The silver moon hangs high in the dark blue night sky. (《》7*
The earth was solemn and vast, and the white snow that had melted a little on the ground stretched into the distance one by one.
The moonlight shines through the treetops and onto the ground in patches.
Wang Xirang clasped his hands behind his back and frowned. After walking twice in the same place, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and said to Liu Sanbiao: "Liu Sanbiao, send the order immediately. The whole army lights torches and surrounds Jinzhou City!"
"
When Liu Sanbiao heard this, he was immediately startled and said quickly: "General, aren't we going to make a surprise attack? Now that the fire is on, the defenders in the city will know everything. How can they launch a surprise attack then?"
Wang Xirang shook his head, turned to stare at Liu Sanbiao, pointed at Jinzhou City in the distance under the silver moonlight, and said with a slight smile: "A raid is certain, but it's not us. What we want to do now is Shengdong!
"
Shengdong? What Shengdong?
After Liu Sanbiao thought for a while, he unconsciously saw the deep secret passage under his feet. He recalled General Wang's words in his ears, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Are we attacking in the east? Are they attacking in the west?" Liu Sanbiao pointed at his nose, and then pointed at the more than 10,000 soldiers who had crawled into the secret passage. His eyes were wide open, full of disbelief.
"Yes!" Wang Xirang smiled, reached out and patted Liu Sanbiao on the shoulder. He turned around and said to the messenger: "The messenger!"
…
Midnight time.
The moon hid in a cloud in the night sky, and the whole earth fell into darkness.
The dilapidated Jinzhou government office was still brightly lit.
As night fell, the temperature dropped again. The ice and snow that had melted into water during the day froze again. On the rows of eaves, strips of ice hung down.
The dim light shone on the window, reflecting two dejected figures.
"Brother Zhiyuan, now that the imperial army has arrived at Taiyuan City, in your opinion, can Taiyuan City be defended?" Qian Xiaofeng, the magistrate of Jinzhou with a haggard look, sighed, raised his head, and looked at the people sitting there.
Opposite him, Cheng Zhiyuan had a wry smile on his face.
"I'm afraid it will be difficult!" Cheng Zhiyuan shook his head and sighed, with a bitter look on his face. He picked up the steaming tea cup and wanted to take a sip. The latest chapter of the Holy Church, but he was really in a bad mood. Cheng Zhiyuan put down the tea cup in his hand.
He frowned, looked at the bean-like candlelight, and said absently: "The 10,000-strong army guarded by Wang Bao sent to reinforce Taiyuan, but there has been no news yet. I am afraid that that army has already surrendered to the imperial court!
"
"Oh?" Qian Xiaofeng was shocked when he heard this. After glancing around, he stood up quickly, then closed the door tightly as if he was worried, then sat down, leaned forward and said, "Brother Zhiyuan, too.
Do you think those 10,000 soldiers have mutinied?"
Cheng Zhiyuan nodded and said: "Li Fengzhi has a violent character and often beats and scolds the soldiers. The soldiers dare not speak out when they are angry. Now, Wang Bao sent him to reinforce Taiyuan. Although he was thinking of using clumsy generals in tough battles.
However, he didn’t understand this clumsy general very well. This Li Fengchi was not only clumsy, he was simply stupid! In two hours, ten thousand people galloped from Jinzhou to Taiyuan, which even an immortal could not do. Presumably, along the way, Li Fengzhi
Feng Chi would definitely curse the soldiers and urge them to rush on their way. However, these soldiers already had a grudge against him. At this time, the imperial army was in front. The pressure suddenly increased. If I were this group of soldiers, I would definitely..."
Cheng Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly. He raised his hand and made a downward motion.
"Kill him?" Qian Xiaofeng's eyelids twitched when he saw Cheng Zhiyuan's actions, and he added with lingering fear.
He and Cheng Zhiyuan were family friends. From their ancestors to the present, their relationship has always been very good. The Cheng family is the descendant of Cheng Yaojin of the Tang Dynasty, and they have a strong tradition of martial arts. The men in the family are all good players.
However, the descendants of Cheng Yaojin opposed Emperor Shengwu's proclaiming himself emperor. They were defeated and arrested, and Emperor Shengwu almost killed the nine tribes. In the end, it was Di Gong, the powerful man at that time, who came forward to intercede. Emperor Shengwu
The Cheng family was released. However, it was stipulated that the descendants of the Cheng family were not allowed to be officials or take the imperial examination. They could only be untouchables.
Ten years ago, he passed the imperial examination and became the county magistrate of Jinzhou. Due to the shortage of people under his command, he recruited the third son of the Cheng family into his command. In the county government, he became a county captain. On weekdays, he was in charge
Arrest and criminal law. In this way, he can be regarded as a family friend of the two families.
