After only half an hour, Zhang Xing was no longer angry.
In fact, he understood very well the reactions of Li Ding and Bai Yousi, two of the most favored men:
They are the core descendants of the Guanlong clan. Long before the Wei Dynasty annexed Eastern Qi and Nanchen, and surrendered Beihuang and Nanling, their fathers and ancestors were already the core participants and founders of this regime, and they themselves were also
The future and hope of this regime. For them, what happened today was not just an event that had been expected for a long time finally happened, nor was it just witnessing a landslide on the roadside, but it was equivalent to seeing what they had placed their trust in.
I have learned many things, and the existence that I regard as dependence has finally irreversibly reached its end.
That was when their own house finally collapsed.
That kind of emotion is not so much a lack of understanding or understanding, but rather a kind of nostalgia and reluctance, as well as an unwillingness to believe.
Even further, Sima Changying and Bai Hengqiu, the two semi-ambitious people in Nanya, may also be disappointed, shocked, uneasy, and sad and emotional secretly or openly.
This further made Zhang Xing realize that he and these people had very different views on the Wei regime and deeper matters.
In particular, the Wei Dynasty finally chose the death lane with a high probability of disintegration. Apart from the three conquests of Dongyi, there are probably thirty-six more smoke and dust, the resurgence of the emperor's uncle, civil strife in Guanlong, and a series of battles for hegemony between the heroes.
script.
Then you need to be mentally prepared.
If you are angry with these people now, won't you be angry to death in the future?
You must respect others and stick to yourself.
In this way, repeating this sentence over and over in his heart, Zhang Xing generously invited these people to a New Year's Eve dinner.
The New Year's Eve dinner was very unhappy. Everyone seemed to have something on their minds, but no one was willing to express themselves any more. From Bai Yousi to Li Ding to Qin Bao, and then to Zhou Xingfan who was still confused, everyone seemed to have something to worry about.
We all realize that a crossroad is right in front of us, and everyone has to make their own choice.
However, these complicated emotions cannot stop the wheel of history from rolling forward.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the news of the three expeditions against Dongyi spread completely. On the one hand, the state machinery was activated directly in the court regardless of the New Year, and on the other hand, large-scale commotion among the people began.
Zhang Xing received the summons and went to Yangliu Forest. His task was quite simple. Since the saint wanted to conquer it himself, the entire Fulong Guard was still the same as it was during the previous patrol, that is, to guard the surroundings of the emperor... Of course, it was still...
What's a bit troublesome is that according to the custom, some people must be left to guard the White Tower. In addition, Zhang Han is not sure whether he will accompany him or not, so the team of people on duty around him also have some opinions.
Different from before the start of the previous "Western Tour", after experiencing a "Western Tour", everyone wanted to stay - guarding the White Tower was the safest option, and following Mr. Zhang Han on duty was a gamble on luck.
In response to this, Zhang Xing simply ordered the few people who went with Qin Bao to pick him up at the Bitter Sea last time to stay at the White Tower. Zhang Han's place would be arranged normally. If this little Mr. Zhang didn't come with him, then
Whoever's turn it is to stay.
As for the left behind Hei Shou, Zhang Xing has no psychological burden - Qian Tang took a break last time and Qin Bao had just been promoted, and he also needed to pick up his mother on the way, so he could only be the cold-faced Hei Shou with the most seniority.
Shou stayed behind.
Zhang Xing completed troublesome official duties easily and directly, without anyone making trouble, which only added to Zhang Xing's sense of frustration.
The main problem is the black-shou man named Lu Changheng. As the most senior and most cultivated expert in Fulong Guard, this person is always cautious and conscientious. He also has some connections. He has always been looked down upon by Zhang Xinggao, but
The other party came from a high background and relied on his cultivation. He was arrogant and arrogant, so he always reacted coldly.
Deputy Changjian Zhang originally intended to slowly defuse the opponent, but unexpectedly, after being transferred to Fulongwei for more than half a year, he spent half of the year patrolling the west. During the inspection, he had to be cautious in front of the imperial court and could not do anything.
Next, we have another expedition to the east, and I really don’t know if there will be a chance to build some friendship again, so naturally I feel a little emotional.
