Live in the present or look forward to the future?
Cheng Yaojin came to such a conclusion from Fang Jun's words, and he, who had always pursued profits, stood blankly in Du Ling's cemetery after Fang Jun left, surrounded by green pines and broken tiles, weeds and shrubs, and his heart There was actually a bit of inexplicable excitement.
He is not like Li Jing, who is the best in the world in the art of war, and is destined to be famous forever by writing books and theories, nor is he like Li Ji, who is the first person in the dynasty to control military affairs. No matter how great his achievements are, he is just a warrior in the end. He is like him in history. There are countless such people everywhere.
Apart from pursuing fame and fortune, living a more carefree and happy life for the rest of your life, and providing a lasting legacy for your children and grandchildren, what else do you want?
But now, standing under Du Ling, looking up at the thick earth, I suddenly realized that there is no lasting foundation in this world?
Autumn turns to spring, the tide rises and falls, the so-called prosperity and wealth are just like these dead trees, weeds, gravels and barren graves, not even as good as a gorgeous cloud...
The next morning, just after Cheng Yaojin fell asleep, Niu Jinda woke him up: "Su Jia is here again."
Cheng Yaojin shook his head, grabbed his clothes and put them on, yawned and said: "The King of Jin is anxious. He probably knows that I left the camp with my soldiers last night but was missing. He thinks that I have something to do with His Majesty." Please contact me and let him in."
After returning from Duling last night, I sat alone in the camp and thought for a long time, and didn't go to bed until dawn. When I was woken up at this time, it was obvious that I didn't have enough sleep, and I sighed quietly.
I remember that in those days he was full of energy, and when he was marching and fighting, he would often stay up for days and still be in high spirits. Now, he just stayed up for a few nights and his energy was exhausted.
Now it seems that the fame and wealth that I have been pursuing tirelessly in the past seems to be of little use. At such an age, even women can't understand it. What else do you need to be a high-ranking official, generous salary, and a family name?
Even if you really leave a feudal kingdom, how long can your sons hold it after your death?
Twenty or fifty years later, he would be buried in a mausoleum like Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, surrounded by barren grass and dead trees, with no descendants and no one to worship him...
Compared with the everlasting stars, moon, mountains and rivers, I suddenly feel that my lifelong pursuit is meaningless.
Niu Jinda was horrified: "The commander-in-chief is saying that there is an informant of the King of Jin in the army? I will have people investigate carefully and find out the traitor!"
"forget it!"
Cheng Yaojin yawned and waved his hand: "Not just the Jin King's informants? His Majesty's, Li Ji's, even Fang Jun's... With tens of thousands of troops, it is inevitable that someone will be bribed to leak military information. Isn't that what we do in other people's armies? Don't worry about this kind of thing. Even if you investigate, you won't be able to find out. One batch was found today, and another batch will be bribed tomorrow... Go ahead and call Su Jia in and see what King Jin has to say about it."
"Here!"
Niu Jinda had no choice but to give up and turn around to go out. Soon, Su Jia stepped inside.
Su Jia came forward to greet him. Seeing Cheng Yaojin's sleepy and depressed expression, he pointed out: "It's cool in the autumn, and the wind is clear and cold at night. The commander-in-chief should try to go out as little as possible, otherwise if he accidentally It’s really not appropriate to catch wind and cold.”
Cheng Yaojin drooped his eyelids and asked Su Jia to sit down. He said angrily: "I have acted recklessly all my life. Even Emperor Taizong laughed it off. How dare you interfere with my business with such a big face? I can go wherever I want. Hey, you can do whatever you want, and if you don't like it, you have to hold it in for me."
Su Jia looked a little embarrassed. These words were obviously not meant for him, but to warn King Jin: I haven't promised you yet, anything is possible...
He simply said bluntly: "The last general came here this time on the order of His Highness the King of Jin. Previously, my son was defeated and captured by Duke E and sent to Tongguan for detention. His Highness the King of Jin could not bear to be treated as a prisoner, so he ordered him to live in the military camp.
I have never treated you harshly. This time I raised my troops to go south and took my son with me in the rear..."
Cheng Yaojin's complexion changed.
Rear army?
According to the battle report, King Jin's rear army stayed in the original camp of the Tongren to try to stop Xue Wanche's Youwu Guards. They have been surrounded and unable to fly. They will be destroyed sooner or later. Maybe they will receive the entire Cui family's private army this morning.
The battle report of destruction, if Cheng Chubi stayed in the rear army and the soldiers were in danger, could it be...
Su Jia paused deliberately. Seeing Cheng Yaojin's expression change, he smiled and said: "Commander, you have misunderstood. How could His Highness leave your son behind in the army to suffer danger? This afternoon, the last army also
The general will cross the river and arrive at Bailuyuan, and the son will be in the army. His Highness ordered the general to come, but he told the commander not to worry. He will send someone to deliver him as soon as he arrives at Bailuyuan. This can be regarded as a sign of sincerity on the part of His Highness."
Cheng Yaojin snorted, "Sincerity? Far from sincerity!"
It sounds nice, but if you don't agree to King Jin's conditions, maybe what you send back is your son's head...
He looked gloomy: "Prince Jin wants to threaten me?"
Su Jia hurriedly said: "No such intention! His Highness the King of Jin has always relied heavily on the commander-in-chief. He only wanted to join forces with the commander-in-chief, fight side by side, and create a great cause for the emperor. How could he have the slightest intention to kill others? You are overthinking.
."