A hundred years have passed by in the blink of an eye. The Cheng family has gone from being a prince to being a common citizen today. It seems that they are completely different. However, at this moment, looking at Cheng Zhiyuan's fearless eyes, Qian Xiaofeng felt a sudden change in his heart.
Surprised, he couldn't help but admire: He is indeed a general, even though he has been in ruins for a hundred years, he is still heroic and full of domineering spirit.
"Shh!" Even though he knew that no one was eavesdropping outside, Qian Xiaofeng was still frightened by Cheng Zhiyuan's words. After glancing around, he raised his finger, put it to his lips, and whispered,
He signaled him not to make loud noises, lest others might hear him because walls have ears.
Cheng Zhiyuan smiled, picked up the teapot, and got two bowls. He picked up one bowl and took a sip. He put down the broken tea bowl and looked out the window. He turned his head and pressed it with his palms.
On the table, he leaned forward and stared at Qian Xiaofeng with stern eyes: "Brother Xiaofeng, do you think that at this time, our new emperor can still save the defeat?"
"This..." Qian Xiaofeng's face froze when he heard this. His eyes flickered, he thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said: "Brother Zhiyuan, don't talk about state affairs, don't talk about state affairs!!"
Although he knew the meaning of Cheng Zhiyuan's words, he still had lingering fears when he thought of what King Jin had done over the years.
Twenty years ago, after the Jin King’s fiefdom fell to Shanxi, less than two years after arriving in Shanxi, the Jin King began to purge various counties and counties in Shanxi. Anyone who did not help him or stand with him would eventually
The result was that the family was ruined and the wife and children were separated. The most typical example was the Taiyuan Prefect, Zhuo Wenqing, who was most incompatible with the King of Jin at that time.
He went from being a high-ranking official in Xinjiang to being a prisoner just because he opposed the King of Jin's increase in business taxes.
However, Na Zhuofu Yin is lucky. He has a good daughter.
I heard that Na Zhuo Yue met Lu Heng and Lu Yongzheng, the imperial masters of the Zhou Dynasty who are now all powerful in Tokyo. Your Majesty let Na Zhuo Fu Yin go in order to give the imperial master face.
And Zhuofu Yin also saved his life because of this.
As for others,
Ah……
Thinking of the mass graves outside Jinzhou Prefecture, more than ten miles northwest, Qian Xiaofeng felt his scalp numb and a chill running straight to the back of his head.
The bones of hundreds of officials are buried there!
I am helpless, if the King of Jin hears any bad news, it will be a disaster!
Seeing the fear on Qian Xiaofeng's face, Cheng Zhiyuan, who had received some news from various channels, was extremely anxious. He stretched out his hand and pressed Qian Xiaofeng's trembling shoulders. He said anxiously: "Brother Xiaofeng, you know,
Who is the commander-in-chief of this Shanxi battle?"
"I heard it's the general of Hebei, Wang Xirang!" Qian Xiaofeng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said with a worried look on his face.
The name of Devil King has spread throughout the northern border towns in recent years. As the saying goes, a person's name is like the shadow of a tree. Devil King, who can make even Turkic people fear him, is not something that ordinary people can offend.
And, not only that. Qian Xiaofeng also heard that this man was once an official of the Punishment Department of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a famous cruel official. He was ruthless and hard-hearted. Moreover, he was selfless. Later, because of the emperor's benevolent governance and many ministers, Wang Xirang was impeached
In order to protect him, the emperor sent him to Hebei to serve as a border guard to scare the Turks.
Now, this devil has actually gone to Shanxi to deal with his gang of rebellious officials and traitors.
Hey... what a terrible fate!
"If I tell you, this person is really not Wang Xirang. What do you think?" Cheng Zhiyuan, who is a businessman at home, naturally has a source of information. He has already known it through the shop staff in Tokyo. He is famous and has a reputation for being unpredictable.
The wise Master Zhou had left Tokyo more than a month ago.
"Who is that?" Qian Xiaofeng breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that the marshal of the imperial court was not Wang Xirang. However, before he could rejoice for a moment, he saw that Cheng Zhiyuan, who used to be fearless in the world, now had a look on his face.
of fear.
Cheng Zhiyuan took a deep breath, raised his head, looked at Qian Xiaofeng with worries in his eyes and said: "Yes, Emperor Zhou, your Majesty's good friends, Lu Heng, Lu Yongzheng!"
"Is that the scholar who was in his early twenties, deeply trusted by His Majesty and the King of Huainan, who led an expedition to Goryeo a few months ago and returned in triumph?" Qian Xiaofeng suddenly turned pale, his lips trembled, and he asked in fear: "
Lu Heng, Lu Yongzheng?”
"That's him!" Cheng Zhiyuan nodded heavily, and then said to Qian Xiaofeng worriedly: "So this time, the imperial army has many generals, and the emperor is taking command. Xiaofeng, what do you think?
