Yanshan Mountain stretches across the northern part of Youzhou.
Throughout history, countless heroes have used their blood and strong will to sing immortal songs of victory in Yanshan, and made the name of Yanshan resound throughout the Central Plains.
In the eyes of ordinary people and people who love the nation, Yanshan is synonymous with desolation and solemnity. It is the burial place of countless heroes.
Luanshui River is an ancient stream that runs across the north and south. Hundreds of rivers flow into the Luanshui River and it cuts off the Yanshan Mountains in the north. It then opened up a natural gap, Xifengkou, in the middle section of the Yanshan Mountains, providing a smoother path for the foreign tribes outside the Great Wall to invade the Central Plains from the south.
The surging Luan River is like a surging passion, passionate and mighty; the trickling water is like the tender affection of a lover, long and lingering.
On the bank of Luanshui River, a woman covered in black gauze and wearing a black mask and black stockings stood alone in the wind, her curvy figure fully displayed.
Some people say that the most gentle thing in the world is the breeze, and the most rogue thing is also the breeze. It is the breeze that reveals many shy and embarrassing moments; it is the breeze that allows conservative and traditional women to show their unknown beauty.
The wind still blows, and the man stands firm.
The woman remained silent and motionless, as if she was gazing into the distance, or as if she was waiting, waiting for the unknown visitor.
Time always slips by inadvertently, passing through the gaps between your hair and fingers, and through your high collar.
In the blink of an eye, an hour passed, and several figures came running from the distance, showing their extraordinary skills as they moved around.
If Zhu Li were here, he would be able to recognize the leader at a glance. This person is none other than Zhou Chenghui, the Secretary General with the best martial arts skills besides Wang Zhixing and Yu Cuiwei.
The few people following Zhou Chenghui all wore black robes and had shaved heads, and they were obviously Khitans.
Several people quickly came behind the woman in black veil, and they all bowed to her respectfully, with pious expressions as if they were worshiping gods and Buddhas.
The woman did not move, as if she had known someone was coming. Her lips rose slightly under her black silk stockings, and a voice as crisp as a yellow oriole rang out: "Is everything done?"
"Yes, Palace Master." Zhou Chenghui responded immediately.
"How is the staffing arrangement?"
"Don't worry, Palace Master." Zhou Chenghui said respectfully, "Liu Ao under Liu Rengong; the two Khitan generals Tuoba Yi and Juqu Mengxun; the fierce Xi generals Wu Zhiyi and Qu Tuquan, etc., these five are all first-class masters, and the worst one among them is as good as me."
The woman in black veil nodded and said carefully, "Don't underestimate Zhu Li. If he was just an ordinary person, I wouldn't have to arrange everything myself, but this person is very special."
"Special?" Zhou Chenghui didn't understand.
"You don't need to know, and you don't need to ask anymore. By the way, after Fan Yang fell, Zhu Li must have come to Yizhou in person. How are your arrangements in Shuozhou?" The woman seemed not to want to talk too much with Zhou Chenghui. She avoided the subject and went straight to Shanyang.
"Lü Yong, the commander of Piantou Pass, has been bribed by us a long time ago. In order to teach Zhu Li a lesson, the Khitans sent three famous generals, Yelu Oulisi, Xiao Xiala and Yelu Zuolu, to lead an army of 200,000 to invade Shuozhou, waiting for Lu Yong to open the gate. Even if Shanyang is an iron wall, the Khitans can smash it with such a large force." Zhou Chenghui said confidently.
Just from the conversation between the two, it can be seen that the fall of Fan Yang was just a trap, a trap to lure Zhu Li to Youzhou.
In the game, people like Liu Rengong, Li Quanzhong and others were just pawns being used by others. Even the Khitans and Xi people could only be regarded as orioles at best.
The trap woven by the Khitan, Xi people, Li Quanzhong and Liu Rengong was just waiting for Zhu Li, the moth, to fall into it. It can be seen how strong the desire of the people behind the scenes to kill Zhu Li was.
That person not only wanted to kill Zhu Li in one fell swoop, but also wanted to go straight to Zhu Li's old nest Shanyang. It can be said that he was ruthless.
In addition to Li Quanzhong and Liu Rengong, who were unwilling to be left out in the north, the alliance also incorporated the Khitan and Xi people. These two forces outside the Great Wall had a feud with Zhu Li, and their methods were omnipotent and unpredictable.
This is not flattering the man to death. Apart from the foresighted Zhu Li, who in the world knew that Liu Rengong was restless
But in this situation, Liu Rengong was obviously also calculated. There were so many generals in the world, why was Liu Rengong chosen alone
He took advantage of the friendship between Zhu Li and Li Keju, bribed Zhu Li's most senior general Lu Yong, and so on. As for what else is involved, perhaps it will become clear when the plan is completed.
The mastermind behind all this is obviously the woman in black veil. Her methods are so supernatural that not only does the Secretary General Zhou Chenghui gladly accept the order, but even the Khitans outside the Great Wall respect her like a god.
Yi County, the county magistrate’s residence, reception hall.
Guo Qizuo finally sent someone to bring the latest news from Fan Yang.
"Your Highness." A ghost guard who took off his ghost mask and looked unfamiliar bowed to Zhu Li.
Zhu Li glanced at him and said casually, "Where's Jing Ming? Why didn't he come?"
The ghost guard was stunned when he heard this, but immediately responded: "Captain Jing Ming is busy with his duties, so he sent me to deliver a letter to the general."
