Eastern Jin Dynasty: My powerful father

Chapter 144 Dedicating the City to Surrender

At the top of Yuzhong City, Xie Ai frowned.

Although the defenders in the city firmly believed that Xie Ai could lead them to victory, Xie Ai knew in his heart that Huan Xi was not Ma Qiu, but could be regarded as a comparable opponent.

At this time, a horse rushed towards the city, and the general asked:

"Do you want to order the arrows to be released?"

Xie Ai shook his head and said:

"Let's see what his purpose is."

Seeing that there were no arrows coming from the wall, the cavalryman took courage and got closer. When he came to the bottom of the city, he looked up at the top of the city and shouted loudly:

"The general knew that Zhang Zuo wanted to harm Fulubo, so he came all the way to prevent Fulubo from going north. He was not raising troops to invade the country. Today, he sincerely invites Fulubo to come out of the city to talk!"

The cavalryman shouted three times before riding back.

Everyone on the top of the city heard clearly, and they all looked at Xie Ai, and they were all moved.

No one could have imagined that Huan Xi led his troops north not to attack Yuzhong, but just to prevent Xie Ai from going to Wuwei.

Xie Ai was even more deeply moved, and he ordered:

"Prepare my horse."

Born in Liangzhou, how could Xie Ai really not know how to ride a horse?

The generals did not stop him, but suggested that Xie Ai could bring his guards with him, just in case.

Xie Ai shook his head and said:

"Huan Gong treats me with sincerity, and he will definitely not do any harm."

After all, if Huan Xi really wanted to harm him, he would definitely not come in a hurry and leave Xie Ai in Yuzhong.

The gate of Yuzhong City slowly opened, and Xie Ai rode out of the city alone.

Quan Yiwei Huanxi pointed to the person riding in front of him and introduced:

"Lord, this person is Xie Ai."

Xie Ai did not wear a military uniform, but wore a white mourning dress outside his winter coat.

Huan Xi was about to go out to greet Xie Ai, but the generals stopped him one after another, hoping that he would put his own safety first. Huan Xi couldn't resist everyone, so he had to let Quan Yi greet Xie Ai on his behalf.

Quan Yicheng stepped forward and told Xie Ai about Huan Xi's difficulties, hoping that Xie Ai could join him in the battle.

Xie Ai nodded and said:

"It is the right thing for a son of a rich man to sit down and sit down in the hall.

"Gong Huan traveled thousands of miles to come from Chang'an. How could I care about taking a few more steps?"

Quan Yi was overjoyed and quickly led Xie Ai into the battle.

Huan Xi watched him getting closer and closer, his face becoming clearer, and he couldn't help but sigh:

"A true Confucian general."

And Xie Ai was also looking at Huan Xi who was surrounded by everyone, and praised in his heart:

"A true hero."

Although they have admired each other for a long time, this is indeed the first time the two have met.

There was still some distance before Huan Xi laughed loudly and said:

"It's really not easy to meet Fulubo."

Xie Ai came forward, got off his horse and saluted Huan Xi:

"Liangzhou thanks Ai and pays homage to Duke Huan."

Huan Xi also got off his horse, helped him up and said:

"No need to be polite, Uncle Fulu. Huan has been looking forward to you."

What he said was sincere, and Xie Ai said with emotion:

"I have official duties, so I dare not leave my post without permission. I am unable to meet Duke Huan as soon as possible."

Huan Xi nodded and asked:

"I heard someone said that Fulubo is going to Wuwei?"

Xie Ai did not hide anything and said frankly:

"When my Lord calls you, you must do it."

Huan Xi's face turned serious and he said:

"This must be Zhang Zuo's intention, why does Fulubo still want to go?

"You have the talent to help the world, how can you give it to a single man?"

Xie Ai sighed:

"Good Teach Duke Huan knows that the late master has treated me with great kindness. Xie Ai does not dare to have second thoughts. Although there is no chance of surviving this trip, he is willing to use his own life to let the people of Liangzhou recognize the traitor."

"Confused!"

Huan Xi scolded:

"In my opinion, if you go to Wuwei, it would be an act of disloyalty and injustice!"

Xie Ai was stunned.

