During the New Year, Zheng Qian visited Shen Zhuo's house to pay New Year's greetings. His gesture was just like that of Hou Men's relatives. Seeing that another year has passed, Mrs. Yang feels very anxious about the fact that her two daughters are still staying at home. Hearing that Zheng Qian was here, I remembered that this was the person who had come to propose marriage, and it seemed that he hadn't given up yet.
Mrs. Yang really hoped that Shen Wen could see Zheng Qian, so she found a time when no one was around, and said to Shen Wen in private: "There is Mr. Zheng, a civil servant, and the matchmaker said that his parents are very nice, and his mother is kind and his father loves him. She also said that she has never heard her parents quarrel." Yang is particularly envious of this, she and Zhenbei Hou get together less often, and even when they meet, they always have to argue.
Shen Wen remembered that Zheng Qian's parents in his previous life did not allow him to enter the ancestral grave, and tried not to show a sneer, but said listlessly: "I feel unwell recently, very tired, afraid of the cold, and don't want to do anything."
Yang remembered that Shen Wen had been frightened to death twice in the past, so she immediately became worried and hurried to invite the doctor. She was nagging: "Mr. Shi and Mr. Duan are not in the city now, so I always feel uneasy. It would be great if Mr. Duan came to show you."
The doctor came, Shen Wen held his breath, and naturally diagnosed that the second lady's heart was weak, and she should rest. So Shen Wen began to whine and pretend to be sick, basking outside in the sun weakly every day, talking and panting.
Yang did not dare to propose a marriage: if Shen Wen was ill, and they would complain about the marriage, they should let Shen Wen take good care of his body.
If the prince was present, he would be more suspicious after fighting Shen Wen. But the people in the Hou's mansion had never seen Shen Wen's true face, seeing the weak appearance of the second young lady, they didn't have any doubts. After all, Shen Wen passed out twice in the past, and almost died. He was not in good health, and has always been like this.
Zheng Qian was really anxious: It's been several months, and he still hasn't caught Second Miss Shen. Before the Lantern Festival, someone from the prince sent a message, asking him to promise to get rid of Second Miss Shen within a month, but now the insider of the Hou Mansion handed over a letter, and Second Miss had a heart attack again. Wen is not in good health, let's not talk about marriage. As a result, the way to formally propose marriage would be impossible, so Zheng Qian had no choice but to use other methods.
This morning, Shen Wen was supported by Xia Qing and walked a few steps in the yard. He looked a little exhausted and asked Xia Qing to fetch a chair. As soon as Xia Qing turned around and walked away, Xia Zi from Wang Zhi's family, who had been watching under the eaves, came over and said to Shen Wen with a smile: "Miss, the capital is going to hold a poetry meeting. People I know in the government, that Mr. Zheng will also go..." She said while looking at Shen Wen's face.
Shen Wen smiled awkwardly, then sighed resentfully: "My body... can't get out of the house..."
Xia Zi approached Shen Wen very mysteriously: "Miss, do you want to see it?"
Shen Wen turned his face away shyly: "Going to see the poetry fair, it must be very interesting..."
Xia Zi whispered: "Actually, it's okay for Miss to sneak out without alarming Madam."
Shen Wen seemed to shake his head in fear: "How can it be done? Mother will be angry!"
Xia Zigang thought that Shen Wen disagreed, and Shen Wen whispered again: "...Sister Wanniang, Xia Qing, will definitely not agree, and there is no carriage..."
Knowing that there is still hope, Xia Zi said with a smile: "Those are easy to say, miss, I have taken care of you in the past, we two are destined, let me arrange for you..."
Shen Wen hurriedly shook his head again: "Let's forget it! I'm afraid..."
Just as he was talking, Xia Qing walked over carrying a chair, Xia Zi had no choice but to walk away, thinking that the second young lady was ruthless, and she had prepared everything for her, so she might have listened.
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On the night of the Lantern Festival, Eunuch Sun sent people to arrest the eunuchs and maids next to Concubine Xue, and searched the palace where Concubine Xue lived the next day. Some of Concubine Xue Gui's maids and eunuchs and grandma hanged themselves, and those who hit the wall hit the wall, and those who survived were tortured. The inspectors started from the living room and inspected the items and clothes one by one. Unfortunately, after only one day, the process slowed down because the personnel were transferred to other places—there was no other reason. Every day in the court, people have to be sent to collect all kinds of news, and there are not enough reliable people.
On the second day of the Lantern Festival, the prince decided to report the war in the north to the emperor, using this to distract the emperor's attention and cover up the matter of Concubine Xue Gui on the Lantern Festival as soon as possible. He asked someone to hand over the memorial brought by Wang Zhi to the receiving place, saying that it was delivered by a soldier who was seriously injured and died. The prince picked it out again and gave it to the emperor.
