In April of the ninth year of Daye, as Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty led an army of 600,000 into Liaodong, the sky of the Sui Dynasty became dim like a red sun hiding behind dark clouds, and many figures hidden in the darkness began to emerge.
Honghua County, also known as Gyeongju, is the largest county in the Guannai area. The population is mainly concentrated in Honghua County, south of Malingshui River, and Heshui County, the county seat. On this morning, on Chidao in the south of Heshui County,
More than 20 carriages, escorted by hundreds of guards, drove all the way and gradually arrived at Heshui County, the county seat.
On the second carriage, Yuan Shou opened the curtain and looked at the green wheat fields on both sides of Malingshui. The wheat had already headed and was growing extraordinarily strong. Looking from a distance, it looked like waves undulating with the wind, stretching as far as the eye could see, and groups of them.
Farmers are busy in the wheat fields, and everyone's face is full of longing for a good harvest.
There was a kind of excitement that could not be concealed in Yuan Shou's eyes. To him, these wheat fields were his army rations, and he would take them away without leaving a single grain. He was also looking forward to this year's harvest.
"Old Yuange, it seems you are ready."
A cold voice came from behind Yuan Shou. It was Yang Xiu, King of Shu. He was sitting in the back row. His face was still pale and bloodless, but his words were obviously much louder. He was no longer as silent as when he first came out, and his tone was full of emotion.
A hint of sarcasm.
Yuan Shou seemed to have gotten used to his sarcastic tone. He glanced back at him and said calmly: "I'm ready, Your Highness, are you ready?"
"I've been ready for a long time, just waiting for you to call me Your Majesty."
After saying that, Yang Xiu laughed unscrupulously, with a hint of desolation in his laughter. He came out of one cage, but had to enter another. How could he not feel resentful in his heart.
Yuan Shou was not angry at all, and said with a cold smile: "At least you are no longer just two Nanman warriors. You have rich clothes and food, beautiful mother's clothing, and enjoy all the glory and wealth. You should thank me."
"Yes! I really should thank you. I have gained ten pounds in a few months. I don't know when I will turn into a pig? Isn't this what Mr. Genge wants? Your Majesty the Pig!"
"In that case, what else can Your Highness complain about?"
Yang Xiu suddenly laughed. "Of course I am complaining. Since I am the emperor, I must have three palaces, six courtyards and seventy-two concubines! I have too few women. I want three thousand beauties in the harem."
Yuan Shou narrowed his eyes and smiled and said: "You can have as many women as you want, I will satisfy you."
The carriage entered Heshui County, and Yuanshou's brows gradually wrinkled. Yuan Hongsi wrote to him that Heshui County could be used as a temporary capital. However, the Heshui County in front of him was small, shabby, and full of sewage. This made him feel uncomfortable.
Yuanshou, who had been living in Chang'an and Luoyang, found it difficult to accept that he couldn't! It was impossible to build a capital in Heshui County under any circumstances.
The carriage stopped in front of the prefect's mansion. Yuan Hongsi came out after hearing the news. Yuan Shou's second son Yuan Shangjun also followed. Yuan Shou was helped out of the carriage and pointed to Yang Xiu in the carriage: "Get your highness settled first.
Let’s talk slowly.”
Yuan Hongsi quickly ordered his confidants to help Yang Xiu to the back house to rest, while he invited Yuan Shou to the meeting hall.
Walking into the meeting hall, Yuan Shou sat down. His second son, Yuan Shangjun, brought him a cup of hot tea and asked him to tap his shoulder. Yuan Shou waved his hand, "No need, close the doors and windows and let's start!"
Yuan Shangjun closed the door and window, and the room immediately dimmed. Yuan Hongsi also sat down and reported the information to the head of the family.
"At present, the Yuan family has a total of 30,000 troops, 5,000 county soldiers, 5,000 family soldiers, in addition to 20,000 soldiers from various provinces brought by the Yuan family's descendants, 12,000 war horses, 400,000 dan of stored grain, armor and
Fifty thousand weapons each, and the martial arts side
There are also some troops. He has fled back from Zhuojun and wrote a letter saying that he has recruited 6,000 deserters, all of whom are Guanlong soldiers. In this way, we actually have 36,000 people, basically all elites.
The regular army has very strong combat effectiveness."
"Is there any news from Yuan Wu Ben?" Yuan Shou interrupted Yuan Hongsi.
Yuan Wuben is a distant relative of the Yuan family. He rarely interacts with the Yuan family, and the Yuan family ignores him. However, Yuan Wuben's official position is very important. He is worshiped as the supervisor of Liyangcang and is in charge of millions of stones in Liyangcang.
Regarding food, Yuan Shou asked his brother Yuan Ji to write to him several times, but nothing happened. Yuan Wuben did not respond at all.
Yuan Hongsi shook his head, "It's still the same as before, there was no reply, he remained silent."
Yuan Shou sighed and said, "Okay! Ignore him and continue talking."
Yuan Hongsi continued: "More than a month ago, I submitted an application for cross-border bandit suppression, and the Ministry of War has approved it. Yesterday, I received news that Yang Guang's emperor has entered Liaodong, and I am preparing to expand my territory in the name of cross-border bandit suppression.
."
Yuanshou smiled slightly and asked: "I wonder which bandit are you planning to kill?"
Yuan Hongsi was stunned and said quickly: "I applied for the annihilation of the Bai Yusuo tribe at that time. The approval from the Ministry of War also referred to the Bai Yusuo tribe. I mainly wanted to annex the troops of various counties and counties in Longyou with the troops to suppress bandits. I have calculated
, there are more than 30,000 people."
