Chapter 115: The righteous have many supporters, the unrighteous have few
Back to Zhongdu, Zhang Shangshu's residence.
Zhang Ningyuan was beaten so badly that his buttocks were bleeding and bruised. His cousin quickly asked someone to carry him back to Zhang Ningyuan's yard and hurriedly sent someone to call the imperial physician.
Zhang Ningyuan has his own courtyard in the Shangshu Mansion. He hasn't lived there for a long time, but the house is clean and tidy, with the bed and quilts made according to daily needs, and the tea on the square table is refreshed every day, so you can move in directly.
"Ahhh, it hurts so much, I'm going to die! Be gentle, ahhhh——"
Zhang Ningjun asked people to come and carefully lift Zhang Ningyuan onto the bed. He was busy running around and did not dare to beg for mercy. He could only take care of his cousin. Zhang Ningyuan's second brother Zhang Ningyin also rushed home after hearing the news. After hurriedly greeting his father and mother and the guests, he also went into the house to help.
The bed curtains were lowered, and Zhang Ningjun and the old servant took off Zhang Ningyuan's pants. Zhang Ningyuan's screams almost shook the dust off the beams. It was so miserable. Gu Guan, who was standing outside the door and looking inside, rubbed his ears, feeling a little guilty.
There were quite a lot of people in the corridor outside the door, including old servants and maids carrying things in and out. Zhang Ningyuan's aunt, Mrs. Liao, was very distressed and knew that Zhang Ningyuan was in trouble this time. She kept nagging her husband, saying that the beating was too severe and that he just needed a proper education. Zhang Yuanrang stood in the corridor with his hands behind his back, with a stern face and said nothing.
He knew that he had done it, and that it was only a flesh wound.
It was late at night, and the north wind was biting. The large brown and yellow silk paper lanterns under the eaves were swaying left and right. The lights illuminated the people in the corridor and most of the courtyard, as well as the mottled and scattered snow on the half-worn tiles.
Zhang Yuanrang looked up at the remaining snow on the roof for a moment and suddenly said, "There's not much snow today. I'm afraid next year will be another bad year."
Zhang Yuanrang has aged a lot. His temples are no longer black, but are mixed with mottled silver hair. He has deep nasolabial folds and a "川"-shaped wrinkle between his eyebrows. His eyes are still sharp and bright, but his eye sockets are much deeper. He looks more than ten years older than before. His appearance finally matches his age, but he is sharper than before, and he looks very stern and serious.
As soon as he talked about what happened outside, the surroundings became quiet. Zhang Yuanrang suddenly turned his head and stared at Gu Wan, and Gu Wan's expression also became serious.
Zhang Yuanrang stared at Gu Wan for a long time and said, "Come with me."
He turned, went down the steps, and walked quickly to the front study.
Gu Wan hurried to follow.
The Shangshu Mansion is not small, but it is not as luxurious as imagined. Zhang Yuanqing and his brothers did not separate, and the two families lived together in the Marquis' Mansion. However, Zhang Yuanrang had the Shangshu Mansion, and the imperial government office was next door. He was too busy and would live here half of the time.
Later, due to various changes, his brother's family had left Beijing, and he was too busy, so he finally moved here.
There are two Zhang mansions in the capital, one is the Xiangcheng Marquis Mansion and the other is the Shangshu Mansion.
Zhang Ningyuan had been a young master dressed in silk and satin since he was young. Gu Wan had heard him bragging and thought that the Zhang family had some of the luxurious style of a noble family. But as he walked along the corridor tonight, he found that it was not the case.
The furnishings in the rooms of the brothers Zhang Ningyuan and Zhang Ningjun were obviously better, and the layout of the flower beds in their courtyards had obviously been carefully arranged by craftsmen, but the main hall and Zhang Yuanrang's study were just so-so, not as simple as the Xie family's, but definitely not extravagant.
Zhang Yuanrang was a stubborn and upright person in the past, but he provided the best things to his children without leaving any trace. It was not that he could not afford it, but there was no need for him to do so.
The Zhang Mansion is also mostly populated by old servants and maids, who have been in the family for many years, and there are no beautiful maids.