As soon as the emperor read it, he frowned and sat upright. He read it several times and asked, "This is already a month ago. Is there any new memorial?"
The crown prince shook his head: "Not yet. It seems that the Marquis of Zhenbei wants someone to send it urgently, but the person who sent this memorial is said to have died on the way, and a passer-by sent it to the palace."
The emperor scolded: "Bei Rong is ambitious! I even married my own daughter to them!"
The prince's heart stirred a bit, and he sighed: "I think the fourth sister has made a lot of efforts for peace between the two countries. Once she dies, Bei Rong will send troops."
The emperor frowned resentfully, and asked after a while, "Is there any food left?"
The prince shook his head: "The national treasury has been in deficit for a long time, and one season's harvest can't make up for the losses of previous years."
The emperor also understood that this was the truth, and sighed: "At this time, it depends on the strength of Zhenbeihou Shen's army. Tomorrow, I will go to the court and say something."
The prince retired. The emperor was upset, and Eunuch Sun showed hesitation. The emperor asked Eunuch Sun impatiently: "What do you want to say?"
Eunuch Sun hesitated and said: "Your Majesty, about Concubine Xue...someone confessed..."
The emperor nodded sullenly, and Eunuch Sun said in a low voice, "It's the prince. It should have started on Qixi last year. The most recent one was to prepare for the big banquet..."
When the emperor slapped the table, he was slapping on the memorial. His heart moved: This timing is too coincidental. As soon as Concubine Xue's incident came out, the border memorial arrived. Could it be that the crown prince kept this memorial hidden until today? Thinking of the prince's performance that day, the emperor felt a chill. Remembering Concubine Xue's statement that the crown prince poisoned her that day, the emperor gritted his teeth and said to Eunuch Sun, "Ask carefully, is there someone who poisoned her?"
Eunuch Sun agreed and let people continue the interrogation. However, what was given to the emperor was given to Concubine Xue Gui by the crown prince himself, and Concubine Xue never pretended to be in the hands of others, she put the powder in her sleeves and put it in the food. Those eunuchs and maids were beaten to talk nonsense, but they did not give a reliable and consistent confession until they died.
The next day at the court meeting, the emperor asked the crown prince to read the memorial written by Ji Wenzhao to Wang Zhi with a dark face, telling about the military situation of Beirong, the weakness of the Shen family army, and the Marquis of Zhenbei asking the court for reinforcements...
As soon as the crown prince finished reading, the third prince saluted redly: "Father! The imperial court should immediately raise military rations to support the Marquis of Zhenbei!"
The prince sneered and said, "Where is the money? Where is the food?!"
The third prince said loudly: "No money, no food?! Then let all the ministers spend their families to raise food and money!"
The prince said sharply: "It's unreasonable! Even if everyone sells their property, they may not be able to buy food."
The third prince didn't want to waste any time with the crown prince, so he turned his head and said to the emperor, "Father, please sell my mansion to raise soldiers' wages for Marquis Zhenbei!"
The emperor was in a very upset mood. He felt that he didn't kill Zhenbeihou, but just kept him to guard the door for himself. How could he not do his duty well and let Beirong call over? It's not a joke that the prince dares to deny it so bluntly after he has done something dirty, maybe he has concealed the military situation! And the third prince eats inside and out, and wants to use the royal things to support the person he least likes. It's really not a good thing! …
His face was dark and he didn't make a decision, and the ministers quarreled in court.
The courtiers immediately divided into several factions. One faction supported the third prince and wanted to raise food immediately to support the border. One faction supports the prince, saying that there is no money or food at all now, and the Marquis of Zhenbei should stick to it. There is also a faction of peace: don’t say anything, send envoys over to have a good talk, it’s best not to fight, it’s a waste of money, the people can’t stand such a toss. There is another faction that waits and sees, maybe Bei Rong is just bluffing and will retreat soon...
There was a day of fighting in the court, and there was no result at night. The next day continued to argue, and the next day was... Four days later, the memorial issued by Ji Wenzhao during the siege also arrived in the capital. It says that nearly 400,000 Beirong troops have already crossed the border, and the Shen family's army will defend Yancheng until their last breath...
The third prince was about to go crazy, arguing loudly in the court every day that he should send troops quickly, he didn't care what he said, just repeated a few words: If there is no reinforcement, if the Marquis of Zhenbei collapses, it will be time to destroy the country!
