Cao Yong knew Xiang Nan, although he had never met him.
There are 50,000 Fengwei troops in the 19 prefectures of Xuanwu Dao. The army is divided into two prefectures, the left and right, stationed in different places. Even if they are all captains, they don't all recognize each other.
Xiang Nan didn't recognize each of them, but each of them knew Xiang Nan.
Xiang Nanlai was originally inconspicuous in the army. There had been no fighting in Daxia for a long time.
Many soldiers and generals said that these were just hard work and they would not accept them if they could. However, Xiang Nan rushed to accept them every time.
It is a must to go to the bandit suppression support, and the escort and supervision job is specially selected for the most remote and remote place, which is the least profitable and hard work.
He was injured, but he also made meritorious deeds, and was promoted from a primary school to a captain very quickly.
Such a character naturally attracted everyone's attention, and then word spread about his life experience, the Xiang family in Taiyuan Prefecture.
Many people in Taiyuan Prefecture don't know about the Xiang family, but when it comes to Xiang Yun, many people know about it. Furthermore, when it comes to being Li Fengan's general, and being single-handedly promoted by Li Fengan to become a military governor, no one in the army doesn't know about it.
.
Xiang Yun's nephew.
What else is there to say? Although he joined the army as a private,... no wonder the generals above him took such good care of him, thinking of him in everything and supporting him, so that he could have the opportunity to make meritorious deeds.
No one cares about the injuries I have suffered, and the achievements I have made have become a matter of course.
Later he became Li Fengan's son-in-law. Not to mention becoming a captain, he could also be a governor. The only problem was that he was too young...
Age is no longer a problem now. Cao Yong washed his hands in the copper basin and sighed, a ten-year-old boy can be a governor, what's so strange about a twenty-year-old governor.
No matter the position now, the lieutenant took the handkerchief from the maid and waved the maid away. There were captains with tens of thousands of troops and generals with hundreds of troops.
Cao Yong is the former. He wipes his hands with a happy expression. Is it a good time in troubled times? Of course it is not good. At the beginning, he was in a hurry like a bereaved dog, running around with his soldiers and horses, worried that he would be beaten to death the next moment.
Later, he was not beaten to death. Instead, he gathered more and more troops as he got older. After being able to easily kill others, he felt different.
With his background, in a peaceful and prosperous age, he would never be where he is today.
Xiang Nan now has nearly 30,000 white-robed soldiers, plus the Jiannan Dao soldiers sent by his wife. Another deputy general continued to speak.
Cao Yong's relieved expression disappeared, well, no matter it is a peaceful time or a troubled time, some people are born with good luck.
He threw the handkerchief into the copper basin: Thirty thousand is not much. I never thought about this Xiang Nan at the time. Why did he come to our Xuanwu Dao to join the army? He went to his uncle and his father-in-law.
Better than here?
A scribe in blue shirt sitting in front of the desk raised his head and said: Sir, you don't understand. This is the most common way for people from aristocratic families to gain seniority. They conceal their origins and go to places beyond their family's control. They start from the bottom. In this way.
When you are recommended by your family in the future, you will be able to demonstrate your talents and gain more prestige.
He smiled again when he said this.
Of course, it is impossible to truly conceal your identity, just to hide it from ordinary people, who have been greeted by Shangguan.
Cao Yong smiled: So there is no one who can really make a name for himself from the bottom.
The scribe pointed with his hand holding the pen: Yes, you are such a person.
Cao Yong frowned: Why did Mr. Tingru say such flattering words? He pointed to the lieutenants beside him and said that was all.
The lieutenant general cried out: Sir, I am not trying to flatter you! I speak from my heart!
The scholar in green shirt also laughed: Not everyone in this world is flattered by others.
Cao Yong shook his head and waved his hands: Don't talk about me, let's talk about Xiang Nan. Why is he here again? Haven't the old comrades finished visiting him yet?
Last year, Xiang Nan led the white-robed soldiers through Xuanwu Road and visited many places. The main purpose was to send the clothes and clothes of the Xuanwu soldiers who were killed in Fan Yang back to their hometown, and also to visit and look for his familiar comrades.
But I didn't come to them.
Xiang Nan and I belong to the left and right armies respectively and have never interacted with each other before. Cao Yong said, why did he visit me?
The lieutenant general said: If you show courtesy for nothing, you are either committing adultery or stealing!
The scholar in green shirt said: A capable person will always be courted by others. If someone is plotting and coveting, there is no need to be angry and alert.
Cao Yong looked at him: What should I do, sir? Invite him in?
The deputy general also made a listening gesture.
The scribe in green shirt said: Your Excellency, please don't meet people easily now, especially those who lead troops and generals. People's hearts are unpredictable and they have to be on guard. How many soldiers and horses does he bring?
The last sentence is to ask the deputy general.
The lieutenant general said: He did not bring any troops, only five followers, and settled at an inn in the town outside the mansion.
The scholar in green shirt smiled and said to Cao Yong: Sir, this person is here to lobby.
What kind of lobbying is there to deceive the soldiers and horses? Cao Yong said, this Xiang family's son, I guessed that he was going to cause trouble last time he came to Xuanwu Road for a walk. Please let him go!
