Just like the analysis of Li Mi's group, Huangfu Wuyi and Wei Yijie wanted to kill Chen Sangliang, and Chen Sangliang even sent them out of the country. One of the important purposes was to buy time and prepare for the last step.
On the pretext of explaining his position of loyalty to the emperor, Chen Sangliang approached the important civil and military officials under his command one by one to talk to each other. As a result, Chen Sangliang was a little speechless. He also took the opportunity to persuade Chen Sangliang to think about the future, and in turn hinted that Chen Sangliang should take that step, and also took the opportunity to express his loyalty to Chen Sangliang, and was willing to follow Chen Sangliang to the ends of the world. Liu Heikai, who performed the best in the Guanzhong War, also cited the example of Li Daozong, urging Chen Sangliang to do whatever he wanted!
The most difficult thing is to serve the national army. This elite team was formed with the purpose of being loyal to Emperor Sui Yang, and it was formed by Chen Sangliang himself. Emperor Yangdi's fate was undoubtedly his own slap in the face, so Chen Sangliang put the issue of serving the national army to the end, until he basically figured out the attitude of all the civil and military officers under his command, and then devoted an afternoon to it , Visit the camp of the Baoguo Army in person, and have a heart-to-heart talk with the soldiers of the Baoguo Army. Know their stance.
The result also surprised Chen Sangliang. Although many soldiers of the national service army expressed their allegiance to Emperor Sui Yang and suggested that Chen Sangliang lead the army to go south to welcome Emperor Sui Yang back to the capital, but someone immediately retorted: " What are you going to do to welcome His Majesty back? Build twenty-three palaces around Daxing? Go to Goguryeo for the fourth time? Take us on a tour and go home once in ten years?"
The Baoguo Army who retorted was the elite Youwuwei added after the war against Yang Xuangan. They were not brainwashed deeply by Chen Sangliang, and they were fed up with Emperor Sui Yang's abuse of civilian power and military power, so they couldn't help but say a few psychological words. These words quickly attracted the condemnation of many companions, and there were some quarrels. Chen Sangliang didn't want conflicts among the first elite under his command, so he quickly interrupted the debate and said: "Be quiet, be quiet, don't make noise, listen to me. Many brothers have advised me to go south to meet His Majesty Returning to Daxing, I really want to do this, but there is no way, His Majesty has made a decree before, and decided to move the capital to Danyang City, south of the Yangtze River, and never return to the north, so even if we go, we will not be able to welcome His Majesty back."
Most of the soldiers of the National Defense Army have heard of this rumor—Chen Sangliang deliberately let people spread it in the National Defense Army, but he was only half-believed and did not believe it immediately. Taking this opportunity, many soldiers of the National Defense Army Ask Chen Sangliang: "Chen Jishi, Your Majesty really intends to move the capital to Danyang, and not return to the north again?"
"It's absolutely true." Chen Sangliang nodded, and said helplessly: "This is the news from Feng Ciming, the governor of Jiangdu County. His Majesty the Emperor has also sent my uncle Li Guogong Pei Jiangzuo to Danyang to preside over the construction of Danyang. The palace is ready to move the capital. It’s just that the Danyang Palace City has not been completed yet, so His Majesty has not publicly issued an edict to move the capital yet.”
Those officers and soldiers who had insisted on being loyal to Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty shut up and shook their heads and sighed. The oldest Guo Feng and Chen Ci also looked gloomy and depressed. Chen Sangliang hurriedly said: "Soldiers, don't be depressed. No matter where His Majesty moves the capital, it has nothing to do with us. The important thing is that we are still his subjects. As long as His Majesty gives a decree, we can do whatever we want. relation."
The soldiers of the Baoguo Army nodded silently, but they were still in a bad mood. Chen Sangliang took the opportunity to order people to prepare wine and meat to reward the soldiers of the Baoguo Army. Chen Sangliang, who has always been a poor drinker, won a rare victory this time. He poured out many soldiers of the patriotic army during the banquet, and made many soldiers of the patriotic army say something psychological after drinking, "Although your majesty the emperor The kindness to us is as great as a mountain, but His Majesty the emperor himself really messed up the Great Sui world, and the court decree remains unchanged, no matter how hard we work, we will not be able to save the Great Sui country."