Zhang Yuanrang pushed the door open and entered the study. He ordered the servants to go down and clean up. He turned around and sat in the study. He raised his eyelids and stared at Gu Wan with his stern eyes.
The huge study is lined with bookshelves, filled with new and old books and files. Zhang Yuanrang's study is very much in his own style. Several official documents are spread out on the large dark brown desk. These are the documents that Zhang Yuanrang read and reviewed late last night.
The imperial court has now become a small court. It has lost control of Jiangnan and Hebei is in the hands of Xie Ci. The 400,000 imperial troops have gone there and never returned. As the troops move south, the Xuhuai area between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River and east of Sishui Pass is also under the actual control of Xie Ci.
The imperial court now only controls the capital area, the ancient capital plain with serious population loss, 50,000 imperial troops, and the Shaanxi and Liang areas west of Taihang. However, the latter area is plagued by banditry and small clans, and the imperial court no longer has the troops to control them.
The decline of the imperial court has the greatest impact on what Li Yi is trying to do today, to gain the world by force and to establish his own cause.
This was all Zhang Yuanrang's choice, caused by his insistence on following the order entrusted by Grand Tutor Wen. He is now bearing the blame both inside and outside the court, but for the first time he gritted his teeth and chose to make decisions on his own.
At first, he stayed in Jiazhou to take charge of the logistics of the Northern Expedition Army. He ordered the return of Zhongdu and immediately replenished the granaries that were looted by the Northern Rong from Jiangnan and Xuhuai. He tried his best to repair the burned arsenals and granaries and filled them as much as possible.
There are also warships and combat readiness, etc.
Zhang Yuanrang stared at Gu Wan with a sharp gaze. After a long moment, he took a deep breath and said, "These are the court's last resort."
After receiving the military report that the army was marching south to defend the north bank of the Yangtze River, Zhang Yuanrang remained silent for two days, and finally opened the Gu County granary.
"All these things were given to Xie Ci. Can he fulfill what he promised?!"
Zhang Yuanrang's thin face looked extremely stern as he questioned.
What I promised to Master Wen.
Can you do that with a thank you?
Is it really worth his all to support him? !
Gu Wan's expression was solemn. She replied with extreme caution, "He can!"
"Otherwise, Zhang Shen and the others would not have chosen him," she said seriously.
Zhang Yuanrang stood up suddenly and said, "I want to thank you in person!"
He said every word.
He would not accept alternative answers.
…
This was an extremely important decision and turning point, so Zhang Yuanrang decided to go to Hezhou that day.
Even though he had just been assassinated by Li Yi, even though the court was now in a state of chaos, with all kinds of doubts and criticisms, and the connections Li Yi had accumulated over the years were stirring at this juncture, after dealing with them overnight, he still decided to go to Hezhou in person to meet Xie Ci.
After a long journey, sleeping in the open air, Gu Wan asked Yin Luo to help protect Zhang Yuanrang as he went south. Yin Luo found her annoying, but finally agreed without hesitation.
Zhang Yuan was not young, but just like his character, he said nothing along the way. The journey was very tight and it took him four days to reach Hezhou.
Xie Ci went out of the city to meet him in person.
He was a young man in disguise, wearing a black cloth shirt with tied sleeves. He was not wearing any armor, but the military style was engraved in his bones and could not be shaken off in his every move.
After more than a year of separation, both sides have changed dramatically.
Zhang Yuanrang lifted the curtain with one hand. The young man in black who was standing not far away and riding his horse towards him made his face look complicated.
Xie Ci and Zhang Yuanrang entered the city in a low-key manner, not even visiting the Governor's Mansion. A simple private residence served as Xie Jiawei's stronghold. Outside, the sounds of cattle and sheep, the cries of vendors, rose and fell. The midday winter sun fell on the half-open windowsill, leaving the room somewhat dim, yet brightly lit by the sun. A mixture of half-darkness and brightness, a cacophony of bustling hues and stillness.
Xie Feng, Xie Hai and Xie Yun were guarding outside in person.
Zhang Yuanrang stared at Xie Ci for a long time. Xie Ci stood straight, motionless, and did not avoid looking back at him at all.
"Xie Ci, can you really do what you promised?!"
Time seemed to have passed very slowly, but in fact it was very short. Zhang Yuanrang asked the same question again, word by word.
