The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 574
Chai Rong originally planned to set out for Cangzhou with all the troops in March. Unexpectedly, in mid-March, Prime Minister Wang Pu died of illness.

Wang Pu and Chai Rong had worked together in Chanzhou for many years and had long been both teachers and friends. His death shocked Chai Rong.

Chai Rong's condition was originally stable, but affected by the bad news, there were signs of a recurrence of the old disease.

Helpless, Chai Rong could only ask Zhu Xiu and Zhao Kuangyin to lead the troops and set off first.

In early April, Chai Rong felt that his condition had improved. Regardless of the obstruction of his ministers, he and Zhang Yongde led an inner palace forbidden army by boat to Cangzhou through the Yongji Canal to join the army.

Before leaving, Chai Rong issued a decree to add three envoys and Zhang Mei, who stayed behind in Tokyo, as Tongping Zhangshi and enter the prime minister's train.

In mid-April, Chai Rong formally pledged his allegiance to the Northern Expedition in Cangzhou, and the waterway armies advanced hand in hand.

All waterways were deployed. Zhao Kuangyin led [-] sailors to Ningzhou (Qing County, Hebei) by boat along the Yongji Canal. Wang Hongkai, the governor of Ningzhou, surrendered.

On land, Zhu Xiu was deployed to lead his army to attack Yingzhou, while Zhao Kuangyin continued to lead his army to Yijin Pass (Bazhou, Hebei).

In early May, the Zhou army surrounded Yingzhou City. Three days later, the governor Gao Yanhui opened the city and surrendered.

The guard of Yijin Pass eventually surrendered at Yanhui Pass.

Chai Rong personally led the army to attack Waqiao Pass (southwest of Xiong County, Hebei), and Zhang Yongde accompanied him to escort him.

At the end of May, Waqiao Gatekeeper Yao Neibin surrendered.

When the Zhou army occupied Waqiao Pass, they found a Khitan cavalry force of more than a thousand people north of Waqiao Pass.

Chai Rong ordered the deputy capital commander in front of the palace, the vanguard capital commander Han Lingkun, and the vanguard deputy capital commander Zhang Zangying to attack and defeat them, killing hundreds of Khitan soldiers.

Han Lingkun led his army in pursuit, crossed the Juma River and entered the border of Zhuozhou, and captured the empty-defended Gu'an County in one go.

After Zhou Jun captured Waqiao Pass, Liu Chuxin, the governor of Mozhou, and Li Zaqin, the governor of Yizhou, came to surrender one after another.

Chai Rong was angry that Li Zaiqin was steering the ship and waited until the remaining Khitan troops retreated to Zhuozhou in panic. He had no choice but to surrender and beheaded him in public.

At this point, the Northern Expedition achieved its first victory, and Ningzhou, Yingzhou, Mozhou, Yizhou, Waqiao Pass, and Yijin Pass were recovered, a total of 360 counties with a population of [-] households.

Chai Rong decreed that Waqiao Pass be Xiongzhou, Yijin Pass be Bazhou, and Kouguan be built to the east of Bazhou, forming horns with Xiongzhou and Bazhou, collectively known as the land of Guannan.

Ningzhou was promoted to Jiezhen, Qianning Army was established, Qing County was governed, and the military and political defense of Yingzhou, Mozhou, Yizhou, Bazhou and Xiongzhou were under its jurisdiction.

Chai Rong recruited civilians from various states to repair Bazhou, Xiongzhou, and Yukou Pass, while gathering troops and horses, preparing to continue marching northward.

In the north of Xiong County, a cavalry army galloped north after leaving the city.

Chai Rong, who was wearing light armor, took the lead and rushed up to a high hill with green grass. The men and horses stopped, leaping and neighing.

Zhu Xiu and Zhao Kuangyin followed closely behind.

Shi Shouxin led his own cavalry to garrison at the foot of the slope.

Chai Rong's riding whip points far to the north. Looking from a distance, the sparkling surface of the Juma River reflects the quiet scenery of Yanyan.

"This place is nearly a thousand miles away from the north entrance of Yanshan Mountain. Such vast mountains and rivers have been the territory of our Han family since ancient times.

Now, it has fallen into the hands of the Khitans. In the blink of an eye, it has been nearly 30 years.

You say, if the Khitans are not expelled from this place, how can we, the Han people, maintain peace? "Chai Rong roared and shouted in the mountain wind, his voice full of unwillingness.

The plan to continue marching north was opposed by almost all generals.

Chai Rong and many generals were at a stalemate in the imperial military meeting for two consecutive days.

