The rain was gurgling outside the window, and Yu and Lu sat facing each other in silence, with solemn expressions.
After much deliberation, they still didn't think that the Dong Palace, which was conservative and unprogressive in this situation, had any chance of winning, which made the two of them feel extremely heavy.
Lu Deming sighed softly, his expression and tone full of reluctance: "Since the ninth year of Wude, when His Majesty conferred the crown prince, we have been ordered by the emperor to go to the East Palace to teach the prince. In the blink of an eye, eighteen years have passed. We can be said to be conscientious and diligent.
, I didn’t dare to slack off even a little bit. However, today, more than ten years of hard work have been in vain, and I have achieved nothing.”
In the ninth year of Wude, His Majesty became the emperor. In October of the same year, Li Chengqian, who was only eight years old, was canonized as the prince.
At that time, everyone believed that Li Chengqian was "majestic in appearance" and "deep in benevolence and filial piety" and would definitely become a holy master in the future. Therefore, many people in the court wanted to enter the East Palace to assist Prince Zuo and achieve the "effort of following the dragon".
Yu, how happy and excited are Lu and others to receive this honor?
However, he did not expect that the current situation would change, and the prince was almost deposed several times. Today, not only has he not received any benefits, but he will sink with the broken ship of the East Palace...
Yu Zhining's expression changed and he said nothing.
After sighing, Lu Deming said helplessly: "Now that things have happened, what should we do?"
As a great scholar of the time, he proclaimed "loyalty and righteousness" all day long, but when things came to a close, how could he be willing to drag the entire family along with the East Palace to capsize?
But this kind of words can only be hinted, not asked, and it still requires a bit of face...
Yu Zhining took a long breath, rubbed his face, and said in a deep voice: "The prince was bewitched by traitors and went astray. As the prince's teachers, we should try our best to dissuade the prince. Even if we are shattered to pieces and left with a lifetime of infamy, we will not
No need to hesitate. Otherwise, how can I live with myself if I don't trust His Majesty?"
Lu Deming was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses. After thinking carefully, he nodded slowly.
*****
There is an undercurrent surging in the Taiji Palace, and tensions are already rising inside and outside Chang'an City.
When the news came out that His Majesty had fainted again, Li Xiaogong immediately ordered Cheng Yaojin to put the entire army on alert and blockade the whole city. All city gates were strictly checked, and only people were allowed to enter, but not to go out.
Those who are unknown will be immediately taken to jail and will be released after careful screening. If they have a criminal record, or if their identity cannot be strictly enforced, they will all be jailed.
For a time, the city of Chang'an was filled with tremors, and soldiers were guarding every corner. Entry and exit were prohibited unless necessary.
Outside the city of Chang'an, the Youhou Guards under Yuchi Gong also gathered urgently and were waiting outside the Chunming Gate. They were so murderous that the people started to change things and business travelers disappeared.
The 16th Guards troops stationed in various places in Guanzhong received the news one after another, and they also organized their troops individually, with their eyes fixed on Youhou Wei, paying attention to his every move.
At the same time, all parties also admire Yu Chigong's courage. His Majesty's life and death are uncertain, the ownership of the throne is uncertain, and the situation is unpredictable. Unless Yu Chigong, a minister of Zhenguan with a strong army and a high status, who would dare to be so unscrupulous
?
Chaos means a reshuffling of the power structure. Whoever can play a mainstay role will naturally gain the most.
Therefore, all parties are full of envy and jealousy towards the bold Yu Chigong...
…
But Yu Chigong, who was envied by all kinds of people, was furious in the Chinese army tent outside Chunming Gate.
"boom!"
A tea cup was smashed to pieces, and Yuchi Gong roared in anger: "My dear Cui Dunli, how dare you bully me like this? Oh my, you must cut off the head of this dog to eliminate the hatred in my heart!"
Yu Wenshi frowned on the side and ignored Yuchi Gong, who was speaking arrogantly and furiously. He asked the captain who came to report the news: "Is it true that firearms were transported to the Sixth Command Station in the East Palace? Has the news been verified? Is it true?
What misunderstanding?"
The captain replied: "This is absolutely true. The Foundry Bureau is full of smoke and heat all day long, but every time we go to urge for firearms and ordnance, we are rejected due to insufficient production capacity, limited production, etc. Previously,
The commander-in-chief went there in person and was disappointed... Therefore, the commander-in-chief ordered a team of scouts to hide outside the Foundry Bureau and closely monitor its entry and exit of iron materials, equipment, and various ordnance. As a result, it was found that he went to the East Palace more than once
The six-level camp transports firearms, stomachs and other ordnance."
Yuwen Shiji asked: "What is the specific quantity?"
The Ministry of War is under the control of Cui Dunli, Zhang Xingcheng is just a decoration, and all ministry affairs are completely decided by Cui Dunli. Without Cui Dunli's approval, Zhang Xingcheng's orders cannot even be issued by the secretary of the ministry...
Several times before, Zhang Xingcheng was urged to order the foundry bureau to allocate ordnance and firearms to Youhou Wei. However, Zhang Xingcheng was completely ignored by the officials below, and there was nothing he could do.
It is impossible to say that Cui Dunli was the stumbling block in this. Cui Dunli was a direct descendant of Donggong, so it was natural that the ordnance produced by the Foundry Bureau should be given priority to Donggong Liuli.
But the quantity of ordnance the Foundry Bureau can produce is the top priority...
