Jinyang.
Sikong Office.
In the hall, there was silence, like mourning for a heir.
Gao Guiyan sat in the upper position, and many young disciples sat on both sides.
Their faces were dull, their eyes were distracted, and they were silent.
Gao Guiyan picked up the wine cup on the side, brought it to his mouth, and took a sip.
It's rotten.
From the frontier fortress to Jinzhou, the military defense force that Da Qi is most proud of is terrible.
Although the Empress Dowager ordered to protect him, he could lead dozens of horsemen and kill them all the way from the frontier fortress. If Gao Changgong hadn't come to greet him, he would have actually killed them outside of Jinyang.
Gao Guiyan couldn't even imagine what the scene would be like if Gao Changgong hadn't gone and Liu Taozi led his people to the outside of Jinyang City and took out an edict to demand an audience with the emperor.
Gao Guiyan once again looked at the young Chinese ‘talents’ in front of him.
Looking at their dull and desperate faces, he had no choice but to take another sip of wine.
There are not many ruthless people left who followed King Gao to expand the territory. For some reason, the talents of Da Qi are often short-lived, and there are not many long-lived ones.
And most of these nobles today were particularly powerful in the past.
Riding the best war horses, leading the soldiers, shouting everywhere, talking about military affairs and fighting, with endless energy in their bodies, this gave the world an illusion that this group of nobles are not the same as the original old people.
There is no difference, they can fight with the same ferocity.
But speaking of it, Daqi has never fought such a tough battle in which all the nobles came together in five years since Tianbao.
There was a second-generation nobleman who won many victories at the frontier, made the puppet Zhou miserable and recaptured many garrison towns. His name was Hu Luguang.
His achievements made many second-generation nobles clamor, thinking that they were not inferior to the first generation.
But when it came time to really do big things, Gao Guiyan suddenly discovered that one or two special cases did not represent the entire group.
They are too different.
"Your Majesty."
Someone spoke with a pale face, "This time Liu Taozi returns to Jinyang, Your Majesty will not hold us accountable, right?"
Gao Guiyan smiled, "How do I know? I have never been involved in this matter."
The faces of those people became more pitiful and touching.
"Your Majesty. When Liu Taozi sees Your Majesty, he will definitely accuse us falsely. General Liu has been killed. Please save me!!"
"We will definitely remember your kindness."
Looking at these pitiful people, Gao Guiyan pursed his lips and said angrily: "Is this a false accusation? You know it in your heart. Since you have decided to do such a thing, why are you afraid of dealing with it now?"
Someone said: "It's not that I'm afraid of being punished, it's just that I don't want to be punished for someone like Liu Taozi. He is a villain and is deeply loved by His Majesty. If he sets up a trap,"
"Your Majesty, we have never participated in the murder of General Zhen."
Gao Guiyan took a deep breath and quickly took another sip of wine to calm down his anger.
"Your Majesty, can you go and apologize to Your Majesty for us? We are willing to live in harmony with General Liu from now on."
“Bang!!”
Gao Guiyan punched the case in front of him. He finally lost his composure. His eyes were extremely fierce and he stared angrily at the idiots in front of him.
"Now it's not a question of whether Liu Taozi will frame you or not!!"
"Now it's not even a question of who's going to murder General Zhen!!"
“Now it’s a matter of border security!!”
Gao Guiyan roared angrily: "The twenty-five checkpoints and fortresses along the road can't even stop a single Liu Taozi!!"
"Is this my Daqi elite?!"
"This time it's Liu Taozi who comes! If it's Wei Xiaokuan who comes, wouldn't we be besieged in Jinyang!!"
"Shame! Shame!!"
A young man stood up quickly and said, "General, he was able to pass only because of conspiracy. He held an edict, and the soldiers did not dare to kill him. There were also people who secretly helped him. Besides, the real elites are guarding Jinyang. Those who are capable
Let him come to Jinyang."
Gao Guiyan smashed the wine cup on the side and shouted: "Bring me some wine!!"
A servant came with a wine jug. Gao Guiyan opened his mouth and ate it. After taking a few mouthfuls, he picked up the wine jug and threw it among those people.
"Idiot! Idiot!!"
