Han ride

Chapter 427

The butler kept nodding his head when he heard the words, this Li Xin acted first, now who in the entire capital is not calling for Li Xin's grievances, the tens of thousands of troops originally went south to help the court put down the rebellion, but they were plotted by others, not only the army was killing Hukou was intercepted, and even his old nest, Yunzhong, was attacked by others, and he was about to become a bereaved dog.Such people are the easiest to arouse the sympathy of others.Now Jiang Guan sent someone to send a memorial, asking the court to declare Li Xin a traitor. Only the two parties know who is right and who is wrong here, and only cabinet ministers like Wen Tiren know the mystery.Of course, there is another person, Chongzhen knows.

If there were no such rumors in Beijing, Chongzhen could naturally issue an order without hesitation, accusing Li Xin of treason and depriving him of his official title.But in the current situation, Emperor Chongzhen really couldn't say anything.Otherwise, people all over the world will point their finger at Chongzhen. How could Chongzhen, a person with good face and reputation, do such a thing!So Li Xin's move was too cruel, even if he wanted to force Emperor Chongzhen to swallow his teeth even if he broke his teeth.

"My lord, the emperor asked you to enter the palace to talk." At this time, another servant from outside came to report.

After Wen Tiren heard about it, he immediately sighed, and said, "I knew this before, so why bother. Now it's all right, let the old man figure out a way, it's really difficult!" Even so, Wen Tiren still asked people to clean up Fan got on the sedan chair and went straight to the palace.

In the South Study Room of the Imperial Palace, Emperor Chongzhen did not invite many people.It's just him and Wen Tiren, and the other one is naturally Wang Chengen, a good servant.

"My minister has seen the emperor." Wen Tiren saluted respectfully.

"Sir, get up!" Emperor Chongzhen's voice was full of exhaustion. Originally, when he heard that Li Xin sent troops, he was happy for several days, but as the battle progressed, he became a little anxious. When Guan gave the report, he became even more furious. Just as he was preparing to decree to abolish Li Xin's title, Luo Yangxing, the governor of Jinyiwei, personally attacked and passed the market rumors to Chongzhen. Chongzhen was stunned all of a sudden.After much deliberation, someone brought Wen Tiren over. He needed to discuss with Wen Tiren how to deal with this matter.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wen Tiren stood aside respectfully, waiting for Chongzhen's words.

"Sir, I am ashamed this time." Emperor Chongzhen sighed softly: "I didn't expect Li Xin to be so powerful. He broke through Shahukou in one breath, occupied Shahu Fort, and destroyed Mayinghe Fort. The loss of ten thousand troops is all my fault."

After hearing this, Wen Tiren felt a burst of disdain in his heart. This is the case with Emperor Chongzhen. He sighed immediately: "Yang Sichang didn't handle things well, let Li Xin know the news, and now he is famous in the capital. I don't know how His Majesty thinks how to deal with it?"

"What do you think sir?" Emperor Chongzhen thought for a while and asked, "Is there any chance of victory in this battle?"

Wen Tiren thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, what I think the outcome of this matter depends on whether Jiang Yu can block Li Xin's attack, and whether Yang Sichang's troops can quickly occupy Yunzhong. If Yang Sichang can quickly occupy Yunzhong, then Li Xin must Defeated." Hearing Chongzhen's tone, Wen Tiren knew that Chongzhen didn't want to fail, and wanted to defeat Li Xin, so he simply followed Chongzhen's idea, but he had other plans, which was to find ways to get rid of Yang Sichang, Or it is to blow Yang Sichang's impression in Chongzhen's heart.Can Yang Sichang capture Yunzhong quickly?According to Wen Tiren's guess about Li Xin, this chance is probably very small. In this way, after the failure, Chongzhen must place the responsibility on Yang Sichang.

"Can Yang Sichang do it?" Chongzhen hesitated at this moment.Although he believes in Yang Sichang, he still doubts whether Yang Sichang can take on such an important task. The army of the Ming Dynasty has not entered the grassland for a long time. The 10,000+ army marched north to Yunzhong. Chongzhen was really not sure how to deal with Li Xin.

