Jin Lian looked at the smoke and dust rising in the distance, a long-lost smile finally appeared in his eyes, and he stroked his beard and said.
"As expected, we have retreated. Marquis Yang, this young master of yours is truly unparalleled in resourcefulness!"
Although it is said that with Yang Hong in charge, Jin Lian is not worried about what will happen to the Xuanfu, but the coalition forces of the Kalaqin tribe and the Wengliguote tribe are always stationed outside the city and will not retreat. This is a big problem for Jin Lian.
Enormous pressure.
As long as the coalition forces do not retreat, there is always the possibility of war. During this period of time, the situation in Beijing has been changing. The emperor is preparing for war with all his heart. The ministers have tried their best to persuade them to no avail, so naturally they have tried various methods.
The most promising thing among them is that Jin Lian can peacefully resolve this border dispute. As long as the grassland tribes do not take the initiative to provoke a war, then the emperor has no reason to send troops even if he wants to.
Since Yang Hong left Beijing, Jin Lian has received many letters from ministers in Beijing, with different official positions, but the contents are similar. Basically, he hopes that he can resolve the matter properly.
Therefore, to put it bluntly, Jin Lian is now carrying heavy pressure on his shoulders. If something goes wrong, the ministers in the court dare not blame the emperor, so naturally they can only let him take the responsibility.
Now, the army lingering outside Huan City has finally retreated. Although the envoys from various ministries still remain in the city, they can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Cough cough cough..."
A gust of cold wind blew by, and bursts of coughing were heard, accompanied by Yang Hong's old and tired voice.
"Governor Jin is overly praised. My son's mischief has caused a lot of trouble to the court. If His Majesty and Governor Jin hadn't been helping him clean up his troubles, my life would have been handed over to the grassland long ago."
As he spoke, Yang Hong raised his head and looked into the distance, shook his head and said.
"In the final analysis, the reason why the opponent was able to retreat this time was because His Majesty was kind and agreed to help Tuogusi Mengke. Otherwise, I'm afraid the result is still unknown."
Looking at Yang Hong's slightly pale face, Jin Lian frowned and said.
"Yang Hou, your body..."
Although the friendship between Jin Lian and Yang Hong was not deep in the past, since they worked together in Xuanfu this time, the two naturally had a lot more contacts.
Therefore, Jin Lian also knew something about Yang Hong's physical condition.
When there are others around, Yang Hong will always be a veteran on the battlefield with a straight back, a sword in hand, and no anger. However, Jin Lian knows very well that Yang Hong is just holding on.
Ever since Yang Hong arrived at Xuanfu, a doctor has been living in the General Military Mansion, and the daily supply of decoctions has never been interrupted.
Even so, Jin Lian could still notice that Yang Hong was obviously exhausted on many public occasions.
Jin Lian has been at the border for a long time and has seen many generals. Most of them have swords hanging on their waists, but Yang Hong has stood with his sword many times. Although he looks majestic, he is more like
It's a last resort.
However, Yang Hong obviously didn't want to talk too much about this matter and shook his head.
After the words fell, several more coughs resounded, but they were stopped abruptly by Yang Hong.
Seeing this situation, Jin Lian sighed in his heart, and instead of saying anything, he turned around.
"Speaking of which, I am a little curious about what the leaders of these two groups think. This army has been lingering in Xuanfu for a long time, and it must have been very expensive. If it is really just to escort Marco Guergis, why bother?
A big fight?"
"But it would be too naive to say that he came to put pressure because he was worried that His Majesty would not want to help. Of course, the Ming Dynasty did not want to go to war with it, but with the strength of these two troops, even if they really launched an attack, it would be very difficult for the Ming Dynasty.
, it does not pose a threat, and it is not even necessary to use the Beijing camp, it can be driven back by the force of the border troops alone."
"Besides, if it was really to exert pressure, then why did you refuse to take out the letter for so long? You had to wait until Yang Jie arrived at the Xuan Mansion before taking it out..."
Jin Lian has long been confused about these questions.
What can be concluded is that Yang Jie must be behind this. By now, the border matter has basically been settled, so Jin Lian asked.
As expected, after hearing these words, Yang Hong pondered for a moment and said.
"Governor Jin's guess is right. The joint in the middle is indeed on Jier's body."
Jin Lian did not speak, but looked at Yang Hong quietly, waiting for him to continue.
However, Yang Hong did not speak immediately, but paused, seeming to collect his thoughts. After a while, he said.
"Governor Jin should have seen the military report on the civil unrest in Oara yesterday, right?"