Yuan Shou waved his hand and said: "The Ministry of War has already entered Liaodong. It is beyond your reach. Bai Yusuo's Ministry can also use it, but it should not be the first one. I think the first thing to do is to eliminate Xiang Haiming of Fufeng.
Xiang Haiming is a Samana monk who claims to be the reincarnation of Maitreya. He started an uprising in Fufeng a month ago. Tens of thousands of people responded and the momentum was huge. Yuan Hongsi suddenly understood the meaning of the family leader and his eyes lit up.
"Does the head of the family want to occupy Fufeng County in the name of suppressing bandits?"
Yuan Shou narrowed his eyes and laughed, stroking his beard gently and said: "Occupying Fufeng County is equivalent to entering Guanzhong. We can start an uprising in Yong County and make Yang Xiu the emperor."
He smiled proudly again, "I guess Yang Guang never dreamed that there would be rebellion in Fufeng County."
In Dongping County, Yang Xuangan's recruitment of county soldiers did not stop. As Yang Guang arrived in Zhuo County, his attention turned to the Battle of Goryeo. Yang Xuangan once again expanded the recruitment of county soldiers. He no longer applied to the Ministry of War and recruited directly. Within a month,
The number of his county soldiers reached fifteen thousand.
Just two days ago, several of his brothers rushed to Dongping County one after another. Even his third brother Yang Xuanzang and his fifth brother Yang Wanshi, who were serving in the army, also escaped from Zhuo County. The two brothers led 5,000 deserters and hid in Zhao.
County, waiting to respond to brother.
The second brother, Yang Xuan, the governor of Yiyang, also had two thousand county soldiers to support him. These good news made Yang Xuan feel great.
A few months ago, after Yang Xuangan had an in-depth talk with Hu Sizheng, he learned that there was a mass exodus in the army. Hu Sizheng also advised him to seize the opportunity. As long as he takes action, he will be able to respond to everything and form a response from all over the world.
potential.
Yang Xuangan finally accepted Hu Sizheng's persuasion and resolutely gave up Yang Yuanqing's suggestion to endure it until the end. He decided not to tolerate it anymore.
In the room, Yang Xuangan was discussing the purchase of armor and weapons with Huben Lang General Wang Xinzhe. Wang Xinzhe was Wang Rengong's son and was ordered to monitor Yang Xuangan. Unexpectedly, he was attracted by Yang Xuangan and became his confidant. This is also what Yang Xuangan is most proud of.
Yang Guang's eyes and ears became his own, and Ping Bai gave him an additional thousand troops.
Now Yang Xuangan's biggest worry is the shortage of armor and weapons. He recruited 7,000 new county soldiers without the approval of the Ministry of War, but the Ministry of War would not equip him with armor. Therefore, the armor of these 7,000 soldiers has become Yang Xuangan's thorn in his side.
The two discussed for a long time, but couldn't find a good solution.
At this time, the book boy reported outside the door, "Mr. Li is here."
When he heard that Li Mi was coming, Wang Xinzhe stood up and left. Yang Xuangan did not try to persuade him to stay. Li Mi was coming from the capital, and he happened to have many things to discuss with Li Mi.
Soon, the book boy brought Li Mi in. Li Mi returned to Beijing in December last year and just came back now. After not seeing each other for several months, Li Mi lost a lot of weight and his skin turned darker. It can be seen that in the past few months,
Li Mi did not enjoy happiness in the capital.
"After three months of not seeing each other, how come my dear brother has become so thin?" Yang Xuangan asked with a surprised smile.
Li Mi took the tea handed to him by the book boy, took a few sips, pointed to the door, and signaled the book boy to close the door. Then Li Mi sighed and said: "In the past few months, I have been to the south and Longyou, and I have learned a lot about things.
"
"Is the situation serious?" Yang Xuangan's smile disappeared and he asked solemnly.
Li Mi nodded and said in a deep voice: "I don't know when a Nanhua Society appeared in the south. The background is very mysterious, but according to my estimation, the number has grown to at least hundreds of thousands. I don't understand why the imperial court doesn't know about it?"
Yang Xuangan thought for a while and said: "I guess the southern magistrates have reported it to the court, but Yu Shiji and Yu Wenshu were detained, so Yang Guang didn't know anything about it.
"It should be like this. The South China Association is very well-organized. Once they break out in uprising, the momentum will be huge."
"Now that there are so many rebellions in various places, he probably can't take care of them now."
Yang Xuangan was not interested in the Nanhua Society and asked: "What about Longyou? What news is there about Longyou?" Li Mi sneered, "The Yuan family is also going to rebel!"
Yang Xuangan was stunned for a moment. He remembered what Yang Yuanqing said. He didn't believe it at first, but he didn't expect it to be true. Are you sure?"
Li Mi nodded, "It is an open secret in Heshui County that Yuan Hongsi is recruiting troops in Honghua County. I think the Holy Emperor also knows about it, so he went to Liaodong and waited for the Yuan family to rebel."
Yang Xuangan was shaken in his heart. If this was the case, should he rush into trouble? Should he wait a little longer?
Yang Xuangan was not a very determined person to begin with. He had been wavering. He was persuaded by Yang Yuanqing, and then changed his mind by Hu Sizheng. Now that Li Mi said it again, he was shaken again.
Li Mi saw his hesitation and said with a smile: "Actually, the Yuan family's rebellion is also an opportunity for Ming Gong."
Yang Xuangan was refreshed and said quickly: "Say it!"
Li Mi took out a map, spread it on the table and said: "The Yuan family will rebel and must take Guanzhong. Ming Gong can attack Yuanwuben and Liyangcang as an excuse. After occupying Liyang granary, he can recruit hungry people to join the army. At that time, Minggong will call on the world again."
If we raise the flag of righteousness together, I believe the world will be like a spark that will set a prairie fire on fire."