Great Zhou Empire: Kill Zhao Kuangyin at the beginning

Chapter 51 Commander Li Chongjin (Special thanks to book friends 3302...6931 for their monthly votes!)

After several days of preparing food, grass and military supplies, Han Hui, Zhang Yong, and Cao Bin were enthroned by Emperor Chai Zongxun at the "Sheji Altar" outside the Daqing Gate of the south gate of the Bianjing Palace on September 28, the first year of Kaixi. After paying homage to the general, he led an army of 82,000 troops and set off for Yangzhou.

Before leaving, Chai Zongxun summoned Zhang Yong to his side and secretly told him:
"Zhang Aiqing, when the army goes out, intelligence comes first.

During this expedition to Jinling, Han Lingkun's movements must be monitored in advance. If it is bound to rebel, it is best to kill it before it rebels!
Of course, Zhang Aiqing will make a decision when the opportunity arises and not make unnecessary sacrifices. For me, the safe return of the three Aiqings and the sergeants of the three armed forces is the most important thing. "

The news that the Zhou court sent more than 80,000 troops to conquer the Tang Dynasty quickly reached Li Chongjin, the returned German army stationed in Ying, Mo and Yi continents.

Li Chongjin summoned his brother Li Chongzan and his son Li Yanfu to discuss the matter at the Jiedu Envoy's house.

Li Chongjin said: "Although the emperor is young, it is wise to send a large army to the Tang Dynasty this time. Instead of Zhang Yongde, he used the deputy capital commander Han Hui and the military and horse supervisor Cao Bin to lead the bodyguard and military division. This shows his wisdom."

Li Chongzan asked doubtfully: "Brother, do you mean that the young emperor has understood the strategy of dividing and balancing the generals in the army?
This is unlikely, right? After all, the little emperor is only eight years old this year. "

When Sejong Chai Rong was critically ill, although Zhang Yongde, who was the inspector in front of the Forbidden Army Palace at that time, was reprimanded because of the "inspection of the Emperor's wooden sign", he still retained Li Chongjin as the commander of the imperial guard's army. Li Chongjin, the nephew of Guo Wei, trusted him.

After Shizong's death, ministers such as Fan Zhi and Wang Pu made suggestions to Empress Dowager Fu and demoted Li Chongjin to Huainan Jiedushi.

Li Chongjin joined the army with his uncle Guo Wei since he was a child. It can be said that his current position in the Zhou military system was achieved with his swords and spears and battles.

Li Yanfu complained:

"My lord father, when the Queen Mother and the young emperor killed Zhao Ni's party, my lord father made great achievements.

However, the imperial court only appointed my father as the commander of the returning German army, while the two elite imperial guards' front division and bodyguard's personal division were handed over to Han Tong and Zhang Yongde respectively!
Han Tong paid it back, after all, the broken arm helped the young emperor to kill Zhao Ni and his party in the martial arts palace.

However, Zhang Yongde has always been at odds with his father. During the late emperor's reign, he had tried to slander his father many times!

Taizu was my father's uncle, so he was much closer than Zhang Yongde, who was just the son-in-law of Taizu, an outsider!
The Queen Mother and the Little Emperor are really confused! "

Li Chongjin scolded:
"Fu'er is talking nonsense!
The Queen Mother and Her Majesty said that the returned German army belonged to me, and also entrusted me with the heavy responsibility of defending the three states of Youzhou, which shows their great trust in me.

Moreover, the three-year rotation system for the senior generals in His Majesty's new army is very fair.

In my opinion, although His Majesty is young, he will become the wise master of my great Zhou Dynasty in the future! "

Li Chong praised: "Brother, this time the Queen Mother and the Young Emperor sent troops to rescue Liu Congxiao and attack Jinling of the Tang Dynasty. What do you think the chances of winning are?"

Li Chongjin pondered for a moment and said:
"Li Jing, the leader of the Tang Dynasty, indulged in poetry, poetry, and poetry, and also loved beauties and wine. His administration was chaotic and his army was weak.

In my opinion, the most dangerous part of this expedition is not the Tang Dynasty, but Han Lingkun, the military governor of Huainan! "

After hearing this, Li Chongzan and Li Yanfu both became thoughtful.

After a moment, Li Yanfu suddenly said:

"Father, are you saying that Han Lingkun may be plotting rebellion?!"

Li Chongjin nodded.

Li Chongzan hesitated and said:

"This Han Lingkun has always had a close friendship with Zhao Ni in the army, and His Majesty replaced Han Lingkun's Tianping Army with his eldest brother's German army to guard the three states of Youzhou, leaving Han Lingkun with only Huaizhou and Yangzhou. I'm afraid he is indeed dissatisfied.

