The third emperor of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 218 Zheng Wei Reconciles General Fury

"Ha ha!"

As soon as Fang Xuanzao's words fell, Bing Yuanzhen let out a burst of violent laughter, and said in an extremely teasing tone: "Fang Shangshu's thinking is too simple, although Yang Yu and Wang Shichong are not in alliance, they are better than Form an alliance, he will turn against Wang Shichong for us? What a big joke."

Fang Xuanzao said coldly: "I haven't tried it, how do you know it won't work?"

"you……"

Before Bing Yuan finished speaking, Li Mi waved his hand to stop him, stared at Fang Xuanzao and said, "Please continue, sir."

Bing Yuanzhen saw Li Mi's solemn expression, as if he was moved by Fang Xuanzao, and thought of Li Mi's unmoved expression after he had talked so hard for a long time, he finally realized that Li Mi didn't want to fight Wang Shichong for a long time.Li Mi's such an important change in mentality, he didn't even notice it, it's really stupid.

Bing Yuan felt remorse from the bottom of his heart, and his jealousy towards Fang Xuanzao also deepened. Seeing that Fang Xuanzao had grasped Li Mi's reconciliation mentality, he didn't dare to say anything more, and could only squint at Fang Xuanzao with a contemptuous gaze. Xuanzao.

Fang Xuanzao ignored Bing Yuanzhen: "The so-called alliance between Yang Tong and Wang Shichong has no guarantee at all. The two are just using each other. Yang Tong needs Wang Shichong to prevent our family from dominating, and he also needs Wang Shichong to block Li Yuandong." It is even more necessary for Wang Shichong to follow his steps to deal with the aristocratic family. Especially the latter is the most important. In order for Wang Shichong to kill the aristocratic family, Yang Tong even sold strategic materials such as grain, war horses, and weapons to Wang Shichong."

Fang Xuanzao glanced at Li Mi quickly out of the corner of his eye, and saw that he was concentrating on listening. He knew that he had grasped Li Mi's pulse. , once the use is over, Yang Tong will be the first to kill him! But he can't refuse Yang Tong's temptation, because those materials are what he needs urgently."

"Why do you see that?" Li Mi stared at Fang Xuanzao.

Fang Xuanzao cupped his hands, and expressed his judgment: "Luoyang, the eastern capital, is the capital Yang Guang chose for his descendants. Yang Tong has not proclaimed himself emperor for a long time, but he is actually waiting to recover Luoyang, and then in the Sui Dynasty. The capital of the dynasty is named as the emperor. Therefore, no matter whether it is Yang Tong or his civil servants, in order to successfully achieve the four characters of "name and justice", their first goal will naturally be Wang Shichong. Wang Shichong is also well aware of this truth, so He has always been vigilant against Yang Tong, otherwise, he would not have had elite teachers in Heyang and other important places. Of course, this is just my family's opinion, but generally speaking, no one can ignore Yang Tong's strength. "

Li Mi walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, then turned around and asked, "In this way, it is possible that Yang Tong attacked Luoyang first, not us."

Fang Xuanzao said: "My idea is that Yang Tong has been waiting, waiting for Wang Shichong and us to lose both, and then marching into the Central Plains after both sides are exhausted."

Bing Yuanzhen couldn't bear it anymore, and interjected, "Since Yang Tong doesn't know how to attack Luoyang, then his target should be us, isn't it?"

"Absolutely not!"

Fang Xuanzao categorically rejected Bing Yuanzhen's idea, "Yang Tong's style is very stable, he is not the kind of person who regards the territory as his life, otherwise, he would not have sold the four counties of Hexi to Li Yuan. He will not use troops, but heals the wounds of the war. His resources will be directed towards people's livelihood. If he continues to fight and exhausts his resources, he will not be able to fight Li Tang again in the future. Therefore, even if he fights in the future, it will be against Li Tang. The Turks implemented the strategy of supporting war with war, rather than sinking into the quagmire of domestic war."

