Chapter 423 One Day
Early morning, mist.
A motorcade left Xiyang Gate and stopped after traveling a few miles.
The sergeant immediately unfolded himself, climbed up to a high platform with a squeaking noise, then mounted the crossbow and arranged the sword, shield and foot archers.
The high platform is very large, and can accommodate hundreds of troops. It is more than five feet high. It was built by Liang Ji, the general of the Han Dynasty, and is called the "Emperor's Platform".
To the north of the Princess Terrace, there is a large and messy building, which has been burned by fire many times, and not a single one of them remains.
This is one of the markets outside Luoyang City (Dashi, Nanshi, Mashi). It goes back eight miles and is very large. At its peak, grain, cloth, leather, salt and oil, sugar and tea, fruits and vegetables were all available, and the varieties were very rich.
The largest fruit and vegetable store in the city is owned by Wang Yan’s family. It has been closed for a long time. The store and warehouse have even been burned down, and it seems that it can no longer be opened.
To the north of the city is the imperial road outside Xiyang Gate. After entering, it is connected to the imperial road inside Xiyang Gate, which leads directly to the palace city. At this time, soldiers are passing by, and they are filing out in a mighty manner.
Xu Lang, the governor of Zuowei's Third Division, looked at the Queen's Stand, pointed with his hand, and said: "The two earth mountains are also occupied, and they are divided into two hundred people each. We will set up a stronghold behind the fish pond and divide the troops into four. Hundreds.”
"No." A military academy took the order and left.
The first gate from south to north in the west end of Luoyang is Ximing Gate, and the second gate is Xiyang Gate.
The Dashi is a landmark building outside Xiyang Gate. There is the Queen's Terrace in the south and two earth mountains in the northwest. They are artificially built - "the mountains are built with earth, and there are nine slopes in ten miles to resemble the two hills."
As for what the fish pond at the foot of the mountain symbolizes, there are different opinions. It is more likely that it does not symbolize anything at all, it is just a big hole dug out of the mountain to build the earth.
"Guarding the West City, but not even guarding the high places outside the city, this battle was so bad." Xu Lang sighed for a while and then shut up, without saying more.
When Xin'an was defeated, the retreating camps were panicked and their command was incompetent. They all wanted to infiltrate into the city and did not want to stay outside the city as scapegoats. At this time, who will actively deploy the defense line?
It was only when most of the Hun cavalry outside the city had dispersed and looked less intimidating that they had the courage to leave the city and build a peripheral defense line outside the city.
"General, has Shi Le gone to Nancheng?" Huang Biao, Sima of the forward battalion, took two steps closer and asked quietly.
"Yes." Xu Lang nodded.
"Then they must be cutting off the army's return route." Huang Biao said anxiously: "Why not send troops to rescue him quickly?"
"Who gave the order?" Xu Lang asked.
Huang Biao choked.
Xun Song led his troops to a great defeat and was demoted several levels in a row. Now the Forbidden Army does not even have a commander, and in theory, it is all under the control of Taiwei Wang Yan. But it was impossible for Wang Yan to let his group of defeated soldiers leave the city for an expedition at this time. Wouldn't that mean death?
"Don't worry." Xu Lang said: "Shi Le sent out only cavalry and no baggage troops. Starting from Xin'an, he can only carry food and water for seven days at most. If there is nothing to plunder, he will go back in a few days. . ”
Huang Biao is still a little worried.
I don’t know what the outcome of the battle will be like on the North Shore. Even if we win, how long will we have enough food and grass to last?
100,000 dendrobiums were given in early August, more than 100,000 dendrobiums were given in early September, and Xinzheng allocated 50,000 dendrobiums, which was enough for less than four months.
Even if some people were killed and some horses were injured in the battle, they would be able to last until the end of September at most.
Once defeated, it is really unimaginable.
Now that Shile has occupied the south bank of the Yellow River, he sends cavalry to patrol along the river, which greatly affects the boat ferry supplies.
The most important thing is not this, but where the follow-up food and grass will come from!
Thinking of this, he decided to write a letter and send it to Xuchang, asking Mr. Cao to find a solution as soon as possible. As for the court, don't count on it. He doubted that the emperor would not give food to Chen Gong at all, let alone send it out.
The sergeants leaving the city had already begun to build a defense line around the city. Xu Lang watched for a while, then got off the Queen's Stage, got on his horse, and patrolled along the Xiyang Gate Royal Road.
More than half a month has passed since the Battle of Xin'an, and the Luoyang Forbidden Army has gradually recovered to 24,000 to 5,000 people, almost the same as before the war. But the number is just about the same, but the quality is much different.
