In early September, in response to the "Border City of Qi County" incident, Qi County welcomed two officials from the Daliang court - Liu Jie and Chen Tang.
These two court officials are very interesting. They were both outstanding candidates in the imperial examination in Hongde's 19th year. They also came on the same ship this time, and they conveyed the same meaning to the armies in northern Xinjiang, but in themselves,
But they represent different political positions.
Liu Jie is the most capable aide around Zhao Hongjing, King of Xiang, and was recommended by the latter. He is currently serving as the Langguan of the Ministry of Hubu. Although under the covert obstruction of Li Liang, the Minister of Hubu, and Cui Can, the left minister, Liu Jie is not able to do so for the time being.
He had access to the authority of the Ministry of Household Affairs, but everyone knew that Liu Jie, who was supported by Xiang Wang Zhao Hongjing, would sooner or later lose the authority of Shangshu Li Liang.
There are even rumors that King Xiang Zhao Hongjing is secretly working hard to hope that Liu Jie will take the position of the right minister of the household department.
This time, Liu Jie came in the name of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
As for Chen Tang, he was one of Yong Wang Hongyu's staff. Due to the presence of Zhou Min by King Huan Zhao Hongxuan, Zhang Qigong, Yong Wang Hongyu's most effective staff, did not dare to rush to northern Xinjiang alone this time, probably because he was worried that Zhou Min would kill him.
Swallowed.
Different from Liu Jie, Chen Tang came in the name of Chui Gong Hall.
One thing, two court officials, I have to say that this is indeed a very interesting thing.
From this incident, it is not difficult to see that Yong Wang Hongyu and Xiang Wang Hongjing are no longer as harmonious as they used to be. Ever since Zhao Hongli, the former crown prince of the East Palace, lost power, or to be precise, after Yong Wang Hongyu was awarded the honor of supervising the country by Emperor Wei, Xiang Wang Hongjing gradually became alienated.
He met Hongjing, King of Yong, and got closer and closer to Hongxin, King of Qing.
Under this circumstance, the purpose of Liu Jie and Chen Tang's visit was clear - they both came to win over the Shanyang Army, the Northern First Army, and the Southern Yan Army, a small military group in northern Xinjiang.
So the question is, who among Zhao Hongrun, Zhao Hongjiang, Zhao Hongxuan and Wei Mu should meet first? In other words, which force should they contact first?
Don't think this is a trivial matter. In fact, this is a quite serious political stance - Chen Tang and Liu Jie came at the same time, and they were unwilling to lag behind each other. This means that the attitudes of Yong Wang Hongyu and Xiang Wang Hongjing on this matter
They are very determined, even at the expense of tearing each other apart.
Meeting one person first and then another at a time like this will largely determine political alignment.
For this reason, Zhao Hongjiang and Zhao Hongxuan hurriedly found Zhao Hongrun, seemingly hoping that Zhao Hongrun would give them an idea.
Also coming almost at the same time was Wei Mu, the general of the Southern Yan Army.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Hongrun smiled and said: "What are you watching me do? This matter has nothing to do with me. Brother Si Wang, Xiao Xuan, you two can make up your own mind."
At this time, Wei Mu, the general of the Nanyan Army, smiled and said, "It's none of Wei's business either."
After hearing this, King Huan Zhao Hongxuan looked at Wei Mu speechlessly, and said in his heart: The post of city captain of the border city of Qi County is indeed none of your Nanyan Army's business, but the dividends of the border city, do you and the Nanyan Army occupy two of them?
Is it appropriate for you to shirk responsibility like this?
As a result, King Yan Zhao Hongjiang also patted King Huan Zhao Hongxuan on the shoulder and laughed loudly and said: "Xiao Xuan, it's up to you to make the decision on this matter. Don't worry, no matter what, I will stand firmly by your side."
side!"
"..." Zhao Hongxuan became increasingly speechless.
On the side, Zhao Hongxuan's aide Zhou Min looked at Zhao Hongrun, Wei Mu, and Zhao Hongjiang, and suddenly understood, he smiled and did not interrupt, quietly listening to Zhao Hongxuan's decision.
After Zhao Hongxuan pondered for a moment, he said in a low tone: "I don't like King Yong at all. If King Yong sends Zhang Qigong here this time, I will have to beat him out with sticks..."
After hearing this, Zhou Min smiled widely. After all, he deeply hated Zhang Qigong for picking peaches afterwards, and even wanted to kill him if he took away his credit.
Zhou Min also had some understanding of Zhao Hongxuan: His Highness may not be as smart and outstanding as his brother Su Wang Zhao Hongrun, but he is an honest man, the kind of honest person who will clearly show his likes and dislikes on his face.
Therefore, Zhou Min did not think that Zhao Hongxuan's words were intended to win over him, but rather the latter's words from the bottom of his heart.
At this time, Zhao Hongxuan continued: "...But at present, King Yong oversees the country. If he is offended, the Fourth Brother Wang and General Wei Mu may be affected. Therefore, I think it is better to receive them together, regardless of the front or rear." At this point.
, he curled his lips and said: "We only want to get benefits here. King Yong and King Xiang are fighting to the death. Let them fight on their own, and we will not participate."
Hearing this, Zhao Hongrun, Zhao Hongjiang, Wei Mu and Zhou Min all smiled.
Although this matter seems to be easy to solve, it is a more difficult decision for Zhao Hongxuan. After all, Zhao Hongxuan's character is more stubborn than Zhao Hongrun. Since he hates King Yong, he will never make an excuse with King Yong.
Therefore, in Zhao Hongrun's opinion, it is very likely that this younger brother met with Liu Jie first and left the people sent by King Yong aside.
But now, Zhao Hongxuan has made the right judgment rationally, which shows that this stupid boy has grown up and no longer does things based on his preferences.