"Perhaps Hong Chengchou can be added to this." Wen Tiren thought for a while and said, "Hong Chengchou sits in Yulin, and the emperor can order Hong Chengchou to send troops, but we must be careful about the timing. Or let Li Xin's army enter a place far away from Datong, or even under the city of Datong, so that once Li Xin knows that there are police in Yunzhong, he will not have time to rescue Yunzhong."

"En." Emperor Chongzhen nodded, and then said: "What will happen to the rumors outside the palace now? If this matter drags on for a long time, it will be detrimental to the court's reputation!"

Wen Tiren understands that this matter cannot be delayed for a long time. Once it is delayed for a long time, it will be tantamount to making people in the world think that this matter has something to do with Chongzhen. The reason behind the killing of Hukou is not just as simple as the cabinet, even Emperor Chongzhen will Affected, this is why Emperor Chongzhen wanted Wen Tiren to enter the palace so urgently.He thought for a while and said: "The general is out, and the king's order is not acceptable. Your Majesty, this Shahukou is too far away from the capital. How do we know what happened there? I think that this matter still needs to send someone It’s good to go to Shahukou to investigate. Both Jiang Yu and Li Xin are the pillars of the imperial court. Because of a small misunderstanding, the Northwest of the Ming Dynasty should not be re-emerged. This is the minister’s point of view, and please ask the emperor to help arbitrary."

After Chongzhen heard this, his eyes lit up immediately, and he looked at Wen Tiren with strange eyes. Wen Tiren's method was very simple, that is, one word "drag". Although the imperial court sent people to investigate the situation, when will the investigation be done Can we draw conclusions?Wen Tiren wanted to delay the matter until the end. If Li Xin won in the end, he would naturally find someone to take the place of the dead. If the court won, it would be to drive Li Xin to a place of eternal doom and declare Li Xin treason.This strategy seems reasonable and in line with Chongzhen's position.But what Chongzhen didn't know was that at the same time he accepted this strategy, the insistence and position in his heart also changed inadvertently.Although the change in such a position is very small, it still exists, but Chongzhen doesn't know it at the moment.

"Mister is a good plan, but when will this matter come to fruition?" Emperor Chongzhen couldn't help but took two steps forward, staring at Wen Tiren and asked.

After Wen Tiren heard this, a wry smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he said: "I'm dull and don't understand military affairs. I'm afraid I don't know about this matter. If Master Yang's army is very fast, there may be results soon. Otherwise, I'm afraid it will take another month or two."

"What if Yang Sichang is allowed to march quickly?" Emperor Chongzhen asked impatiently.

Wen Tiren quickly shook his head and said: "If that's the case, Li Xin must be aware of it. At that time, he will definitely discard the benefits he got and return to Fangyunzhong immediately. Compared with Datong, Li Xin still attaches great importance to Yunzhong. After this battle, Li Xin will definitely not trust the imperial court, and it will be even more difficult to plot against Li Xin."

"What do you mean, sir?" Chongzhen also felt that he was a little anxious, and asked again immediately.

"Only by letting Li Xin's army go to the city of Datong, even if he wants to return to help Yunzhong, it will be too late in time, so I think that the best time is to wait for Li Xin to go to Datong. However, We can't let Li Xin kill the city of Datong easily, we still have to make some arrangements to keep his soldiers and horses consumed." Wen Tiren said again: "Only in this way can he mobilize all the soldiers on the grassland. Going to the city of Datong, on the one hand, it will be convenient for Yang Sichang to sweep the desert, and on the other hand, it will be convenient for Hong Chengchou. , as long as the killing mouth is blocked, Li Xin will be unable to fly."

"Okay, okay, sir is indeed a clever plan, and there is nothing better than strategizing thousands of miles away." After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen nodded repeatedly and praised: "There was Zhuge Liang in the Three Kingdoms period, and I think that sir is not much different from Zhuge Liang. If the war can destroy Li Xin, sir, it will be the first achievement."

