Qi, Jinyong City.
It's snowy outside the city, but the official road is relatively clean.
The woods outside the city were also completely destroyed by the enemy, leaving only tree stumps one after another, making the outside of the city extremely desolate.
The soldiers stood on the city wall and looked into the distance.
At this moment, the generals led many knights and stood on the official road, waiting for the victorious army coming from afar.
If any Zhou people came here and saw these people standing on the official road, they would probably be scared to death.
Duan Shao stood at the front, with Lou Rui and Hu Luguang on one side, Gao Yanzong, Dugu Yongye, and Hu Luxian on the other side. The other knights were basically generals, but their status was not as good as the previous few.
.
They are all standing here now to welcome Liu Taozi who has come from afar.
After Liu Taozi crossed the river from Danzhou, he did not return directly to the frontier fortress, but instead circled back to Jinyong City.
Of course, he also wanted to meet these people and discuss some important matters.
Duan Shao stood in the wind, still as polite, elegant and easy-going, with the same smile on his face.
Hu Luguang really hates the smile on this guy’s face, it’s hypocritical!!
Duan Shao and Hu Luguang are technically the same generation, but Duan Shao is much older than him, and he participated in the war earlier, and his military ability is indeed a little bit ahead. As a result, Hu Luguang is always outclassed by him, and both of them
People's styles are also almost opposite. Duan Shao likes to be steady, while Hu Luguang likes to be adventurous.
Hu Luguang didn't like him very much anyway.
Duan Shao stopped playing with these little guys and stood alone at the front, gently stroking his beard. Although everyone was nominally the second generation, he was the second generation who was parallel to the first generation, that is, Lou
Rui, although everyone is related and has participated in the war since childhood, in terms of merit, Lou Rui has to stand aside.
Lou Rui was excitedly telling Hu Luguang about the results of this battle.
"Hahaha, I didn't even expect that Yang Tu would surrender. I heard that many people suffered losses at his hands in the past."
Lou Rui was very proud.
Hu Luguang said: "This is because he is arrogant. He thought that you did not dare to send troops to attack, so he set up his camp on a flat place. He did not divide his troops to occupy the mountain passes on the left and right. He only sent some scouts to watch. That's why
rout."
"As for surrender, I think this battle probably took all the energy out of him."
Lou Rui also agreed with Hu Luguang's idea, "Anyway, I have already sent him to Yecheng. I didn't expect such a big credit to fall into my hands!"
"However, Mingyue's contribution is not small. He shot and killed Wang Xiong, Duke of Yong Kingdom. Tsk, Wang Xiong was much more powerful than Yang Xun. He was tied with Yang Zhong and others. He died in your hands like this. It is a great contribution.
"
Hu Luguang replied: "It was just a fluke. He was indeed brave. He attacked fiercely from the flank. I was almost defeated. I could only lead my troops to escape in a roundabout way. He was chasing after me, so I shot him."
"That's why Yue Yue has made a great contribution this time."
Lou Rui touched his chin and looked at Guandao again, "However, in terms of merit, your son-in-law is the most powerful. None of us combined can compare."
"Capture three states in a row, kill two generals, and don't forget to severely injure Yu Wenhu before coming back. It's awesome, it's awesome."
Lou Rui shook his head and sighed repeatedly.
He looked at Hu Luguang with some envy, "It's a pity that I don't have a daughter."
The corner of Hu Luguang's mouth raised, but soon returned to his solemn look, "He was just lucky. Yang Zhong had few soldiers. He surrounded him with nearly ten times the force and made great sacrifices. However, Hou Longen was misunderstood by the villain and could not use it.
As for Guanzhong, the troops are empty and there is no general, and Yu Wenhu is completely ignorant of soldiers."
"That's nothing to praise."
Lou Rui laughed loudly, "If you don't like Mingyue so much, you can give it to me. Although I don't have a daughter, I still have a niece."
Hu Luguang stopped talking.
On the other side, Gao Yanzong was bragging about his achievements to everyone.
In the past, everyone would have told this little brat to go away, but now, they pricked up their ears and listened.
Because Gao Yanzong has proven his ability, if nothing else, this guy can really fight!
How come these two sons of Emperor Wenxiang are so good at fighting?
First it was Gao Changgong, and then Gao Yanzong.
It really shouldn’t be underestimated.
