Jiankang.
It was not yet completely dark, but deep cries could already be heard outside the gate.
The crying sound became louder and louder, gradually sweeping through the entire street.
The door of the mansion was gently pushed open, and the two soldiers at the door immediately turned around.
The person who opened the door was a young man who was obviously dressed differently from these southerners. He looked around curiously, "What's going on?"
The two soldiers looked at each other and said, "Don't worry, it's nothing serious. Please go back and rest."
The young man smiled and nodded, looked thoughtfully for a few times, closed the door, and quickly returned to the inner room.
He walked all the way into the innermost study and knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in."
When the young man walked into the house, he saw an extraordinary-looking young official sitting in front of the case, holding a book in his hand and looking at something.
The young man sat aside carefully and said, "Little Grandmaster, there were cries on the streets. I went out to watch and found that many people in the city were crying in mourning."
The official immediately put down the book in his hand and his face became slightly solemn.
"Could it be that the Southerners have been defeated?"
The young man shook his head and did not dare to give an accurate answer.
"If you send someone to inform the Southern Emperor again, just say that I want to see him as soon as possible."
"only!!"
The young man turned around and left, leaving only the young official in the room.
This young man was called Yuwen Xiaobo.
He was born in a clan and was born on the same month and day as Emperor Yu Wenyong. Yu Wentai was very surprised, so he took him over and raised him personally, so that he could grow up with Yu Wenyong.
Therefore, his relationship with the emperor was closer than that of a real brother. After the two grew up, their relationship became extremely close. When Yuwen Hu was in power, Yuwen Xiaobo helped the emperor complete liaison work many times because of his special status.
.
Now that Yu Wenyong is in power, he has become one of the emperor's most loyal confidants.
Yuwen Xiaobo slowly took out the document and read it again.
This was given to him by the emperor before he went on a mission to the Southern Kingdom.
Yu Wenyong talked to him a lot and wrote some things to him to guide him on how to complete his mission.
Yuwen Xiaobo came here this time to form an alliance with the Chen people.
When Yuwen Yong vaguely learned that the Southerners were about to go on an expedition, he sent Yuwen Xiaobo as envoy to Chen Guo.
The think tanks under Yu Wenyong unanimously believed that it would be impossible for the Chen people to accomplish their goals with Liu Taozi south of the river.
Liu Taozi would not watch the Chen people take advantage of the situation and occupy Henan.
As for the military strength of the Southerners, how can I put it? They are really good at defensive warfare, but they are much worse at offensive warfare, especially when they take the initiative to attack the Northerners.
His think tanks all felt that they could join forces with the Chen people. The Chen people had their advantages and the Zhou people had the advantages of the Zhou people. The two sides reached an agreement to attack Liu Taozi together. They would first suppress this suddenly powerful enemy to death, and then
Let's all decide whether to live or die.
After Yuwen Xiaobo arrived, Emperor Chen Xu was not in a hurry to see him.
And if the Southerners had been defeated, then he might meet with him.
Yuwen Xiaobo began to make preparations to enter the palace to pay homage to Lord Chen.
They waited from morning to night, and when it was almost dark, a soldier suddenly came to the door and asked them to go to the palace.
This is not in line with etiquette and law at all. No king of any country would receive foreign ministers at this time.
Everyone who went with him on the mission was a little angry, thinking that this was a slight against them, but Yuwen Xiaobo was not angry. He calmed down the people under his command, and then followed the soldiers to the palace.
Walking on the road to Jiankang, Yuwen Xiaobo secretly looked outside.
There are countless people crying and mourning outside.
Almost every household was crying and mourning.
The white flags hanging high at the door are frightening.
There were some mourning groups in the distance. Yuwen Xiaobo ordered people to avoid them and not to collide with them.
When they arrived at the entrance of the palace, Yuwen Xiaobo vaguely smelled the smell of blood.
The soldiers in the distance looked around with vigilance as if they were facing a powerful enemy.
Their group went through six interrogations before they were able to enter the palace.
Inside the palace, it was also a bit depressing.
Yuwen Xiaobo looked at all this and was almost certain in his heart that the Southerners were defeated, and they were defeated miserably.
They met Emperor Chen Xu in Taiji Hall.
