Chapter 174 Hunan: After you sing, I will appear on stage
By the time Zhong Mo walked out of the main south gate of the imperial city, the sky was already dark, and the surrounding area was heavily guarded. The Imperial Guards stood motionless like sculptures, not squinting at him in civilian clothes as he walked out of the palace gate.
Above the night, a crescent moon hung, and the moonlight was dim. However, under the imperial city, Zhong Mo had a look of relief on his face. He looked back at the towering imperial city of Han Dynasty, and let out a sigh of relief.
tone.
After some questions and answers with the Han Emperor, it was clear that his intention in letting him return to Jinling was to serve him as an internal correspondent of the Northern Han Dynasty in the small court of the Southern Tang Dynasty. For Zhong Mo, this was not too joyful.
Because upon reflection, this seems to be a poisonous fruit.
First of all, if he returns from Tokyo, whether he can gain the trust of Li Jing and the Southern Tang Dynasty is a question. If he is like Li Deming, and is accused of collaborating with the enemy, the result is not what he wants to see.
Secondly, I felt a little uncomfortable being a disciple who betrayed the emperor. If I was given an official position in the Han Dynasty, I would still have such a big obstacle in my heart. If I returned to Jinling, lived in Tang Dynasty, but committed betrayal and treason, the news would spread.
, it’s always bad for your reputation.
However, after thinking about it, Zhong Mo found that he had no more choices. Once the Han Emperor summoned him, there would be no room for him to survive in the Tokyo city. On the other hand, although he could endure a miserable life, he could still survive.
In his heart, Zhong Mo really didn't want to be like this for a long time. In addition, his wife and family members were all in Jiangdong, so it was always a good thing to be able to return to his hometown.
Another point is that what Zhong Mo said to the Han Emperor was true to his heart. He really felt that according to the current development of the situation, it was only a matter of time before the Northern Han Dynasty flattened all the countries and unified the world.
One step at a time, one step at a time, Zhong Mo could only make this plan temporarily. Probably knowing Zhong Mo's financial difficulties and predicament, Liu Chengyou rewarded him with a hundred taels of silver. The reward was heavy in his arms, but Zhong Mo's steps were extremely brisk.
When he returned to his rental place, Zhong Mo had already thought about how to explain to Li Jing after returning to Jinling and how to face the questioning of the Southern Tang court officials.
...
"Your Majesty, Zhong Mo took the ultimatum issued by the Ministry of Rites and boarded the ship to return south!" In the palace, Liu Chengyou received the report: "Before Zhong Mo left, he generously reported to his sojourners and benefactors, and hired people in the city.
I hired two followers to protect me..."
"Since I can remember the kindness of lodging and food, I hope it can live up to my high expectations!" Liu Chengyou said lightly and ordered: "It is convenient to pass on the checkpoints along the way!"
"yes!"
After the Ear Grain Festival, the temperature has risen significantly, and harvesting has begun in large wheat fields in Hebei. Here in Tokyo, it is another summer rain, with heavy rainfall.
"Your Majesty, slow down, your clothes are wet!" Zhang Dejun held up a big umbrella and followed step by step, reminding him a little hurriedly.
Liu Chengyou's pace slowed down only when he entered the Privy Council. Zhang Dejun put away his umbrella and hurriedly helped to wipe away some raindrops stained on the emperor's robe.
"Okay, take care of it yourself!" Liu Chengyou pointed at Zhang Dejun, who had left most of the eunuch's robe wet.
Inside the Privy Council, there was an orderly scene. Due to the weather, it was less busy and more leisurely. All the officials who passed by put down their affairs and saluted.
In the military machine room, the two envoys Zhe Cong Ruan and Guo Rong were discussing something. When they learned that the emperor was coming in person, they hurried out to greet him.
"No gift!"
"Cook tea for Your Majesty!" Guo Rongchao ordered his subordinates.
"Sit!" Liu Chengyou sat down with his big horse and golden sword. Guo and Guo gestured and asked, "What are you talking about?"