Although the emperor felt a little guilty, he felt that the third prince was too impatient! It's not his turn to jump up and down to point fingers at national affairs! Young people just can't hold their breath! In the past, there were also cases of Bei Rong's violation of the border, and each time it passed without any danger. The collapse of Zhenbeihou is naturally the country's death, but will he collapse? The Shen family's army has always been strong, so asking for help doesn't mean it is also an opportunity to ask for military supplies? Want to grow even bigger? ... The emperor was a little worried.
But the prince insisted that he had no money, and the household department took out the account books. It was true that he had no money and no food, and he still owed a lot of salary and money for purchases. He also repeatedly emphasized that the Shen family army of the Marquis of Zhenbei is the strongest army in the court, who else can be stronger than them? If they fail, others will fail. We should believe that Shen Jiajun can win!
Those ministers who said to wait and see didn't say anything, but the peace negotiating faction was even louder: Since there is no money and food, and the Marquis of Zhenbei said that Shen's army is invincible, then hurry up and make peace! Don't let Beirong go south again...
The third prince returned to the mansion angrily, and said to Young Master Ye and Shen Zhuo, "They want to subjugate the country! That villain! For his own selfishness, he even disregarded the country!"
Shen Zhuoxin said that he was indeed the king of subjugation, but at this moment he could only say: "Don't worry, we can start recruiting volunteers."
Mr. Ye was flustered in his heart. This is a war, which is different from the intrigue among civil servants. He also said, "Yes, Your Highness can suggest to the emperor to let the court inform the people to resist the enemy spontaneously."
The third prince raged at the table case: "Let the people be spontaneous?! If the people can resist the enemy, why do they need soldiers?! Let the civilians resist the soldiers of the Beirong, aren't they going to die?!"
However, Shen Zhuo knew the next steps, and said: "But the court still needs to issue a document, so that the uprising can be done, otherwise the reputation will be unfair. Having volunteers is better than nothing, right?"
The third prince agreed, and the next day, the third prince had one more suggestion, asking the court to issue an order to resist the enemy. This kind of thing that two mouths touch without spending money is easy to do, the emperor agreed, but some restrictions were added.
After the imperial meeting, the Ministry of War issued conscription orders to various places, but asked people to raise their own military supplies. The imperial court neither provided weapons nor military pay, and had to be led by officials ordered by the imperial court. At the same time, it also ordered the recruiting troops of Xiangbing, which had been disbanded a long time ago, to regroup and prepare to meet the enemy.
The emperor and the crown prince, even the third prince, did not expect that such a few words of passwords, which were like empty words, would receive an extremely huge response.
People from all walks of life have been waiting for this document, and overnight, the capital boiled.
In the past few months, the theory of strengthening the army and defending against the enemy has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and articles written all over the country have long been overwhelming. Literati and scholars have been clamoring for the imperial court to support the border and provide military supplies. Now that the court has let go, how can it not be jubilant
People from all over the capital began to praise the heroic deeds of the Shen family army, praising the act of serving the country by joining the army. All of a sudden, soldiers became the cutest people, and many young people clamored to join the army to support Shen's army.
The news was spread to all over the country very quickly, and the veterans in the field headed by Yan Jing immediately took action: they sent students and students to rich households to collect food, grass and silver, recruit volunteers, and collect food and grass...
The prince didn't like such a strong reaction very much. In order to prevent Zhenbeihou from asking for help, the prince asked people to remove the important stations in the few remaining post stations from Yancheng to the capital, and stop sending any urgent military information to Zhenbeihou!
When the volunteer soldiers led by Zhang Yunming, Song Masterzi and others approached the Jiangnan area, they got the news of the imperial court’s conscription. Song Master immediately asked people to play the banner of "Resisting the Enemy Volunteers", and then asked other teams to join gradually, and went to Zhang Yunming's grandfather Li's family. went.
Li's business houses in Jiangnan are all over the place, and Zhang Yunming's people have not arrived yet, the old official Li has already got the news. Hundreds of miles away from Zhang Yunming, there were merchants from the Li family delivering food and silver. When they arrived in Li's old official's city, Zhang Yunming's team was already fully loaded with supplies and food.
The last time he came, it was Zhang Yunming and Zhang Yunzheng who came to buy grain, this time, the old official Li greeted him at the gate of the city in person. Seeing Zhang Yunming, he hurriedly went up to salute the younger generation, and the old official Li hurriedly said: "Okay, okay! You don't need to be so polite."
Seeing that his grandfather was much older than many years ago, Zhang Yunming felt emotional for a while. They have recruited refugees in the south for so many years, made crossbows and arrows, most of them were secretly mobilized by the old officials Li to support them. If they can win in the future, at least one-third will benefit from the powerful old officials Li and the Li family. Because of his money background, he respects Mr. Li very much.
