He seemed to see the anger in Duan Shao's eyes.
Zhang Siyan said seriously: "I didn't mean that. The general once told us that if the situation is critical enough that we need to see you, we must tell the truth."
"We told the truth."
"The current Zhou Dynasty has just experienced a war and has been unable to attack with a large army for several years. The Chen people fought with Liu Taozi and suffered a terrible defeat. Perhaps the generals still don't know. The southern general Wu Mingche has been killed by Liu Taozi, and Huang Fazhu and Xu
Du and Liu Tao
Zi fought bloody battles around Li Yang and others. For a time, he was unable to safely retreat to the south, and was pursued by Liu Taozi. Now he is fighting near Luozhou, and we even need to send local troops to cheer up, in order to slightly curb Liu Taozi's arrogance."
"And the current situation in Jinyang is also clear at a glance. Liu Taozi is encroaching on Bingzhou step by step."
"How many of the many cities in Bingzhou are left now? How much food is left?"
"When there is officially no food in the city and the army cannot survive, he will send people to persuade him to surrender. Even Da Sima will not be able to stop him. By then, these tens of thousands of elite Jinyang soldiers will all fall into the hands of Liu Taozi. Liu Taozi
Taozi can easily go south and seize the entire puppet state of Qi."
"By that time, even if Zhou and Chen join forces, I'm afraid they won't be able to contain him."
"My general has always believed that Liu Taozi was the real thorn in the side of the Three Kingdoms. If Da Sima doesn't want to see the demise of Qi, he should join forces with us. We will not seize Qi's cities or land, but will do our best to help Qi in the war.
Settling down south of the river, when the time comes, when the three parties join forces, you can be the commander-in-chief, and we will attack Liu Taozi together and destroy him in Hebei!"
Duan Shao still had disdain in his eyes, "Jinyang is surrounded by enemies on all sides. Do you want me to leave with the emperor, tens of thousands of troops, and their families?"
"Jinyang soldiers have lived here for a long time, and their families are also here. Do you think it is easy to bring so many people back to the south of the river?"
"As soon as my army leaves the city, it will retreat because there is no food and grass."
Zhang Siyan laughed and said, "These are not problems. As long as Grand Sima is willing to join forces, my general can solve these problems. You may not know that my general is on the other side of the Fen River, watching here."
"Liu Taozi himself is in the south. His new army has not yet been trained. There are two armies that can fight. One is in Hengzhou, commanded by Hu Luguang, and the other is in Ling, commanded by Gao Changgong."
"As long as Da Sima is willing to leave, the Turks in the north will immediately fight against Hu Luguang. Once Hu Luguang wins some victories in the war, he will continue to attack and charge. He will chase him out soon.
It is difficult to come to support him again. As for Gao Changgong, he is too far away and there is nothing he can do even if he wants to rescue him. Besides, we can send people to put pressure on him so that he does not dare to send troops easily."
"What we have to deal with is the bandits' armies from Bingzhou and Shuozhou."
"Bingzhou Military Palace is still in the process of training, and it is impossible to fight with the Jinyang soldiers. As for Shuozhou Military Palace, there are more than 10,000 people, but they can fight. However, the traitor general Yao Xiong can stop you and my general.
?”
"Once you can reach Heluo, where there is Dugu Yongye to rely on, then you will establish your country in the south, with so much food and grass supplies, tens of thousands of elites under your command, and with the help of us and Chen Guo, you will be able to rise quickly.
We three countries can join forces to destroy Liu Taozi."
Tao, Shuozhou, Yangqu.
Gao Yanzong happily walked at the front.
The distance is lush and green, and the road becomes smoother and smoother as we go. We can already see a lot of farmers and woodcutter, standing curiously looking at them from a distance.
The paths extending from both sides of the road lead to the depths of the dense forest, and you can see the smoke rising from the dense forest.
They are all brand new villages.
The shepherds' singing can be heard in the distance, and their singing is mixed in the wind and drifting gently towards here.
Gao Yanzong felt the breeze blowing in front of him and felt that he was getting farther and farther away from the scourge behind him. He felt really happy both physically and mentally.
Gao Yan was walking in the middle of them. He had been in poor health recently, so he took a carriage instead of riding a horse.
