Chapter 195 The War Begins
Half a month ago, at the Duke's Mansion in Chang'an.
The situation was getting more and more tense. At first, the palace soldiers were stationed in the city, but now the city gates were also sealed. Ming Yuji quietly watched Queen Wei and Princess Anle making trouble.
But before that, Ming Yuji had to maintain the livelihood of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. With Queen Wei and Princess Anle around, the chaos in Chang'an would only get worse. Ming Yuji had people stock up on food, meat and poultry when there were signs of trouble, but now it seemed that she had not stocked enough.
At this time, the benefits of growing up in the countryside became apparent. In the huge Zhenguo Mansion, no one knew more about food than her. Ming Yuji made a list and ordered his confidants to go out to buy. Half a day later, the team came back. Ming Yuji went to check it out in person and asked, "Why did you take so long? Did you choose the rice according to the method I told you?"
After she asked the question, she felt that something was wrong with the servant escorting the car. Just as she was about to take a closer look, the man raised his head and revealed a face that she was very familiar with: "Madam Ming, it's me."
Ming Yuji was startled when she saw the newcomers, but she told the others to leave without saying anything. Ming Yuji had not been idle in the past six months, and she had sent away all the people who had second thoughts from the Duke of Zhen's mansion, leaving only her people, so she was not worried about Su Xingzhi being seen by others.
After not seeing each other for a long time, Ming Yuji didn't know what expression to use to face him, so he could only say coldly: "Why are you here?"
"I'm sorry, it's urgent. There are too many people following outside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. I can only meet you in this way." Su Xingzhi looked at her and also avoided her eyes. "I was entrusted by someone to tell you...something to the Duke of Zhenguo."
It turned out that he was not here to see her. Ming Yuji's face turned cold and he said, "My father is in the front hall. I'll have someone take you there."
"No thanks." Duke Zhen appeared from behind the bushes without anyone noticing, and walked over slowly with his hands behind his back. "I came to see how much food was left in the mansion, and I didn't expect to see you. Lord Laosu is here, please come in quickly."
Su Xingzhi hurriedly bowed to the Duke of Zhen and said, "I don't deserve it. I have been suspended from the Procuratorate and I am free now. Please just call me by my name. I won't say much. I will just finish what I have to say here."
Duke Zhenguo was still polite and couldn't help asking about the whole story of Su Xingzhi's suspension. He learned that he was dismissed for impeaching Princess Anle for selling official positions and titles. He could only sigh and pat Su Xingzhi on the shoulder. Ming Yuji felt uncomfortable and said coldly: "I asked you to meddle in other people's business. You deserve it now."
"Madam, please don't be rude." Duke Zhenguo gently sneered at Ming Yuji and asked, "Lord Su, who asked you to pass on the message?"
"It's the Marquis of Pingnan." Su Xingzhi said seriously, "Today she found me and said that Queen Wei wanted to send troops to garrison Junzhou. She advised the Queen, but the Queen insisted on sending troops to Junzhou. She could only take the initiative to ask for permission and lead the troops to Junzhou in person. She can only ask me to explain to you that it is difficult to disobey the Queen's order, but she will never harm Prince Yong and Ming Erniang."
"Garden Junzhou?" Ming Yuji's face turned cold and he said angrily, "The Queen is trying to force Prince Qiao to rebel. Prince Yong and Second Lady are not far away in Shangzhou. If Junzhou rebels, what will they do?"
As a censor, Su Xingzhi shouldn't make irresponsible comments on state affairs, but he couldn't help but remind Ming Yuji: "Perhaps, this is what the queen intended. When the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman benefits."
Ming Yuji sneered, "They are getting more and more shameless. Without Li Huazhang, could they return to Chang'an safely? It was Li Huazhang who forced Empress Wu Zetian to abdicate, and it was Li Huazhang who sent Empress Wu Zetian on her last journey. They have borrowed so much from Li Huazhang, and they still have the nerve to profit from it?"
She was still so outspoken and unyielding. Su Xingzhi looked helpless and said, "Madam Yu...Ming, be careful with your words and don't be disrespectful to the queen. Maybe, she will soon become the queen mother."
Ming Yuji's eyebrows jumped. He ignored the vague disagreement between the two of them and looked straight at Su Xingzhi: "What do you mean?"
