Xiao Xian's camp is located in the southwest corner of Chilonggang, about 20 miles away from the Wei camp, while Du Fuwei's camp is in the northwest corner, also 20 miles away from the Wei camp. The two armies of Xiao and Du are horns and echo each other.
, the night was already very deep, and at the first watch, Xiao Mian could not sleep. He wore a helmet and a horse in his hand, and rode horseback to inspect the camp.
Xiao Mian was also nervous. His nervousness was not because of the approaching war, but because he was worried about his own fate. The moment to decide his fate was getting closer and closer.
He is different from Du Fuwei. Du Fuwei is just the leader of the bandits who separatized Jiangnan. He has neither proclaimed himself king nor emperor. He can get a good ending, but what about himself?
He Xiao Mian proclaimed himself emperor and rebuilt the Liang Dynasty. Since ancient times, those who claim to be emperor without authorization have been a taboo for those in power. Can he get a good death? Although Yang Yuanqing gave him a promise, can he believe Yang Yuanqing's promise? After a while
Two years later, he died of a sudden illness. At that time, who would care about his life or death?
Xiao Mian was full of contradictions and found it difficult to make a decision. At this moment, a soldier rushed over, knelt down on one knee and reported: "For Duke Xiao, Special Envoy Li Mi is asking for an audience outside the camp!"
Special envoy Li Mi actually came at this critical moment. This made Xiao Mian understand something. He thought for a moment and said, "Take him to my camp."
It can be said that the arrival of Li Mi's envoy at this time hit Xiao Mian's weakest side. He should have killed the envoy to establish his authority, but unexpectedly ordered someone to take the envoy to his tent.
In the big tent, Zu Junyan lowered his head and thought about his words of persuasion. His eloquence was not very good, but his insight was quite sharp. When he entered the camp, he found that Xiao Liangjun was not ready to attack, and the soldiers were completely unprepared.
The tension before the war.
As the saying goes, autumn can be seen in a leaf. From this point, he could feel the hesitation and contradiction in Xiao Mian's heart. Xiao Mian was not very willing to cooperate with the Sui army in fighting. At least he still had the idea of preserving his strength.
In this way, a glimmer of hope ignited in Zu Junyan's heart.
The sound of galloping war horses came from outside the tent, followed by a long neighing of war horses, and someone asked in a low voice: "Is the messenger here?"
"Inform Duke Liang, the envoy is in the tent."
Zu Junyan pricked up his ears. From the galloping pace of the war horse, we can infer Xiao Mian's inner anxiety. Moreover, he changed his name to Liang Gong and removed his imperial title. This also shows that he is very aware of the consequences of proclaiming himself emperor. Zu Junyan used his keenness to
With his judgment, he could infer Xiao Mian's state of mind at this time. The sky still had a hint of coolness in late winter, Xiao Mian walked in silently, his sharp eyes like knives fell on Zu Junyan's thin body, Zu Junyan quickly
He stood up and bowed deeply, "See His Majesty the Emperor of Liang Dynasty!"
"There is no such thing as an emperor of the Liang Dynasty."
Xiao Xian frowned. The title of 'Your Majesty the Emperor' made him feel particularly harsh. He lengthened his voice with some displeasure, "Just call me Mr. Liang."
He glanced at Zu Junyan again, as if he didn't believe that the thin and unattractive guy in front of him was the famous Zu Junyan. He asked again, "Are you Zu Junyan?"
"Reporting to Mr. Liang, I am none other than Zu Junyan. Mr. Wei is taking charge of his office to join the army."
"Please sit down!"
Xiao Mian asked Zu Junyan to sit down, and ordered the sergeant to serve tea. Then he asked calmly: "It's so late, Zu Junyan, do you have anything to do with me?"
Zu Junyan quickly bowed and said: "I am here for the cooperation between the Wei and Liang armies."
"Cooperation between the Wei and Liang armies," Xiao Xian couldn't help but sneered. "Zu Shengjun is joking!"
