Chapter 791 There is another "favor".
One day later, the emperor of the Great Sheng Dynasty personally visited Tongguan.
Whether it was his youthful days traversing battlefields, his journey east to Luoyang with Chu Yang, or his entry into Guanzhong to seize Chang'an, this was the umpteenth time Yuwen Yuan had passed through Tongguan. However, this time, the pass no longer appeared narrow and winding to him, nor were the mountains treacherous and majestic. In fact, when he arrived at Tongguan City, he saw that it was decorated with lanterns and colorful flags everywhere, making it a very lively place.
The garrison commander made the arrangements after receiving the imperial decree, in order to respectfully welcome the emperor.
However, such liveliness appeared strangely comical amidst the towering mountains.
In the past, Yuwen Yuan would have simply told Chu Zhengfei to stop doing such futile work, but this time, he was genuinely pleased. He simply said to Chu Zhengfei, "It's too wasteful," and then let it go. Meanwhile, all the Tongguan garrison commanders received their rewards that very day.
The imperial entourage rested overnight at Tongguan, and the next day they left Tongguan and arrived at Longmen Ferry.
However, due to the proximity to the Yellow River and the treacherous shoals, the emperor's entourage eventually stopped at a flat grassland with mountains behind and water in front, some distance from the ferry. After setting up camp, Yuwen Yuan sat upright in the royal tent. A soft silk was spread out on the wide table, which was the map attached to the secret report he had received at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
Half a map.
Above, every mountain road, every river, every pass outside Luoyang City is clearly outlined, and even several heavily guarded locations are marked.
Yuwen Yuan gazed at the checkpoints and paths, one after another, as if his army had already traversed these arduous journeys, steadily approaching Luoyang. He knew very well that Taiyuan was already his secure ancestral home, the two prefectures of Song and Xu had fallen into Shen Tu Tai's hands, and Liang Shide's reinforcements, Xiao Yuansui's Wanggang Village, had long been shattered under the single-handed intimidation of his second son, Yuwen Ye.
In other words, if they obtain the complete map, the soldiers of Dasheng can advance eastward smoothly, and with the combined forces of the army, they can capture the eastern capital and completely take over the entire north!
"well!"
Yuwen Yuan stroked his beard and laughed.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside. The guards hurriedly asked what was going on. Yuwen Yuan subconsciously picked up a document and was about to block the map when he suddenly heard the Crown Prince's gentle and deep voice. He immediately said, "Is that Qian'er? Come in."
Upon hearing this, the guards outside hurriedly reached out and lifted the curtain, and Crown Prince Yuwen Qian walked in.
He wore a dark purple robe, his hair was tied up with a jade crown, and a jade belt was tied around his waist. Although he was not particularly strong and muscular, he was still handsome and refined. Compared to his previous appearance in a white monk's robe, where he moved like the wind and was as ethereal as a cloud, he was not only much more dashing but also much more reliable.
He bowed and said, "Greetings, Father Emperor."
Upon seeing him, Yuwen Yuan's smile deepened. He put down the document that had been covering the map on the table and said with a smile, "What brings you here? Is there something you need?"
Yuwen Qian hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I am only worried about you."
"oh?"
Yuwen Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, but he wasn't too surprised. He simply looked up at his eldest son, who was now the crown prince and the foundation of the entire Dasheng Dynasty, and smiled faintly as if he knew everything: "What are you worried about?"
Yuwen Qian said, "Father Emperor traveled out of Tongguan, but the accompanying army numbered no more than ten thousand, which is not in accordance with etiquette; moreover, I saw people preparing boats at the ferry crossing. Could it be that Father Emperor is preparing to board a boat to cross the river?"
Yuwen Yuan said calmly, "If necessary, I will."
Yuwen Qian's expression changed: "Father!"
Before he could finish speaking, Yuwen Yuan smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It seems you've been worried about this all the way here, haven't you?"
Yuwen Qian said, "Your Majesty's safety is always on my mind."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan's usually fierce and stern face revealed a gentle smile, but he seemed unaccustomed to showing this attitude too obviously, so he just sighed and said with a smile: "You, you just have too many worries and too many concerns when you do things. This is your strength and your weakness."
"..."
"But this time, it's no wonder you're worried."
"..."
"I suspect that not only you, but also your subordinates and the ministers in the court are wondering why I would personally come to the Yellow River ferry to welcome a mere Fan Chengen. Isn't that a bit too much of a grand gesture?"
"so,"
Yuwen Qian looked up at him, his eyes flickering slightly: "Besides Fan Chengen, does Father have other reasons?"
"certainly."
"That is—"
"Because besides this 'favor,' there is another 'favor.'"
At this point, Yuwen Yuan smiled, removed the document that was half-covered on the map, and waved to Yuwen Qian with a grin: "Come and take a look."
