The world of counterfeit magistrates competes in the world

Chapter 418

After a month of connection, Hengshan reached an agreement with the masters of Huazhou, Mingzhou, and Yanzhou. Yang Mingyuan funded 150 million taels, and Yanzhou Qi Rui funded 200 million taels.Then the Quartet jointly issued a declaration against barbarians, declaring that the Central Plains is the land of the Chinese, and all Chinese compatriots are responsible for resisting foreign captives and protecting the Central Plains.Now the Hengshan Army defeated Eternity in Shazhou, the Western Golden Wolf invaded, and protected the safety of the Central Plains, it is really a credit to the people of the world.Therefore, Mingzhou, Yanzhou, and Huazhou voluntarily subsidized the money and food consumed by Hengshan to show their merits.At the same time, they also jointly signed the promise of the Declaration of Resisting Barbarians. Once any party is invaded by aliens, the remaining three parties are responsible for sending troops to support.

It was precisely because of this condition that Hengshan was able to successfully persuade Yanming and Mingzhou to agree to pay the protection fee.After all, the two sides are close to the grassland, and both are in danger of alien invasion. After signing this declaration, they can unite the four parties to defend against the enemy together, and the pressure on themselves will be greatly reduced.Only the Li family in Huazhou had to sign under the coercion of Hengshan.

Now that the four parties have signed this declaration, the remaining three parties have paid a considerable price.For this reason, under Hengshan's bewitchment, they all unanimously began to put pressure on the imperial court.As for the reason for the pressure, it is also very simple. According to the declaration, it is the unshirkable responsibility of the Chinese people in the Central Plains to resist foreign captives. Then, as the orthodox Central Plains, how can the imperial court stay out of it?Now, in order to protect the Central Plains, Hengshan fought to the end with the two great alien powers of the world, and finally saved the foundation of the Central Plains.For such a great achievement, it's fine if the court doesn't commend him, but he can't say anything without rewarding him, right?If so, wouldn't it chill the hearts of the people in the world?

At the same time, they also vaguely threatened that if the imperial court did not agree to reward Hengshan, they would have no choice but to raise an army of one million and go to the capital to ask for it in person.

In Weiguo Mansion, Cao Ji looked at everyone with a gloomy face, and asked in a deep voice: "Hengshan and Yanminghua three prefectures put pressure on the imperial court to force us to reward Hengshan with money and food. What do you think?"

"My lord, we must not give in." At this time, a civil official stood up and said in a deep voice, "If we rebel and compromise with these four parties, our court's prestige will be wiped out. Now that the court has 60 soldiers, why be afraid of those people?" Xiaoxiao's threats? As long as we defend the Longjiang waterway and the Tianjing Pass, they won't be able to beat them. When we are fully prepared, we can launch a counterattack, and perhaps regain the northern territory in one fell swoop. It is not impossible. "

Cao Ji nodded slightly, he was also worried about this.Last year, apart from Yanzhou, Mingzhou and Huazhou took advantage of the civil strife in the Central Plains to aggressively invade and seize Jiangbei County and the southern part of Huazhou.For this reason, the imperial court has once again included it in the list of rebels.Now the 60 army is stepping up training, and is preparing to launch a counterattack against the two sides in the spring of next year, annihilating these two groups of rebellious thieves in one fell swoop.Unexpectedly, Hengshan joined them in making a so-called declaration of expelling barbarians, and took the lead in attacking the imperial court.

Just as Cao Ji was about to speak, another civil servant immediately stood up and retorted, "My lord, I think it is wrong. Although we have an army of 60, less than 20 of them are capable of fighting, and the rest are recruited recently. The rebels from all directions are united, but they have millions of troops. Once they go south, the consequences will be disastrous. Please don't forget, my lord, that the Central Plains is not completely peaceful. Once the main force of our army is transferred to the northern border, those rebels It will definitely come back from the ashes."

"This?" Cao Ji hesitated for a moment. As he said, last year's natural and man-made disasters caused the entire Central Plains to be in chaos.This year, the situation of the court is slightly better.But the mess left by last year is not so easy to settle.There are endless refugees everywhere, and there are endless thieves.It is said that there is an army of 60, but in fact half of the troops are deployed in the states to suppress the rebellion.In other words, there are at most only 20 people who can go north to resist the Quartet Allied Forces.And the four major rebels in the north can muster at least 50 million troops. No matter what, they are more than themselves.