He looked at Ximingmen in the south again.
The sergeants also left the city, but they only set up camp outside the city gate. They did not even dare to camp four miles outside the city like Xiyang Gate.
The frightened bird is full of gloom and gloom, what can I say!
******
Noon, light rain.
A motorcade arrived outside the pagoda of Prince Minhuai. The monks had been notified long ago and came out to greet and even salute.
According to the rules, people from outside the country do not need to pay homage to the Heavenly Family. But what time is it now? The mages also have brains. Why don't you kneel down and lick some food and come back? If you continue this, you won't even have the energy to recite sutras, let alone ring the bell.
Queen Liang Lanbi got out of the car, wearing a hat on her head, and after greeting the monks, she entered a Buddhist hall on the northwest side.
Everything has been prepared in the Buddhist hall. After the incense is burned, sutras and blessings are chanted.
Miao Yuan, the general in the palace, led his troops to guard outside and occasionally looked at the temple scenery.
Don’t tell me, these mages really know how to enjoy themselves.
Although it is located in the city of Luoyang, it is well-kept, with green trees and bamboo groves, pond gardens, and winding corridors, and the scenery is quiet.
There are forty-two Buddhist temples around Luoyang, including White Horse Temple, Bodhisattva Temple, Shita Temple, Manshui Temple, Dashi Temple, Fashili Temple, Panshan Temple, Prince Minhuai Pagoda, etc.
To be honest, these Buddhist temples have been affected by the war to a certain extent, and life is a bit sad. The Minhuai Prince Pagoda located in Luoyang City can only survive with donations from the royal family and ministers.
The Queen came to pray today, and the mages were extremely happy.
Miao Yuan held his saber and began his inspection in earnest.
In the Buddhist hall, Liang Lanbi had already taken out Buddhist scriptures one after another.
Buddhist scriptures are made of elm hairpins (dǎng), which are extremely precious and were originally stored in the White Horse Temple - "In the beginning, the elm hairpins held the sutras, and the white horse held the picture on the back, which represented midsummer, so the temple was named after the white horse. ”
The words on the wooden slip were densely packed and elegant. Liang Lanbi could still read them smoothly. He had obviously read them many times.
After reading one page, the palace staff gently placed the second one and then put away the previous one.
As Liang Lanbi read, her legs felt numb, but she held back and persisted in reading the last word.
The palace man put away the last wooden slip.
Liang Lanbi closed her eyes and prayed silently: "I only hope that the world will be peaceful, that the monarch and his ministers will get along with each other, and that the people will be healthy. If this wish comes true, I will devote myself to worshiping the Buddha and making offerings without stopping..."
Prayer After finishing, his eye circles were slightly red, and he muttered in his heart: "If there is any disaster, come to me, the emperor is just too worried, and even behaves wrongly."
After reading, he calmed down, With the help of the palace attendants, he slowly walked out of the Buddhist hall.
The autumn wind is rustling and fallen leaves are everywhere.
Seeing such a desolate scene, Liang Lanbi felt even more sad. She tightened the letter in her sleeve and hesitated.
The monks stood far away, bowing their heads and clasping their hands.
Liang Lanbi scanned them one by one and sighed softly when he saw a few thin little novice monks. She called a palace maid, whispered something in a low voice, and handed her the letter.
The palace maid left quietly.
The rain gradually stopped, and the dark clouds quietly dispersed, revealing a few golden rays of light.
A look of surprise appeared on Liang Lanbi's face.
So I didn’t do anything wrong? Does God also praise me in this way?
Chen Gong's army is Luoyang's last barrier. If it is left on the north bank of the river, Luoyang can be broken through by Shi Le and Wang Mi alone without even the Xiongnu army coming.
But then she felt a little panicked, because the rumors spreading were so scary that even she was shaken.
Isn’t Mr. Chen like this?
If you offend him, you will be in dire straits.
Liang Lanbi sighed in a low voice, walked out of the Mianhuai Prince Pagoda in a distracted manner, got in the car and left.
******
In the evening, the clouds fill the western sky.
Wang Yan sat behind the desk and slowly read a letter.
The letter was written by Shao Xun. It was written in the Xiongnu camp at Chamati five days ago and was sent to Luoyang.
After reading, Wang Yan closed his eyes and thought silently.
No one in the capital knew the outcome of the Battle of Zhemati. Most of the ministers only knew that the war started over there, or they learned about it from the court meeting.
