Late Tang Dynasty: I

Chapter 51 The Situation of Xuanwu
The situation around Zhu Wen is not very good.

To the south is the Cai thief Qin Zongquan, and to the west is Li Cunxiao of Heyang.

To the northeast, there is Zhu Xuan, the Jiedu envoy of the Tianping Army stationed in Yunzhou.Taining Army Jiedu envoy Zhu Jin stationed in Yanzhou.

Enemy on three sides.

There is only one friend, the waste-like envoy of the Zhongwu Army Jiedu Wang Yi, not to mention that he can't help, and Zhu Wen needs to send troops to help resist Qin Zhongquan.

According to the original historical process, at this time Qin Zongquan was attacking Xuzhou, the governing place of the Zhongwu Army, and soon broke through the city defenses and captured Wang Zhen alive.

Because of Li Ye's arrival, the situation has changed a little bit. Qin Zongquan is licking the wound that was cut by Zhu Wen half a year ago, and he hasn't had time to use his troops against Xuzhou.

To the east is Shi Pu, the Jiedu envoy of the Wuning Army stationed in Xuzhou, and to the north is Wei Bo. There is no conflict between the two feudal clans and Zhu Wen for the time being.

As for the Yicheng Army in the west, Zhu Wen sent troops to break through Huazhou, where the Yicheng Army ruled two years ago.

There is also Yang Xingmi in Huainan, at this time, Sun Ru was driven out of his lair by the traitor of Cai thief Qin Zongquan, so it is naturally not a concern.

Jiang Xuanhui said: "Weibo, Luo Hongxin and Bian have no enmity, and Hongxin has newly won Weibo, and the army will not be convinced, so he will not dare to send troops.

Julu County King Shi Pu and Jie Shuai had an old relationship, and there was a rift between them because of their achievements in suppressing Huang Chao, but they did not fight, so they could send people to prepare generous gifts. Knowing how powerful they are, they can turn hostility into friendship. As for Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin... ..."

Zhu Wenwen and the two also frowned.

A year ago, Zhu Wen and Wen were still in the Iron Triangle. Zhu Wen, Zhu Xuan, and Zhu Jin were sworn brothers. Old Zhu recognized Zhu Xuan as his eldest brother.

These two helped Zhu Wen gain a firm foothold in Xuanwu and helped a lot.The three jointly attacked Huang Chao and Qin Zongquan very closely.

Speaking of which, these two people are congenial with Zhu Wen. They are thick-skinned, cruel and black-bellied people.

Zhu Jin is Zhu Xuan's cousin, a general in Zhu Xuan's tent, and asked to marry the daughter of Qi Kerang, the military governor of the Taining Army at that time.

When welcoming the relatives, he hid the swordsman in the wedding sedan chair, and used the swordsman at the wedding to drive Qi Kerang away. Only then did he become the military envoy of the Taining Army.Especially shameless, it simply refreshes the bottom line of people.

The honeymoon period of the three lasted for six years, and it was only after the three of them had gained a firm foothold in the territory that they each realized that some brothers could only share adversity, but not prosperity.

Seeing that Zhu Wen's soldiers were strong, Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin sent people to lure them with money and kidnap many of Zhu Wen's soldiers.

When this matter was reported to Zhu Wen, Zhu Wen was furious. He was not a vegetarian. He basically killed anyone who took advantage of him in this world.

The three fought at the beginning of the year. Zhu Wen sent general Zhu Zhen to capture Puzhou and Caozhou, drove away Zhu Yu, the governor of Puzhou, and beheaded Qiu Hongli, the governor of Caozhou.

"If Puzhou and Caozhou are returned to Zhu Xuan, and he is asked to stop fighting, Jieshuai will write another letter to express his heart, and then form a brotherhood..."

Old Zhu frowned, deeply feeling Jiang Xuanhui's ignorance, he missed Jing Xiang a little bit, and had to send someone to bring Jing Xiang back as soon as possible.

Lao Zhu, Zhu Xuan, and Zhu Jin were congenial, so they naturally knew the two people's temperaments well, not to mention that they were fighting against each other at this time, even if there was brotherhood, could these two people let go of this opportunity to take advantage of the fire?
The answer is yes.

Zhu Wen said: "Pu and Cao prefectures must have generals in command. There is no other way. There is no need to discuss this matter."

Zhu Wen discussed with all the soldiers for a long time, and after calculation, except for the defensive force, he could only send [-] infantry.Fortunately, a lot of grain and grass have been purchased in recent days, and there is no food worry for a few months.

"This battle should be decided quickly. Spring plowing will start after three months. If the farming season is delayed, there will be fear of famine. All soldiers should work together to resist foreign enemies."

"promise."

……

Huazhou Station
Jingxiang begged to see Han Jian, the governor of Huazhou, but he was helpless. At this time, as a caged bird, he had no choice but to wait and see what happened.

In the governor's mansion, Han Jian was particularly disturbed. The emperor sent an envoy to announce the imperial edict, and also sent a prime minister. His posture was not unreasonable, and he brought three hundred armored soldiers. What was he going to do?
"Your envoy, you can make the city defend Zhang Xingsi and prevent the armored soldiers from entering, so as to prevent any accidents."

