Knowing that Chen Yingliang's final answer was still to refuse to go north, Mulan's anger is of course beyond words. If she didn't have some reason, Mulan, who was in her menstrual period, would have thought of chopping Chen Yingliang into twenty pieces with a knife. Have! After finally trying to calm herself down, Mulan made her last effort and said in a begging tone: "Chen Tongshou, can you think about it again? Fighting opportunities are rare, and it would be a pity if you miss them. As long as you agree to send troops Interception, we can discuss any conditions."
"General Mulan, it's not that I want to preserve my strength, nor that I don't want to join forces with you." Chen Yingliang said with a wry smile, "It's because I don't have enough troops, as you can see, the only army I can use now is twelve A regiment with a total of only about 2,500 people, with this amount of troops, it is really a drop in the bucket to build a defense line of more than 200 miles in Bianshui, so sorry, I have to refuse this time."
Mulan was completely desperate, and her chest was completely filled with anger. After finally suppressing the anger in her heart, Mulan didn't show courtesy to Chen Yingliang, and said with a cup of her hand: "Since Chen Tongshou refuses to send troops, the general will not dare to force you to fight." , Farewell, the last general will return to the army and give orders to Ambassador Zhang."
Seeing that Mulan wanted to strangle herself to death, Chen Yingliang didn't hold back, but took out the reply letter to Zhang Xutuo and asked Mulan to take it back, and then took out a gift for Mulan, but Mulan just replied, He rejected Chen Yingliang's gift very unfriendlyly, and then left immediately angrily. Chen Yingliang sent her out of Tongshou Mansion, told her to be careful on the road, and then could only watch her stride away with a wry smile. , Feeling sorry in my heart, "What a damn pity, if the mission Zhang Xutuo gave this time isn't too mysterious, otherwise it's really a great opportunity to get on good terms with those fierce people under his command."
It's a pity that there is no other way. In order to prevent any contingencies, Chen Yingliang immediately started preparing for the battle. While temporarily recruiting a group of village braves as auxiliary soldiers, so that the regular army can fight with all their strength, and at the same time sending people to scout the movement in the north and grasp the east longitude of Meng Rang's team. At the same time, strengthen contact with Yang Wang, the general guard of Liang County, and ask him to help scout the enemy's situation. He also begged him to secretly inform Zhang Xutuo of his next tactical plan and grasp the specific movements of Zhang Xutuo's troops.
There is a waterway between Yongcheng and Songcheng, the prefecture of Liangjun, and the transportation is very convenient. Two days later, Yang Wang sent a reply, saying that it has been confirmed that Meng Rang is fleeing to the south and has arrived in Shanxi. In my father's area, I also looted all the villages outside Shanfu City, and put on the posture of not looking back after I passed by the flood, and Zhang Xutuo's team has already started chasing them, but Yang Wang didn't know where to go. Know.
In addition, Yang Wang also kindly taught Chen Yingliang as an elder, saying that Chen Yingliang should not refuse Zhang Xutuo's request, even if he knew that Zhang Xutuo's plan would be difficult to succeed, he should send troops to the north as a show To perfunctory Zhang Xutuo, who is extremely favored by Emperor Sui Yang, instead of blatantly refusing to offend, it will benefit Chen Yingliang's future without any harm. At the same time, Yang Wang also pointed out in the letter that Dong Chun in Pengcheng agreed to implement Zhang Xutuo's plan, and he said it nicely. If Meng Rangzhen fled to Pengcheng County, Dong Chun would still prefer to protect himself. Chen Yingliang learned a lot from Dong Chun, a veteran official in the officialdom.
"Damn, protect yourself! Perfunctory! Everyone wants to protect themselves, everyone wants to be perfunctory, how can this chaos be settled?!"
Chen Yingliang was very depressed and threw Yang Wang's letter on the table, yelling, venting his depression caused by the strong enemy's oppression and offending the god. Qian Xiangmin, who participated in Cao's military affairs, was very curious, and hurriedly asked Chen Yingliang's consent to take Yang Wang's letter to read together. After reading the results, Changsun Wuji immediately said: "Brother, Yang Jijiu's advice to you is out of good intentions, and Dong Chun's agreement to carry out Zhang Xutuo's order really seems to be perfunctory. It’s not worth learning, but sometimes it’s worth learning.”
