guard once activated at this moment, making Gao Kan extremely passive.
Maybe the Youtun Guards are really in danger of overthrowing, and once there is no restraint from the Youtun Guards, Li Daozong can not only attack the Taiji Palace with all his strength without any distractions, but the rest of the rebel army can also enter the Taiji Palace from the Xuanwu Gate without any hindrance for reinforcements.
, the situation will become increasingly passive.
And Cheng Yaojin.
Until now, he was not sure whether Cheng Yaojin's behavior was because he saw the situation clearly and weighed the pros and cons and made a choice, or because Fang Jun's meeting convinced him, or even just to confuse the court and the emperor. In essence,
We have already secretly reached an agreement with King Jin...
This devil incarnate was very cunning when he was fighting. Now that he is older, instead of becoming calmer, he has become more slippery and unpredictable.
But no matter what, it always looks good.
Li Jing took a sip of tea, flipped through the battle report on his head, and suddenly frowned and asked: "Why is there no battle report on Fang Jun's movements?"
Li Dazhi was stunned for a moment and replied respectfully: "I haven't seen it yet. I will look for it again..."
He had a good memory, and he clearly remembered that he had never seen any information about Fang Jun in the battle reports, but he still searched through the stacks of battle reports, and then said helplessly: "The general has rummaged through it, and indeed there is no information about Vietnam."
Message from the Duke.”
"That's strange. This guy was ordered by the emperor to guard Xuandemen. Cheng Wuting has already led his troops into Xuandemen to resist the rebels. At this critical moment, if he doesn't personally supervise the formation, where has he gone?"
Li Jing was puzzled. Naturally, he would not suspect that Fang Jun was afraid of fighting and absconding or was negligent or slack. Fang Jun was one of those rare people who would get things done properly as long as they were handed over to him. Now at this critical moment,
Naturally, you won't make stupid mistakes.
After thinking about it, he stood up and held the teacup and came to the map on the wall. Li Dazhi had already clearly marked the current situation with various colored pens according to the information recorded in the battle report. He checked it carefully outside the Xuanwu Gate, and his eyes suddenly
Moving from the Forbidden Garden outside Xuande Gate to the north, then making a detour from east to west, and then from north to south back to the left and right military camps...
"Could this guy have sneaked back to Youtunwei in order to hide the truth and drain the fire? He's really audacious and whimsical!"
However, he had to admit that this move was risky, but once successful, it would completely seal the Xuanwu Gate, which would not only cut off Li Daozong's retreat, but also block the intention of other armies to enter the palace through the Xuanwu Gate.
After all, the strategic position of Xuanwumen is too important, and it is almost invincible...
"Send the order and immediately send out scouts to inquire about the situation of the guards on the left and right, and report back every time you burn incense."
"Here!"
"In addition, closely monitor the movements of the Jin King's rebels in the south of the city, and report immediately if their troops show signs of attacking Mingde Gate."
"Here!"
Li Dazhi recorded all the orders in his notebook one by one, turned around and went out to convey the military order to the captain waiting outside the tent. In a moment, more than a dozen captains with triangular red flags on their backs galloped out of the camp and headed towards their respective camps.
Run towards the destination.
When Li Dazhi returned to the tent and saw that Li Jing had sat back on the bookcase again, he stood quietly to one side, waiting for orders at any time.
Li Jing flipped through some more battle reports, raised his head and asked, "Where are the armies under Li, Xue, and Zheng now?"
Li Dazhi hurriedly stepped forward, pulled out one from the bottom of a pile of battle reports, opened it, glanced at it, and handed it to Li Jing: "The three of them were stationed on the spot as ordered after crossing the Bashui River. They have now arrived at Shaolingyuan, fifty miles away from Zuowuwei.
, you can follow orders and go north at any time."
Li Jing took the battle report and read it. He stood up again and came to the map. After thinking for a long time, he said: "I sent an order to Li, Xue, and Zheng to order their troops to set off immediately, from Shenheyuan to the west along the Qingming Canal to the north.
Wuqiao was stationed in the area of Yongshou Township, and Zuo Wuwei went to the east and west to block the rebels of the King of Jin in the circle."
By then, the siege was complete, and the rebels of the Jin Dynasty were trapped in the circle, and the retreat route to the south was blocked. To the east was Qujiang Pool and to the north was Mingdemen... The Jin Dynasty dared to fight against the two powerful armies.
Attacking Mingde Gate with eager eyes?
No matter whether you attack or not, whether you retreat or not, you will become a turtle in a urn, unable to fly without wings.
