In Puzhou City, Li Yanduan was sitting in the lobby, surrounded by people. There were the Marquis Wu Weiying, the military advisor Gu Junen, the trusted general Qin Songwang, Gao Qi, his old colleague Liu Tichun, and even a few people recommended by the eunuch from Jiangyin.
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The Yellow River defense line has been inactive for more than a month. Both sides have no intention and ability to break the existing pattern. The four cities on the other side are firmly held by Li Yan, and Hejin is still in the hands of the rebels. No one has fought or captured it.
There weren't even many conflicts. Occasionally, there would be some minor frictions between the two sides on the other side of the river, but they were all under control.
Within this month, the imperial court and the other side of the Taiwan Strait exchanged a series of back-and-forth messages, and finally reached an agreement to suspend the conflict and go to the negotiation table.
Negotiations are a matter for the imperial court and have nothing to do with the soldiers in front of the battle. If the negotiation is successful, they will avoid fighting. If the negotiation fails, they will carry out the sword.
Although Li Yan is the pillar of the country, his responsibility is still to be the commander-in-chief of the front line. It is not his turn to dictate the peace talks and government affairs, and he is not even qualified to make suggestions. This is the reality.
No matter how loyal and hard-working he is now, but his foundation is too shallow and he is a subordinated general, he will not be able to enter the center of power in the court for a while.
Fortunately, Li Yan was patient enough. He followed Chang Yu's arrangements and worked steadily on the front line to accumulate achievements in the future.
Although he did not fight during this period, Li Yan did not relax at all, nor did he take a day off. In several battles, he wanted to discuss his merits, ask for merits, and ask for rewards. He wrote official documents to the Ministry of War and memorials to the emperor. He wrote a lot every day.
, we still need to evaluate the situation, and we also need to ask the court for payment of food and salary. Yes, food and salary are in urgent need here.
Everyone was drinking tea and chatting in the lobby, sometimes assessing the situation, sometimes analyzing the military situation, sometimes discussing government affairs, when a soldier stood at the door to report the arrival of the Jinyi Guards.
There was a sudden silence in the hall. The Jin Yiwei came not to cause trouble, but to deliver a secret message. Usually what the Jin Yiwei sent was either a secret decree from the court or a secret order from that person.
Li Yan opened it and read it, raised his eyebrows, then smiled, and then handed the secret letter to Gu Junen next to him to read.
Gu Junen was also startled, and then smiled bitterly, it turned out that the main banquet was over here.
The rest of the people looked at a loss, not knowing what he said, but they didn't dare to ask, let alone read the secret message.
Li Yan stood up and said that tomorrow he will go to Tongguan to discuss matters with General Wu, and you will be busy here in Puzhou.
Fifty miles east of Tongguan, there is Yawu Mountain on the south bank of the Yellow River. The army camp is stationed here, with tens of thousands of people camped for more than ten miles. It can advance, retreat or attack along the mountains and rivers. It was gathered from Kaifeng and Luoyang a month ago.
The incoming army was about to launch an attack on Tongguan, but was stopped by a military order. Then, according to the agreement between the court and Li Zicheng, it retreated dozens of miles and stationed the army at the foot of the mountain. All the generals camped inside and ordered the entire army not to harass the surrounding people.
Order to kill.
The reputation of the officers and soldiers has always been bad. Tens of thousands of troops gathered, and the surrounding people knew that a war was coming. They fled into the mountains after hearing the news. Only a few people stayed to watch. But no matter how gentle the officers and soldiers patrolling the outside of the military camp were, no one dared to approach them.
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But that day, there was a man walking straight towards the military camp. He was a Taoist priest. When he was stopped by the patrolling officers and soldiers, he said that he wanted to see General Wu's face. The soldiers laughed at him. Soldiers in the army killed people without any excuse. They didn't believe this.
But the Taoist priest insisted: "Just go and report it, General Wu will definitely respond."
The soldiers saw that he had an extraordinary appearance, so they reported it to the police. To their surprise, Wu Sangui came in person.
Accident?
Of course, it was no surprise that the confidants under the eunuch's command were here. How could Wu Sangui dare to trust him?
Li Muxian secretly went to Tongguan from Xuzhou ten days before Chang Yu. He was a wandering Taoist priest and would not arouse suspicion. He was skilled in martial arts and Taoism. Even though it was thousands of miles away, there was nothing to fear if he went alone.
Chang Yu envies this person and that person every day, but he ignores the wandering Taoist priest next to him. Although he is not a wanderer, he is an out-and-out trend-setter who is as comfortable as a fish in water. The rivers and lakes are at his feet, and he can come and go as he pleases.
Flavorful.
All the way from Xuzhou to the west, this Taoist priest was sometimes regarded as a guest of the nobles he met on the way.
