…
"It seems that this manifesto is not only intended to sow discord, but also a method of provoking others."
In Yangzhou, in General Kuang Fu's residence, Xu Zhengye sneered and threw several secret letters on the table: "This is her purpose."
In recent days, almost all the bureaucrats and aristocrats who supported him either openly or secretly have been asking him when he will send troops to continue attacking Huainan Road. They even questioned him why he has been hiding in Jiangdu and not making any progress. When will he be able to support the prince to ascend the throne so slowly?
Some even issued him an ultimatum, telling him clearly that if he failed to capture Huainan Road within a few days, their financial and military support would be withdrawn.
"...Are all these people idiots? Can't they see that the bullshit manifesto is meant to sow discord?" A general under Xu Zhengye said indignantly, "Recently there have been many disobedient people in the army shouting and clamoring. It's all their people who are causing trouble!"
The "they" he referred to were Xu Zhengye's supporters.
They provided money and manpower, and they had people everywhere in Xu Zhengye's army.
So in a sense, Xu Zhengye was also controlled by them to a certain extent.
There are both advantages and disadvantages. There are no free benefits or "help" in this world.
"They are not stupid. They are smarter than anyone else." Xu Zhengye narrowed his cold eyes and said, "They have always been suspicious of me, but they just vented their suspicions through this manifesto."
"In their eyes, I took the money and should do good things for them... Now that they see me with my troops in Jiangdu, they will inevitably believe the letter a little..."
The manifesto stated that his claim to restore the Li dynasty was false, and that he actually wanted to establish himself as king in Jiangdu and Nanjing.
Among these statements, what the aristocratic families could not tolerate the most was the latter - after spending so much money and effort, how could they be willing to make wedding dresses for just Xu Zhengye?
The general looked at the thick stack of secret letters and documents, thinking of his recent frustration in the army, and couldn't help but spit: "These people really think they are their masters!"
Xu Zhengye calmed down instead, and the anger disappeared from his face: "Now and in the future, I will have to rely on them more."
In other words, it's not time to fall out yet.
His great cause not only requires financial, material and human support, but also requires the forces entrenched in various places to open the door for him.
Before that, his reputation of "Kuangfu" must never be abandoned.
If he doesn't want to be lost, he can't stay in Jiangdu all the time and establish the "bad reputation" of wanting to establish himself as king.
"She provoked me because she knew that Jiangdu was easy to defend but difficult to attack. She didn't want to attack by force and lose troops in vain, so she set up this plan to put pressure on me from all sides and force me to take the initiative to send troops..." Xu Zhengye looked at the manifesto at hand and said, "The words of this little girl may seem arrogant, but in fact they are cautious and calculated."
I wonder who gave her the idea to write this article. Chang Kuo? Or the guy surnamed Xiao? Or some other expert adviser? In Xu Zhengye's opinion, the reason why this article was published under the name of Chang Suining was because she was said to be a reincarnated general, and it was used to attract more attention, but it did not mean that it was necessarily her personal idea.
"What is the general's current plan?" the general asked, holding his breath.
Xu Zhengye's eyes were cold and gloomy: "Since 'she' wants me to send troops so much, I might as well go with the flow and follow her provocation."
Upon hearing this, the general immediately clasped his fists and volunteered: "I am willing to lead the troops to retrieve the heads of the Chang family father and daughter and dispel the unfavorable rumors for the general!"
That little girl predicted the death date of her general without even opening her mouth, causing panic among the people. She really deserved to die.
What's more, his surname was Ge, and Ge Zong, who died under Chang Suining's sword, was his cousin. Although the relationship between the two brothers was not necessarily close and deep, as brothers of the Ge family, they shared the same interests in the army. He had to take revenge! "Okay." Xu Zhengye looked at him with appreciation and said, "Then let Zhiqing lead 30,000 elite troops to attack Shouzhou first to test their defenses."
Ge Zhiqing's expression brightened: "I obey your orders!"
Luo Guanlin, who was standing by, looked slightly changed when he heard this and seemed to want to say something but stopped himself.
After deciding on the attack route, Ge Zhiqing took the military command and left, eager to prepare for the troop deployment.
Soon, Xu Zhengye walked out of the meeting room, walked down the stone steps, and stopped in front of a lotus pot half a person's height. He looked at the water in the pot and said, "After the Lantern Festival, the weather is really getting warmer day by day..."
A Taoist priest holding a whisk followed behind him. He smiled knowingly and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Xu. The east wind has arrived."
The weather is warm, the water is clear, and the surface is no longer frozen. When everything is ready, the east wind arrives.
"I didn't want to act so hastily..." Xu Zhengye looked at the mirror-like water surface and said: "But now someone is being too smart."
He could have waited until everything was more planned before implementing it, but this manifesto suddenly put him in a desperate situation, forcing him to act as soon as possible.
Speaking of the clever girl, Xu Zhengye, who was confident in his plan, just found it funny, so he asked the Taoist with a smile: "In your opinion, is the seventy-three-day theory credible?"