What the old official Li thought was that when the two children came here, they offered to buy food for themselves. How much was the food price at that time? Two or three pennies a fight! Five years later, it will be two taels of gold! At that time, I paid millions of taels of silver and bought a huge amount of grain. It was only during the five years of famine that I preserved my family assets and rescued countless people. This is equivalent to saving lives. In addition, seeing that Zhang Yunming was black and thin, he was not as fair as before, which made him very distressed, so he also showed great care for Zhang Yunming.
Zhang Yunming couldn't bring the volunteers into the city, so Master Song led the volunteers to set up camp on the Li family farm outside the city, and followed Li's old officials into the city to meet his grandmother and other relatives. The two of them got into the donkey cart together, and the old official Li asked, "Why didn't your younger brother come, I miss him very much."
At that time, old official Li still wanted Zhang Yunzheng to come and live with him in the south of the Yangtze River. Naturally, this matter failed, but old official Li kept it in his heart. Zhang Yunming also thought about Zhang Yunzheng in his heart, he rushed to the capital in such a hurry to tell his father about Zhang Yunzheng's situation earlier. During this period of time, the more he thought about it, the more worried he became, but he couldn't bring a letter to Ping Yuanhou to discuss Zhang Yunzheng's matter in detail. He wanted to see Marquis Pingyuan and make it clear in person, maybe he could leave early and go to Zhang Yunzheng's place to help him. Of course, I couldn't tell the old official Li, Zhang Yunming could only say vaguely: "He is busy elsewhere."
While walking, there was a commotion outside, Zhang Yunming immediately looked out of the car window, and saw a team of government servants leading a group of prisoners yelling past, Zhang Yunming didn't know if they were looking for him, he kept staring at them as they disappeared, and then took them back look.
The old official Li said in a low voice: "That's from the Xue family, do you remember the Xue family?"
Zhang Yunming shook his head blankly, and the old official Li reminded him: "When you and your brother came to Jiangnan, I even introduced his grandchild to you. His granddaughter is very beautiful."
How many years ago was that? Zhang Yunming had no impression, and shook his head again.
The old official Li said: "Later that girl entered the palace, it was Concubine Xue, who was very beautiful these years. But the day before yesterday, the house was suddenly ransacked, and it was said that Concubine Xue was practicing witchcraft in the palace, and she was beaten to death."
Zhang Yunming had been away from the capital for a few years and didn't know about the affairs in the palace. Oh, he didn't know that Concubine Xue Gui's ups and downs in life started because of him and Zhang Yunzheng, and without their knowledge, it ended sadly.
When they got off the car at Li's Mansion, they saw a bald middle-aged man standing outside the door smiling, but Zhang Yunming didn't dare to neglect, he hurriedly saluted and said, "I've seen Mr. Xiaoyao."
The old official Li said with a smile: "What kind of lord? You are so much younger than me, and you are called a lord in front of me?"
Xiaoyao Gong said: "Hey, don't think that I am younger than you, but in terms of appearance, I am much older than you! Look, I have lost all my hair!"
The old official Li joked: "You worry about your hair every day, how can you be happy!"
Several people laughed.
Zhang Yunming knew that Mr. Xiaoyao often delivered letters for his father, and he also knew Mr. Li. He had been hired by Mr. Li with a lot of money. Seeing him here, Zhang Yunming suddenly had an idea, pulled Mr. Xiaoyao and said, "I really need you."
A few people entered Li's mansion, and after meeting with all the relatives, Zhang Yunming, Mr. Xiaoyao and Mr. Li entered the side hall of Mr. Li. Mr. Li asked the servants to guard outside, and closed the heavy door with his own hands. The hall door said: "It's quiet here, you can talk."
The three of them sat down, Zhang Yunming's face became serious, and he said to Mr. Xiaoyao, "You have to find my brother."
Lord Xiaoyao shook his head and said: "Your father asked me to come here to block you, and then protect you all the way back to Beijing, lest the emperor want your life, I have to obey your father."
Zhang Yunming lowered his voice and said, "Now how many Bei Rong have you heard?"
Mr. Xiaoyao didn't understand Zhang Yunming's solemnity, and replied: "I heard that there should be more than 300,000 to 400,000."
The old official Li said: "The Shen family's army is less than half of that..."
Zhang Yunming raised his hand and said, "Don't tell the outside world what I say now."
Neither of them spoke. Looking at Zhang Yunming, Zhang Yunming said in a low voice, "There are 400,000 Beirong north of Yancheng. They will divide their troops. Hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers will bypass Yancheng from the northwest and go straight to the inland..."
Mr. Xiaoyao and Mr. Li exclaimed at the same time: "Really?!" "How could it be?!"
Zhang Yunming nodded, and said: "My father and I are going to block this army in the future. But now, my younger brother is setting up an ambush and wants to stop them first..."
