Ten days later, Gao Jin and others who went to Linzi with Yuan Fang returned to Shouchun.
In the middle of the night, Gao Jin took out his token and showed it to the defenders on the city. There were several types of tokens for the Heavenly Army, representing different levels of urgency. When the general on duty of the defenders looked at the token, it was exactly the same.
At the highest level, he knew that the visitor must have something urgent and secret. He immediately ordered his subordinates to open the city gate and let everyone in.
In order not to cause alarm in the city, Gao Jin and others wrapped their horses' hooves in cotton cloth and did not light torches. They only used the dark night to pass through the city gate without stopping, and walked across the street towards the old Chu Palace.
He ran towards the palace gate and showed his token in the same way.
The palace guards did not dare to neglect and hurriedly let the guests in. At the same time, their own guards ran quickly to inform the king.
At this time, Wang Zheng had just fallen asleep when he heard the news. He had no time to put on his clothes, so he just picked up a robe and put it on carelessly. He even forgot to put on his shoes. After walking a few steps, he realized what he was doing, and then turned back and put it on casually.
, walked out and said at the same time: "Let Gao Jin and others go to the study to meet with me."
When I came into the study, before I could sit down, Gao Jin had already arrived.
Wang Zheng walked out quickly and held Gao Jin's hand at the door of the study, but did not ask about the envoy's situation first. He looked at Gao Jin's people carefully up and down, and saw that everyone was dusty.
, couldn't help but said warmly: "Thank you for your hard work this time, please sit down quickly."
After everyone came in and sat down respectively, Wang Zheng ordered his servants to serve tea, and asked his entourage to go to the dining room to get some cakes and food to satisfy their hunger. After they had eaten and drank for a while, they had calmed down, and then asked: "How is the situation of the envoy to Linzi?"
, Yuan Fang has persuaded Yuan Tan? Has he agreed to send troops?"
After asking several questions in a row, it was obvious that Wang Zheng was in an anxious mood. He was so anxious, but he could still bear to ask until now. The other envoys were all warriors, so it was just that they were not sensitive enough. But Gao Jin, a scholar, noticed it and admired it in his heart.
Feeling moved again, he quickly stood up and bowed and replied: "I am on an envoy this time to support the great blessings of the state pastor. Fortunately, I have lived up to my mission."
"really?"
"Exactly."
Wang Zheng stood up suddenly, rubbed his hands and walked around the room several times. His joy was hard to suppress, and the smile on his face suddenly bloomed. He first walked to Gao Jin's seat and patted his shoulder; then he walked to several other officials.
In front of the group members, some high-fived, some shook hands, laughed loudly, and said, "It can be done!"
Looking at everyone, his expression became more and more gentle, "Looking at the colors on the planes, everyone is tired, I know you have been working hard all the way. I'm afraid you won't have a good night's sleep for more than ten days, right?"
Everyone dared not shout, and Wang Zheng said again: "I should have let you rest here, but this matter is of great importance. Since Linzi Yuan Tan agrees, the day of our dispatch is already close at hand, so the details about this mission are
, I must understand everything now."
"Well, Gao Jin, you and the deputy envoy will stay here. The rest of you, please go and rest first. There is no need to go back to your homes. You will just stay in the palace tonight."
The guards immediately led the way and led the others out.
Seeing everyone leaving, Wang Zheng turned to Gao Jin and said with a smile, "Tell me one by one how you went on your mission and how you met Yuan Tan."
"After I and Yuan Fang entered Linzi, they went straight to Yuan Tan's house. I don't know how Yuan Fang separated from him. I only know that when he summoned me, he agreed to send troops, with a total of 5,000 troops, including 1,000 cavalry.
, four thousand infantry will arrive at Guangling by water within the month according to the route required by Zhou Mu, and then stationed in Jiangdu. Once Zhou Mu launches an offensive against Danyang, he will attack from the north at the same time, threatening Wu.
County, of course, Yuan Tan also made a request."
"any request."
"Yuan Tan hopes that before launching the offensive, the Lord will prepare a large number of supplies and transfer them to Jiangdu."
"This is not a problem." Wang Zheng smiled slightly: "The purpose of borrowing troops this time is to take down the two important towns on Jiangyou in one go. Even if Yuan Tan didn't say anything, I would have made preparations for the friendly forces."
Guo Jia had already analyzed the pros and cons very clearly before. For Wang Zheng, handing over the national jade seal to Yuan Shao would have all the benefits and no harm. In this case, even if Yuan Fang did not agree to persuade Yuan Tan in the end, Wang Zheng might also want to
Thinking of a way to send the jade seal away
Hands go.
Now that he could get 5,000 Jizhou troops to join forces with him to attack Jiangyou. With the response from both sides, the certainty of completing the battle was greatly increased. This was equal to labor earned in vain. How could Wang Zheng not be overjoyed?
After talking about the situation of the envoy, Gao Jin asked: "Seeing that it was already the middle of the month, the governor of the state said that our army's expedition is imminent. I don't know when the date is set?"
