Jiuxi

Chapter 804 802 [Hidden Weapon on the Body]

Different from the bright spring in the south of the Yangtze River, the air in the far northern continent is still chilly, and white snow can be seen in many places on the northwestern plateau.

"Twenty-two years ago, I followed the late emperor to the Wuleng grassland to discuss important matters with Huoba, the chief of the Helan tribe, and Alihe Yili, the chief of the Jinglian tribe. I was only thirteen years old at that time, and I was shocked when I first arrived at the Wuleng grassland. I have never seen such a fertile grassland. The blue sky is like silk, and the cattle and sheep on the grassland are so fat that just one look can make people drool."

Standing on the towering walls of the capital Lingqing, Dai Emperor Ge Shukui looked out at the land in the east and continued, "I asked the late emperor if we Gaoyang people could migrate to that grassland to live. The late emperor shook his head and said that it was the territory of the Jinglian people. The Gaoyang people, the Helan people and the Jinglian people must unite as one. Only in this way can we defeat the powerful Qi State. In the years to come, I will think of that grassland every early spring. I think it must be lush and green at this time, full of vitality."

There was a man standing solemnly behind him. He was Geshu Songping, the Privy Councilor and Mo Ning Ling of Dai State.

Listening to the emperor's sigh, Geshu Songping couldn't help but say seriously: "Your Majesty has great ambitions, and the heavens will surely favor you."

"Favor?"

Ge Shukui smiled meaningfully, put away his brief reverie, and said calmly: "Tell me, what is the situation on the southeastern border."

Ge Shusongping answered carefully, "Your Majesty, on February 16, the main force of the Jing army marched north along the Luo River, and its vanguard of more than 20,000 soldiers arrived at the outskirts of Macheng on the 23rd. According to the intelligence gathered by our cavalry, the commander of the Jing army is Wu Yanshu, and his troops include the Xiashan Army, Changsheng Army, Xiejie Army, and Laocheng Army, with a total strength of at least 120,000."

"Ali and Hehuan were humiliated in the south and want to save their reputation from us."

Ge Shukui narrowed his eyes and laughed coldly.

Geshu Songping, however, could not be as calm as him, and he reminded carefully: "Your Majesty, Wu Yanshu is an experienced military commander, and the main force of the Jing army has arrived, so our army cannot be careless."

"It's natural."

Ge Shukui still looked east, with his hands on the parapet, and asked, "What countermeasures do you have?"

Geshu Songping had obviously thought about this problem a long time ago, and responded: "I think our army needs to shrink the defense line, dig deep trenches and build high fortifications to defend the city, and try to avoid direct battles with Jing's army. At the same time, Your Majesty might as well send someone to detour to the south and request Qi to send troops to the north, which may ease the situation we are facing."

Ge Shukui was silent for a moment, then raised his head and asked, "Why do you think Qi would send troops north?"

"This……"

Geshu Songping hesitated for a moment, and said in confusion: "Your Majesty, if it weren't for our army's cooperation, how could the Qi army have won the victory at Feiniao Pass? The alliance between the two countries has been agreed by the Emperor of Qi, they can't just deny it, right? Another thing is that the main force of the Jing army is now in the north, and the defense in the south must be empty. It is a great opportunity for the Qi army to march north. Don't they want to take back Heluo City?"

"That's true, but you obviously don't understand the current situation."

Ge Shukui's expression was a little deep, and he frowned and said, "I received a secret report a few days ago that Lu Chen has returned to the capital of Qi. In my opinion, although Jing is in a mess and even Ali Hehuan was assassinated and seriously injured, the situation in Qi is not much better. The young emperor of Qi is far inferior to his father. He is probably thinking about how to reduce Lu Chen's military power. Before solving this matter, he can't continue the Northern Expedition, otherwise it will only increase Lu Chen's power."

Geshu Songping was stunned.

Ge Shukui continued, "As for the covenant, you can just find a random excuse to get away with it. Do you still expect the Qi people to keep their word? That's too naive."

Geshu Songping said with shame: "Your Majesty is teaching me that I took things for granted."

"Of course, we still have to make a good show. I will send people south to Qi to ask for help. Maybe there will be a surprise."

Having said that, Geshu Kui's face did not show any expectation. He turned to look at his cousin and said solemnly, "I have a hunch that Ali Hehuandu is not just trying to save face this time. He is more likely to want to cripple our army in one battle so that he can concentrate on dealing with Qi. To put it simply, he will give some of his best troops to Wu Yanshu, and his goal is definitely not just a few cities on the border."

Ge Shu Songping felt as if a heavy burden was pressing on his shoulders.

Ge Shukui did not choose to help him reduce his pressure. Instead, he said more seriously: "Now we have more than 30,000 people stationed on the border. I will give you the 20,000 light cavalry and 35,000 infantry that I can take out from the country. Gaoyang Dragon Cavalry has a total of 10,000 people. You can also take 7,000 people. I only need 3,000 cavalry to guard the capital."

The people's livelihood was in decline, with a population of only five million. Although the country had a relatively vast territory, most of it was barren land that was not suitable for survival.

The total strength of the Dai army was only about 140,000. Except for the troops that had to stay behind to guard key points in various places, Geshu Kui handed over almost all the mobile forces to Geshu Songping.

