Chapter 4361 Hesitation
"How could he be prepared?"
Cheng Yaojin was puzzled and asked.
Niu Jinda thought for a while, and remembered that the right guard had defeated the charge of the left guard with musketry. His heart skipped a beat. He raised his eyes and met Cheng Yaojin's gaze. The two of them expressed uncertain opinions in unison: "Firearms?"
The two looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes. Cheng Yaojin even took a breath: "Has that guy been hiding a large number of firearms?"
Niu Jinda paused, shook his head and said: "Not necessarily, right? Since the foundry bureau north was razed to the ground, Youtunwei has gone through many battles, and the firearms stored in the army have long been exhausted, and the output of the foundry bureau has been limited since it resumed production. Even if It is possible to produce some muskets and artillery, but the extremely expensive projectiles and gunpowder cannot be produced in a short time.”
Cheng Yaojin nodded in agreement.
Guns and artillery are difficult to make, but they can be used for a long time. On the other hand, projectiles and gunpowder are easier to make, but they consume a lot of money during war. This is not something that can be used just by saving some and hiding it. There is no foundry bureau that can restore its production capacity. As a backup, all firearms are fire sticks.
Whether it was Cheng Yaojin or other people and other forces, they had conducted countless investigations and tests with the Foundry Bureau, both covertly and covertly, and had already determined that the Foundry Bureau's output was extremely limited and it was impossible to supply a force for a large-scale war.
So, what kind of preparations will Fang Jun make?
The two of them were feeling suspicious and frowning when a school captain came in from outside: "Report to the Commander-in-Chief and the scouts to report back. Rumors are spreading in the Jin Dynasty's army and many places in the direction of Chang'an. They all say that His Majesty has been assassinated and died in Wude Palace... …”
Cheng Yaojin perked up, sat upright, and said in a deep voice: "Tell me the details!"
"Here!"
The captain said: "It is said that Li Daozong led his army into the Taiji Palace, approached the Wudek Palace, fought fiercely at the north gate of Wudek for a long time, and finally broke through. However, His Majesty had taken precautions and ordered three thousand 'Hwarangs' led by Kim Bo-min of the Silla royal family in advance. Hiding in the East Palace, he took advantage of Li Daozong's unpreparedness to rush out from his flank, and immediately killed Li Daozong. The clan slaughter was in chaos... and then Jin Famin was injured by a stray arrow. His Majesty took pity on his loyalty and allowed him to enter Wude Palace for treatment. Unexpectedly, Jin Famin was armed with a sharp blade and stabbed him violently. His Majesty was seriously injured and died after medical treatment failed. However, Everyone in the imperial court tried their best to conceal the news..."
Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda looked at each other, and both could see the solemnity in each other's eyes.
Is this news true or false?
In the eyes of the two of them, the possibility of forgery is greater, not to mention the authenticity of Jin Famin's assassination of His Majesty. Even if it is true, it is very difficult for Jin Famin to assassinate His Majesty in full view of the Wude Palace surrounded by ministers and strict guards. also? Even if there is a chance to do it, the chance of success is almost negligible.
What's more, the Wude Palace is now heavily guarded, and information is blocked from the outside world. Even if the assassination is true, how can the news get out, and how can it spread like crazy?
But the key is not the authenticity of the news, because no matter how fake the news is, some people will believe it, and once more people believe it, it will inevitably have an impact on the situation. In addition, Yin Qinzhou led the left guard to cross the Wei River to attack the right guard...
The superimposition of the two factors will inevitably create an atmosphere of public opinion that "Your Majesty's defeat is certain". When everyone believes that Fang Jun has been defeated and His Majesty is dead, they will naturally raise troops to support the King of Jin...
At that time, what difference will it make whether His Majesty is dead or not?
This matter is almost similar to Yin Qinzhou's dispatch of troops to the Xuanwu Gate. It does not need to be true or false, victory or defeat. As long as such an incident occurs, the ice floes on the river will be shattered and the undercurrent under the water will surge.
Especially when the two are combined, the situation is similar to that of dry weeds falling on the fields of autumn into sparks, which can set off a prairie fire in an instant.
Originally, when Fang Jun sneaked back to the Right Guard to defeat Li Daliang's rebellion plan, and then led his army to defeat the Left Guard, the situation had already moved in a direction that was extremely favorable to His Majesty. Even if Li Daozong entered the Taiji Palace, he could only do so alone. , as long as Fang Jun captures Xuanwu Gate and chases Li Daozong's rear army, it will not be difficult to pacify Li Daozong.
Unexpectedly, first Yin Qinzhou regardless of the situation, bravely crossed the Wei River and approached Xuanwu Gate, forcing Fang Jun to postpone the attack on Xuanwu Gate to deal with it with all his strength. Then rumors of His Majesty's death began to spread...
The situation reversed instantly.
Niu Jinda fell into a phobia of choice and looked at Cheng Yaojin blankly: "What should we do now? Where will tens of thousands of troops go?"
For aristocratic families, choosing between Li Chengqian and Li Zhi is a simple matter. When Li Chengqian became the crown prince, he repeatedly stated that he would inherit Emperor Taizong's political strategies in the future, suppressing the clans, focusing on people's livelihood, and turning the empire's national policy from external to inward. With him firmly on the throne, the hard days of the clans were behind him.
If Li Zhi wants to usurp the throne, he can only rely on the power of the family. After seizing the throne, the power of the family will expand unprecedentedly, returning to the scale of the Wude years and the early Zhenguan years. As for whether Li Zhi will become more and more like Emperor Taizong. The more you fear the expansion of the clan's power and change your ways, that is, after all, a story for another day.
