Although the troops at the rear were gradually arriving, Li Tai did not order an immediate new offensive against Fancheng. Instead, he ordered the army to set up a camp a few miles away from Fancheng for a brief rest and cut down bamboo and wood materials nearby to build various buildings. Siege-like equipment.
The quick and decisive victory over Xia Zhe Shu also allowed Li Tai to initially establish his military prestige among the armies in Jingzhou. The arrival of all the powerful officers and men with their respective troops showed their attitude, and they did not discount Li Tai's orders. After the execution, a camp base was quickly built in the north of Fancheng.
Most of the enemy troops outside the city gathered here, which naturally brought great psychological pressure to the defenders. However, for them, that was not the only thing disturbing the morale of the army.
In the past, cannon stones wrapped in linen would still be smashed into the city from time to time. In addition to paper balls, there were also some exquisite silks that were also used as writing materials.
Ordinary people are illiterate, and even if they pick up a ball of paper, they don't pay much attention to the information written on it. However, those silk writing materials themselves have value and use, and it is difficult to recycle them all.
In order to ensure that similar news spread in the city and shake the morale of the army, Liu Fanggui had to mobilize some soldiers from the top of the city to form multiple teams, always pay attention to the landing points of the cannon stones, and then rush over to collect them as soon as possible.
As for whether the news was true or false, he had no way to obtain evidence and did not dare to judge rashly. After weighing it, he decided to inform King Yueyang at the rear. If it was true, then he would naturally need to be more careful with the Du family. If it was false, maybe he could Use this to obtain more assistance from Xiangyang.
Liu Fanggui came up with this plan, but not everyone thought like him.
When the envoy from Fancheng crossed the river and returned to Xiangyang with these books on paper and silk to present them, King Yueyang's expression suddenly changed after reading them. He immediately asked in a loud voice: "Have these deceptive rumors ever spread outside the country?"
"The enemy used stone cannons to invade the city. There were many soldiers and civilians in the city, but Liu Sima had ordered the blockade of Watergate Pier. Except for the last general, no soldiers or civilians came south..."
Hearing what the envoy said, King Yueyang breathed a sigh of relief. Then he heard the voice and ordered the envoy to step back and rest first. After the envoy left, he looked at his close associates and whispered and ordered the envoy to be strictly guarded and not allowed to contact outsiders. At the same time, people returning from Hanbei were strictly checked and were not allowed to sneak into the city.
After everything was arranged, when King Yueyang's eyes fell back on the books and texts of different materials, his face suddenly became gloomy, he beat the case and cursed loudly: "Dog thief, dog thief, spread this evil talk back to Xiangyang, is it?" What’s the point!”
All the cronies in the hall had already prepared a draft and were ready to scold Du for being so bold. However, when they heard King Yueyang's scolding, they couldn't help but froze for a moment. Then they took a closer look and finally confirmed that what King Yueyang was scolding was indeed a revelation. The conspiratorial Liu Fanggui, rather than the evil-minded Du family, was a little confused for a while.
"The Du family has been doing evil for a long time. Since the family is so powerful and difficult to control, it is not surprising that there is such a conspiracy. So I did not ask further, for fear that he would be frightened and put himself in danger, which would harm the peace of this country. Liu Fanggui cannot tolerate this for the sake of the country. Embracing the enemy's arms, helping the enemy to carry forward their ugliness and spread rumors, it is really hateful! The thieves want to use my power to help their hometown fight, regardless of the safety of the country. If I mess up my own position and harm the powerful clan, who should restrain the thieves? "
King Yueyang cursed angrily in a stern manner to hide the fear in his heart.
It doesn't matter whether these writings are true or false. What's important is that they reveal the fact that he wanted to use this war with the Western Wei Dynasty to weaken the local power in Yongzhou, and the powerful and powerful sects here could also use this to attack him.
Most of the Du brothers served as county guards in the upper reaches of the Han River, and they also had many tribes and connections in Xiangyang. There was no doubt that they had this kind of energy.
It's not that King Yueyang didn't foresee this risk, so he didn't want to put himself opposite a powerful clan like the Du family. What he really wanted to suppress was Liu Fanggui, who was highly qualified but not powerful in his own right, but hindered
The old man in the state capital who implemented his executive order.
Liu Fanggui failed to effectively support Xia Shu, causing Du You'an to fall into captivity. Naturally, he turned against the Du family in Jingzhao, and this was a very good situation for King Yueyang.
Liu Fanggui was afraid that Du would be held accountable, so he had to defend Fancheng and obtain protection through military exploits. Xiao Qi, who was securely seated in Xiangyang, could gradually add fuel to the fire by sending military and political personnel related to Liu Fanggui to Fancheng to consume them, and eventually the captors retreated.
, Liu Fanggui's power was almost exhausted, so he could use this as a bargaining chip to talk to Du.
But now, instead of using his thoughts on the right path, this person also spreads the evil words cast by the enemy to Hannan. In Xiao Jin's view, this is not only a sowing discord, but also a subtle demonstration. Even if he has a relationship with the Jingzhao Du family,
How can an old official from a mere state be able to comment on any conflicts or disputes?
Because he was worried that Liu Fanggui, who was on the front line, would have any distracting thoughts and lose control, King Yueyang pondered for a moment and then said to his confidant Wang Cao: "Liu Sima is on the front line fighting the enemy. It is inevitable that he will be worried and sometimes defensive.