Seeing that Li Mi believed his own analysis, Fang Xuanzao urged, "Your Highness, our top priority is to reach an armistice agreement with Wang Shichong as soon as possible, and use part of the treasures seized from Yu Wenhua to redeem the families of the soldiers in Luokou City, so as to appease the soldiers. Heart! Wang Shichong only has a few counties. If it weren't for Yang Tong's strong material support, he would have collapsed a long time ago, but he is a smart person. If he relies too much on Yang Tong, he will be controlled by the other party sooner or later, so he urgently needs to restore his livelihood. Get rid of dependence on Yang Tong, I think he is also very willing to reconcile with us."

Li Mi nodded and said: "Then I would like to ask you to be my special envoy to negotiate with Wang Shichong... At the same time, I will prepare a generous gift for the King of Qin. Convinced..."

……

Luoyang!

After the division of fields and land, the first bumper harvest year was harvested, and the dead Luoyang city regained a bit of vitality. With the arrival of the bumper year, the food crisis that had been plaguing Wang Shichong was finally eased, and the tax of 50 shi of grain made Wang Shichong With confidence.

Although the battle at Jindiguan was fierce, it did not affect the restoration of Luoyang City. The price of grain dropped from Douguan to [-] yuan for Doumi, which made Wang Shichong gain a great reputation.

Of course, the famine that lasted for more than two years also dealt a heavy blow to Luoyang. The Sui and East, which once had a population of one million, were devastated. Yang Guang spent tens of millions of dollars to build the [-]-mile Xiyuan.It has long been a grain field and a vegetable field, and the exquisite buildings have been looted, and the empty homes have become the homes of crows, sparrows and jackals.

More importantly, Luoyang's population of one million is now only about 20, and most of them have fled to Guanzhong and Bingzhou.

Ziwei Palace Wensi Hall.

Wang Shichong discussed matters with a group of important officials. Li Mi's envoy for peace has arrived in Luoyang and is about to enter the city.This also made Wang Shichong, who was tense, slightly relieved.

Yun Dingxing said to Wang Shichong: "Your Majesty, Li Mi is ambitious, and there are still 40 to [-] soldiers under his command. Although it is a peace negotiation, we must guard against it."

Wang Shichong smiled bitterly and said: "Li Tang conquered Shangluo and Xiyang successively. Our Hongnong and Fuyang were under Li Tang's troops. This statement is not credible at all, so our focus in the future is to defend against Li Tang. Peace talks with Li Mi are also good for us, not to mention soldiers, food and grass will not be able to support us in fighting on two fronts."

When Wang Shichong said this, he narrowed his eyes and smiled slightly: "I'm afraid Li Mi's current food and grass can't sustain an army of 40 to [-], right?"

"Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?" Yun Dingxing looked at Wang Shichong and pondered, "Your Majesty is saying that Li Mi will go dormant right now?"

Wang Shichong nodded: "Three to 40 soldiers sound majestic and scary, but there are Shan Xiongxin faction, He Xiaode faction, Bing Yuanzhen faction, and Chen Zhilue faction... Let's count them down and say less There are also more than 40 factions. However, Li Mi himself has only a handful of soldiers and horses. On the surface, he looks big, but he is actually a strong outsider! Although he has a vast territory, his territory cannot support the cost of these [-] to [-] troops. If Li Mi is smart, he shouldn't be thinking about conquering the world at this time, but sorting out himself."

"Holy Majesty is wise!"

Everyone sings praises!

Wang Shichong has already set the tone for the peace talks with Li Mi, and now that his think tanks are reunited, he just takes Li Mi as a digression.After confirming that Li Mi would not carry out an attack in the name of reconciliation, he shifted the focus of the topic to how to defend Li Yuan.

While Wang Shichong was discussing, a group of Zheng Jun escorting Fang Xuanzao's carriage drove into Luoyang City, and Wang Shichong's son Wang Xuanying was waiting outside the city gate.

"On behalf of my father, I welcome Fang Shangshu to Luoyang!"

Wang Xuanying was about [-] years old, and he was gentle and refined, without Wang Shichong's toughness and coldness. He smiled sincerely, and his face was full of inner joy. deal with.

