Eight hundred and ninth chapter soldiers approaching the city
"Old minister, I pay homage to Your Majesty!"
It was past noon, but Zhang Jianzhi did not go to rest. He led a group of East Palace officials to be busy in the study. When he saw Li Xianda walking in, he stood up hurriedly.
He got up, knelt on the ground, and saluted with a choked tone.
"Sir, you don't have to be like this. I can inherit this great treasure. You are the first to do it. I have issued an edict to make you the protector of the country and join the political affairs hall to do errands. You and I, the emperor and our ministers, have a fate. We must do something great in our life and start well and finish well."
, which shows how difficult it is.”
Looking at Zhang Jianzhi who was so excited that he couldn't control himself, Li Xian couldn't help but feel flustered in his heart. Nothing else. The monarch and his ministers have been together for more than ten years and encountered countless turmoils. If it weren't for a loyal minister like Zhang Jianzhi to help him.
Now, Li Xian can't guarantee that he will be able to survive safely. Now, the fruits of victory are already ripe, and it is indeed time to name the heroes. At this point, Li Xian has never been stingy, and it is even more impossible for him to do so.
There was a stupid thing like killing a donkey.
"Old minister, I thank you for your kindness. Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"
Zhang Jianzhi had just won the Jinshi at the age of 40. He was considered a late bloomer. He worked hard to support Li Xian in order to one day become a prime minister. At this time, he received Li Xian's personal promise and was so excited that he burst into tears.
Endless.
"Sir, please get up. Although the overall situation has been decided, the aftermath is still unsolved. I still need your help, sir."
Although Li Xian was excited, he would definitely not miss the main business. After all, although the forced palace was over, the people in Luoyang City were still undecided. In addition, the Yue King's army was approaching, so Li Xian really had no time to lament the hardships of the past years.
, then he stretched out his hand to help Zhang Jianzhi up, and said something solemnly.
"Your Majesty's words are serious. I should consider this with all my heart, and I will never dare to betray the Holy Grace."
Zhang Jianzhi was a wise man in the world. Even though he was excited about having his long-cherished wish come true, he still did not delay the business. He took a small step back and answered with an enthusiastic expression.
"Well, that's fine. Sir, please take a seat. Zhuang Yong will stay here, and everyone else can go their separate ways."
Li Xian was worried and didn't want to waste time, so he walked behind the previous copywriter, waved his hand, and screened all the officials out, then lifted the hem of his robe and sat down.
"Your Majesty, Master Zhuang always has urgent military information to report."
Zhang Jianzhi did not sit down at the lower end like before, but stood at the lower end with a slight bow and reported the report carefully.
"Well, let's talk."
Seeing that Zhang Jianzhi was no longer as calm and casual as before, but acted very reserved, Li Xian frowned slightly unconsciously, but in the end, he didn't say much, just sighed secretly in his heart
The rift between kings and ministers has become established, and it is difficult to have the opportunity to sit and laugh and talk together in the past. A sense of loneliness can't help but surge up in my heart.
"Your Majesty, according to Caizhou's line report, Xiangzhou's army, totaling 120,000, has arrived in Caizhou and is rushing towards Mengjin. Its forward unit, totaling 5,000 infantry and cavalry, is commanded by Caizhou Governor Li Qian. They have taken advantage of the ice of the Yellow River.
At the time of sealing, they seized Laohekou. Tang Jian, the magistrate of Mengjin County, fled after hearing the news. Mengjin was probably lost. In addition, according to an urgent report from Laoshan Mountain, there was an avalanche in Laoshan Mountain and the road was blocked. Our army in Hexi was blocked in front of the pass. General Lin
People have been mobilized to clear the road. However, the disaster is serious and it may take five days to dig out the road. Furthermore, Pei Shoude, the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, secretly meets with the general of the Jinwu Guard, Lu Qisheng, and more than ten ministers, intending to cause chaos in the city.
In order to welcome the King of Yue's army, I have sent out manpower to monitor closely. Please ask your Majesty to observe the above."
The situation was urgent, so Zhuang Yong couldn't care less and hurriedly bowed down and reported the information compiled by "Mingdi" one by one.
Avalanche? Damn it, we're in big trouble this time!
As soon as he heard about the avalanche at Xiaoshan Pass, Li Xian's heart sank involuntarily, for no other reason than that Li Xian had pinned all his hopes of defeating Xiangzhou's army on the arrival of the Hexi Army, but now the avalanche has blocked the road.
Next, the journey of the Hexi Army is destined to be delayed. As a result, the pressure on Dongdu has suddenly increased a lot. Whether it can persist until the Hexi Army arrives is really unknown - even if it takes five days to pass, the Hexi Army will spend day and night
Traveling both ways, it would take ten days at the fastest to reach the city. However, Xiangzhou's army crossed the frozen Yellow River in a matter of seconds. Even if there was a slight adjustment in Mengjin, it would not take more than three days to reach the city of Luoyang. Calculated this way
Come, facing the siege of more than 100,000 troops from Xiangzhou, with the 12,000 troops in the city, it is obviously not easy to defend the isolated city for seven days. If the Hexi Army cannot arrive in time, the consequences will be really disastrous.
"What do you think, sir?"
After Li Xian frowned and thought for a while, he already had some concerns in his mind, but he did not rush to make a decision, but calmly asked the question to Zhang Jianzhi.
"Replying to Your Majesty, I believe that those who resist foreigners must first settle down at home. This matter should be divided into four steps. First, Your Majesty must ascend the throne as soon as possible, change the Yuan Dynasty, and announce it to the world, in order to achieve justice; secondly, the King of Yue must rebel.
Announce to the world, and use thunderbolt means to first cut off its wings in the city; third, declare a general amnesty to appease the hearts of the subjects, especially those in the rear party; fourth, recruit the strong people, especially the servants of each government.