After dealing with this matter, Zhang Xing was ready to turn a deaf ear to what was going on outside the window and just wait to hitch a ride on history.
However, the structure of Fulongwei is simple, and most of the people are prepared and confident to continue to accompany them. They can be easily dealt with, but it does not mean that other places in the court and the people can be so simple... Amidst people's panic, Dong Dong
The officials in the capital fought fiercely among themselves, arguing about who should stay behind and who should go forward; the people also began to be in chaos.
On the second and third day of the first lunar month, turmoil began to arise, and it became a big turmoil... There were groundless rumors that the British government was plotting evil and wanted to use Taiyuan as the basis for rebellion, imitating Yang Shen's story.
"The location in Taiyuan can only be owned by British officials. This small twist will not shake the overall situation." In the small courtyard, the dark circles under his eyes became obvious again. As soon as he entered the room, Li Ding rubbed his hands and came to a conclusion. The few people who had celebrated the New Year here before
People seem to regard Zhang Xing as some kind of information distribution center, or a place to hide from right and wrong. "Because in the entire Nanya Li, there are only three people who are qualified for this position: Cao Huangshu, Sima Xianggong and Yingying... But Cao Zhongcheng must have
He is in charge of the Eastern Capital, and Sima Xianggong has no way to fight with the British Duke just because of this rumor."
"It sounds like nonsense." Zhang Xing commented coldly.
"Why can't Sima Xianggong fight with the British duke?" Qin Bao looked at Zhou Xingfan who was lowering his head to warm himself and asked seriously.
"Because I want the British Duke to lose this appointment, I can only slander the saint to make the saint doubt the British Duke. That is what it is now. But if it is doubtful, it is Sima Xianggong who is more suspicious of the saint in Taiyuan." Li Ding blurted out.
And yes, I sat down directly.
Qin Bao and Zhou Xingfan nodded one after another... They didn't know about the saint's dream and Sima Changying's extreme self-rescue and blackening. They thought it meant that Sima Xianggong and his son had always led the army. Unlike the British company, although they had enough military experience, they had already
He has not touched important military matters for several years, and now he has no obvious foundation in the army, so the saint is even more relieved.
But that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it.
"But if that's the case, why is there still such a rumor?" Zhou Xingfan nodded, thought for a moment, and continued to ask.
"Because there was a time when a first-class person was forced to treat a dead horse as a living doctor." Li Ding taught tirelessly. "As everyone knows, in the situation in Taiyuan, only the first-level officials can be allowed to go, and those pillars
The general of the country has no chance at all and can only go to the east..."
"There is another important reason." Zhang Xing finally sighed. "According to my observation from Taiyuan, it will take several months to completely clean up the place, and as long as Zhong Cheng is in charge of the east
It's all safe, and it's not just anyone who wants to go against it, Yang Shen doesn't say anything at all... In other words, this rumor itself is just a panic, so it won't have much effect."
Qin, a man on Tuesday, immediately woke up.
After a while, Li Ding continued to provide a piece of important information: "Duan Shangshu intends to resign..."
"It doesn't matter." Zhang Xing immediately made a judgment. "The saint probably won't take him away... Nine times out of ten, it's not allowed, and then he won't take him with him, and he will stay in the Eastern Capital."
Li Ding nodded: "On the contrary, our acquaintance, Wang Shilang, may be self-defeating this time and be remembered by the saint, and then take him with him."
"Wang Daiji can't run away." Zhang Xing still opened his mouth and came. "If he was smart, he shouldn't struggle anymore, but honestly win over and manage old acquaintances like you and me, and pretend that he doesn't have power once he gains power.
He concealed his face when he knew other people, so that no one could stab him in the back during the Eastern Expedition."
Li Ding nodded and shook his head again.
Zhang Xing suddenly realized: "Yes, it is possible to go against the current, seek some key rights and responsibilities, and then take the opportunity to retaliate and use the tiger's skin as a banner... But this matter has nothing to do with us, right?"
"It doesn't involve you." Li Ding sighed. "Originally, I was more dangerous, but with you here, he didn't dare to make any mistakes."
Zhang Xing also nodded, then took the leftover meat buns from yesterday, held them with tongs, and put them on the stove to bake... It was obvious that the two people spoke clearly and were familiar with each other, and they quickly completed the exchange of information and discussion in just a moment.