In frustration, he rode out of Xiong County and galloped all the way north. Only Shi Shouxin and a team of personal riders accompanied him to protect him.

Shi Shouxin didn't dare to let His Majesty go out of the city alone, so he quickly sent someone to notify Zhu Xiu, who then pursued him with Zhao Kuangyin.

"Your Majesty, at this point in the Northern Expedition, we have successfully captured the old territory of Guannan and pushed the Hebei defense line to the banks of the Juma River, across the river from Zhuozhou. This is an extraordinary achievement. It is better to give up when things are good and consolidate Guannan first. Mainly defense.

The minister received the news that Xiao Siwen, the envoy of Youzhou Jiedu in the Great Liao Dynasty, has gathered heavy troops in Youzhou. Once our army crosses the Juma River, it will collide head-on with the main force of the Liao army.

There is no danger to defend Zhuozhou, and the Liao army has Youzhou on its back. They will fight to the death, and the outcome is unpredictable.

Once the war fails, not only will our army lose troops, but even the newly recovered Guannan land will fall into the hands of the Khitans again. "

Zhao Kuangyin advised him earnestly.

Chai Rong said angrily: "Is it possible that the land of Youyan should be permanently given to the Khitan people?"

Zhao Kuangyin gritted his teeth and said: "There is a long way to go. When the Guannan defense line is completed and our army is fully prepared with soldiers, horses, food and fodder, it will not be too late to find opportunities for the Northern Expedition!"

Chai Rong's thin cheeks were sickly red: "The Khitans can wait, but how many years do I have to wait? I have been on the throne for six years, and I have been successful in all major and minor wars, but in my eyes, nothing can compare to a dignified victory over the Khitans! Cough cough cough cough ~~~"

The mountain breeze blew, and Chai Rong coughed violently, and his white hair and beard fluttered in the wind.

The thin body was half lying on the horse's back, looking very painful.

Zhao Kuangyin raised his head and sighed silently, turned his head and glared at Zhu Xiu, and shouted: "Duke Zhao, why don't you quickly persuade your majesty?"

Zhu Xiu glanced at him and said nothing.

Chai Rong wiped the corners of his mouth to calm the heat and pain in his chest, and pointed his riding whip at Zhu Xiu: "Tell me, should I continue marching to Youzhou?"

Zhu Xiu was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, retreat. What the soldiers are worried about is not that they can't defeat the Khitans, but that your majesty's dragon body is really hard to support the continuation of the Northern Expedition."

Zhao Kuangyin smiled bitterly, and Zhu Xiu spoke straightforwardly.

Chai Rong said with a look of reluctance: "But do you know that once I retreat, I'm afraid I will never have the chance to set foot here again in my life? If I can't recapture Youyan with my own hands, I will die with my eyes closed!~"

Zhao Kuangyin was so frightened that he rolled off his horse, knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty has a long life ahead of him. It will not be too late to take good care of himself in the future and fight in person!"

Zhu Xiu looked calm, sat on the horse, and said softly: "There are many unfinished works in life, so why should your Majesty be obsessed with this? You might as well look away and reconcile with yourself. Some things might as well be left to future generations. .”

Zhao Kuangyin smiled bitterly, Zhu Xiu really dared to say it.

"Reconcile with yourself," Chai Rong muttered. He was silent for a while, then looked up to the sky and sighed.

"Heaven, how can you treat me less~~"

Chai Rong closed his eyes, and Zhu Xiu clearly saw tears falling from the corners of his eyes.

A ray of sunset fell on Chai Rong. He turned around and gazed north of the Juma River, seemingly seeing the outline of the majestic Yanshan Mountain.

A relieved smile appeared on his face, he slowly closed his eyes and leaned to one side.

"Your Majesty!" Zhao Kuangyin and Zhu Xiu exclaimed in unison. Zhao Kuangyin even rushed forward and helped Chai Rong off his horse.

The two summoned Shi Shouxin and escorted Chai Rong back to Xiong County.

That night, the first thing Chai Rong did after waking up was to summon the generals in front of his bed and order the troops to withdraw and return to Beijing.

After more than two months, the army of the Northern Expedition returned to Kaifeng after obtaining the hometown of Guannan.

News that the emperor was seriously ill inevitably spread.

The Zhou army, from the generals to the soldiers, was in panic for a while.

The Kaifeng imperial court would send fast horses back and forth between the army camp and the capital every day. Wherever the Northern Expedition army went, the court's fast horses would follow them to ensure that the emperor's situation was informed as soon as possible.