As for the city's assistance in defense, as for the specific arrangements for the war, I am not an experienced director, so I dare not make false claims. I would like to ask Your Majesty to make your own decisions."
Zhang Jianzhi had already planned everything before Li Xian returned, and when he responded now, he was very logical and coherent.
"Okay, what you said is very much what I want, so I'll do it. The president of the village will immediately send a letter to Lin Chengbin, asking him to speed up the dredging and must arrive in Luoyang within ten days!"
What Zhang Jianzhi said is exactly what Li Xian thought - without the support of Empress Wu, the rear party has already been leaderless. It can be dealt with at any time, so there is no need to rush to give them an amnesty decree first to reassure them.
, it will not be too late to calculate the general ledger slowly in the future, and there is no excuse to accuse the left and right. However, the officials of the Yue Prince's Palace cannot be retained, and must be dealt with quickly and severely. Only in this way can the unruly people in the city be subdued.
After receiving the amnesty edict, the people who were originally frightened could be stabilized. Once the internal stability was achieved, the pressure on defending the city would be much less. In view of this, Li Xian no longer hesitated and took a picture of the copy.
Made a decision...
On the eleventh day of the first month of the second year of Yonglong, Prince Li Xian offered sacrifices to heaven and earth in front of Deyang Hall, announced to the world, ascended the throne as emperor, changed the name to "Qiyuan", which was the first year of Qiyuan, and issued four edicts in a row, one of which was "Feng".
Crown Princess Zhao Qiong was the empress, Princess Mingyue was the concubine De, Shangguan Wan'er was the concubine Mei, and Yan Hong was the concubine Rong; secondly, Pei Xingjian was ordered to take the lead in the funeral arrangements, and the posthumous title Gaozong was the Great Sage Dahongxiao Emperor, and the temple name was Gaozong;
Third, declare the King of Yue Li Zhen as a traitor, order the world to fight against him, and order General Zuo Yulin Army Li Duozuo to lead his troops to arrest Pei Shoude, Lu Qisheng and other traitors who participated in the King of Yue's rebellion; fourth, declare Luoyang
A curfew was implemented and wartime was entered. Dukes, servants of the Hou Mansion and Minzhuang were ordered to assist in the defense of the city. General Li Duozuo of the Yulin Army led 3,000 troops to guard the south gate, and Pei Xingjian led 2,500 troops to guard the south gate.
At the north gate, General Cheng Wuting of the Yulin Army led 3,000 troops to guard the west gate, while Li Xianzi led the East Palace Guards and led 3,000 troops to guard the east gate.
At three o'clock in the afternoon on the twelfth day of the first month of the first year of Qiyuan, the captured Pei Shoude and more than 20 officials from the Yue king's line were escorted to the top of the city, their heads were beheaded, and their heads were hung in the north gate for public display.
More than a thousand people were all officials and not slaves. At the end of the day, the emperor issued an edict to grant amnesty to the world. Except for Jia Chaoyin, who was formerly in the party, all others were not punished. With this edict, the people who were originally frightened were at peace.
All war preparations were carried out in an orderly manner and continued throughout the night. With everyone working together, the city's defenses were gradually strengthened.
"Your Majesty, it's daybreak, it's time for you to have breakfast."
In the gate tower of the north gate of Luoyang City, Li Xian, who was dressed in military uniform, was sitting in front of a copywriter, immersed in correcting the memorial. His handsome face was full of exhaustion, which made Gao Miao Ren who walked into the building personally carrying a food box.
I couldn't help but feel distressed. I walked closer with moist eyes and whispered a reminder.
"Oh? Just leave it for now, I'll use it later!"
Hearing the noise, Li Xian raised his head, looked at the already bright sky outside the building, and after giving a casual instruction, he stretched out his waist first, and then stretched out his hands to rub his already stiff face.
, the tiredness is fully apparent.
Luoyang is known as a strong city, but in fact, in addition to the tall city walls, the city defense facilities can only be described as simple. There are only about 20 guard crossbows on the huge city wall, and they are scattered sporadically on the four walls.
Most of them are relics from the Taizong period. Although the maintenance is good, aging of parts is unavoidable. In order to strengthen the city defense, Li Xian spent the past two days trying his best. He personally took command of the battle and dispatched it for two consecutive days and two nights. Finally, it was
The results were initially achieved, and Li Xian finally got a chance to breathe, but he had to correct the backlog of memorials due to Empress Wu's indolence, which really exhausted Li Xian.
"Your Majesty, I have told you that the porridge and cakes should be used while they are still hot. You see..."
Gao Miao had followed Li Xian loyally for more than 20 years. He knew Li Xian's temperament and would definitely not go to dinner until the business was done.
The memorial of criticism was obviously not something that could be done in a short while, so he refused to let it go, so he smiled casually and held up the big sign of Queen Zhao Qiong.
"Oh, slick!"
Li Xian knew clearly that Gao Miao was using the tiger skin as a banner, but Li Xian was not offended. He just laughed and cursed, put down the ink brush, and was about to reach out for the chopsticks when a feeling of palpitations suddenly came to his heart.
His hands stiffened involuntarily.
"Ohh Ohh ohh……"
When he saw Li Xian suddenly stopped moving, Gao Miao couldn't help but be stunned. Just when he was about to speak out and ask what happened, he heard a sudden and shrill horn sound, and his face turned pale in an instant.
It’s coming, it’s finally coming!
Before Gao Miao could come back to his senses, Li Xian's figure flashed and he was already standing at the city plate. With a quick glance, he saw an army of black crows marching towards Luoyang City in the snow in the distance.
When I came here, my heart couldn't help but sink...