Chapter two hundred and seventy-five, gambling

In November, it was rainy and rainy in Qudu, and all the city walls were covered with defense equipment. The Du army did not mix with the Chazhou miscellaneous soldiers brought by Luo Mu, and everyone was clearly distinguished.

When Luo Mu returned to Yedu, he was no longer the same low-brow and pleasing appearance he had a few years ago. He was now the supporter of Yedu, and Chen Zhen personally greeted him when he entered the city. He changed into a new official robe, and stood on the city wall with Chen Zhen, looking at the direction of Dan City.

"The garrison troops of the other seven cities are being transferred to Yedu. In the past few days, they will be able to gather 50,000 people in total for you." Chen Zhen leaned against the wall, her breath was cold, "The armament of the Du army. The library is also for you, and you can keep it for a few days."

Although Luo Mu was a civil official, he went to Chazhou to rectify armaments and fight bandits. He was no stranger to military affairs. He held an umbrella and said, "Shen Zechuan is not a warfighter. He has to defend Duanzhou because of his last resort. He has to defend it. Now he only has 20,000 Dunzhou garrison troops, and it is difficult to reach the sky if he wants to break through Duanzhou."

Qidu closed the gate to the east, and all the people who fled from Dancheng gathered at the gate. They looked down when they were talking, and the foot of the city was full of refugees.

"There is something I need to ask Lord Shangshu to report to the emperor," Luo Mu pointed at the refugees, "Shen Zechuan is used to bribing people's hearts. If these refugees can't be settled in the city, he will definitely find a way to win over them when it snows, and he will take the opportunity to spread the news. I'm afraid it won't benefit the court."

Cai Yu lost to Shen Zechuan in Chazhou, precisely because of the word "ren". Saving lives is the rebirth of parents. Shen Zechuan can even be accused of defeating Shen Weibing, so why don't they follow suit? Right now, there are rumors of Shen Zechuan helping Yongcheng in Juexi. If Qidu can't pull back a round before winter, he will suffer first before the battle starts.

"In your opinion," Chen Zhen looked at Luo Mu, "what should I do? The city is already overcrowded, and people are sleeping in the official ditch of Donglong Street. If you welcome the refugees, you will break the rules of the Yamen, and the granary will also be broken. Can't afford it."

"Take the refugees for your own use," Luo Mu said, "I think most of them are young and strong. It is better to enlist in the army to serve the country. As long as Zhongbo is defeated, the imperial court will not be less rewarded in the future. Today's little food What is it? Saving a province is always enough."

Luo Mu dared to say this because he also "borrowed" grain when he borrowed from Hezhou.

"Lord Shangshu, let's see," Luo Mu raised his hand and pointed to Chen Zhen, "Cizhou is one of Shen Zechuan's key points, where he established a large granary for the Huaici tea business line, which can supply the northeast grain and horse road to the north. To the south, we can support the natural disaster in Chazhou. If we can capture Cizhou, it will be a great benefit and no harm. Shen Zechuan's deployment of the Dancheng has caused panic in the cities in the west. We are different, we can send troops when we want to pacify the rebels, and it’s only a matter of time to beat him.”

Chen Zhen looked at Luo Mu and said, "This time is hard to come by."

"It's not difficult. Shen Zechuan is Shen Wei's son after all. He entered Qidu to peep at the emperor's throne. If he does, Shen Wei, the eternal sinner, will have to enter and enjoy the fireworks of the Taimiao Temple." Luo Mu looked back at Chen Zhen and smiled. "Who can answer this?"

* * *

"Lobbying?" Li Jianting looked back, "This is during the war, sending students out. If there is a mistake, I don't think you can afford it."

"Your Majesty," Luo Mu crouched between the scorpions, "Shen Zechuan's palace is very deep, and he will definitely encircle and persuade people to win the hearts of the people. I will wait for the death of everyone in the palace, I am afraid that the situation will change suddenly, and it is impossible to guarantee everything. Besides, Jiang Wanxiao lobbied. Qidong, we must also wait and see the wind direction in Qidu, so this minister believes that it is necessary to fight with words at this moment."

