Outlaws of the Marsh

Chapter 473 Calling Fan (please subscribe!)
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After learning the news of Yang Keshi's defeat in Langoudian, Tong Guan was shocked and very angry!

Yang Keshi disobeyed the military order and entered the enemy's territory without authorization, which ruined his and Zhao Ji's major affairs, and turned the peaceful recovery of Yanjing into a flower in the mirror and a moon in the water. According to the military law, he should be executed.

But Tong Guan really couldn't bear this cruelty.

Yang Keshi is Tong Guan's confidant and favorite general. He has been following Tong Guan to fight against Tubo and Xixia in the northwest, and he also followed Tong Guan to put down the rebellion of Tian Hu, Wang Qing and Fang La.

Yang Keshi is brave in battle and has outstanding military achievements. He is a veritable enemy of ten thousand people and one of Tong Guan's favorite generals.

Therefore, Tong Guan didn't want to deal with Yang Keshi from the bottom of his heart.

But if Yang Keshi is not dealt with, where is the military power?How can you convince the public?

Tong Guan hesitated!

Tong Guan asked Liu Kai: "Yang Keshi violated the military order and entered the enemy's territory without authorization. In your opinion, how should we deal with it?"

Liu Kai knew the relationship between Yang Keshi and Tong Guan, so he defended Yang Keshi and said: "General Yang did not violate the military order. He led the army into the Liao territory to meet the people of Yan. It’s nothing more than an ambush by the army, and the way of cultivating teachers is under the control of the capital, why don’t you hand over General Yang to him?”

When Tong Guan heard this, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

How could Tong Guan, an old fox, fail to understand that handing Yang Keshi over to Master Zhong would have at least three benefits?

[-]. Yang Keshi is not only the beloved general of his childhood, but also the beloved general of Zhong Shidao. After being handed over to Zhong Shidao, it is likely to save Yang Keshi's life.

Second, doing so can slightly ease the increasingly acute conflict between the Xuan Fu Division and the Command.

[-]. Doing so can shift the responsibility for whether the handling is appropriate to the teacher.

However, Tong Guan was still a little worried, and said again: "What if a teacher uses military law to deal with Yang Keshi..."

Liu Kai laughed and said, "Teacher, you can rest assured. General Yang is an upright man, with a strong character and bravery in battle. Zhong Shi also values ​​him very much. It is impossible to deal with General Yang according to military law. Besides, Zhong Shi really needs military law to deal with General Yang." , don’t you still want to ask for instructions?”

Hearing Liu Kai's words, Tong Guan was relieved, and immediately ordered: "Order Yang Keshi to go to the command headquarters to wait for disposal, and Wang Yuan will be in charge of the front army of the West Route Army."

After Yang Keshi saw Zhong Shidao, he was ashamed and said: "The last general is incompetent, he lost his troops, ruined his reputation, he is extremely ashamed, and asks for punishment."

Liu Kai guessed right, Zhong Shidao also liked Yang Keshi, moreover, Zhong Shidao also guessed Tong Guan's attitude towards Yang Keshi, and then said to Yang Keshi: "Victory or defeat is a common matter in military affairs, you have to use it as an example in the future." As a warning."

Zhong Shidao arranged for Yang Keshi to stay in the East Route Army and continue to serve as the former army to atone for his sins.

Yang Keshi was very grateful to Tong Guan and Zhong Shidao, and put away his previous arrogance, and obeyed orders honestly.

Zhong Shidao then called a meeting of the generals and reiterated Tong Guan's instructions:

"The people of Yandi are all the people of the official family and our brothers of the Han family. If they can come and surrender, we will go forward to accept them. If they don't come, our army will have to fortify the wall and prepare for the outbreak of the Liao Kingdom. Internal changes, you must not cross the border and kill a person..."

Zhong Shidao, who didn't want to fight this battle, had actually figured it out at this time, and began to act in accordance with the imperial decree and various regulations of the Xuanfu Division.

……

Let's talk about Ma Kuo's envoy to Yanjing.

On that day, Ma Kuo crossed the Baigou boundary river with a dozen strong men and came to Xincheng County, a border city of Liao Kingdom.