"certainly……"
When this matter was mentioned, Jin Lian's face also looked a little emotional and said.
"Who would have thought that in the end, the one who took the lead in attacking and killing Ye Xian was not Bedu, whom he had been guarding all this time, but the most trusted minister Ala Zhiyuan, who was also considered a tycoon of his generation, and was attacked and killed so easily.
, which is surprising..."
The military report on the civil strife in Oara was sent to the capital first, but the detailed military report was a little slower. Moreover, the previous military report had already been sent to the capital, so the latter one was not too confidential.
Because he was on the border, Jin Lian received detailed military reports earlier than the capital, and his death was more complicated than previously imagined.
According to the military reports sent back, Ye Xian had always been very guarded against Bodu, especially after Yang Jie left. For some unknown reason, as soon as he returned to Wala Lao Camp, he ordered Bodu to be imprisoned and sent his own
Guards strictly guard the place.
However, what no one expected was that the one who finally killed Ye first was not Bodu, but Ala Zhiyuan...
Yang Hong also nodded and said.
"Ala Zhiyuan is my old rival. He is cunning and cautious, but lacks courage. When I first invaded the south, the reason why I sent him to Xuan Mansion to feign an attack was because I knew his character. This time, he will take action.
, I’m a little surprised too.”
"But, if you think about it carefully, it's not difficult to understand..."
"Oh? What's the explanation?"
Jin Lian also became interested and asked.
However, before Yang Hong could explain, the people below came to report back, saying.
"Master General, Master Yang is back."
So, Yang Hong's gray eyebrows twitched and said.
"It just so happens that since Jie'er is back, let him explain."
Jin Lian smiled and nodded.
After a while, Yang Jie, who was wearing a light crimson official robe, accompanied by Yang Xin, came to the city wall.
"I've met the Governor, I've met the Commander-in-Chief!"
"No need to be too polite. This matter can be solved satisfactorily this time, thanks to Mr. Yang."
Jin Lian waved his hand gently, looked Yang Jie up and down, and said with eyes full of approval.
"Just now, I was talking to Yang Hou about Mr. Yang. There are many legends about Mr. Yang's trip to the grassland, which makes me very curious..."
While talking, Yang Hong briefly explained the conversation between the two to Yang Jie.
Then, Jin Lian looked at Yang Jie and smiled.
"Now that the matter has been resolved, Mr. Yang, can you help me clear up my doubts?"
Hearing this, Yang Jie quickly cupped his hands and said.
"I don't dare bother the Governor to ask. In the current situation, in the final analysis, you have to take the blame first."
As soon as these words came out, not only Jin Lian, but also Yang Hong and others became interested and turned their attention to Yang Jie, waiting for his explanation.
Yang Jie did not give in and continued.
"To be honest with you, Lord Governor, this time I left the capital with an order and originally planned to go to the grassland. As the saying goes, if you know yourself and the enemy, you will be victorious in every battle."
"In order to have a more comprehensive understanding of the situation of various grassland ministries, before leaving the capital, I not only went to the Ministry of War and Jinyiwei to check various official documents and information, but also personally visited Lord Tianguan who had negotiated with Tuotuo Buhua, as well as those who had
Li Shi, who is on an envoy to Wala, and other gentlemen."
"From Mr. Li's mouth, I learned many details about the negotiations in Oara when I welcomed the Emperor back. At that time, Mr. Li mentioned to me the scene when the envoy first arrived in Oara, and there was one thing that made me pay special attention to.
"
"The scene when we met?"
Jin Lian had also heard Zhu Jian and others talk about the details of welcoming back the Supreme Emperor. When Yang Jie talked about it, his appetite was whetted.
So, Yang Jie gently uttered two words.
"imperious!"
Looking at the puzzled looks of several people present, Yang Jie explained.
"According to Mr. Li, when they arrived at Wala, they first saw Bodu, and then under the leadership of Bodu, they arrived at Wala Lao Camp. Then outside Wala Lao Camp, they saw Ye Xian who went out to greet them. But at that time, Bo Du and others
Mr. Li was a little surprised by his reaction."
As he spoke, Yang Jie's eyes flashed with an inexplicable light, as if he remembered something, and said.
"Master Li said that when he saw him first, he was decorated with gold and jade and was extremely luxurious. Although he was outside the camp, when Bodu and others saw him, everyone immediately got off their horses and knelt down.
land."