Can that pounder withstand the attack of the imperial army?"
"This...!" Qian Xiaofeng's lips moved, but he didn't speak. He just stretched out his hand, picked up the cold tea on the table, trembled his lips, and took a sip. His whole body was shaking more and more.
sharp.
"At this time, whether we want to or not, we have to talk about state affairs. To talk about state affairs is to talk about our family affairs. Whether the family will rise or fall for a hundred years, or be killed and killed, now, it all depends on you and me!"
Cheng Zhiyuan stood up, stared at Qian Xiaofeng with burning eyes, and asked in a deep voice: "The lives of hundreds of people in your family and mine are all in your hands!"
After he finished speaking, there was a deathly silence in the room.
The candle flame was like a bean, emitting dim light. Under that light, Qian Xiaofeng's face changed unpredictably, sometimes solemn, sometimes crazy, sometimes cautious and timid.
Cheng Zhiyuan stood there steadily, staring at him, waiting for his answer.
"Okay!" After a long wait, Qian Xiaofeng let out a long breath, clenched his fists, raised his head, and said to Cheng Zhiyuan with a firm look on his face: "Since he is unkind and unjust, then don't blame us.
You're welcome! In the face of life and death, if you don't do it for yourself, heaven and earth will destroy you!"
"Okay, you are indeed my good brother!" Cheng Zhiyuan laughed loudly, stepped forward and grabbed Qian Xiaofeng's shoulders, and said to Qian Xiaofeng with a face full of joy.
After Qian Xiaofeng frantically made up his mind, he began to ask Cheng Zhiyuan about the details. After all, at this time, they only had less than a hundred government officials. Compared with the more than 20,000 Jin King's direct troops outside, they were simply insignificant.
It's just a drop in the bucket.
Therefore, if you want to shake down a city defended by more than 20,000 people with less than a hundred people, this is a technical job, and you can imagine how difficult it is.
Well, it is said that my brothers with different surnames, Cheng Zhiyuan and Cheng Laosan, have the highest martial arts skills in the Cheng family. I guess it won't be a problem to fight for 12,000 to one person...
"Ahem, dear brother, don't look at me like this. Even though my brother is brave enough to conquer the three armies, is domineering, murderous, and handsome, he can't fight against 20,000 regular troops by himself.
Ah." Looking at Qian Xiaofeng's ambiguous gaze, Cheng Zhiyuan was startled, waved his hands quickly, and said modestly.
"This is simple. I'll give you ten warriors, and it should be almost done now! Haha!" Perhaps it was because both parties had reached an agreement, Qian Xiaofeng also put aside his worries and started to joke.
Cheng Zhiyuan's face immediately turned pale.
"You really think highly of me!" Cheng Zhiyuan said with a wry smile and shook his head.
"Then in your opinion, what should we do?" Qian Xiaofeng put down his teasing intention. After taking two steps on the same spot with his hands behind his back, Qian Xiaofeng suddenly turned around and stared at Cheng Zhiyuan.
"Hey, I knew you would ask this question a long time ago. So, I hired a helper for you!" Cheng Zhiyuan smiled, turned around and strode to the back hall, opened the door, and saw a strong man.
An old man with gray hair in a wheelchair walked in.
"Mr. Ouyang?" Qian Xiaofeng was immediately surprised after seeing the old man's appearance clearly under the dim light.
"I'm inconvenienced, I'm sorry!" The head of the Ouyang family sat in a wheelchair and said apologetically to Qian Xiaofeng.
"Bye bye, old sir, please don't do this." Qian Xiaofeng quickly stopped the Ouyang family head from saluting and said with a smile.
It is rumored that the young lady of the Ouyang family, Ouyang Ruolan, has a close relationship with the emperor's master. This old guy is probably the emperor's father-in-law. Damn, who dares to accept such an awesome person's courtesy from him?
After the two exchanged pleasantries, Qian Feng also learned the purpose of the assassination by the head of the Ouyang family.
It turned out that Cheng Zhiyuan had already reached a cooperative relationship with the head of the Ouyang family. Tonight, Cheng Zhiyuan's main purpose of coming here was to persuade him to submit to the imperial court.
Damn it, Cheng Zhiyuan, you are such a bastard for not even informing me about such a big thing.
While Qian Xiaofeng was chatting and laughing with the head of the Ouyang family, he took a moment to turn around and glare at Cheng Zhiyuan.
Cheng Zhi saw the situation, scratched his head and smiled, very naive and innocent.
After Ouyang took a sip of tea, he put down the tea cup. Then he smiled and said to Qian Xiaofeng, who was already sweating profusely with anxiety: "On the way, I met an acquaintance! Ha, I should say, yes.
A noble person. You, me, and brother Zhiyuan. The three of us are noble people!"
"Noble?" Qian Xiaofeng was puzzled and asked curiously: "Who is it?"