Since Gao Jin was on a mission to Linzi, he naturally knew the whole story of this transaction. Wang Zheng didn't hide it from him. He smiled lightly and told the story.
Gao Jin was running around for days and was almost confused. He couldn't react for a moment. After a while, Fang Fang was surprised and said: "After the eighteenth day? Isn't that the fifth day of the first lunar month?"
"That's right." Wang Zheng nodded and said, "This day is the Po Wu Festival, so everything is suitable for it."
"But Chen remembers that the wedding day planned by Zhang Guoxiang and others is also on the fifth day of the lunar month, isn't it?"
The date of Wang Zheng's wedding was decided last month.
This day was not only known to Gao Jin, but also to everyone in Xuzhou and Yangzhou. Even the emperor who was far away in Xudu, Liu Biao and others in Jingzhou, and Wang Zheng had already sent envoys to inform them, and these dates were passed down.
, I’m afraid everyone in the world has heard of it.
"It's because I'm getting married that day, so it's easy to use troops." Wang Zheng laughed: "It's so unexpected, no one expected it."
"This is a clever plan."
Since he said this, Gao Jin naturally did not dare to refute, but he still hesitated and said: "It's just that Zhou Mu's wedding is a happy event. Isn't it inappropriate to go to war?"
My marriage has become a political marriage, why do I still care about these things?
Wang Zheng waved his hand indifferently and said with a smile: "It is the time of the wedding, so I hope to receive the good news from Jiangdong. This is a double happiness."
The second year of Jian'an was the year of Ding Chou. Based on astrological calculations, the fifth day of the first lunar month was the time when the auspicious gods were on duty. Everything was suitable, and no evil or taboos were avoided. This was the "auspicious day of the zodiac". Suitable for: getting married,
Make an alliance, accept the offer, break ground, and relocate.
Wang Zheng's wedding day was set on this day.
According to the requirements of the "Shihun Rites", all the procedures that should be completed in advance, such as marriage negotiation, adoption, payment of coins, etc., have been completed long before this day.
After these three rituals have been performed, the next step is to welcome them personally.
The day before the personal welcome, not only the civil and military ministers from Xu and Yangzhou were present, but also the congratulatory envoys who were about to arrive from Jingzhou, Jiaozhou and other generals. The room was full of clothes and nobles, and everyone was everywhere.
It was an aristocratic family. Wang Zheng was setting up wine and tea, and was traveling among them. He had something on his mind, but at this moment, he had to cheer up and greet everyone's congratulations, smile and talk attentively. He was really tired.
Fortunately, everyone knew that he would have to get up early tomorrow, so the fuss didn't last too long and they dispersed around the second watch.
After sending most of the guests away, Wang Zheng whispered a few instructions to the guards. Not long after, Guo Jia, Zhang Zhao, Mi Heng and other civil servants, together with Xu Fang, Wu Sheng, Yu Jin, Wei Yan, Huang Zhong, Gan Ning, Zhang Liao, and Zang
All the Ba and other generals appeared again.
The king ordered the guards: "No one is allowed outside the martial law room within a hundred steps." Close the doors and windows and discuss secretly with the ministers and generals. Everyone who came here already knows all the details about this battle. There is no need to go into detail.
.
Wang Zheng spoke concisely and just repeated the tasks assigned to everyone. He first looked at Wu Sheng and asked: "Are there any changes in Yuzhou in the near future?"
"Back to General, nothing has changed."
Wang Zheng nodded and looked at Yu Jin again. Without him having to speak, Yu Jin said in a deep voice: "General, there is no unusual movement at the border of Yanzhou."
Since there was no change between Cao Cao and Liu Biao, Wang Zheng was completely relieved and immediately said: "That's great, everything will go according to the original plan."
Then he told Mi Fang: "This battle must be completed in one battle. Whether it can be successful or not, the intelligence work of Benming Division needs to be done well. Zifang, from tonight on, you don't have to go home. You must always maintain close contact with the front line."
.”
"Here!"
"Is the information from Koto still three times a day?"
"Since yesterday, my lord
It has been changed to once every half hour." Once every half hour, that is twenty-four times a day. In order to accomplish this, Mi Fang dispatched almost all the men of the Benming Division.
"Great kindness."
Wang Zheng nodded with satisfaction: "And you must remember that confidentiality must be absolutely perfect. Before our army launches, there must not be any leakage!"
Mi Fang accepted the order solemnly.
Wang Zheng looked at Zhang Zhao again and asked, "How are the military provisions and supplies prepared now?"
"According to the order of the lord, I have borrowed two or three elite soldiers from the first division of the Heavenly Army to take care of the granaries and guard the grain roads. I have also made a list of civilians needed to transport grains."
Zhang Zhao said seriously: "I can promise that as soon as the front line of Xiang'an captures Chungu, all food, wages and other supplies will be sent to the city within three to five days at most." Chungu is the first city facing the river in the west of Danyang, and it is also in the royal government's plan.