When we arrived at Weizhou, the Tianxiong Army's Jiedushi and Wei Wang Fu Yanqing, and the Yongqing Army and Jing'an Army's Jiedushi Shi Yanchao came to see him.

At that time, Chai Rong fell into a coma and was only awake for two or three hours a day. After discussion, Zhu Xiu, Zhang Yongde, and Zhao Kuangyin decided to refuse the meeting of the commander of the outer town on the grounds that His Majesty was unwell. While sending messages of comfort, he sent orders to the entire army to hurry up. Return to Kaifeng.

But as a result, rumors about the emperor's condition spread all over the world.

When they arrived in Puzhou, Li Chongjin in Huainan, Xiangxun in Bozhou, Wang Yanchao in Heyang, Li Yun in Luzhou, and other feudal commanders sent people to inquire, one after another, but they still couldn't see Chai Rong.

In early June, Shengjia arrived in Chanzhou.

Since entering Chanzhou City, Chai Rong's condition has miraculously improved, and his energy has significantly recovered.

Chai Rong set up Jiedu Mansion in Chanzhou as his camp, summoned all the generals and officials in the hall, and ordered the Northern Expedition army to disband on the spot, and Han Lingkun, Wang Shenqi, Gao Huaide and other generals took the lead back to Kaifeng.

Chai Rong, on the grounds of recuperation, ordered to stay in Chanzhou temporarily, with Zhu Xiu, Zhang Yongde, and Zhao Kuangyin accompanying him.

A simple court meeting dispersed, and the news that the emperor's condition had recovered also spread, which made people feel at ease for a while.

In the back office of Jiedu Mansion, Shi Shouxin, the direct capital of the inner palace, led his troops to guard day and night.

Zhu Xiu, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhang Yongde were ordered to come to see him.

"Your Majesty, please invite Duke Zhao to enter first. Duke Song and his consort will wait in the side hall next door." Shi Shouxin said solemnly, raising his head and exchanging glances with Zhu Xiu inadvertently.

Zhu Xiu nodded slightly: "Thank you."

Zhao Kuangyin and Zhang Yongde looked at each other and went to the side hall next door to wait under the leadership of the inner palace sergeant.

Zhu Xiu opened the door and stepped into the back hall, the light was a little dim, and Chai Rong's figure was a little blurry behind a large table.

"Your Majesty, Zhu Xiu, pays homage to your Majesty." Zhu Xiu bowed in salute.

He raised his head and glanced, Chai Rong's expression was frighteningly calm, his face was still sickly, but his eyes revealed a soul-stirring brilliance.

"During these days, a lot of people seem to be concerned about my condition. Under the guise of delivering military reports, they send people one after another to inquire. It's really lively."

Chai Rong's voice was flat, but Zhu Xiu could hear a hint of anger and murderous intent.

Zhu Xiu said solemnly: "That's true. Wu Yanzuo, who was left behind in Tokyo, and Prime Minister Zhang Mei sent 27 fast horses one after another. Basically, they asked one question every day. The reason was that they were asking about His Majesty's current situation on behalf of the imperial concubine Yi Yi. The others were from Huainan, Bozhou, Heyang and Xijing each have fast horses coming to inquire."

Chai Rong couldn't hide his anger: "Wu Yanzuo, Zhang Mei and others are running diligently, and the commanders of the feudal towns below are well-informed. I'm afraid they have already sent people to the court to spy on my condition at any time.

Have they forgotten that I have more than one son? Even if I die, there is still the eldest son of the emperor who can take the throne. I will leave a legacy in the future, and the kings and ministers of the world can just take the throne in honor of the new king. Why do they bother to find out about my condition?
Are they really so concerned about my life? "

There was silence in the room for a while, then Zhu Xiucai said: "Your Majesty, do you want to hear the truth?"

Chai Rong stared at him with sharp eyes: "Say!"

Zhu Xiu's complexion did not change, and he cupped his hands and said: "Because the world is still uncertain and the foundation of the imperial court is empty, no matter whether it is the capital or the vassal town, everyone is worried that if His Majesty loses, and the eldest son of the emperor is young, he will not be able to maintain the unity of the country, and the world will fall into chaos again. A state of disintegration.

It's not that Sifangjie Town has disloyal intentions. They care about His Majesty's safety naturally out of sincerity, because His Majesty's safety is related to the stability of the court, and whether the court is stable is related to their respective wealth.

If the central court collapses, these feudal princes will naturally have to find another way out.

In the same way, many courtiers above the Kaifeng court had the same thoughts. "

Chai Rong was silent for a long time and sighed: "I didn't expect that the foundation of my great Zhou Dynasty would be so fragile."