If Geshu Songping had any rebellious intentions and was able to control the generals in the army, he could even threaten Geshu Kui's throne.

Faced with this heavy trust and the high pressure exerted by the elite of the Jing army, Ge Shu Songping took a deep breath, knelt on one knee and said: "I am willing to die for your majesty!"

Ge Shukui pulled him up and said slowly: "I don't expect you to defeat the Jing army. As long as you can defend the Lingchuan line and prevent the Jing army from invading the heartland of our country, you have completed the task I gave you."

Geshu Songping gritted his teeth and said, "Even if I risk my life, I will not let your majesty down!"

A gratified smile appeared on Ge Shukui's face, and he nodded and said, "Okay, when you return victorious, I will confer the title of Prince of Pingnan on you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

"Go and prepare for war, and don't delay the military operation."

"The minister obeys the order, and the minister resigns."

Geshu Songping bowed and left.

Ge Shukui still stood there, turned to face the east, exhaled slowly, his eyes filled with resentment and loss, and whispered to himself: "Twenty-two years ago, I knew you had the potential to be a great leader, but I didn't expect you to remain calm even when you were seriously injured and on the verge of death. This battle is unavoidable after all."

"If you could give me another three years, why would I be so hasty?"...

Dajing, the capital.

After an unusually cold winter, as the weather gradually warms up, the atmosphere in the city has finally regained its vitality and liveliness.

Emperor Jingdi issued an edict to lift the martial law in the capital before the New Year. The Jinglian nobles headed by Qing Yugong behaved well and did not cause any trouble.

Perhaps there were still people harbouring ulterior motives, but Emperor Jing stubbornly endured the severe injuries, the fourth prince Hai Ge committed suicide out of fear of crime, and the third prince Wu Yan was quickly made the crown prince. The situation in the court gradually stabilized, making it impossible for those ambitious people to start.

At the same time, Emperor Jing stopped reforming the military system and adjusted a series of national policies, allowing the major forces of the Jinglian clan to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Although this fundamental contradiction cannot be completely eliminated, at least people's hearts can be calmed down in the short term and they will not be in chaos because of Emperor Jing's injury.

By the beginning of March in the ninth year of Tiande, Emperor Jing's condition had improved a lot, and no one dared to cause trouble under his nose.

Inside the imperial city, beside Taihua Pond.

The bright sunshine shines down from the sky, reflecting the sparkling waves on the lake.

A wheelchair creaked forward, and Emperor Jing was sitting on it in his casual clothes, with a pair of white hands pushing the wheelchair from behind.

Emperor Jing gently patted the armrest, and the wheelchair stopped and turned towards the lake.

He turned his head and looked at the smile on Qing Yu Huaijin's face, so he said with some emotion: "I haven't seen you smile so happily for a long time."

Qing Yu Huaijin said briskly: "Your Majesty, don't you know the reason?"

Ever since she was forced to agree to the marriage with the Fourth Prince, it was difficult for her to be cheerful. In addition, so many bad things happened later that even if she wanted to laugh, it was a cold and bitter smile. Now that Emperor Jing finally gave up suppressing the Qing Yu family, his relationship with Qing Yugong began to ease, and Qing Yu Huaijin didn't have to worry every day.

Emperor Jing asked, "Are you still blaming me in your heart?"

Qing Yu Huai Jin thought for a moment and replied, "In the beginning, there was indeed a little hatred, because His Majesty never thought of letting me marry him, he just used this marriage as bait, but later on, I no longer hated him."

"Why?"

Emperor Jing was slightly curious.

Qing Yu Huaijin said frankly: "Seeing His Majesty injured, my feelings are very complicated. I can't explain it specifically, but I no longer have any resentment."

Emperor Jing looked at the young princess with beautiful features and said slowly, "Now you are the only one who dares to speak a few sincere words in front of me."

"As long as Your Majesty allows, I will still say whatever I want to say as before."

"So best."

Emperor Jing smiled slightly and said kindly: "You have been with me in the palace for half a day. You must be a little tired. Go back and rest."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Qing Yu Huaijin bowed and said, "I will come to the palace to visit Your Majesty another day."

After leaving the palace, Qing Yu Huaijin took a carriage back to the Prince's Mansion.

When I returned to Jinyuan, a man in his thirties was already waiting for me in the inner study.

"Your Highness, I have successfully planted spies in the Crown Prince's residence. In addition, the residences of important civil and military officials such as Sagai, Abuhan, Wen Gusun, Zhao Siwen, and Xiang Ning have also gradually started operations according to your instructions."

"Be careful and cautious, don't let anyone notice anything."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Qing Yu Huaijin walked to the table and said softly, "There are nine gates in Dadu and six gates in the imperial city. This is the focus for us to find out the details. This is quite difficult, but we still have plenty of time. As long as we can make progress within a year and a half, it will be fine."

The thirty-year-old man showed a hint of excitement in his eyes, and bowed his head and said, "I understand."

"Go ahead and keep me updated on your progress."

Qing Yu Huaijin gave an order, and when the man was about to leave, he said calmly: "I don't want these trivial matters to disturb my father's peace and quiet."

The man looked up and met Qing Yu Huaijin's cold and sharp gaze. He couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart and said respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness."

(End of this chapter)