Chen Xu was sitting in the upper seat, his face was ashen, and the anger in his eyes had not dissipated. Even when he saw these distinguished guests from other countries, he could not squeeze out a smile on his face.
Yuwen Xiaobo hurriedly bowed to see him and sat on the left hand side of the emperor.
Recalling Yuwen Yong's explanation, Yuwen Xiaobo immediately asked: "Your Majesty, what is happening outside?"
Chen Xu was silent for a moment, "It's just a matter of victory and defeat in the war. It doesn't matter."
Uncle Yuwen Xiao shook his head and sighed, "When Liu Taozi attacked Chang'an, Chang'an was also in the same situation. Every household wore mourning and cried constantly. The streets were full of people offering sacrifices. Even His Majesty issued an edict to offer sacrifices to these warriors.
Dead soldiers."
Hearing Liu Taozi's name, Chen Xu's expression turned even worse and he was about to drive away the guests.
Yuwen Xiaobo hurriedly took out his emperor's letter and respectfully asked the eunuch to hand it to Chen Xu.
Chen Xu received the letter and was a little surprised, "You have been in Jiankang for many days. How come your Lord's letter was only handed in today?"
Yuwen Xiaobo said: "If His Majesty has not seen our thoughts, then there is no use in submitting the letter."
Chen Xu opened the letter and read it.
Yu Wenyong's letters were mostly pleasantries without much content, just to build relationships.
He put down the letter and then looked at Yuwen Xiaobo, "You are here because of the Northern Expedition, right?"
The Zhou people were of course opposed to the Chen people's Northern Expedition. They were also afraid that the Chen people would get the Lianghuai area. The main reason was that the Lianghuai area could raise horses and train cavalry. If the Southerners were allowed to get this area, then
The situation in the world immediately changed.
There are ships in the south and horses in the north. If the people from the south have both ships and horses, what will the people from the north do?
When the Zhou people came to Chen State, Chen Xu and others guessed the other party's intentions. They all felt that the other party was here to dissuade them from the Northern Expedition, so they did not pay attention.
But the Zhou people did not leave even after they came. They just stayed in their own territory and sent a petition today to ask for an audience.
Chen Xu then came up with the idea of ​​meeting the other party.
When Yuwen Xiaobo heard this, he immediately shook his head, "That's not the case."
"Whether the Northern Expedition or not is a matter for Chen State, what does it have to do with us?"
"oh?"
Chen Xu was a little surprised. He looked at Yuwen Xiaobo and said, "Does your emperor really think so?"
Yuwen Xiaobo said seriously: "Of course my emperor thinks so. Not only does he have no intention to dissuade him, he also wants to help Chen Guolai complete the Northern Expedition."
"oh??"
Chen Xu was even more surprised, "How can I help?"
"Your Majesty, the world has been suffering from bitter peaches for a long time!!"
Yuwen Xiaobo's face immediately became excited, and he said angrily: "Liu Taozi is the biggest criminal in the world!"
"This is an unfaithful, unfilial, unkind and unjust thief!"
"He is a cruel person by nature. He kills my generals and slaughters my people. He is his own emperor. Now he is being ignored in Jinyang. It can be said that he is endangering the world without any benefit!"
"My Majesty wanted to kill him a long time ago to eliminate harm to the world. However, the Zhou Dynasty has not been able to recover from its previous defeat. There is a lack of food and grass, and the people are tired and unable to fight anymore!"
"Before I set off, Your Majesty told me that Liu Taozi is greedy by nature. If the Southern Kingdom wants to take the Huaihe River, he will definitely send troops to attack. This thief is powerful and he is afraid that the Southerners will not be defeated. I hope that the two families can join forces and work together.
Crusade."
"The Southern Kingdom is short of horses and the Great Zhou Dynasty will be sufficient. The Great Zhou Dynasty is short of food, and the Southern Kingdom is sufficient. If the two join forces, the Great Zhou Dynasty will use cavalry, and the Great Chen will use chariots and ships. Why worry about Liu Taozi not being destroyed?"
After listening to what the other party said, Chen Xu's face showed some emotion. He looked at the eunuch beside him and said, "Let the envoy sit closer. Don't be so rude!"
The eunuch hurriedly changed his seat for Yuwen Xiaobo, and Yuwen Xiaobo sat next to Chen Xu, sitting very close to express his trust.
