(More than two hundred words have been added to the end of Chapter 724. You can take a look. You need to refresh the cache!)
On June 22, east of Jishui, a large ship docked on the shore.
A handful of people were standing on the simple pier at the moment, saying goodbye to each other.
Lu Liqing, who had assumed the post of army general, looked at the old man with white hair and beard in front of him and said sincerely: "Old sir, let's send some guards!"
With the "unlimited" power granted by the emperor, the first thing Lu Liqing did after taking office was to control the left and right Jinwu guards.
The two cavalrymen, the Xiaowuwei and the Xiaoqiwei, were his old subordinates, and they were naturally willing to obey his orders.
After taking control of these four old imperial troops, Lu Liqing's back was instantly strengthened. Coupled with his seniority and power, it took three days of appeasement and adjustment to finally integrate the entire army.
This was considered good news, but Lu Liqing was not happy.
Because according to the report from Tanma, the Yong army's ships on the other side of the river have almost been completed, and the attack will be launched in the past few days.
Therefore, the imperial army west of Jishui has been in a state of combat readiness for the past few days, including intensifying patrols at night, in order to cope with the Yong army's surprise attack.
In fact, it was only after taking office that Lu Liqing realized that his trouble was not only with Yong's army, but also with the already shaken and decadent military morale.
Not only the temporarily transferred guards, but also several guards of the old Forbidden Army were negative and skeptical about whether they could win.
What is even more worrying is that the rumors spreading in the capital are now being discussed by people in the military.
When the emperor of the dynasty committed regicide and his father, King Yong was the one destined for destiny... This argument was discussed in private by many people.
For this reason, in order to boost the morale and stabilize the morale of the army, Lu Liqing killed 70 or 80 people, including three from thousands of families.
Now, the old man in front of Lu Liqing is Taifu Fang Hongji.
Hearing Lu Liqing's kindness, Fang Hongji said with a smile: "General, King Yong is commanding a hundred thousand soldiers and horses. I think he has some magnanimity and will not take my life!"
"Thank you very much, General, for your concern!"
After saying that, Fang Hongji turned around and said to his followers: "Actually, you don't have to go with me. If you can, just stay!"
Following Fang Hongji across the river this time, in addition to deputy envoy Qiu Youxian, there were also several students of Fang Hongji, and of course the boat workers.
Qiu Youxian, the minister of the Ministry of War, had previously sent an envoy to the Yong army on his own initiative, but he was not held responsible for this incident.
And because of his meritorious service in gathering defeated troops, the imperial court also praised him.
Now that his body has not fully recovered, when he learned that Fang Hongji was going to Yongjun as an envoy, he reported to the court and accompanied him.
At this moment, Fang Hongji asked others to stay because he did not want more people to be in danger. Until now, he is still retaining talents for the court.
But after his words fell, no one at the scene responded.
In the end, it was Qiu You who spoke first: "Old sir, it's time to get on the boat!"
Fang Hongji nodded, looking disappointed and secretly relieved, but in the end he sighed.
After getting on the boat, under Lu Liqing's watch, the boat moved slowly towards the distance.
The wind rustles and the water becomes cold. A strong man is gone and never comes back... Lu Liqing thought of this sentence.
Although Fang Hongji is old, his words and deeds are truly strong and worthy of everyone's admiration.
Besides, on the boat, although everyone had the courage to cross the river, they still felt heavy-hearted at the moment and could not say a word.
When the boat crossed the middle of the river, Lu Liqing couldn't help but ask: "Master Qiu, what do you think of King Yong?"
Qiu Youxian has been running on the Jishui front line. The two just met this morning and haven't had time to talk in depth.
"Ashamed, although I have been to Yong's army camp, I have not had the opportunity to meet King Yong!"
After hearing this, Lu Liqing couldn't help but wonder what was going on.
Thinking of that day, Qiu Youxian felt his heart ache again, but he still explained: "King Yong only sent King Ling to see me!"
