Jiuxi

Chapter 152 Chapter 151 [Changes in the North]

On a holiday in early May, Lu Chen left the Ruishi camp with more than ten soldiers and rode back to Lai'an Fucheng.

In two months, he gradually knitted the Ruishi Battalion into a whole according to his own ideas. Although he didn't know how this army would perform on the battlefield, at least it seemed to have the prototype of an elite army for now.

The reasons for this are more complicated. First of all, the foundation of Ruishi Battalion is a thousand tigers, including the warriors brought out by Lu Chen in the Battle of Guangling, the confidants Lu Tong spent ten years training, and the two hundred elites gifted by Xiao Wangzhi.As the skeleton of the Rui Shi Battalion, they allowed Lu Chen to control all the soldiers easily to the point of being like an arm and a finger.

In addition, Lu Chen's various regulations must be effectively implemented, and only by consistent words and deeds can the hearts of these soldiers be truly won.

Strict military discipline and generous remuneration are two-pronged, and the appearance of Ruishi Camp changes almost every day.

Lu Chen stayed in the camp for food and accommodation, closely observing everyone's changes and not daring to slack off at all.Except for today, he only went out once during this period. He met Lu Tong who came to visit for half an hour, and then hurried back to the military camp.

Hard work paid off, and he gradually achieved his expectations, and the transformation of Rui Shi Camp was extremely obvious.

After entering the city, Lu Chen and his party went straight to the Governor's Mansion. Huang Xianfeng, the marching commander, was already waiting outside the gate.

"I've met Captain Lu."

Huang Xianfeng stepped forward and saluted, looking at Lu Chen who turned over and jumped off his mount, his temperament becoming more and more calm and restrained, he couldn't help but secretly praise him.

"How dare you work for Mr. Huang?"

Lu Chen smiled slightly and spoke in a calm tone.

Huang Xianfeng joked: "It doesn't matter if it's someone else. Lieutenant Lu is a military meritorious prince personally named by His Majesty. How dare I not treat him with courtesy?"

"Master Huang is too outspoken. He must be blaming me for not visiting him recently."

Lu Chen took advantage of the situation and teased him. He knew that Huang Xianfeng was Xiao Wangzhi's true confidant, so he didn't have to act deliberately in front of him.

Huang Xianfeng couldn't help laughing, and said sideways: "I want to get closer to Captain Lu, but it's a pity that the Commander-in-Chief strictly ordered us not to interfere with the Captain's training. Please."

The two walked into the Governor's Mansion side by side, chatting happily all the way.

Arriving outside the meeting hall, Huang Xianfeng said: "Captain Lu, please."

When Lu Chen saw this, he knew that there must be confidential military arrangements when Xiao Wangzhi was summoned today, otherwise Huang Xianfeng would not have to stop outside the door, so he bowed his hands and walked into the meeting hall without asking any more questions.

In addition to Xiao Wangzhi, there was also an old acquaintance of Lu Chen inside.

Su Yunqing, Huaizhou inspector of the Warp Weaving Department.

Because of his status as the officer, Lu Chen was nominally Su Yunqing's colleague, and because of the badge given by Qin Zheng when he was in the capital, the two should have been closer, but today was the first time they met each other in the new year.

Lu Chen saluted Xiao Wangzhi and Su Yunqing in turn, and then sat on the chair on the right.

Xiao Wangzhi looked at the young captain's calm expression and said gently: "Do you still remember that this time last year, Colonel Su said something to you, hoping that you could go to Heluo City to work as a secret spy and try your best to Unify the Northland spy network?"

Lu Chen will naturally not forget that it was the first time he faced a decision. Fortunately, because of his father's relationship, he could calmly reject Su Yunqing.

Now that Xiao Wangzhi has brought up the old matter again, it is obviously not a whim to help Su Yunqing fulfill his long-cherished wish.

Lu Chen's heart moved, he looked at Su Yunqing and said, "Is there something unexpected in the Northland?"

"Captain Lu's reaction is still so sharp."