The two exclaimed again: "How did he stop...?!"
Zhang Yunming added: "He only has less than five hundred people."
The two almost shouted: "How could this be?!"
Mr. Xiaoyao stood up and scolded: "That bastard who overestimated himself! He knows how to act recklessly! Isn't this..." He didn't dare to say that he would die.
Zhang Yunming said: "So you are going to his place, go right away. There are more than 20,000 people on my side, and there will be more when we approach the capital in the future. Even the emperor can't do anything to me."
Lord Xiaoyao frowned, Zhang Yunming said: "I will tell my father, and he will agree with me."
Lord Xiaoyao knew that Marquis Pingyuan preferred Zhang Yunzheng, otherwise he would not have taught him for ten years. Although he had often scolded Zhang Yunzheng in the past, he was his apprentice after all. Now that he was in danger, Lord Xiaoyao immediately became anxious. He said : "You tell me the place now, I will leave early tomorrow morning."
The old official Li was also nervous. He liked the grandson who looked like him very much, but nothing happened. He said to Mr. Xiaoyao: "If you need anything, you can bring it directly from the mansion. Do you want a horse?"
Xiaoyaogong said: "No, I can't walk as fast as I do, I'm too lazy to take care of it." He was distracted and motioned to Zhang Yunming to tell the address. Zhang Yunming knew the location of the wine cellar, so he told Xiaoyaogong the location and drew a picture. When Lord Xiaoyao looked at the area, he understood the urgency of the matter even more. Sure enough, he left at dawn the next day, and he didn't see Zhang Yunming again.
The Li family assembled vehicles for the rebels. When Zhang Yunming and Mr. Song left Jiangnan, the rebels had all gathered together, more than 20,000 people, all dressed in black and light armor, very neat, more imposing than those regular troops.
Xiaoyaogong traveled day and night, and when he arrived near the Jiujiao village where Zhang Yunzheng lived in early February, he saw people fleeing south in a hurry, saying that Beirong was calling.
The Beirong West Route Army led by He Duo, the eldest son of Tugu Khan, indeed fought victoriously all the way.
He Duo also grew up fighting with Tugu Khan in the north and south, and also believes that bloodthirsty violence is the key to victory, but compared to Huo Luo's bravery, He Duo is more calm and cunning.
He led this army, mainly cavalry, to the northwest, through the mountains to the plains. The soldiers stationed in the west have not been supplied by the imperial court for many years, and the station is located in a barren land. The military strength has long been weak, and they dare not stop He Duo at all. This army has no military resistance.
Based on the common strategy of all invaders in history, He Duo let the soldiers burn, kill and loot along the way, on the one hand to scare the enemy, and on the other hand to replenish military supplies. It's winter now, and it stands to reason that the people should be at home, but he found that people in many places have run out, and food is even scarcer. Fortunately, each of his soldiers has two or three horses on average, and they can drink horse milk, and they can also slaughter horses if there is no food. There should be no provisioning issues for a short period of time. Of course, this is not a long-term solution. He Duo hopes to enter the rich plain area as soon as possible, without worrying about food and grass.
In just over a month, He Duo has already approached thousands of miles. It can be said that they are invincible in all directions, and flags are lowered in all the villages and towns they pass. Fortunately, because of the guidance of the soldiers, the Beirong army found a guide, threatened him with his family, and asked him to point out a shortcut through the mountains and directly to the Central Plains.
He Duo asked someone to contact Tugu Khan at any time to report his progress. The smooth progress on his side made Tugu Khan somewhat less depressed.
After the Lantern Festival passed, Tugu Khan resumed his attack, but stopped after only two days of attacking. Someone brought Huo Luo's head, and also brought news that the East Army was defeated and returned to the grassland.
Tugu Khan was furious! Huo Luo is the second son, the prairie eagle that he watched growing up from the battlefield, although his health has not been as good as before, he is still a tough Beirong man, he is his son! How can the people of the Southern Dynasty be killed? ! I heard that the head was still hung in front of the formation! This shame must be washed away with the blood of the whole city!
He originally wanted to call He Duo back and attack Yancheng together. But He Duo is on his way to success, so he shouldn't give up. Therefore, Tugu Khan was not in a hurry to attack the city, he wanted to fight steadily. Once the West Route Army successfully entered the Central Plains, he would have won the war. On Yancheng's side, it was a revenge that was determined to win. He besieged the city before the New Year's Eve, and it's been almost a month now, and the city will run out of food in another month of siege.
He integrated and adjusted the army, and placed the elite soldiers in the back. When it came time to attack the city, he used ordinary sergeants to consume arrows. When the opponent was exhausted, he let the elite soldiers attack and win.
