Jiuxi

Chapter 267 265 [Thousands of sails passing by the side of the sunken boat]

When talking about the general trend of the world, if you look at it from different angles, you will often get completely different answers.

In the north of the mainland, the State of Zhao has been annexed by the Jing Dynasty. The next step is nothing more than light corvee and scant taxation to win over the people. As for the State of Dai in the northwest, it may be a hard nut, but the Jing Dynasty may not necessarily continue to attack the State of Dai.

Nowadays, the territory of Jing Dynasty is very vast, and it is difficult for Dai State to pose a substantial threat to it. The Beicang tribe in the snowy plains of Northeast China is still in a difficult survival environment. Compared with Jing Dynasty, it is like a small group at the feet of giant beasts. An ant.

In short, in the view of the talented and strategic emperor of the Jing Dynasty, there were fewer and fewer enemies across the world. If the empire wanted to continue to expand, it must turn its attention to the south.

Putting aside the Yan State for the time being, this puppet court relied on the support of the Jing Dynasty to establish the country. In addition, the Jing Dynasty has been secretly recruiting talents and cultivating supporters over the years. It is only a matter of whether the time is ripe to acquire it.

The only one worthy of Emperor Jing's attention was Southern Qi, a prosperous land in the south of the Yangtze River that relied on the natural moat of the Hengjiang River and had the two gateway barriers of Huaizhou and Jingzhou.

More importantly, the Southern Qi Dynasty continued the Qi Dynasty. The Qi Dynasty was originally the co-owner of the vast world north and south of the Yangtze River. Although its bones were broken by the Jing Dynasty fourteen years ago, it still had certain strength and profound foundation.

In fact, in the first two years, there were some discordant voices within Jing Dynasty.

A group of veteran nobles, led by Marshal Sa Gai of the North Campus, expressed their dissatisfaction with Emperor Jing's excessive trust in Marshal Qing Yugong of the South Campus. They firmly believed that Jing's army was invincible and did not necessarily require Qing Yugong's command. Use your strength.

Two things happened later that made those voices disappear temporarily. One was that the Beiyuan army suffered repeated setbacks in the process of pacifying the Zhao State, especially in the face of the military stronghold where the Zhao royal family personally resisted. Then Qing Yugong was appointed as the commander-in-chief to command the entire army, and the war immediately became smooth.

The second was the battle on the Yan-Qi border last year. Li Tianrun and Xiao Wangzhi played with the generals of the Yan army between their hands, proving to Jing Chao that the strength of the Qi border army should not be underestimated.

As for the Qi Army's Northern Expedition this year, this fact is naturally further confirmed. Therefore, although the Jing Army lost 20,000 main troops, it may not be an extremely unfavorable result for Qing Yugong himself.

The stronger the enemy, the more important the famous generals in the army will be. Lu Tong naturally understands this truth.

He stared into Lu Shen's eyes and said calmly: "The opportunity you are talking about is taking advantage of Qing Yugong's deliberate retreat to further expand the victory?"

Lu Chen did not answer directly, but asked: "Dad, what consequences do you think this rumor of my life will have on me?"

Lu Tong muttered: "As you said, the Emperor may have doubts. Although we all know that his determination for the Northern Expedition is unquestionable, no one can guarantee what he will think if an old case from more than ten years ago is involved. .”

"If I were in his position, when I had doubts, I would definitely not let a young man who may be Yang Guangyuan's son continue to be in charge of the military, let alone let him rise to power. After all, for an emperor, the Northern Expedition Of course it is important, but his throne is even more important. He will definitely be worried about that young man avenging his father. Whether he directly leads his troops to join the Jing Dynasty or simply raises a counter-flag and attacks south, these are consequences he cannot bear."

Lu Chen's eyes were bright and clear, and his analysis was correct based on common sense.

Lu Tong thought for a moment and suddenly asked sharply: "If the emperor sends an imperial edict to Huaizhou at this time and asks you to return to Beijing to explain this rumor, how will you choose?"

To his surprise, Lu Chen replied decisively: "I will go to the capital."

A smile appeared on Lu Tong's lips: "Aren't you afraid?"

Lu Chen also laughed, shook his head and said: "The Jiangnan clan just wants to hinder the Northern Expedition. After all, the longer the war lasts, the more money they will be forced to spend. However, they are not trying to force me to death, they are just using this rumor to persuade me. Admonish the emperor, for example, do Lu Chen and Xiao Wangzhi have evil intentions? For example, will the Huaizhou army turn against each other? As long as they can temporarily stop the Northern Expedition, their goal will be achieved, because once they stop and want to start again, they don't know what is needed. A lot of wrangling has gone through.”

"What if they really want to force you to death?"

"If I die, I can't guarantee that Jingzhou and Huaizhou will be completely out of the control of the imperial court. This is not only because of the friendship between Uncle Xiao and you, but also the connections I have made in the military in the past two years. If I After death, what do the frontier soldiers think of the imperial court? They will also be afraid of becoming the next Lu Chen. Dad, I know you can’t stand the important ministers in the imperial court, but the left prime minister Li Daoyan is stubborn but not stupid. He will not Allowing conflicts to escalate beyond control."

