Chapter 4240: Knock on the Block
The monarch and his ministers had breakfast, drank tea, and had a conversation about the consequences of Xue Wanche's disobedience. Then a servant came to report that Li Ji, Li Jing, Li Xiaogong, Cen Wenwen, Liu Jie and others had already Waiting for an audience outside the palace.
Li Chengqian said: "Let them go to the side hall to wait for a while. I will be there later."
He knew that these ministers came together unexpectedly. It must be that the news that Xue Wanche disobeyed the order and returned to the previous camp last night had been spread to the capital. These people did not know the depth of it, and some could not sit still. But since the matter has been discussed with Fang Jun not to pursue it, it is not suitable to discuss it in a formal setting. It is better to go to the side hall, where the monarch and his ministers sit together and discuss it secretly, and then let it go.
"Here."
The chamberlain resigned.
Li Chengqian stood up and said to Fang Jun: "Let's go, let's go there quickly, there must be another argument."
Yesterday, Chai Zhewei defeated Xinfeng and suffered a huge defeat. He was not severely punished but let go lightly. Today, Xue Wanche even resisted and disobeyed the order. As a result, he still let it go without being held accountable... It can be imagined that the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty will be very serious about this. dissatisfied.
Especially when it comes to civil and military disputes, those civil servants will definitely not give up...
……
The allied forces composed of the navy and the Zheng family's private soldiers advanced by land and water. The navy sailed upstream from the Yellow River, then abandoned their boats and landed, heading straight for Hulao Pass. The Zheng family's private soldiers drove straight overland and reached the foot of Hulao Pass. The two armies merged. The siege started without stopping for a moment.
In the past, Xiongguan, which used to screen Luoyang, was captured due to a serious lack of manpower to defend the pass. After half a day of fierce attack by the coalition forces, the defenders fled or surrendered, completely opening the barrier to the east of Luoyang.
The two armies quickly repaired and then set off again. The navy still went up the Yellow River to Mengjin Ferry, while the Zheng family's private soldiers advanced westward along the Bianluo Ancient Road and invaded Luoyang. The two armies were in great momentum, and there was nothing to resist them.
When the navy landed from Mengjin Ferry and attacked to the south of Luoyang City, the Zheng family's private soldiers launched a fierce attack from the east. Yuchi Gong's army left in Luoyang City was quickly wiped out, and the entire Luoyang city defense quickly collapsed. With the Yu family, Dou family, Yuan family, etc. The leading aristocratic family opened the city gates and dedicated the city to surrender.
Zheng Rentai put on his helmet and shook his armor, riding on the horse and rubbing the wounds of the past with his hands. He looked at the Luoyang clan officials who were kneeling on the ground in the rain in front of the city gate. These nobles who used to be aloof now had to live with the mud and water and surrendered. , abandoning all dignity and pride, just hoping to escape such a disaster.
The last strong city east of Tongguan was captured so almost without blood, which made Zheng Rentai sigh with emotion.
Next, there is only one Hangu Pass left. How can it withstand the wolf-like navy?
Moreover, based on Liu Rengui's past character and methods, even if he did not kill all the Luoyang clan, he would definitely not let it go lightly and give up...
Sure enough, Liu Rengui led the navy to arrive. He immediately swung the stirrup off his saddle and dismounted from his horse. He walked quickly to the Luoyang gatekeeper who was kneeling on the ground in the mud and water. He stretched out his hand to help the leader Yu Zhining up, and said in a panic: "Why do you need Duke Yan?" So? Please get up quickly. You are the current emperor’s master and I have great respect for you. I will never dare to accept it.”
Yu Zhining stood up tremblingly with Liu Rengui's support. His clothes and hair were wet with rain, and he looked very decadent and embarrassed. He sighed: "One mistake will bring eternal hatred. Today, I have no face to see you again." Why do you dare to mention the feelings of the past professors? I only hope that the general can understand the virtue of God and not kill people in Luoyang, then I will be willing to take the responsibility and let him be dealt with. "
Ever since he discovered that Li Chengqian was close to Fang Jun and others, he did not value them as veterans of the East Palace and gradually alienated them, which made him quite despairing. For the sake of his family's future and his own interests, he betrayed Li Chengqian and secretly went to Tongguan to join Jin King Li Zhi.
Unexpectedly, after arriving at Tongguan, he found that he was still inferior to Xiao Yu, Chu Suiliang and others. Tongguan seemed to have more than 100,000 troops, but the situation was not optimistic. It would be affected in the future, so he simply returned to his ancestral home in Luoyang.
As long as they stay away from the whirlpool of rebellion, no matter whether Li Chengqian or Li Zhi wins in the end, it's hard to hold themselves accountable, right?
After all, he is a great scholar in the world, and he has the support of a powerful family like the Yu family in Luoyang. No matter which side wins in the future, he will need someone with such high moral character and respect to stabilize the situation. Even if he does not get too many benefits, he will not be liquidated. .
But unexpectedly, the situation suddenly changed. The navy started from the south of the Yangtze River, passed through the canal, and rushed forward. In the blink of an eye, Banzhu, Xingyang, and Hulao fell one after another. When he was confused and hesitant, what was more... As a result, they reached the gate of Luoyang City with lightning speed.
The battle was definitely impossible. With the invincible navy and Zheng Rentai surrendering and relying on him, how could Luoyang, which was short of major generals, be able to defend it?
Once they fight to the end, they will be massacred when the city is broken. It is very likely that the Yu family in Luoyang will be wiped out from now on...
In desperation, he had no choice but to go out of the city and surrender, hoping that Liu Rengui would not be a murderous, rebellious and violent person, and that he would sacrifice his life to seek the hope of Luoyang's life.
