The weather in July is extremely hot. On the bustling streets of Chang'an, people are sweating profusely, but in order to make a living, they have to go out and work hard to earn a little money to support their families.
That morning, three people walked in from outside the Chunming Gate. One servant led the horse, and the other carried a burden. There was a book box in the burden. Immediately sitting was a young man, in his early twenties at most, wearing a brocade robe and a burly physique.
His name was Wu Jinlin. He studied literature, practiced martial arts, and was a chivalrous and righteous man. He was quite famous in Huaixi. His father, Wu Shaocheng, was Li Xilie's confidant general.
Entering Chunming Gate, to the north is the Xingqing Palace, which is now the Taiwei Palace. The palace walls are tall and the buildings inside are magnificent. Wu Jinlin kept looking at the Xingqing Palace and praised it. He pointed with his riding crop and said, "This is where a real man should live."
If I gain power in the future, I will turn this place into my palace!"
Passers-by on both sides laughed when they heard his arrogant words. The servant smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, let's go to Pingkangfang! There are many inns there and they are close to here."
When Wu Jinlin saw passers-by on both sides laughing at him, he was not angry and laughed loudly: "Golden scales are not things in the pond. They turn into dragons when encountering storms. Do you know who he is talking about? It is me, Wu Jinlin!"
Wu Jinlin stayed in an inn and walked to the Xingqing Palace. However, he waited in front of the Xingqing Palace for three days and did not meet Zhu Si.
On the morning of the fourth day, he came to the Xingqing Palace again. At noon, he saw a mighty team approaching. The cavalry in front held up eighteen kinds of ceremonial weapons, and a dozen guards held up their green umbrellas.
A company of large and gorgeous carriages escorted the front and rear, and the soldiers leading the way shouted in front, "The captain is returning home, and the idlers should stay away!"
Finally waiting for Zhu Si, Wu Jinlin strode forward and was immediately spotted by the guards. They raised their spears together and asked, "Stop, who is he?"
"I am from Huaixi and want to see the Taiwei!"
The guards said angrily: "How noble the Taiwei is, how can you, an idler, see you? Get out of here!"
Wu Jinlin shouted: "Since Lieutenant Zhu wants to take Huaixi, why did he refuse to see me?"
His voice was high-pitched and penetrating, and Zhu Si could hear it clearly in the carriage. He opened the curtain, took a look, and ordered: "Stop!"
The carriage stopped, and Zhu Si ordered the people around him: "Bring up the young man who shouted just now."
Not long after, Wu Jinlin was led to the carriage, and Zhu Si asked from inside the carriage: "Who are you?"
"I am just a small person, and my nickname is not impressive, but my father is Wu Shaocheng, the military envoy of Huaixi Province. Has the Lieutenant Commander heard about it?"
Of course Zhu Si knew Wu Shaocheng, the number one general under Li Xilie. He nodded and said, "Take him into the palace!"
The carriage continued to move forward, and the procession entered Xingqing Palace in a mighty manner.
Zhu Si sat down in the inner hall of Qinzheng Building and ordered the people around him: "Bring the son of Wu Shaocheng just now!"
Not long after, Wu Jinlin was brought up by more than a dozen guards.
Wu Jinlin knelt down on one knee and saluted, "See you, Taiwei!"
"What's your name?" Li Xilie asked.
"The villain Wu Jinlin is now serving as the flag officer under Li Xilie. He has been specially ordered by his father to ask for an audience with the Taiwei."
"What does your father want from me?"
"He no longer wants to be loyal to Li Xilie. He is willing to surrender to the rank of Taiwei and seek a prosperous future."
Zhu Si was immediately overjoyed and asked quickly: "Besides you and your son, is there anyone else willing to raise the flag of righteousness together?"
"It's still General Chen Xianqi, my two uncles, Wu Xiu and Wu Shaoyang, and 70% of Li Xilie's troops are in our hands."
Having said this, Wu Jinlin took out a letter from his arms and presented it to Zhu Si, "This is a letter from my father to the Taiwei. The specific promises are in the letter."
After Zhu Si read the letter, he immediately ordered his surroundings: "Go and invite the military advisor!"
Zhu Si's military advisor Liu Sigu also lived in the Xingqing Palace. Not long after, Liu Sigu hurried over.
Zhu Si handed him the letter and said, "The military advisor has a look at this letter. Wu Shaocheng, the military commander of Huaixi, asked his son to send it to him."
Liu Sigu glanced at Wu Jinlin, unfolded the letter and read it carefully. After reading the letter, he asked: "How many Huaixi troops are there now? How many warships are there? Who controls it?"
The Northern Tang Army originally planned to launch the Huaixi Campaign two months ago, but their plan failed because the Huaihe River ferry was destroyed by Li Xilie's army. Crossing the Huaihe River by ferry has always been a thorn in their side.
Wu Jinlin bowed and said: "The Huaixi Army has about 40,000 people and 1,200 large and small warships. It is mainly controlled by my uncle Wu Shaoyang. However, we can deal with Li Xilie and are willing to serve the Taiwei. We only hope that the North
Don can recognize us."