Xie Ci said without hesitation, "I can do it!"
He gave the same answer as Gu Wan did that day, and said in thanks, "I will do my best, unless my life ends!"
Very powerful!
"Alright! Remember what you said today, otherwise, even if I die, I will tear your flesh and blood off piece by piece!"
Zhang Yuanrang said sternly.
Xie Ci suddenly raised his hand and clasped his fists in response.
Zhang Yuanrang took a deep breath and clenched his fists tightly to suppress his surging heart and the heat in his eyes. He nodded.
Zhang Yuanrang had always been cold and stern towards Xie Ci, but at noon in the deep winter without snow, he finally broke through.
Zhang Yuanrang calmed down for a while and said, "The imperial court's food, wages and military equipment can supply your army for about a year."
The weather in the north has been bad in recent years, and the period of uninterrupted supply of military equipment and food and wages is only one year. It is not short, but definitely not long. Xie Ci will do whatever he wants.
He thanked her and said, "Okay."
After getting this accurate statement, many things suddenly became clear.
Zhang Yuanrang nodded. The room was silent for a moment in the afternoon. He said, "When the time comes, I will open and close the door for you."
They both knew which door to open and which to close.
Xie Ci was somewhat startled. He suddenly raised his head and locked eyes with Zhang Yuanrang for a moment. His eyes, sunken and aged, were still stern and sharp. Xie Ci took a step back, bowed his hands in a formal gesture, and said solemnly, "I will obey your orders today."
"Just remember it!"
Zhang Yuanrang stood with his hands behind his back. The winter sun was warm outside the window. There was no snow in the south of the Yangtze River in winter and the climate was also warm. This was a completely different scene from that in China.
When he and Master Wen were arguing at their most intense point, Master Wen pulled him to the window and said sternly, "Zhong Lian, Zhong Lian, look at the sky outside!"
Zhang Yuanrang saw it. Xie Ci's deafening speech on the day of his resignation was the beginning. The news of the Grand Tutor's death from illness in the army was a shocking shock. For the first time, he took a serious look at the lives of the poor in the suburbs of Beijing, and took a peek at the living space of the grassroots people from the official documents from various places that had whitewashed the situation. He examined himself for the first time. Was the idea of loyalty to the emperor for so many years correct?
The conversation wasn't long. At the end, Zhang Yuanrang said, "When that time comes, can you give the young emperor a chance to live?"
The young emperor chosen by Grand Tutor Wen was kind and gentle in nature, but unfortunately he could not survive the end of the dynasty, and there was no chance to support him as the situation no longer allowed it.
He remembered what his teacher Chen Qian had said to him, "Zhonglian, I will give you the name Lian today. Lian means brave, resolute, loyal, straightforward, and insightful. You have the former, and I hope you can one day achieve the latter."
When Zhang Yuanrang was young, he was cautious and enterprising, and he always got to the point. However, he never knew what his teacher meant by this sentence.
It was only when I was over fifty that I gradually understood.
Zhang Yuanrang recalled what his mentor had said that day, and half a lifetime of memories came flooding back. He took a deep breath and suppressed all his emotions.
He said to Xie Ci, "A righteous man will have many supporters, while an unrighteous man will have few. I believe you will be able to defeat Li Yi!"
Li Yijian always takes an unconventional approach and resorts to some cunning tricks. Zhang Yuanrang doesn't believe he can defeat Xie Ci.
Zhang Yuanrang said, "At the same time, I hope the war can end as soon as possible!"
I don't understand, I don't know. If the war continues like this for another season, the burden on the civilians in the north will be extremely heavy, and I'm afraid a large number of people will starve to death.
The North is in urgent need of support from the South!
Xie Ci's face was solemn. He clasped his fists and said, "Xie Ci will definitely live up to Mr. Zhang's expectations!"
To this day, he can't hide his ups and downs in mood. One reason is what Zhang Yuanrang said; the other is that the person who reached out to help him when he was at the lowest point of despair is now walking on the same path with him.
Zhang Yuanrang did not stay as time did not allow him to stay, so he left quickly.
Gu Guan brought people to escort him back.
Zhang Yuanrang walked out with a stern face and boarded the carriage in the courtyard. Xie Ci walked him out and stood in the corridor, as did Gu Wan, who was standing by the door and listened to everything.