At this point, the only outcome of the entire war lies in whether the Taiji Palace can be defended and whether the emperor can persevere...
In this regard, Li Jing felt that it was not a big problem.
*****
Furong Garden, Li Tai's residence.
In the hall, Li Tai was in the middle and Li Ji was at the bottom. The servants and maids in the palace and the guards came in and out, packing all kinds of fine clothes and loading them into carriages. It was a busy scene.
Li Tai took a sip of tea, looked at Li Ji, and said displeasedly: "Your Majesty's behavior is a bit too much."
Someone actually brought his whole family into the palace, was it because he was afraid that he would become attached and rebellious? Or was it because he was afraid that he would take advantage of the chaos to set up another army and follow the same example to raise an army to fight for the throne?
Li Ji shook his head and said calmly: "Your Highness's words are wrong. There are chaos happening at the moment, and thieves and bandits are everywhere. No one can guarantee that the city of Chang'an will not be poisoned by military disasters. Your Majesty is worried about His Highness's safety, so he has joined the palace to take care of each other. In fact, It’s as it should be.”
Li Tai drank tea and said disdainfully: "That's just nice to say, isn't it just to bring the king into the palace for surveillance and control? But having said that, you, the British Lord, should be the first person in the military and the first person in the court. You can be said to be the leader of one person. I am a little surprised that I am above tens of millions of people, but now I am reduced to doing these errands."
"Haha," Li Ji smiled and leaned on the back of the chair. Looking at Li Tai, whose figure and face were increasingly returning to his "old glory", he said with great interest, "Yes, mediocre ministers are not recognized for their talents, and their ambitions are difficult to achieve. I feel very depressed in my heart, how about asking the ministers to assist His Highness Zuo to imitate the King of Jin and raise an army to seize the throne and dominate the world?"
"Pfft...cough cough cough."
A mouthful of tea spurted out from his nostrils, almost choking Li Tai to death. After finally breathing, Li Tai changed his face and said, "Young Master, please don't harm me!"
Is it okay to say this? Once it reaches His Majesty's ears, he will definitely feel resentful and wary of him. Li Ji may not do anything to him due to his status and meritorious service, but I'm afraid he won't end up well.
Don't talk nonsense about Your Majesty being lenient. No matter how lenient the Emperor is, no matter how much he values fraternal ties, he will never allow his brothers to be arrogant and disobedient...
Seeing that he was so scared, Li Ji smiled happily: "It's just a joke. Your Highness can say it, but the humble minister can't?"
First, you hinted in your words that I was resentful for being thrown away by His Majesty, and I was just repaying him with his own treatment.
Li Tai narrowed his eyes: "Are you kidding?"
Li Ji looked back: "You can think it's a joke."
Li Tai laughed: "You can think it's not a joke?"
Li Ji picked up the tea cup and drank water: "You can do whatever you want."
Li Tai stared at him for a long time, then stood up, straightened the hem of his clothes, and walked out the door: "Stop talking nonsense, it's already dawn, let's go to the palace for breakfast."
In the yard, the servants of the palace have prepared the daily necessities needed for short-term residence. In addition, more than ten carriages are carrying the gold and jade treasures that are easy to move in the warehouse and basement, and the remaining money and silk that are difficult to move are stuffed into the ground. The library is guarded by its own guards.
However, if thieves and bandits attack in Chang'an City, the rebels are often more harmful than the bandits. Once they break into the palace, such a small number of guards cannot stop them. Of course, the valuables are all on the carriage, and even if the things in the basement are robbed It doesn’t matter if Li Tai is empty...
Li Ji followed from behind and saw Princess Wei waiting for the carriage under the service of a maid. He took two steps forward and bowed to salute. Princess Wei returned the gift, then boarded a four-wheeled carriage, lowered the curtain, and the carriage was guarded by cavalry. Slowly drive out of Furong Garden.
The guards brought the war horses. Li Tai looked at the gray sky with his hands behind his hands and asked: "In your opinion, what is the outcome of this mutiny?"
Li Jidao: "The position of emperor is granted by God. Only those who are destined to live in it can occupy it. How can we ordinary people understand the secrets of heaven?"
Li Tai frowned: "In other words, you think that His Majesty is not necessarily the right one who is destined to be the emperor? I will have a good talk with His Majesty later and ask him to find a fortune teller. If not, let him go as soon as possible."
Li Ji: "..."
Are you so vindictive? I just tested you, and you want to accuse me in front of His Majesty?
I said clearly that "whoever wins is the right one"...