While everyone was talking, a cavalry appeared in the distance.
It is difficult to describe the state of this cavalry.
They formed the simplest long snake formation and marched normally, but the order and momentum could not be concealed at all.
The knights were fully armed, as if even the hooves of their war horses were waving in an orderly manner. They all leaned forward slightly, looking murderously, looking left and right. The sides of their horses were covered with human heads.
Duan Shao's eyes lit up and he stared at these cavalrymen.
The other generals were also staring at them fiercely at this moment.
Lou Rui said with some surprise: "No wonder he can do so many things, he is really a strong soldier."
After discovering the people in front, they quickly changed their formations and separated a road. Liu Taozi and Gao Changgong walked out of the knights one after another. The knights changed their formations again and the road was closed.
Duan Shao took the lead in dismounting and walked on foot in the direction of Liu Taozi and others. Seeing Duan Shao dismounting, the others did not dare to continue riding, so they jumped off one after another and walked in the direction of Liu Taozi.
Of course Liu Taozi also wants to dismount.
The two sides meet.
"Meet Da Sima."
Liu Taozi bowed to see Duan Shao, but Duan Shao just stared at the knights on the side and said, "Don't let these cavalry disperse."
Liu Taozi was stunned, and Duan Shao hurriedly said: "With such a strong army, it is best to allow them to continue to maintain their current scale. You can recruit some strong soldiers to join, but don't disperse them into different armies, otherwise it will be a shame.
It is extremely difficult to train such a strong army, but it can be used as an important force in the future. If used properly, it can play an extremely crucial role."
"I see."
After Duan Shao said this, he remembered to return the gift and hurriedly helped Liu Taozi up.
Lou Rui laughed and walked forward, "What a boy, what a boy!"
"King!"
"Hahaha, why are you so polite to me?"
Lou Rui looked Liu Taozi up and down with some disbelief in his eyes, "I heard they said that you killed Yang Zhong and Hou Longen and went to Chang'an. I couldn't believe it. Later, they said that you ambushed Yu Wenhu's army and used
Most of his elite troops were lost and you couldn't even understand the map at first. Hey, this is a natural-born general!"
"I heard someone say that the king used a small number to attack a large number and captured Yang Fu alive. I was particularly surprised."
"Hahaha."
Hu Luguang cleared his throat at this time and raised his head.
Liu Taozi then looked at him and said, "Meet the Governor."
"Um???"
"Greetings, sir."
"Um."
Gao Yanzong hurriedly stepped forward and saluted, "Brother!!"
"I have made a great contribution this time!!"
"I defeated Yu Wenxian!!"
"I lead the troops"
As soon as Gao Yanzong opened his mouth, he couldn't stop and began to imitate Lu Gong. Several other generals also hurried forward.
Gao Changgong stood alone in the distance, took off his mask, and watched his brother and a group of relatives chatting animatedly with Liu Taozi. In the end, he just showed a wry smile.
Dugu Yongye was also standing next to Liu Taozi at this moment. His head was no longer raised as high as usual, with a smile, and his eyes were a little unnatural, "Your Majesty, if there was anything that offended you in the past, what should I do?
I hope the king will not blame you.”
Those nobles who were very opposed to Liu Taozi in the past are now completely honest.
Dugu Yongye led the army to defend Jinyong City and refused to retreat in the face of an army of 200,000. He thought he was already very powerful, but when he turned around, he saw that everyone had gone to Chang'an.
The nobles immediately understood their position. This group of old Xianbei has always been like this, only giving in to the strongest person.
Not only Dugu Yongye, but also Duan Shao's Jinyang soldiers and Jinyang generals no longer regarded Liu Taozi as a serious enemy at this moment, and they all admired him very much.
If according to Lao Xianbei's alpha wolf system, Liu Taozi gave Duan Shao a try by name, I guess they wouldn't object.
Gao Changgong waited for a while before Lou Rui noticed him.
"Chang Gong!! When did you come?!"
"I just came."
"Oh, I was so focused on Taozi that I forgot about you. Come on, come on!"
Lou Rui pulled Gao Changgong and started chatting with a smile. Duan Shao was still staring at the knights at this moment, and even stepped forward to talk to them.
Lou Rui took Gao Changgong to meet with the others, and Gao Yanzong suddenly realized that his brother was still there!
Everyone entered the city together.