"This thief is really arrogant!" Fang Hongji said solemnly.
After just scolding this sentence, it was basically of no use. Fang Hongji then asked: "You said that when you go to see King Yong this time, how sure are you that the peace negotiation will be successful?"
"Maybe... maybe 30% or 40%!"
Qiu Youxian said this very reluctantly. In fact, he felt that he was not even 10% sure.
Before the Battle of the Han River, Yong's army was so arrogant that they did not even give them a chance to negotiate. Now that they are more powerful, how can they negotiate peace with the imperial court again?
Fang Hongji was not a fool. From Qiu Youxian's expression and tone, he guessed the real answer.
Fang Hongji then asked: "You didn't see King Yong in Hanshui. Can King Yong meet me this time?"
"This... I really don't know!" Qiu Youxian looked bitter.
From beginning to end, nothing was certain, which made Fang Hongji worried.
Jishui was more than 100 meters wide, and soon their boat reached the shore and was surrounded by patrolling Yong Army soldiers.
Before Fang Hongji and others could get ashore, Yong soldiers scolded: "Who are you?"
Qiu You walked out first and said to the Yong soldiers in front: "Imperial envoy from the imperial court, I have been ordered by the emperor to meet King Yong!"
"This negotiation is related to the safety of the two armies. Please inform me!"
This time, Qiu Youxian's attitude was very humble, just to be able to see King Yong as soon as possible, instead of doing some tricks like last time.
Baihu, who led the team, asked everyone to report their detailed identities, and then sent people to Pingyuan to report on the spot.
As for Fang Hongji and others, they did not get permission from the hundred households to go ashore, so they could only stay on the boat.
In Pingyuan County, Zhao Yanxun was convening a meeting with officials, mainly about logistics.
Eating, drinking and defecating nearly 100,000 troops is definitely a very complicated project, and there are many things that need to be coordinated every day.
Of course, compared to the time when a bunch of warriors were busy, the situation today is much better.
At this moment, the soldier who sent the message came outside the meeting hall.
At this moment, there was a discussion inside, so the soldier reported to the eunuchs outside that these eunuchs were brought by Lin Quan.
Soon, the news spread to Lin Quan, and then Lin Quan told Zhao Yanxun.
"The imperial court sent an envoy again?"
Upon hearing this, all the officials in the hall were stunned.
Now the war is about to break out, and the imperial court has sent envoys.
Lin Quan replied: "That's right. The imperial envoy is the imperial tutor of the current dynasty. He seems to be over seventy years old..."
Hearing this, Zhao Yanxun couldn't help but laugh and said: "If you are over seventy and still come to the front of the two armies, then my unfilial nephew can't bear it!"
"Your Highness, the pretended emperor is unkind, so naturally he will not be considerate of his senior ministers!"
"Exactly so!"
All the officials started talking and scolded Zhao Weilong.
Signaling everyone to be quiet, Zhao Yanxun said: "The imperial court sent envoys before, and they were almost scolded to death by my second nephew..."
"This veteran minister is over seventy years old. If we send someone to argue with him again this time, I'm afraid he will be really angry to death!"
After saying these nonsense, Zhao Yanxun then asked: "Do you think this king wants to see him?"
After everyone was silent for a while, someone said: "His Royal Highness is upright, why don't you dare to see him!"
Someone else said: "Your Highness, this Grand Tutor Fang has a very high prestige among the scholars in the south. If we can persuade him to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side, it will be of great benefit to Your Highness in regaining the five southern counties!"
"Exactly so!"
After hearing this, all the officials agreed and even started to get excited.
After all, if we can really persuade Fang Hongji to join him, it will undoubtedly be a great achievement.
"In that case, then I'll just meet him!" Zhao Yanxun said in a deep voice.
He has sent people to the south to persuade these people to "abandon the darkness and turn to the light." Since this Fang Hongji is somewhat famous, he can indeed be summoned to see him.