"I knew Dong Chun was perfunctory!" Chen Yingliang said angrily, "Dong Chun has been chasing and killing Peng Xiaocai and Wei Qilu for more than a year. I have been exhausted for a long time, and I just broke Zhang Dahu recently. The army is in urgent need of rest, so there is still extra strength to stop Meng Rang? Besides, there are so many in the northwest of Pengcheng, and there is no danger to defend. He has more than 10,000 soldiers in Pei County The main force, how can it be guaranteed to stop Meng Rang? I dare not promise Zhang Xutuo, and I am also worried that Dong Chun will be sneaky and sneaky. Black pot!"
Changsun Wuji nodded, and Yuan Tiangang, who was an official in office not long ago, also nodded, and echoed: "The words of the stay behind are very true. Dong Chun's team is extremely exhausted. It is difficult to ensure that Meng Rang is stopped, and Meng Rang is deliberately indulged from the Qiao Peng border. Slipping away and letting us take the blame is undoubtedly the best choice for him. Even if we can't blame us for all the crimes, he can drag us into the water, muddy the water completely, and share the anger of the emperor and Zhang Xutuo."
Chen Yingliang sighed loudly, not knowing whether to praise Yuan Tiangang's analysis, or to sympathize with and understand Dong Chun, a good neighbor who is indeed tired enough. And Qian Xiangmin, Chen Yingliang's most unreliable staff officer, said viciously: "I hope Meng will let that traitor flee to Pengcheng. At that time, as long as we guard the border, we can make this restless and kind Dong Chun cry. Look at him!" How to die!"
"Meng Rang is not a fool, why should he flee to Pengcheng?" Chen Yingliang said angrily: "Dong Chun's team is just tired enough, but it's not impossible to fight. If there are more than 10,000 elite fighters there, Meng Rang will fight again." If you are reckless, you have to carefully weigh the pros and cons, besides, Meng Rang is not a reckless person, even Zhang Xutuo and Zhou Fashang can't kill him together, this is enough to prove that he has a brain."
"Brother, do you think Meng Rang will come directly south to our Qiao County?" Changsun Wuji asked worriedly.
"It's possible." Chen Yingliang said distressedly: "However, I think Meng Rang is more likely to break through to the southwest of Liang County, because if he goes directly south, he will first encounter the main force of our Qiao County stationed in Yongcheng. The Qiaojun army has gained some reputation during this period. As long as Zhang Xutuo pursues him closely, Meng Rang does not have the guts to come to the north of Qiaojun to confront us head-on. If I were him, I would definitely choose to go to Liangjun Breaking through in the southwest and entering Huaiyang County, where the army is weak and the money and food are relatively sufficient, it is Meng Rang's best choice for food supplies."
"Isn't that good too?" Qian Xiangmin's eyes lit up, and he said, "If Meng Rangxi sneaks into Huaiyang, then we don't have to take responsibility for anything?"
"Qian Canjun, no wonder you have been in Dongdu for so many years and have not been promoted." Changsun Wuji said angrily: "If Meng Rang goes west and enters Huaiyang County, we will be the most unlucky. Xu Tuo's black heart can put all the blame on us, saying that we refused to cooperate in the battle, which gave Meng Rang the opportunity to invade Huaiyang County. Even if Zhang Xutuo is an upright man and disdains to do so, we are also unlucky, Because among the surrounding counties of Huaiyang County, our Qiao County has the strongest military strength, and the imperial court must have ordered us to destroy Meng Rang with all our strength, and our life will be even more difficult at that time!"
Qian Xiangmin, who didn't understand and pretended to understand, kept his mouth shut, but was reprimanded by Changsun Wuji, a boy who had just turned sixteen this year, and Qian Xiangmin, who was already in his early forties, felt that it was a bit embarrassing, so he continued to slap his face swollen Filling himself with fat, he said, "Chen Tongshou, what will happen if Meng Rang breaks out to the southeast of Liang County?"
"Then I just laughed." Chen Yingliang said lazily: "Meng Rang breaks out from the southeast of Liang County, even if he succeeds, he will go to the south of Pengcheng. At that time, Dong Chun, Pengcheng, who will be in charge of suppressing the bandits, will be left behind. Zhang Xutuo, who is also in charge of the soldiers and horses in Pengcheng, as long as we guard the border to watch the excitement and look for opportunities to pick up the cheap, we can save countless hearts."
"That's right." As he said casually, Chen Yingliang remembered one more thing, and said again: "One more thing, if Meng Rang breaks out to the southeast of Liang County, nine times he will have to go through Mangdang Mountain and Yushan Mountain. The roads are complicated and the roads are narrow. Meng Rang is not familiar with the guest army, but we are more familiar with suppressing bandits there than anyone else. If we want to win by surprise and win more with less, it is the best ambush battlefield."