Han Jian shook his head and said, "The imperial court announced many times that I would enter the imperial court, but I relied on my illness. The imperial court pacified Li Maozhen, and I also marched into Chang'an. Although I have explained in the above table, I am afraid that it will be misfortune if the court officials are suspicious. If I refuse again Armored soldiers, it will show my guilty conscience, no!"

"If the armored soldiers are a disaster, what can I do?"

Han Jiandao: "There are [-] soldiers in my city, and all of them are in the courtyard. Don't be afraid, set up a table and burn incense. I lie on my bed and lead the envoys into the inner room to announce the edict."

"promise."

……

When Kong Wei entered Huazhou, he opened the secret letter in his hand. There were only four characters, and he wrote: "The thief is in the posthouse."

After entering the city, Kong Wei immediately sent [-] guards to surround the posthouse to capture people, leaving only a few honor guards around.

Not long after, four or fifty people were found, the leader looked like a scholar, and he called himself Jingxiang. Kong Wei immediately ordered them to be taken down, and the stolen goods were taken together, so he felt at ease.

Bo Pujin, the lord of Huazhou who went to greet him, was frightened and terrified, pretending not to know, and asked: "Kong Gong proclaimed the emperor's edict, instead of going to the governor's mansion, he went to the post house to take people. Why?"

Kong Wei raised his brows, narrowed his eyes and said, "Master Pu, don't you know? Forget it, lead the way ahead, and tell the truth from Han Jian."

Pu Jin frowned slightly, Kong Wei didn't even mention his honorific title, and called him by his first name, which was rude, but he was also very helpless.

Being pinched by others, only what others say, that's what it is.

Governor's Mansion of Huazhou
Han Jian heard that Prime Minister Kong Wei had led his troops into the post house and captured Jing Xiang and others. He felt that something was wrong, and he wondered who would leak the secret, and he was busy thinking about how to deal with it.

Not long after, it was reported that Kong Wei had arrived, and Han Jian went to bed and lay down, pretending to be seriously ill, hoping that the court would comfort him, and wanted to receive the order in the inner hall.

If in the past, the envoy of the Central Committee issued an edict, I am afraid that he would have followed it, but Kong Wei valued etiquette.

The ministers received the edict, not to mention burning incense, bathing and changing clothes. How can the inner room receive the edict? What is the majesty of the emperor?What is the face of the imperial court?
Standing in the middle hall, Kong Wei said to Pu Jin: "After a stick of incense, if Han Jian doesn't come to receive the imperial edict, it would be quite a repayment to His Majesty. Han Jian will not accept the imperial edict at all, that's all."

Park Jin's soul was terrified, it was fatal, so he went to the bedroom to talk to Han Jian himself.

Upon hearing this, Han Jian jumped up from the bed.

"Did Kong Gong say so?"

Park Jin nodded vigorously.

"Quick, help me to the middle hall!"

Pu Jin looked at Han Jian wearing his sick clothes, and said anxiously, "Master, I'm afraid this look is inappropriate, and I'm afraid Duke Kong will blame him again, so he has to change into official clothes."

"Change quickly, change quickly!"

Han Jian was in a great mess, and when he changed into his official uniform, he asked two attendants to support him, then he pretended to be sick and walked slowly into the middle hall.

At this time, Kong Wei held the imperial decree in his hand and his face was stern.

Han Jian hurriedly knelt down, bowed, bowed again, bowed three times and said, "Master, Han Jian, governor of Huazhou, welcomes the angel."

"Han Jian, governor of Huazhou, accepts the order!"

"Chen is here!"

Kong Wei opened the imperial decree and proclaimed: "...Han Jian, the governor of Huazhou, has received the emperor's favor many times but does not want to repay him...the private possession of the bandit Zhu Wen's subordinates is really a crime of deceiving the emperor. I think you have made meritorious service to the court. Forget about the past, and be diligent in state affairs in the future..."

After Kong Wei finished reading, Han Jian received the imperial decree with both hands, and his back was soaked in cold sweat. The evidence was solid, and he couldn't distinguish it. He was just wondering who leaked the secret.

After Kong Wei finished his ceremony, Han Jian got up.

Kong Wei said: "Han Inspector, Your Majesty forgives your crimes, what do you think?"

"The guilty minister doesn't know, so please ask Kong Gong to clarify."

Kong Wei said: "The country is in trouble, and the country is worrying. This is the time when the imperial court employs people. Your Majesty hopes that the governor of Han will return to the court and make another contribution to the Tang Dynasty."

"This!" Han Jian said: "The guilty minister really appreciates His Majesty's kindness, and should repay it with death."

Kong Wei shook his head slightly, he didn't believe it, what should be done, what should be said, there is only one last thing.

"Where is Zhang Xingsi, the city defense envoy of Huazhou?"

Zhang Xingsi was very puzzled, he was only ordered to guard, how could he have anything to do with him, when asked by the prime minister, he hurriedly replied: "The last general is here!"

"You are Zhang Xingsi?"

"it's me."

Kong Wei looked it over carefully, saw nothing unusual, and said, "Zhang Xingsi accepts the order!"

……

Han Jian on the side was also very confused, how could the court issue orders to Zhang Xingsi and bypass him as the governor.

After hearing that the imperial court appointed Zhang Xingsi as General Guide, good guy, his rank is as high as him, and he will be brought back to Chang'an to serve.

At this time, Han Jianquan understood, and looked at Zhang Xingsi aggressively, feeling a little scared in his heart.

(End of this chapter)