After scolding Chen Sangliang who had rewarded himself without permission again, Fan Zigai stubbornly agreed to Chen Sangliang's reward plan helplessly, and then coughed and cursed at Chen Sangliang who was hammering his back: " Brat, it’s just this time, don’t think about it again! You rewarded yourself in Qiaojun, and there were some criticisms in the court, and you came here to Taiyuan to mess around. Did you take the court’s decree seriously? You are not afraid Being impeached by the imperial censor, I am afraid that my reputation will be humiliated."
"Just this time, just this time, next time my grandson will never dare." Chen Sangliang promised blindly with a playful smile, and while continuing to beat the old stubborn back and shoulders, he asked a question that had been buried in his heart before. Said: "Grandpa Fan, my grandson saw today how Xu Shixu, who used to be the Sima of the Yingyang Mansion in Taiyuan, was demoted to the captain? Grandson remembers that he performed well on the battlefield of King Qin? On the night of the Yanmen decisive battle, He also assisted Li Jiancheng to withstand the onslaught of the Turkic main force, and his grandson also credited him once afterwards, why was he demoted?"
"I surrendered." Old Fan stubbornly replied casually: "During the purge of the Taiyuan army, the old man discovered that he and Li Yuan had a close relationship and had a lot of contacts in private. He felt that he was unreliable, and he couldn't find any evidence to kill him. He found an excuse to let go of his Sima position and demoted him to be a captain. Later, he did not perform well in the battle against the Jingchai bandit army, so he was demoted to be a captain. The original intention was to drive him out of the army. Who knows that this guy has such a thick skin that he is still in the army until now."
Chen Yingliang was a little distracted, and the rhythm of beating Fan Zigai's back also slowed down. When the old stubborn noticed this change, he turned around slightly and asked, "Why? Do you think the old man's arrangement is inappropriate?"
"It's not wrong, the relationship between Xu Shixu and Tang Guogong is extraordinary, and my grandson has already noticed this as early as the Yanmen battlefield." Chen Yingliang said in a deep voice: "Grandpa, you deliberately belittled him, and it was also to prevent accidents. One, there is nothing wrong with it. Grandson just finds it a little strange, Grandpa, you have made it clear that you have dealt with Xu Shixu and expelled him from the army, so why does he continue to stay in the Taiyuan army?"
"It should be that there is no way out, so I can only stay in the army to earn a living." Fan Zigai said casually, "Think about it until the old man is transferred from Taiyuan, or until the old man dies, maybe he still has a chance to make a comeback. "
Under normal circumstances, Fan Zigai's analysis may be correct. In order to survive, Xu Shixu, who has nowhere to go, can only swallow his breath and stay in the army, waiting for Fan Zigai, who doesn't like him, to be transferred away or die of old age. For a traveler, Li Yuan's die-hard buddy Xu Shixu stubbornly insisted on staying in the Taiyuan army, but this inevitably made Chen Sangliang a little wary. After thinking about it again, Chen Sangliang said: "Grandpa Fan, can you let my grandson see the official records of your purge of the Taiyuan army? My grandson has also commanded the Taiyuan army, and I know a little about Tang Guogong's confidantes. , I want to help you as a staff officer, to see if there is anything that needs to be added."
"Of course." Fan Zigai agreed, and ordered: "After a while, the old man will ask the clerk to hand over these records to you, so that the old man can read them carefully. If the old man misses anything, tell me right away. Kill, grab as soon as you need to, don't let anyone go!"
Chen Sangliang respectfully agreed, and after serving Fan Zigai's decoction with his own hands, Chen Sangliang didn't leave the city until Fan Zigai fell asleep. Camp rest. However, it was said to be a rest, but Chen Sangliang actually stayed up all night. In addition to studying the military situation and personally inspecting the camp, he also checked the purge records of the Taiyuan army to analyze how Fan Zigai weakened Li Yuan's control of the Sui army in Taiyuan. the point.