Guo Feng, the best drinker in the national army, was also so drunk that he couldn't even speak clearly while holding the wine jar, and shed tears in public, crying: "Brother Zhihong, I'm sorry for you, you entrusted Sister Feng to me , but she and I have always been together less and more apart, I'm sorry for her, and I'm sorry for you, when will this battle be over? When will peace be restored in this world?"
Chen Sangliang was very excited by these emotional reactions of the soldiers of the Baoguo Army, and he understood that the soldiers of the Baoguo Army were actually dissatisfied with Emperor Sui Yang, but due to various reasons, they never expressed it. Just come out. Therefore, Chen Sangliang privately estimated that if the Jiangdu mutiny had not happened, Emperor Sui Yang had really listened to Yang Tong's slander and ordered his own life. It is impossible for everyone to serve the national army to act according to the order, at least some people would follow. walk on my own. And if the Jiangdu mutiny really happened, if Yu Wenhua and his brothers really killed Sui Yang Emperor, then..., haha.
Afterwards, Chen Sangliang also took time to find out about the situation of the Yang family in Daxing City, and found that Yang Xingji, the nephew of Yang Youtang mentioned in the fake call to arms in Dongdu, was actually a pretty good candidate for the puppet emperor—because this Yang Xingji is only six years old this year, and his father has passed away. If Chen Sangliang put him on the throne as a puppet, it would be a hundred times easier to manipulate him than to manipulate Yang Tong.
At the same time, letters of persuasion continued to fly in front of Chen Sangliang like a snowflake. The members of the Guanlongmen faction who were afraid of Sui Yang's settlement and the surrender of civil and military forces by Li Yuan's rebels were naturally the core force encouraging Chen Sangliang to separatist and self-reliant. For the sake of prosperity and wealth, the speculators also tried their best to write letters to Chen Sangliang, urging Chen Sangliang to obey the sky and become king on his own. Chen Sangliang, on the other hand, sternly reprimanded these anti-bone youngsters on the surface, while taking the time to establish various political alliances with various powerful families in Guanzhong. After marrying Liu Jingye's youngest daughter as a concubine, he took several wives ——Naturally, all the married women were from the Guanlong family such as the Yuan family, the Yu family, and the Dugu family.
At this point in the matter, even the blind can see that Chen Sangliang has a different intention. Although the number is very small, there are still a few people who warned Chen Sangliang overtly and secretly, including Qu Tutong's younger brother. Curved cover. After becoming the emperor of Daxingtu, in order to please Qu Tutong, the old man who held the military power, Chen Sangliang arranged official positions for both of Qu Tutong's sons. A temporary position as the acting director of Dali Temple, he used his reputation for integrity to decorate himself. Although Qu Tugai readily accepted the appointment, when Chen Sangliang showed his fangs, he quickly regretted his appointment. up.
Qu Tugai is very good at not giving people face. The eldest grandson Xiao Luoli and the eldest grandson Wuji's half-brother eldest Sun Wuxian, seeing that the half-brother-in-law is getting better and better, regardless of the fact that he once made the eldest grandson Wuji brother and sister and Gao Shilian My younger sister drove out of the house, and ran to Chen Sangliang with the cheek to recognize relatives and solicit connections. In order to maintain his good reputation of repaying virtue with hatred, Chen Sangliang accepted him regardless of previous suspicions, saying that his elder brother even appointed him a temporary official position. Overjoyed, he offered Chen Sangliang a white tiger skin that was treasured at home. Chen Sangliang, who was ignorant and inexperienced, didn't think much about it, and accepted it after a few polite words. As a result, Qu Tugai didn't know where he heard the news , immediately ran to Chen Sangliang to Xingshi to question the crime.
The reason for Xingshi’s indictment is that the white tiger is one of the five Jiarui, and only the virtuous king is destined to see it. It stands to reason that the emperor should be eligible to hold it. Changsun Wuxian sent Chen Sangliang and accepted it, and Qu Tugai just grabbed it. Not letting go of this point, Chen Sangliang was speechless in front of many civil and military officials. In the end, Chen Sangliang argued that it was Changsun Wuxian who asked him to sacrifice to Emperor Sui Yang on his behalf. On the spot, he wrote a book offering treasures and decided to dedicate the white tiger skin to Emperor Sui Yang, and finally covered up the matter.