Huan Xi continued to scold:

"The reason why Zhang Zuo didn't dare to harm Zhang Chonghua's heirs is precisely because you, Xie Ai, are still here!

"Now that Zhang Zuo is messing with the palace and bullying the young master, you should hold high the flag of righteousness, contact loyal people, and fight against the thieves together with you. How can you give up so easily!

"If you are killed, Zhang Zuo will be unscrupulous and will definitely establish himself as the lord of Liangzhou!

"He is a vicious and vicious person, so how could he raise a tiger to cause trouble? Zhang Yaoling and Zhang Xuanliang will definitely fall into his vicious hands!

"Is this how you repay Zhang Chonghua's kindness?

"Under Jiuquan, how can you see your old master again!"

Xie Ai was ashamed and speechless.

But in fact, the reason why Xie Ai was willing to die was precisely because Huan Xi was riding by his side and was unwilling to raise the flag of righteousness, causing civil strife in Qianliang.

Huan Xi could understand the other party's concerns, and he shouted:

"Thank you Ai! The person who has been kind to you is Zhang Chonghua, not the Zhang family!

"You really want to bring disaster to Zhang Chonghua's heirs in order to preserve the Zhang family's legacy!"

Xie Ai suddenly woke up and asked solemnly:

"If Duke Huan captures Liangzhou, how will he settle his former master's children?"

Huan Xi said seriously:

"How to treat Zhang Yaoling and Zhang Xuanliang is not up to me, but up to you.

"If Uncle Fulu can do his best for me, I will be able to make them enjoy wealth and prosperity, and have endless descendants."

This was the last chance Huan Xi gave Xie Ai. Even though he had said it, he still refused. No matter how much he cherished talents and loved loyal people, he must get rid of him.

Xie Ai did not hesitate. He immediately prostrated himself on the snow and said:

"Gong Huan will not give up. Ai is willing to do the hard work of dogs and horses. I only hope that Duke Huan can take care of the children of the old master and keep them alive."

Huan Xi was overjoyed. He helped Xie Ai up and said with a smile:

"Today we can win Zixiu (characterized by Xie Ai) and seize Liangzhou, it's just around the corner!"

Everyone laughed when they heard this.

Including generals, such as Deng Xia, who had been dissatisfied with Xie Ai before.

Everyone in the world loves a loyal person and is willing to be with him, especially after learning that Xie Ai was willing to die before, who would not be moved by his loyalty.

"Please wait a moment, my lord, I will offer the city to my lord right now."

Xie Ai bid farewell to Huan Xi and returned to Yuzhong alone.

The generals in the city gathered around him, wanting to know what exactly Xie Ai had talked with Huan Xi.

Xie Ai said to everyone:

"Gong Huan, the wise master of the world, I have surrendered to him.

"If you, gentlemen, are willing to assist Duke Huan with me, please follow me to the south gate to pay my respects. "Those who do not want to join me, and do not force me to do so, please leave through the north gate. "

None of the generals left, and they all shouted:

"We are willing to follow Fulubo and serve Duke Huan!"

They originally admired Xie Ai and gathered under his command. They were also not ashamed of Zhang Zuo's behavior. Now that Xie Ai is willing to choose his master, everyone is full of joy.

After a long time, under Huan Xi's gaze, the Yuzhong city gate opened again, and Xie Ai led the defenders wearing only winter clothes and no armor to file out and dedicated the city to Huan Xi.

Huan Xi smiled at Quan Yi beside him:

"Xie Ai has surrendered. As for Zhang Zuo, he is nothing more than a servant. I regard him as a dolphin and a dog!"

Immediately, he led the army to Yuzhong City and assigned troops to take over the remaining four counties of Jincheng, Baitu, Haoqian and Yunjie in Jincheng County.

Jincheng County, one of the eight counties in Liangzhou, changed its flag.

Soon, the 20,000 infantrymen who were lagging behind finally came to Yuzhong to join forces. Huan Xi issued a proclamation in Yuzhong County, making Zhang Zuo's crimes public and vowing to punish the thief.

When the message reached Wuwei, Zhang Zuo was horrified. The situation he was most worried about appeared, and Xie Ai really led the wolf into the house.