Guo Rong chuckled and said: "Cao Yin of Lizhou reported that Zhou Xingfeng sent troops to Langzhou. He sent 7,000 troops from Changsha, advancing by land and water, with the goal of Wuling!"
"This Zhou Xingfeng can't sit still anymore!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help laughing.
In the past two months since the end of the Huainan War, things have changed dramatically in Hunan. With Ma Chu's old generals Wang Kui, Zhou Xingfeng and other sworn brothers as the protagonists, a series of changes occurred around Langzhou, and the brothers turned against each other. .
The cause of the matter lies in Wuping Jiedushi Wang Kui. He was ordered to attack the Tang Dynasty and intended to take a bite of the fat meat of the Southern Tang Dynasty. However, he did not expect that Ezhou was a tough nut and was beaten to a pulp by Liu Renfan, the general of the Tang Dynasty. , losing nearly half of his troops, they returned in embarrassment and returned to Langzhou.
After Ma Chu was destroyed, Hunan's military and political affairs, except for Gui and the south of Chen, which were captured by the Southern Han army, the rest of the territory was basically divided up by the ten brothers Wang Kui. Among them, Wang Kui was the strongest and occupied the In Langzhou, most of the soldiers under his command were Wuling warriors, who were the backbone of their army against the Ma clan and the Tang army.
However, after the defeat of Ezhou, the strength of the army was greatly reduced, and the internal balance of Hunan was broken without the strength of the brothers. Wang Kui, a martial artist, was originally just a general under Ma Xihe, rough and brave but young. He is strategist, has no foresight, has a perverse personality, is greedy, and due to fate, he is able to separate a territory and control one area.
Of course, it was probably an instinct to feel that his strength was weakening, and he was afraid of attracting prying eyes from others, especially Zhou Xingfeng who occupied Tanzhou. He wanted to expand his strength, and the simplest and fastest way was to annex other people's troops.
Therefore, Wang Kui set his sights on Chenzhou to the west of Langzhou. Pan Shusi, one of the ten brothers, occupied it. He sent his subordinates and led an army of two thousand to march west along the Yuan River to beg for money and food. For the purpose of Wuling.
Wang Kui was greedy, and his subordinates were even more greedy than him, and even more unintelligent. Pan Shusi was not a fool either. Faced with the pressure of Lang's soldiers, he simply defeated the army sent by Wang Kui at the foot of Yuanling City.
After making a move, there was no room left. Pan Shusi made a fierce move and simply mobilized all the Chenzhou soldiers and quickly marched eastward, intending to strike first before Wang Kui could react. He raided Wuling City, but Wang Kui was unprepared and was captured by him in one fell swoop. , Wang Kui was killed by rebel soldiers.
From this, Pan Shusi successfully occupied Langzhou, the source of trouble in Hunan.
Pan Shusi probably didn't expect that the progress would be so easy, and he was overjoyed. However, his actions were quick, he collected scattered soldiers, annexed Wang Kui's men, and was able to occupy Lang and Chen states, with more than 5,000 troops. It became a major force in Hunan, and its ambitions grew accordingly.
After occupying Langzhou, Pan Shusi quickly changed his position and began to worry about his other brothers. The biggest threat to him was of course Zhou Xingfeng who occupied Changsha.
Zhou Xingfeng originally had the city of Changsha raided and destroyed by the Tang army, but he was ruthless and capable enough. After taking control of Changsha, he killed hundreds of lawbreakers in one day. He showed no mercy and was able to quickly stabilize people's hearts and restore order.
Afterwards, he recruited refugees and took in Chu soldiers. When the war in Huainan was in full swing, he sent troops southward and controlled Hengzhou. On the orders of the Han court, he recruited Gui, Chen, Yong, Dao and other states, and actively suggested that Zhang Wenbiao and other brothers be allowed to join him. Go to garrison.
Later, there was a disagreement with Wang Kui, and each wrote to the court and pointed out the other. Liu Chengyou naturally reconciled and asked Zhou Xingfeng to lead the army to attack the Tang Dynasty. Zhou Xingfeng did the same and led his army out of the city to attack Yuan Yuan of the Southern Tang Dynasty. state.