In this tiny gap, the two looked at each other, and only Gu Wan could understand Xie Ci's emotions.
Gu Wan also remembered that time at the beginning. She understood Xie Ci's feelings too well. She smiled and patted him on the back.
Those who are in the right will have many supporters, while those who are in the wrong will have few.
I really didn't expect that I would hear these words from Zhang Yuanrang one day.
alright.
The two hugged each other quickly and parted silently. She turned around and smiled, her smile bright in the sunlight. She quickly walked down the corridor, jumped on the horse, and waved to him.
"Yin Luo, let's go!"
Gu Guan rode his horse over and touched Yin Luo's shoulder. Yin Luo was annoyed, but for the sake of his master, he didn't argue with her.
He drove the horse and caught up with the carriage.
Xie Ci watched them leave and looked away. A year is not really a long time, it is a very tight time.
He lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then ordered, "Send a message to Generals Zhang Shen, Huang Zongxi, Lü Liang, and others. Also, send an urgent message to Yanzhou, eight hundred miles away, and have Qin Xian and Fan Dongyang bring back all the soldiers who have completed their initial training."
Xie Ci quickly decided to start the war as soon as possible.
…
Xie Ci knew the situation in the North best.
As soon as Zhang Yuanrang explained it, he understood.
By then, collecting food and wages will become a big deal and will easily drag down the Northern Army. In comparison, the cold water in winter and the fact that half of the soldiers are new to water warfare are trivial matters.
Zhang Yuanrang did not issue an edict to attack Li Yi. Xie Ci understood that this was because he did not want the young emperor to bear the blame and infamy.
It was already quite good that Zhang Yuanrang could do this. Xie Ci did not think too much about it. Now that the time and people were all there, and with the remaining power and morale from the battle of Beirong, Xie Ci immediately gave the order and swore to go to war!
…
On the day Zhang Yuanrang arrived in Hezhou, Li Yi also received urgent news that the Zhongdu operation had failed.
The two people who entered the Shangshu Mansion alone, Yan Di, the close confidant and top-level expert, died, and Li Qixun was seriously injured!
For this operation, Li Yi mobilized almost all the hidden connections he had buried in Zhongdu for many years. He was ready to seize power with lightning speed after Zhang Yuanrang's death. However, he failed. Before Zhang Yuanrang set off, he uprooted these people overnight.
This opportunity is once in a lifetime and it will never come again!
Li Yi actually understood his own weaknesses, otherwise he wouldn't have kept his eyes on the court.
He had carefully planned to seize the imperial court and then disrupt the morale of Xie Ci's army to cut off the latter's food supply. He would then take the opportunity to launch a fierce northern expedition, which would already be half the battle!
As a result, the plan failed and Li Yizi was furious, as you can imagine!
"Thank you! Gu Wan! Zhang Yuanrang!!"
Even Feng Kun, who had already left, and Yin Luo and others who stayed behind.
Li Yi was furious. He drew out his sword and slashed it hard on the high table. With a loud "clang", the entire high table and the flower plate on it were completely chopped over and shattered to the ground.
"Prepare for war."
After Li Yi was furious, he almost immediately thought of Zhang Yuan asking this old man to go south to Hezhou. He gritted his teeth in hatred, and instantly restrained all his expressions. He gave a stern order, instructing the three armies to prepare for battle immediately.
Li Yi was extremely perceptive. He almost guessed what Zhang Yuanrang and Xie Ci would say when they met. He had a rough idea of the grain reserves in the capital: one year, one year!
Li Yi's eyes were stern. He must not lose this battle!
Twenty years of dormant planning, only now can we see the results.
…
Both sides were on high alert for this battle, but the fighting was not fierce at the beginning.
To many people's surprise, Xie Ci not only knows how to fight in water battles, he is even very good at controlling water battles.
When he was young, he followed his third brother Xie Bian to Huguang to take up his post, and became a disciple of Liu Changling, a famous naval general of the Wei Dynasty. He stayed in Huguang for two years.
Xie Ci is a natural military genius, and when it comes to warfare, many things are just a matter of analogy, and he can understand the whole picture by understanding the key points.
The naval battle between the North and the South officially began on November 19th.