It's okay if you don't look at it. After carefully reviewing the purge records, Chen Sangliang frowned even tighter. Fan Lao stubbornly hit Li Yuan's cronies hard. Liu Hongji and Changsun Shunde were both directly exiled. In Lingnan, Hou Junji, who contacted Li Yuan for the Turks, was beheaded for public display. More than a dozen civil and military officials, including Gao Binlian, Tang Xian, Tang Jian, and Wang Kangda, were demoted to civilians. In addition, more than 30 Taiyuan Sui soldiers with criminal records were killed. The low-ranking general, the samurai Xun who prevented the Shanxi merchants from selling grain to King Qin's army on behalf of Li Yuan, all his family property was seized and confiscated. Although the samurai Xun escaped by chance, none of his family members escaped. To be a slave—it's a pity that the famous daughter of the warrior Xun is not even liquid now, otherwise Chen Sangliang would have no problem asking Fan Zigai to be a maid as long as he opened his mouth.
The purge measures are indeed ruthless, but Chen Sangliang can conclude that there are omissions—at least Li Mi’s in-law Liu Wenjing did not appear on this list. What makes Chen Sangliang even more disturbed is that Xu Shixu, Dou Cong, Zhang Daoyuan and Some of Li Yuan's former generals represented by Yin Kaishan, because of their innocent family background, personal cleanliness and military exploits, although they were all demoted and cut off their power, were still kept in the Taiyuan army and became irregulars. hidden bomb.
In addition, there is Li Xiaogong, Li Yuan's precious nephew. Although he resigned with Li Jiancheng and left the Taiyuan army, Chen Sangliang did not find any written records of Li Xiaogong's subordinates being also cleaned up in the purge records. However, as long as Li Xiaogong reappears in the Taiyuan Army, it may be possible to recruit a bunch of old troops for his own use.
Based on these circumstances, Chen Sangliang came to the conclusion that this was an unsuccessful purge. The key reason for the failure of the purge was that Li Yuan's crimes were not obvious, and his confidants did not fully expose their crimes, which made Fan Zigai seek Without sufficient reason, completely eradicate Li Yuan's hidden forces in the Taiyuan army. In addition, Chen Sangliang even suspected that Li Jiancheng, a friend who worked hard to help Fan Zigai purge the Taiyuan army, might have played a disgraceful role in the incident. Maybe he really helped Fan Zigai uproot his father's influence in the Taiyuan army.
"It's also fortunate that Grandpa Fan is in charge of staying in Taiyuan this time, otherwise something might have happened." Chen Sangliang came to a conclusion and secretly said: "Although Grandpa Fan has a bad temper and rough and direct methods, he is not good at personal morality." There is nothing to blame, he is honest and self-disciplined, he does not accept bribes, and he has a strong blow to corruption. Although the military is strict, it does not practice favoritism or cheat. No matter how dissatisfied the army and the local government are with him, they are unlikely to stand up against him. If If it were someone else, this Fen Shui riot might be the best opportunity for the old Li family to take action."
Having said that, Chen Sangliang was still extremely worried, because there were still too many hidden dangers in the Taiyuan army, Fan Zigai's temper was too rough and strict, and there was a head on Fan Zigai's head that liked to get in water Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, once he promulgates any unpopular government decree, no matter how strict Fan Zigai is in his execution, some accidents may happen. In addition, in the troubled times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, the possibility of emergencies is too great. If there is a little negligence, Fan Zigai may not only lose his life at the end of the festival, but may even have a good death!
"Should I remind Grandpa Fan to completely eradicate the hidden danger of Li Yuan staying in Taiyuan?" Chen Sangliang once planned to do so, but considering some other issues, Chen Sangliang inevitably hesitated and hesitated.
"Forget it, let's wait and see." Chen Sangliang finally made up his mind, and secretly said: "Grandpa Fan is already too old. After the Fenshui battle, Taiyuan may stay in this position and continue to work. If I take over , then I will continue to cleanse the Taiyuan army and completely eradicate the curse left by Lao Li. If I don’t take over, then... it would be good to let history return to the normal track.”
