Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 196 Recovering Yili City
A quarter of an hour later.

Song Sheng and Song Xuan were escorted by a group of soldiers to the shantytown.

They found hundreds of refugees queuing up to receive rice porridge in an orderly manner. Among these refugees, there were many Westerners with curly hair and high nose bridges.

"Are these people from the Western Regions also fleeing?"

Song Sheng looked at the refugees dressed as Westerners in the team and asked Song Xuan, who was wearing the general's flag armor next to him.

Song Xuan replied: "That's right. The captain of the city gate registered the name, place of origin and other details of each refugee one by one, because he was worried that enemy spies would mix in."

While the father and son were having a conversation, Fang Ting, who had just finished a bowl of rice porridge and was standing beside the shed pillar in the distance in despair, suddenly saw Song Xuan wearing the general's flag armor.

When she saw Song Xuan's attire, she instantly remembered Liu Zongqi, who was riding on a horse and hacking her father to death with a knife a few days ago.

In Fang Ting's heart, her father and brother both died at the hands of Liu Zongqi, and her extreme anger quickly overcame her reason.

So, she suddenly burst into flames and ran towards Song Xuan at an extremely fast speed, while shouting heartbreakingly: "Robbers, you robbers and murderers! Give back the lives of my father and brother!"

The officers and soldiers behind Song Xuan were startled when they saw a disheveled woman suddenly rushing toward the young master they were protecting. Fortunately, the officers and soldiers did not react slowly. They quickly drew out their machetes and rushed forward to block the woman's way.

Fang Ting's speed was so fast that she couldn't stop for a while, and she never thought about stopping.

She directly hit the tips of the knives in the hands of the officers and soldiers and shouted: "Kill me too!"

The leader among the officers and soldiers was Song Sheng's personal guard. This man was highly skilled in martial arts. When he saw Fang Ting approaching, he immediately jumped up and kicked Fang Ting. The next moment, he kicked Fang Ting to the ground, followed by two Officers and soldiers rushed forward and detained Fang Ting one on the left and one on the right.

"She dared to assassinate a court official in the street. She was obviously a dead soldier of the enemy. She was taken away and tortured."

Song Xuan ordered the officers and soldiers.

After Fang Ting was knocked to the ground, her mind had regained consciousness. When she saw that Song Xuan didn't look like Liu Zongqi, she was a little disappointed, and then she said bitterly: "You are the robbers who are like snakes and rats, now that I have killed My father and brother, kill me too now!"

Not far away, brothers Kaimu and Kaluti, who had rescued Fang Ting from the dead, saw that Fang Ting was being held by officers and soldiers. They were afraid of getting into trouble and did not dare to stand up and explain the reason.

"Put her down."

Song Xuan raised his hand and said with a gloomy face.

"Yes."

A group of officers and soldiers immediately took orders.

At this time, seeing that the officers and soldiers were about to take Fang Ting away, Gu Bonian, a big businessman who came to check the porridge shed this morning, finally recognized Fang Ting. He quickly squeezed out of the crowd, raised his hands and shouted: "Wait a minute!"

"Who are you?"

Song Xuan asked sharply as he looked at the middle-aged businessman with a goatee on his chin walking towards him.

"Back to the main banner, I am Gu Bonian, a businessman from Jiangnan."

Gu Bonian was not timid at all. He raised his hands to Song Xuan and the old man (Song Sheng) who had an extraordinary bearing and looked familiar behind him and said, "Please let the commander-in-chief let this girl go. She is a crazy woman."

"Uncle Gu, Uncle Gu!"

Fang Ting recognized Gu Bonian at this time, struggled and shouted.

Gu Bonian turned around to comfort Fang Ting and said, "Don't be afraid, my child. The officers and soldiers in Hami City are all good people."

"Do you know her?" Song Xuan asked.

When Gu Bonian heard Song Xuan's question, he immediately turned around, took a closer look, and found that the old man behind Song Xuan was the Marquis of Xining.

So, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "I have been doing business in Turpan for the past six months, and I am friends with her father. Please show mercy to the Marquis of Xining and forgive her! She is a poor child."