Wang Xuanying's current revival is only a temporary illusion. The court, the people, and the army all need to have a real recuperation. It is Wang Xuanying's efforts to promote it. Wang Shichong finally agreed to negotiate peace with Li Mi.

Fang Xuanzao got off the carriage and returned the gift, "Thank you Your Highness for coming to pick me up in person. I hope we can have a happy start and a happy ending this time."

"As the envoy said, I hope so too!"

Wang Xuanying and Fang Xuanzao laughed together, and the whole county drove towards Miyagi...

Although Wang Xuanying actively promoted the peace talks and received the support of Wang Shichong, not everyone agreed, and the military headed by Wang Renze was extremely opposed.

Wang Ren was the number one general of the Zheng State. He had fought against the Wagang Army and the current Li Mi Army for many years, and this time in the Battle of Jindiguan, the Zheng State soldiers suffered heavy casualties, which made him unable to face the fact of reconciliation.

After hearing the peace talks, he threw his armaments to his two younger brothers, and ran to Luoyang Ziwei Palace without even changing his armor.

The strong bloody smell and evil spirit all over his body turned pale.

Wang Shichong understood the displeasure in his nephew's heart, so he asked everyone to retreat. In an instant, only his nephew and uncle were left in Wensi Hall.

Wang Ren was heartbroken and persuaded Wang Shichong to change his course and withdraw, "In the past month, tens of thousands of brothers died defending Jindiguan. Now that the bones of the soldiers are not cold, they want to talk to Li Mi today. How can the brothers accept this? How can we explain to our dead brother? The hatred between our army and Li Mi cannot be solved! Once reconciled, morale will drop greatly. Second uncle is a general and famous general, and you understand this truth better than your nephew."

Wang Shichong personally untied Wang Renze's armor that was covered with purple and black blood stains and could not see its true colors. He carefully put it aside and said, "This armor is kept for my uncle, and it will be the armor of glory admired by the descendants of the Wang family in the future." .Come here, and give the set of Mingguang Armor that I treasure to His Royal Highness Zhao Wang."

Wang Ren suppressed the anger in his heart, and said respectfully, "Thank you, Second Uncle!"

"Come here, bring King Zhao's favorite milk tea." Wang Shichong arranged everything.Wang Shichong is a treacherous and slippery person, and all the arrangements he made were for the purpose of being able to talk peacefully in the future.

At this time, a court lady came up to the hall and served a large pot of milk tea. After Wang Renze filled it up, she retreated by herself.

Wang Ren drank a bowl of milk tea, his anger suddenly disappeared, and he calmed down.

Wang Shichong was very satisfied with the effect, and said in a deep voice, "I don't want to reconcile either, but you have to understand the crisis we are facing, and I can't help it."

Wang Ren was silent.

Wang Shichong went on to say: "I know it's hard for you to accept it, and I know it's hard for the military to accept it, but you have to consider the overall situation! Do you think Li Mi wants to give up his capital Luokou City? He absolutely doesn't want to. He made this decision It was even more painful than us, but he couldn't help it, not to mention Yang Tong's movement, Li Yuan alone has shown his fangs to the south, and his next goal must be the Central Plains, trying to seize the Central Plains , increase the scope of the confrontation with Yang Tong to reduce the pressure in Guanzhong. If we continue to fight Li Mi, the result will only be a loss for both sides. In the end, it will be either Li Yuan or Yang Tong, do you understand?"

"We are an alliance with the Sui Dynasty. At worst, we should ask the Sui Dynasty to deter Guanzhong so as to reduce our pressure." Wang Ren argued unconvinced.

"Talk like a child!" Wang Shichong laughed out loud, and said, "Silly boy, you are too naive. Yang Tong is a fierce tiger. How can he allow other people to sleep soundly on the side of his couch? He will kill us earlier than Li Mi!"

"Why?"

