While Zhao Han's army swept through Southern Zhou and Xiao Luofeng persuaded Yang Qingzhi to surrender, Wen Jin finally couldn't hold back any longer.
Wen Hu, in his capacity as Grand Marshal of the Army and State, appointed Du Yu as Grand Commander of the Eastern Expedition, Wen Yong as Deputy Grand Commander, the Imperial Advisor Luo Wushan as Military Advisor of the Eastern Expedition, Luo Ying and Xu Qingshan as Left and Right Commanders, and Zhang Dalian as Vanguard, leading an army of 200,000 to launch a full-scale war against Zhao Han.
In recent years, Wen Jin's economy and military strength have been far inferior to Zhao Han's. If Zhao Han had not launched a southern expedition, Wen Jin would not have dared to start such a war. However, Wen Hu sensed an opportunity and, while Zhao Han and Southern Zhou were locked in a fierce battle, Wen Hu broke the alliance and launched a war against Zhao Han.
Wen Hu was also bewildered. He originally thought that Zhao Han and Southern Zhou were locked in a fierce battle, but he did not expect that Southern Zhou would be defeated so quickly. When Wen Jin's army entered Guliang County, the news of Zhou Jingyan's suicide had already reached Wen Jin.
Therefore, Wenhu can only seek speed.
The sooner the better!
What was unexpected was that Wen Hu, an outstanding general of Wen Jin, sent Zhang Dalian as the vanguard, but left Wang Yuluan to guard Yongliang.
As one of the four great generals during the reigns of Emperors Dajing and Shang, not to mention the deceased Yuan Qi, Xiao Luofeng and Du Yucheng had both become military leaders in their respective countries, while Wang Yuluan remained subordinate to others and did not even have the opportunity to participate in this great battle.
Wang Yuluan was furious.
Aside from the fact that Yuan Qi's father is the champion, what are Xiao Luofeng and Du Yucheng's family affairs compared to that?
Can he compare to his father, Wang Ren?
But Wang Yuluan had no choice; it was his decision.
"Prime Minister, what is the meaning behind your arrangement?"
Seeing Wang Yuluan's indignation, Wen Hu comforted him, "I don't need to explain to you how matters of state and military affairs should be arranged. Just obey military orders."
Wang Yuluan looked Wen Hu up and down and asked, "Does the Prime Minister have a prejudice against me?"
Wen Hu naturally gripped the hilt of the knife and asked, "Do you have something on your mind?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Then we should honestly guard Yongliang."
Wang Yuluan appeared calm and asked, "Does the Prime Minister not have confidence in this battle?"
Wen Hu sneered and said, "If Southern Zhou hadn't perished so quickly, you would have replaced Zhang Dalian as the vanguard, but now... if Zhao Han has the power to retaliate, Yongliang needs your help."
"Is this really true?" Wang Yuluan's expression showed a hint of anticipation.
Wen Hu said, "Our Wen family has always thought highly of your father and you."
Wang Yuluan then bowed respectfully to Wen Hu and said, "Thank you for your high regard, Prime Minister."
Wen Hu loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword, sighed, and said, "I hope you achieve nothing in this battle. But if you win, I guarantee that your future achievements will be no less than your father's."
Wang Yuluan stopped speaking and bowed deeply to Wen Hu.
"Come with me."
A while later, Wen Hu brought Wang Yuluan to meet the emperor.
Wen Tai, who has been on the throne for nearly four years, is no longer the same as before. He sits on the ground, looking just like Zhao Huan in the past. The difference is that there are two singing girls on each side of him, swaying unsteadily. Their faces are no longer as fair as before, but instead full of sickly appearance.
Before Wen Hu and Wang Yuluan could even kneel down, Wen Tai smashed a wine cup at them.
"You scoundrel! Such a momentous matter as the Eastern Expedition, why were you not consulted with me before selecting your generals?!"
Wen Hu refused to kneel and instead nodded to Wen Tai, saying, "Your Majesty is busy all day long and has countless affairs to attend to. If even such a small matter troubles you, then it is wrong of me, as your nephew."
Wen Tai pushed aside the singing girls beside him, stood up and walked to Wen Hu, pointing at him and saying, "Now that Wen Jin's military and political power is entirely in your hands, I don't care how you arrange things, but why did you send Wen Yong to war?"
Wen Hu said, "I sent the Crown Prince to the expedition in order to enhance his prestige in the army."
"You want him dead, don't you?" Wen Tai stared intently at Wen Hu.
Wen Hu, undaunted by Wen Tai, met his sharp gaze and said, "Your Majesty, I am a member of the Wen family. How could I have such beastly thoughts?"
Wen Tai slapped Wen Hu hard across the face and roared, "You dragon-slaying hand, what wouldn't you do?!"
Wang Yuluan, who had come with Wen Hu, originally wanted to gain some leverage with Wen Tai, but seeing that the uncle and nephew had actually gone this far and even started fighting, he immediately took a few steps back and didn't dare to breathe loudly.
Wen Hu remained silent, so Wen Tai continued, "Now that I am also a dragon, you might as well slaughter me too!!"
Despite being slapped, Wen Hu was not angry. He immediately knelt down and said sincerely, "Your Majesty! You are my uncle. My father died early, and you raised me from childhood. You only have one son, Wen Yong, whom I have always regarded as a brother. How could I harm him? How could I harm you?!"
"but!"
"As you know, we have endured so much hardship along the way. You are kind and compassionate; if I were not ruthless, how could I achieve great things?"
Wen Hu kowtowed to Wen Tai and solemnly said, "If you don't trust me, Uncle, you can kill me now. Although I am a Grandmaster, if you want my life, then come and take it!"
It seemed that the word "uncle" softened Wen Tai's heart. His expression changed slightly, and he finally lowered his raised hand, letting out a soft sigh.
"Hu'er, I'm worried about you... worried that you'll become the public enemy of the East..."
With tears in his eyes, Wen Tai gently stroked Wen Hu's face and said softly, "How could I not know what Yong'er is like? In the end, only you can shoulder the responsibility of this empire..."
"uncle!!"
Wen Hu immediately got up and hugged Wen Tai tightly.
"Hu'er, promise me that after I pass away, you will take good care of your only younger brother."
Wen Tai's eyes lost their light, but his voice was full of authority as he said, "I trust you to take the throne, but let's put an end to your title of 'Dragon Slayer'."
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