Song Sheng also recognized the big businessman Gu Bonian. He stepped forward without hesitation, helped Gu Bonian up, then looked at Fang Ting aside and said: "Boss Gu, you said you and this girl's father are the same." Friend, what’s her father’s name?”

"Her father's name is Fang Yannian. He is a businessman from Ninghai County, Taizhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. He is from the same hometown as me."

After Gu Bonian stood up, he bowed and replied.

"A native of Ninghai County, Taizhou Prefecture?" Song Sheng wondered, "Could he be a relative of Mr. Zhengxue (Fang Xiaoru)?"

Gu Bonian said: "Exactly."

After hearing this, Song Sheng simply ordered the officers and soldiers who detained Fang Ting: "Release her."

After Fang Ting was freed, she immediately rushed to Gu Bonian and cried: "Uncle Gu!"

"Son, how did you come to Hami?" Gu Bonian asked.

Fang Ting replied: "My father and my brother were killed by the officers and soldiers of Turpan Mountain City!"

"Let's go back to the command office and talk about it later."

After hearing what Fang Ting said, Song Sheng knew that there must be something hidden in it, so he opened his mouth and gave instructions to Song Xuan and others.

After half an hour.

The living room in the backyard of the government office.

After Song Xuan sent Gu Bonian and Fang Ting away and came back, he saw Song Sheng's face was terrifyingly gloomy.

"Dad, I'm afraid there is a misunderstanding about this matter." Song Xuan said bluntly.

"Yes, it stands to reason that Marquis Ping would not do such a thing of killing people and grabbing food. There must be some misunderstanding here."

Song Sheng said in a deep voice: "Song Xuan, send spies to Turpan Mountain City to find out what is going on. In addition, find someone to ask among the refugee groups to see if there is anyone who knows about it."

"Yes." Song Xuan bowed.

a few days later.

In the backyard of the government office.

Xininghou's study.

Song Sheng and Song Xuan, father and son, were discussing Tan Yuan's killing of people to seize food.

Song Xuan said doubtfully: "Dad, according to my son's investigation, it can be confirmed that the commander-in-chief who killed Fang Yannian was named Liu. He kept saying that he was a subordinate of General Tan, and the only general named Tan under Marquis Ping was Tan Yuan. But Tan No matter how bloodthirsty Yuan is, it is impossible for him to send people to kill people and seize food?"

"While you were investigating the details in the past few days, there was an endless stream of Turpan people who came to the command office to complain. When talking about General Tan, they all gnashed their teeth."

Song Sheng clenched his fists and said, "This cannot be done falsely. It must have been done by Tan Yuan. On the grounds that the army was short of food, he forcibly requisitioned food from merchants and common people, and after killing innocent people indiscriminately, he posted notices everywhere to make false accusations. It's shameful to describe him as a hero who kills traitors and traitors!"

"Song Xuan, I will serve you with pen and ink. My father wants to severely impeach Turpan General Tan Yuan. At the same time, I have to deal with Turpan General Zhang Yu for indulging in corruption and perverting the law by his subordinate generals."

Song Xuan hurriedly advised: "Dad, don't you always say that the most taboo thing among border generals is internal fighting? Although Pinghou is a third-class marquis, he is still a marquis after all. His daughter is married to the Crown Prince, no? It’s so annoying! What’s more, most of the people Tan Shen killed were native residents of Turpan, but he killed only a dozen Ming businessmen.”

"Since ancient times, the reason why there have been constant rebellions in the Western Regions is because there are generals like Tan Yuan who do not regard the people of the Western Regions as human beings! They conquered the conquered lands and raped their bones and sucked out their marrow!"

Song Sheng said angrily: "In the past, my father was polite to Pinghou because of the prince's face. Now Pinghou's general Tan Yuan is killing people indiscriminately. No matter what, I cannot tolerate the officers and soldiers bullying the people." Western Region. This matter must be reported to the imperial court, otherwise the imperial court will know about it and will not punish Pinghou, but will also punish the father for neglecting his duties!"

When he said this, he looked at Song Xuan and said, "Come here, I'll read it and you write it."