After getting used to one person, it was a bit strange to suddenly change to another person. Zhu Li just felt it was strange and didn't take it seriously. He continued to speak: "Tell me, who is occupying Fanyang?"
"Yes," the ghost guard immediately responded, "General, Fanyang was captured by Liu Rengong."
"Liu Rengong, it's indeed him." Zhu Li narrowed his eyes, as expected, yet a little surprised.
"If I'm not mistaken, there are more than 30,000 troops stationed in Fanyang City; Liu Rengong is just a town commander with less than 10,000 soldiers under his command. How did he capture Fanyang?" Zhu Li stared at the ghost guard and asked his doubts directly.
The ghost guard hurriedly said, "General, Liu Rengong entered Fanyang without a single soldier, and his group consisted of only seven people."
"What?!" Zhu Li stood up suddenly, his face full of disbelief.
Gao Yuan, Li Hanzhi and others nearby also widened their eyes suddenly, and were also filled with incredible surprise.
Seven people actually captured Fan Yang, and not a single piece of information leaked out. Even the ghost guards disguised as ordinary people were unable to spread the news. To achieve this was simply horrifying.
After a moment of shock, Zhu Li narrowed his eyes, already certain that there must be something hidden, and continued to ask: "How did he do it?"
After hearing this, the ghost guard sorted out his thoughts for a while, and then said solemnly: "General, there is a reason why Liu Rengong can achieve such a level."
After he finished speaking, he looked up at Zhu Li. Zhu Li looked at him and motioned him to continue. The ghost guard then continued, "This has to start with Li Keju, the chief steward of Lulong."
"Last year, General Manager Li suddenly welcomed the leader of the Abusi tribe, Ge Shulu, into the pass. Not only did Ge Shulu come himself, he also brought a group of elite Uighur cavalry, including several fierce generals."
"General Manager Li held a grand banquet, during which he solemnly appointed Ge Shulu as the commander-in-chief of the three armies of Fanyang in front of all the civil and military officials present, trying to get Ge Shulu to control the troops of Fanyang."
"Although the generals guarding Fanyang did not say it outwardly, they secretly felt dissatisfied. Why did this foreign Di people gain the trust of Li Zongguan as soon as he entered the pass? Why did he suddenly become their immediate superior from their enemy?"
After hearing this, everyone in the hall fell into deep thought.
Lulong is located in the northern border. It has been a chaotic borderland plagued by Di people since ancient times. Many heroes have died in foreign lands because of fighting against the Di people. Deep down, all military officers and soldiers hate the Di people.
How could they accept that a Di leader was suddenly asked to lead these soldiers who were fighting against foreign races
Just imagine that the mistress next door who has always been beaten by you suddenly turns over one day and steps on your head. How would you feel
The ghost guard continued, "Less than a month after Ge Shulu took office, several clashes broke out between the Han generals guarding Fanyang and Ge Shulu's men. In early February, the biggest conflict broke out, and an old Han general was killed in this conflict."
"This man's name is Liu Sheng. He has been following Li Maoxun since he defected to the imperial court. After Li Maoxun passed away, he became Li Zongguan's general. His seniority in the army is also among the most senior."
"More importantly, Liu Sheng's son is Liu Rengong, who is also an important general in Lulong. Since General Li suppressed the Shatuo Rebellion, Liu Rengong was promoted to the commander of Weizhou for his merits and has been responsible for guarding the important town of Weizhou."
"Did Liu Rengong rebel because his father was murdered?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Li suddenly asked.
"Yes, General. Liu Rengong returned to Fanyang in the name of mourning for his father. The only people accompanying him were his three sons, three of his generals, Zhao Ba, Liu Ao, and veteran Zhang Wenli, plus Liu Rengong himself, a total of seven people."
"Liu Sheng was loyal throughout his life, but he was killed by Ge Shulu, who was recently promoted by Li Zongguan. Liu Sheng's son Liu Rengong came back from the funeral with only seven people. Under such circumstances, why would Li Zongguan not let them enter the city?"
"That day, Liu Rengong entered Fanyang. That night, he secretly visited the Han generals who stayed in Fanyang. He used the reasons that Ge Shulu killed the Han generals wantonly and Li Zongguan did not stand up for the loyal and good people, and persuaded them one by one."
When the ghost guard said this, everyone in the hall had a gloomy face and fell into deep thought without saying a word.
What Zhu Li was thinking about was that, based on history, he had always believed that Liu Rengong must have planned a rebellion, which led to the current situation; it seemed that this time, he really misjudged the person. Liu Rengong did rebel, but this time he stood at the highest point of righteousness, which was far beyond his expectations.
But what others were thinking was, why did Li Keju promote Ge Shulu to be the commander-in-chief of the three armies of Fanyang
Liu Sheng was loyal throughout his life. When he was killed by Ge Shulu, why didn't Li Keju stand up for him
Everything was so strange and abnormal, like flowers in the fog. They seemed to have captured some truth, but when they thought about it carefully, nothing was left. What was left eventually turned into a long sigh hanging in the air.
The ghost guard did not stop his statement because the generals were lost in thought: "At dawn the next day, Liu Rengong rebelled. The rebels took control of the Fanyang Road gate in just a moment. Liu Ao, a general under Liu Rengong, rushed into Ge Shulu's camp with only 500 men and killed 23 of Ge Shulu's generals. He even captured Ge Shulu alive."