Here, Ma Kuo saw that many people were willing to submit to the Song Dynasty, and also found out that the Liao army was weak with only a few thousand troops. One of the sergeants named Liu Zongji even secretly approached Ma Kuo and vowed to dedicate Zhuozhou to the Song Dynasty. .

After thinking twice, Ma Kuo wrote a letter to Tong Guan, and took out one of the new shoes Tong Guan gave him to Liu Zongji as a token.

Soon, the Han officials sent by Yeluchun came to Zhuozhou to meet Ma Kuo and his party.

Outside Yanjing City, Ma Kuo was warmly welcomed by Xiao Ao, the envoy of Sifang, and Zhang Jue, a doctor of the Ministry of Rites (not Zhang Jue of Pingzhou).

Xiao Ao and Zhang Jue acted as hall companions and accompanied Ma Kuo and his party to live in Jinggu Temple.

Judging from the reception along the way, Yeluchun attached great importance to the visit of the envoys of the Song Dynasty.

The next day, Yao Meng, the commander in front of the palace, and Xiao Kui, the privy secretary, came to Jinggou Temple to entertain Ma Kuo.

During the dinner, Xiao Kui said: "Officials from the two governments would like to take a look at the credentials brought by the ambassador."

The letter of credence was brought to be read by the monarchs and ministers of the Northern Liao Dynasty. Ma Kuo had nothing to do with it, so he handed the letter of credence to Xiao Kui after dinner.

In the evening, Xiao Kui returned to Jinggu Temple and said to Ma Kuo: "Ma Xuanzan, the letter of credence you brought contains a lot of rebellious words, and most of them are accusations. His Majesty?"

Ma Kuo said: "The Lord of Liao rushed to Jiashan. The nine kings did not send troops to rescue the disaster, but usurped the throne, and reduced the Lord of Liao to the king of Huaiyin. This is an extraordinary move. Song and Liao are brothers, so Come to Xingshi to inquire about the crime, why not?"

Xiao Kui said: "The country cannot be without a master for a day. Emperor Tianzuo of this dynasty lost his way and ran here and there, disregarding the society, and even the clan society was overthrown. Only then did the subjects support and enshrine His Majesty today. What has he to do with your dynasty? How can he ask for guilt? This has happened since ancient times. Tang Minghuang went to Shu, and Suzong was located in Lingwu. Isn’t it the same? The Song Dynasty should remember the righteousness of neighboring countries’ long-term harmony, and use their military strength to eliminate disasters together. Only then can they be a great country. But today, you Raising troops to the border and seizing the people's land, what is the order? In addition, what happened to Li Yan, who forcibly occupied our Daliao Yun land and repeatedly attacked our Daliao army? , I hope your country will give me a reasonable explanation."

Ma Kuo said: "Emperor Tangming was fortunate in Shu, and the prince supervised the country. When the prince ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Supreme Emperor. After the disaster was settled, he welcomed Emperor Mingming of Tang Dynasty to return to Beijing. This is the way of father and son. The enthronement of the nine kings of your dynasty is not entrusted, but To stand on his own feet, he demoted Emperor Tianzuo to be the king of Xiangyin. How is this like the ancients did? False teachers should be sincere when they ask for help. Bao Xu cried for Qin, and Kong Ming went to Wu. Not responding? The precious dynasty has never sent a messenger to our Song Dynasty. Although this dynasty has a heart of compassion, it has nothing to do. Today, the army is overwhelming the country, and it is only in the middle of the day. If disasters and fortunes exist, the monarchs and ministers of the noble dynasty can judge themselves! As for Li Yan, no different from the Jurchens of the Gui Dynasty, is a traitor and traitor. He was worried that our dynasty would wipe them out, so he fled to Yundi. At present, our army is still encircling and suppressing its remnants. If you don't believe me, you can send people to our dynasty. Shuibo Liangshan inspected, therefore, what Li Yan did was not ordered by our court, and has nothing to do with our court, but if there is a chance, our court will definitely send out an army to completely wipe him out."

Beiliao also knew a little bit about Li Yan's heels. They really regarded Li Yan as the Jurchen of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, Xiao Kui was left speechless by Ma Kuo's words and retreated.

In the next few days, the officials of the Northern Liao Dynasty have been discussing how to deal with Ma Kuo's envoy.
At the same time, Ma Kuo was also placed under house arrest.

On this day, Xiao Kui came to invite Ma Kuo.