The future frontline granary, as the saying goes, before the soldiers and horses move, the food and grass must be moved first. As long as the food and wages are ready, there will be no problems in other aspects.
Wang Zheng nodded, turned to Gan Ning and said: "I will be getting married tomorrow morning, and the war will start in the afternoon. From noon onwards, entry and exit in Shouchun City will be prohibited. All envoys from the princes must pay attention to their movements."
"promise!"
"Xuan Gao, the five thousand Jizhou troops on the other side of Guangling also need to be cautious!"
"You will finally understand."
Zang Ba cupped his hands and said: "The ancient captain arrived in Jiangdu three days ago with two thousand heavenly troops, and there are also Benmingsi Huan side supervisors. If we move here, we will also order the other side to launch at the same time. If there is a slightest change, we will end up in Jiangdu."
We will soon respond according to the previously planned plan."
Although it was said to be a "borrowed army" and the 5,000-man army alone could not make much trouble in the original plain, certain precautions must be taken. Wang Zheng nodded, and then he began to ask about the layout of the front line: "The various ministries are preparing
how?"
"Tian Zhu camp's 1,000 tigers and the Tian army's 4,000 troops have been stationed in Xiang'an for many days."
Wu Sheng stepped forward and replied: "As of now, everything is ready. According to the planned strategy, if we launch at noon, I will guarantee that Spring Valley can be captured before sunset tomorrow as a wedding gift for the general!"
Huang Zhong, Wei Yan and others also stepped forward and announced one by one: "The general's several battalions have arrived at a certain place and are currently stationed in a certain city. There are actually many people."
"The war is about to begin, and the army must not be without important generals." Wang Zheng ordered in a deep voice: "Everyone, please leave the city now. Everyone must return to their positions before noon tomorrow!"
The generals responded enthusiastically: "I swear to the death to live up to your command!" They all made a military salute and turned around to leave.
Watching the generals go away, Wang Zheng unfolded the map indoors and spread it on the ground. He pressed his waist with one hand and pointed with his sword in the other hand. Here is Spring Valley, here is Wuhu, here is Shicheng, and here is Danyang.
My thoughts are all centered around the war. Even if I am getting married tomorrow, the wedding ceremony and the wedding ceremony seem to have been forgotten long ago.
The next day, before dawn, a group of warriors came outside the palace. Each of them was a tall man wearing soft armor on the inside and brocade robes on the outside.
Probably because of the military habit, several of them carried long knives with short blades.
Ordinary people would not go to the wedding alone, let alone Wang Zheng, the state pastor. A few days ago, he specially selected some meritorious soldiers who had been following Zhao County since the uprising, a total of forty or fifty people, to serve as
The leader of the team that accompanied his family to welcome his bride was none other than Xu Fang.
Xu Fang came closer and took a look. He couldn't help crying or laughing: "Today is the general's happy day. Why are you still carrying these weapons?"
"Why don't you take it off quickly!"
Most of these people were young. After hearing Xu Fang's reprimand, they did not dare to argue. They smiled, took off the clothes, and handed them to the guards at the door.
On both sides of the door, bright red lanterns were raised high. In addition to the people accompanying the bride, there were hundreds of elite soldiers, some on horseback and some on foot. Their task was to clear the road back and forth, and they also served as guards.
Because it was still dark, many people were holding torches, which set off the lanterns and illuminated the entire street in front of the palace in red.
There were also many servants in the palace, some holding trophies,
Or use a lift to take out the things that will be used when welcoming the bride one by one. These things have been arranged for special personnel to take care of them and distribute them separately. However, although there are many people, not many people talk.
At this time, the night had not gone, and it was quiet. I don’t know how long it had passed, but it seemed that a moment had just passed. In short, before dawn, I suddenly heard someone in the palace seem to say something loudly.
What? Immediately afterwards, a commotion came from the house.
The people accompanying the wedding whispered, "Could it be that the time has come?"
Before he finished speaking, a man walked out of the palace with his head held high, his face powdered and dressed in wedding clothes. When everyone saw it, they were all stunned, even Xu Fang was stunned.
This groom's official is naturally Wang Zheng. Even if they can't see his face clearly, everyone can recognize his figure, but it's just that
This kind of effeminate dress is indeed a little out of place for Wang Zheng, who has always been heroic.
If it weren't for his prestige, I'm afraid some people would laugh out loud at this moment.
One look at everyone's expressions and Wang Zheng knew what they were thinking, and couldn't help but blush.
In fact, it wasn't just his subordinates who couldn't stand it. He also felt very awkward when he took a look at himself in the mirror just now. You said wearing a red robe is fine, but what's the point of applying powder?
When he was embarrassed, he seemed to notice signs that Wang Zheng was getting angry. Xu Fang was the first to react and took the lead to prostrate himself:
"Congratulations on your great success, General."
At this time, other people also came to their senses. Those who were riding on horses jumped off one after another, and those holding weapons lay flat on their backs. With a roar, nearly a thousand people knelt down and worshiped on the ground, shouting in unison, the sound shook the roof tiles: