Under the strict guard of a group of thoughtful people, Wang Xun and others were unable to find out any useful information. Several old friends who had met at the Baimabao Camp and the Anxi Army either went to Tongguan with Zhou Xiaofeng, or were recently sent to Tongguan.
On business elsewhere, except for Cen Shen, who was obviously unreliable, no one was left in the city at the moment. As for those low-level officers such as captains and team leaders who could barely name their names, Fang Ziling was able to find a few. But they were of no rank at all.
If you are qualified to check the imperial newspaper issued by the imperial court, of course it will not be of much help to everyone.
As for the information that everyone gathered from swordsmen and traders, it was even more mediocre. Some said that An Lushan had broken through Tongguan and captured Ge Shuhan, Gao Xianzhi, and Feng Changqing. Some said that Feng Changqing, Zhou Xiaofeng, etc.
People would rather die than surrender and sacrifice themselves for their country. There are also rumors that An Lushan has been defeated by the army, and that Feng Changqing is leading the team to kill the rebels' lair.
Not worthy of any scrutiny.
The most ridiculous thing is that someone actually told Wanqi Yuxiao with righteous indignation that the imperial court had issued a decree to behead Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing in public. Their heads were hung on the wall of Tongguan, thinking that those who refused to contribute would die.
Zejie. Before the other party could finish what he said, Wanqi Yuxie slapped him in the face, "Nonsense! Why did Marshal Feng offend you? How dare you curse him like this?! You killed two generals in front of the battle and hung their heads."
On the wall of Tongguan, do you think that all the civil and military officials are fools? Do you think that our brothers in the Anxi Army are all paper? Even if the court really wants to use Marshal Feng as a scapegoat, who dares to spread this imperial edict in the army?
?Isn’t he afraid of being torn apart by his brothers?”
"That's true!" The man who was beaten was not angry, but turned from sadness to joy. "I also think it's impossible. How could the emperor be so stupid? He can't even tell who is good and who is bad! Feng Shuai, he is fine.
Just fine, just fine! If something really happens, even if a certain family fights for these two hundred kilograms of meat, they still have to find a place to cry out for their injustice!"
"Do you need you?!" Wanqi Yuxie rolled his eyes at the other party with disdain and taunted angrily, "With our King Commander and General Yuwen here, whoever wants to be the commander-in-chief must weigh it carefully!"
Angry that the other party was talking nonsense, he didn't even bother to say goodbye, and walked back with a livid face. When he arrived at the temporary residence, he reported the news to Wang Xun and other people angrily. When everyone heard it, they felt that the rumors were indeed too far-fetched.
.
"With Commander Feng's temper, if the imperial court really wants to punish him for the crime of losing his master and humiliating the country, he will definitely not resist. Not only will he not, but he will also restrain the brothers and not allow everyone to stop the execution!" Zhao Huaixu and Feng
Chang Qing has been around the longest and knows his temperament best. After thinking about it, he analyzed it with concern. "But it would be a bit far-fetched to kill Gao Xianzhi and Gao Dudu together. Gao Dudu didn't even fight."
How can you be charged with fighting the rebels? Besides, without the two great guards, who will lead our Anxi army? Leave it all to Ge Shuhan? Why isn't Your Majesty guarding Ge Shuhan from walking to Anlu Mountain at this time?
Follow in the footsteps!"
"Yes!" Even Yu Wenzhi, who was most concerned about Feng Changqing's safety, nodded repeatedly after hearing Zhao Huaixu's analysis. "Since An Lushan's rebellion, the imperial court has appointed us commanders, or Ge Shuhan and that guy.
They are all on guard against thieves. Right now, outside Tongguan City, there are only two armies that have actually fought. If they all belong to Ge Shuhan, then Ge Shuhan will collude with An Lushan and fight back. Chang'an
The city must be destroyed immediately!"
"There's no need to collude. If Marshal Feng has a shortcoming, will the brothers still be willing to fight against the rebels? No matter how capable his brother Shu Han is, half of his soldiers will be defeated before fighting. The remaining half will also have to fight.
Scattered sheep!" From the common sense of military use, Sha Qianli also believed that the rumors could not be true, smiled and added in a low voice.
"indeed!"
"Indeed!" Everyone is a "veteran" with experience in battle. Of course, they believe that the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty cannot be so stupid. Even if the three parties of Prince Li Heng, the powerful officials in the inner court, and Zhongshu's subordinates from the provinces continue to fight in darkness, the safety of the capital will be at stake.
It must also be put first. Otherwise, once the rebels break through Tongguan, all their fame and wealth will be fleeting.
Regardless of the outcome, various signs indicate that Feng Changqing's current situation may not be very good. As for Anxi, at least in Shule City, no one can hope to find out the truth. Assessing the situation, Wang Xun had no choice but to accept the reality. Chapter 2
On the second day, everyone rested for the whole day. On the morning of the third day, they said goodbye to Zhang Su, the envoy to the field, early and continued to march to Chang'an.
When his own status was not threatened, Zhang Su, the envoy to the field, showed a bit of the demeanor of an elder. He sent Wang Xun and others ten miles away with his subordinates, civil and military generals, and before leaving, he also gave a bunch of gifts.
Swords, bows and the like were used to enhance the gang's appearance. Feng Zhi, Wu Xian and others each prepared a box of gifts to offer. Without looking at the list, just looking at the binding of the gift box, one knew that it was valuable. Cen Shen, on the other hand,
His official position was low and he was stingy. When he saw that his colleagues all gave him gifts, he felt embarrassed not to give them to him. After gritting his teeth and complaining for a long time, he blushed and took out a black parcel from behind the saddle, and said sarcastically
He gave it to Wang Xun: "Mingyun, you and I have got to know each other, and we have to say goodbye this time. I don't know when we will see each other again. Logically, I should help you get stronger. But Cen is short of money and really can't find anything.
Something I can get. This rhinoceros armor I got from the Tibetan people, I’ll give it to you. It’s just a bit short, so it definitely won’t fit you. But at least it can be a souvenir!”
"Thank you very much, Cen Sicang!" Wang Xun smiled and took the package, without looking at it, and handed it to Wanqi Yuxie casually, "Keep it for me, this is Cen Sicang's sincere wish."
"Yes, sir! Xiao Liuzi, come here and take this package. What's in it is Cen Sicang's heart!" Wanqi Yuxie also looked down on Cen Shen's character and spoke loudly.
Everyone present, including Wanqi Yuxie and Wang Shisan, had much higher official positions than Cen Shen, the sixth-grade Sicang. Therefore, they all laughed unbridled. After Cen Shen heard this, his old face was so red that it almost bled. He said sarcastically.
He arched his hands a few times and retreated into the farewell crowd.
After humiliating Cen Shen, everyone finally let out a sigh of relief. They continued to move forward quickly, crossing the state and counties. Everywhere they arrived, they must first ask the left-behind officials about the latest battle situation in Tongguan and the news about Feng Changqing. Unexpectedly, the Anxi Governor's Mansion was really
Most of them were reduced to nothing, and in most states and counties, only civil servants were left to maintain them. The military generals of high rank had already rushed to Tongguan according to the order, and the civil servants who stayed behind either said that they would not be able to do anything within half a year.
Whenever I receive any news from Chang'an, I will make random nonsense. When asked about the source and reliability of the news, I will spread my hands and say that I am also spreading rumors and cannot guarantee its authenticity.
Although the territory under the jurisdiction of the Anxi Dudufu is vast, what it really fully controls are the five or six important strategic strongholds on the two Silk Roads in the north and south. The other states are nominally the territory of the Tang Dynasty, but in fact they are completely controlled by the local tribes.
Controlled by the headman. From the civil governors and county magistrates to the military governors and governors, they are all nephews of the tribal leader. They usually do not need to pay taxes to the court. When there is a war, soldiers and horses are dispatched according to their respective strengths.
To show loyalty to the Tang Dynasty.
From the mouths of these tribal leaders, Wang Xun did not expect to get any useful information. So he simply did not take the wrong path. He ran along the shortest path to Chang'an day after day, walking for more than ten consecutive days.
On that day, we finally passed Yangguan and came to the border of Hexi Army.
The former governor of Yangguan, Gao Shigao Gaofu, had already been transferred by the imperial court to Huainan to train the people. The military commander left behind at the moment was named Ge Shu, and his only name was Rong. From his surname alone, it can be inferred that this person is a member of Ge Shuhan's clan.
.
Wang Xun set up a friendship with him and finally found out that the rebels had not yet conquered Tongguan. As for the whereabouts of Feng Changqing, according to Ge Shurong, he was removed from military power by the imperial court together with Gao Xianzhi and went to Ge Shuhan
I am guilty of meritorious deeds. As for the source of the news and the latest newspaper, Brother Shurong spread his hands and grinned and complained: "At this time, how can the imperial court have the courage to issue any newspaper? It can't appease people's hearts.
! Especially in Hexi and Anxi, if we don’t issue a report, the great khans of each tribe can still wait and see cautiously for a while. If they decide that the court has too much to take care of, they will take the opportunity to rebel. If you don’t believe it, you will do it.
Walking around the prefecture, the Tubo people are about to attack the city. If the court does not transfer the eldest brother back to take charge, I am afraid that Lintao, Gan and Liangxian will no longer be owned by the Tang Dynasty!"
Knowing that what the other party said may not be the truth, Wang Xun had no choice but to sigh with him, and then stood up to leave. After passing Suzhou and Liangzhou, the situation he saw along the way was as dangerous as his brother Shu Rong said.
.At this juncture, he did not dare to cause trouble to the guard. After having a casual conversation, he hurried on.
From the information collected along the way, it can be basically confirmed that the Anxi Army currently outside Tongguan City has been placed under the command of Ge Shuhan. But I don’t know if it was someone’s instruction or some other reason. The officials left behind in various places have
They were all tight-lipped about the whereabouts of Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing. When asked, they would either ignore them or pretend not to know.
"The imperial court, the imperial court can't really be that stupid!" The closer we get to Chang'an, the less at ease everyone feels. Yu Wenzhi is especially the one, whose eyes become red every time they discuss it.
Wang Xun was beating a small drum in his heart, but as the leader of an army, he had to bite the bullet and argue: "No. Haven't you heard? They were all transferred to Ge Shuhan's account to perform meritorious service. The two of them, especially
Marshal Feng is the backbone of our Anxi Army. Without him, how can our brothers continue to work for the imperial court!"
"Is it true?" Yu Wenzhi couldn't believe Wang Xun's words, his eyes were full of doubts.
"Of course it's true! Otherwise, aren't they afraid that you and I will make trouble?! Just the defenders along this line. I'm not exaggerating. With two thousand brothers, you and I can push all the way from Shule to Lanzhou! Besides, Yang
Guozhong and your brother Yuwende are now counting on us to go back and support the scene! They should know the importance of Marshal Feng in our hearts."
"Indeed!" The second half of the sentence was obviously more convincing than the first half. Yu Wenzhi nodded and remained silent.
"Let's go quickly. When we get near Gyeonggi, we can ask Yang Guozhong's direct descendants. Will everything be clear? No matter how anxious we are on the road, we can't do anything!"
"Yeah!" Yu Wenzhi nodded, knocked the stirrup hard, and made the horse roar.
At this moment, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, it will be grasped firmly in the hand like a life-saving straw. No matter how weak or unreal this glimmer of hope is!