Zu Junyan shook his head and said, "I'm not joking. The day when the Wei army perished was also the day when the Liang army perished. Our two armies had the same fate. Why can't we share weal and woe and live through the difficulties? Liang Gong should understand what I mean."
"Huh! This is different. You were destroyed by the Sui army, but I willingly surrendered to the Sui army. You can't equate the two."
"But... Mr. Liang's own fate, will Yang Yuanqing spare Mr. Liang?"
Zu Junyan's words were like a knife that pierced Xiao Xian's sore spot. He stood up and said angrily: "Here, kick him out!"
Several burly soldiers rushed up, lifted up Zu Junyan's thin body and walked out. Zu Junyan shouted anxiously: "When a man is about to die, his words are good, why doesn't Mr. Liang listen to my advice?"
Xiao Mian looked at the tent with his hands behind his back, motionless. When Zu Junyan was about to be dragged out of the tent, he said coldly: "Let him go!"
Xiao Mian felt extremely tired. Even Li Mi saw that he could not escape Yang Yuanqing's hands, so he sent Zu Junyan to convince him. Could it be that he really could not escape this disaster?
Zu Junyan saw a glimmer of hope. He stepped forward and bowed deeply, "Please listen to me, Mr. Liang..."
"Say it! I'll listen."
Zu Junyan was refreshed and said quickly: "Master Wei asked me to tell Duke Liang that as long as our two families cooperate, the south will be ruled by the two families. The west of Lujiang County will be ruled by the Liang Dynasty, and the east will be ruled by the Wei Dynasty.
Join hands to fight against the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and in order to show sincerity, Lord Wei is willing to give half of the treasures of Jiangdu Palace to Duke Liang."
"Red mouth and white teeth, how can I believe your words?" Xiao Mian narrowed his eyes.
Zu Junyan took out a letter from his arms and presented it with both hands, "This is an autographed letter from our Lord Wei. Please take a look at it, Mr. Liang."
Xiao Mian opened the letter and read it. It was indeed a letter written by Li Mi. It was consistent with what Zu Junyan said. However, at the end of the letter, he swore to God that the promise was absolutely not false.
Zu Junyan observed the words and saw that Xiao Mian was a little tempted, and continued to encourage: "There is no need for Liang Jun to deal with Sui Army. As long as Liang Jun suppresses Du Fuwei's army, we will deal with Sui Army and wipe out Yang Yuanqing.
If the Sui Dynasty falters, there will definitely be a long-term confrontation, Mr. Liang, this is an opportunity!"
Xiao Mian pondered for a long time, "Let me think about this matter! Please come back if you join the army. I will definitely respond before dawn."
Zu Junyan knew that talking more would be useless, so he bowed deeply and said, "I would like to hear the good news from Mr. Liang."
Zu Junyan was sent out by the soldiers, and Xiao Mian fell into deep contemplation. After a long time, he sighed and said: "Go and invite Cen Changshi!"
.......
Outside the camp, more than twenty of Zu Junyan's followers were waiting uneasily. At this time, the camp door opened and Zu Junyan walked out quickly. He turned back and cupped his hands, "Please tell Mr. Liang to thank him for his generous gift."
The entourage came forward and said, "It's okay for Zu to join the army!"
Zu Junyan waved his hand, "Go back to the military camp quickly!"
Everyone got on their horses and galloped towards the dark depths of the east. Just as a group of cavalry walked away, several people came out of the woods two hundred steps away from the military camp. The leader was Wei Yunqi. He looked at his ancestors.
Jun Yan turned around and asked, "Did you see clearly? Who is this person?"
Bing Yuanzhen sneered and said, "This person is Junyan, Li Mi's keeper of the army, and Li Mi's second-in-command."
"It turned out to be him, just as I expected."
"Sima, let me hunt them down." Xiao Yannian, the scout guarding them behind them, said.
Wei Yunqi shook his head, "Ignore the fish on the chopping block for now. Let's go see Xiao Mian first."