But brother, he shouldn’t dare to rebel against me, Da Zhou? "

Li Chongjin snorted coldly and said disdainfully:
"Han Lingkun is greedy for money, lustful, and arrogant. I am afraid that the leader of the Tang Dynasty, Li Jingjunchen, is good at wooing him and may have a crush on him!
If so, it's hard to say whether Han Lingkun will rebel against me, Da Zhou! Li Yanfu said hurriedly:
"Since Father has such concerns, we will write to the Queen Mother and Her Majesty immediately so that they can be wary of Han Lingkun.

To show my Li family’s loyalty to the Queen Mother and Your Majesty! "

Li Chongjin nodded after hearing this, and the three of them immediately ordered their confidants to enter the palace, and discussed writing a memorial to be submitted to the Queen Mother and the Young Emperor.

Six days later, Chai Zongxun received an urgent memorial from Li Chongjin of Youzhou in Bianjing, and he was satisfied:

"Li Chongjin is Taizu's nephew and has always been loyal to me, Great Zhou.

Although when Taizu passed away, he was dissatisfied with his father taking over the throne, but after Taizu ordered him to perform the courtesy of a king and a minister to his father in front of his sick bed, Li Chongjin was always able to abide by his ministerial principles.

His father conquered the Southern Tang Dynasty three times and captured all the land in Huainan. Under his father's order, Li Chongjin fought bravely to conquer and made great achievements.

Therefore, when his father was critically ill, he still retained Li Chongjin as the commander of the Imperial Guard and Military Division, entrusting him with important responsibilities.

Fan Zhi, Wei Renpu and other ministers in the court were all idiots. They actually listened to the instigation of Wang Pu and thought Li Chongjin would rebel? He is really a fool who follows what others say!

Didn't he resist Li Chongjin's attempt to seize the power of commanding and envoying the Imperial Guard and Army? It only benefited the thief Zhao Ni at that time. "

Chai Zongxun immediately wrote an imperial edict in reply to Li Chongjin, praising him for his loyalty and saying that he had been wary of Han Lingkun, the military governor of Huainan.

When Li Chongjin and others were secretly discussing the affairs of Huainan in Youzhou, Han Hui, Zhang Yong, and Cao Bin had marched for 16 days with an army of 82,000, and arrived at Hao on October 15th of the first year of Kaixi. It is only three days away from Yangzhou, which is across the river from Jinling.

At noon, near Feishui, the entire army gathered for a meal, and Han Hui and three other people gathered in the main tent to discuss the military situation.

Han Hui said in the main seat:
“Our army will enter Yangzhou City in three days.

Since His Majesty ordered us to be on guard against Han Lingkun, the military governor of Huainan, our army will set up its own camp after arriving in Yangzhou and strictly guard it! "

Cao Bin has been in the army since he was more than ten years old. He is experienced in the army and immediately said:

"Commander Han, the army must also be careful about water sources. It is best to set up camp beside the river and send scouts to patrol upstream of the water source."

Han Hui knew that he had little experience in commanding an army in actual combat. Emperor Chai Zongxun sent Cao Bin to serve as his marching guide. He said happily:
"General Cao has rich experience in battle formations and his advice is excellent, so he will handle it accordingly."

Cao Bin cupped his hands and thanked him.

Zhang Yong said: "Commander Han, since our army is close to Yangzhou, I will lead my "Long Xiang Guard" reconnaissance cavalry to go out to find out the intelligence of Yangzhou and Huainan.

The lower official went to Yangzhou to monitor the movements of Han Lingkun, the military envoy of Huainan Festival, so as to facilitate our army's preparation! "

After nearly half a year of rigorous training, Zhang Yong has made the "Long Xiang Guard" sergeant proficient in scouting, messaging and assassination. It is equivalent to the combination of "Jinyi Guard" and "Ye Bu Shu" in Chai Zongxun's previous life. Capable of both.

Han Hui nodded and said:
"Then there will be a lot of work to do.

Understanding Han Lingkun's movements will be of great benefit to our army's operations and prevent us from being caught off guard.

I hope Han Lingkun will not be so stupid that he colludes with the Tang State and betrays me, the Zhou Dynasty! "

After Zhang Yong and other "Longxiang Guard" sergeants had lunch, they left the camp and set off. Most of them scattered to explore various places in Huainan, and a few people sneaked into Jinling in the Southern Tang Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)