The soldiers in the city looked at these people, their eyes almost shining.
Everyone walked into the official office, Duan Shao sat at the top, and the others sat down again, and Liu Taozi's position became more forward this time. Lou Rui even smiled and asked him to sit in front of him. Liu Taozi changed his position.
According to the usual rules, he did not compete with Duan Shao for the upper position, but sat behind Lou Rui and Hu Luguang.
Dugu Yongye had already prepared drinks and delicious food.
The generals are sitting here, smiling happily.
Lou Rui looked at the people laughing and talking about the battle situation, cleared his throat, and let everyone's eyes fall on him.
"Hu Changren sent me an edict."
When Lou Rui spoke like this, the original joyful atmosphere was immediately interrupted, and the smiles on everyone's faces instantly froze.
Even Dugu Yongye looked down on this Hu Changren.
No matter how bad Dugu Yongye's personal morality is, he at least knows how to fight and is somewhat bloody.
Dugu Yongye said disdainfully: "This King of Longdong is very proud. He even issued an edict to me not long ago, asking his brother to come to Luoyang to replace me."
"Hahaha, I directly said that there was a rebellion in the local area and refused his edict. If his brother were to take over, I don't think we would need Zhou soldiers. We can kill him myself."
"This guy is so incompetent, even worse than Yu Wenhu!!"
Dugu Yongye gave an extremely bad evaluation.
Lou Rui was not angry. He smiled and said: "Hu Changren is certainly nothing, but how can he disobey the emperor's edict?"
The generals slowly looked at Liu Taozi.
Even Gao Yanzong is like this.
Liu Taozi did not speak, but Hu Luguang on the side said: "The emperor's edict should be obeyed, but His Majesty is young at the moment, and the affairs of the court have fallen into the hands of people like Hu Changren. I really don't know that this edict came from the palace.
It still comes from Longdong Prince’s Mansion.”
Everyone suddenly looked at Hu Luguang again.
Hu Luguang's attitude is actually quite important. Moreover, unlike Duan Shao, a staunch royalist, it is difficult for everyone to guess Hu Luguang's true attitude.
On the one hand, he is Liu Taozi's father-in-law and a natural peach pie.
But on the other hand, he was the founding hero of the Northern Qi Dynasty, he has always been a model of loyalty to the emperor, and he also had a strong voice among many nobles.
Hu Luguang did not make it too clear. He continued: "If Hu Changren controls the government and issues edicts indiscriminately, there is no need to abide by them."
This sentence means different things to different people.
If the emperor personally issued an edict, would you listen?
Everyone began to ponder, and Lou Rui said again: "The fake Chen is ready to make a move. The temple wants me to be the Grand Tutor and go to the south to serve as the governor of Yangzhou and the military commander of the ten southern states."
"As a royal relative, I have to obey."
"In addition, he also informed me that he is planning to confer Zhizhi as a general and oversee the political and military affairs of the ten northern states."
"North Jushu?"
Gao Yanzong was stunned and said disdainfully: "My brother now has more than ten states under his command, right? Is this considered a reward?"
"Dingzhou and Jizhou should also give rewards."
The generals fell silent again.
Duan Shao asked: "What about the rewards for the other generals? I was the last to arrive, and I didn't have much merit, so I didn't want to be rewarded. However, Mingyue, General Dugu, Yanzong, and Changgong were all
How to award a reward?"
Lou Rui was suddenly a little stunned, "This"
"It didn't say that there should be subsequent rewards."
Dugu Yongye immediately stood up, walked in front of Lou Rui in a few steps, and looked at Lou Rui sternly.
"Your Majesty, you and I are old friends. We have worked together many times in the past. Please tell the truth, who are the people who have been rewarded?"
Lou Rui looked at everyone, feeling a little embarrassed.
"I'm here, General Wei."
"Then what?"
"Zou Xiaoyu, Zhao Yanshen, Hu Changxing, Gao Wenyao, Lou Dingyuan, Qi Lianmeng"
"I'm fucking in!!"
Dugu Yongye was furious and directly interrupted Lou Rui in front of him. He stood up with a ferocious expression on his face. He glanced at Lou Rui and Liu Taozi and said: "King Dong'an was rewarded for capturing Yang Xun, and King Pingcheng didn't need more.
He said, "You are conferred, I am convinced!"
"But who the hell are these people at the back?!"
"What contribution have they made?"