However, Zhang Zuo could not just surrender. He quickly characterized Xie Ai as a traitor and colluding with foreign thieves, and at the same time refuted Huan Xi's accusations against him in his confession.

Zhang Zuo gathered 30,000 cavalry around Wuwei, but he was not ready to attack.

He knew very well how he could be Huan Xi and Xie Ai's opponent in a head-on battle.

Especially Xie Ai and Zhang Zuo witnessed with their own eyes how the other party treated the post-Zhao generals as experience babies.

Zhang Zuo discussed with his brothers Zhao Chang, Wei Ji and others:

"Huan Xi and Xie Ai are good at using troops, and the situation is unpredictable. At this time, we have to hold on to the city and retreat when Huan Xi runs out of food."

Wei Ji heard this and offered a plan:

"I heard that Fu Jian and Huan Xi have a son-killing feud. My brother can send an envoy to the east via Monan to persuade Fu Jian to attack behind him. Huan Xi will definitely bring troops back to help."

Zhang Zuo was overjoyed and immediately acted according to Wei Ji's words.

Just when the Liangzhou War was about to break out, Huan Wen's impeachment memorial was also sent to Jiankang.

Taicheng, main hall.

All the officials in the palace were as silent as a cicada.

Huan Wen listed Yin Hao's crimes in his memorial and stated that even if Yin Hao was not killed, he would still have to be demoted to a commoner and sent to a remote place.

If it was just targeting Yin Hao, there was no need for anyone to be afraid, but Huan Wen's claim that he would lead 50,000 troops to ride east to serve as king was really nerve-wracking.

After the failure of Yin Hao's Northern Expedition, although more than 30,000 people fled back, these frightened defeated soldiers did not have a period of time to heal their psychological trauma, which was embarrassing.

How could the imperial court have the strength to resist Huan Wen's flow down the river?

At this time, Huan Wen had already marched into Xiakou. When the ministers were at a loss, Wang Tanzhi stepped forward and volunteered, willing to serve as an envoy to persuade Huan Wen to stop his troops.

Sima Yu was overjoyed and first asked Empress Dowager Chu to issue an edict to demote Yin Hao to a commoner and exile him to Xin'an County, Dongyang County (now Quzhou, Zhejiang), hoping to calm Huan Wen's anger.

He also personally sent Wang Tanzhi out of Jiankang. When he was leaving, he held hands and said to each other:

"The safety of the Jin family depends on this trip. I hope you will work hard."

Wang Tanzhi said seriously:

"The humble position will ensure that the Jin Dynasty and the country are in danger and restored to peace, and will live up to the trust of the king."

Wang Tanzhi was Huan Wen who paid a visit to Yuzhang County in Jiangzhou.

When the old friends met again, Wang Tanzhi saluted respectfully, and Huan Wen said calmly:

"Wen Du is going on this trip to be a lobbyist for Shen Yuan (Yin Hao)?"

Wang Tanzhi replied:

"The general doesn't know something. The Queen Mother has issued an edict to depose Shen Yuan to a commoner and send him to Xin'an."

Huan Wen finally waited for this opportunity, so how could he be satisfied with it? He snorted coldly:

"The chaos in the north is a great opportunity to recover the Central Plains. I have always cherished the ambition of the Northern Expedition, but the court has always refused to allow it. I guess Yin Hao is not the only one who is obstructing this."

Wang Tanzhi heard this and asked:

"Previously, Yao Xiang had repented and apologized. The Queen Mother understood that he was persecuted by Yin Hao and issued an edict to pardon him.

"There are no bandits around Jiankang. I would like to ask the general, when he goes eastward, is he trying to serve the king, or is he raising troops to invade the country?"

Huan Wen was furious:

"After years of accumulation, it was destroyed in one fell swoop. Thirty thousand soldiers and their corpses lay everywhere. It was all the fault of Yin Hao and Yao Xiang!

"Now that Yin Hao is far away, how can Yao Xiang tolerate him so lightly?"

Wang Tanzhi was not panicked, he said calmly:

"In that case, I also ask the general to move to the north of the Yangtze River to attack Yao Xiang."