Although I don't want to die, if I die in exchange for mourning and glory after death and lasting fame, it will be considered a worthy death.
But Liu Rengui refused to let him die...
Since he is immortal, he must rely on him honestly.
It's just that he first betrayed Li Chengqian and then fled Tongguan. Such a double-dealing behavior towards Qin Muchu will definitely lead to criticism and countless ridicules in the future. This is worse than death.
When things got to this point, he couldn't even muster the courage to commit suicide.
Once he commits suicide, Liu Rengui will inevitably bear the reputation of being "ruthless" and "cruel and tyrannical." Since he is burdened with such a reputation, what worries does Liu Rengui have? I will definitely pour all my anger into the Luoyang Yu family. They are going to be scolded anyway, so why bother to calm down before speaking...
Liu Rengui had a gentle smile on his face, patted Yu Zhining on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "Why did Duke Yan say this? In any case, you were the emperor's teacher in the East Palace back then, and your majesty is always grateful for your kindness as a professor. . As for the minor mistakes, how can you care about His Majesty’s kindness and peace? Don’t worry, the future will be good.”
Yu Zhining shook his head and smiled bitterly.
The days ahead?
My whole life's reputation has been ruined by myself, and I still have such a bad life...
After appeasing Yu Zhining, he treated the other Luoyang clans without any pretense. He turned to Zheng Rentai and said: "We also ask the general to lead his troops into the city to take over the four gates. My subordinates will also blockade all the clans in the city and attack all those who resist our army." , the traitors who have caused harm to our army will be picked out one by one and punished to serve as a warning to others!"
Zheng Rentai was shocked. He was so cruel?
Yu Zhining's heart skipped a beat, and his face changed drastically: "Everyone from top to bottom of the city has already surrendered here. Why would the general go on a killing spree? Now the eyes of the world are all on Luoyang and Chang'an. If the general Cruel and cruel methods will definitely put everyone in danger and go against His Majesty’s plan to stabilize the world.”
The heads of the other families were also pale and trembling, kneeling in the mud and begging bitterly: "We were also kidnapped and deceived by the traitors. At this moment, we have already realized our mistake and prayed for our lives."
"The rebels are stationed at Tongguan to isolate the east and west. We know very little about the news about Chang'an, so we are deceived by them. I hope the general will learn from it!"
"The soldiers who defended the city before were the troops left behind by Yu Chigong. Even if someone killed or injured the soldiers under the general, it was not our fault. The general blamed us. It is really unjust!"
Zheng Rentai didn't know what to do, so he could only advise: "After all, the matter is important. There are more than dozens of clans in Luoyang City? If we pursue it, I'm afraid it will cause unrest in the world!"
The clans originated in the Han Dynasty, and were originally mostly located in Guanzhong. When Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty made Luoyang his capital, he gathered the rich from all over the world here, making Guanzhong and Luoyang the gathering places for the world's clans. There were at least dozens of clans around Luoyang alone!
If these clans are picked out and slaughtered one by one, it will inevitably cause panic among all the clans in the world. By then, everyone will be in danger, and the world will be in chaos.
Liu Rengui touched the beard under his chin and asked, "But if bygones are bygones, what will happen to the generals who died or were injured in the battle? The general is a famous general in the world, and you should know that it is not easy to be a general. Every time there is a war, you must not only think about how to do it" When planning a decisive victory on the battlefield, you must also consider the compensation for the soldiers who died in the battle, otherwise who would be willing to sacrifice their lives for you? ”
Yu Zhining understood this and quickly gritted his teeth and said: "I understand the general's intention. We are willing to compensate. We are willing to compensate! As long as the general clearly states the number of soldiers who died in the battle, we will pay the full amount according to the provisions of the Tang Army." Provide compensation and never embarrass the general!”
Others quickly echoed: "Yes, yes, we made the mistake first and should bear the compensation."
Liu Rengui frowned and hesitated: "This... Since the Battle of Banzhu, the soldiers who died and were injured, the ships that were damaged, the ordnance that was consumed, the waste of marching... all of this added up is not a small sum. Number..."
Although he was angry that the Battle of Banzhu was fought by Zheng Rentai, why should the Luoyang clan repay the losses caused by Zheng Rentai... But where is the time to be reasonable at this time?
Yu Zhining nodded simply and agreed: "It doesn't matter, as long as the general reports the number, even if we lose our family and property, we will have no complaints."
The other heads of the Luoyang clan quickly agreed.
The left and right people just spend money to buy peace, and let Liu Rengui give him a hard knock...
Seeing this, Liu Rengui gritted his teeth and stamped his feet with some "hard-to-reject kindness": "Since you all understand the righteousness so well and are willing to use this to atone for your sins, what else can I say? Come, please enter the city first and seal off the warehouses. After the war losses and compensation are accounted for, compensation will be paid equally to each family, and any remaining money should be returned.”
Yu Zhining's eyes widened and he opened his mouth, but stopped talking.
Zheng Rentai took a deep breath and looked at Liu Rengui in shock. How could this be compensation for war damage? This is clearly a reasonable and legal way of plundering all the hundreds of years of savings of the Luoyang clan...
In the rain, all the heads of the Luoyang clans also reacted, but they wanted to cry but had no tears.
People are like knives and beasts, and I am like fish and meat. So what if they don't agree? Liu Rengui at least gave him an excuse, and he was considered a kind person. Otherwise, if he had sent troops into the city to burn, kill, and plunder, who could say anything?
After all, in the eyes of His Majesty, these people are all traitors, and it is not an exaggeration to break their bones and spread their ashes.
So even though they knew that Liu Rengui was going to rob them, they still had to be grateful and say "thank you"...(End of Chapter)