"I kill the enemy on the front line, and my soldiers fight one against a hundred, or one against a thousand, so that I can protect Jinyong City from hundreds of thousands of enemy troops. I can't even get a reward for this?!"
Dugu Yongye's mentality immediately collapsed.
Lou Rui was speechless at this moment. He didn't know what Hu Changren was thinking. Among the first batch of generals and ministers he ordered to be rewarded, only Lou Rui and Liu Taozi actually participated in the battle, and the rest were rewarded.
Eight people were his own personal followers, and even he himself received rewards. He made himself the prime minister and recorded ministerial affairs, which increased his food estate.
King Lou, who is usually not very polite, felt that this guy was a bit inappropriate.
How could such a mess happen?
Looking at the furious Dugu Yongye, Duan Shao felt helpless and said, "General Dugu, don't be angry. I will go back to Yecheng and ask about this matter truthfully."
"We will never let many meritorious soldiers suffer injustice."
Dugu Yongye looked at Duan Shao and hesitated to speak. He could only sit down angrily.
Gao Yanzong suddenly asked: "Didn't I give you a reward too?"
Lou Rui did not answer.
He sneered and suddenly looked at Liu Taozi aside, "Brother, can you lend me those thousands of cavalry?"
“Nonsense!!”
"what you up to?!"
Gao Changgong stood up immediately and looked at his brother displeased.
Gao Yanzong did not flinch when facing his brother. He cursed: "This piece of shit was ignored before when the enemy was facing us. He felt that he had great power. If he can take charge of the temple, why can't I?"
Gao Changgong's face turned red with anger and he couldn't speak.
Duan Shao looked at everyone, and finally looked at Liu Taozi, "King Pingcheng, what do you think we should do about the temple?"
Liu Taozi's face was full of indifference, "Hu Changren is a villain."
As soon as these words came out, the generals immediately became energetic. Dugu Yongye, Gao Yanzong and others were eager to try and waited for the general to speak.
Gao Changgong didn't dare to refute, his face was full of confusion.
Liu Taozi looked at Lou Rui, "If your Majesty wants to go south, I can't stop you. However, I also ask Your Majesty not to have too much contact with people like Hu Changren, otherwise, you will be harmed!!"
This was the first time Lou Rui felt threatened by Liu Taozi. When Liu Taozi said this, his brows were furrowed and he was not at all polite as usual.
Lou Rui pursed his lips and said, "I understand."
Liu Taozi looked at Duan Shao again, "Da Sima, please divide an army and hand it over to Yanzong."
Gao Yanzong was overjoyed, with a familiar silly smile on his face.
"Let him assist Dazai Gao Yan."
"Dazai is a generous man and is close to everyone. If Yanzong and his brothers can surround Dazai, things in the temple may become more normal. At least, such ridiculous things will not happen again."
Liu Taozi looked at Gao Yanzong again, "Yanzong, if you go to Yecheng, don't interfere in government affairs. Just train your soldiers and horses and read more about the art of war."
"Don't attend the banquet of the ministers. Don't go to see anyone alone. Just stay in the school grounds. If you hear any news that may be detrimental to Dazai, send troops to kill Hu Changren and others. Don't leave any one behind.
After saying this, you can also go to Yecheng and tell others that whoever dares to do harm to Dazai will be punished. If you fail to punish him, I will lead my troops to punish him."
Everyone trembled.
Gao Changgong sighed and closed his eyes.
Gao Yanzong was so happy that he quickly stood up and bowed to Liu Taozi, "Brother, don't worry!"
"I don't understand government affairs, but I know how to kill people!"
"If this guy dares to do harm to my uncle, I will kill his entire family and I will ensure that no one will be spared!"
Duan Shao hesitated for a moment, then slowly let go of his hand.
"good."
Duan Shao nodded, and the matter was settled.
Liu Taozi looked at Dugu Yongye, "Don't be angry, General Dugu. In the past, we had disagreements because the general violated the law by occupying cultivated land. But this time, you have actually achieved military merit. The fault is a fault, and the military merit is
Military merit, I still don't like you, and I may not be close to you in the future, but this time, I will give you back all the merits of you and your subordinates."
Dugu Yongye was stunned for a moment, and suddenly felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.
He stood up slowly without saying anything.
He just bowed deeply to Liu Taozi.
Chapter completed!