"People like you are actually responsible for the defense along this road?"
"Deserves to be killed!"
"If you don't die, the Zhou people will besiege us in Jinyang sooner or later!! We, the elite of Daqi, have become a joke!!"
At this time, no one dared to refute anymore. They lowered their heads and looked gloomy.
Gao Guiyan was extremely angry, and just as he said, Liu Taozi tore off the strong mask of the nobles at the moment, letting the people at the top see what kind of virtue they were.
Of course he didn't know that this mask would actually be lifted by the Northern Zhou general Yang Zhong three years later, who would lead the army on an expedition all the way to Jinyang. In the end, it was only two miles away from Jinyang. Only then did the senior officials of the Northern Qi Dynasty make a shocking discovery.
The defense they were proud of turned into a pile of mud. They hurriedly took remedial measures. After Duan Shao defeated the enemy, they couldn't wait to reissue the land equalization order and actively recruited Han people from all over the world as soldiers.
Therefore, reform cannot be carried out by just talking about it. Only after being beaten and painful can you realize what is wrong.
Gao Guiyan felt palpitated at this moment.
This time Liu Taozi went to Jinyang, and the performance of the checkpoints along the way was simply astonishing.
Some directly switch to go out for a duel, some abandon the level and hide in the mountains, some are defeated due to improper command, some are killed by their subordinates, and some simply resign and run away.
Some generals even traveled long distances to ambush, but ended up taking the wrong route.
This is why when Gao Yan ordered Liu Honghui to be killed, the nobles did not dare to resist again.
If they had successfully killed Liu Taozi, they would still dare to stand up and say that they had made up for it, or simply deny it, but this was exposed.
The top leaders like Gao Guiyan, the first thing they saw was not the killing of nobles, they saw the appalling defense of their own country. How could they have the dignity to stand up and plead for mercy?
The atmosphere in the lobby suddenly dropped to freezing point.
There was silence, a deathly silence.
Gao Guiyan sat back in his seat and waved casually.
"Go back, it's enough for you to be embarrassed like this. If His Majesty wants to kill you, kill yourself and save some face for your father and brother."
Gao Guiyan drove these people out, changed his clothes, and accompanied by several soldiers, got into the car and headed to the gate of Jinyang East City.
When he jumped down from the carriage drunkenly, General Duan Shao was already waiting here.
Gao Guiyan got out of the car and when he saw the other party, his face darkened, but he forced out an ugly smile.
"General"
Duan Shao looked at him with a smile, "Is Sikong drunk again?"
Gao Guiyan clenched his fists, then loosened them again, and said with a smile: "The general is really good at predicting events. Have you noticed this?"
Duan Shao immediately looked into the distance and said, "The foreign general is coming. You and I are going to greet him under His Majesty's order. We can't be rude."
Gao Guiyan also looked at the road in the distance. He took a few steps forward and stood in front of Duan Shao. "General, you wrote a letter earlier saying that the garrison troops in various places have not practiced for a long time and the generals do not know how to use their troops. Now something like this has happened."
For a major event, a border general led dozens of people to fight all the way outside Jinyang. It can be seen that the general is really good at predicting everything. His Majesty should have listened to your advice long ago. "
Duan Shao said calmly: "Sikong, now is not the time to discuss other chores."
"If Liu Taozi can fight all the way outside Jinyang, then the Zhou people can too. Although the Zhou people did not have an edict, Liu Taozi did not bring a heavy army."
"In the past few years, we and the Puppet Zhou have attacked each other, causing heavy casualties to each other. They have been defeated many times, but their national strength has become stronger and stronger day by day. We have won many times, but our national strength has become less and less obvious. It is time to change."
"If this continues, they will only be able to attack and we will defend. There will be no chance for progress."
Gao Guiyan's lips trembled for a moment, and his whole body suddenly relaxed.
"I know."
The two of them stopped talking and just looked into the distance.
A line of troops slowly appeared in the distance, and the knights gradually stopped and divided into two columns.
Gao Changgong led Liu Taozi and others and quickly rushed towards them.
"Meet Sikong!"
"Meet the General!"
Gao Changgong led Liu Taozi to meet with two important ministers.