Even though the weather was not that cold, he was still wrapped up tightly.
He just looked around stupidly.
As they get further and further away from Jinyang and get closer to the enemy, the changes and contrasts in the situation become more and more obvious.
It has become difficult to distinguish between the orthodox and the traitors.
Everything he encountered seemed a little strange, even though it was just a peaceful countryside. Gao Yan thought about it and found out that it was because he had not seen a peaceful countryside for many years.
Next to Gao Yanzong, there was a small official, who was a postman under Taozi and was responsible for leading these people.
Gao Yanzong pulled him and asked him fiercely, constantly inquiring about all kinds of information, showing the demeanor of Wei Xiaokuan's subordinates.
"Now Yangqu belongs to Shuozhou? What about Sizhou? What about Xianzhou?"
"They were all assigned to Shuozhou."
"So big? Why?"
"I don't know that."
"How many states are there now?"
"Eleven."
“There’s been an addition to Gwangju recently.”
"Didn't you say that Qizhou was also captured?"
"They were all assigned to Qingzhou."
“Such a big state, it’s amazing, it’s really amazing.”
Gao Yanzong smiled and nodded, not knowing exactly what he meant by "powerful".
The crowd advanced for some distance, and finally, a large group of people and horses came towards them. They were huge and powerful, surrounded by many officials. These officials were all riding horses, not in cars, and most of them were not very old.
When the two sides encountered each other, the junior official also hurriedly reminded Gao Yanzong, "These are the officials of the Shuozhou government office."
Gao Yanzong was riding a war horse, but he began to think deeply.
Should he dismount and surrender? Or should he directly reveal his identity?
While he was meditating, the pedestrian on the opposite side stopped first, and then a group of people quickly dismounted and came on foot.
The people behind Gao Yanzong also dismounted and got off their horses.
Gao Xiaoyu limped out of the car and touched his thigh. It was almost healed, but because he kicked his brother before, the wound tore open again, so he returned to the car.
He looked at Gao Yanzong, who was standing between the two sides and had not dismounted, with a pale face, "Why don't you get off your horse! Do you think you are here to lead the troops to capture Shuozhou?!"
Gao Yanzong yelled, quickly dismounted, and stood beside his brother.
With Gao Yan as the core, everyone gathered around him.
When things reached this stage, no matter how reluctant Gao Yan was, he had no choice but to go back. He could only bite the bullet and take the initiative to go out and see him.
"Tian Zili, the governor of Shuozhou, pays homage to King Pingyang!"
Gao Yan had only taken two steps when he heard the most familiar voice.
Gao Yan was stunned for a moment and asked in shock: "Has Zili already taken charge of Shuozhou?"
Tian Zili took the lead and led the officials to pay homage.
Gao Yan quickened his pace, walked to Tian Zili, and helped him up.
Today's Tian Zili looks full of aura.
He was wearing an official uniform, with a tight beard, and his long beard was stretched out and tilted forward slightly. His face was calm and his eyes were calm. He really had the face of a governor.
Gao Yan looked at him and couldn't help but laugh, "Being a governor really makes a difference."
Many years ago, Gao Yan served as the governor of Shuozhou, and Tian Zili served as the chief governor to assist him. The two got along very well, had a clear division of labor, and did a lot of things.
After many years of separation, when they met again, both of them had undergone great changes.
Tian Zili looked at Gao Yan, who suddenly became old and rickety, and didn't even dare to recognize him.
I still remember that graceful elder who was as gentle as jade at the beginning, but now he is wrinkled, and his whole person seems to have been drained of energy.
When Gao Yan saw Tian Zili again, he even forgot about the people behind him and the purpose of coming. He skillfully held Tian Zili's hand and asked, "Shuozhou is the old Shuozhou, how are you?
"
"Great."
“What about those Jizhou people we accepted in the past?”
"The settlement has been completed, and three new cities have been built. Posthouses have been built along the road. Just near Zhaoyuan alone, there are more than 20 villages, and there are fireworks everywhere."
"What about the road on the west side of Qingshan Mountain? I've always said it needs to be repaired before."
"It was repaired last year, and now there is a horse farm there with more than 600 official horses."