Zhu Xiu said sincerely: "The world has been in chaos for too long, and the subjects are accustomed to the change of country and the transfer of power. Perhaps no one will believe that they will be in a dynasty with long-term peace and stability.

This means that the system of inheritance of imperial lineage according to patriarchal rituals has not yet been formed, and the centralization of power in the central court has yet to be improved. "

Chai Rong stared at Zhu Xiu strangely for a long time and then said: "I didn't expect you to speak so straightforwardly in front of me!

I know what you mean. An Chongrong's heroic words back then, "The emperor will be conquered by those with strong soldiers and horses" had a profound influence and became a motto that many people secretly believed in.

Perhaps in the eyes of the people of the world, our great Zhou Dynasty will eventually be as short-lived as a meteor like the previous dynasties since the troubled times.

What I want to know now is, what do you think about this?What will you do in the future? "

Zhu Xiu was silent for a moment and looked at Chai Rong calmly:

"I will do my best to maintain the unity of the country! The troubled times have been too long, and it is time to end!"

Chai Rong didn't speak, and looked at him without blinking, with a complex expression gradually emerging from his eyes, and even a hint of harshness in his eyes.

Zhu Xiu was calm and composed. At this moment, his back was extremely straight.

Chai Rong suddenly smiled lightly and said: "Actually, I have another way to maintain the stability of the country."

Zhu Xiu grinned, revealing a mouth full of white teeth: "I also know that Your Majesty will never use that method!"

"Why?" Chai Rong smiled.

Zhu Xiu said legitimately: "Because your Majesty is an eternal sage who cares about the people and the common people, and will never abandon the world for his own selfish desires!"

Chai Rong laughed loudly and coughed violently while covering his chest. His face was abnormally red.

Zhu Xiu looked at him worriedly.

"On the surface, you flatter me, but in fact, you are advocating for yourself.

According to your opinion, without you, the common people will be in dire straits, right? Chai Rong said with a smile.

Zhu Xiu nodded calmly: "It's not like we will return to the troubled times, but it's still not a very good life."

"Ahem~ What a shameless statement!" Chai Rong shook his head and cursed with a smile.

The room was quiet for a moment. Chai Rong's aura was a bit thick and he said in a low voice: "I will pass the throne to the eldest son of the emperor, Zong Xun, and you will be the minister who cares about life. I have nothing else to ask for. I only hope that you can protect my Chai family in the future." Door."

Zhu Xiu bowed down and kowtowed: "I accept the decree! I and Your Majesty are eternal monarchs. If there is an afterlife, I am still willing to follow Your Majesty, ride in front and behind the horse, and die loyally!"

Zhu Xiu kowtowed heavily, his voice was trembling, and his big tears couldn't stop falling.

Chai Rong looked at him and said quietly: "Zhao Kuangyin has always been ambitious. I can surrender him, but I'm afraid you can't. I will let him leave Beijing and stay in Yunzhou.

The consort is a kind man, don't let him get between you two. I will remove him from his position as the front minister of the palace and keep him in Chanzhou. "

Zhu Xiu solemnly said: "The prince-in-law is the pillar of the country. If the world wants peace, it cannot be separated from him."

"As for re-entering, I will leave a letter for you to hand over to him." Chai Rong coughed for a while and breathed heavily.

Zhu Xiu said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, please rest early and wait until you return to Kaifeng to give your instructions slowly."

Chai Rong smiled bitterly, knowing that he might not be able to return to Kaifeng.

"Stand back and invite the prince-in-law to come in." Chai Rong waved his hand weakly.

"I excuse myself!" Zhu Xiu bowed his head again and took a deep look at Chai Rong, who was leaning on the large chair.

It can be seen that he tried his best to maintain the deportment and majesty of an emperor, but the pain of the disease made it very painful for him to endure.

Zhu Xiu sighed and was about to open the door and leave when a low voice came from behind: "Zhu Xiu!"

"Your Majesty?" Zhu Xiu turned around and saluted.

Chai Rong's withered face was full of loneliness, unwillingness, and regret, mixed with deep expectations, and he whispered: "Be kind to the people."

Zhu Xiu took a deep breath, bowed and saluted: "I will live up to your majesty and the people!"

Chai Rong smiled as if relieved.

The door of the room closed gently, and Zhu Xiu stood under the eaves, looking up and sighing.

The slightest trace of rain fell on his face, and a refreshing and cool feeling spread throughout his body.

Zhu Xiu shivered all over, and then suddenly realized that her back was soaked with sweat.