Ma Kuo asked, "Where are you going?"

Xiao Kui said: "You will know when you go to Ma Xuanzan."

Ma Kuo heard the words and didn't ask any more questions.

Not long after, Ma Kuo followed Xiao Kui to the imperial city located in the southwest corner of Yanjing.

Outside the gate of a large hall, Xiao Kui said to Ma Kuo, "Ma Xuanzan is going to perform the pilgrimage."

Ma Kuo asked seriously: "Why do you want to worship?"

Xiao Kui did not answer in silence.

Ma Kuo secretly made up his mind that he would never perform pilgrimage to Yeluchun.

Ma Kuo knew that if he did so, he might incur his own death, but as an envoy, he represented not an individual, but a country. If he paid Yelu Chun a pilgrimage, it would mean that Song Dynasty recognized him as the throne It is legal and effective, which is very unfavorable to Da Song.

Ma Kuo walked into the main hall, and saw that there was no one in the hall, and there was a simple incense table in the middle of the hall. There were candlesticks and incense burners on the incense table. Prayer.

Ma Kuo was at a loss, he didn't know what kind of ceremony Yeluchun was going to do?
While Ma Kuo was thinking about it, he saw two Khitan girls in narrow-sleeved gowns and long leather boots walking in from the side door of the hall holding two scrolls.

When they came to the incense table, two Khitan girls faced Ma Kuo with solemn expressions, and then slowly unfolded the scroll.

Ma Kuo took a closer look and was inexplicably surprised. It turned out that it was the portraits of Song Zhenzong and Emperor Renzong.

Ma Kuo hurried forward, picked up three sticks of incense from the incense table, and knelt on the worship mat to worship.

After Ma Kuo finished his ceremony, the two Khitan girls rolled up the portrait silently, and then walked out slowly.

Ma Kuo understood that Yeluchun was telling him that the Liao Kingdom respected the two emperors of the Great Song Dynasty very much.

Soon, a gray-haired old man walked in slowly from the side door. He said solemnly to Ma Kuo, "I am your majesty's translator. Your majesty's dragon body is not well enough to receive the envoy. Please forgive me. There are a few words , Your Majesty ordered me to tell the envoy... Your Majesty said that the two dynasties agreed, and it has been more than a hundred years. Suddenly, the Song Dynasty surpassed the alliance and came to the border with soldiers. Did you ever fear the sky? Since ancient times, the oath has been violated, and the country will not last long."

Ma Kuo saluted first, and then said: "The two dynasties have been reconciled for a hundred years, and the people are lucky. However, the Lord of Liao is still alive, why did the nine kings ascend the throne without authorization? Why did the Lord of Liao be abolished as the King of Xiangyin? The emperor of our dynasty and the Lord of Liao There is brotherhood, can't we send troops to inquire?"

The translator remained silent and withdrew in small steps.

After a while, the translator returned to the hall with several documents in his hand, and said to Ma Kuo, "This is the affidavit between Zhenzong of your dynasty, Emperor Renzong and me, Emperor Zhaosheng. Your Majesty ordered me to read it to the envoy."

Ma Kuo was taken aback, he didn't expect Yeluchun to make such a move.

Zhenzong signed this peace covenant with the Liao State in Chanzhou in the first year of Jingde. Since then, the Song State has exchanged old coins for peace on the northern border.

Regarding this covenant, the Song Dynasty has always had two completely different voices.

One kind of view is that this is the humiliation of the Song people, and peace was achieved only by paying tribute every year.

The other believes that it is a great good to exchange such a small price for peace on the northern border.

Although Ma Kuo, who was born in the military, is more inclined to the former, he does not deny the latter.

After reading the affidavit, the translator saw that Ma Kuo seemed to be immersed in it, and retreated quietly.

Not long after, Xiao Kui came in from the side door and said, "After listening to the oath, what do you think of Ma Xuanzan? Do you have the heart to break the contract?"

Ma Kuo was silent for a while, and then said: "Our court did not violate the contract, but you should not establish a new monarch. The Lord of Liao fled in Jiashan. Instead of sending troops to meet him, you abolished him. Besides, Li Yan has already occupied the back of the mountain, Jurchens are also stationed outside the pass, Yanjing is in danger, and our army is on the sidelines, the purpose is not to fight with you, but to fight for the injustice of the Liao Lord and save the people of Yandi from fire and water. Can you say that I am in breach of the contract?"

