The dispatched inner chamber servant not only brought back the people Yao Ji needed, but also brought her news that could help her. The Suzaku Army quickly captured Wuchang City. This was a battle that was destined to end before the battle even started. Battle, but it will be more convincing if it is actually won.
At that time, the Suzaku Army mainly attacked the nearest south gate, and the government troops also undoubtedly set up key defenses at the south gate. As in previous siege battles, the artillery bombardment continued, and the sound of artillery roared all day long. However, the main equipment of the Suzaku Army was It is impossible for ordinary mortars and long-barreled guns that fire solid bullets weighing three to four kilograms to break through a city wall like Wuchang City, not to mention the less powerful Furlong machine gun.
Several days of continuous bombardment destroyed most of the defensive equipment on the city wall, and also had a great deterrent effect on the originally low morale of the army and defenders. The effect only ended there, they still could not bring the artillery close to the city gate; although Most of the artillery on the city wall were destroyed, but there were still a large number of catapults behind the city wall. They hid behind the high wall and even the Suzaku Army's mortars were extremely difficult to hit. There were range-finding soldiers on the top of the city to guide the people behind the city wall. The trebuchet cannon was fired; if the artillery approached and entered the firing range, it had to stop and set up a fixed target.
But the stalemate did not last long. Soon the city was in chaos after being hit by artillery fire. Some officers and soldiers opened the city gate from the farthest north gate and tried to escape. The Feng Youxian Cavalry Regiment, which was deployed on the flank, seized the opportunity to attack quickly and took the opportunity to seize the city. North Gate. At that time, senior officials of the Huguang Third Division personally went to the battle to supervise the battle, and organized several counterattacks in an attempt to recapture the North City; but the chaotic army could not even deal with the stationary cavalry. Feng Youxian was able to persist until the infantry part of the Suzaku Army left the city. They marched several miles around to come for reinforcements. After the infantry arrived, they fired several rounds of fire and immediately defeated the counterattacking officers and soldiers.
The Wuchang garrison, which was said to be in the tens of thousands but was disorganized, did not even hold on for ten days, and it was nonsense to wait for reinforcements from the Shenji Battalion.
Only now did Yao Ji see with her own eyes that Zhang Ning's original plan to conquer a large territory had been realized. Wuchang City is not only a city, but more importantly, it is the seat of the three divisions of Huguang; the Ming Dynasty implemented the system of three divisions, prefectures, and counties. In the three-level administrative rule system, one province and three departments coordinate the military, political and judicial power of each prefecture and county. For local governments and counties, the central court is just a symbol and source of power. Direct government orders come from the three departments; once Wuchang is lost, all governments The county has undoubtedly become a piece of loose sand. The entire vast territory of Huguang and its millions of people have broken away from the direct rule of the Ming Dynasty, waiting for a new king to take over.
As the saying goes, mount your horse to conquer the world and dismount your horse to rule the world. Whether Zhang Ning can maintain the rule of this territory cannot be achieved by relying only on guns and force. How to establish prestige and righteousness, and how to win the support of people's hearts, countless people have thought about it throughout the ages. Shu Li said that planning is an extremely complicated project; but Zhang Ning now has the simplest and fastest way to restore Jianwen!
Not just anyone can be the emperor. The land of China has already formed rules for thousands of years. Either by taking back the country by force from the Yi and Di regimes, whoever has the ability will be the most upright emperor of the country. If you restore the Han family's clothes, everyone in the world will obey you. , the clear evidence of Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang; either the Central Dynasty itself collapsed, and everyone competed with the Central Plains to determine the level, which is fair and just; but if there is already a more orthodox emperor, whoever has ambitions will be treason and everyone will punish him. Otherwise, if you have soldiers and I have soldiers, if you can be the emperor, why can’t I? If you cannot obey others, the world will be in chaos. The past events of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms are still vivid in my mind.
If Jianwen can be restored, everything will be justified. At most, it will just be an internal struggle for unification within the Zhu family. Because Jianwen has already been the emperor, and he is the eldest grandson of Taizu, who was personally helped to the throne by Taizu; he
Once you have strong supporters again and win on the battlefield, it is extremely normal to regain people's favor.
... Yao Ji in Changde ordered the whole city to celebrate the victory and publicize it with great fanfare. Under the supervision of the officials, the city was decorated with lanterns and colors as if it were a festival. The palace was also preparing a banquet to invite guests to celebrate the victory ahead.
Many people were invited to the feast, but among those who came to the banquet, Zheng Qia was the one whom Yao Ji valued most.
According to the popular banquet arrangements at this time, it was no longer fashionable in the Ming Dynasty to drink and eat meat while enjoying songs and dances like in the Sui and Tang Dynasties or earlier. Shilin preferred to be more elegant, just eat when eating, and watch a theater when watching a play. Guests first
Take your seats at the table according to your dignity and enjoy the delicious food and wine. After the meal, go to the garden to drink tea, snacks and watch a play.
The people in the palace selected two theater troupes to prepare the show. In addition, Gu Chunhan also had to perform on stage in person for the distinguished guests. In this era, it was not a good thing for a woman to appear in public and perform, but it was not Yao Ji who forced her, it was Gu Chunhan.
Chunhan wanted to sing "The Peony Pavilion" herself. This behavior of hers is normal. Scholars in this world have learned a lot and want to put it to use; Gu Chunhan is good at skills and occasionally wants to be recognized in front of others.
It's just natural. In addition to her previous experience and the fact that she does not have the title of concubine in the palace, Yao Ji does not object.