Zhu Xiu considers himself a smart person, but at the same time, he also knows that he is not the only smart person in the world.

With Chai Rong's shrewdness, even if he has been seriously ill for more than a year, he can still detect changes in the political situation.

In the prime minister's corps, Fan Zhi and Wang Pu were on good terms with Zhu Xiu, not to mention Tao Gu. His appointment as prime minister depended entirely on Zhu Xiu's promotion.

Wei Renpu, the privy envoy, was an old friend of Zhu Xiu, and Xue Juzheng, the official minister, was an upright man. Even the emperor rarely flattered him, but he always praised Zhu Xiu every time he talked about him.

Major Forbidden Army generals such as Shi Shouxin, An Shenqi, Gao Huaide, and An Shouzhong had close friendship with Zhu Xiu.

The confidants promoted by Zhu Xiu occupied most of the important positions in the Dianqian Division, and the other half belonged to the Zhao Kuangyin Group.

Among the forces in the feudal town, Li Chongjin and Zhu Xiu had a deep friendship, and Xiang Xun, Wang Yanchao, and Shi Yanchao also had a good relationship with Zhu Xiu.

Even favored ministers such as Wang Zhu and Cao Han, who had been labeled as the emperor's confidants early on, became brothers with Zhu Xiu.

On the other side, another big court force represented by Zhang Mei, the envoy of the Third Division, Wu Yanzuo, the envoy of the South Xuanhui Court, and Zan Jurun, the envoy of the North Xuanhui Court, had a good relationship with a part of the Dianqian Division headed by Zhao Kuangyin.

In the past year or so, the Kaifeng court has quickly divided into two camps.

Chai Rong could not possibly know anything about this.

Before stepping into the house today, Zhu Xiu decided to reveal his true feelings to Chai Rong. Only in this way could he avoid an early military coup and preserve the friendship between the emperor and his subjects.

He believed that Chai Rong understood that the empire of the Great Zhou Dynasty relied entirely on the prestige of the elderly king Chai Rong. Once faced with the transfer of imperial power, Chai Zongxun, who was only six years old, would not be able to support this heavy burden.

If it is wishful thinking, the world will eventually fall into turmoil, and the fate of the descendants of the Chai family can be imagined.

Therefore, whether for the sake of future generations or the people of the world, he will not go on a killing spree for the sake of inheriting the throne.

And Zhu Xiu is also confident that he can protect himself in this most unwilling situation.

So he decided to take a gamble, express his feelings, and face this king who was at the end of his life with the most calm attitude, and he was also a friend.

It turned out that his bet was right, and Chai Rong finally chose to trust him.

Or perhaps, Chai Rong knew he had no choice.

Zhu Xiu looked up and closed her eyes, letting the raindrops fall on her face.

There was the sound of slight footsteps behind him. Zhu Xiu didn't even look back and said calmly: "Please come into the room to meet His Majesty."

Shi Shouxin bowed and clasped his fists, took a deep look at Zhu Xiu's back, and stepped back respectfully.

He understood that from the moment Zhu Xiu An walked out of that room, the situation in Dazhou might soon change.
　This chapter is very confusing to write, and I always feel that it is unsatisfactory, but... alas~~
　　Many times I wonder, why Zhao Kuangyin?
　　If it were someone else, the descendants of the Chai family might not survive.

　　Zhao Kuangyin used the front division of the palace to organize the army to cultivate a powerful force. As an emperor, didn't Chai Rong know that?

　　But in the end, it was Lao Zhao who became the chief inspector in front of the palace, and the central military power still fell into Lao Zhao's hands.

　　Putting aside the historical truth, I can only rationally assume that history chose Lao Zhao, the times chose Lao Zhao, and Chai Rong chose Lao Zhao.

　　In the book, Zhu Xiu is the one who can gain Chai Rong's trust more than Lao Zhao, so changing the person to choose Zhu Xiu is trust, compromise and exchange.

　　Chai Rong may trust Zhang Yongde, but he knows better that Zhang Yongde cannot be the emperor and cannot protect the descendants of the Chai family.

　　As for Li Chongjin, if he had no intention of fighting for power, how could Guo Wei press his head and ask him to kowtow to Chai Rong in front of him to determine his superiority and inferiority?
　　So Chai Rong will not trust him completely.

　　The protagonist in novels often plays the role of a picker, and Zhu Xiu is no exception.

　　I know that many details are not handled properly, and I can only study more in the future.

　　In the original idea, there were complex conspiracies and human entanglements, but... alas~ let's just leave it at that~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)