"It's just a lie to confuse the people." The Taoist stroked his beard and said, "I see that Mr. Xu is about to accomplish great things. You don't have to take the nonsense of a mere woman to heart. If Mr. Xu thinks that woman will be a variable, he can get rid of her tomorrow."
"I don't need to get rid of her. She will have to bear the consequences of her arrogant words..." Xu Zhengye said indifferently. Looking at the blue sky reflected in the water tank, he said, "Jiangdu is a good place. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is prosperous and wealthy. It is suitable for long-term residence..."
However, a true dragon cannot stay hidden in the abyss for long.
His ambition is not limited to Jiangdu. Jiangdu is located on the edge and is ultimately not suitable as a place for political management. His ambition is far more than what the girl said in the manifesto, that is, to become the king of Jiangdu. This is just his starting point and is destined not to be where he will eventually stay.
What's more, the current situation does not allow him to stay for long. If he stays, he will only be put in a passive position amid those doubts. The people's hearts that he has gathered with great difficulty cannot be dispersed like this, thus wasting all his previous efforts.
"General."
A hint of navy blue entered his peripheral vision. Xu Zhengye turned his gaze away from the reflection in the water tank and looked at the person who came. He smiled and said, "Guan Lin, do you have something to tell me?"
He was perceptive and had noticed that Luo Guanlin was hesitant to speak in the conference room just now.
At this moment, Xu Zhengye signaled the Taoist to leave, and there was no one else around.
Looking at that gentle smiling face, Luo Guanlin, who had not been able to talk to Xu Zhengye alone for a long time, held on to the last glimmer of hope in his heart and asked, "The general asked Ge Zhiqing to lead the army to attack Shouzhou, but changed his mind and decided not to go to Luoyang?"
Going to Luoyang was the idea that Xu Zhengye had just come up with before the Lantern Festival. He had only discussed it with a few of his scholars and aides, and the military generals were not aware of it for the time being.
However, this move is of great importance and requires long-term consideration, so it has not yet been finalized.
Xu Zhengye: "No, the plan has not changed, it just has to be moved forward."
He originally wanted to head straight for the capital, but after the defeat in Hezhou, he realized that this path was not feasible, so he chose a new path for himself.
Go to the Eastern Capital of the Central Plains, Luoyang.
He only needs to gain a foothold in Luoyang to get more support. It is the best choice to cultivate political power and can give him everything he wants.
Luo Guanlin was stunned: "Then... why did the general let Ge Zhiqing continue to attack Huainan Road?"
Xu Zhengye: "Someone has to distract Chang Kuo's army to delay the imperial army."
Luo Guanlin stood there in a daze.
In other words... did these 30,000 troops go to die in vain? Ge Zhiqing thought that he was valued by his lord and was able to lead the charge, and that a large army would follow and attack Huainan Road with him...
Little did he know that the moment he took the military command and left, he became a discarded chess piece, along with the 30,000-strong army, and became a discarded piece for Xu Zhengye to make a feint to the east and attack in the west.
Looking at Xu Zhengye who had a calm expression in front of him, Luo Guanlin felt a chill that was almost sad.
As if sensing his emotions, Xu Zhengye sighed faintly: "Guan Lin, on the road to achieving great things, being soft-hearted is a taboo."
Luo Guanlin lowered his eyes and replied "yes" after a long time.
Until Xu Zhengye's voice sounded again: "The preparations for the trip to Luoyang have already begun. Do you want to go with me?"
This sentence made Luo Guanlin feel as if he had returned to the time when he first met him.
At that time, the other party invited him on the moonlit painted boat - I want to defeat the evil queen who stole the country, support the righteous path of the Li family, and save the world from disaster. Are you willing to go with me? When he heard this, his heart surged. Without hesitation, he expressed his intention to go with me. He felt that he had met such a bosom friend and was not alone in this path.
However, the further he got to this point, the more confused he felt.
He raised his hand to salute, lowered his eyes and said: "Guan Lin is not familiar with war, and I am afraid that I will become a burden to my lord if I go to Luoyang, so I would like to stay in Jiangdu."
Xu Zhengye looked at him deeply and nodded: "Okay, this journey will be difficult and dangerous, I will feel more at ease if you stay in Jiangdu."
He patted Luo Guanlin on the shoulder and said, "I will temporarily hand over the important area of Jiangdu to you. When I settle Luoyang, I will send someone to pick you up and we will meet again."
Luo Guanlin was speechless and bowed again.
At this time, someone else came to ask for a meeting, so Xu Zhengye left.
Luo Guanlin took a long time before moving.
The next day, a good friend found him and said, "...How could you ask to stay in Jiangdu? After the general leaves, this place will be the most dangerous place. How can you defend it?"
He couldn't help but sigh: "Even if you are angry with the lord, you shouldn't risk your own safety..."
Luo Guanlin's face changed: "That's not the case!"
What's the point of being angry?
He wasn't the jealous woman! At least not this time.
He just didn't want to, nor did he have the courage to move forward. The road ahead was not what he had imagined.