After the luncheon, she personally went to see Gu Chunhan who was dressing up, and asked her attendant Xiaoyue to attend to his dressing. Her concern was obvious and natural. The Peach Blossom Fairy who had just returned to Changde City was also watching Gu Chunhan with interest.
It is carefully dressed and every expense is very meticulous.
Taohua said with envy: "Sister Gu looks simple and elegant, but she is so particular. This is a real woman."
Gu Chunhan's left hand was letting the attendant paint her nails, while she was watching the application of lipstick in the bronze mirror. When she heard the Peach Blossom Fairy talking, she stopped and responded: "One moment's work on stage, ten years of work off stage, it's not easy.
.”
Yao Ji also spoke. Gu Chunhan wanted to stand up and listen again, but Yao Ji stopped her and told her to just busy herself. "My men are bleeding and fighting outside. Only women can pay attention to these things at home. Otherwise, where can we have such things?"
Normal conditions? Do you think so?"
Gu Chunhan hurriedly and respectfully replied: "Yes." Peach Blossom Fairy was bolder, pursed her lips and said: "I dare not say that he is my own man, for fear that I am not qualified..."
Yao Ji was not angry after hearing this. Peach Blossom Fairy's tone was like being angry and coquettish. If she hadn't been close to her, how could she have spoken like this? Yao Ji gently mentioned: "Don't worry about this. I keep my word, and you will be safe."
You have to listen to me."
Peach Blossom Fairy came back to her senses and blushed slightly: "I didn't mean that."
Yao Ji sighed slightly, "Ping'an was not the one who led the troops in the war. He was gentle and well-read poetry..." After that, she took out a piece of writing paper from her sleeve and said, "Peach Blossom Fairy, look at what he wrote.
Letters and a good calligraphy hand are the ones who write, not the ones who wield swords and guns."
Peach Blossom Fairy took it and read it as instructed, and naturally saw what Zhang Ning had written about entrusting Yao Ji to contact Emperor Jianwen. Yao Ji looked at Fairy Peach Blossom's face and said softly: "To persuade his father to come out, only tongguo
Zheng Qia is fine. Zheng Qia should treat you as a niece-like relative and trust you, right? Ping An has never seen his father since he was a child, and now he has to shoulder the heavy responsibility. In his heart, he must hope that father and son can be reunited and have parents.
Being able to rely on..." At this point, Yao Ji's voice was slightly choked.
"Madam, as long as I can do anything for the prince, just ask." Peach Blossom Fairy said sternly.
Of course Yao Ji understands that she is acting. She can perform some scenes better than "actor" Gu Chunhan. Naturally, she will not lie in front of anyone... When it comes to reunion and reliance, at least Yao Ji is completely
She has no true feelings. At first, Jianwen was just a symbol representing power, wealth and status to her. Later, she found that Jianwen could not be relied on at all. Even though Jianwen gave her a son, she had no feelings at all. In her eyes
, only Zhang Ning is a family member, because he is a sincere and reliable person.
Perhaps Queen Ma was the one who Emperor Jianwen really cherished. Even though Yao Ji hated Queen Ma from the bottom of her heart, her reason told her that only Queen Ma was in the same boat with Jianwen from beginning to end. And she, Yao Ji, to Jianwen
She was just a palace maid, and she never thought of being absolutely loyal to him.
After explaining about the Peach Blossom Fairy, the troupe in the garden was about to start performing. The guests had already taken their seats, but Yao Ji did not show up to the crowd. She only set up a seat in an attic opposite the stage to watch. Then she sent
I went to invite today's most important guest, Zheng Qia, to take a seat upstairs.
Not long after, Zheng Qia, a middle-aged man in a neat robe of a commoner, came upstairs. When Zheng Qia just went upstairs, he saw Yao Ji. Yao Ji had no cover when meeting guests today. Her beautiful appearance was called
Zheng Qia's face changed. Zheng Qia lowered his head in a hurry and did not dare to look directly at her. This was the concubine of Emperor Jianwen and the mother of the current Hunan warlord King Xiang. No matter how charming she was, Zheng Qia did not dare to have her.
Not at all unreasonable.
Yao Ji had a smile on her face, as if she could see through Zheng Qia's conflicting thoughts at a glance. Only now she dares to act so openly, because she has the strength to protect her; otherwise, it would be "a common man is not guilty, but he is guilty of harboring a jade", and
There is a saying that if a man doesn't show his wealth and a girl doesn't show her breasts, beauty is not necessarily a benefit... After the fall of Nanjing, she and some of the Jianwen remnant party escaped from the city. The accompanying imperial guards actually had evil intentions at the critical moment of life and death. Fortunately, there was someone
The eunuch named Cao took precautions in advance and helped her escape from the clutches of the devil.
"Zheng Qia, the Grand Scholar of Wenhua Palace (Jianwenfeng), pays homage to the noble concubine." Zheng Qia bowed and bowed. Because Yao Ji was just a concubine and not an emperor, Zheng Qia, the minister next to Jianwen, did not need to kneel down.
Yao Ji sat very dignified and said calmly: "Zheng Shaobao, please take your seat and the next play will begin."
"Thank you." Zheng Qiayi said, leaning forward and sitting gently on the chair prepared for him, and turned to watch the play on the stage. But at this time, he probably had no idea what the actors were singing. His
He never dared to look at Yao Ji again. He was a self-proclaimed gentleman no matter what. Don't look at anything inappropriate.
At this time, Yao Ji asked about Zheng Qia's current situation with concern, and her words were very appropriate. Zheng Qia couldn't help but think of Empress Ma's often harsh words, and of course she had a high opinion of their behavior in private.