Before the matter was over, Qu Tugai still refused to give up, and said to Chen Sangliang in public: "Chen Liushou, I know that you have been strictly prohibiting people from offering auspicious signs to you, but why do you keep doing this? Its root is there, please Chen Liushou to think about it carefully. The emperor is still there, and the laws of the country still exist. What Chen Liushou has done recently has been walking on the edge of a cliff. Chen Liushou walked carefully, and never went the wrong way."
In front of many accomplices and lackeys being ridiculed by Qu Tugai with a gun, Chen Sangliang couldn't hold his face no matter how good-tempered he was, and shouted angrily, "Qu Tugai, what do you mean by that? Is it true that I want to rebel?" No? If you think this official wants to rebel, then you can show me evidence! If you can’t show evidence, you don’t have to do this Dali Temple Sizhi, go home and retire!”
"Chen Liushou acted brilliantly. It is true that the lower officials can't produce evidence, but they are just and at ease. What you have done, Chen Liushou, even a blind person can see your real purpose, right?" Qu Tugai sneered, and in public He took off his official hat and threw it on the ground together with the official seal and talisman. He said with a sneer, "There is no need for Chen Liushou to be dismissed as an official. The official has long since given up on acting as the secretary of Dali Temple. Let me leave."
After all, Qu Tugai turned around and left. The generals such as Liu Heita and Kan Leng next to him were all furious, and they all asked for orders to put Qu Tugai in prison for questioning. Unfortunately, this time he flattered him on the horse's leg and helped Chen Sangliang vent his anger. But in exchange for Chen Sangliang scolded angrily, "Grasp Qu Tugai? Are you crazy or stupid? That old man is well-known Bao Qingtian among the people. If he is arrested today, the people of Daxing will be able to serve him tomorrow." Wanmin Book Calls for Injustice!"
Except for Chen Sangliang himself, no one knows who is Bao Qingtian who was born more than three hundred years later, but everyone understands what Chen Sangliang means, and Fang Xuanling immediately nodded and said: "It is true that we can't be caught, Ning Shisan Dou Ai, unlike Qu Tugai, Qu Tugai enforced the law strictly during his tenure as the Daxing Order, he was not afraid of the powerful, and won the hearts of the people.
"Then forget it?" Kan Leng and the others asked sullenly.
"That's the only way to forget it." Fang Xuanling became more sullen, and then said with a wry smile: "Fortunately, this Qu Tugai's reputation in the family is worse than my father's. Even if he wants to stir up some troubles, it's fine." It may not be a good thing for him and us that the powerful family will respond stupidly to him and let him go home for the elderly."
Qu Tugai, who has no soldiers, no power and only a clear name, is really nothing to worry about, but his elder brother Qu Tutong is not so easy to take care of, although Chen Sangliang still remembers that Qu Tutong is also one of the twenty-four heroes of Lingyan Pavilion , but forgot how Qu Tutong surrendered to Lao Li's family in history. Although the current Qu Tutong is getting weaker and more conservative and cautious in using troops, his qualifications and prestige are still there after all. If the Jiangdu mutiny did not happen, Emperor Sui Yang would not die, and Chen Sangliang would be forced to pull the flag directly. Qu Tutong, who is currently in Hedong, must be Chen Sangliang's first opponent. Those civil and military officials who are still loyal to Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty and the Guanzhong army must also be Qu Tutong's leader. Therefore, on the issue of Qu Tutong, Chen Sangliang couldn't be careless.
For this reason, in order to maintain a friendly relationship with Qu Tutong, to facilitate future recruitment, and to drive away and weaken Li Er, his love rival who has never left Jinnan, Chen Sangliang gave Qu Tutong a lot during this period of time. With all kinds of support, they asked for weapons for weapons, food for food, and even sent a batch of gunpowder bottles to Qu Tutong. However, to Chen Sangliang's great disappointment, Qu Tutong seemed to have forgotten how to win on the battlefield. Facing Li's second-hand army with less than 20,000 remnants and defeated generals, Qu Tutong couldn't even take back the entire territory of Hedong. However, Li Er has always been entangled with Li Er in the Longmen and Fenyin areas, and failed to win several decisive battles. Li Er relied on Taiyuan's money and food support to gradually stabilize his position, and has re-expanded the team to more than 35,000 people. There is already a vague momentum of revival.