Naval warfare actually shared many similarities with land warfare in terms of combat methods and weaponry. There were two types of bows and crossbows: one with a standard arrow, and another with a gunpowder or tung oil pack placed three inches below the arrowhead, intended to ignite the enemy's battlefield. Ramming warfare involved ships ramming each other, with massive masts or spears, or perhaps boulders hanging diagonally, used to strike and pierce the enemy's ships. There were also shield soldiers, and hooks and darts, used to hook enemy ships when the advantage was present, or to repel them otherwise. These last three types of weapons were all used in boarding combat.
There are also catapults, giant arks, etc. The former is needless to say, and the latter is an important combat weapon in landing battles, carrying a large number of elite troops to connect with the enemy's land shore and for the purpose of moving land.
Indeed, the landing battle was the key to Xie Ci's campaign. If he wanted to crush Li Yi's land and sea forces and further recapture Jiangnan, he had to first open a gap and successfully land. This was a crucial springboard for the future.
Xie Ci targeted Yanhuizhou, a major naval town 300 miles west of Ningzhou, the secondary capital of Jiangnan (where Li Yi was located), as the main target of attack in the first battle.
Li Yi chose Ma Tou Ji.
Both sides defended and advanced and retreated. Xie Ci changed his previous fierce fighting style and fought steadily and slowly, withdrawing when the time was right and never fighting for a long time. Although a year was short, he didn't mind spending a month or two to let his soldiers get familiar with water warfare.
As expected, the Northern Army has always been at the forefront of the battles in the northern border and has never relaxed. In the past two years, it has participated in frequent major battles against the Northern Rong. The individual combat capabilities and proficiency in warfare are among the best in the entire country.
The waves on the river were far less severe than those on the sea. Under the leadership of the imperial soldiers, they quickly became familiar with naval warfare.
It's actually that simple. As long as you overcome the fear of water and the difference between the deck and land, you can quickly get into the state.
Li Yi was very angry. Of course, he ordered the pursuit more than once, but the people who steered the boats and controlled the sails on the river battlefield of Xie's army were all experts in the Beijing Navy. They were very flexible in controlling the ships and were not inferior to the navy of Zhu Zhaopulo and others who had been in Jiangnan and Jiannan for many years. Despite being well prepared, they did not gain much.
The fighting finally became intense in mid-December.
The drums of war rumbled, the warships of the Northern Army came out in full force, and the giant ark was also deployed for the first time. Li Yi's army fought back in an all-out manner. There were rumbling explosions and huge waves from the boulders. The warships of both sides kept changing their formations and fought until late at night. Xie Ci's navy once approached Yanhuizhou and launched a landing battle.
However, inside Li Yi's tent, Tian Jian's eyebrows jumped: "Oh no, Xie Ci's target is not Yanhuizhou!"
Battle reports kept coming back from the front, with gray and red labels constantly being added to the war map. Tian Jian suddenly noticed, "My Lord, this is not good! Xie Ci is probably fighting with you for Jiangzhou!"
Li Yi's eyes suddenly became sharp.
…
Jiangzhou has always been one of the important military towns on the south bank of the Yangtze River.
It is located on the west bank of Yunmeng Lake, controlling the river and the lake. It is the intersection of Jingnan and Jiangnan. It leads to the Five Ridges and has convenient water routes. It is blessed with unique advantages and is also a transportation fortress. After years of development, the city is high and the moat is deep. It is surrounded by water on three sides and connected to Eling in the west. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack.
In Jiangnan and Jingnan, there are actually some places that have not yet fallen into Li Yi's hands. After all, it has not been long. Jiangzhou is one of them.
Zhou Jin, the governor of Jiangzhou, had been in charge for thirty years and possessed a foul temper. Li Yi constantly sought to win him over, and Xie Ci had already sent envoys to him several times, even bearing a letter from Zhang Yuanrang. He and Zhang Yuanrang were of the same age, and their relationship had been relatively good.
However, Zhou Jin refused to support Li Yi and also rejected the thanks without hesitation. He closed the city gates and waterways and established a small force of his own.
Xie Ci sent Fang Tong, Gongsun Jian and Qin Guan Zhang Yuanqing successively, but they were of no use.