The two of them seemed like old friends reunited after a long separation, chatting enthusiastically about things in various places.
Just as Gao Yanzong was about to step forward and speak, Gao Xiaoyu stopped him and glared at him fiercely.
Gao Yanzong retreated behind them.
Gao Yan became more and more happy as he talked, and the previous sadness and pain disappeared without a trace.
Speaking of excitement, Gao Yan suddenly remembered that he had several nephews, and hurriedly took Tian Zili's hand and looked at the nephews in front of him.
"This is Gao Xiaoyu, the king of Henan, Gao Xiaowan, the king of Hejian, and Gao Yanzong, the king of Ande."
Several people met Tian Zili one by one.
Tian Zili also introduced the officials behind him. After the two sides exchanged greetings, they walked towards the city together.
Gao Yan no longer had the time to pay attention to his nephews. He followed Tian Zili and loudly talked about anecdotes about Shuozhou in the past, laughing so hard that he seemed to be back to the past.
Gao Yanzong was stunned. He didn't dare to go to his eldest brother, so he walked slowly beside his third brother.
"Third brother, why does this mean he kidnapped us?"
Gao Xiaowan was tall and strong, with a loud and powerful voice. He could also lead troops in battle, and his personality was quite similar to Gao Yanzong.
When He Shikai took power, this guy was the only one who dared to openly offend him. He and Gao Rui had always had a good relationship.
"It's not easy for my uncle either. When he was in Jinyang, his days were like years. If it weren't for him, none of our brothers would be alive today."
"ah??"
"I'm protecting him!"
"you?"
Gao Xiaowan glanced at Gao Yanzong: "The soldiers under your command were all given by Duan Shao. When they arrive in Jinyang, what will you do to protect your uncle?"
"You fool, you don't know that the emperor hates those traitorous princes very much, especially his fourth brother."
"Why?"
"Hearing that someone told this guy about the fourth brother's achievements, he wanted to issue an edict to recall him. However, his edict went out without any follow-up. He thought that the fourth brother had killed his envoy."
"Oh, madman."
Gao Yanzong cursed in a low voice.
Gao Xiaowan continued: "Then he wanted to kill a few of us to vent his anger. He summoned Xiaoyu to the palace, poured him wine, wanted to get him drunk, and then murdered him. There was a general in the palace who was quite close to me.
If you get close, tell me this."
Gao Yanzong's eyes widened, he knew nothing about this matter.
Gao Xiaowan continued: "I led the people to the palace to pick him up, but unexpectedly, my uncle had already picked him up."
"My uncle has frequent contacts with Duan Shao, and the emperor dare not touch him."
"Later, he invited me to go hunting, and my uncle sent someone to inspect the construction of buildings outside the city, preventing us from meeting each other."
"And why did your uncle suddenly ask you to go to Duan Shao and ask him about the art of war?"
"Isn't it just to get Duan Shao to be your backer?"
"And about the army sticks. If my uncle hadn't arrived in time, it wouldn't have been a hundred army sticks. It would have been two hundred army sticks."
Gao Xiaowan said this one by one, and all the fog in Gao Yanzong's mind suddenly cleared away, so that's it!
"I'm not protecting him, he's protecting me??"
Gao Xiaowan ignored this little brother who didn't like to use his brain.
Tian Zili invited several people into the city. There was no special reception place in the city, so they could only hold a small banquet in the county government office.
The food was not too much, so Gao Yanzong sat happily and watched the servants coming in and out.
"Why haven't you served wine yet?"
"No alcohol."
"ah??"
Gao Yanzong looked frustrated, and Gao Yan said with a smile: "Why are you putting on such a face? If you really want to drink, then hurry up and conquer the outer city. Then it won't be conquered, but you can
It’s time to drink!”
After a few people ate some food, Tian Zili looked around and then asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, before you left, was there anything strange in the city?"
Gao Yan looked confused, "No, it's the same as usual, but what happened?"
"The emperor died, and Langya King Gao Yan ascended the throne."
"What?!"
Gao Yan had a look of astonishment on his face. They spent a long time crossing the front lines bordering the two sides. The Jinyang soldiers here were still elites arranged by Duan Shao. They had no fault, so they escaped temporarily.