Su Yunqing complimented, and then continued at Xiao Wangzhi's signal: "In the past few months, the Puppet Yanchaotang has undergone considerable changes. Chen Jingtang, the Deputy Privy Councilor, was dismissed from office, and Liu Wei, the former Privy Councilor, retired and returned home. The newly appointed Privy Councilor Pang Shigu and Deputy Privy Councilor Guo Yan have close relations with the Jing Dynasty. In addition, there have been quite a few changes in the appointment and dismissal of officials. Judging from the intelligence obtained by the Sutra Weaving Department, at least close to half of them are related to Jing Dynasty. It’s related to North Korea.”

Lu Chen frowned slightly.

He recalled the emperor's judgment that the Jing Dynasty was simultaneously supporting and infiltrating the Northern Yan court, and that this time-consuming and laborious assimilation could achieve excellent results.Now it seems that the outcome of last year's war in the North has a good or bad impact on the north. Although the Qi State achieved tangible results, it also gave the Jing Dynasty an opportunity to further intervene in the affairs of the Northern Yan Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen asked in confusion: "Is the Pseudo-Yan Emperor indifferent to these changes?"

This was a question he couldn't figure out. Even if the new emperor of Beiyan was just a puppet, he had been sitting on the throne for six years, and he would never be willing to make wedding clothes for others.

Xiao Wangzhi said lightly: "It is said that the Pseudo-Yan Emperor is not in good health and the court meetings are basically closed. All court affairs are controlled by several important ministers, including Wang An, the head of the Zhai Lin Wang family."

Lu Chen said: "The Zhai Lin Wang family...that's it." When the royal family and dignitaries of Qi State traveled south to Yongjia, they did not take away all the aristocratic families, and some of them stayed in the north. The Zhai Lin Wang family was the northern clan. The leader.

Wang Jun also mentioned that long before the Yuanjia Incident, the Jing Dynasty had reached some kind of agreement with the Zhai Lin Wang family. Later, the clan represented by the Zhai Lin Wang family became the mainstay of the Northern Yan Dynasty.

Xiao Wangzhi said calmly: "These changes have been expected by us, and this is not particularly bad news for Da Qi. It will take a long time for Jing Dynasty to completely annex the north. It will take a long time for the puppet Yan Dynasty to replace A group of people cannot directly shorten this process. On the contrary, we can use this opportunity to lay some secret hands. What we want to discuss today is not this matter, but another recent move by the puppet Yan court."

He looked to the side, and Su Yunqing continued to introduce: "The personnel of the Warp Weaving Department in the north have learned that the puppet Yan court seems to be interested in attacking the green forest in the north recently."

Lu Chen's heart trembled.

When talking about the green forests in the North, he couldn't do without the Seven Star Gang, and then the figure of Lin Xi appeared in his mind.

Since their separation last fall, he and Lin Xi had only written once. Because the distance was so long, communication in this era was very troublesome. He even used the limited manpower of the Lu family in the north.

Hearing Su Yunqing's words at this moment, Lu Chen said without changing his expression: "Pseudo Yan wants to deal with the Seven Star Gang?"

"Probably so."

Su Yunqing nodded slightly, and then said: "They are very aware of the troublesome aspects of these Green Forest Gangs. They did not directly dispatch the army into the deep mountains and old forests, but first used recruitment methods. This time they are not only targeting the Seven Star Gang, but also the Jinsha Gang, Gangs such as Yunfu Village have frequently sent envoys to these gangs to appease them during this period. Judging from the intelligence we have, Beidi Green Forest has different opinions on the recruitment plan, and the Jinsha Gang has clearly shown a tendency to accept it. "

Lu Chen shook his head and said, "Recruitment will not end well."

Xiao Wangzhi said calmly: "High-ranking officials and generous salaries are touching people's hearts. The life of people in the green forest seems to be lively and unrestrained, but in fact it is poor. Faced with the goodwill pretended by the fake Yan court, many people have difficulty distinguishing the true from the false."