The deputy general hesitated: Xiang Nan's uncle Xiang Yungang was made a general by your majesty...
After all, despite the troubled times, Xiang Nan is still a son of aristocratic family.
Cao Yong wanted to scold him but his face turned red and he couldn't scream...
The scholar in green shirt smiled: The general is the general of Linzhou. What does it have to do with us? He is far away.
He did not say that he was the general appointed by your majesty, but said that he was from Linzhou. His words were disrespectful to your majesty's court. However, the deputy general and Cao Yong were used to it, and they suddenly realized.
Now it's different from before. He has a lot of troops and doesn't need to be afraid of those aristocratic families.
Xiang Yun was awarded the title of general because he was in Linzhou. Is he still a general after leaving Linzhou? Can he, a general, bring troops and horses to fight against them? Does he dare to use the guards to fight against the guards? Unless
Your Majesty wants all the guards to become rebels!
How can the general do anything to him without bringing troops and horses?
Cao Yong snorted: Blow him away.
The deputy general took the order and went out boldly, and came back in a hurry not long after.
Sir, Xiang Nan did not come alone, he said.
Cao Yong sneered: Impossible, 30,000 soldiers and horses entered my Xuanwu Dao, how could we be ignorant? They are not ghosts.
The deputy general hurriedly finished his words: What he brought was not a human being, but the flag of the Lady of Chu.
Cao Yong was startled and a sneer froze on his face, and the scribe in green shirt who picked up his pen again stopped writing and looked over.
Cao Yong murmured: The rumors are true. Xiang Nan really has a close relationship with Mrs. Chu.
...
...
If it is the Lady of the State of Chu, then one must be cautious. Xiang Yunyuan cannot get through in Linzhou, but the Lady of the State of Chu is by his side, and some of the troops are even proclaiming martial arts.
Cao Yong paced around the room: What should I do? Xiang Nan actually hooked up with this woman, no wonder he dared to come to us to teach martial arts.
The scholar in green shirt said: Sir, don't worry, as long as he is polite, we should be polite too.
Cao Yong stopped and looked at him: See him?
The scholar in green shirt shook his head: "We can't meet him anymore. If we can't meet him, we don't have to answer his words. If we refuse him after meeting him, then he will have an excuse." He said, "Lieutenant, you bring gifts and treat him well."
, and then told him that your Excellency has contracted the cold from working hard at giving porridge, and it is not convenient to see guests. He will reminisce with Mr. Xiang when he is better.
The deputy general looked at Cao Yong, and Cao Yong nodded: Do as Mr. Tingru said.
The deputy general led the troops out cautiously.
This time he came back quickly. Xiang Nan didn't question his obviously deceptive excuse, but happily accepted the gift and left.
Of course, Cao Yong would not relax and sent people to keep an eye on Xiang Nan. The news soon came that Xiang Nan went to meet other generals.
Not all the soldiers refused to see Xiang Nan, so Xiang Nan's intention was quickly revealed.
He persuaded everyone to join together to form a powerful army, revive the glory of the Gyeonggi Guards, and prepare to retake the capital.
I knew this man was here to collect troops. Cao Yong sneered and was angry. He wanted us all to wear white robes.
The green-shirted scribe said: Whether he really wants to reunite the Fengwei Army or seize troops, he must be stopped. Now that he is proclaiming martial arts, it is wisest for everyone to disperse instead of gathering together.
The deputy general was a little puzzled. He was originally angry that Xiang Nan had robbed Cao Yong of what he was supposed to do. Why did the scribe in green shirt not let Cao Yong do such a thing?
Wouldn't it be better if you have more soldiers and horses in your hands? He couldn't help but ask.
Of course not. The green-shirted scribe shook his head. More soldiers and horses are not always better.
He turned and pointed at the map.
The position of our Xuanwu Dao is between the rebels and the guards. It is the safest and most advantageous to not form an army.
Without an army, scattered and disordered, with scattered soldiers and generals, it is difficult to gather strength because of the scattered sand. The rebels are not worthy of mobilizing a large army to deal with us.
We will not reunite as the Guards, but we will not rebel and surrender to the enemy. We will not be loyal or rebellious. Regardless of whether the rebels or the Guards want to win over us, they will not attack us. Only then can we benefit from both sides and survive in the cracks.
The green-robed scribe twisted his beard and smiled.
In the future, whether the counter-insurgency is successful or the rebels are victorious, we have a way to go.
However, once you form an army, you have to choose your left and right, and you have to decide whether to win or lose.
If you form a guard, you will fight against the rebels, or you will be beaten by the rebels.
If you do not obey the orders of the guards and do not fight the rebels, you will be beaten by the guards.
Sir, who do you want to be beaten by?
Cao Yong flicked his sleeves: I don’t want anyone.
Is it easy for him to have so many soldiers and horses today? He doesn’t want to be a captain with only 200 soldiers and horses left!
But Xiang Nan held the banner of Mrs. Chu's lobbying. He was not confused, but others were not sure...
The green-robed scribe smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir. I'll explain the pros and cons to you on your behalf."