"Zhou Jin is stubborn and resolute, determined to hold on to Jiangzhou. However, his son can no longer wait."
Feng Kun left the people for Gu Wan, because Yin Luo was there, in addition to Li Yi's side, Yin Luo in Jiangzhou could also move. How could Gu Wan let go of such a favorable condition! Her second cousin was simply amazing, he was a great man!
Yin Luo couldn't stand her pestering, and besides, this matter actually involved Li Yi's affairs, and the news were connected.
The information provided by Yin Luo played an extremely important role. It was Yin Luo who spoke now. He said concisely: "The mother of Zhou Lin, the eldest son of Zhou Jin, is from the Cai family, one of the five major clans in Jiangnan."
The wife of the current Xiao clan leader, Xiao Da, is also a daughter of the Cai family, and Xiao Da's younger sister is Zhu Zhaopu's wife. This means that Xiao Da is the uncle of Li Yi's newly married wife, Zhu Qiuwen.
The relationship is complicated. Li Yi exerted great efforts through the Xiao and Cai families. Zhou Jin did not want to support Li Yi, but Zhou Lin did, and Zhou Lin was already preparing to kill his father to seize the throne and then surrender to Li Yi.
Yin Luo said, "However, Zhou Jin also has a concubine's eldest son. His biological mother was killed by Cai. It was a tragic death. He has also been oppressed for many years." Yin Luo smiled faintly. "If there is a chance to kill Zhou Lin and his mother, he will definitely do his best and pay any price for it."
Making a decision that is completely opposite to that of Zhou Jin and Zhou Lin, mother and son, is almost a natural thing.
Gu Guan shamelessly took over all the secret reports from Yin Luo and circulated them among Xie Ci, Qin Xian, Zhang Shen, Zhang Yuanqing and others.
Finally, Yin Luo brought up the crucial point: "But the problem now is that Gongsun Jian has clearly stated that this young master has the will but not the ability. And Linghu Zhen has made a major breakthrough. He must have successfully persuaded Zhou Lin to kill his father. Last night, he ordered Tao Zhuo to ride back to Yanhuiji to report to Li Yi."
Ideas are just ideas after all. Once Zhou Jin dies, there will probably be no place for the eldest son of a concubine to stay in Jiangzhou.
In fact, Li Yi had been trying to get to Jiangzhou for a long time. After Tian Jian revealed Xie Ci's true intention, he made a prompt decision and immediately agreed to Zhou Lin's request. With Xiao and Cai families around, Zhou Lin weighed the pros and cons again and again, and had a big dispute with his father over his half-brother. In the end, he made a decisive decision to kill his father and take the throne.
"But we don't have anyone to stop Zhou Lin from killing his father."
Xie Ci was very perceptive. Before Yin Luo finished speaking, he had already understood the implication of his words.
He wanted to use that young master to reap the fruits of Li Yi's victory.
Xie Ci's brow furrowed. He certainly wanted to take Jiangzhou without bloodshed, and he cherished the lives of every soldier under his command. However, the Xie Family Guard and the Liuyun Guard weren't operating in the south at all. He had even questioned Zhang Shen, Huang Zongxi, and the others, only to have the latter shake their heads gravely, saying they weren't involved in this.
Considering the old emperor's serious suspicion at that time, the generals of the Beijing camp guarding Zhongdu were looking for death by doing such things.
Unexpectedly, Gu Wan's heart skipped a beat when she heard the last part. She blinked and her eyes lit up. "Who do you think is responsible for contacting and assisting Zhou Lin? Tao Zhuo?! Is it Zi Jing'an?"
Shit, that name sounds familiar! Isn't that Xin Chou, the top-level expert who was ordered by Yu Manzhen to hunt her and Xun Xiao, and once forced them off a cliff, and was finally killed by her and Xun Xiao in the Fenghua Cave? His good friend.
Xin Chou is a top master, recruited by Yu Manzhen using the prophet.
But Xin Chou had many stories in his previous life. One of them was a man who chased the Northern Army for revenge. In the end, Xie Ci found out the truth and upheld justice for him, and killed his enemy according to military regulations. Xin Chou was filled with mixed feelings and was seriously injured. He did not want to drag down his friend, so he finally committed suicide by jumping into the river.
His good friend is Tao Zhuo.