"Dad, Marquis Ping is His Majesty's former subordinate and a close confidant. You can just join Tan Yuan. If you join with Marquis Ping and make His Majesty unhappy, what should we do?"

Song Xuan said worriedly.

"Damn you!" Song Sheng pointed at the bridge of Song Xuan's nose and cursed first, and then scolded: "I asked you why your courage has become so weak today. Didn't you fear nothing before? When you kill the enemy, you can I’ve never been so hesitant as I am now!”

"Dad, this is different. The Zhang family is now a relative."

Song Xuan answered bravely.

Song Sheng took back his hand, pinched his waist with both hands in anger, glared at Song Xuan, and asked loudly: "I will take care of this big thing, you and I! Will you write it? If you don't write it, I will write it myself! "

"Son writes!"

Song Xuan said helplessly.

After 20 days.

The sun in early winter gradually rose into the sky, and the temperature between heaven and earth also increased a lot.

The back hall of Chunhe Hall.

"His Royal Highness has returned from the imperial court."

Zhang Yuerong came to Zhu Gaoxu with a cup of hot tea and said softly: "Your Highness, this tea from Zhancheng Mountain was sent from Annan by my brother Zhang Fu."

Zhu Gaoxu sat cross-legged on the couch, looked at Zhang Yuerong and said, "Marquis Ping is in trouble this time."

"What's the trouble?"

Zhang Yuerong's expression changed when he heard this, and he almost knocked over the tea cup in his hand. Fortunately, Zhu Gaoxu had quick eyes and quick hands and took the cup of tea.

"His general Tan Yuan committed a crime and fell into the hands of the Marquis of Xining."

Zhu Gaoxu opened the lid, blew on the tea, and said slowly.

Zhang Yuerong said in confusion: "The Marquis of Xining is the chief military officer of Gansu, and my father is the garrison of Turpan. There is no subordinate relationship between the two. It can be said that water in a well does not interfere with the river. How did they meet?"

"Marquis Ping is a good defender of Turpan, but Turpan is under the control of Marquis Xining, the commander-in-chief of Gansu Province. How come we can't meet him?"

Zhu Gaoxu took a sip of tea and continued: "The Marquis of Xining sent a letter to the court to impeach Tan Yuan for extorting excessive taxes and unjustly killing innocent people. He also impeached Marquis Ping for his lax governance and indulging in the generals under his command."

"His Majesty Father read the memorial and was furious. He ordered Pinghou and Tan Yuan to serve as scapegoats and temporarily handle military affairs. After Cao Guogong and Qihou led their troops to recover the entire territory of Turpan, they would be transferred back. The capital is on trial.”

Qiu Fu once led his troops to take advantage of the road and was familiar with the terrain there. He had followed Cao Guogong to Guanxi 20 days ago.

"Your Highness, my father is guilty of lax governance. How do you plan to deal with it?"

Zhang Yuerong couldn't help but ask.

"Although I am the prince, I can't control everything. In this Ming Dynasty, it seems that His Majesty the Father has the final say, but His Majesty the Father can't do whatever he wants."

Zhu Gaoxu said bluntly: "According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, the generals were not strict in their governance, which led to the officers and soldiers under his command causing trouble to the people. In the light cases, they were dismissed from their posts and investigated, and in the worst case, they were even beheaded."

Zhang Yuerong suddenly knelt down and kowtowed, crying: "I beg Your Highness to think of a way to save my father's life!"

"If my father treats Pinghou leniently, it will be difficult to silence everyone. Fortunately, Pinghou has a marquis. Although the death penalty can be avoided, he cannot escape the living crime. If he is dealt with harshly, I am afraid he will be expelled and imprisoned."

Zhu Gaoxu helped Zhang Yuerong up and said comfortingly: "You don't have to worry too much. Father knows what he is doing."

Naturally, he would not tell Zhang Yuerong that according to the information sent back by Jin Yiwei's spies, it was true that Tan Yuan's troops killed innocent people indiscriminately, but most of them were natives of the Western Regions, and the purpose was to raise military rations.