Wang Yan has never expressed his opinion on this battle.
While watching with cold eyes, he discovered that the court had actually been divided.
If in the past everyone had to cooperate with Duke Chen because of their wealth and life, it was different now.
Some people really want Chen Gong to be in charge.
The story of Sima Yue, in charge of the imperial army, the court, and the governor's war against the Huns.
The results of the Battle of Zhamati have not yet been reported, and many people support Chen Gong. What will happen if he wins?
Wang Yan felt a little ridiculous, laughing at these people and himself.
I won't mention Shao Xun's background at this time. I can tolerate him climbing on top of me, being arrogant at first and then respectful later. It makes people laugh to think about it.
“Alas!” Wang Yan put down the letter.
Reality is the most educational.
If you can bear it once or twice, it will not change your views since you were young.
What about three or four times? I'm afraid it's a little shaken.
Okay, you could still hold it three or four times. Now it has been five or six times, can you still hold it?
In Luoyang City, even the families of the ministers don’t have much food left, let alone the common people.
At the end of this battle, whether Mr. Chen wins or not, there will be another wave of waves going south.
Those who are not willing to cross south should think carefully about who can protect their own interests better? The imperial court or Duke Chen?
After sighing, Wang Yan took a pen and paper, wrote a letter, and ordered the servant to send it to the Chenjun Du Branch Branch.
Meizi is supervising the water transportation in Chen County, and another batch of water ships will be coming soon.
With this letter, he will definitely go to Cao Fu to discuss it. With the cooperation of the two, things will be easier to handle.
The emperor is really fooling around! No matter when. If you continue this, everyone will betray you and no one will be able to save you. In this matter, Wang Yan will not understand the emperor's concerns, nor is he willing to understand.
After the letter was sent, he picked up another one on the desk and began to read it a second time, carefully tasting the taste.
The letter was written by Mao Hong (Director Wang), and it was mostly related to Jianye.
After reading it, Wang Yan was very emotional. It was not easy for Maohong there.
When they first crossed south, the Wu people didn’t buy it and even looked at them coldly. But there were so many people brought there, the expenses were huge, and we couldn't make ends meet.
At the most difficult time, all the officials in the shogunate of King Langya rushed to tell each other when they got a dolphin, they were very happy.
A few years have passed and the situation has greatly changed.
Maohong cultivated relationships and made friends everywhere, even attending gatherings of lower-ranking scholars and powerful men in Jiangdong regardless of his status. This gradually made the wealthy Jiangdong have a different view of King Langya and gradually supported him.
Subsequently, he wooed powerful people in Wu, gave them official positions and real power, and boasted for them, which put tremendous pressure on the aristocratic families of Wu, headed by the four families of Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang.
Now, the Jiangdong nobles and powerful people have joined us, the foundation is getting stronger day by day, and life is much better.
Next, Maohong needs to balance the relationship between the Nandu scholars, Jiangdong scholars, and the new rich and powerful.
This is what Wang Yan is good at, and it is also a unique skill of the Wang family. He is not worried at all.
What he was more worried about was the attitude of the Jianye shogunate towards Shao Xun.
Mao Hong asked Shao Xun in the letter whether he would risk the disapproval of the world, control the government, and abolish the establishment of the government.
Wang Yan could only smile bitterly.
When will there be internal fighting?
Is internal fighting a characteristic of our Jin Dynasty?
He knew very well what Mao Hong meant by asking this question. It was simply that King Langya and the three forces that were gradually forming behind him (Nandu nobles, Jiangdong old money, and powerful new rich) were paying attention to the Luoyang court situation, and they were testing the situation. There is no need to respect this court.
If you feel it is necessary, just hold your nose and continue to deliver money, food and supplies.
If it is not necessary, let King Langya "take over the supervision of the country" in Jianye.
As for who is the producer and supervisory country, it doesn't matter, as long as the Jiangdong forces recognize you.
Since Chen Min's rebellion, the Jiangdong gentry have been wandering between self-reliance and non-self-reliance, with a very serious tendency to centrifuge.
Nowadays, the prestige of the imperial court is far less than that of the time when Chen Min rebelled, and there are even more people who support self-reliance.
If you are not careful, the Jin Dynasty will fall apart.
Wang Yan did not allow such a thing to happen. He felt that he had to go to the palace to "converse" the emperor to dispel his worries and not force him to rebel.
After the battle of Zhemati is won, the three cities of Heyang can be built as scheduled. Next, it is up to Chen Gong to deal with Wang Mi who is entrenched in Hongnong.
(End of this chapter)