first minister

In the camp in Yuyan Prefecture, the former commanders and generals of the Great Xia East Route Army laughed together and toasted to their sworn enemies who had met with swords and swords.

Although General Murong and his Northern Liang generals had been personally warned by Emperor Liang and King Zhennan before they came, they should put important things first, but in this situation, facing these former opponents, it was difficult for them to do so. Even if you deliberately hide your arrogance, you can't cover it up.

"It's so cool! I can't bear this bad breath!"

After returning to the camp after drinking, a former general of the East Route Army of Great Xia Dynasty punched the table in anger.

The other people who came in together also looked depressed, and under the influence of alcohol, their faces were visibly angry.

"Okay, who doesn't feel aggrieved?"

A long-faced man exhaled a long breath and consoled him: "His Highness has his own considerations. Let's just follow him. Don't ruin His Highness's plans because of your own trivial matters."

"Big plan! Big plan! What a big plan we have! My mother and I have been sold, so what's the use of a big plan!"

"Shut up!" Someone immediately shouted angrily, "Go to sleep when you're drunk! Don't talk nonsense here!"

"I'm not drunk! Is what I said wrong?"

"Report!"

The shouts of the soldiers at the door interrupted everyone's quarrel, "Generals, the commander-in-chief has given an order to assemble the army tomorrow and must capture Changshan County!"

"Okay! Got it."

The long-faced man waved his hand, then looked at the one who was yelling the loudest, and said coldly: "It's done, there's no turning back! There's only one way to achieve success!"

After saying that, he opened the curtain and walked out. The biting north wind poured into the tent, making people shiver.
-
In Zhongjing City, the news that Dongfang Ping led Beiliang to invade and occupied Yuyan Prefecture finally spread.

Almost instantly, it triggered panic among countless people in the city.

The smart people in the teahouses and restaurants in the city all pointed out the country, what is it that can be defended without any danger, and what is it about marching straight in, what about armored soldiers, and the army that can fight a hundred battles, and what is the empty capital and no soldiers to defend. Anyway, besides scolding Dongfang Ping, he is nothing. Between the words, they are saying that I am afraid that a hole will be poked out again today.

Liu Ergou is an ordinary gangster in the streets of Nancheng City. He has settled in Zhongjing for several years, and he also has a hidden identity, that is, a spy from the Beiliang Embroidery Bureau lurking in the Southern Dynasties.

With the sudden attack on Daxia Black Ice Platform, they took the opportunity to become active these days.

And today is a great opportunity that they have been planning for many days.

As usual, Liu Ergou walked into an ordinary tea shop on the street with his sleeves rolled up. He greeted his familiar neighbors lazily, sat down, and picked up the hot tea brewed by the waiter. , while looking at everyone at the same table, "What are you talking about?"

The people on the side licked their lips at Dr. Cha who was talking non-stop, "The late emperor, the eldest prince, Prince Yong, Dongfang Ping, rebelled!"

"what?"

The exclamation, coupled with the crisp sound of the tea cup in his hand falling to the ground, suddenly made many people around him turn their heads to look, and then looked away in surprise.

Liu Ergou swallowed his saliva and looked panicked, "The border troops are causing trouble! This is a big deal!"

"Not only that! This stupid Dongfang Ping also colluded with the Beiliang barbarians, saying that he has captured the entire Yuyan Prefecture!"

"This, this, this," Liu Ergou said incoherently, "The throne is about to be replaced again!"

"You're looking for death!" The neighbor shouted, and then sighed, "But it's really hard to say, the Beiliang barbarians are not easy to mess with."

"No, I have something to do. I need to go home. Everyone, take your leave!"

Someone at the same table remembered something, got up, made a complaint, paid the bill and rushed out in a panic.

After leaving the tea shop, he did not go home. Instead, he hurried to the house of his uncle who worked in Jingzhao Mansion to ask about the situation.

As a result, as soon as he entered the door, he met his brother-in-law.

"Brother-in-law is here! Stop looking, my uncle has gone to the Yamen."

"what?"

"Ah, what? We are panicking and looking for him. He is panicking and has to look for his superior. He didn't know it for a long time before we did!"

"Okay, then I'll wait here."

"Wait a minute, you said this thing keeps happening, why doesn't it come to an end?"

"Yes, I hope the imperial court can withstand it!"

"It's hard for me to see!"

The young catcher from Jingzhao Mansion quickly went to find his catcher, but the catcher had already gone to the chief catcher in a panic.

The chief inspector went to find the chief secretary, and asked the master Fu Yin one by one.

"Sir, there is a lot of discussion in the city about the rebellion in the East. Is there any response from the imperial court?"

Su Yuanshang, the new Jingzhao Yin, put down the pen he was writing and glanced at the other party lightly, "If that time really comes, do you think I still have the time to write here?"