Based on his understanding of Zhu Di, he would probably fight Tan Yuan to the end and use Liu Zongqi's life to calm the anger of the people.

After all, the grievances have their owners, and the debts have their owners. The fact is that Liu Zongqi committed evil under the banner of Tan Yuan, and it was not Tan Yuan who ordered indiscriminate killings and food seizures.

Zhu Gaoxu added: "There is also a possibility that Pinghou will use the help of reinforcements to regain the entire territory of Turpan and make the merits unworthy."

"As long as I can save my life."

Zhang Yuerong stood up and wiped his tears and said, "The rest doesn't matter."

at the same time.

Thousands of miles away.

Snowflakes were floating in the sky.

Also try to control the inner city, sixty miles to the west.

In the king's tent in Timur's military camp.

"No one can hide it from my eagle-like eyes. The Ming Dynasty's previous claim to send Cao Guogong out to quell the chaos in Yili was just a bluff and show-off. Not long after the Ming Dynasty conquered Annan, there was another Oara tribe in the north. With the intrusion of the Tatar tribe, there is no time at all to use large-scale troops against the Western Regions."

Timur sat in the main seat, looking down at the generals on the left and right under his command, and said: "Time waits for no one. I decided to take command of the expedition myself before the cold winter comes, and capture Yili City. In the future, I can use the Ili Valley as the base camp for the Eastern Expedition." The Ming Dynasty restored the vast territory laid down by Genghis Khan.”

“My wise Great Khan, why use a bull’s knife to kill a chicken?”

General Minmin Buhua said respectfully: "Kudhada personally led the troops to besiege the mountain city built by the Ming army in Turpan. Although Yili had [-] elite soldiers in the inner city, the guarding general Hachagan was Nanaha's younger brother. Greed for money and lust is nothing to be afraid of.”

"The capture of Yilibaili City is of extraordinary significance, and we cannot be careless. I want the flag of Timur's Kingdom to be planted throughout the entire Ili Valley. In the future, it will be flying in the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, and even in Turpan and Hami. The flag of the Mu’er Kingdom!”

Timur said loudly and ambitiously.

"Great Khan, I think we can't rush eastward. After all, Husada has the support of King Wala behind him. Even if we capture Yilili City, it will be difficult to drive Husada's forces out of the Western Region in a while. It would be better to wait until both the Ming army and Husaida are defeated, and then we ambush Husaida on his only way back to the city and completely eliminate his main force."

Minmin Buhua offered advice.

Timur said happily: "It's a good idea to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight. This is a very good plan!"

After a pause, he asked: "Can you tell who the Ming Emperor plans to send to clean up the mess in Yili?"

"The Ming Emperor initially planned to send the young aristocrat Cao Guogong to the Western Expedition, but later he changed his mind for some unknown reason and only asked him to lead the troops to recapture Turpan. As for the commander of the Ming Dynasty's future Western Expedition, I think the Ming Emperor will use Song Sheng, the Marquis of Xining."

Minmin Buhua replied.

Tamerlane stroked his beard and asked, "I'm afraid this old man only has a few years to live, right?"

Min Min Bu Hua said: "The Great Khan must not underestimate the Marquis of Xining."

"Does he have three heads and six arms?" Timur asked with a smile.

Min Min said indifferently: "Haha, that's not true."

Timur said: "It's not three heads and six arms. What's there to be afraid of?"

"Haha." The king and his ministers looked at each other and smiled.

Timur said again: "It would be too pitiful for the Ming court to send this old man to go on an expedition. In this way, you can send people to have spies lurking in the Ming Dynasty go to the capital of the Ming Dynasty and build a secret passage with gold, silver and jewels directly to the Ming court. In the hearts of those in power, let them not send the Marquis of Xining to lead an army to the west, lest he be buried in the desert with his old bones."

Minmin Buhua smiled and said: "Haha, Dahan is really a bodhisattva."

He paused and then continued: "But after our spies arrive in the capital, who will they look for to guide them?"

“Give them money and let them use their money to clear the way.”

Timur smiled sinisterly and said, "Hey, remember, no matter how noble a friend is, you can make one with money."

(End of this chapter)