Luo Mu didn't say it bluntly, Li Jianting's life experience has become more and more difficult to convince the public as time goes by, and wait until Gao Zhongxiong recharges his strength to attack again, and the hearts of Dancheng people who were appeased by Shen Zechuan will be difficult to recover.

"Your Majesty, we have already lost the first chance in the battle of Dancheng," Chen Zhen also advised. "If we can pull back a game without spending a single soldier, it will also be good for the morale of Qidu at this moment."

"The enemy should share the same hatred at the moment," Kong Qiu said after thinking. "If the people in the southwest can be united, it will no longer be difficult to defend this winter."

Li Jianting said, "It is widely rumored that Shen Zechuan is a narrow-minded person, but it is a rumor. I see that he is not in a hurry or impatient in Dan City. I am afraid that it will be difficult for you to force him to send troops by relying on words and interests."

"This game is not for Shen Zechuan," Luo Mu calmed down and raised his head, "It's for Yao Wenyu."

Yao Wenyu was Shen Zechuan's advisor. He not only ordered Shen Zechuan to be able and talented in the world, but also played a pivotal role in the implementation of the Yellow Book of the Six Provinces. The most rare thing was that he persuaded Shen Zechuan to accept the old officials of Qiedu. Gao Zhongxiong and others were able to avoid the dust, and it was Yao Wenyu who knew the pearl in his eyes. Without Yao Wenyu, it would be difficult for Shen Zechuan's Zhongbo staff to reach this scale.

Both Kong Qiu and Cen Yu had received Hai Liangyi's teacher's grace, and at this moment, when they heard Luo Mu mention Yao Wenyu, they not only turned to their sides. Cen Yu's heart of pity could not be suppressed for a while, and he said, "I... heard that Yuan Zhuo was ill after arriving at Zhongbo, if..."

"Sir Cen is right!" Luo Mu said, "We have arranged to persuade people to surrender under the city. If Yao Wenyu dare not come, and the doctor in the middle will surrender himself, Shen Zechuan is only worthy of being a cowardly person. If Yao Wenyu really dares to come, Revisiting the hometown will kill his arrogance!"

Cen Yu abruptly stood up, pointed at Luo Mu, and blurted out, "How are you—"

Vicious!

Yao Wenyu was terminally ill, and dragged his legs with broken legs. Luo Mu asked him to go to the city to answer. He wanted him to face the old ruins of the capital city, and he wanted him to show the world how he was struggling to survive—Look, two years ago, He is still famous all over the world!

"As long as Yao Wenyu is bruised," Luo Mu bowed deeply, "Shen Zechuan will be severely injured."

He didn't finish his sentence. In front of the Wanjun formation, the students were unarmed. If Yao Wenyu lost to Qunsheng, it would definitely arouse the indignation of the garrison. At that time, the sword would have no eyes. As long as the Dunzhou garrison injured the students, Shen Zechuan's reputation would come to an end.

Li Jianting looked at Luo Mu, this person did not hesitate to set up such a poison bureau for the sake of winning, which can already be called ruthless.

Feng Quan quietly looked sideways and looked at Xue Xiuzhuo, who had been hiding at the end, and within a moment, he heard Luo Mu say, "Master Xue is famous among students, and he went out with Yao Wenyu. ."

Xue Xiuzhuo stood up silently and said, "Since Yao Wenyu can assist Shen Zechuan with a broken leg and a broken body, he is no longer the noble son who used to talk about it. You set up this game to let the world see a fight between teachers and sects," he looked towards Li Jianting, "I shouldn't."

Fengquan pursed his lips and smiled by pouring tea.

Li Jianting stared at Xue Xiuzhuo, his eyes strange in that moment of silence. She said soothingly: "That's natural, and I can't bear to let my husband suffer like this. There is no news from Jiang Wanxiao, so the cabinet will choose the students this time."

The raindrops beat on the eaves, and the rustling sound prompted other things.

"Where exactly did you come from?"

That night, Li Jianting asked Fengquan like this.