If it is discovered, it can only be
Catch, they were small and could not break through so many Jinyang soldiers. It was Gao Yanzong who took the lead and led them around to find gaps. Gao Yanzong left first and got in touch with Liu Taozi's people before the rest of the people were safe.
pass.
Therefore, they were completely unaware of what happened during this period.
The other clans also looked dull at this moment, but Gao Yanzong clapped his hands and shouted, "Are you really dead?!"
"Dead."
"Okay, how did you die?"
"It is said that he died of fear after being deposed by Duan Shao. He should have been poisoned."
"Damn it, what a pity, it should be quartered!"
Gao Yanzong cursed loudly.
Gao Xiaoyu and Gao Xiaowan looked at each other, and there was a bit of joy in the eyes of the brothers.
This is a good thing.
Only Gao Yan still couldn't believe it when he heard that Duan Shao had deposed the emperor and established a new emperor.
"Duan Shao? How is this possible?"
"I heard that Gao Wei wanted to assassinate Duan Shao in the palace, but failed."
Gao Yan immediately shut up. He believed it because it was something the little emperor could do.
Tian Zili frowned, "Actually, the more important thing is not only Jinyang, but also Pseudo Zhou."
"What does this have to do with pseudo-week?"
"Is it possible for Da Sima to defect to the Puppet Zhou?"
Tian Zili hurriedly said: "Weijiang, the governor of Bingzhou, sent someone to inform him that a large number of Zhou soldiers suddenly gathered on the other side of the Fen River, and some scouts openly entered their defense lines and fought with them. This place is not suitable for large armies to advance. On weekdays,
The enemy is fighting here, either from Wuchuan or Heluo. It is obvious that they have other plans. Not only Bingzhou, but also Shuozhou, many spies have been captured recently."
"Wei Xiaokuan hasn't released so many spies for a long time. This makes us even more worried that the Turks in the north are starting to make moves again."
"I suspect that the Puppet Zhou may be trying to contact Da Sima and want to attack us together."
"impossible."
Gao Yan shook his head again and said seriously: "I remember very clearly that before I left, the food in the treasury had been exhausted. There was no way to deliver food to the military camp. Even if I robbed it from the local area, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to raise an army.
It’s not easy to stabilize the army with the food needed for an expedition, let alone sending out troops?”
"It's impossible for the Pseudo Zhou to send people to deliver food to them, right?"
"Without food, nothing can be done."
Tian Zili was not surprised when he heard Gao Yan's words, because Tian Zili and others also knew something about the internal situation in Jinyang, and they probably knew as much as Gao Yan.
But Tian Zili also had his own worries, "Currently, only Shuozhou soldiers can be used in the two states. However, there are not many Shuozhou soldiers after all, and they cannot garrison the two states at the same time. General Yao has already led troops to Bingzhou, but what will happen to Da Sima?"
We still don’t quite understand what we want to do.”
Gao Yanzong suddenly stuck out his head and said, "Don't they want to go to Fenzhou, the same Fenzhou in the past, to go around Heluo?"
"Didn't some ministers say in the past that we should go south?"
Tian Zili immediately frowned. Fenzhou now belongs to Bingzhou, and the opposite side of Bingzhou is the Pseudo Zhou Dynasty. The two are bounded by the river.
Gao Xiaoyu shook his head, "It is impossible that Jinyang soldiers will not leave. They have lived there for generations. Unless they are prisoners, it is impossible for them to leave Jinyang and let them abandon Jinyang and escape, even if they are
Even Duan Shao can't do it."
Gao Xiaowan also agreed with his brother's view, "I think this may be the Zhou people putting pressure on the frontier to force the general to come back to defend earlier. After all, there is no food in Da Sima's place. Whether he is leaving or going on an expedition, he needs food.
He should still be worried about the food problem. Where can he lead the army to escape? If he escapes with the army, will the emperor take him with him? Will the harem take him with him? Where are the officials? Where are the family members of the army? "
"How many people can we gather together? There is not enough food in the first place. If we still dare to go through such trouble, we don't need to take action. We can just wait for the Jinyang soldiers to surrender."
Chapter completed!