Everyone left the woods and ran towards the main camp. From a distance, a patrol sergeant shouted: "Stop!"
Wei Yunqi stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "Please tell Liang Gong, the minister of Honglu Temple in the Sui Dynasty, and the army commander of the Sui Dynasty, Wei Yunqi, to ask for an audience!"
The sentry on duty rushed away, and not long after, the camp door opened wide, and Cen Wenwen came out. He was in the back camp today to take a food test, and he didn't know about Zu Junyan's arrival. He didn't know until Xiao Mian sent someone to find him.
The situation has changed. Cen Wenwen has already seen that Xiao Mian intends to go back on helping Wei. He is extremely nervous. Wei Yunqi's arrival is just timely.
"Wei Sima, I've heard about his name for a long time."
Cen Wenwen stepped forward and bowed deeply, "I am Cen Wenwen, the eldest son of Mr. Xiao."
"I've admired you for a long time! I've admired you for a long time!"
Wei Yunqi heard from Yang Yuanqing that Cen Wenwen was a close follower, and it was he who strongly promoted Xiao Mian's dispatch of troops. Cen Wenwen's presence gave him confidence again.
Cen Wenwen stepped forward and said in a low voice: "Just now Li Mi's secretary, Zu Junyan, who joined the army, came here."
Wei Yun nodded, "I have seen him. What is Mr. Liang's attitude?"
"He doesn't know what to do now? He seems to have been persuaded."
Cen Wenwen sighed, "He determined that Yang Yuanqing would not spare him lightly and would kill him sooner or later."
Wei Yunqi also knew that this was a key issue. Yang Yuanqing had been ambiguous on this issue and refused to give a clear commitment. But then again, even if he made a commitment, would Xiao Mian believe it?
The two walked into the camp, followed by Bing Yuanzhen. After a while, everyone arrived at the Chinese army's tent. Xiao Mian was already waiting in front of the tent.
The arrival of the Sui envoy made him a little nervous, as if he had done something wrong and was found out. When he saw Wei Yunqi walking from a distance, he laughed dryly and said, "I'm not as far away as to welcome Wei Sima. I've neglected Wei Sima. Please forgive me!"
Wei Yunqi also stepped forward and said with a smile: "I don't dare! I don't dare! I have heard about Duke Liang's name for a long time, and I have long wanted to meet him. Today I got my wish, and I am very happy."
"Wei Sima has received the award. Please discuss it in detail in the main account."
"please!"
Everyone walked into the big tent, and the guests and hosts were seated. Under the light, Xiao Mian could see Bing Yuanzhen clearly. Bing Yuanzhen had sent Xiao Liang twice as an envoy before, and they were very familiar with each other. Xiao Mian was stunned for a moment, "
You are not Bing..."
Bing Yuanzhen bowed slightly and said: "Yuanzhen has surrendered to the Ming Lord and is now an aide to the King of Chu."
Xiao Mian took a breath of air. Even Bing Yuanzhen surrendered to Yang Yuanqing. Is it true that Li Mi said he could defeat Yang Yuanqing? For a moment, Xiao Mian was panicked. He didn't know what to do.
Wei Yunqi smiled and said: "I came here just now for two things. One is to discuss the time for both sides to send troops to attack Wei. The other is about the matter of the king of Chu marrying his concubine. The king of Chu has given a clear answer."
After all, Xiao Mian was a hero of his generation. After being slightly flustered, he immediately calmed down and asked silently: "What did His Highness, King Chu, say?"
"The King of Chu is willing to marry Baoyue as his concubine, and at the same time promises to canonize her as a concubine after he ascends to the throne in the future."
Speaking of this, Wei Yunqi took out a pair of jade bracelets, placed them on the table, and pushed them to Xiao Mian, "This is a wedding token for His Royal Highness the King of Chu."
Xiao Mian picked up this pair of unusually familiar bracelets. He looked at them carefully and was stunned.