For more than ten days in a row, Beirong only surrounded but did not fight, and the inside of Yancheng also took a breath of joy.
In the Chinese army, after a month of arduous defense of the city, the Marquis of Zhenbei increased the hope of victory: the 30,000 elite soldiers have not moved at all, those new weapons are useless, and the food is sufficient. Isn't Yancheng also consuming the opponent? stamina
But Ji Wenzhao wrote another memorial, in which he exhaustively described the plight of Yancheng, saying that the soldiers were seriously injured and the food was insufficient, and he hoped that the imperial court would send support as soon as possible!
The Marquis of Zhenbei disagreed, and asked Ji Wenzhao, "Why are you issuing another memorial? The emperor has not agreed to our request many times, so it can be seen that the imperial court cannot send reinforcements. Besides, our army can fight the opponent, so there is no need to beg."
Ji Wenzhao said to Zhenbei Hou: "Master Hou, the enemy forces outside the city are outnumbering us at this time, and we are still in a weak position. If reinforcements come, we can disperse the Northern Army's forces and give our army more chances of winning (this is actually already It happened, but I can’t tell you). Moreover, such a war happens only once in a hundred years. Since the war starts, you must catch the opponent and fight to the death! Completely wipe out the opponent’s main force! Therefore, the more troops the better, how can we be reserved and not open our mouths? I At this time, if you are in the court hall, you can cry and roll all over the ground! Just give me soldiers! Anyone can do it! Even righteous soldiers! If there is a response from the outside, we will attack from the city, and we will have more guarantees of victory, Bei Rong There are more threats there. Lord Hou, how can we not beg the emperor to send troops?"
The Marquis of Zhenbei laughed, signed and stamped the memorial, and sighed slightly: "The literati are amazing, as long as they use their tongues, they will work as many people as possible. I have to listen to you." The tone was not a complaint. During this period of time, Ji Wenzhao was beside him to defend the city, and he also saw Ji Wenzhao's strategy, and he was indeed a master of the game.
Ji Wenzhao hurriedly comforted the Marquis of Zhenbei: "If you listen to it, you will understand. The specific military affairs still have to be mobilized by the Marquis."
Zhenbei Hou smiled wryly: "You are really immodest."
Ji Wenzhao took the memorial and resigned. When he went to his room, seeing no one around, he carefully kneaded the memorial into a ball, wiped the soles of his shoes twice, unfolded it and found it was not enough, and went to the corner of the room to find himself defending the city. The clothes he was wearing had blood splattered on them, soaked them in water, wiped them on the memorial, and then sealed the memorial, asked Shen Yi to come, and went to the side yard to find Shen Jian and Zhang Ding.
After the two parties met, Ji Wenzhao gave the envelope containing the memorial to Zhang Ding and said, "This is a memorial for the imperial court. I will ask General Shen to break through and send you off. You must travel day and night to get to the capital as soon as possible."
Zhang Ding took it, and Ji Wenzhao went on to say: "You still have to go to the prince's people and tell them that the Marquis of Zhenbei is seriously injured and probably won't survive. General Shen failed to break through and was killed by an arrow."
Shen Jian knew that this was something in Shen Wen's dream, so he sighed.
Zhang Ding laughed, "I'm the best at talking nonsense."
Shen Jian remembered the death of the fourth princess, and said: "You must give the prince the blood letter of the fourth princess, and tell him about the fourth princess."
Ji Wenzhao shook his head: "The news we sent was that the people who went to block the east road were all dead, so we must not say it directly. In this case, I will write a note, saying that they were shot when Bei Rong attacked the city."
Someone in the courtyard outside said: "General Shen is here!" Ji Wenzhao went to see Shen Yi. Shen Jian said to Zhang Ding: "Go and let the people of Marquis Pingyuan spread the same news along the way."
Zhang Ding agreed and left. In the evening, a few homing pigeons flew up and headed south.
Two nights later, the south gate of Yan City was quietly opened. Shen Yi led his men and horses to kill Bei Rong's garrison in the dark, and sent Zhang Ding and a small group of people to the edge of Bei Rong's encirclement, watching them ride horses After running away, he turned his horse's head and rushed back to Yancheng.
Tugu Khan got a report: a cavalry broke through the encirclement in the dark, had torn open the encirclement, and a small group of people ran out. But the Beirong cavalry quickly surrounded them, and the Shen family cavalry couldn't beat them, so they retreated back to Yancheng.
Tugu Khan thought this was a signal of the city's dying struggle, so he sent an order to prepare to attack the city again.