Su Yunqing added: "In my opinion, this should be the handiwork of Marshal Qing Yugong of the Jing Dynasty. Now on the one hand, he is strengthening control over the puppet Yan small court, and on the other hand, he is gradually eliminating hidden dangers within the North. It is obviously We are preparing for the future invasion of the south. I have reported this matter to the court. Your Majesty and Qin Tiju have similar views. We must destroy the strategy of the puppet Yan court, and at least let the big gangs maintain the status quo."

After introducing the situation, he stood up and said goodbye to Xiao Wangzhi. Before leaving, he said to Lu Chen: "I will have people compile the information about the Northland in recent months into a book and send it to the Ruishi camp."

Lu Chen stood up and said, "Thank you so much, Su Jianxiao."

Su Yunqing smiled gently and strode out of the meeting hall.

"Last year, the ranger named Bodhisattva Man killed Li Xuan'an, causing both sides' plans to fail. I asked Huang Xianfeng to collect information about the Green Forest in the North. The main purpose was to integrate these scattered forces to see if I could deal with the Puppet Yan. I caused some trouble with Jing Chao. Later I learned from my father that Bodhisattva Man was Lin Jie’s daughter, so I had deeper considerations."

After Su Yunqing left, Xiao Wangzhi started talking slowly.

Lu Chen listened calmly.

Xiao Wangzhi continued: "I don't agree with Su Yunqing's suggestion to let you go to the North to work as a secret spy, because this matter will not do you any good and is too dangerous, and it is also a waste of your talents and abilities. But I also We must admit that his plan for the north is very reasonable. If the backyards of Puppet Yan and Jing Chao are not set on fire, it will be difficult for us to successfully regain our homeland by attacking alone."

Lu Chen looked at his gentle expression, and the position of the Seven Star Gang's helmsman came to mind. He couldn't help but understand Xiao Wangzhi's intention of sending him to the Governor's Mansion today, and said calmly: "Uncle Xiao wants to cooperate with the wild forces in the North? "

Xiao Wangzhi did not answer directly, but slowly explained: "I have sent people to find Lin Jie, and I can guess a thing or two about his thoughts. However, the Seven Star Gang has no reason for the uprising, and its own strength is also quite lacking. It is difficult to shake the puppet Yan's rule. Based on the actual situation, his best choice is to cooperate with the Huaizhou Governor's Office and jointly take over the Dongyang Road of the puppet Yan."

Lu Chen said softly: "If the Seven Star Gang accepts the recruitment of the puppet Yan court, naturally there will be no way to mention all this."

"Yes."

Xiao Wangzhi hesitated a little, then said: "But comparing the two, there may be more benefits for the Seven Star Gang to submit to the puppet Yan court, even if it is only the immediate benefit. I believe that Lin Jie is not short-sighted, but the Seven Star Gang is not him Owned by one person, not to mention the influence of the wind direction of the entire Northland Green Forest. At present, we are beyond our reach of the Northland Green Forest, and it is difficult to give them substantial benefits. If we want to snatch food from the tiger's mouth and destroy the plan of the puppet Yan court, This is a very difficult thing to do.”

"Furthermore, these green forest gangs are still powerful from outside but inside. Once Puppet Yan or Jing Chao sends out a large army, they will have no choice but to hide in the deep mountains and old forests and live an extremely difficult life."

Xiao Wangzhi analyzed the situation very thoroughly.

Lu Chen took advantage of the situation and said: "Unless we can help them establish a complete defense system so that they have the confidence to fight against the regular army."

Xiao Wangzhi said with approval: "Yes. In fact, this matter is not difficult for the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion. I can send experienced generals to the north to help those Green Forest gangs train and build fortresses, but this person must be alert enough, and Able to gain the other party’s trust.”

Looking at the other party's piercing eyes, Lu Chen smiled and said, "Why is Uncle Xiao so outspoken? Is he worried that my father will fall out with you because of this?"

The so-called drunkard's intention is not to drink, so Xiao Wangzhi broke these considerations into pieces and explained to him that his intention was very obvious.

Xiao Wangzhi smiled, shook his head and said, "It has nothing to do with him. I just want to hear your thoughts in person as to whether this strategy is feasible."

Lu Chen did not answer immediately and fell into long thinking.

(End of this chapter)