The only people who came to greet him were the two important ministers and their bodyguards, and there were no other officials or generals.
Gao Changgong was even surprised. Before returning, he never thought that these two people would come to greet him.
These two people are of extremely high rank, and they are not officials responsible for welcoming people.
Duan Shao and Gao Guiyan both looked at Liu Taozi at this moment.
During the previous expedition, one of them stayed in Yecheng and the other in Jinyang, and neither of them met Liu Taozi.
Liu Taozi also looked at the two people in front of him.
Gao Guiyan suddenly said: "I recognize you."
Liu Taozi frowned.
Gao Guiyan said quietly: "I once lost three hundred soldiers. I led people to patrol near Cheng'an and met you."
He slowly walked up to Liu Taozi with sharp eyes.
There's something wrong with the atmosphere.
Gao Changgong stepped forward slowly.
Looking at Liu Taozi, whose face was calm and motionless, Gao Guiyan punched his chest fiercely, "What a pity!!"
"If I had taken you under my command, wouldn't I have a powerful general beside me now?!"
Gao Changgong's tense body immediately relaxed.
Duan Shao walked forward with a smile, "Why are Sikong worried? There may not be a chance to lead troops on expeditions in the future. When the time comes, wouldn't it be appropriate for you to report to His Majesty and ask Liu Zhizhi to spearhead the work for you?"
"Hahaha, I'm afraid you'll be the first to do it when the time comes!"
"How dare you compete with Sikong?"
The two smiled and spoke kindly, looking like they had been friends for many years.
Duan Shao looked at Liu Taozi and said, "You are indeed a strong man. They used to say that Gao Aocao was the resurrection of Xiang Ji. I think Liu Zhizhi is not bad either. He is truly a tiger and bear general! So strong! So strong!"
"When I first commanded the Forbidden Army, I have known his father for a long time. His grandfather was a brave man, just like my father! I am like my father!"
The two started complimenting Liu Taozi.
Gao Guiyan's eyes bypassed Liu Taozi and looked at the people behind him, "These are the warriors under Zhizhi's command! They are really brave!"
"Come here, each person will be rewarded with a horse!"
Listening to the flattery of the two big men, Yao Xiong felt dizzy and almost floated to the sky.
Are the General and Sikong and Shangshu Ling praising us right now?
They talked some nonsense, mounted their horses again, asked Gao Changgong to go back to appease the army, and led Liu Taozi to Jinyang City.
Jinyang City is a rough and rough city. Even the city wall shows no signs of careful carving. It was repaired in line with the traditional Xianbei thinking that bigger is better and wider is better. Even the city gates are huge.
Everything inside and outside the city is extremely solemn and solemn. When you enter the city, you can hardly see any common people. There are soldiers patrolling and sentrying everywhere.
Heavily armed.
Gao Guiyan rode a horse and walked at the front. He sighed and said, "Zhizhi, I heard about what happened to you this time, and I am also very angry."
"Someone actually wants to murder the town general. This is really unforgivable!!"
"That Liu Honghui has been dealt with by His Majesty, and His Majesty will certainly not forgive his many accomplices!"
"It's just that, you know, you also know that after Liu Honghui was a hero, he also had many friends in various places. Now that His Majesty has to deal with those involved, I'm afraid there will be too many killings."
"There are also some young people among them who don't know the big things and act randomly."
"You know, I am not trying to persuade you to forgive them, but if you can intercede for them when you meet His Majesty and save a few lives, I guarantee that no one will make trouble for you in the future. Who wants to
If it’s difficult for you, I’ll kill him first!”
"Your grandpa and I are old friends!"
"When I heard that you were coming, I asked to go and greet you in person."
"I see that in this frontier fortress, no one can bear the heavy responsibility except you. I know that you have been wronged. However, most of these young people have achieved meritorious service. I also have friendship with their grandfathers. I really can't bear to do it."
Just watch them die like this."
"How about you do me a favor?"
Gao Guiyan said with a smile.
Before Liu Taozi spoke, Duan Shao said with a smile: "Although Liu Zhizhi is brave, he is only twenty years old, and he is only a fourth-grade town general. I'm afraid that your majesty still has to make a decision on this important temple matter. If you want to give advice,
, the two of us can write a letter to remonstrate, but I’m afraid his words won’t be able to shake His Majesty’s determination.”