If he loses control, he will inevitably make mistakes. In order to avoid his worries, Wang Shenjun visited his home and temporarily brought his family into the palace for hospitality and protection."
Wang Cao hurriedly stood up to accept the order, immediately exited the Zhitang Hall, and led a group of troops to the city to capture Liu Fanggui's family members.
In addition to Liu Fanggui, the big hidden danger of the Du family in Jingzhao cannot be ignored. King Yueyang looked around the hall and immediately frowned and said: "Where is Cai Canjun? Call him to see him quickly!"
A full half an hour passed before Cai Dabao hurried into the hall from outside to pay homage to the king.
King Yueyang did not blame him for his absence. After waving away the others, he looked at Cai Dabao and said, "Cai Canjun, I don't want to continue fighting with the bandits. Do you have any plans?"
"What……"
Cai Dabao was stunned when he heard this and subconsciously exclaimed.
A trace of embarrassment flashed across King Yueyang's face, and he knew that his decision was a little rash, so he quickly said with a sad expression on his face: "I am not timid. Although the bandits have conquered Xiazuo garrison, they still have Fancheng and the Han River blocking them.
It's not easy to get close to Xiangyang! Alas, the internal discord has been exploited by the enemy. If we don't end the war outside as soon as possible, I'm afraid there will be chaos inside!"
As he spoke, he showed Cai Dabao the letters and documents submitted by Fan Cheng, and Cai Dabao immediately frowned after reading them and said: "Whether this plan is true or not, we do need to be prepared carefully. Now all the people in Yong Mansion have gathered.
Xiangyang is waiting for the captors, and the soldiers and civilians look to the north with gnashing hatred. If Du Shi really wants to marry the captors, this is a good opportunity to take advantage of the situation and remove the carbuncle..."
After hearing Cai Dabao's advice to him to take advantage of this opportunity to directly eradicate the Du family, King Yueyang shook his head and sighed: "The Du family in Fangzhen is affiliated with outsiders, and their power is upstream of mine. Even in the peaceful years, it would not be easy to do it, let alone today.
There are thieves looking at me by the water.
Although Cai Shenjun's plan is reasonable, it's a pity that my power is still not as strong as mine. What's more, if I kill the Du family by force, the Xiangyang tribes will be hurt, and the Wei and Liu tribes will probably regard me as their enemies. But for now The plan is to end the war with the enemy, pacify and govern the country, and relieve worries. Can Cai Canjun be willing to help me?"
"Since your Majesty has an order, how dare you refuse to serve as an official? But it is difficult to predict whether this trip will fulfill your wish."
Seeing that King Yueyang had made up his mind, Cai Dabao nodded and said. After hesitating for a moment, he said again: "The reason why he was absent before the official appointment was to investigate the matter and was waiting to report to the king. Does the king still remember what happened in the mansion a few days ago? Summon Li Renlue as a guest?"
After hearing the words, King Yueyang nodded and said: "Although Li Renlue's scholarship is not as mysterious as it is profound, it is still considerable. It can be seen that these old families in the imperial court have not lost their inheritance. It is no wonder that their clan can be famous for a while. But today's war comes first. This kind of visiting and recruiting talents should be put aside for the time being."
"But Your Majesty, this Li Renlue is not just a simple traveler from afar. The current general of the Wei Kingdom and the governor of Jingzhou, Li Boshan, is his son!"
As soon as Cai Dabao said these words, King Yueyang stood up from his seat: "What? Say it again!"
"Last year, two thieves fought at Mang Mountain in Luobei..."
Cai Dabao immediately narrated the causes and consequences of the separation of Li Tai and his son due to the Battle of Mangshan, and then secretly watched the changes in King Yueyang's expression while saying: "The king wants to end the war with the enemy now, and he is sincere to the soldiers and civilians of both sides." Great kindness. If we can get Li Renlue and his ministers to go together, everything will be helped!"
"No, no! Haha, God help me. It's such a rare thing to live in, how could I send it so hastily!"
King Yueyang was originally worried because of the hidden danger of Du family in Jingzhao, but when he heard that the father of the enemy general was living in Xiangyang and living under his rule, he immediately put on a proud expression. Although he had not thought about it yet I don't know how to take advantage of this opportunity, but I obviously won't let it go easily.
When Cai Dabao heard what King Yueyang said, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He had a good personal relationship with Li Renlue, so he knew a lot about his life experience, and he asked him to confirm his guess, and then he unearthed such amazing news.
The King of Yueyang wanted to negotiate peace with the enemy. He thought it was a good opportunity to send Li Renlue north to reunite with his family, so he took the initiative, but he didn't think that the King of Yueyang had other big plans. Although he felt ashamed that he had betrayed his friends, he Naturally, I still put Daliang and the interests of King Yueyang first in my heart.
"Cai Canjun, you go to Li Renlue's residence first, and ask him to be supported by the palace. Whatever needs he has, he will be met!"
King Yueyang first warned Cai Dabao, and then murmured his calculations to himself: "Then Li Boshan is already a high-ranking official in Wei and has a bright future. He will definitely not be willing to join me. Inviting him to come south would be difficult for a strong man. But if you agree, It's not appropriate to ask him to help me do something that is inconvenient for me..."
After thinking for a long time, King Yueyang still had not figured out how to maximize the benefits of this matter. The only thing that was certain was to get in touch with the enemy general Li Boshan as soon as possible and test his intentions for the time being. If this man is stubborn and unyielding , ignorant of filial piety, then his happiness will be in vain.