Wang Shichong pointed to the outside and said: "Outside is Luoyang, and the place where I live is the palace of Emperor Wu of the Sui Dynasty. As the heir of the Sui Dynasty, he can only add to the lost glory of the Sui Dynasty when he ascends the throne here! How anxious is he?" As soon as he became the emperor, he wanted to kill us so urgently. So, he helped us, in fact, by using us to consume Li Mi's strength."

He patted Wang Renze on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "We are the ones who benefit from the reconciliation with Li Mi, and it was Li Mi's initiative to ask for peace. This is enough to let the world know that we are already on an equal footing with the leader of the Central Plains. Fame can bring us great benefits. But what about Li Mi? It gives the world a sense of decline."

Wang Ren said helplessly, "Then how should I explain to the soldiers?"

"You told the soldiers that Li Mi was unable to fight any more, so he asked us for peace, and at the same time, you said that the money he used to redeem the family members of the Wei army was a tribute, and it was an act of righteousness for us to return the family members of the Wei army... It is enough to interpret it as a big victory!"

"Victory is rewarded." At this point, Wang Ren can only fight for something real for the soldiers.

"The loyalty of the army is the basis for our royal family to stand in troubled times. Of course, this reward is indispensable! The pension of the fallen soldiers must also be paid in one step! Especially you, I will give half of the property sent by Li Mi to you, and the maids in the palace are you. Pick twenty, even if you pick Yang Tan's concubine away, it doesn't matter!" Wang Shichong looked at Wang Renze with deep admiration, and Wang Renze will be his number one general and will replace him in the future. In charge of all military power, he has never been stingy in trusting and rewarding Wang Renze.

Wang Ren was moved in his heart: "Thank you second uncle for the reward, my nephew will not let you down. But forget about the concubine. After all, it involves the face of the Sui Dynasty. It is not a good thing to annoy the King of Qin."

Wang Shichong laughed heartily, and was even more pleased with his nephew's understanding.

"Go! Comfort the brothers and tell them that I, Wang Shichong, will not treat everyone badly, or any loyal person."

"Here!"

Not long after Wang Renze left, Wang Xuanying hurried over excitedly: "Father, Li Mi's special envoy has arrived."

"There's no need to be so happy!" Wang Shichong glared at his eldest son with displeasure, his expression was filled with joy and anger. Why did he take on such a big responsibility?
Wang Xuanying didn't know why his father was displeased, and tremblingly said: "Li Mi's envoy is waiting outside the palace, does Emperor Father want to see him?"

Wang Shichong thought for a while, and then said in a deep voice: "In order not to give Yang Tong an excuse to conquer, I want to avoid this peace talk! It is best for you to talk to Li Mi's envoys! Tell them my difficulties and ask them to understand."

"But if you say this, will it reveal that the father wants to get rid of his dependence on the Sui Dynasty? My son thinks that it is better for the father to call him sick." Wang Xuanying suggested.

Wang Shichong smiled: "Don't think they are fools, but your caution is not wrong. You just said that I have been suffering from a war situation for more than a month, and I feel unwell. By the way, you tell them: we can let them go." All the family members of the city, but the belongings they sent away were just ransoms! We provided the food and drink for tens of thousands of them, and I needed 60 shi of grain to make up for it, not less than one or two.”

"My child understands." Wang Xuanying turned around and wanted to leave.But Wang Shichong stopped him again, and said: "Your government affairs standards barely pass the test, but your temper is too weak and your ears are soft. As the prince of a country, you have to understand military affairs! After reconciliation, you will be a famous school captain under Ren Ze , communicate more with Ren Ze and the others!"

"This..." Wang Xuanying hesitated for a moment, he was well-versed in poetry and books, and really looked down on Wang Renze and the others.

"boom!"

Wang Shichong slapped the table and said angrily, "What right do you have to look down on Ren Ze? If it wasn't for Ren, you would fight all the year round. If it wasn't for Ren, you would stick to Jindi Pass. What you are facing is not Li Mi's special envoy, but Li Mi who is at the gate of the city. Army."

"My child will definitely go!" Wang Xuanying shivered wittily.

"Be more humble and respectful! No matter how you say it, Ren Ze is your elder brother."

"Here!"

……

(End of this chapter)