At this point, Lu Chen shrugged and said, "If Li Daoyan dies, then I will definitely not return to Beijing easily."

Lu Tong laughed dumbly and said with emotion: "I never expected that Li Daoyan still has such a status in your heart."

"This old prime minister has always been the ballast of the imperial court."

Lu Chen smiled slightly and said calmly: "I know that he is the representative figure who obstructed the Northern Expedition of the border army. I also know that the rumors circulating in the capital are related to him. I can also confirm that Yao Chong invited his father to the Governor's Mansion because of his instructions. From a simple emotional point of view, I should hope that he will die soon, but if he dies, no one in the Jiangnan family can control the situation, and the emperor and the right minister will encounter greater resistance if they want to do something practical." Tong looked at his face and asked with interest: "So Li Daoyan's survival is a good thing for the Northern Expedition?"

Lu Chen nodded and said: "It's the lesser of two evils. Li Daoyan at least has an overall view of the situation. Sometimes he will make appropriate concessions and trade-offs, such as the emperor's new Jiangbei Fourth Army, and the fact that the right prime minister was criticized some time ago. If it were replaced by another Someone who comes up will inevitably be more radical and extreme than him, because only in this way can he convince the public and gradually replace Li Daoyan's position in the hearts of the Jiangnan clan."

Lu Tong slowly leaned back on the chair and watched his son talk about the world's heroes. Although he was still very young, he already had a very mature vision in some aspects, and he couldn't help but feel comforted.

From Qing Yugong to Li Daoyan, Lu Chen's discussion has been very clear. This may be his most dangerous moment in recent years, but there are also opportunities in danger.

"So if you want to stand firmer and have a stronger foundation, you have to get achievements that will make people in the world look at you."

The smile on Lu Tong's face was warm and gratifying, and he continued: "Your goal is Heluo."

Lu Chen did not deny it, and said slowly: "In Qing Yugong's view, the Huaizhou Army will be satisfied as long as it can regain Dongyang Road, and it will be unreasonable to expand the front line in the future. Regardless of logistical support or military reserves, It’s not enough to ask for more. In fact, there is no problem with his judgment. After several discussions with Uncle Xiao, we both believe that regaining Dongyang Road is a pragmatic goal. "

"Then how do you seek Heluo?"

"Our army may not be able to regain the old capital due to limitations of objective conditions, but we can prove that we have the strength to do this."

Lu Chen was not dazzled by Lei Ze's victory some time ago. At this moment, his tone was calm and firm.

Lu Tong couldn't help laughing, nodded and sighed: "That's right, it wouldn't be bad to scare the Yanjing dignitaries in Heluo City."

Lu Chen raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows, and said slightly tiredly: "Although Princess Jingchao is very naive in military matters, the rumor she created is still somewhat lethal. Dad, you suffered a loss for nothing, although Ji Ximing I paid a certain price, but I won’t just let it go, especially the left prime minister in the capital, I will have to make him vomit some blood in the future.”

Lu Tongqi asked: "Didn't you just say that it would be better for Li Daoyan to be alive?"

"Dad, where are you thinking? I didn't even kill Ji Ximing, how could I go directly to kill Li Daoyan?"

Lu Chen couldn't help laughing, and said: "The Prime Minister Zuo is so old, and I heard he has never practiced martial arts. How can I fight with him directly? But if I have the chance, I will beat up his filial sons and grandsons, and then go to his family's property." Fire, you can't let him live too easily."

"You... have been with Xiao Wangzhi for a long time, and you have learned all his disgusting tricks."

Lu Tong smiled and shook his head, but he did not take this kind of thing to heart. He reminded: "Although the emperor is still reasonable, there is no guarantee that he will not call you back directly. Don't stay in Taixing, and talk to Li immediately." The girl from my family has returned to the army. I will activate some connections in Beijing and find a way to push this rumor in the direction of party strife and let the court quarrel for a while. You should ignore this matter and actively assist Xiao Wangzhi in planning the war. .”

Lu Shensi thought for a moment and said solemnly: "Dad, please come north with me and stay in Lai'an City for the time being. Neither Li Daoyan nor someone like Ji Ximing can reach that far, otherwise I won't be worried. As for Regarding the relationship between Beijing and Li, as well as the business in various parts of Huaizhou, you can just come to Laian to control the situation remotely. Our family has so many people, isn’t it just to come in handy at times like this?"

Lu Tong nodded and said, "That's fine, I can help you check to see if that Wang family girl is who she is on the outside."

Seeing that he brought back the original topic, Lu Chen couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Lu Tong said with a smile: "By the way, you'd better write a memorial today, briefly explain this matter, and then ask Su Yunqing to send it to the capital through the postal route of the Sutra Weaving Department. If the emperor wants to help you eliminate the rumors, The impact will always require your statement as the party concerned."

"Okay, I'll write it right away."

Lu Chen agreed meekly.

In the afternoon of the next day, Lu Chen asked people to talk to Huang Xianfeng and Su Yunqing respectively, and then took Li Bingxue, Lu Tong, and an accompanying team of nearly two hundred people, and leisurely set foot on the official road leading to the north.

The sun was shining brightly on this day, and spring was gradually returning to the earth.

(End of this chapter)