Fengquan knelt in the unfathomable shadow and replied slowly: "The slave was originally the son of an official in Jincheng, and the sinner Shao Chengbi is the uncle of the minister. Back then, the slave's mother's family was implicated by him and was exiled to Zhongbo. He was born in Zhongbo. Later, Lord Yanqing searched all over the old ministers, rescued the slaves and servants from the fire, and brought them back to the capital." He raised his head and said in a cowardly and helpless tone, "The slaves and uncles are like father and son, and I am willing to be my uncle. The unjust case is thrown into the palace, and after being personally instructed by Lord Yanqing, after serving the two emperors in the palace...the emperor is the most cautious."

Xiande, Tianchen, and the queen mother all died in the power struggle. Among them, Tianchen Emperor Li Jianheng is the most strange. It is not a secret that Mu Ruxing assassinated in Xue's house. Xue Xiuzhuo still refuses to replace Fengquan, and still uses him to serve Li Jianting.

"You report all my daily chores to him," Li Jianting leaned over, "Xue Yanqing is staring at me, is she afraid that I won't be able to be an emperor?"

Fengquan did not dare to answer.

Li Jianting stared at him for a while, then said, "Mu Ru assassinated Li Jianheng, was it Han Cheng's order or Xue Xiuzhuo's order?"

Fengquan wanted to avoid Li Jianting's gaze, but Li Jianting squeezed Fengquan's chin abruptly and said as he approached, "Since I entered the palace, he has been watching me..." Li Jianting suddenly smiled and mocked, " No wonder he dares to be a solitary minister, the life of the emperor is tied to his hands."

Xue Xiuzhuo was willing.

He is willing to even himself, and naturally he is also willing to others.

"Shao Chengbi wants to overturn the old case," Li Jianting let go of Fengquan and said coldly, "Only I can."

* * *

Qi Shiyu was lying on the bed, looking like he couldn't bear to be consumed by illness. His hair has turned a lot whiter, and he can no longer see the dashing style of the red-sleeved tricks in the past. Body fluid dripped from his lips, and Qi Zhuyin wiped it off with a handkerchief.

"Jiang," Qi Shiyu gasped as he spoke, "Jiang Wanxiao is coming, when he arrives, you talk to him, he will send troops to Qiedu."

Qi Zhuyin rolled up her sleeves, exposed her arms, washed the handkerchief in the copper basin beside the bed, and said, "Let's see."

Qi Shiyu's chest was ups and downs, he rolled his eyes, and said, "Protect the driver, protect the driver, you are the one from Sheng Yinnian..."

"The two borders and the three states are reversed," Qi Zhuyin washed the veil earnestly, "How long can Emperor Shengyin sit? With her army of ten thousand capitals, she can't even get out of the gates of Qidu."

"Qi Zhu, Zhu Yin!" Qi Shiyu suddenly raised his voice, "Unfilial daughter!"

Qi Zhuyin twisted the veil, but said nothing.

Qi Shiyu wet his temples with tears, his lips trembled, and he choked: "You broke me, you broke my Qi family, you will not even be able to enter the ancestral grave in the future."

The slanting sun from the window scorched Qi Zhuyin's back, and she was concentrating on drying the handkerchief, as if she hadn't heard.

"If Shen and Shen Zechuan were defeated," Qi Shiyu shed tears of hatred, "Can you alone be enough for Qi's family? Everyone in the world hates you. You forged me, my message, you..."

Qi Zhuyin smoothed the handkerchief, turned her head sideways in the sparse shadow of the pane, and looked at the layers of flowers and trees. She was silent for a moment, and said, "If Shen Zechuan is defeated, you will sue me about forging a message and coercing my brother to write it as a ghostwriter. Kong Boran is a smart person. He would rather kill me than protect your old coach. Immortal."

Qi Shiyu's message to Qi Du was fake, it was something Qi Zhuyin Hengdao asked his brother to write. But is Qi Shiyu really helpless? He acquiesced and wanted to give Qi a way back. If Shen Zechuan was defeated, Qi Shiyu would rather hand over Qi Zhuyin in exchange for the lives of the whole family.