After all, Su Xingzhi was a member of the Shitai clan. Even if he was dismissed by Princess Anle, he was more informed than the Zhenguogong Mansion, which had been under surveillance for a long time. It would be disobedient to say any more. Su Xingzhi lowered his eyes, but the meaning was very clear. Zhenguogong put away his relaxed expression, looked at the sky that was as gray and depressing as a lead block, and said: "When she was alive, everyone hated her; when she finally fell, everyone wanted to be her. The world is so unpredictable."
Su Xingzhi didn't know what to say, so he could only say comfortingly, "Don't worry, Duke Zhenguo. The one leading the troops is Marquis Pingnan. Prince Yong and his wife will definitely return safely."
"I have never doubted the Marquis of Pingnan. I have met that child. She is a kind and strong-willed woman. She is just like my aunt, who is tough on the outside but soft on the inside. I believe she is not that kind of person." The Duke of Zhenguo sighed, "However, the battlefield changes rapidly. Once the fighting starts, how can human power control it?"
Ming Yuji was extremely anxious. She certainly believed that Ren Yao would not harm Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang, but what about the other people in the army? Ren Yao led the infantry and marched slowly. When she entered the territory of Junzhou, Prince Qiao must have received the news. Li Huazhang was caught between the two and was attacked from all sides. Ming Yuji certainly didn't care about Li Huazhang's life or death, but Ming Huashang was stubborn and would definitely not abandon Li Huazhang and leave by herself.
Ming Yu Ji also knew that Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang had the Xuanxiao Guards, so they would not be completely ignorant of Chang'an. However, the city was sealed off a few days ago, and even the Xuanxiao Guards' channels were cut off. What if they didn't know that the emperor had died suddenly and Queen Wei was about to take action against them?
Who dares to bet on that one?
The more Ming Yuji thought about it, the more anxious she became. She wanted to fly to Shangzhou immediately. The war was coming, and the earlier she got the news, the better her chances of winning. If those two people were still unwilling to leave after knowing the news, she could at least help them kill a few people when the fight started. But if she left, what would happen to the Duke of Zhenguo?
The Duke of Zhenguo is old, and his leg disease has become more and more serious in recent years, making it difficult for him to even walk. During the Chongjun coup, the King of Liang was hacked to death by the chaotic soldiers who rushed into the mansion. The Ming family and the King of Yong are closely connected. Will Weihou take the risk and take the Duke of Zhenguo as a hostage?
What if something really happened and she was not in the mansion... Ming Yuji's heart seemed to be in agony. On the one hand, there was a war that was about to break out and her sister who was alone outside. On the other hand, there was her elderly father and the mansion that was in danger. She was torn and didn't know what to do.
Duke Zhenguo saw what Ming Yuji was worried about and said, "Madam, do whatever you want. The chaos is coming and the world is difficult, but it is also a time for heroes to emerge. You and Second Madam are already in the game, and only by taking the initiative can you break the situation."
Ming Yuji looked at the Duke of Zhenguo, pursed his lips, and gritted his teeth and said, "I'll send someone I trust to give them a message, Second Lady will understand. Li Huazhang is quite smart and should be able to get through this crisis safely. If he can't solve it, it will be useless for me to go. I'd better stay in the Duke's Mansion and do my job well."
But Ming Yuji also knew that messengers were also human beings, they would get tired, they would be bribed, they would be greedy and afraid of death, so it was the safest choice for her to go. She knew the price of rice and grain in the capital, the actions of the various families in Chang'an in the past six months, and every tree and grass in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. No matter how long the message was, it would not be enough to describe all these things.
Su Xingzhi knew Ming Yuji was in trouble, so he took the initiative to say, "If Duke Zheng trusts me, I am willing to go to Shangzhou for you and inform Prince Yong and Princess Yong."
Ming Yuji glared at Su Xingzhi unhappily: "What does the Ming family's affairs have to do with you?"
Su Xingzhi knew that Ming Yuji was telling the truth, but he was still hurt by the words "what does it have to do with you?" The Duke of Zhen frowned and said in a serious tone: "Auntie, please don't be rude."
Ming Yuji realized she had said something harsh the moment she opened her mouth. She clearly didn't mean it that way. She pursed her lips and refused to say a word stubbornly, but her eyes turned red unconsciously. Duke Zhenguo sighed and said to Su Xingzhi first: "I appreciate Mr. Su's kindness. But you are also the only son of the Su family. I can't let you take such a risk."
Su Xingzhi couldn't help but say, "But it's more dangerous for Yuji to go. It can't be that she should take the risk just because she is the elder sister, right?"