Chen Xu frowned and said seriously: "My failure this time was also because of Liu Taozi, a thief."
"This thief is ferocious. I want to attack him, but I don't have the strength. I wonder what the Lord Zhou has planned?"
Yuwen Xiaobo immediately replied: "My lord believes that Liu Taozi's current foundation is still weak, and his subordinates cannot be used more than the army of the three states."
"The number is less than 40,000."
"However, he is now aggressively militarizing and building military headquarters in various states. If he has trained these new armies, it will not be easy to destroy him."
"My Lord hopes to meet with His Majesty in the south, and both parties will make an oath to attack Liu Taozi together."
"In the future, we will trade with each other and learn from each other's strengths."
Chen Xu clapped his hands, "Okay, very good, but I am still separated from Liu Taozi by many states and counties. If Lord Zhou can send troops to help me contain Liu Taozi, help me clear the obstacles, and can face Liu Taozi directly, we can work together
Attack Liu Taozi and divide his territory equally."
The corners of Yuwen Xiaobo's mouth twitched and he almost cursed.
You're really not polite at all.
Help you win the land of Henan, and then divide the land of Hebei equally??
Why do you think so well?
How about Kansai Land giving you half of it too?
Yuwen Xiaobo finally realized that the emperor in front of him seemed rough and reckless, but in fact he was not easy to deal with.
He laughed and said, "My Majesty has also considered this issue."
"We sincerely ally with you, so there is no need to tell lies."
"It is really difficult to allocate the ownership of this land in Henan at the moment. If it is given to Chen, I am afraid that many generals of the Zhou Dynasty will complain. If it is divided equally between the two sides, I am afraid that they will have conflicts with each other in the future before they attack Liu Taozi.
Killing each other.”
"The Lord of Qi is now besieged in Jinyang, and is dead in name only."
"A letter came from our people in Jinyang. It is said that the Lord of Qi is not a wise king. He is acting recklessly in Jinyang. His relationship with Qi Da Sima Duan Shao is getting worse and worse, and the things he does are becoming more and more ridiculous."
"What my lord means is to find a clan member of the Qi State, establish the Qi State in Henan, and let our two countries support it and send people to help them build an army to deal with Liu Taozi."
"In the future, we can borrow the road from them to attack Liu Taozi."
Chen Xu narrowed his eyes. Yuwen Xiaobo's words suddenly reminded him of some very bad things.
This is also an old trick.
Northerners have always been like this!
Chen Xu smiled softly, "It's a good idea, but who should be appointed as emperor? Will the people of Qi in Henan obey him? What about the emperor of Jinyang? Where are their troops? Where are the ministers?"
Chen Xu asked a series of questions.
Yuwen Xiaobo did not answer any more. He just saluted Chen Xu again.
"These matters can naturally be discussed."
"The most urgent thing at the moment is to eliminate Liu Taozi. If you can agree to this, your ideas can be used in the selection of the emperor, including the garrison."
Chen Xu has just spent the most difficult two days in his life.
When he was detained in Pseudo Zhou, he had never gone through such a difficult time.
When it was still Nanliang, Jiangling fell, and Chen Xu was captured in Guanyou. It was not until Chen Qian ascended the throne and actively improved relations that he was able to return to Chen State.
Those days were nothing compared to the experiences of these two days.
When he learned that Wu Mingche had been defeated and died, Chen Xu almost spewed blood. His Northern Expedition had just begun, and 50,000 to 60,000 old soldiers were sent away. This loss of national power made Chen Xu extremely heartbroken.
After the news spread, these domestic civil servant forces quickly began to counterattack.
They all rushed forward and used various methods to force Chen Xu to give in.
Some scholars even committed suicide in front of the palace to express their dissatisfaction.
The whole country was in turmoil, and Chen Xu became numb.
But the worst thing is that, faced with such a dilemma, he can't even refute.
He was the one who made the decision in the Northern Expedition, and he sent the people, so of course he had to bear the bitter fruit of defeat.
At this moment, listening to the suggestions of people like Puppet Zhou, Chen Xu suddenly felt a little moved.
If even Wu Mingche can't beat Liu Taozi, then he really doesn't know who else can beat him. Can Huang Fashi do it? Can Xu Du do it?
He's not sure.