He looked at his astonished subordinates and waved his hand, "What should be done? You and I can figure out what the central ministers are. To tell you the truth, the decision to send troops was made last night, and the disease of mustard moss is nothing to worry about. "

The Minister of Rites, the Minister of Rites, waved his hand casually, "Sooner or later there will be a battle with Beiliang. The imperial court has already prepared for it, but now it is just too early, and we cannot make trouble!"

At the censor's desk, the censor Zhongcheng Baiyun snorted, "It's just Beiliang, a clown's ear, and Dongfang's wolfish ambition. This time he was exposed, and it was justifiable to deal with him. You should keep an eye on any officials in the DPRK who dare to make lies to confuse the public." , or anyone who disturbs the people’s sentiments, report them to me!”

At Taichang Temple, the new Taichang Qing picked up the tea cup and took a sip. "If the sky falls, there will be someone tall to hold it up. I won't be afraid, so what do you have to worry about?"

"Brother-in-law! Oops, I finally got you back!"

When the young detective from Jingzhao Mansion returned to the mansion, the sky was already dark.

Although he was just an inconspicuous person in the yamen, he was still one of the top figures in his small family. The two brothers-in-law came forward excitedly and said hello respectfully.

He was well aware of their intentions, but it was as if he hadn't seen them. He just sat down leisurely and chuckled: "What do you expect me to do?"

"Oh, my uncle! Isn't the war starting again? Beiliang is also coming. Should we find a way out?"

"Yes, if the capital is destroyed, our family fortune will be hard to protect!"

"Bullshit on your mother!" The little catcher slapped the tea cup on hand and imitated a master catcher, slapping the desk at hand and sternly reprimanded: "The traitor is causing trouble, and I, the gentleman, should work hard. When serving the country, there is no reason to look forward and backward and plan for a retreat!"

The two brothers-in-law looked at each other and said in confusion: "We are not businessmen, either?"

"If you are not a gentleman, are you not a citizen of the country!" The little catcher also realized what he was talking about and said in a deep voice: "There are changes in the country and there are foreign invasions. Shouldn't you unite and rise up to defend our country in Daxia? If there is any trouble, I just want to run away and think of a way out. Do you want us all to be like you and become dogs for Beiliang?"

The two brothers-in-law were so scolded that they looked dumbfounded, and their aggrieved expressions seemed to say, my uncles and brothers, we are all our own people here, do you need to shake off such high-sounding words?

"Ahem!" The little catcher had almost finished his official addiction and softened his tone, "To tell you the truth, the imperial court has long been on guard against Beiliang and Dongfangping, so it's not a big deal at all. You guys Be at ease!"

He thought, "If someone is scared and wants to take the opportunity to sell something to escape, you can just buy it!"

The two of them felt at ease and sighed that it was good to have someone in the court, and went away happily.

And almost the same scene was quietly staged everywhere in Zhongjing City.

Liu Ergou came out of the tea shop with a frightened look on his face, but he was very happy in his heart.

This time, by fanning the flames in the city, and with the sudden news, he will be able to successfully complete the task assigned by Shangfeng.

Although I don’t know why the superiors asked them to create panic in the Southern Capital, the superiors have their own reasons. They, the subordinates, only need to do their jobs well and strive to become the superiors one day, and they will naturally understand.

As he was walking, the neighbor who had left in a hurry appeared in front of him again.

"Brother Xu! I saw you leaving in a hurry this morning, but now you are calm and relaxed. But have you made all arrangements?"

"Arrange what?"

"Now that the rebels are strong and Beiliang is invaded, isn't Brother Xu going to arrange a way out?"

"What are you talking about? We, the people of our country, should live and die together with the country! Her Majesty the Queen Mother loves the people as her own children, how can I flee in a great disaster!" Looking at the man with an expression of complacency in front of me , listening to those upright words, Liu Ergou opened his mouth blankly, unable to speak for a long time.

Someone beside him immediately echoed, "Well said! It's not like he's never been beaten before by just a traitor! How could he be so panicked!"

"If they dare to jump out, we will take care of them all! Hit them away with one punch to avoid hundreds of punches!"

"That is, the empress dowager's kindness and your majesty's sage are exactly what the people want. If the stubborn traitor and the barbarian from Beiliang dare to come, I will definitely kill him!"

Seeing the indignant looks on the faces of everyone around him, Liu Ergou, the spy from Beiliang, swallowed his saliva.

Is this the foundation of Daxia?

Sure enough, it's so terrifying!
"That's a good idea of ​​yours. I told everyone to put on a show last night to calm people's minds. It seems to have worked very well."

On the carriage going to the palace, Mr. Zhao looked at Xia Jingyun sitting opposite him with a smile.

Xia Jingyun said modestly: "I dare not tell others, but the old village owner and the old prime minister do not know this, just because they don't want to steal the limelight from the younger generation."