Looking at this courtier, Cao Ji couldn't help frowning and asked, "Shen Li, in your opinion, should we agree to their coercion and submit to the traitor Hengshan?"

Shen Li smiled wryly, and said in a shy voice: "My lord, now that the enemy is strong and we are weak, we can only compromise for the time being. That Hengshan is really too clever. Using the theory of the righteousness of Huayi, he first negotiated the conditions with those three parties and signed a contract. Proclamation against barbarians. This is to grasp the righteousness and fame, so that the subjects of the world will admire and win the hearts of the people. If we do not agree to their request, they may spread the public opinion that the court has no intention of fighting against foreign countries, but only internal strife. At that time, The prestige of the imperial court will inevitably be greatly damaged, which is really not good for the lord."

Cao Ji's face was ashen, how could he understand what Li said.Although he has emptied the court, he still wears the cloak of the court after all, coercing the emperor to order the princes.If the prestige of the imperial court is greatly damaged, what else can he use to deter the local people?Without the signboard of the imperial court, I am afraid that there will be more ambitious people who have no scruples and will jump out to make trouble one after another.

"But if you agree to their request, wouldn't the prestige of the imperial court be greatly reduced. You know, the imperial court has listed them as rebellious ministers. If we submit to them, how can we obey the public?" At this time, the civil servant stood out, retorted.

"This matter is simple. In the name of the imperial court, we will praise Hengshan for his achievements in fighting against aliens and protecting the Central Plains, and reward Hengshan wantonly. As for the rewards they want, we can also negotiate a compromise with them." Shen Li said with a smile, "However, we Only compromise with Hengshan, and even revoke the list of traitors against them, and restore Hengshan's affiliation with the imperial court."

When Cao Ji heard this, he frowned at first, and anger rose on his face.But at the end, I couldn't help but my eyes lit up, "You mean to drive a wedge between them?"

"That's right, my lord, isn't Hengshan going to unite with the other three parties to put pressure on us?" Shen Li grinned, "Then we will take advantage of the situation to drive a wedge between Hengshan and the other three parties. As long as Hengshan accepts our reward, the other three parties must be very dissatisfied with it." , with doubts in mind, the so-called anti-barbarian declaration will be self-defeating, and the four-party alliance will collapse in an instant."

"This plan is very good." Cao Ji stroked his long beard, nodded and muttered, "Now that the envoys from all directions are coming to the capital together, we can take this opportunity to drive a wedge between them. As long as we can break up their union, even if we pay Some price is worth it."

"Also, my lord should not come forward in person to preside over the award this time." Shen Li thought for a while, and immediately stood up and reminded.

"Huh?" Cao Ji looked at Shen Li, motioning for him to continue talking.

"This subordinate thinks that this time, the emperor can be invited to reward Hengshan himself." Shen Li said in a deep voice, "Before, Hengshan captured the princess and pretended to put on clothes and belts, and the situation with the lord was at odds. If the lord came forward, Hengshan would definitely If they won’t agree to our reward, then the plan of alienation is very likely to fail. But if the emperor is invited, since Hengshan claims to support the imperial family, he will not dare to refuse. In this way, even if they see through our scheme, there is nothing they can do.”

"Please bring out the emperor?" Cao Ji frowned, hesitating, and now he has imprisoned the emperor in the palace, and everyone inside is his own eyes and ears, and finally eliminated the possibility of passing news inside and outside the palace. Let the emperor show up again, I'm afraid it will cause unnecessary trouble.

Shen Li seemed to see Cao Ji's worry, and said with a smile immediately: "Your Majesty, don't worry, now the emperor has only one heir, the prince. As long as we threaten a little, the emperor will dare not disobey our arrangement."

"Okay, then do it like this." After listening to his words, Cao Ji finally agreed. "Shen Li, you are not bad. This time, I will entrust you to preside over the negotiations with the envoys from all directions. If this matter is done well, I will not hesitate to reward you."

"Thank you, my lord!" Shen Li was overjoyed, and quickly thanked him.

(End of this chapter)