But if we can defeat these Qi people with the Zhou people first,
Chen Xu did not directly agree to the request, but he was not as negligent as before. He held a banquet to entertain these guests from Zhou.
At the same time, there was no peace within Jiankang.
Linhai Palace.
The young Chen Bozong sat in the upper seat and looked at Liu Shizhi sitting beside him with excitement.
Liu Shizhi was once a descendant of Emperor Gaozu.
He also taught Chen Bozong, and his relationship with the former prince was still very good.
Chen Bozong was very aggrieved. At this moment, he was complaining to this middle-aged and reliable old man.
"Liu Gong, since my uncle inherited the throne, no one has come to see me anymore. Everyone has avoided me. I have wanted to go out to find them several times, but people around me have advised me to stay in the house instead of
Go out."
"I just wanted to see my uncle and tell him the situation, but my uncle didn't want to see me either."
"I wrote to him several times, but he didn't reply."
"I thought Mr. Liu didn't want to see me either."
Listening to the little guy's words, Liu Shizhi shook his head and said, "His Highness is no longer the Crown Prince, so these people naturally don't want to see His Highness."
"I do not understand"
"Your Highness, when Emperor Wen was still here, he worked all night long every day, and never dared to delay important events. The country is where it is now because of his contribution. But now, someone is secretly doing harm.
What a great achievement he made."
Mentioning his father who is no longer alive, Chen Bozong's eyes looked a little melancholy.
"After my father was gone, many things changed."
Liu Shizhi was silent again for a while, and then he decided to change his approach. He suddenly asked: "Then is Your Highness willing to stay in this mansion now and watch Emperor Wen's legacy end?"
When Chen Bozong heard this, he immediately became anxious. He shook his head hastily, "Of course I don't want to."
"Very well, Your Highness, I need your help to accomplish a big thing."
"What kind of big event is it?"
"It is a major event to help the world. Only His Highness can take the lead in doing this."
"Your Highness may not know that Wu Mingche suffered a defeat in Jiangbei, and all his years of hard work have been lost."
"Now that the country has reached its most critical moment, this matter must be resolved as soon as possible."
Chen Bozong was confused when he heard this, but when he saw Liu Shizhi's extraordinarily solemn face, he felt a little afraid, "Will this offend my uncle? If it does, I'd better not do it."
"Your Highness, if things succeed, you don't have to worry that His Majesty will blame you. When the time comes, no one can blame His Highness. Your Highness can inherit Emperor Wen's great cause and make the Southern Kingdom prosperous again."
Chen Bozong seemed to understand, but Liu Shizhi took out another letter and asked Chen Bozong to sign and seal it.
After getting this thing, Liu Shizhi quickly left the place.
The officer responsible for keeping an eye on Chen Bozong has been bribed by him.
After Chen Xu came to power, he began to appoint new people on a large scale, including when he sent out troops this time. The ministers all suggested that the Central Guard General Huang Faju or the Zhongquan General Chun Yuliang should be the commander-in-chief. However, Chen Xu insisted on letting Wu Mingche be the commander-in-chief.
It is said that he was born in Jiangbei and was familiar with the local area, but Wu Mingche lost his parents when he was young and then came to the south.
Liu Shizhi already understood that Chen Xu would sooner or later drive them out of the center.
To strike first is to be stronger.
He decided to unseat Chen Xu first and let Chen Bozong inherit the throne.
According to etiquette, it was Chen Bozong who should have inherited the throne. How could it be Chen Xu's turn?
After this guy became the emperor, his true nature was even more exposed. He began to suppress the old man everywhere and refused to listen to advice. He insisted on the Northern Expedition. The situation was great, but his Northern Expedition plan turned it into what it is now. Many people in the country were dissatisfied with him.
, ready to get rid of him.
This is a good opportunity. In the name of the former prince, many officials are summoned to pull down this black sheep.
Under the night, Liu Shizhi sat in the car, holding the document tightly to his body, and gradually disappeared into the distance.
But after he left, a person suddenly emerged from the shadows and looked towards the palace.
A man who looked like an army officer walked out quickly and bowed to the black figure.
"how?"
"He just deceived the king and made a fengjiao edict."
"When he came out, he wanted me to sign his name to show his determination to resist."
"Did you sign it?"
"Signed."
"Very good, you did a good job."
Chapter completed!