Zhu Si nodded, "You go down and rest first. I will discuss it with the military advisor and then I will reply to you!"
"The villain lives at Sizhou Inn in Pingkang Prefecture. The Taiwei can send someone to summon you at any time."
Wu Jinlin bowed and retreated.
Zhu Si then asked Liu Sigu, "What do the military advisors think?"
Liu Sigu said calmly: "Don't the Taiwei understand what they mean? They don't want us to intervene, but let them deal with Li Xilie themselves. Then Wu Shaocheng surrenders to the Taiwei, hoping that we will let him inherit Li Xilie's Huaixi vassal town."
Zhu Si lowered his head and thought for a moment and said, "Does the military advisor think their plan is acceptable?"
Liu Sigu smiled and said: "I think it's acceptable. Didn't we decide to temporarily stop the attack on Huaixi before? We just took advantage of Wu Shaocheng's surrender and let him serve as the Taiwei."
Zhu Si's previous plan was to capture Huaixi and Huainan, and then turn around to deal with Li Na, but the plan did not change quickly. Guo Song occupied Taiyuan, so Zhu Si had to advance his plan to capture the southeastern part of Henan. He must do it this year and next.
The plan to seize the southeastern part of Henan and Huaixi can only be moved backward. Just as Wu Shaocheng was willing to surrender, Huaixi could be defeated without a fight.
Zhu Si was silent for a long time, and finally agreed, "We have to tell Wu Shaocheng, provided that his son will stay in Chang'an as a hostage."
.........
At present, Li Xilie's territory covers the thirteen states in Huainan Province except Yangzhou and Chuzhou. The center of his rule is located in Shouchun County, Shouzhou. After Li Xilie became emperor, he built a large palace here.
In the past two years, Li Xilie has become more and more cruel and murderous. He uses killing as a means of intimidation to prevent his subordinates from betraying him. He is extremely suspicious. Many generals who have followed him for many years have been killed by his suspicion, and killing people is not included.
They also threw their wives and daughters into the army as prostitutes.
He originally thought that this would intimidate his subordinates from betraying him, but his cruelty and suspicion made all his subordinates feel in danger, and some generals began to form an anti-violence alliance, led by Wu Shaocheng and Chen Xianqi.
That night, in the Wu mansion, several core members of the anti-violence alliance began to meet secretly.
These include the left-guard general Wu Shaocheng, his two brothers Wu Xiu and Wu Shaoyang, the right-guard general Chen Xianqi, Shouzhou governor Zhang Jianfeng, and Taichang Qing Dou Liang.
Among them, Dou Liang was Li Xilie's father-in-law. His daughter Dou Qianjiao was forcibly married as a concubine by Li Xilie and was named the Empress of the West Palace. However, Dou Liang was not grateful and instead hated Li Xilie deeply.
They met in secret today because Dou Liang brought important news. Li Xilie fell ill, which made them see an opportunity.
But there is still a big difference between them, and that is what to do after overthrowing Li Xiyeol?
The political attitudes of everyone were different. For example, the Wu brothers preferred to surrender to the Northern Tang Dynasty, while Chen Xianqi, Zhang Jianfeng and Dou Liang advocated loyalty to the imperial court.
One of the key points of their discussion today is to decide this first to avoid internal strife.
"Everyone, let me tell you something!"
Wu Shaocheng stood up and said: "I suggest that we set a principle first, that is, we must ensure not to kill each other no matter what, the winner is king, the loser will be sent out of the country with gifts, and the other party's property and family safety will be preserved. What do you think?"
Dou Liang was the first to express his approval, "I just want to avenge my daughter and will not miss power. Once Li Xilie is killed, I will take my daughter back to my hometown of Bianzhou."
Zhang Jianfeng also stated that he would continue to serve as the governor of Shouzhou and would not participate in the distribution of power.
At this time, Chen Xianqi said slowly: "If General Wu is willing to serve as the governor of Huaixi, then I can withdraw and return to my hometown Tuzhou. According to the existing sphere of influence, I want Tuzhou and Hezhou, and other Huaixi
Eleven states were given to General Wu."
Chen Xianqi knew in his heart that his army only had 10,000 people and the Wu brothers' army had 30,000 people. Once they fought for power, he would not be their opponent at all. He might as well settle for the second best and preserve his existing interests. He was currently Tu Hebingma
It is his interest to control Tuzhou and Hezhou, and he will never let it go.
Wu Shaocheng was overjoyed and vowed that he would stick to his promise and ensure everyone's wealth.
After deciding on the distribution of profits afterwards, everyone began to discuss how to deal with Li Xilie. Chen Xianqi thought for a while and said: "Li Xilie loves to eat beef. I know a famous chef who is good at roasting meat. It is better to recommend him to the palace and cooperate with Dou."
The empress poisoned me."
Dou Liang hesitated and said, "I heard from my daughter that Li Xilie is very jealous. His food and decoctions must be eaten first by his soldiers, for fear of being discovered."
Chen Xianqi smiled slightly and said: "I've heard it too, but there is actually a loophole in it. The key lies in the people around him."