Xiao Kui said: "Ma Xuanzan's good eloquence, Xiao has learned... Your Majesty is not in good health and cannot meet you in person. I will send Secretary Lang Wang Jieru to go to Xiongzhou with you to meet with Tong Xuanfu to discuss the peaceful coexistence of the two families. matter."

Ma Kuo's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "It seems Yeluchun already intends to call himself a Tibetan."

Ma Kuo wanted to inquire about Yeluchun's condition, but he swallowed the words again.

He thought: "Yeluchun has already started the idea of ​​becoming a vassal, and the task has basically been completed, so it's better not to make extra troubles."

However, when Ma Kuo returned to Jinggou Temple, he was put under house arrest again.

Ma Kuo felt very strange. Didn't Xiao Kui say to send a secretary Lang to go to Xiongzhou with him?Why is no one coming?Could it be that something happened?
Since the connection with the outside world has been cut off, Ma Kuo can only rely on guesswork to judge the situation.

He speculated that it was possible that the two armies had already fought, otherwise, based on the previous situation, the Liao people would not have placed him under house arrest.

Sure enough, Ma Kuo expected.

In the evening, Xiao Kui brought a large group of people to Jinggou Temple with a whimper.

Xiao Kui questioned Ma Kuo aggressively: "You Song Dynasty braggadocio soldiers, did not expect that the law of heaven is against the law, people have no fighting spirit. Yesterday, Yang Keshi led an army to invade Langoudian, and was hit head-on by our army. Your army was lost. Take off your armor and run away. If you hadn't thought about sending you to negotiate peace, our army would have already entered Xiongzhou. You sent envoys in the Song Dynasty and marched in at the same time. What do you mean? What are you doing? Intend?"

Then, Xiao Kui took out a letter and a shoe from his bosom, and said angrily: "Ma Xuanzan, do you know these two things? It doesn't matter if you don't recognize them. Liu Zongji has been captured by our army. He I have confessed all the filth between you. Ma Xuanzan, I'm afraid you won't be able to go back!"

Ma Kuo's heart tightened, but his face was still calm. He replied slowly: "Ma's visit to Yanjing this time is not like ordinary envoys, but an envoy for recruiting. Liu Zongji told me that he would dedicate the city. How could Ma refuse to accept it? Besides, when our army first arrived at the border, we received an imperial decree that no one should be killed. If you apply for an imperial edict from the imperial court to suppress and mobilize, then it will not be long before the elites of our Great Song Dynasty will gather at the border, and when this happens, I am afraid that it will not be a blessing for the people of Yanjing."

Xiao Kui was stunned. He didn't expect that Ma Kuo would dare to threaten them at this time.

Xiao Kui said: "The Song Dynasty sent you to Yanjing to do death, right? I didn't expect that you Song Dynasty would abandon the life of a scholar-bureaucrat like nothing."

The so-called death room is one of the five rooms in Sun Tzu's Art of War. It refers to the spies who sneak into the enemy's camp, create and spread false information, and lure the enemy into being fooled.

Ma Kuo laughed and said: "Ma came here to exchange his own life for the life of Quan Yan. If he can comprehend, he will live together; if he can't comprehend, he will die together."

Ma Kuo has put life and death aside, and went on to say: "Ma believes that time is the best strategy for military use. Water can carry a boat, and it can also capsize it. Either use time to achieve success, or use time to achieve failure. You are strong and I am weak." , or you and I are evenly matched, at this time, maybe we can use time to separate, but at present, our two dynasties are very different in strength, why use time? What is the strength of your dynasties? Can it be one-tenth of our dynasties? Or one percent? Or one in a thousand? If it weren't for the consideration that the two countries are neighbors and have been friendly for many years, I would divide my troops early in the morning and enter the whole formation. I don't know how your court will resist it? Under such a situation, why should we send people to come? Yanjing asked you to analyze misfortunes and fortunes to make a living? Isn’t this contrary to common sense? So, what you said just now is simply a child’s knowledge!”

Xiao Kui and the others were left speechless by Ma Kuo's refutation, their faces full of embarrassment, and they left angrily...

……

(End of this chapter)