"There are so many benefits?" Qian Xiangmin was a little surprised, and hurriedly said: "Chen Tongshou, since Meng Rang's breakout to the southeast of Liang County has so many benefits for us, why don't you think of a way to let Meng Rang Let’s just run in this direction?”
"You think I'm a god? Do whatever you want the enemy to do?" Chen Yingliang smiled wryly, and joked, "Why don't you go to the army and bring some gifts to see Meng Rang, and ask him to come here." A way to break through?"
Changsun Wuji and Yuan Tiangang laughed loudly together, but Qian Xiangmin fell to his knees with a plop in fright, and said in a crying voice: "Tong Shou, don't be happy about being an official. An official is timid. Don't be scared. I dare not go! I beg you, I beg you, there are old people in the lower officials, and there are younger ones in the lower officials!"
Seeing Qian Xiangmin's distressed appearance, Changsun Wuji and Yuan Tiangang couldn't help laughing even louder. Chen Yingliang was also amused, waved his hand casually, and said with a smile: "Just kidding, what are you afraid of? Get up, don't worry, I will I won't do this anymore, Meng Rang is not a fool, last time we used this trick to trick Du Fuwei, Meng Rang might have heard of it, and I sent you not to send..., to send...."
Having said this casually, Chen Yingliang suddenly stuttered, with a look of surprise on his face. Qian Xiangmin, who just got up from the ground, was a little surprised, and asked Chen Yingliang why he was like this. Chen Yingliang waved his hand to tell Qian Xiangmin to stop talking. Turning around is just calculating, quickly considering some details. After a while, Chen Yingliang suddenly jumped up from the chair and shouted: "There is a way to get Meng Rang to break out to the southeast of Liang County! If all goes well, we still have a great hope to kill Meng Rang in Mangdang Mountain!"
"What's the plan, brother?" Changsun Wuji asked happily.
"Same as last time, send envoys to contact Meng Rang, and use tricks to lure him to flee to the southeast of Liang County!" Chen Yingliang replied firmly.
With another plop, Qian Xiangmin knelt down to Chen Yingliang again, and said in a crying voice, "Chen Tongshou, you're not telling me to go again, are you? Just now you said that we used this trick to trick Du Fuwei before." , Meng Rang can't be fooled by me, I will die in vain if I go!"
"Brother, aren't you joking?" Changsun Wuji also said in surprise, "Just now you said that if we send envoys to contact Meng Rang again, Meng Rang is unlikely to believe it?"
"No! It's not from us!" Chen Yingliang shook his head resolutely, and said with a sneer, "It's the envoy from Du Fuwei! Du Fuwei fled back to the south of Pengcheng to avenge his revenge last time, and wanted to attack our Qiao County. , but suffered from lack of strength, and heard that Meng Rang led the army to the south, so he sent an envoy to contact Meng Rang, inviting Meng Rang to join forces in the south of Pengcheng, and join hands to achieve great things!"
"Brilliant plan!" Changsun Wuji's eyes lit up immediately, and he said with great joy: "Brother, this is a great plan. My younger brother thinks that this plan is very likely to succeed. Meng Rang was chased by Zhang Xutuo, and he definitely hoped that someone would take care of him. Du Fuwei, like him, started in Changbai Mountain, Qi County. He is more or less incensed, and maybe he is a little familiar. The people who surrendered from Du Fuwei are familiar with Du Fuwei's internal situation, and by arranging a few of them to help Qian Canjun go north, Qian Canjun can quickly gain Meng Rang's trust!"
"Brother Changsun, why did you mention me?" Qian Xiangmin cried more clearly, and said, "I didn't agree to go, and I don't have the guts to go either."
"Qian Junjun, who will you go if you don't?" Changsun Wuji said with a smile: "Among the staff under my brother's command, you are the most experienced in this field. Only you are the most suitable."
"Qian joins the army, work hard again." Chen Yingliang also encouraged: "Don't worry, this time you are pretending to be an envoy of rebels, and there will be no danger. When you return triumphantly, I will ask the court to give you a promotion. "
"I don't want to be promoted!" Qian Xiangmin cried directly, waved his hands desperately and said: "Master Tongshou, I appreciate your kindness, but I am very satisfied with the current eighth-rank soldier Cao Shenjun. I am also very content, I don’t want to be promoted anymore, and I don’t want to go!”