What made Chen Sangliang even more helpless was that on the eighth day of April, Qu Tutong even sent someone to send a letter for help, saying that Li Er had defeated Qu Tu in the northern part of Fenyin after he got the supplies from Taiyuan again. Tong's subordinate Wang Xingben forced Qu Tutong to return to Fenyin. At the same time, he discovered that Li Mi had teamed up with Li Er and dispatched Chen Sangliang's old opponent Meng Haigong to lead an army westward from Hanoi to Hedong County to reinforce Li Er. Tutong was worried that he would be alone, so he asked Chen Sangliang to send troops for reinforcements. He also said that Li Er had concentrated his main force on the Fenyin battlefield next to the Yellow River, which was a great opportunity to wipe out Li Er in one fell swoop, and suggested that Chen Sangliang personally lead the army to reinforce and wait for the opportunity to defeat the enemy.
Qu Tutong's request for help made Chen Sangliang hesitate. Logically speaking, Chen Sangliang cannot leave Daxing at will now, but the victory or defeat of the Hedong battlefield is extremely important to Chen Sangliang. Once the Hedong battlefield collapses, Li Er Team up with Li Mi to occupy Hedong, so with their obscene virtues and vicious character, they will definitely close the Yongfeng warehouse, which is the root of life, and cut off the connection between Daxing and Changping warehouse. The supply of food and grass depends on Yongfeng warehouse and Changping warehouse. The main force of the Sui army may face a food shortage crisis. Therefore, Chen Sangliang basically had only two choices. One was to send a capable general to lead an army to help Qu Tutong and stabilize the situation there;
After careful discussion with a group of confidants, Chen Sangliang gradually tended to lead the army to Hedong in person. The reason was that Li Er was very human. Among the generals under Chen Sangliang, except for Li Jing who was on the west front of Fufeng, it was difficult for anyone to be his opponent. Even if Liu Heita, the nemesis of the Li family, is sent there, he may not be sure to kill him. At the same time, once the Hedong side became a stalemate, Chen Sangliang once again sent troops to support and formed a military strategy. Not to mention the refueling tactics, the money and food consumed must be astronomical. And Chen Sangliang personally led the main force to the Hedong battlefield, and he was sure to completely solve the Hedong problem. Not to mention, he could also give an explanation to the people of the world, proving that Chen Sangliang did not want to hide in Daxing City and seek hegemony, but was still a loyal minister of the court. Zhongliang.
Generals such as Kan Leng and Luo Shixin, who were so itchy, agreed that Chen Sangliang would personally lead the main force to the Hedong battlefield. The reason is that the situation in the world is chaotic and complicated, and Chen Sangliang has just turned his back on Yang Yu. Chen Sangliang leads the main force to go out in person. Even if Chen Sangliang, who has entered the base area, has the ability to reach heaven and earth, it will be difficult to turn over again, let alone Kang Ning, who relied on Chai Shao to help Daxing easily like last time.
The words of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were of course very reasonable, and it made Chen Sangliang even more hesitant, unable to make up his mind on what to do. However, at this moment, a soldier came from outside the door, saying that there was a The monk came to the gate of the Daxing Imperial City, asked to see Chen Sangliang by name and surname, and said that he had something to offer to Chen Sangliang. Chen Sangliang, who was upset in his heart, was furious when he heard it, and slapped the table and shouted: "It must be someone who offers auspiciousness, tell him to get out! If he doesn't get out, I will escort him to Daxing County and hand him over to the Daxing Order for punishment! Let him Eat prison food for a few days!"
The soldiers agreed, and when they found out that Chen Sangliang had a bad temper, they rushed out immediately. Chen Sangliang got angry, and after thinking about it for a long time, he shook his head and said, "No, the Hedong battlefield is too important. Feng Changping’s second storehouse was in an emergency immediately, and Li Erlang is not something ordinary people can deal with, so I’d better go in person, make a quick decision, and come back to respond as soon as possible. As for Daxing, Liu Changgong and Xing Fang will be in charge for the time being.”