The lieutenant shook his head and replied: "The foundry bureau is strictly managed and no one else can enter. Especially the firearms production department is personally managed by Liu Shi, a doctor in the Ministry of War. It is impossible for outsiders to know the inside story. Moreover, its management implements 'division of labor and coordination', and everyone
They are only responsible for a certain component. Even if we buy it, we can't know the specific production quantity."
Yuwenshi frowned.
He knew this. It is said that the foundry bureau imitated the technological process of the pre-Qin Dynasty, which was called "assembly line operation" by Fang Jun. Every worker only needs to be familiar with a certain process, day after day.
The workmanship is naturally refined, and then the various parts are assembled in one place.
I used to think that this would greatly improve efficiency, but today I found out that it can also prevent external penetration from detecting the actual situation within the foundry...
What a cunning plan.
He looked at Yuchi Gong and said warmly: "Don't be angry, Lord E. This matter was expected. As long as the foundry bureau does not supply the East Palace Sixth Army with ordnance on a large scale, their combat power will not be able to increase quickly... We
What is the situation with the lack of ordnance?”
Yuchi Gong said in a dull voice: "About 13,000 new recruits have been recruited this time. After only simple training, not to mention there are not many firearms left, even Hengdao, armor and stomach and other ordnance are seriously missing. A full 10,000 people are unarmed.
If the situation changes, what will we use to fight the war? When Fang Erying established the Foundry Bureau, he proposed that the Ordnance Department be merged into it. I even expressed my approval in the Taiji Hall, which was extremely stupid!"
First, there was the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo, and then there was another melee in Guanzhong. All the troops of the Sixteenth Guards were severely reduced in number, and their ordnance was severely depleted. They were rushing to replenish them during these days. Although the Tang Dynasty implemented the government army system, strong men took turns to enlist in the army. During the war,
They go on war expeditions and farm in their spare time. The soldiers are of excellent quality, but they have never been exposed to firearms. Without rigorous training, how can they be on the battlefield?
At the moment, Yuchi Gong no longer dares to hope that equipping his troops with firearms will greatly increase their combat effectiveness. He only hopes to replenish the swords, guns, armor and stomach... He can't let these new soldiers under his command go into battle carrying fire sticks, right?
Besides, even if you are burning fire sticks, it is not easy to get more than 10,000 fire sticks at one time...
Yu Wenshi thought further: "In your opinion, how much ordnance can Donggong Liuli replenish? How much combat power can be restored? Do you have a chance of winning against it?"
At present, all armies are seriously lacking in ordnance. If Dong Gong Liu leads all the equipment, it will be troublesome...
Yuchi Gong thought for a while and said in a deep voice: "The military strategy of Duke Wei is the best in the world. Even the British Duke is slightly inferior. Who dares to win easily with the troops he has trained? But this time the Sixth Rate of the East Palace is at Guan
The Long army suffered heavy losses under the siege, with almost half of its troops lost, and it was difficult to regain combat strength for a while. The reconstruction of the foundry bureau was not a day's work, especially the production of firearms was not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also a waste of money, and the output was limited.
Supplying the East Palace with six rates is a drop in the bucket."
He didn't think that Cui Dunli dared to lie to him in front of Zhang Xingcheng. Even if the funds he said at that time were exaggerated, they were also an astronomical figure. The court would definitely not be able to allocate them now. Is it all based on Kang's donation from the Eastern Palace Administrator who emptied his own treasury?
If this is really the case, then the prince is really what people want and his destiny is, and he should achieve great ambitions and hegemony...
Yu Wenshi nodded. He also believed that the Sixth Army of the East Palace could at best protect themselves and had no power to make progress. In this case, as long as the King of Jin conquered Cheng Yaojin who was guarding the city, the situation would be set.
The East Palace can only resist stubbornly, and its destruction will happen sooner or later.
Of course, in everything, before you think about victory, think about failure first, prepare for the worst, and do your best to be foolproof...
He raised his head and looked at the rainy night outside, and said slowly: "I will go to the city later to collect the remnants of the former Sui Dynasty for His Majesty the King of Jin, so that I can have a better chance of winning."
Currently, Chang'an City only allows entry and no exit, which makes it easier for him...
Yuchi Gong pondered for a moment, looked hesitant, and said in a low voice: "Why should we... go all out to support King Jin? The risk is too great. Once His Majesty has something that he cannot bear to say and has not left a legacy, the Crown Prince will still be the crown prince of the country.
Even though he is not as powerful as the King of Jin at the moment, but due to his fame and righteousness, all parties in the world will rally together and respond, so he may not be without the strength to fight."
The Guanlong family has now nominally surrendered to the East Palace. If they change their tune and support the King of Jin, it will be a blatant betrayal. The failure of the previous military remonstrance has caused Guanlong to be suppressed by all parties. If there is another backstabbing, even if the King of Jin's rank is finally supported
, the reputation will also be stinky.
Besides, who dares to say that the King of Jin will win?
Li Chengqian has been the prince for so many years, and his subordinates in the East Palace are very powerful. When the Jedi counterattack, he may not have the chance to survive, survive in death, and launch a complete counterattack...
Yu Wenshiji stared at Yu Chigong and warned: "This matter was unanimously decided by all the Guanlong families. There is no turning back when firing the bow, only success, no failure! The Duke of E is the pillar of Guanlong, and he has military power.
Never waver in your will and do something stupid that hurts your loved ones and makes your enemies happy!"
Yuchi Gong remained silent.
Who is loyal and who is traitorous, who is right and who is wrong?
The current situation is already in chaos. It is difficult to see the direction of the situation, the faces of everyone, and the future...