It is possible to regain the original glory of Guanlong Gate. Which gatekeeper in the world would remain indifferent?
Why did the Shandong aristocratic family support the King of Jin despite losing their family and business? It is precisely because I saw the opportunity to replicate the glorious heyday of Guanlongmen...
Since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, aristocratic families have been the representatives of the world. Almost every change of imperial power is inseparable from the power of aristocratic families. Whoever the most powerful family supports will be the master of the world. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and the Sui and Tang dynasties, , is not the case.
Previously, the nobles in Guanzhong still had scruples and did not dare to blatantly risk their lives by siding with the King of Jin. They had to be cautious and watch the fire from the other side, waiting for the opportunity to appear. But once someone is the first to stand up and make a clear statement, it will inevitably trigger a huge torrent.
Your Majesty's demise is not far away.
Even if His Majesty is able to turn defeat into victory and regain his throne, the foundation of his rule will be shaky...
This is a killer.
Cheng Yaojin frowned and sighed: "This plan is really too poisonous. It would have been fine in normal times, but now Yin Qinzhou has gone crazy. Under the influence of both sides, the consequences are almost certain."
Niu Jinda asked: "So? Are we going to side with King Jin immediately?"
Cheng Yaojin asked: "Do you think King Jin can win in the end?"
Niu Jinda: "..."
Mother! You have been analyzing here for a long time, and the advantage lies entirely with King Jin. His Majesty’s demise is not far away. I am just following your words. Why are you asking me back?
He is also not a good-tempered person. When there are no outsiders, he doesn't care about the majesty of his immediate boss. He braves his stubborn temper and says with a sullen face: "I have a bad temper and am very stupid. I can't see who loses and wins. I asked Mr. Lu Guo for advice." .”
Cheng Yaojin clicked his tongue, not dissatisfied with Niu Jinda's rudeness. Although the two of them were masters and slaves, they had fought side by side for so many years, supported each other and climbed out of the dead many times, so naturally they would not mind Niu Jinda's behavior. Stubborn temper.
He looked embarrassed: "It stands to reason that King Jin will win. Even if there may be some twists and turns in the situation, the final result cannot be changed... But my heart is always uncertain, and I always feel that there is some uncertainty."
Niu Jinda asked curiously: "Why do you have such an idea?"
Cheng Yaojin was silent for a while and said slowly: "I don't know either, but we can't make a hasty decision and wait a little longer."
To this day, he no longer had the idea of using mercenaries for his own use to gain more benefits. Since he did not want to gain benefits from this mutiny, he naturally had to focus on stability. Now King Jin is aggressive towards him, eagerly waiting for him to express his position. If he keeps delaying, he may not counterattack after King Jin takes the throne in the future.
But what if King Jin loses?
Cheng Yaojin should be a "dog" now. No matter who comes to force him, they will hang their heads and ask questions.
Not taking sides, not taking a stand, not taking responsibility...
This may not only be useless, but also guilty, but it is much better than being on the wrong team and facing eternal disaster, right?
……
The eyes of all the forces in Guanzhong actually moved away from Wude Palace at this moment. For a while, they could not care about whether Li Daozong could capture Wude Palace and control the emperor. Instead, they all focused on the vast area north of Xuanwu Gate and south of the Weishui River. Waiting for the outcome of the battle between Yin Qinzhou's left guard and Fang Jun's right guard.
All the clans were ready to make a move, and even began to secretly organize the final armed forces. All the troops stationed in various places were also assembled, just waiting for the opportunity to go to Chang'an to participate in this battle for the throne and seek a century-long well-being for themselves and the family.
From the forced crossing of the Wei River in the middle of the night, until dawn, the white fish belly showed slightly in the east, and the tens of thousands of left guard soldiers had all completed crossing the river. During this period, there were only 5,000 soldiers of the Right Guards in formation south of the Zhongwei Bridge. They were waiting in a tight formation. They ignored the Zuohou Guards who were crossing the river and had no intention of delaying or harassing them.
Just like when rituals and music were flourishing in the Spring and Autumn Period, since there is going to be a war, I will line up my troops and wait for you to assemble the troops openly and openly, and then confront you. If there is even the slightest hint of conspiracy, the world will lose its trust...
However, Youtunwei was so calm and dignified with "thorough etiquette" that it made Yin Qinzhou even more frightened.
Standing at the end of the Zhongwei Bridge, looking at the vast mountains and ruins of the Han Palace in the distance to the south, Yin Qinzhou continued to listen to the battle reports sent back by the scouts.
"More than 10,000 people from Youtun Guards stormed Xuanwu Gate and never stopped for a moment."
"The troops scattered throughout the Forbidden Garden to pursue the defeated troops of Zuotunwei are returning to the camp one after another."
"Thirty miles to the south, Gao Kan, the deputy general of the Youtun Guard, led five thousand elites and stood ready."
……
As the news came back one after another, Yin Qinzhou silently summarized it in his mind and learned that Youtun Guard currently has about 20,000 combatable soldiers, and the remaining 5,000 auxiliary soldiers are responsible for the transportation of food and baggage, the maintenance of weapons and weapons, etc. Waiting for logistics.
However, Fang Jun knew that the Zuo Houwei was coming in force and made a forceful attack. Not only did he allow the Zuo Houwei to cross the river safely, he even did not stop attacking Xuanwu Gate...
How arrogant?
Yin Qinzhou felt a little relieved. In fact, there was nothing to hesitate at this time and he ordered: "Assemble the entire army and advance to Xuanwu Gate!"
With the sound of war drums and flags fluttering, tens of thousands of soldiers from the Zuohou Guard slowly set off under the morning light and advanced towards the Xuanwu Gate. (End of chapter)