The next day, early morning.
Regardless of the public opinion turmoil that Luoyang City is experiencing at the moment.
Cui Xian got up early and washed himself leisurely as usual.
He had just finished washing up when there was a knock on the door.
It was Qi Dongliang, the co-magistrate of Luoyang, and Xiao Zhen, the deputy general of the Southeast Anti-Japanese War, who was dressed in casual clothes and visited together.
The two of them also personally brought breakfast to Cui Xian.
Place breakfast on the table.
Qi Dongliang bowed to Cui Xian with guilt and said, "I should have come to apologize to you yesterday. Unfortunately, my behavior in the Exiled Immortal Pavilion was too outstanding, and I was reprimanded and interrogated by the prefect, so I came late today."
"Sir, all the blame is mine."
"The day you first arrived outside the Peony Pavilion, the prefect handed you a letter. I realized that this letter was not simple. Therefore, I found out from Yan Siyuan and others who followed you from Mengjin to Luoyang that this was a letter exchange between you and His Majesty."
"I also heard from them about your plan for the Mengjin auspicious event."
"It just so happened that my fellow countryman Xiao Zhen came to Luoyang to ask me for help."
"So I took it upon myself to give the invitation that was supposed to go to the great talent Zhao Yi to Xiao Zhen. Xiao Zhen successfully entered the Exiled Immortal Pavilion in Jingu Garden and asked you for help."
I see.
From this perspective, it makes sense why Xiao Zhen was able to enter the Exiled Immortal Pavilion.
But, this is just the line of 'Xiao Zhen and Qi Dongliang'.
The other line is the key: Why did Xiao Zhen come to Luoyang by chance and ask for help from his fellow villager Qi Dongliang?
It must have been Emperor Jiahe who hinted at it.
Qi Dongliang was terrified at this moment and apologized to Cui Xian.
Because he himself didn't know that he was actually a pawn in the plan of Emperor Jiahe.
A worthless chess piece.
"Lord Qi cares about his fellow townsmen and loyal generals, so there is no need to apologize."
Cui Xian smiled at Qi Dongliang, and then said, "I would like to have a private chat with General Xiao. Please accommodate me, Lord Qi."
In this matter, Cui Xian is a chess piece, Qi Dongliang is a chess piece, and Xiao Zhen is also a chess piece.
Everyone has things that they cannot control, so there is really no need to be too serious about it.
Qi Dongliang breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.
He bowed to Cui Xian in gratitude, then secretly tugged at Xiao Zhen's sleeve before retreating, leaving room for the two to talk.
Wait until Qi Dongliang leaves.
Cui Xian sat down at the dining table and said to Xiao Zhen, "Sit down."
Xiao Zhen sat down opposite Cui Xian and ate with big mouthfuls.
The generals ate voraciously, but the food looked quite delicious this way.
Therefore, Cui Xian unconsciously followed suit and ate more.
The two finished their breakfast in silence.
After the end.
Cui Xian picked up a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his mouth carefully, then said: "The general is your majesty's man. Even if he is defeated and returns to the capital, it is not difficult for him to survive."
"There is really no need to kneel down in public at the literary gathering. It would be embarrassing for a second-rank military commander."
Even if military generals are worthless, the one in front of him is a second-rank deputy general of the Southeast Anti-Japanese War!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhen looked at the young man in front of him in surprise.
He was indeed prompted by His Majesty to come to Luoyang to seek help from Jia Shao. But from beginning to end, he said nothing, and Jia Shao in front of him guessed everything!
What a resourceful and intelligent person this is!
However, this young man who was able to plan and strategize so well also gave Xiao Zhen hope!
Why did he fail so miserably in this Southeast Anti-Japanese War and have no chance to turn things around? It was because he had no support in the court!
If a general only knows how to win battles, then he may win every battle.
But the final outcome is definitely a dead end.
Even with the emperor as his backer, it would be of no avail.
Xiao Zhen still has too many ambitions to realize.
The Japanese pirates will never be destroyed.
He can't die.
He needs allies, a backer, and someone in the court to help him.
therefore.
Facing Jia Shao's question, Xiao Zhen directly said in a deep voice: "I was indeed instructed by His Majesty to go to the southeast to fight against the Japanese invaders and contain the powerful nobles in the southeast. But now I have been defeated miserably."
"Even if Your Majesty is merciful and willing to spare my life, I will never be able to return to the southeastern front and lead troops to fight. My eight thousand defeated brothers will also be separated and treated humiliatingly as slaves of the defeated army for the rest of their lives."
"Sir, my request is simple."
"No matter what, I will take my eight thousand brothers back to the southeastern anti-Japanese front!"
"If you can help me, Xiao Zhen will follow your lead for the rest of his life!"
In fact, Cui Xian felt relieved after hearing these words.
What he feared most was that Xiao Zhen would be stubborn and take the "loyal minister and good general" approach to the extreme.
This kind of person is not bad, in fact, it is very good——
However, given Cui Xian’s current situation, he will only save her once and will not care about her anymore.
If you rescue others too many times, you may put yourself in an irretrievable situation.
Loyalty, treachery, black and white are the moral values in the eyes of ordinary people.
But from a high position and a political standpoint, it is completely different.
"Loyal ministers" can cause great disasters, but "treacherous ministers" can also save the people.
It's not black and white.
Most of the time, "gray methods" can better implement policies and benefit the country and the people.
Cui Xian quickly concluded from Xiao Zhen's words that this person could be an ally.
At least Xiao Zhen has a clear mind.
Therefore, he could save Xiao Zhen according to the emperor's wishes.
He could also carry out his own agenda and use Xiao Zhen as a nail in the southeast.
This is a particularly good opportunity.
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