"In this way, I feel relieved... Anyway, Zhou Min is still there for other things."
Zhao Hongrun sighed secretly - he finally had no reason to keep this younger brother close to him and shelter him under his wings.
Immediately, he smiled and praised: "The judgment of the commander of the First Army of the North is very wise."
Perhaps because he didn't understand why his brother suddenly called him "Commander of the Northern First Army", Zhao Hongxuan glanced at his brother strangely.
But on the sidelines, Yan Wang Zhao Hongjiang, General Wei Mu, and Zhou Min understood the profound meaning contained in this abrupt title.
"Hongrun, are you leaving? Should you go back to Daliang?"
Suddenly, King Yan Zhao Hongjiang asked.
Zhao Hongrun glanced at the King of Yan, Zhao Hongjiang, quite unexpectedly, because he did not expect that the fourth brother, who looked carefree on the outside, could be so thoughtful.
"Well." He nodded and said truthfully: "I believe Brother Si Wang and Xiao Xuan can handle the matter here. Besides, General Wei Mu is here... I won't go back to Daliang for the time being. I'm going to
A trip to ‘Beiqu’.”
"Beiqu?" King Yan Zhao Hongrun was slightly stunned, and then asked in confusion: "South Korea will not send troops to Hexi for the time being, right?"
"Yes." Zhao Hongrun nodded and said: "Having said that, I want to make preparations as soon as possible... Once we, the Wei Dynasty, get the land west of Hexi, "Beiqu", "Pishi", "Fenyin", "Pu"
"Ban" these four cities close to the Xihe River have become particularly
Important. If the situation in Hexi becomes unstable, these four cities will be the solid backing of Hexi County. But last year, these four cities were first attacked by the Han general Jin Pao, and then they were attacked by the Qin people and suffered from war, so I think
Go over there and check out the situation."
"That's it." King Yan Zhao Hongjiang suddenly realized.
He nodded, patted Zhao Hongrun's arm, and said sternly: "Let's give it to Brother Wei and Xiao Xuan...give it to Brother Wei for another three to five years, and our Shanyang Army will definitely become a solid barrier in the Northern Territory of the Wei Dynasty.
, when the time comes, I, Zhao Hongjiang, will be guarding the northern gate of the Wei Dynasty!"
After hearing this, Zhao Hongrun took a deep look at the Fourth Brother and nodded heavily.
On the sidelines, Zhao Hongxuan felt his blood boiling when he saw this scene - because his two brothers abided by the oath that "the prince guards the country's gate" back then. One brother guarded the country's southern gate, and the other brother guarded the country's southern gate.
The northern gate of Wei State.
"What about me? What should I do?"
Zhao Hongxuan thought to himself.
However, he understood that he could not say those words as impassionedly as Brother Si Wang for the time being, because the reorganization of the First Army of the North had not yet been fully implemented.
Although the Shanyang Army of the Fourth Emperor Brother only had 30,000 men, it was these 30,000 men who firmly defended Shanyang County during the two Northern Xinjiang campaigns, preventing the Korean soldiers at Mengmen Pass from sending troops to Hedong.
Otherwise, Wei's situation would have been even more difficult at that time.
Zhao Hongxuan secretly made up his mind that after the incident in the border city of Qi County was over, he would immediately return to Anyi, continue to reorganize the army, eliminate some weak soldiers, and build the Northern First Army into a strong army like his brother's King Su's Army.
At that time, he would be qualified to say such impassioned words as "guarding the country for the people of Wei" like today's Four Princes.
"Brother, after I finish handling the matters here, I will return to Anyi, and I will come find you then." Zhao Hongxuan said.
"Okay." Zhao Hongrun smiled and nodded.
After chatting for a few words, Zhao Hongjiang, Zhao Hongxuan, Wei Mu and others left one after another, and Zhao Hongrun's clan guards also began to pack their things.
To be fair, Zhao Hongrun had actually wanted to go to the western part of Hedong County if he had not been waiting for a reply from the court. However, the court had not given a response at that time, so he was not reassured.
And now, since Liu Jie and Chen Tang arrived at the same time, Zhao Hongrun could guess the result even if he didn't have to listen.
On the same day, Zhao Hongrun issued an order to withdraw his troops, and ordered the Shangshui Army, Yanling Army, and Youma Army to withdraw to Shangshui County one after another, leaving only the Yanling Army to follow him to Hedong County. As for the thousands of Shangshui Army stationed at Tianmen Pass,
Then stand still for the time being.
Because they had greeted each other, when the Shangshui Army and the Yanling Army withdrew from Qiguan, Qixian and other places, the Shanyang Army, the Northern First Army, and the Southern Yan Army quickly took over the garrison.
Unexpectedly, that night, Liu Jie, the aide of Xiang Wang Hongjing, came to see Zhao Hongrun.
Zhao Hongrun didn't want to have too much contact with King Xiang, but after thinking about it carefully, it was inappropriate to shut Liu Jie out like this, so he met with Liu Jie.
When meeting Liu Jie, Zhao Hongrun said cryptically: "Did Mr. Liu touch the wrong door? Shouldn't the person Mr. Liu is looking for be Brother Si Wang or Xiao Xuan?"
The implication was that he did not want to get involved in the affairs of King Yong and King Xiang.
Unexpectedly, Liu Jie smiled and said: "His Royal Highness King Su has misunderstood. I came here not for official business of King Xiang, but for private matters." At this point, he whispered: "I once asked King Xiang
Your Highness proposes the strategy of "exchanging copper for livestock". I believe that this strategy may be similar to His Highness King Su's plan to use merchant horses and heavy cavalry to defeat Korea's finances?"
"..."
Zhao Hongrun opened his mouth in surprise, and then showed a somewhat interested expression.