While Chen Sangliang made up his mind, in the early morning of the next day, the 10,000 Taiyuan Sui Army led by Gao Junya also marched towards Lingjingdian, where the Jingchai bandit army was active. Not disappointing Chen Sangliang, they rushed all the way down and arrived at the battlefield that afternoon. Jing Banduo and Chai Baochang, who had gradually built up their confidence before, bullied the Sui army with few soldiers, so they mustered up their courage to fight Gao Junya head-on. After being slapped all over the ground by the high-morale Sui army in Taiyuan, they hurriedly fled into the mountainous area to the north. Gao Junya, who had been told by Chen Sangliang, did not chase into the mountainous area, played hide-and-seek with Jingbanduo and Chai Baochang, and retreated after clearing the remaining enemies in the plain. At the same time, according to Chen Yingliang's request, he captured more than 200 prisoners for Chen Sangliang.
Tens of thousands of troops only captured more than 200 prisoners in the first battle. The reason is of course because of Fan Zigai’s brutal treatment of prisoners. In order not to be buried alive by the captives, the soldiers of the rebel army, regardless of men, women, or children, would rather die than surrender. I would rather die in battle than be a prisoner. Of course, it would be as difficult for the Sui army in Taiyuan to capture captives. If Chen Sangliang had not promised a heavy reward and added additional rewards, the soldiers of the Sui army who were greedy for rewards worked hard to capture the enemy alive. Gao Jun Whether Ya can capture prisoners in this battle is still a big question. But even so, most of the more than two hundred captives were covered in bruises, and they were all trembling, mentally prepared to be buried alive and suffer a miserable death.
These prisoners soon discovered that they were worrying for nothing. When they were taken to the city of Taiyuan, Chen Sangliang not only met them personally, but also comforted them, gave them medicine and food, and made the prisoners feel relieved. , Chen Sangliang announced his terms of surrender, declaring that as long as he did not participate in rape and looting, and did not kill innocent people, all those who surrendered would not be killed, and they would be released immediately and let them go home to farm. Rewards, young and strong surrenderers can also be included as appropriate. And if the heads of Jing Banduo and Chai Baochang come to surrender, they will be rewarded with a hundred gold!
After declaring that he had finished his surrender conditions, Chen Sangliang immediately ordered the release of these captives, and personally distributed the travel expenses and dry food to these captives, and personally sent them to Fenshui. When Fan Zigai received the news and arrived, the captives had already left It was too far away, and then Chen Yingliang naturally had to use his lips to persuade Fan Zigai to change his course, and he used both methods of appeasement and suppression to put down the Fen River rebellion. To put it bluntly, it took a full day before the old stubborn nodded in agreement with Chen Sangliang's counter-insurgency strategy—the old stubborn had no choice but to do so. His previous counter-insurgency strategy had proved unworkable, and he was forced to ask Emperor Sui Yang for help. It would not be completely impossible to explain to Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. Fan Lao's stubbornness can only try Chen Sangliang's counter-insurgency plan.
As Chen Yingliang expected, after more than 200 captives brought Chen Sangliang's terms of surrender back to the north bank of Fenshui, the people of Fenshui, who had long been looking forward to a peaceful life, persuaded their relatives who were forced to surrender to the army to surrender to the army. Sang Liang also ordered Gao Junya to guard the Lingjingdian Basin to prevent the rebels from fleeing southward, and at the same time personally led the army to the north. Chen Yingliang also ordered the immediate release of the prisoners captured during the mopping up of the firewood bandits who went down the mountain to get food, and they would not kill anyone indiscriminately.
The effect of the two-pronged approach is surprisingly good. The Jingchai bandit army, which is purely mob, is no match for the Sui army's regular army. In less than half a month, over 10,000 rebel men and women laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Sui army. Chen Yingliang only executed more than a hundred of them for indiscriminately killing innocent people and raping civilian women. There are more surrenders. Every day, hundreds of rebel men and women go down the mountain to surrender. There are also countless small groups of rebels who are active in the west of Fenyang. Also getting smaller and smaller.