It can be said that it was a smooth and romantic journey and we arrived outside Tongguan before we knew it.
After entering the military camp, Li Muxian received a grand courtesy. Not to mention Wu Sangui, tough generals like Ma Ke showed him great respect. Even Liu Wenbing and other distinguished nobles and uncles greeted him with smiles, and no one put on airs.
It's not that Li Muxian is relying on the power of others. If you think that everyone treats him like this because of Chang Yu's face, it would be a big mistake.
In fact, although this guy's character is not very good, he is actually very capable.
Rumor has it that the reason why the great eunuch is invincible is because he has a Taoist priest who has half-stepped into the fairyland beside him.
Of course Wu Sangui and others are not as easy to fool as the fools and they are not as blindly worshipful, but they understand the fact that Li Muchian's advice to Chang Yu is half of the military merit, and if this Taoist priest has no real ability, he will be retained as a little eunuch.
Around you?
Moreover, in addition to making plans for marching and fighting, this Taoist priest is omnipotent in Qimen Dunjia, Five Elements Bagua, physiognomy, divination, and even the art of public opinion. With this, he can attract a group of dignitaries and become die-hard fans. You must know that these days
Everyone believes this, not only ordinary people believe it, but princes, generals and ministers also believe it.
Wu Sangui and others naturally knew that the Taoist priest's sudden visit could not be for the purpose of fortune-telling for a few of them, but when Li Muchian revealed the true purpose, everyone was shocked.
After walking out of the handsome tent, Wu Sangui stood on a protruding rock with his hands behind his back and looked at the Yellow River due north: "The best time to advance westward has passed."
Behind him, Marco nodded slightly: "It's okay if we can reconcile, but if we can't reach an agreement...it will take a lot of trouble."
"If we can't agree, it will give us the opportunity to make contributions." Wu Sangui turned his head and looked towards the west. The weather is good today, and the city at the bend of the Yellow River can be vaguely seen: "If this barrier is broken, the horse will ride on Xi'an City."
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Li Muxian walked over and said with a chuckle: "But as General Wu said, the summer has arrived, the ice has melted, and the best time to cross the river has passed. This battle will not be easy to fight."
Wu Sangui sneered: "Since ancient times, one general has achieved great success!"
Li Muxian shuddered for no reason as he looked at the back of this young future man. As the eunuch said, he was a ruthless character. He looked at Ma Ke next to him and saw that his face was expressionless. This man was hiding his secrets.
A tough guy.
A few days later, Li Yan arrived. Compared with their enthusiasm for Li Muxian, Wu Sangui and others were much colder towards Li Yan. It was not that they disliked him or isolated him, but in fact they wanted to keep a proper distance. Everyone present was full of roots, Miaohong, and others.
Li Yan was born a grass bandit, but he lived in the Zhu Kingdom and was favored by the eunuchs. The imperial court re-appointed him as the temporary governor of the Yellow River. For the arrogant Wu Sangui, Ma Ke and others, you are angry or not.
A little bit angry.
But they still had to be convinced by him. Not to mention the last time they went south together to suppress Baiwang, but also the commotion in Puzhou this time. Wu Sangui and Ma Ke thought that they were no less good at charging into the enemy's territory and siege the city, but they played Li
Yan's chain-linked conspiracy and Yang scheme were put to shame. He attacked four cities in half a month, causing the entire central and northern lines of the rebel army to almost collapse and wander on the edge of collapse, while the rebel army in Tongguan could only
I watched helplessly but couldn't reach out to help.
Not everyone can have this ability. Wu Sangui thinks he is not good at it, and Ma Ke also thinks he is not good at it, let alone the few honorable men who came to learn from Gold Plating.
Looking at the entire Ming Dynasty, there are many people who conquered with strong force. Ningyuan's Zu Dashou is the ancestor, Ma Kehuang Degong, Gao Jie are also leaders, the late talents, Wu Sangui, and the commanders of Dongchang Wei, but in terms of strategy
There were very few people to fight against him, and among them was Li Yan. Only the eunuchs in the dynasty could compete with him.
"It turns out that those in the capital are just talking nonsense for the world to see." Wu Sangui smiled bitterly and shook his head.
Li Yan smiled slightly: "Everyone performs his duties and shows his talents." Then he asked, "General Wu seems to be unwilling to do so."
Wu Sangui was startled, hearing the pun in his words, and then smiled faintly: "From Ningyuan to Jiangnan and then here again, in the blink of an eye, I have traveled thousands of miles for more than half a year and my boots are broken. I can't go back empty-handed."
, who would be willing to let it go, would Li Shuai be willing?"
"I'm really unwilling." Li Yan smiled and asked, "If we shake hands with Li Chuang and make peace, where will Mr. Wu go?"
Wu Sangui had thought about this question many times and said casually: "Just follow the orders."