After a moment of pause, there was also silence in the room. As the wind began to pick up outside, the steamed buns on the stove began to smell of burning. Zhou Xingfan, the youngest, finally couldn't help it anymore, and then asked something that he might have hidden in his heart for a long time.
question:
"Brother Zhang, Fourth Brother...why do everyone think this battle will be lost?"
This is a very sensitive issue, and Zhou Xingfan had not arrived when several people lost their temper yesterday. It would be inappropriate to make angry remarks at this time. Gu Yun
Moreover, this is by no means a meaningless question, especially when it comes from Zhou Xingfan's mouth.
Therefore, the scene became cold for a while.
After a long while, Zhang Xing put down the tongs and buns in his hands, and looked at Xiao Zhou seriously: "The thing is like this, the victory or defeat of the three conquests of Dongyi has three levels, the diplomatic victory and the military victory.
Political victory and defeat, as well as political victory and defeat... These three levels are probably related to each other, but they may not be properly related... The losses we are talking about are political losses. I am afraid that what your father and Lai Gong are thinking of is the first two.
It is even just a military humiliation, and if we say a great victory, it is a victory if we capture the Dongyi capital city. Of course, we can also say that a great victory is very possible with this conquest."
Xiao Zhou was slightly stunned, but he couldn't help but ask: "If this is the case... which level of victory does the saint seek?"
"The saint hopes to use military victory to win diplomatic victory, and finally turn into political victory." Li Ding stared at the roasted brown meat buns and smiled half-heartedly.
"That...is a saint...meaning that he cannot turn military victory into political victory?" Xiao Zhou lowered his voice.
"No." Zhang Xing placed the buns on Li Ding's knees and clamped a new one to bake. "Since he announced the Three Marches, he has already lost politically... because the biggest politics,
It’s about people’s hearts. As you can see in this Three March campaign, he has messed up the people’s hearts in Dongdu. If he officially sets off in a few days, he might mess up the people’s hearts among the remaining people... In this case, what’s the matter?
Will he really win?"
Xiao Zhou was in a daze for a moment after hearing this, and then his posture became obviously more cautious and hesitant at the same time.
"Do you want to ask why the saint, such a smart person, didn't realize that people's hearts were scattered because of the expedition?" Zhang Xing asked calmly.
"Yes." Xiao Zhou gritted his teeth and responded. "Third brother, why is it that the saint, such a smart person, didn't realize this?"
When Qin Bao heard this, he also stared at Zhang Xing and Li Ding. Although he knew better than anyone else, he still postponed taking the buns that were no longer hot.
"This question couldn't be simpler." The fire swayed slightly, shining on everyone's faces. Zhang Xing was baking buns expressionlessly, his tone was magnanimous, and his words were clear and unmistakable. "That's because the saint himself is the important reason for the loss of people's hearts.
This saint has not been honest for many years... I dare to ask, no matter how smart the saint is, how can he realize this or admit this?"
The room fell into a deathly silence. Even the Yueniang next door, who was pretending to turn over books, had stopped.
After a moment, Li Ding seemed to want to say something, but unexpectedly, as soon as he raised his hand, the baked buns rolled down in his hand.
Li Silang was so embarrassed that he quickly lowered his head to pick it up, and then laughed dryly: "It's too hot...the bun is too hot."
"I thought it was a muffled thunder in the sky, and then a huge earthquake, but that's it." Zhang Xing laughed for a moment, gave the new bun to the other person, then took the cold bun from the other person's hand and baked it again.
Without delay, he looked towards the roof. "Look at your sister-in-law, she is as motionless as a mountain. The top is so slippery and windy, even the wine bottles have not fallen off."
Everyone looked up together, and with the distinct sound of tiles being knocked on the roof, they all lowered their heads again.
And Li Silang was holding the freshly baked buns, which were not too hot at this time. He just lowered his head and asked curiously: "What is your current level of cultivation? Why didn't I notice it?"
"What is your cultivation level?" Zhang Xing asked back.
"The eight extraordinary meridians connect the six meridians, but only the Rendu meridians have been silent for almost two years." Li Ding became visibly sad on the spot.