Mr. Zhao, the owner of the village, smiled and twirled his beard, without commenting, and then said softly: "Decided?"

Xia Jingyun nodded.

"That's right! Young people should have a bit of youthful vigor and enterprising spirit, and be afraid of getting upset!"

The old village owner Zhao laughed, but did not stop him with a word. Instead, he said something not so elegant for the first time to cheer up Xia Jingyun.

Xia Jingyun was slightly startled, and the old owner Zhao smiled and said: "Go ahead and do it, I believe you are not a random person. Xia Yunfei can be praised by Jiang Yuhu, and he can be regarded as a good general. From ancient times to the present, there are many young famous generals. You have both Have confidence, we will stop the rest for you!"

Xia Jingyun subconsciously stood up to thank him, but his head hit the ceiling. He sat back down and smiled awkwardly while holding his hands.

When the carriage arrived outside the palace gate, both of them returned to normal. Mr. Zhao entered the palace on his own, while Xia Jingyun walked towards the central courtyard.

In the small courtyard, before Wan Wenbi arrived, Vice Minister Yang Weiguang looked at Xia Jingyun and said softly: "Gao Yang, be careful!"

Xia Jingyun nodded slightly, thanking the other party for reminding him.

Seeing that Xia Jingyun's attitude seemed to be firm, Yang Weiguang didn't say anything more.

After a while, the rest of the people arrived one after another. After Wan Wenbi arrived last, everyone set off to Qianyuan Hall.

When they arrived at the palace, they found that Taishi Su Zongzhe, Taifu Zhao Qingsheng, and Cheng Wang were already waiting in the hall. No one was surprised. There was a big event tonight. Although it was only recommended by the central committee, it was not surprising that such respected people came to witness it. not a problem.

The Queen Mother still sat behind the bead curtain, while Dongfang Bai sat on the main seat, straightening his back seriously.

"My lords, we have decided on the matter of troops, horses, food and fodder. Who should be sent to lead the troops? A decision will be made tonight. What do you think?"

The Queen Mother's question rang out in the palace, and a central official stood up, "Empress Dowager, I recommend the commander of the patrol camp, Shunyi Bo Yang Yinghui to lead the army. General Yang has been guarding the capital for several years and is very skilled in defending the city. This time he goes north. It is precisely to rely on the city to hold on to the enemy, which is exactly what General Yang is capable of!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Deputy Prime Minister Yang Weiguang stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the old ministers recommended the commander of the Forbidden Army. The righteous and brave Bo Shang Zhicheng will lead the army. Commander Shang has always been loyal and brave. He once served in the East Route Army. There are many old friends in the East Route Army. , is actually the best candidate.”

After finishing speaking, the hall suddenly fell silent.

Everyone looked at Xia Jingyun, waiting for him to tell his decision.

Xia Jingyun did not put on any airs and said: "Your Majesty, Queen Mother, I recommend General Yu Lin Zhonglang and Anding Bo Xia Yunfei to be the leading general!"

The guess came to light, and everyone looked at Xia Jingyun with complicated expressions.

I was both surprised by his "arrogance" and also surprised by his courage.

With his ability, it was impossible not to see the risks involved, but he still recommended his cousin without hesitation.

Regardless of whether they are optimistic about Xia Jingyun's decision or not, everyone feels that there is a reason why Xia Jingyun can achieve such great things at such an age.

"absurd!"

Mr. Zhao, the onlooker, snorted coldly, "Both Yang Yinghui and Shang Zhicheng are veteran generals in the army. They have been on the battlefield for many years and can be trusted. Xia Yunfei is only in his early twenties and has only fought in a few battles? The situation is so critical now. Once If things are not harmonious, everything will be lost. How can this be the time for you to seek credit and abuse your power?"

Mr. Zhao, the owner of the village, spoke first to block the doubts from others. Although his words were harsh, they pointed out the direction for Xia Jingyun's rebuttal.

Xia Jingyun cooperated and immediately said loudly: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother, clearly knows that the recommendation given by me is not an act of seeking merit and abuse of power! Yang Yinghui and Shang Zhicheng, one guarding the capital and the other guarding the palace city, ensure the safety of all the officials of the capital and Her Majesty the Queen Mother." They are relying on each other, and at this juncture, if they change them rashly, they might cause trouble and lead to even greater disaster, so these two people must not move."

"Yue Pingwu and others have already gone out to suppress bandits and are difficult to recall. At the same time, with their abilities, they cannot have the effect of calming down the war situation like Anguo County Prince. In my opinion, this time I go north to capture the enemy. , the main task is to defend the city, but it is not necessary to defend the city blindly to succeed. The Yuyan cavalry and the Beiliang cavalry are powerful, and they must have people who are familiar with the cavalry combat skills to find opportunities to occupy the enemy. The Beiliang frontier army has direct combat experience, and has defeated the elite Longshou Army carefully trained by Xiao Fengshan in Quewei Valley. He is the right person. As for the art of defending the city, you can send an experienced general who is good at defending the city as a deputy. It’s the best choice right now.”