Seeing that Chen Sangliang had made up his mind, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui didn't have much to say, they could only help Chen Sangliang to make a plan for dispatching troops immediately, and arrange the generals and troops to go out. But at this moment, Liu Changgong strode into the lobby of General Youwuwei, and said to Chen Sangliang with a puzzled face: "Brother Yingliang, why did you order Chen Ci's brother to be arrested and handed over to Daxing Order?" ? What did he do?"
"Chen Ci's brother?" Chen Sangliang was stunned, and asked in doubt, "When did I order him to be arrested? His brother? Where is he?"
"It's the little brother who became a monk. You told me about him." Liu Changgong said with even more doubts: "He came to Zhuquemen to beg to see you, and your soldiers said that you are going to arrest him and hand him over to Daxing County. Ya, I happened to bump into him, so he told me his identity, and said he had something important to see you, so please meet him."
"That monk just now is Master Sanzang?" Chen Sangliang almost fainted, and hurriedly shouted: "Hurry up, hurry up, invite him here, and what's more, send someone to inform Chen Ci that it is his younger brother."
The soldiers in the room took orders and rushed out immediately, and after a while, Master Xuanzang, who was almost sent to prison by Chen Sangliang, was invited to the lobby, and Chen Sangliang and others secretly What I admire is that although the feet wearing straw sandals have been worn out with blood blisters, and the monk's robes on his body are covered with dust, Master Xuanzang still behaves calmly, with a solemn expression, salutes Chen Sangliang with palms together, and respectfully said: "Xuanzang, a little monk, met Donor Chen. My Buddha is merciful. After many years, the benefactor is still in good health. The little monk is inexplicably happy."
"Master Xuanzang, you are welcome, please sit down." Chen Sangliang returned the gift with a smile, and quickly apologized: "Master Xuanzang, don't blame me, I really didn't know it was you just now, and said that it was some charlatan who came to offer auspiciousness. I gave the order to arrest you. Master, you are a large number of adults, but please don't say that I am not in front of the Buddha."
After all, Chen Sangliang added another sentence in his stomach, secretly said: "Really don't complain, I heard that you are the second apprentice of that bumpy head, if he really blames it, I can't afford it."
"Many thanks benefactor, there is no need." Xuanzang clasped his hands together to thank him, and took out a letter sealed with wax lacquer from his bosom, and presented it with both hands: "Chen benefactor, this is the person I asked you to bring to you back then. The letter, the letter is delivered, the little monk is not mistaken after all."
"It's him?" Chen Sangliang was overjoyed at first, then extremely disappointed, and secretly said: "It's a pity, no matter how important the news is, I'm separated from Li Mi by hundreds of miles, and there's an Eastern Capital in between. You can't kill him."
Disappointment is disappointment, but it is a good thing to be able to restore contact with Wang Xuance, one of the two great men in Yanshi in the late Sui and early Tang Dynasties. After receiving the letter in person, Chen Sangliang asked Xuanzang to sit down and wait for his brother. Open the sealant casually, take out the thick letter paper in between to watch, and then, naturally...
"Ah!" Chen Sangliang couldn't help screaming, which shocked everyone, and then Chen Sangliang's whole body was shocked, and then his whole body trembled uncontrollably like a swing.
"Brother Yingliang, what happened?" Liu Changgong asked quickly.
"His Majesty!"
It was Chen Sangliang who answered Liu Changgong, crying heartbreakingly, knelt down on his knees facing the southeast, and cried frantically, "Your Majesty, my humble minister is incompetent, my humble minister is guilty, Yu Wenhua and the rebels killed me!" When you are here, I can’t escort you by my side, I deserve to die! Yu Wenhuaji, you rebel, a bold rebel! How dare you launch a mutiny, kill the Holy Majesty, kill His Majesty the Emperor, I want to eat you Meat! Sleep on your skin!"
No matter it was Ma Daha's Liu Changgong, or the resourceful Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, they were all stunned and couldn't believe their ears. Only Master Xuanzang remained calm and complacent, and he still wondered in his heart, "My Buddha is merciful, why does Benefactor Chen's cry contain joy? It seems like weeping with joy?"