Qin Bao and Xiao Zhou were obviously a little shocked. They probably knew that Li Silang was a semi-master, but they didn't expect that he had reached the point where he almost crushed them... But on the other hand, the eight meridians connected with the six meridians.
However, there was no movement in Du's two meridians, which made him look pitiful again.
After all, everyone knows that once the two meridians of Ren and Du are opened, the other six meridians will be opened, and it is only a matter of time before the elixir is condensed; on the other hand, these two meridians are different, and even if you open all the other six meridians, you will probably stop moving forward.
.
"That's much better than me." Zhang Xing said unhappily. "When I came back, the Chong meridians were all clear, and the Dao meridians were almost a breath away. Now I just passed this breath at the end of the year. It's considered a success.
It's just two meridians... If you don't notice the roof, it's just because your mind is on other places all day and all night, and you are mentally weak."
Li Ding thought for a while, looked up at the roof, but could only shake his head.
At this time, there was a sudden knock on the door in the yard.
Li Ding was speechless and looked at the roof again. Zhang Xing, who had just said his rebellious words, was magnanimous and did not move at all, while Qin Bao took the initiative to get up and go outside to open the door.
After a while, he came back and replied: "Third brother, this is the old man who delivered the firewood."
As he said that, he saw Qin Bao taking the initiative to help open the door and remove the threshold.
Everyone was relieved, but Zhang Xing was surprised. He put down the pliers and stood up and walked out. Then he faced the kind-faced old man and asked seriously:
"Old man, you came to deliver firewood on the third day of the first lunar month. Is there something wrong?"
After hearing this, the old man in cloth clothes with a dark complexion and breathing heavily came to the courtyard in a hurry and wanted to bow down, but was stopped by Qin Bao.
"If you have anything to do, just say it. I can't afford to bow down to you." Zhang Xing also quickly waved his hand in response.
And the old man was obviously older. Although he got up, he wanted to say something several times, but he couldn't express it clearly... In the end, Yueniang, who still pretended to be studying, couldn't listen anymore and rushed out to translate:
"He just wants to ask, is the imperial court going to recruit Ding again? Don't forget his son... Is he worried that his son will be captured again?"
"Yes." Zhang Xing suddenly realized and blurted out. "That's true, but I really don't know if there is also a conscription here in Dongdu?"
"Yes." Li Ding, who was eating steamed buns, added in the main room at the back. "I saw Nanya's Jun order at the Ministry of War. The logistics follow the rules of the previous two expeditions, but I'm not sure of the scale yet...
If we follow the first regulations, there should be 100,000 soldiers in Dongdu, all responsible for transporting grain, 50,000 inside the city, 50,000 outside the city... But there may not be that many. The first time there were one million soldiers, two
Millions of servants.”
Zhang Xing shook his head and looked at the old man.
The old man's face had already turned pale with fear, but he just bent down and saluted, and then hurried out, even abandoning the car.
Zhang Xing and Qin Bao both wanted to shout to stop, but they both closed their mouths one after another.
Two days later, that is, the day when Wang Jiwang's minister came to invite Zhang Xing to drink, the imperial court officially announced the scale of the Eastern Expedition - sending five armies, Jinwu Guards, Guanxi, Hebei Tunjun, Jianghuai, Jiangdong Water
The army has merged with Xuzhou Camp, Hejian Camp, Youzhou Camp, and Jiangdu Camp, with a total of 500,000 horse infantry and naval troops, and recruited one million civilians from various places to maintain logistics, and began to gather troops and horses today to recruit troops.
Ding, stand side by side and face east.
On the same day, a decree was sent to re-establish the frontline camp in Dengzhou and the logistics camp in Bianzhou, recruit military attachés from all over the country, and recruit masters of cultivation level above Ningdan from all over the country to accompany them.
He vowed to wipe out the Dongyi, unify the four seas, and achieve unparalleled achievements.
But that evening, Zhang Xing, who returned to the White Tower after drinking, learned a trivial piece of news from Qian Tang, who took over his shift - the permanent official servant of the Second Patrol Group whom they were familiar with when they were in Jing'an Terrace.
Xiao Gu actually died in the collapse of the Babel Tower that day.
Counting the time, it has been almost five months.