Zhou Xingfeng was quite scheming. When he entered the territory of the Tang Dynasty and faced the Tang generals who defended the city, he didn't care. He led an army to monitor him and sent his subordinates to plunder the property and population in Yuanzhou territory. He captured 7,000 men, women and children. The goods were returned to Changsha.
Within half a year, Zhou Xingfeng was able to effectively control the two states of Tan and Heng, with tens of thousands of troops, and his strength completely overwhelmed the defeated Wang Kui.
Therefore, when Pan Shusi got to Langzhou, how could he not express fear of Zhou Xingfeng, a hungry wolf. While training soldiers and horses, repairing the city, and collecting money and food, he sent people to Changsha to tell Zhou Xingfeng about his attack. Wang Kui's "difficulty" was that he just wanted to survive, and he generously invited Zhou Xingfeng to stay in Wuling City.
Zhou Xingfeng expressed his understanding of this and offered to go to the imperial court in Tokyo to grant Pan Shusi the title of military envoy to the Wuping Army. Pan Shusi refused, and instead dismissed Pan Shusi, who was originally regarded as a "facade" by their ten brothers. Liu Yan, the former Jiedushi envoy, was helped to the stage, and he himself served as deputy envoy, and at the same time went to Tokyo.
Regarding the situation in Hunan, the Han court had no intention of intervening. It took a sit-and-see attitude and agreed to the imperial edict. After getting what he wanted and "righteousness" in hand, Pan Shusi felt that he was stable and began to enjoy himself in Wuling City. .
Zhou Xingfeng, how could he not have ambitions for Langzhou? Seeing that he had successfully paralyzed Pan Shusi, he began to stir up his subordinates. Sun Lang and Cao Jin, who had previously rebelled in Changsha, came into his sight.
At first, these two men led their men to join Wang Kui and were highly used. In the process of expelling the Tang army, they made many achievements based on their familiarity with the Tang army. After Wang Kui was killed by Pan Shusi, they were all recruited. However, Under Pan Shusi, neither wealth nor official position was improved, and he felt resentful.
Faced with Zhou Xingfeng's secret contact, he was indeed tempted. Not long ago, he held a banquet to kill Pan Shusi, and directly led an army to raid the commander's mansion, and also killed Jiedushi Liu Yan. After that, the two occupied Langzhou. , Sun Lang claimed to be the governor of Wu Pingjun, and Cao Jin was the governor of Chenzhou, and he petitioned the imperial court for the title.
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In this regard, there was no response from the Han court, so Zhou Xingfeng took action first.
Guo Rong said to Liu Chengyou: "Under the banner of 'doing justice for heaven and suppressing violence and quelling chaos', Zhou Xingfeng also circulated a message to the brothers in the south, saying that he wanted to avenge Liu Yan and Pan Shusi. I discussed with Duke Zhe. I believe that after several rebellions and attacks in Langzhou, the strength of the troops has been reduced sharply, and the morale of the army is unstable. Sun Lang and Cao Jin are afraid that they will not be able to stop Zhou Xingfeng!"
Liu Chengyou nodded and asked: "In response to the chaos in Hunan, how do you think the court should respond?"
Zhe followed Ruan and replied: "Wang Kui, Liu Yan, and Pan Shusi were all honored by the imperial court. Their subordinates rebelled and attacked each other, completely ignoring the imperial authority. If this is the case, in order to consolidate the majesty of the imperial court, we should Support Zhou Xingfeng to quell the rebellion. However, Zhou Xingfeng sent troops privately without the permission of the court. It was clearly in the name of quelling the rebellion and vengeance that he was annexing and expanding. His ambition is obvious and cannot be indulged! If Zhou Xingfeng is allowed to, If Langzhou is occupied again, it will occupy the sacred land of Hunan, which will inevitably cause harm and make it even more difficult for the court to control in the future!"
"Have you noticed that this Zhou Xingfeng is extremely skilled in pulling tiger skins to make banners?" Liu Chengyou nodded and said with a smile.