Zhang Ding and the others ran almost 200 miles in one breath before taking a rest, and then found the location of the soldier who left the city according to the address left by the soldier who left. Zhang Ding asked the others to disperse and hide first, went to the soldier himself, gave him the secret letter to the prince, and then described to him the tense and dangerous situation in Yancheng, and praised him for running in time.
Before leaving, the soldier asked: "Is Yancheng really as miserable as you said?"
Zhang Ding sighed deeply: "Brother! If I hadn't had this errand to send memorials to the capital, I would probably have died there! The Beirong attacked the city every day and killed a lot of people. You don't know! But this matter You can’t just say it casually! Yancheng is very strict, everyone can only speak good things, if someone tells the truth, they will be punished as shaking the morale of the army! Don’t say I said it!”
The two bid farewell, and Zhang Ding took two or three soldiers to the capital, until they arrived outside the capital, and handed the lacquer seal memorial to the royal inn, which was regarded as the completion of the task.
The others stayed there, followed the soldier who delivered the letter, and saw that he had delivered the letter to the next family, so they got rid of him. A few days later, Marquis Pingyuan also asked people to remove all the prince's information points around Yancheng, and since then, the prince has lost the news of Yancheng.
Li Chang Chen and a few students from Yan's Academy went to the government to ask for an emergency when they entered Pingyuan, telling the people to prepare to deal with the enemy quickly. It's a pity that not many officials in the Yamen responded. Fortunately, Yan's Academy has a great reputation. Yan Jing has been in touch with academies or famous schools all over the year. He has mentioned the threat of Beirong's invasion many times in his correspondence, and everyone is somewhat prepared. Now that some wounded soldiers have really retreated, it can be seen that Beirong is not far away. The students came out to lobby the squires one after another. These local tyrants and landowners are not officials. Their homes are here. If Bei Rong comes, they will suffer huge losses. As a result, rich households in some places paid for the establishment of township soldiers and volunteers in a hurry. If Huo Luo came with cavalry, these people would definitely not be able to stop him. But now there are more than a few thousand nomad herdsmen coming over from Beirong, and the two sides are evenly matched, so they can more or less get through.
County magistrate Luo also heard the news that Beirong had come. He didn't want to wait here to be beaten, so he packed up his clothes, took his family on board and headed south to avoid the limelight. Before leaving, I sent a memorial, capitalizing on how fierce the Beirong was, how the Shen family army suffered a disastrous defeat, and saddened that the Shen family army had no intention of resisting and disregarded the safety of the people!
Since Hong Er survived a storm after going out to sea, he has become an official ship helm. Hearing that Bei Rong was coming, he was going to fight like crazy. Shopkeeper Zhou of the Li family gave him a car and food, and he took a dozen people to join the rebel army. Hong Laoduo ran behind crying for three miles, and scolded Hong Er all the way but did not scold him back... These are foreign words.
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Since the Lantern Festival, as soon as the news of Beirong's invasion came out, in the next ten days or so, all kinds of rumors rushed in like mountains and seas, testing the nerves of the people in the capital every day.
Marquis Pingyuan had people spread the word from north to south, saying that the Bei Rong was too powerful, and the Shen family army could not stop it, and the whole army was almost wiped out. Marquis Zhenbei was seriously injured and probably died in battle. The eldest son and second son of the Shen family also lost to the enemy...
Worrying news also came from the northwest. The Beibei army advanced rapidly after entering the country. If there is no obstruction, they may enter the plains soon. The capital is in danger...
The emperor has no leisure now, and has to read urgent news from all parties every day.
The post station from Yancheng to Beijing has been evacuated long ago, and now it is completely unreachable! The news about the Shen family's army is all based on hearsay, and they are not optimistic. Some even say that the Shen family's father and son are dead! What is more reliable now is the northwest side, and the post station can still transmit information. The news that can be sent is not good either! What do you say that the army of Beibei is said to be in the millions, and it is coming from three directions. The northwest has already entered the country, Yancheng in the north is under siege, and the situation in the northeast is unknown. There may be Beibei troops coming out of the mountains at any time and heading south...
The emperor was deeply angry! People say that raising soldiers for a thousand days and using them for a while, the Shen family army has boasted for many years that it is the iron wall of the country, but now it seems that it is simply vulnerable to a single blow! Reports from all sides said that when Bei Rong came, the Shen family army robbed the rich households and villagers around Yancheng, and when Bei Rong arrived at the border, the Shen family's soldiers did not confront Bei Rong at all, but retreated across the board and hid in Yancheng. city! After that, the emperor Yancheng's eyeliner could not send any news. Only the outer newspapers said that the Beirong continued to attack the city, and Yancheng just defended and did not attack and counterattack... This kind of useless general should be dismissed. Killing them is worthy of them... But the emperor was also a little flustered. What his father told him at that time, the "day of Shen Shen, the time of the country's subjugation" left by the sorcerers, will it come true? !