"The minister's recommendation is the best strategy based on the current situation. It is said that you should not avoid relatives when recommending talents. How can you hide him in the snow and not contribute to the country just because he is the minister's cousin!"

After hearing what he said, everyone felt that it made sense, but it was not enough to convince them.

At this moment, Wan Wenbi said: "Your Majesty, Queen Mother, Marquis Jianning's plans are as deep as the sea, and he has repeatedly accomplished extraordinary feats. He must have a strategy that is difficult for ordinary people to match. What's more, Marquis Jianning's loyalty is absolutely unquestionable. Since he strongly recommended it, I have no objection."

As soon as the Prime Minister opened his mouth, counting Wei Yuanzhi and Li Tianfeng, who would definitely stand by Xia Jingyun, the seven members of the central committee already had four votes, not to mention the Queen Mother and Her Majesty.

Seeing that he could not stop it, Vice Prime Minister Yang Weiguang led the other two people to express their positions one after another.

Xia Yunfei's decision to lead the troops on the expedition was completely settled.

Once the matter is settled, a series of matters such as edicts and edicts will be prepared and arranged.

The person on duty tonight is the central official Yan Songwen, the imperial censor, and all these things naturally fall on his head.

He was sitting in the room arranging the work for his men, when he heard an old voice with a calm smile, "Jingde, are you busy?"

He turned around to look, stood up quickly, and went to meet him, "Wanxiang, why didn't you go back to rest?"

Wan Wenbi smiled and patted the back of his hand, "I saw you looked quite dissatisfied when you left, so I made a special trip to have a look."

Nonsense, I didn’t, you are talking nonsense.

Although he denies Sanlian in his heart, what the leader says is what it is. If you think otherwise, you are rejecting the leader's kindness, so Yan Songwen had no choice but to sigh, "I just feel that Marquis Jianning is taking things for granted."

Wan Wenbi smiled and said: "After all, you are still a little younger! Therefore, above the court and in the center, people like you Jingde must work hard."

Yan Songwen looked at Wan Wenbi's smiling face, and his heart moved.

Bai Yunbian is now his deputy. According to this promotion speed, he may be kicked out one day. If he doesn't form a strong support, it will not be a good thing.

So, he quickly made a decision and said: "You're welcome, Marquis Jianning is indeed going too far now. He talked a lot about the rebellion in Yuyanzhou without any evidence. They say that one battle can determine the outcome; this time they recommend the leading generals, but they take it for granted, and let a young man in his 20s take on such an important task. Isn’t this putting the country and the world at risk?"

Wan Wenbi received a satisfactory answer and sighed, "This guy is used to going well, and he always has to be conceited. What's more, he is only in his early twenties, how can he not be young and frivolous!"

He turned to look at Yan Songwen, "Jingde, what do you think of the menacing events in Dongfang Ping and Beiliang?"

Yan Songwen looked solemn, "In my opinion, they definitely came here for the chance of overthrowing us in a battle. Beiliang has been coveting the prosperity of our dynasty for a long time. Now that we have such a great opportunity, how can we only seek Yuyanzhou and support Dongfang Ping to ascend to power?" , cede many passes in the northern border, and then the south will be under their iron heel, and they can seize the opportunity to take over the Central Plains, wouldn't it be more in line with the wishes of these barbarians?"

"My opinion coincides with respect for virtue!"

Wan Wenbi said softly: "It's a pity that the Queen Mother has great faith. Even if I am the Prime Minister, there are some things that I can't do anything about!"

Yan Songwen said: "Wanxiang, didn't Marquis Jianning say that there will be an envoy coming in the near future? If ten days and a half pass and there is still no envoy, I think the Queen Mother and Your Majesty should understand that he can't take care of everything." Yes, you still need to rely on the talents of Wan Xiang to govern the country!"

Wan Wenbi squeezed out a smile and said, "Speaking of talents, you have to be someone as energetic as Jingde but also dignified. Marquis Jianning is amazingly talented, but after all, he is too young."

Yan Songwen nodded in agreement, "Yes, you are too young after all."

"Report!"

A figure walked in quickly. Seeing that Wanxiang was there, he quickly saluted, "Wanxiang, Mr. Yan!"

Yan Songwen said: "What's the matter?"

The man hurriedly said: "There is an urgent report of the military situation, and there is also a letter from Zezhou County. Beiliang has sent Beiliang Zhennan Prince Prince as an envoy to express condolences to the late emperor. He has passed through Zezhou and will arrive in the capital in three days."

The wind all around seemed to quiet down the moment the words fell. (End of chapter)