Luo Guanlin closed his eyes tiredly, indifferent to his friend's persuasion.
He made a wrong decision in Jiangdu. Since it started here, he might as well end it here. He would stay with Jiangdu, live and die with Jiangdu, and would not go anywhere else.
If he survives, it is luck; if he dies, it is fate.
…
"Report!"
Two scouts rode back to the military camp on horseback, bringing back urgent military intelligence.
They discovered the traces of Xu Zhengye's army, which was attacking towards Shouzhou.
Xiao Min's eyes were shocked and he immediately looked at Chang Kuo.
This was his subconscious action. However, as soon as his eyes fell on General Chang, he saw General Chang looking at his daughter. His expression was also extremely "subconscious".
Xiao Min has almost become accustomed to this, but he still doesn't understand it and is shocked every time.
Now it was time to talk about business. Xiao Min also looked at Chang Suining: "It seems that Xu Zhengye still wants to attack Huainan Road!"
"We have to fight. If we don't, how can we make a feint to the east and attack in the west, and how can we conceal our tracks?" Chang Suining said, "It depends on how many troops he is willing to use to fight."
The scout then reported that the enemy had a total of about 30,000 troops.
Just as Xiao Min was about to speak, he saw that the girl had already stood up and looked at him and said, "Commander Xiao, since Xu Zhengye has made a move, in order to seize the initiative, we should act according to the plan without further delay."
"But..." Facing such a critical decision that would determine victory or defeat, Xiao Min was inevitably a little hesitant: "Madam Chang, are you really sure that Xu Zhengye will change his route to Luoyang?"
"Yes." Chang Suining said solemnly, "There are spies planted by my father in the Xu army. I have just received a secret report that Xu Zhengye is already preparing to attack Luoyang."
Chang Kuo: “?”
When did he plant the spy? And was he able to get such a secret?
Xiao Min looked at him.
Chang Kuo nodded: "Hmm..."
Yes, he did have such a spy...it seemed like it happened once in a dream.
Chang Suining had taken the dagger from the weapon rack, bent down and hid it under the side of his boot. When he stood up, he raised his hand and took the black cloak handed to him by Xier.
…
Chang Kuo was in charge of the army and first sent Deputy General Jin and Chu Xing to lead the troops to fight against Xu's 30,000-strong army.
…
The news that Xu Zhengye sent troops from Shouzhou to attack Huainan Road soon spread back to the capital.
Ten days later, even more urgent military intelligence was suddenly reported back.
Xu Zhengye suddenly led a 100,000-man army out of Jiangdu, but they were not heading towards Huainan Road and the capital, but heading north and had already passed the border of Xuzhou! The court was filled with shock and anger. This villain was attacking Huainan Road on the surface, but in fact he was going to take the Eastern Capital Luoyang!
Looking at the soldier who reported the news, the Holy Ce Emperor asked firmly, "How will Commander Xiao and General Chang respond now?"
"Your Majesty, Commander Xiao has led the army to pursue!"
“Pursue…” The Emperor of the Holy Ce closed his eyes. The word “pursue” meant that the initiative had been lost and he could only try his best to make up for it.
"Xu Zhengye has already passed through Xuzhou. Once he crosses the Bian River and captures Bianzhou, he can head straight to Luoyang! It may be too late to chase him from behind!" A minister said in panic, "Your Majesty should send troops to Luoyang immediately!"
Luoyang and the capital are located in the east and west, facing each other. They must not fall into the hands of Xu the thief!
When everyone was discussing countermeasures, some people blamed Chang Kuo and Xiao Min for their negligence, while others began to put the blame on the manifesto that was also widely circulated in the capital.
It was clearly a good opportunity to attack Yangzhou, but they did nothing practical and instead wrote some flashy manifestos!
The proclamation claimed that Xu Zhengye was going to establish himself as king in Jiangdu, so Xu Zhengye was surrounded by doubts... Perhaps it was precisely because he wanted to dispel the doubts that Xu Zhengye suddenly changed his mind and changed his route to Luoyang to prove that he was determined to support the prince! He also said that he would "take the head of Xu the thief within 73 days". Now that Xu Zhengye was going to Luoyang, how could he talk about taking the head? The reputation of the Chang family girl was a small matter, but after this incident, the prestige of the army would inevitably be destroyed, and the situation would only get worse!
She became famous for her article, but she caused such a disaster, provoking Xu Zhengye to go to Luoyang, but she had no ability to deal with the aftermath! The little girl, with some skills and luck, was appointed as a general, but she was carried away and made such an ignorant move, and Chang Kuo didn't know how to stop it! So, someone talked about Chang Kuo's fault of "not educating his daughter strictly" on the spot.
"Why are you so anxious to make a conclusion?" Wei Shuyi said, looking at everyone: "Isn't the seventy-three-day deadline not here yet? Isn't it too early to make a conclusion now?"
This chapter has 4300 words. Please vote for me at the end of the month, dears. Thank you. Good night! (According to the suggestion of a book friend, a teacher has been added to the character column. If you like this old man, you can give him a thumbs up.)
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