"In addition, Naha Chu and others who returned to Wala with the mission also knelt down on the ground for the first time, extremely respectful. However, at that time, they were not allowed to stand up. Instead, they first bowed to
He went forward to greet the envoy, and then asked Bodu and others to follow him back to the camp."
"I felt strange about this at the time. Later, after I arrived in Oara and saw it with my own eyes, I understood the reason."
"Is there anything wrong with this?"
Yang Xin on the side also frowned and asked.
Yang Jie shook his head and said.
"Of course it's inappropriate..."
As he spoke, Yang Jie paused for a moment, as if he was thinking about how to describe it. After a moment, he said.
"Brother, you should know that Bordu is Ye Xian's younger brother. He is considered to have a high position of authority in the entire Wala. Moreover, at that time, Ye Xian should still have great trust in Bordu."
"However, even such a person has to bow down to salute when he sees him first. Moreover, almost anytime and anywhere, as long as he appears first, he has to kneel down and salute. Is this normal?"
Yang Xin frowned and thought, but Jin Lian had already realized something.
To use an inappropriate analogy, if Ye Xian and his nobles are compared to a monarch and his ministers, then Ye Xian is now an extremely powerful and tyrannical king who needs his subordinates to be obedient and obedient at all times.
However, the problem is that Ye Xian is only the leader of Oara, not the Great Khan. Although these nobles bow to him, they are not without their own strength.
This extremely tough rule is effective in the short term, but long-term strict control will definitely make various nobles dissatisfied.
Shaking his head, he sneered and said.
"Strong on the outside but capable on the inside, nothing more than this!"
Yang Jie nodded and said.
"The Governor has made a clear decision, that's exactly what it is!"
"I set out from the border and went deep into the grassland. I passed through many tribes and inquired about a lot of information, and finally came to a conclusion."
"That is, first of all, within Oara, the nobles of various tribes are very strict. If anyone disrespects them even a little bit, no matter how high or low their status is, their lives will be in danger. Anyone who dares to discuss privately will be the first to sit together in the same clan. Their methods are cruel.
It’s scary to hear.”
"This is completely different from what my father described to me before I set off..."
In terms of understanding of Ye Xian, no one here can compare to Yang Hong.
After hearing what Yang Jie said, Yang Hong continued.
"Yes, this person has always been cunning and changeable in his methods. This is what makes him most difficult to deal with."
"The reason why Wala has been able to continue to rise to power is inseparable from Yexian's cunning and scheming. In the past, he did not treat all ministries blindly with toughness, but with clear rewards and punishments, and a combination of hardness and softness."
"Not only will he distribute the spoils of war to the nobles below, but he will also often provide relief to the weak tribes. Because of this, he can make the nobles of various tribes in Oara convinced of him."
"If what Jie'er said is correct, his change of tactics towards various ministries from gentleness to harshness started during the Battle of Shawo..."
Jin Lian asked: "A battle in Shawo?"
"Yeah." Yang Jie nodded and said, "I made inquiries and found that Ye Xian's transformation started after the battle in Shawo. So I guessed at that time that Ye Xian was killed by General Guo because of the battle in Shawo.
Cut off an arm and your character will change."
"At the same time, he was worried that because of his broken arm, various nobles would be dissatisfied, and he was deeply afraid that he would no longer be able to control Wala. Therefore, he took precautions in the bud, and would use the power of thunder at the slightest sign of trouble."
"However, many of the so-called nobles from various tribes are actually the leaders of some small tribes. Although they bow their heads first when they are right, they are not domestic slaves after all."
"If you use this method first and force them to perform kowtows all the time to show their status, they will definitely be dissatisfied."
"And this is the root cause of the civil strife in Wala!"
To put it bluntly, Yang Jie was just the trigger. The real cause of the civil strife in Oara was actually the oppression of various tribes in the first place.
After thinking about this section, Jin Lian couldn't help but sigh in his heart and said.
"Yes, since Wala has reached the point where the road has reached its destination, it is natural for it to fall first."
"However, after all, I have been in charge of Wala for many years and have accumulated great prestige. Moreover, as you just said, I must be very cautious. If there is any slightest sign of trouble, I will be strangled in the cradle by him."
"So, the civil strife in Wala will definitely happen sooner or later, but I'm afraid this opportunity will be difficult to find, right?"
While pondering, Jin Lian looked at Yang Jie, his eyes flashed, and asked.
"Or, Mr. Yang, when you went to the Torgut Department to find a child, it was all a lie. The real purpose was to contact the Ala Zhiyuan? But how do you know that the Ala Zhiyuan has a negative attitude towards Ye Xian?