Huan Wen was dumbfounded. This time, he was just trying to force the court to gain more power and benefits for himself, rather than really wanting to fight to the death with Yao Xiang in Huainan.

Of course, Yao Xiang would have to deal with it sooner or later, but not now.

In fact, Wang Tanzhi saw through this and took the initiative to request to be an envoy to negotiate with Huan Wen.

Seeing that Huan Wen was speechless, Wang Tanzhi continued:

"If the general can withdraw his troops, Wang will guarantee with his life and property that he will ask the general to supervise the military affairs of Guangzhou and Guangzhou."

Huan Wen shook his head and said:

"I have no intention of making friends with Guangzhou. I hope to serve as the governor of Jiangzhou, the shepherd of Yangzhou, and the commander-in-chief of all Chinese and foreign military forces."

Wang Tanzhi's expression changed greatly. Jiangzhou was the gateway to the defense of the Western Fan, and Yangzhou was the seat of the capital. How could he be easily given up to the Huan family, especially the position of Yangzhou Shepherd? He must not be allowed to do so.

Not to mention the post of military commander at home and abroad. Although more than half of the Northern Expedition's infantry and cavalry were lost, the Jiangdong navy was still there. It was the threat of this navy that made Yao Xiang dare not cross the river rashly.

Of course Wang Tanzhi could not agree to these conditions, he said angrily:

"In this case, the general can march straight in, but we can only lead the Qiang people across the river to Qin Wang!"

Faced with Wang Tanzhi breaking the jar, Huan Wen hesitated.

In fact, the current Huan Wen is no longer the hero who dared to lead 10,000 elite troops to destroy the country under the instigation of Huan Xi and Yuan Qiao.

Now that his family is big and his business is big, Huan Wen wants to win but is afraid of losing, so he has more worries.

In the original time and space, Huan Wen's first Northern Expedition, with Chang'an right in front of him, was lingering on Ba Shang and holding back on stationing troops. It was always because of this mentality.

Of course, he also knew that Wang Tanzhi was just making alarmist remarks. If he really dared to lure Yao Xiang across the river, no matter who he was, he would definitely bear the infamy for a long time.

However, Huan Wen finally changed his conditions:

"The governor of Jiangzhou will supervise the military affairs of Jiaozhou and Guangzhou. The imperial court will not interfere with the military affairs of the Western Fan in the future. You go back and tell the King of Kuaiji that if you are willing to agree, I will stop the army.

"If you don't want to, you can lead the Qiang people across the river. I and Yao Xiang will have a showdown outside Jiankang City."

If it was just the military power of Jiaozhou and Guangzhou, Wang Tanzhi could promise it on his behalf. After all, the current level of development in the Lingnan area was not high and it was not the core area of ​​the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

It was also agreed that the imperial court would not interfere with Huan Xi's military operations in the future. After all, after Yin Hao was exiled, no one in the imperial court could stand up to Huan Wen.

However, it was not Wang Tanzhi's decision to decide who the governor of Jiangzhou was.

Jiangzhou is located between Jingzhou and Yangzhou, and has jurisdiction over ten counties including Yuzhang, Poyang, Luling, Linchuan, Nankang, Jian'an, Jin'an, Wuchang, Guiyang, and Ancheng.

If controlled by Jingzhou, Xifan could directly threaten Jiankang.

If controlled by Jiangdong, Jingzhou Fangzhen will also be controlled by the imperial court.

Huan Wen had tried to send troops to the Northern Expedition several times before, but was recalled by the imperial court. The reason why he did not dare to disobey orders was because he was afraid that after he went north, the imperial court would use this as an excuse to send troops from Jiangzhou to attack Jingzhou.

As long as Jiangzhou is in his hands and guarded by his confidants, Huan Wen will no longer be restrained by the court in the future.

This is also the main purpose of his trip. It is to seize Jiangzhou and eliminate the threat of the imperial court to Jingzhou. From then on, he will be like a dragon entering the sea and will no longer be fettered.

After all, Huan Wen did not lose his mind. Because Yin Hao failed in the Northern Expedition, he really raised troops to attack the imperial court.

(End of this chapter)