Yuwen Qian rushed forward, looked down, and his expression immediately changed: "This is—"
Although it was the first time he had seen this half of the map, he had traveled through the Central Plains before, and happened to be traveling around Luoyang and Yanyue City. He was very familiar with the terrain there, so he immediately recognized that it was a topographical map of the area around Luoyang.
"A topographical map of Luoyang?"
"good,"
Seeing that he could recognize it at a glance, Yuwen Yuan nodded with satisfaction and smiled, "Moreover, it's not an ordinary topographical map, but a deployment map of Liang Shide's troops stationed near Luoyang."
"What!?"
"Unfortunately, there's only half a sheet."
"..."
A look of disbelief crossed Yuwen Qian's face. After a moment's thought, his brows furrowed, and he said, "Then what Father meant by the other 'favor' just now—"
"Jiang Chongen. Empress Dowager Jiang—her cousin, and also the governor of Dongdu when Chu Yang went south to Jiangdu Palace."
"he?"
Yuwen Qian immediately realized: "The secret report sent from Tongguan earlier was delivered by him? He presented Father with this half of the Luoyang garrison deployment map? He wants to pledge allegiance to Father and to our Great Sheng?"
"good,"
Yuwen Yuan said, "However, this person is cowardly. Knowing that I have taken over the throne, he is worried that I will harm him. Therefore, he only presented half of the map, wanting to find out my attitude."
"..."
"Since that's the case, then I'll show you my stance."
Yuwen Qian thought for a moment and said, "Then, after the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Father Emperor didn't bring this matter up publicly because—"
Yuwen Yuan said, "He is testing me, and I may not necessarily trust him completely."
"..."
"After all, half a map cannot represent everything. So these days, I have been sending secret agents to the Central Plains to gather information about the area around Luoyang. Although betrayal and theft cannot be committed regularly, if he does not take any action, I will also suspect his intentions."
"..."
"However, this time, I only believed him after he led his troops here."
At this point, Yuwen Yuan smiled and said, "Now do you think it was worthwhile for me to personally come to Longmen Ferry?"
"..."
"If we can obtain the other half of the map from Jiang Chongen, then I will be able to fully grasp Liang Shide's troop deployment around Luoyang. You must know that on the battlefield, knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory. At that time, when we send troops eastward to Luoyang, not only will our chances of victory be much greater, but more importantly, we will be able to protect our soldiers."
At this point, he sighed softly: "Born in a chaotic era, the soldiers fought year after year to conquer the country for me, but their lives were not those of ants."
"..."
"Everyone on this land is worth a fortune."
"..."
"I want to cherish their lives!"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Qian, who had been deep in thought with a slight frown, was slightly startled. When he looked up at Yuwen Yuan again, a look of surprise appeared on his face. Yuwen Yuan smiled and said, "What? Do you think your father is a tyrant who only knows how to wage war and kill, and who treats human life as worthless?"
Yuwen Qian hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your subject dares not!"
Yuwen Yuan smiled and said, "Get up. I was just joking with you."
As he spoke, he looked down at the map on the table again. It showed the troop deployment from Longmen Ferry in the east all the way to Hulao Pass. Although it was not very detailed, for the commander, especially his second son who was good at fighting, this half map was already a great help!
but--
Just as he was deep in thought, Yuwen Qian, who was also deep in thought, slowly stood up and stared intently at the half-map.
He thought of Yu Mingyue's unusual silence these past few days, including how she remained silent no matter how he questioned her regarding Yuwen Yuan's seemingly "absurd" actions, causing unease among those around her. Yuwen Qian couldn't help but murmur, "Then why..."
Yuwen Yuan asked, "What are you talking about?"
"No, it's nothing."
Yuwen Qian shook his head to conceal his unease, then looked up and said, "I wonder when Father Emperor plans to depart for the ferry."
Yuwen Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Let's wait a bit longer. It's not too late to set off after those two 'En's' men have reached the other side and seen their flags."
Yuwen Qian said, "Yes. Then I will take my leave."
After saying that, he prepared to leave, but as soon as he turned around, he heard Yuwen Yuan ask, "By the way, has the Prince of Qin arrived?"
Upon hearing the mention of Yuwen Ye, Yuwen Qian's steps faltered, and when he turned around, a solemn and complex expression appeared on his face. He gently shook his head: "I still haven't received any news from my second brother."
"Not there yet?"
Yuwen Yuan frowned slightly, got up and walked to the door, lifting the curtain. Immediately, a gust of wind carrying moisture rushed in and suddenly filled the entire royal tent, causing his and Yuwen Qian's robes to flutter.
Yuwen Yuan narrowed his eyes, looking at the soldiers and servants who were still busy setting up camp. Although they were busy, they were orderly. Outside the tent, there was the long road that led them from, which led into the distance. At this moment, the road was empty, with only the swirling shadows of trees fluttering in the wind.
Yuwen Yuan couldn't help but sigh deeply: "It's been three days, why hasn't he caught up yet?"
"..."
"Could it be that something has happened in Chang'an?"
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