"I don't dare to take credit for this. It's all your majesty's holy candle. I don't have any credit for it." Wen Tiren hurriedly said modestly: "However, your majesty, the front line is changing a lot. Li Xin is insidious and cunning. No one knows if there is such a person. For other strategies, I think that the imperial court should not easily express its position, and only make a decision when the battle is about the same. Although the capital is calculating, how can the frontline soldiers and horses fight? I'm not sure. Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just in case!" Wen Tiren still didn't dare to guarantee it, and naturally left himself a way out.This is not only because he is cautious, but more importantly, Li Xin is not so easy to deal with. Li Xin may also be able to grasp the information he has. He does not think that Yang Sichang and others are stronger than Li Xin.One is battle-tested, the other is a scholar without much combat experience, no one knows whether he can beat the opponent.

On the contrary, Wen Tiren's own goal has been achieved, that is, he himself has shown his hand in front of Chongzhen, and made a good inference about the development of the matter. If he wins, it will be due to his Wen Tiren, and if he fails, it will be the front line. responsibility.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen nodded again and again, and even praised him for his maturity in seeking the country. He immediately announced it to the world and sent people headed by the Minister of the Household Department Hou Xun to Datong to investigate the matter.

The imperial decree was soon announced to the world, and it was indeed as Wen Tiren guessed that the ruling and opposition parties that had been arguing at first calmed down because of the imperial decree. Although they were discussing the results of this matter with each other, after all, the imperial court sent people to investigate the matter , This also shows that the court is actually unaware of this matter, and the pot of sewage that was originally poured on the court and the cabinet will naturally disappear without a trace. These are all Wen Tiren's words.

Of course, this can't be hidden from those who are interested, at least Yang Sichang who was in the Xuanfu still saw the mystery inside.In the imperial decree, regardless of victory or defeat, the imperial court always had the winning point, and he, Wen Tiren, was also invincible.What made Yang Sichang feel even more pressure was that following the imperial decree came a secret decree written by Chongzhen himself. Although there were only a few words, it was like a high mountain, pressing on his head.

"Quick battle and quick decision." Yang Sichang revealed a wry smile on the corner of his mouth. This war is beyond the control of human beings. He also hopes that he can solve Li Xin quickly and quickly, but he knows it and wants to A quick battle is almost impossible. Li Xin's soldiers have not yet made their way out. At this time, a quick battle is almost impossible. I am afraid that Li Xin will know the news just after his side sends troops. The next part of the troops will be stationed at Shahukou, and the brigade will return to Yunzhong, and even fight with themselves. At that time, will their 10,000+ troops return to Xuanfu?
"My lord." At this time, three people came out of the gate, two middle-aged men and a young man.

"Come on, sit down!" Yang Sichang felt a lot better when he saw the three people coming, especially when he looked at the middle-aged man with a stern face, he was full of joy.

"Wen Zhao, how is it? How does the Xuanfu compare with Taiyuan?" Yang Sichang asked kindly. It turned out that this person was none other than Cao Wenzhao, the commander-in-chief transferred from Taiyuan. On the one hand, it allows Jiang Guan to act freely, and on the other hand, it also increases Yang Sichang's strength.After all, this Yang Sichang just came to Xuanfu, and there was only one Huang Degong by his side. Now that there is an extra wise and brave Cao Wenzhao, the strength of Xuanfu's soldiers and horses has also increased a lot.

"Li Xin's soldiers and horses have already been dispatched, and they have occupied Shahukou, defeated Hu Guoding's [-] troops, and destroyed the Mayinghe Fort." Yang Sichang took out the imperial decree and said: "The emperor has asked Lord Hou Xunhou to go and check it out. What's going on, Li Xin conspired to rebel, or Jiang Guan took the lead in attacking."

"Then what should we do?" Huang Degong was stunned for a moment, and soon asked in surprise.He didn't understand the reasoning behind it, and he didn't know what the edict meant. He was just worried about whether the soldiers and horses he trained would go out to fight.

Different from Huang Degong, Cao Wenzhao knew the meaning contained in this edict, but his scheming was far higher than Huang Degong's. Although he had some doubts in his heart, he didn't say it out.