Unable to withstand Chen Sangliang's carrot and stick offensive, Jing Bantuo and Chai Baochang were forced to lead a breakout to the northeast, trying to flee to the Xinkou area and continue to cause trouble, but traitors appeared around them, and some soldiers fled to spread the news The report was sent to Chen Yingliang, and Chen Yingliang immediately ordered Cheng Yaojin to lead the cavalry to set up an ambush to the north. As soon as Jing Banduo and Chai Baochang escaped from the mountainous area, they were hit head-on by Cheng Yaojin. Chen Sangliang also personally led the army to kill from the south. Under the attack, Jing Chai's bandit army was defeated and collapsed completely. Jing Banduo was beheaded by Niu Jinda in battle. Chai Baochang led a small remaining party to flee to Yangxing Mountain, but was betrayed again, and was cut by his own soldiers in his sleep. He lowered his head and offered it to Chen Sangliang in exchange for a reward.
In this way, Chen Sangliang completely annihilated the main force of the Jingchai bandit army in just over 20 days, and the rebels who were forced to rebel by Fan Zigai also surrendered almost ninety-nine times, and only a few stubborn ones refused. Surrendered, but did not dare to continue activities north of Fenshui. Most of them fled to the north to cause trouble for Chen Sangliang's cousin Li Jing. The civil and military officials greeted him out of the city in person, and because of the smooth battle, the stubborn old man recovered from his condition immediately.
On this day, Fan Zigai naturally had to hold a big banquet in his left-behind mansion to celebrate Chen Sangliang's achievements. Most of the civil and military personnel in Taiyuan were present, and even Pei Ji, who hadn't received the invitation, had the audacity to come uninvited to congratulate Chen Sangliang's Fen Shui Dajie, although Fan Zigai deliberately ignored him, Pei Ji didn't care, he just kept trying to curry favor with Chen Yingliang, and clung to Chen Sangliang, and Chen Yingliang also looked at Wenxi Pei's face, and made a fuss with him, causing trouble. Old Fan, who had to keep looking down on Pei Ji, was very dissatisfied.
After all, Fan Zigai was already seventy-two years old. Even though he was in a good mood, he still couldn't bear it and was forced to leave the meeting. Chen Sangliang personally took him back to the room to rest. When he returned to the lobby, Chen Sangliang was stopped by Pei Ji in the corridor again, and begged Chen Yingliang to give him some time to talk alone. Chen Yingliang knew that he must have something to do, so he didn't refuse for the sake of the old Pei's family, so he also went to the garden to talk alone. Then when Pei Ji congratulated Chen Sangliang on the great victory in Fenshui, Chen Yingliang waved his hands impatiently and said, "Uncle Pei, a mere victory is not worth mentioning. Please speak up if you have something to do. General Gao and Wang Juncheng are still in the hall." wait for me."
"General, let me just say it directly." Pei Ji nodded, and then said: "Actually, when we met last time, I wanted to talk about this matter, but at that time, General Gao and Wang Juncheng were by my side. It is inconvenient to speak, since the general went to the counter-insurgency battlefield and never had a chance, the situation is urgent now, so the subordinate official just said it directly, the subordinate is bold, and wants to ask the general to lend a helping hand and help the subordinate."
"Uncle, what happened to you?" Chen Yinghao asked curiously.
"The lower official managed the Jinyang Palace poorly, which caused the three palace officials to flee without a trace, and they have not been caught so far." Pei Ji said with a sad face: "Fan Liushou was furious after hearing the news, and he has already impeached him. Officer, please ask the imperial court to remove the subordinate official and go to prison to question the crime. The subordinate official also heard the rumor that Fan Liushou had already sent out the memorial half a month ago."
"It's been half a month since the memorial was sent out, how can I help you?" Chen Yingliang asked suspiciously: "If the memorial hasn't been sent away, I can plead with Fan Liushou for you, or if the memorial has just been sent away, that's fine." Send a fast horse to chase it back, this memorial has been sent out for half a month, how can I help you?"