Chen Yingliang and Changsun Wuji continued to work together to persuade Qian Xiangmin to take risks by offering countless benefits, but Qian Xiangmin refused to be fooled again, crying bitterly and refusing to follow orders. Finally, Chen Yingliang became angry and directly threatened: If Qian Xiangmin refuses to obey the order, he will immediately remove Qian Xiangmin from his official position. Who would have thought that Qian Xiangmin would take off his official uniform on the spot, and cry and say: "Tong Shou, I am willing to be dismissed from office. There are seniors and juniors, and a family of more than a dozen still counts on me to live, so I dare to go, and I dare not take risks with my head anymore."
Chen Yingliang was furious, and was about to order his soldiers to hand over the money to the people without answering, when Yuan Tiangang, who had been silent by the side, suddenly spoke and said calmly: "Chen Tongshou, don't make it difficult for Qian to join the army, someone who pretends to be Du Fuwei!" As an envoy to Meng Rang's bandit army, I'll go."
"What? You go?!"
Chen Yingliang, Changsun Wuji, and Qian Xiangmin were all taken aback—of course, Qian Xiangmin was both surprised and overjoyed, but after the overjoy, Qian Xiangmin was immediately pissed off by Chen Yingliang's words, and Chen Yingliang said directly: " Mr. Yuan, you can't go, it's too dangerous, if you reveal your flaws, you will die! Qiao County can't live without you!"
"It's okay, I've thought about it carefully, and I think it's unlikely to be in danger." Yuan Tiangang looked extremely calm, and said: "I don't want to miss this opportunity to re-enter the officialdom, to accomplish this important event for you, Chen Tongshou, You can ask the court to let me be an official again, and you have something to say."
"Mr. Yuan, why are you in a hurry?" Chen Yingliang advised Yuan Tiangang not to be in a hurry, but he was in a hurry first, and quickly comforted him: "When we make great achievements again this time, I will immediately ask the court to appoint you an official, but You can't go, I can't let you take that risk."
"Tong Shou's good intentions, I understand it, but I am not a reckless person, and I dare not volunteer if I am not sure." Yuan Tiangang shook his head and said sincerely: "Please rest assured, Chen Tongshou, there will be no danger in the humble position. To tell the truth, the lower official needs a lot of manpower because he presides over the building of weapons. During this period of time, he has not lost contact with the bandits who surrendered. During the chat, he learned a lot about the internal situation of the bandits and prepared a special identity for himself. , not only to ensure my personal safety, but also to make Meng Rang respect me as a guest."
"What identity?" Chen Yinghao asked curiously.
"Fortune-teller." Yuan Tiangang replied with a smile: "The thieves and the people have no inkling, but they like to meet their fates the most. I hope that I can pray for blessings and avoid disasters, find a future, and you know it. This happens to be my favorite. He is good at tricks. So I am confident that when I am among Meng Rang's bandit army, I will definitely be able to deceive Meng Rang into his heart and treat me like a guest of honor."
"That's the truth." Chen Yingliang nodded slightly, thinking to himself: "When it comes to fortune-telling, pretending to be gods and playing ghosts, in the five thousand years of China, the only ones who can stand side by side with monsters like you are Zhuge Liang and Liu Bowen."
He was shaken in his heart, but Chen Yingliang, who was currently short of scientific and technological talents, still hesitated, and persuaded Yuan Tiangang once more. Yuan Tiangang, who was eager to make meritorious service and return to his official career, was determined to take this risk. Finally, he nodded and agreed to Yuan Tiangang's request. Yuan Tiangang was overjoyed and quickly thanked Chen Yingliang, who then said, "Mr. Yuan, you are quite famous in Qiao County. To be cautious, you'd better use a pseudonym to be safer. What do you think of using the pseudonym Li Chunfeng?"
"Li Chunfeng?" Yuan Tiangang was also slightly taken aback, then cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Since Chen Tongshou bestowed the name on me, then I will use this name for the humble job. From now on, I will be called Li Chunfeng."
Chen Yingliang smiled mysteriously, then kicked Qian Xiangmin, who was already shamelessly put on his official uniform again, and shouted: "You are lucky! What are you still doing? Go to the military camp outside the city immediately, and invite Kan Leng." The general came to see me in the city, and brought along a few of his old subordinates in Du Fuwei's team. Also, remember to remind him to pick the one he thinks is reliable! It's best to be skilled and able to protect Mr. Li Chunfeng!"