The outbreak of war in Western Xinjiang had been anticipated for a long time, and both the government and the opposition were mentally prepared for it, so it was not a big surprise.
But not being surprised doesn't mean it's easy to fight - war is all about money. Even if Darui is still relatively wealthy today, the pressure of a two-front war is not small!
Moreover, the Duke of Qin, who is actually the regent at this juncture, is seriously ill, the source index is also related to the remnants of the Gu family, and the internal strife in the Jiang family is no longer a secret... There are a lot of messy things, and the situation is really not optimistic!
"This battle in Western Xinjiang can only be won, not defeated!" Huainan Wang Chuxiao immediately went to Xue Chang after receiving the news of the war in Western Xinjiang, "Please give Xue Xiangcao a worry!"
Xue Chang narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard: "As a minister of great auspiciousness, how can I not hope that Master Wang will make an early decision? It's just that I don't know anything about the battlefield, so I can only prepare food and grass for Master Wang!"
Chu Xiao knew that his city was deep, so he didn't bother to talk in circles: "The remnants of the Gu family still exist, and they dare to assassinate the direct descendants of the Jiang family! This shows that his ambition has reached the point of using any means! Once the frontier is defeated, I am afraid that it will be used by him... Then a bad person But it’s big trouble!”
At this point, his voice lowered, "Furthermore, Vice Prime Minister Jiang and Shangshu Jiang have been coveting the control of the Western Army for a long time. They gave up unwillingly because of the Duke of Qin and the Marquis of Jibei. Now that there is a war in Western Xinjiang, once the battle is defeated, other If you don't tell me, what will happen to General Ruan? He is Xue Xiang's favorite disciple, so Xue Xiang won't just sit back and watch, right?"
"Since the prince knows that Chunjun is my favorite disciple, I will do my best!"
Chu Xiao was not very satisfied with Xue Chang's answer, and wanted to persuade him again, but then he thought that people like Xue Chang might annoy him if they were pressed, so he borrowed the donkey's foot and said, "Xue Xiang said, The king is also relieved!”
After he left, Xue Nongying came out of the back hall and said, "The King of Huainan married his eldest daughter to Jiang Yadan, and now he is so concerned about the four families of the Jiang family!"
Xue Chang looked at him first: "How do you feel today?"
"The doctor invited by Guo Xi is good at acupuncture. My grandson feels a lot looser these days." Xue Nongying said with a smile, "Didn't the doctor say before that my grandson is young and will definitely get better? Grandpa, don't worry too much!"
Cheng Guoxi got married in March. The reason why it took so long was because Xue Nongying's physical recovery was not very satisfactory before and she didn't want to delay a good girl.
Cheng Guoxi's father, Cheng Jin, was promoted by Xue Chang. He was not willing to regret the marriage because of Xue Nongying's accident. In the end, he even said: "The Xue family looks down on their daughter, so it's okay not to marry her. Anyway, My daughter will never go to any family except the Xue family! If the Xue family never comes to pick her up, at worst, the Cheng family will support her for the rest of her life. Even if she dies, her tombstone will be written as Xue Cheng’s family!”
Speaking of this, Xue Nongying had no choice but to agree.
Since Cheng Guoxi came here, she doesn't know whether it's because people feel refreshed during happy events, or whether the acupuncture and other methods she found are really effective. Xue Nongying's body has indeed improved significantly.
Now Xue Chang looked at his grandson carefully and saw that his complexion was ruddy and his eyes were shining. He was relieved and said with a smile: "Then let's get down to business. King Huainan said it easy! He is a Zong Zhengqing. What does he have to do with the war in Western Xinjiang? ? He did the errands himself and gained a lot of fame among the four members of the Jiang family, including Chunjun, but he put all the problems on me!"
"Although the eldest son of the Jiang family has returned to Kui County, the minions in the capital are still there! The third eldest son of the Jiang family is also in the capital to take care of Duke Qin, and his control over the government remains the same - he was originally in charge of Duke Qin when he was good. With his vision and magnanimity, , I have always been kind to me, and I don’t have to be too restrictive in my actions; but now that he is ill, there are many of his descendants who don’t like me!”
Xue Chang licked his beard and said, "The main reason is that the Duke of Qin is so prestigious. If anything happens to him, not only will rumors spread outside, but the Jiang family will also be in a hurry - I'm worried that some people will instigate everyone in the Jiang family to kill chickens and scare monkeys to calm people's minds. , he might be targeting us!"
When the two empresses were fighting, Xue Chang was the prime minister, and when the Jiang family was in charge, Xue Chang was still the prime minister—how could no one be jealous? Those who had followed the Jiang family in the early years and thought they had played a major role in the dispute between the two empresses, it took more than a day or two for them to dislike him!
If something happens in this situation now, they might suggest that the Jiang family kill or maim one or two powerful ministers or clan members to suppress the situation! Xue Chang must be among these candidates!
Not to mention whether this idea is reliable or not, Jiang Tianyao and Jiang Tianqi have been fighting for the position of Zhengxiang for a long time, and there are countless people lining up behind them - Xue Chang also has to prevent himself from falling into that situation. situation.