"General, as long as you are willing to reach out, you will definitely be able to help the subordinate." Pei Ji cupped his hands and bowed again, explaining: "The subordinate is just a low-rank official, and His Majesty is busy with state affairs. Official matters must be judged and convicted by Yushitai. Yushi doctor Pei Yun and the general are as close as uncles and nephews, so as long as the general you say a word, the next official can keep his official job. General, hold your hands high, and ask Dr. Pei to hold your hands high and put down your official position."
After finishing speaking, Pei Ji hurriedly said again: "General, you must ask the subordinate why he didn't speak to Dr. Pei himself, and the subordinate dare not lie to you. It is true that the subordinate has some relatives with Dr. Pei, but the distance is too far away." Well, there are hundreds of people in the Wenxi Pei clan, Dr. Pei may not be able to take care of them all, and coupled with the humble position and position, it is difficult to see Dr. Pei at ordinary times. Now, Dr. Pei may not be able to Because the distant relative of the lower official refuted the face of Fan Liushou who personally wrote a letter of impeachment, but if you speak up, General, the lower official may be saved."
Chen Sangliang calculated that for such a trivial matter, it is understandable to pull Pei Ji casually, but the consequences of pulling Pei Ji are worth Chen Yingliang's weighing - pull Pei Ji and keep his position, then history will go on. Different tracks, no one rebelled in Taiyuan, then Pei Ji is doomed to disappear in the long river of history, and the rich supplies of Jinyang Palace will only fall into the hands of the final victors, which is neither beneficial nor harmful to him.
After keeping Pei Ji, if he can succeed Fan Zigai as Taiyuan's left guard, Pei Ji's pawn can play an important role, and it will be of great benefit to him without any harm.
Keeping Pei Ji, if history returns to the normal track under the strong inertia, and the Li family, who still has spare power in Taiyuan, continues to revolt in Taiyuan, then the supplies of Jinyang Palace are destined to continue to be cheap for Lao Li, which will be harmful to himself and at the same time. Big.
But if you don't keep Pei Ji and let him be dismissed from office and go home to take care of the child, then if you can take over the left behind in Taiyuan, you will naturally have to spend countless means to get the supplies of Jinyang Palace, and if you can't take over the left behind in Taiyuan, Pei Ji, the Li Yuan Taiyuan's most important internal support will fall down again, then history will be completely changed, and one's own advantage of historical prophet will be completely lost...
In just a short while, Chen Yingliang weighed the pros and cons, and immediately made up his mind, nodded and said: "Well, since you have opened your mouth, Uncle Pei, my nephew will do my best, and I will send you the letter of pleading for you." , together with the victory memorial to Daxing, as for whether it is too late or not, whether you can ask Uncle Pei Yun depends on your own luck."
Pei Ji was overjoyed when he heard that, and quickly thanked Chen Yingliang, while Chen Yingliang smiled perfunctorily, and said in his heart: "Grandpa Fan, I'm sorry for letting you down, this Pei Ji is too important, for Yuer's sake, and for myself, I have to stay temporarily." This is the bane of Taiyuan."
Went back to the lobby with Chen Yingliang, and drank a few more glasses of wine with everyone. Pei Ji also excused himself from too much alcohol and offered to leave. Gao Junya, Wang Wei and other Taiyuan civil and military people did not want to see Pei Ji, so naturally they did not keep him. Pei Ji went well After leaving, of course, the first thing to do is to return to Jinyang Palace immediately and report the good news to Li Er who is waiting there for news. Li Er was overjoyed and immediately said: "Uncle, since your matter is no longer a problem, then I have to say goodbye too, and I’m leaving today.”
"Second Young Master, there's no need to be in such a hurry, right? It's not too late to leave after a few days of rest." Pei Ji, who was already in a good mood, persuaded.
"No, I have to go back to Daxing immediately." Li Er's face was serious, and he explained: "I have to go back and contact the Guanlongmen Clan, and let them try their best to persuade His Majesty to transfer Chen Yingliang back to the Eastern Capital, otherwise, if His Majesty is on a whim, he will order Chen Yingliang Stay in Taiyuan, take over Fan Zigai's position, or serve as Fan Zigai's deputy, then we will be completely finished."