Su Xingzhi's words were offensive, but he still said them. It was understandable that the Duke of Zhenguo preferred his little daughter who grew up by his side and the Prince of Yong who he raised himself, but Ming Yuji was also made of flesh and blood, and there was no reason to let Ming Yuji sacrifice forever for Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang.
But the Duke of Zhenguo did not take it as an offense, instead he said: "You are right, I have already let my aunt down a lot, in my heart, I wish she would never leave the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and be held in the palm of someone's hand for the rest of her life, without being exposed to the slightest wind and rain. But my daughter is not only my child, a girl, but also an independent person. If they want to be a mistress, I will protect them from the wind and rain for the rest of their lives; if they want to be an eagle in the sky, I, as a father, should let go and let them find their own piece of sky."
Duke Zhenguo walked slowly to Ming Yuji, patted Ming Yuji on the shoulder like a friend, and said seriously: "Yuji, your mother gave you this name because she hoped that you would be like water, which can soften the hard, and will be everlasting, and the sun will always come out after the rain. Just do what you should do. I will take care of you in the mansion, and no one will find out that you are missing."
Ming Yuji has been back for so long, and although she has slowly accepted the Duke of Zhenguo as her father, she also feels in her heart that her father loves Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang more than her. She silently accepted this knowledge, trying not to care about it and doing what a daughter should do. But now, she looks into the Duke of Zhenguo's eyes and realizes that her father actually loves her just as much.
That was the love that she longed for even though she had lived under someone else's roof since she was a child and was worried about everything. She was not good at expressing it, but she was very eager for it.
Ming Yuji's eyes suddenly felt sore. She lowered her head helplessly, her nose blocked. "I'm not worried about that. Queen Wei and Princess Anle came to power in an illegitimate way. I'm worried that they will be pushed into a corner and drag everyone down with them."
Duke Zhenguo was startled and laughed. In recent years, he has returned to his family, tending flowers and plants, thinking about recipes at home every day, and no longer asking about government affairs. He looks like an ordinary old man. At this moment, he raised his head and laughed, and the open-mindedness and determination between his eyebrows shook people's hearts. This reminded people that when he was young, he was also a close minister of the prince. He experienced stealing the dragon and turning it into a pawn, Empress Wu's reign, and survived rounds of bloody purges by cruel officials until the restoration of the Li Tang Dynasty. Which of the old ministers of Yonghui who can survive to the present day can be an ordinary person?
Duke Zhenguo stopped laughing and looked at his eldest daughter who had been exiled for many years. He said seriously, "Although I have lived so many years in vain, I have never been bullied. The battles we experienced in the past were much more dangerous than this, but every time we managed to escape danger. I have experience in dealing with these things, so you can go out without worry. Even if it comes to the worst situation, I Ming Huaiyuan can still pick up a knife and kill people, and I will never let myself be slaughtered. On the contrary, he and your sister will make mistakes at every step. If you go to Shangzhou, at least there will be one more person to give them advice. I can only feel at ease if you three children are safe."
Ming Yuji looked at the Duke of Zhenguo, and hesitated several times. The Duke of Zhenguo's eyes were tolerant and peaceful, like a lighthouse that never goes out. No matter what happens, he will always be on the shore to guide them. Ming Yuji couldn't express her feelings in words, so she could only bow deeply: "I am an unfilial daughter. I can't serve my father in times of crisis, and I still need you to cover for me. I hope my father takes care of himself. I will definitely bring them back safely."
Su Xingzhi also looked terrified. He was afraid that Ming Yuji would be wronged when he returned home. Seeing that the Duke of Zhenguo asked Ming Yuji to travel thousands of miles to Shangzhou, he subconsciously thought that the Duke of Zhenguo was biased, but he didn't know that he was the one-sided person. True feelings cannot deceive people. Su Xingzhi could see that those words just now were what the Duke of Zhenguo really thought, so he became the villain instead.
Su Xingzhi bowed to the Duke of Zhen and apologized, "Please forgive me, I misunderstood you just now. The lady is right, this is the family affair of the Duke of Zhen, I shouldn't have said anything."
Duke Zhenguo said, "Don't say that, Mr. Su. I am very happy that you can say those words, which shows that you really care about the good of our lady. Our lady speaks frankly, and it is actually out of good intentions. If it offends you, please forgive me."
Su Xingzhi laughed at himself. Now, has he become someone Ming Yuji needs to be polite to? How could he possibly blame Yuji?