Tao Zhuo has always been with Xin Chou, helping Xin Chou to take revenge.
Tao Zhuo's military strength was not as good as Xin Chou's, but he was a very good strategist. After Xin Chou's death, he joined the army of Li Yi of the Southern Dynasty and performed brilliantly from the beginning, being on par with Tian Jian and Tang Fen.
But now, Tao Zhuo is still a middle-level Sima responsible for running errands, and he has not even taken the route of a counselor.
Doesn't such a person know his own advantages? Of course not. It can only be that he, like Xin Chou, was recruited by Yu Manzhen in advance.
After Li Yi discovered Yu Manzhen's secret agents, he almost fleeced her completely.
But what can I say? Under normal circumstances, there should be some left, right?
This Tao Zhuo is obviously the fish that slipped through the net.
Gu Guanhuo stood up and said, "There is someone who may be able to help us!"
Yin Luo raised an eyebrow: "Who is it?"
Gu Wan smiled: "Yu Manzhen!"
Everyone looked at each other in confusion. Qin Xian said, "Yuan Niang, did you make a mistake?"
Who is Yu Manzhen? She is Li Yi’s wife. How could she help them?
Xie Ci also looked puzzled, but he trusted Gu Wan very much, so he asked her with a questioning look: "Wan Wan?"
Gu Wan said, "Hey, you don't know." She thought for a moment, "This is really very possible, because Yu Manzhen doesn't really love Li Yi that much. She probably loves herself the most!"
Yu Manzhen is a very capable person, as can be seen from the way she tricked the original owner into jumping into the well.
At that time, the original owner was a little girl who didn't even know anything. Just because of a little suspicion, Yu Manzhen could come to her house day after day, using her identity as a best friend to observe the original owner and indoctrinate and trick her into committing suicide.
Also, Yu Manzhen's daughter was killed by Zhu Qiuwen in her previous life.
And in this life, there seems to be a tendency to go back to the old ways.
Zhu Qiuwen's name sounds beautiful, and she is actually a beauty, but she is narrow-minded and cruel.
As for Li Yi, at this stage he must treat Yu Manzhen and her daughter unfairly and be lenient with Zhu.
Yin Luo also has information about Li Yi's backyard. Gu Guan reads it every day and it is as exciting as a TV series.
She was confident: "I am 80% sure that I can take down Tao Zhuo!"
Gu Guan slammed her hand on the table, and everyone was shocked. Is this really possible?
Xie Ci stood up abruptly: "Okay! Then you can leave now."
Time is really running out now. Of course, he is reluctant to leave Gu Wan, but all these personal feelings are suppressed by official business and major events.
Gu Guan made a gesture that it was all right and quickly pulled Yin Luo away.
Yin Luo: “…”
But he finally went, took a few steps, hesitated, and whispered, "You, can you write more letters to my master?"
Gu Wan wanted to write, but she was afraid that it would be displeasing and disturb Feng Kun, so she didn't want to read it. Upon hearing this, she immediately said, "Okay, I want to write, but I'm afraid you won't accept it."
I'll write it down later.
Yin Luo cheered up and rushed out with her.
…
Gu Guan and Yin Luo quickly changed their clothes and came out.
Under the sunset glow, she changed into a dark red short brown dress. The afterglow fell on her face as she turned back. She was in high spirits and youthful energy. She put on a cloak and ran out with a group of people. Her figure and the crimson afterglow almost merged into one.
Bright red, dazzlingly beautiful.
Xie Ci personally sent her to the side door of the house next door. She turned around, waved, smiled, and ran forward. The dark red figure went farther and farther away.
Xie Ci couldn't help but take two steps forward and waved back at her.
The sunset is brilliant, a moment of iron-blooded tenderness.
The author has something to say:
It is true that the cohesion of Li Yi's side is far from enough. Sometimes, the strength of troops is not about quantity. Li Yi is actually very aware of his shortcomings. The Zhongdu plan was to make up for and turn the situation around, but it failed.
The two sides are currently evenly matched, but once Xie Ci opens a gap and narrows the distance, the situation will be different.
Good afternoon, my dears! Ah Xiu is here~ (*^▽^*) Giving you a huge kiss! See you tomorrow, kiss~
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