He looked at Gao Guiyan with a sincere expression, "Sikong, let's do this. Later, we will tell His Majesty in person, hoping that he can forgive him."
"Liu Zhizhi is His Majesty's favorite general. This big event happened because of him. There is nothing wrong with letting him come forward."
Gao Guiyan looked at Duan Shao with a smile.
At this moment, Tian Zili, who was following Liu Taozi, seemed to understand why there were these two people.
Gao Guiyan wanted to come to greet him in order to find a way to save the nobles involved in the case and appease his brother, but Duan Shao came, probably on the emperor's hint, to stop Gao Guiyan.
But if the emperor didn't want to pardon, he could just ignore his brother. Why bother letting Duan Shao come to dissuade him?
Tian Zili frowned and thought about it repeatedly.
Until they arrived at the entrance of the palace, the two people in front were still talking continuously, with murderous intent under their friendly smiles.
Entering the palace is not an easy task. The first two can come and go at will, but on Liu Taozi's side, only Liu Taozi can enter and must be interrogated, even if he is brought by the general and Sikong.
.
Those two people took the first step.
After undergoing a detailed interrogation and taking off all his weapons, he walked towards Zhaode Hall under the leadership of specialized officials.
Emperor Gaoyan sat on the throne with a straight face. He did not speak, but the anger was clearly visible.
In the past few days, the emperor was almost mad. His cold eyes made everyone dare not look at him.
The ministers were sitting on both sides. Except for those who stayed behind in Yecheng, almost everyone was present.
Just like Gao Guiyan's official office not long ago, the hall was completely silent and the atmosphere was solemn.
"General Liu Taozi has an audience!!!"
An official shouted at the door.
At this moment, all the officials looked sideways, and some even ignored court etiquette, changed their posture, and stuck their heads out to take a look.
A tall man in official uniform appeared at the door.
It was a burly and strong man, with a fat military attaché uniform on his body, making him look even more powerful and strong.
With a resolute face and fierce eyes, he walked quickly, and the officials sitting on both sides of the main hall door couldn't help but lean back in fear.
Suddenly there were exclamations from the crowd.
Several of the ministers were pale at the moment, with their heads lowered and trembling all over.
Xungui still hates Liu Taozi.
But on top of the hatred, there was also a different kind of fear.
Liu Taozi dug a bloody path, killing heads like melons and vegetables, which really frightened these people.
Of course, this also made them realize their own weakness.
A group of tiger cubs that are still sucking milk, covered in the tiger skins left by their parents, shouting everywhere, intimidating everyone around them with their fangs, telling the world that I am still the same tiger!
But Liu Taozi pulled out their teeth forcefully, broke their tiger's back with an elbow, and pulled open the layer of tiger skin, allowing everyone to see clearly what was under the tiger skin.
Of course, there are real tigers in Jinyang, but it is a pity that real tigers go out to look for food from time to time, and then lie down to sleep after eating. They really have no intention of showing off and intimidating by roaring everywhere.
Gao Yan still had a straight face, and the joy flashed in his eyes.
Liu Taozi greeted Gao Yan respectfully.
Gao Yan slowly looked at the people in front of him. Sitting here, he could have a panoramic view of the expressions of these people.
"The generals in our country, after receiving the imperial edict to return to the capital, still have to beware of their own people."
"The generals along the road blocked it one after another and used various methods to try to murder the general."
"This has never been heard of since the founding of the People's Republic of China, no, since ancient times. It is really an eye-opener for me!!"
Everyone lowered their heads and dared not make a sound.
At the appropriate time, Gao Guiyan slowly walked out and saluted him, "Your Majesty, Liu Honghui hates the virtuous and deserves to die. I have received the minister's order, but I can't control him well. Please punish me!!"
Gao Yan ignored him and spoke again:
"For murdering my general, I only regard you as evildoers, thieves who cannot be killed even if you kill them. You have abandoned your troops along the way, mismanaged your army, and some of you were even killed by your subordinates."
"King Ping Qin, do you think this is still a matter of hating the virtuous?"
Chapter completed!