She lived well in the Ming family, had a father who truly loved her, and had a pair of sensible and generous sisters and husbands-in-law, so he should be happy for her. Because of this, he could not let anything happen to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion or Prince Yong.
Su Xingzhi made up his mind and said, "Thank you, Duke Guo, for your generosity. I will take my leave now. I hope you take care on your journey and return safely."
Su Xingzhi saluted Zhenguogong and Ming Yuji one by one, then changed into his servant's attire and left through the corner gate. Zhenguogong saw the surprise, anger and disappointment on Ming Yuji's face, sighed and said, "If you don't want to let him go, why don't you tell him?"
Ming Yuji got even angrier when she talked about this. She used indifference to cover up her grievances and said, "He didn't even care about how I was leaving. He just told me to take care of myself on the way. What else can I say to him? I have to go back and pack my luggage. I have to leave tonight. I'm leaving first."
Duke Zhenguo sighed as he watched his eldest daughter walk away quickly. His daughter had grown up and had more worries. It was worrying for her to follow a boy like Ming Huashang, and it was also worrying for her to keep everything to herself and not want to face her feelings like Ming Yuji.
In fact, he thought Su behaved well, was upright in his official duties, worked steadily, was very patient in private, and never got upset no matter how angry Yu Ji was. He also had a good future. Most importantly, he was sincere to Yu Ji.
Forget it. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Let them worry about their own affairs.
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Ming Huashang was relieved when she heard Ming Yuji say that Duke Zhenguo was fine. She looked at Su Xingzhi who was still running a high fever on the bed and asked, "What happened to Brother Su's injury?"
Ming Yuji sighed and said, "He was injured in order to protect me. After I said goodbye to my father, I immediately set out to leave the city. I learned that a grain truck was going to leave the city that night, so I knocked out a soldier, changed into his clothes and mixed into the grain escort team. On the way, I met the patrol team and was almost discovered. Fortunately, they were attracted by the movement on the street, so I left the city gate safely. After that, I found an opportunity to escape. I was worried that there would be pursuers after the fainted soldiers woke up, but I was quiet all the way. I thought I was lucky and was not discovered. Who knew..."
Ming Yuji looked at Su Xingzhi with mixed feelings: "He followed me and helped me get rid of the pursuers. He also deliberately created a commotion at the city gate to attract the patrol team. He was injured when he got rid of the patrol team, and then he covered me all the way, and his injuries became more and more serious. If I hadn't noticed that someone was following me and shot him back, I don't know how long he would have kept it a secret from me."
Su Xingzhi vaguely heard Ming Yuji's voice, woke up from his high fever, and struggled to get up: "This is my own decision, it has nothing to do with you..."
Ming Yuji was startled and quickly held him up: "Don't move, your wound has just been bandaged, don't tear it again."
After a lot of hard work, everyone finally settled Su Xingzhi. Li Huazhang felt very sorry and said, "It's my fault for dragging you down like this. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have risked your lives to come to Shangzhou, and Su Xingzhi wouldn't have been injured like this."
Ming Yuji used a wet handkerchief to cool down Su Xingzhi, glanced at Li Huazhang calmly, and said, "Don't flatter yourself. I came here for Second Mother, and it has nothing to do with you. If you really feel bad, stabilize the situation in Shangzhou and don't let your father worry."
Ming Huashang held Ming Yuji's hand and said softly, "Sister, don't worry. Brother Su will be fine, and Shangzhou will be fine too. Let's find a solution together. Second brother, my words may be harsh, but she means well."
Of course Li Huazhang wouldn't mind and said, "I understand."
To know a person, you should not look at what he says, but what he does. Just because Ming Yuji risked his life to deliver a letter thousands of miles away, Li Huazhang would not care about Ming Yuji's duplicity.
Xie Jichuan watched Ming Huashang play the game of gossip and mediation between the two people. Soon Ming Yuji and Li Huazhang were both coaxed into submission. Xie Jichuan sighed in his heart. He had known that Ming Huashang could talk a lot. Today, as an outsider, he could only feel the superb skills of Ming Huashang in dealing with things.
At first glance, Ming Huashang is the most mediocre person among them. However, because there is no pressure to be with her, everyone is willing to speak their mind to her, and everyone feels that their relationship with Ming Huashang is better. Unknowingly, she has become the least noticeable person in the team, but the most indispensable person.
Han Jie was right. Ming Huashang was the best Xuanxiao Guard. Without making any noise, everyone was at her service.