"But the most important thing now is that the Duke of Qin is seriously ill!" Xue Nongying said softly, "Once he has three advantages and two disadvantages, the first house and the third house may not be able to protect themselves, and how will they have the energy to suppress the Western Army? It sounds like Chunjun is in good fortune. , before the war started, something happened in Kui County and Duke Qin fell ill, which suddenly attracted the attention of the first and third rooms of the Jiang family... "
Xue Chang interrupted: "It's not as simple as you think! Don't forget that the fourth branch of the Jiang family is not idle now. Even if the war in Northern Xinjiang has the upper hand, it has not reached an overwhelming advantage! I have calculated that Zhenbei Although the army's baggage is still sufficient, according to the current war situation, the imperial court will have to replenish them within three months - this battle still needs to be fought! "
"If the Duke of Qin was here, he would definitely not let anyone's personal grudges affect the military and state affairs, but that is not necessarily the case for the first and third households of the Jiang family. The two and fourth households have too deep grudges. With the personalities of these two households. Son, it is unlikely to be resolved. So the eldest brother and the third brother of the Jiang family are certainly worried that once Qin Guogong goes, the fourth brother will immediately deal with them; how can the fourth brother not be worried that the two brothers will die in hysteria? "
How critical is the instability of the rear during the war to the frontline soldiers
"So the fact that the Duke of Qin is ill is the same trouble for all the descendants of the Jiang family. In the final analysis, it is because no one among them can replace the Duke of Qin! Generally speaking, they all have their own concerns. Not to mention they are evenly matched, but there is a gap. Not very big." Xue Chang said lightly, "In this case, Chunjun's side must win - if not for other reasons, just to not give hope to the first and third families of the Jiang family!"
Xue Nongying said in confusion: "If there is no hope, wouldn't they be desperate?"
"It would be like this under normal circumstances, but now there is a perfect step: the man in Kui County is critically ill, and all the people in the big house have gone back to Kui County." Xue Chang said lightly, "The two places are far apart, and this trip is not a short time They can come back later. So Da Fang can advance or retreat now - if the Zhenxi Army is defeated, they can seek military power again; if the Zhenxi Army wins, especially if Chunjun can become famous in one battle... Jiang Tianao can use it as an excuse to accompany his father, or Pay filial piety to my father and become an official immediately!"
"After all, they are all direct cousins. If Jiang Tianyao gives in to the point where the whole family returns to his hometown to work in farming, there is no need to kill all four members of the Jiang family!"
"The same goes for Jiang Tianqi!"
"So as long as the Zhenxi Army is defeated, not only will Western Xinjiang be defeated, but there will also be another dispute between the DPRK and China! For the sake of Da Rui, they must win!"
Xue Chang sighed, "The reason why King Huainan came to visit me in person is not only because he now stands on the side of the fourth branch of the Jiang family, but also because he also sees that if the Zhenxi Army loses this battle... General Darui There is a risk of serious damage to the vitality and damage to the country. It is hard to say whether the two frontier armies will be enough to deter the foreign tribes - but Shazhou is so far away, and the fighter planes are so fleeting, even if they want to help, they are unable to do anything! "
... The conversation between the grandfather and grandson was sent to the Duke's Mansion not long after.
After reading a copy from each room, the reactions were different.
There was no one in the big house now, so the confidant who was left behind felt inconvenient to take over. He thanked Jiang Tianqi for sharing it, and after browsing it in a hurry, he quickly sent someone to deliver it to Jiang Tianyao.
Naturally, Sanfang was extremely angry: "Old man! Now that I know I'm not angry with you for being the prime minister, you still dare to speak so wildly! Do you really think you have some talent and no one can touch you?! What if you fall into my hands? , you will regret it!"
"Father, Xue Chang himself said that he can't help in the battle in Western Xinjiang, so why bother?"
"What an idiot!" Jiang Tianqi got angry and scolded his son for being useless. "He is looking forward to the victory of the Suppressing West Army. Do you think that after the Suppressing West Army is defeated, we will take advantage of the situation to attack?! These words mean that Xue Although Chang can't help Qiu Jinglan march and fight, he will target our house and the big house in the future and make trouble for Qiu Jinglan in the court. Fortunately, your grandfather has always been on guard against him and laid chess pieces in his house early. Now that your grandfather can't take care of things, we can see the news directly, otherwise we won't even know about this old man!"
When the fourth house received the news, the husband and wife were together. Qiu Yilan simply lay on her husband's shoulder to read the book. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Yashuang suddenly said: "Do you think my brother will win this battle? What will happen to the first house and the third house?" How likely is it that Fang will return to his hometown to work in farming?”
"It's hard to say!" Qiu Yilan pondered, "Xue Xiang is too judged by himself, so it may not be accurate to use this method to infer the two uncles. Once you are used to enjoying wealth and power, how can it be so easy to let go? This has been possible since ancient times. I don’t think these two uncles have such courage!”
Neither Jiang Tianyao nor Jiang Tianqi came up through hard work on their own, but under the shelter of their elders. It can be said that they have everything they have now many times easier than others. After such an experience, what kind of wisdom does it take to understand the principle of "retreating bravely from the rapids"
Besides, both Jiang Yayue and Jiang Yaqing are outstanding disciples in their respective houses, and this blood feud is not so easy to forget.
"So we have to start preparing. No matter whether we win or lose the battle in Western Xinjiang, I'm afraid there will be no peace in this mansion! There are changes in the war on both fronts. Chaoshang, Beijing, and the mansion don't know what changes will happen! Jiang Yashuang closed her eyes and thought for a moment, then said, "You should dress more formally tomorrow. I will summon the staff to see you, just in case!"