"The emperor's secret decree is for a quick battle and a quick decision. Hey! This makes it very difficult for me!" Yang Sichang did not hide the truth from the people in front of him, shaking his head and said: "If we attack too early, Li Xin will If the attack is too late, I am afraid that Jiang Guan will not be able to resist Li Xin's attack. Li Xin is insidious and cunning, and no one knows what he will do next. Since the emperor issued this imperial decree, it means that the emperor may I can't hold it anymore, it's boiling!"

"Then attract him and lead him to a farther place." Cao Wenzhao finally said: "My lord, it is better to let Li Xin fight all the way to Datong. In this way, his attack route will be lengthened, not only Food and grass will be affected, and more importantly, if we send troops at this time, it is impossible for the other party to rescue them."

"That's right, then let Jiang Guan order the army to retreat eastward slowly, and use the city of Datong to block Li Xin." Yang Sichang also nodded, and said, "It's just that Li Xin is very treacherous. It's hard to do!"

"Just let Jiang Yu try his best to hold the other party down." Huang Degong said dissatisfiedly: "If you can't handle this matter well, how can you sit in Datong?"

"Hey! Then I will write a letter and send it to Jiang Yu." Yang Sichang took his pen and ink, wrote a letter, and asked someone to send it to Jiang Yu in Datong immediately.

After everyone discussed when to send troops, how to march, etc., Cao Wenzhao retreated, and outside the government office, the young general asked: "Uncle, didn't you say that the Duke of Liao is a pillar of the court? Why are you still conquering him now, if his tens of thousands of elites enter the customs, wouldn't they be able to solve the rebellion faster?"

"Bianjiao, Duke Liao has blocked the way of others. His soldiers and horses are all elite divisions, and tens of thousands of troops are in his hands alone. How can the court rest assured?" Cao Wenzhao looked at his own Nephew Cao Bianjiao said: "He is the lord of a country outside the pass. In the clouds, those people only know the Duke of Liao and not the Son of Heaven. In addition, many people in the court do not like the Duke of Liao, so this Northern Expedition took place. .”

"Then can we win this time?" Cao Bianjiao asked after thinking about it.

"Win?" Cao Wenzhao said with a smile: "Although our number is higher than that, but it is a three-way army, commanded by three people, it depends on God's will, but I can't go out."

"How bad is it to go out? Can you go to battle and kill the enemy?" Cao Bianjiao was slightly taken aback, and said in surprise.

"Although we have a lot of soldiers and horses, it would be good if all of them were cavalry. Unfortunately, most of them are now infantry, so it's hard to deal with them!" Cao Wenzhao said, shaking his head.In fact, in his heart, what he dislikes the most is fighting in the nest. What kind of character is Li Xin? Maybe he is a bit domineering, but he doesn't believe that Li Xin wants to rebel. He is not willing to fight Li Xin.

Just when Yang Sichang wrote a letter here to give advice to Jiang Tuan face-to-face, Jiang Tuan in Datong was furious, and the whole hall was in a mess. Jiang Tuan was really annoyed.Killing Hukou easily fell into Li Xin's hands. When Jiang Yu was in shock, the reason was also found out. It was actually the work of Shanxi merchants. From Liu Qian down, everyone was bought by Shanxi merchants. As soon as Xin's army arrived, these guys launched a mutiny, killed Liu Qian, and led the army to surrender Li Xin. A Xiongguan that was no less than Juyong and Yanmen fell into Li Xin's hands easily, and Li Xin didn't even lose a hair.

"Damn Shanxi merchants, have you found Fan Yongdou's whereabouts?" Jiang Guan said loudly, now he can't wait to kill Fan Yongdou completely.

Many subordinates in the hall showed fear on their faces, Wan Lian shook his head and said: "Fan Yongdou and others are as cunning as rats. This person has great influence in Shanxi and has many cliques. It may be difficult to find these people." The character is a representative of Jin merchants in Shanxi. If he hides, many people will protect him.

(End of this chapter)