Cheng Yaojin knew that his guess was correct. The King of Jin learned from his informants in the army that he would leave the camp at midnight, so he couldn't sit still for fear that he would be impressed by His Majesty's conditions and swear allegiance to His Majesty.
.
Calculating the time, the news was probably sent out when I left the camp last night...
Of course a son is important, but compared with the family business, it is weaker... Well, it seems that the family business is just that much now...
Fang Er, this demagogic bastard... Cheng Yaojin cursed in his heart and said to Su Jia: "Go back and tell His Highness King Jin that dogs with no virtue and talent are really a burden to our family. If His Highness King Jin can use them,
, you can kill it, cook it, or sacrifice it to heaven. If you can really share your worries for His Highness, it will be a true honor for the dog."
Su Jia was speechless. Looking at Cheng Yaojin's face, he couldn't tell the authenticity of what he said. He could only ask: "The discussion last night was just, I wonder if the commander has made a decision?"
Cheng Yaojin said: "I'm still thinking about it."
Su Jia: "The situation is urgent now. If it is delayed for a long time, I'm afraid..."
Cheng Yaojin stared and said: "The situation is urgent for His Highness the King of Jin, not me. Do you want me to put my life and property on the line without thinking just to accommodate His Highness the King of Jin? His Highness the King of Jin is generous and benevolent, so it must be them."
The eagle dog misinterpreted the Lord's intention and persecuted me, causing His Highness to suffer a harsh reputation! Someone, please capture this wolf and tie it up before Your Highness for questioning!"
"Here!"
The soldiers outside the door rushed in.
"Slowly!"
Su Jia was so frightened that he broke out in white sweat all over his body. He stood up quickly to stop the soldiers who were rushing in. He bowed to Cheng Yaojin repeatedly and begged for mercy: "The commander-in-chief will do whatever he says. I will not say or do anything more."
No? Go back and report to His Highness, and please spare me this time!"
He knew that Cheng Yaojin did not dare to harm his life, but if he was really tied up in front of His Highness, even if it was proved that he had not "misinterpreted his intentions", the impression of "unfavorable" and "weak and incompetent" would never go away, and his future would never go away.
Totally destroyed...
Cheng Yaojin squinted at him and snorted coldly: "Huh! I'll give Yuchi Laohei a face today and I won't argue with you. If you dare to make endless noises in front of me again, watch your head! Come and see off the guests!"
"Here!"
"General Su, please!"
Seeing the guards on both sides glaring at him, Su Jia had no choice but to say "General, I'll retire," and hurriedly exited the Chinese army tent. Under the escort of several guards, he walked into the Zuowuwei camp in disgrace and returned to Bailuyuan.
*****
Tongguan.
The Yellow River is roaring, and the city across the river is standing amidst the roar, tightly holding a road that runs from east to west on the river bank.
There was a hustle and bustle inside and outside the city.
Although the King of Jin led his army southward, he still left more than a thousand soldiers stationed at Tongguan. Even if he could not withstand the enemy's offensive and eventually fell, he could still delay it for a few days. Unexpectedly, Liu Rengui and Zheng Rentai attacked Tongguan City by land and water at the same time, and the soldiers fought bravely and strategically.
Properly, Tongguan was captured in just half a day.
All the rebels defending the city were captured and imprisoned in a pen.
At the same time, the navy docked at the Yellow River wharf outside Tongguan, and countless grain, fodder, and military equipment from the south of the Yangtze River were transported to the pass. The Zheng family in Xingyang also almost emptied their family resources and donated the remaining baggage, which was transported by navy ships.
Tongguan.
Countless supplies gathered at Tongguan, and two armies of nearly 20,000 troops were stationed in Guancheng and reorganized on the spot, making it very lively.
Although the weather in autumn is cool and cold at night, if there is no wind or rain during the day, the heat will be unbearable when the autumn tiger rages. Zheng Rentai came back from reorganizing his troops in the army, his armor and stomach were hot from the sun, and he strode into the city gate.
In the Chinese military barracks below, the cool environment made him let out a sigh of relief.
Liu Rengui, who was sitting in a bookcase and dealing with military affairs, saw sweat dripping from his forehead. He stood up with a smile, poured a large cup of warm tea with a teapot and handed it to him.
The two of them sat on a chair by the window together. Zheng Rentai took the water glass, thanked him, drank up a large cup of tea, and wiped his face comfortably.
Then he looked at Liu Rengui and asked: "Tongguan has been captured, and the King of Jin's retreat is cut off. Why not take advantage of the victory to pursue it and completely eliminate it before arriving in Chang'an? There is never a sure win in a war. If something goes wrong, the King of Jin arrives.
Under Chang'an City, the situation will inevitably recur, and there is no telling what kind of changes it will cause."
Since the capture of Tongguan, Liu Rengui ordered his people to reorganize the army, transport supplies, and strengthen the city defense, but he had no intention of raising troops south to pursue the King of Jin, which puzzled Zheng Rentai.
Although I know that the emperor must have a comprehensive consideration of the entire war situation and multiple plans, but even if it is a plan to lure the emperor into his trap, he should not let the Jin Dynasty move south so leisurely and approach Chang'an, right?
Everyone knows that many people in the Guanzhong area are paying attention to the movements of King Jin. Once King Jin approaches Chang'an and the situation looks extremely favorable to him, those bystanders may raise troops to respond and besiege Chang'an.
As the saying goes, a gentleman should not stand behind dangerous walls. No matter how confident the emperor is and how meticulous his arrangements are, he should not take such risks.