The prince also heard the market rumors that Zhenbei Hou died, and he couldn't believe it in ecstasy. For so many years, he had been waiting for such a day day and night, did it really come? He dare not think! I can't believe it!
A letter came from the eyeliner of the Zhenbeihou Mansion, Yang heard the rumors and fainted in the hall on the spot, the Second Miss Shen couldn't keep her eyes open from crying, and the Eldest Miss Shen was crying and fighting on the martial arts field, practicing martial arts till the end. It's dark. Shen Zhuo was dismissed from the third prince and returned home, and guarded the Yang family for a night. The old lady sat under the altar and read scriptures for a day. …
It seems, is it true? Prince's hope rises...
Finally, a secret letter from Yancheng came from his contact point: Zhenbei Hou was seriously injured, probably dead! In order to confirm, he asked his staff to ask the person who came back from Yancheng some time ago, whether the person who sent the news in Yancheng was reliable. The staff asked Wang Zhi, and Wang Zhi thought that Zhang Ding, who he had recruited, would be credited, so he tried his best to explain why he had placed someone in the Chinese army.
Hearing what the staff said, the crown prince believed him a little, and he almost cried with joy. At this time, the post station outside the city sent a memorial from the Marquis of Zhenbei and a private letter to the crown prince.
The crown prince opened the letterhead given to him in some surprise, and seeing the blood book, the joy in the crown prince's heart disappeared! He stared for a long time at the few words written in blood on a skirt by the fourth princess, only feeling cold and shivering all over his body. This is his close sister, his siblings of the same blood, golden branches and jade leaves, nobles of the Tian family, just withered in a distant foreign country, although she didn't say it, but she must have been devastated! The prince remembered the nightmare he had in the past, the tragic situation of the fourth princess in the dream, the blood on her face... The prince howled hoarsely, but couldn't cry.
The East Palace was still quiet, no one dared to come in to comfort the prince, the eunuch standing at the door was close to the doorpost, afraid that the prince would notice him.
The prince gritted his teeth in pain: These are all Zhenbeihou's fault! The third prince's fault! Without them, how could I want the fourth princess and Fan? ! If there was no Second Miss Shen, how could the fourth princess lose her appearance? ! If she didn't lose her appearance, she would definitely be able to marry a good man!
The prince said silently in his heart: Sister, don't worry! I must avenge you! Kill all the men in Beihou Mansion and Pingyuanhou Mansion in Zhenzhen, and traffic all the women into prostitutes! I want them to repay you twice for the suffering you have suffered!
When he went to court the next day, the prince had already suppressed the sorrow and joy in his heart, and he was very calm on the surface.
At the court meeting, when the military newspaper at the border gate was read, all the court officials talked about it. Many people also heard the rumors in the market that the Marquis of Zhenbei was dead, but the military newspaper did not say so. The emperor circulated the memorial to all court officials, and everyone saw that Zhenbeihou's signature was flimsy, and the memorial was covered with dust, creases and bloodstains, and they thought it was not good. The memorial to the emperor must be clean and tidy, how can it be stained with blood? This situation is probably because Zhenbeihou can't write another copy, and his subordinates can only send this memorial... It seems that Zhenbeihou is really in danger...
After the third prince saw the memorial, he said, "Father! Please allow your son to rebel and go to the north to reinforce Zhenbeihou!"
The emperor reprimanded: "What do you want to be the Marquis of the North?! Now that Bei Rong is coming from the northwest, it can be seen that he has no resistance at all!"
The crown prince sighed: "The Marquis of Zhenbei won the trust of my father for so many years in vain..."
The third prince said angrily: "In recent years, the imperial court has not sent military supplies, and has not given food and grass. What can the Zhenbei Marquis do to resist Beirong?! It's hard for a clever woman to cook without rice!"
The emperor said: "Presumptuous!"
A minister said: "The court has no food and no money, how can it send military supplies?"...
While everyone was arguing, someone spread a report: "Your Majesty, Marquis Ping Yuan is outside the palace and asked to kowtow to the emperor. He said that he would rebel and go to the north to reinforce Zhenbeihou and resist Beirong!"
As soon as these words came out, the court hall became quiet.
Marquis Pingyuan used to be a military general, but now when the country is in peril, he actually stood up, it seems that he is still bloody.
The emperor frowned, with doubts and expectations in his heart. Ping Yuanhou has not been out of the mansion in these years since he learned his lesson that day, so he is quite honest. It's just that this person is really not an honest person... But now no one else has come out to fight against the enemy, so he has to be used. The emperor motioned for someone to bring Ping Yuanhou to the court.