Minghua
After Su Xingzhi's injury had calmed down, Shang moved outside and carefully inquired about the situation in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. She learned that everything was fine except for the restriction of freedom of movement in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, and she was relieved. After that, she asked about the situation in the capital. Although Xie Jichuan had already told her once, it was never too much to collect intelligence.
Ming Yuji said that the movements of the various forces in Chang'an were similar to those of Xie Jichuan, with different details and emphasis. However, Ming Huashang noticed one thing: "You said that the officers and soldiers of Wanqi do not seem to obey the Wei family?"
"Yes." Ming Yuji said, "When I left the city, I disguised myself as a grain escort soldier and walked with them for a while. I accidentally heard a lot of inside stories. They have a lot of opinions about the Wei family. Wei Yuan and others were airdropped to the Wanqi Camp. These people do not live and eat in the barracks and have no military experience. However, they act like superiors everywhere and want the soldiers to do whatever they want. If the soldiers can't do it, they order them to beat them. Not only the soldiers below, but even the middle-level non-commissioned officers are suffering."
Empress Wei simply copied the experience of Empress Wu Zetian and obviously did not understand that by replacing the generals with her own people, she could use the army at her disposal.
Ming Huashang suddenly remembered that Empress Wu Zetian once casually said, "Those who learn from her will live, and those who imitate her will die." At that time, she didn't think much of it, but now thinking back, she felt terrified.
Had she anticipated all these things? Although her body was dead, her soul still lingered over the Tang Dynasty, invisibly influencing the political changes.
Ming Huashang sighed, then cheered up and said, "Chang'an is too far to reach. Let's think about the near future first. If Prince Qiao doesn't receive a reply from the Feng family, he will guess that we have figured out his intentions sooner or later. The siege of Shangzhou is imminent. What should we do?"
Before Ming Yuji came, she knew that Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang would not abandon the people of the city and leave on their own. She did not try to persuade Ming Huashang at all, but asked directly: "How many troops does Shangzhou have?"
Li Huazhang said in a calm and clear voice, "Two thousand government soldiers. Excluding those without pay, the old, the weak, the sick, and those who have left the army, there are less than a thousand who can go to the battlefield. Moreover, these people have not been trained for a long time, so their actual combat effectiveness will be further reduced."
Ming Yuji frowned and could only hope for reinforcements: "And Ren Yao, how many people did she bring?"
Xie Jichuan snorted and said, "Five hundred, I'm sure of it."
The soldiers Ren Yao led were the emperor's personal soldiers, well-trained, fully equipped, and all elite. Ming Yuji guessed that the number of reinforcements would not be large, but this was too small.
Ming Yuji was silent for a moment, then asked, "How many people are there in Junzhou?"
This is Ming Huashang's business scope. She said, "There is good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
Xie Jichuan said without hesitation: "Bad."
"Okay. The good news is that not only Shangzhou's military preparations are slack, but Junzhou's soldiers are also very lax. But the bad news is that after Prince Qiao came to Junzhou, he knew that Queen Wei would not let him go, and he has been secretly contacting various military governors over the years. Now, the military governor of Jiannan has defected to Prince Qiao and will transfer 20,000 troops from Chuzhou to help Prince Qiao regain the throne."
Now everyone was speechless. Xie Jichuan smiled and nodded, "Yes, as long as every soldier can defeat 20 enemies with one, Shangzhou will win."
Ming Yuji tried to think of a solution: "What if we urgently dispatch troops from the surrounding areas?"
Ming Huashang shook her head: "We have thought about it, but the government troops are exhausted, and the elite troops are in the hands of the Jiedushi, and the one closest to us is the Jiedushi of Jiannan."
The military strength was too different, the imperial court would not send reinforcements, and there was no water nearby to put out the fire. It looked like this was a war with no suspense. Ming Yuji was in a heavy mood, and was already thinking about the success rate of assassinating Prince Qiao and the governor of Jiannan. At this time, Li Huazhang suddenly spoke up: "I have a plan. Maybe only a few people are needed to disintegrate this rebellion from within."
Xie Jichuan raised his eyebrows, very suspicious: "Do you want to defeat an army of 20,000 with just a few Xuanxiao Guards?"
Li Huazhang was neither anxious nor impatient, his expression confident, calm and composed: "No matter how many soldiers there are, there are only a few people who make decisions. If we can use intelligence to make them make wrong judgments, it will be fine."
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