When Qi Zhuyin decided not to fight, she was no longer the daughter of the Qi family. The freedom Qi Shiyu gave only ended with the Qi family. If Qi Zhuyin could no longer gain glory for the Qi family, then she would be no different from her waste brothers.

Qi Zhuyin didn't stay long, she dried the towel and exited the door. There were several concubines waiting under the eaves, none of them dared to look up at her. She took the Zhu Jiu handed over by Qi Wei and turned a blind eye to them.

Qi Wei followed Qi Zhuyin out of the yard and whispered, "It's time for Mr. Jiang to arrive."

Qi Zhuyin asked, "Is the eldest lady ready?"

Qi Wei opened his mouth, but did not speak. Qi Zhuyin turned her head along with his gaze, and saw Hongying raising the curtains, Hua Xiangyi carrying her skirt and getting off the sedan chair. She didn't know where she was thinking, so she crossed Hongying and lent her arm to Hua Xiangyi.

Hua Xiangyi's white flowers were fragrant, and she held her slender palms, only to realize that it was Qi Zhuyin after she landed.

Qi Zhuyin wanted to say something, so she said casually, "Yo..." She was a little tired recently, and looked at Hua Xiangyi, "The flowers are pretty."

Hongying on the side covered her lips and coughed lightly, Hua Xiangyi's cheeks were slightly red, her fingers loosened, she originally wanted to move her hand away, but somehow changed her mind, so she put on Qi Zhuyin and said, "The tea pavilion is ready, I will invite you later. Wan Xiao settled down there. There is a screen in the middle, and Mrs. Wan Xiao can take a break here, just to let you have a look."

"You are the wife, so it's up to you to arrange." Qi Zhuyin said, "Jiang Qingshan is Zhang Likou in Juexi, you should talk to him so that you don't lose money. In any case, the military power is still in my hands, unless you kill me, Otherwise, even if he is eloquent, he will not be able to save him."

Hua Xiangyi's embroidered shoes were slightly pointed. She smoothed the wrinkles of her skirt and smiled at Qi Zhuyin, "I have a solution."

* * *

Shen Zechuan grabbed the remaining grain in Dancheng with his hand, then looked at the granary furnishings, and said, "The granary has been in disrepair over the years. If it is winter today, it will rain for days, and the grain cannot continue to be placed here, it will cause damp and mildew."

Fei Sheng gathered up the oil umbrella and replied, "Gentlemen, that's what you mean, but the time is not good. Master, if you rashly move food and cause suspicion among the people in the city, then our efforts these days will be wasted."

The Dunzhou garrison had been stationed for less than half a month, and they were more cautious about eating and sleeping than outside the city. Fortunately, Shen Zechuan had plenty of food and did not starve the soldiers. Although there were personal grudges, nothing happened. The people of Dan City ran west a lot, blocking Shen Zechuan's way.

"There's not much food left," Yao Wenyu's four-wheeled vehicle was soaked in water, leaving traces when he moved, "It's cold in winter, and Dancheng has no food and needs to provide relief. grain."

The grains in Dancheng are all leftover grains from the Pan family, and it is difficult to mobilize them with grain trucks. Placing grains on the spot can not only calm the fears of the people in Dancheng, but also save a batch of winter relief grains. Zhongbo's food reserves are limited. If the two sides can only besiege and not attack, the two sides can only have better patience than the other.

"Jiang Wanxiao went to Qidong, and Luo Mu used this as an excuse to persuade the Yan family to reconsider, but the Yan family was really persuaded by him. A few days ago, the food from the city was transported into Qidu, and the Fengshan campus has been changed to a storage area. The waterway in the south can go directly to Hezhou. Master, Qi Du is going to fight a protracted war with us.”

"If you say it's a protracted war, you're still waiting for Jiang and Qingshan." Shen Zechuan let go of his palm, "The Qidong garrison is the life-saving straw for Qedu. Stockpiling grain is all-or-nothing."

Yao Wenyu was about to speak, but she covered her lips and coughed.

"The granary is ventilated," Shen Zechuan said, "Fei Sheng, give Yuan Zhuo my cloak."

"Master can't stand the cold wind either," Fei Sheng signaled to the guard at the door to hand over his clothes, "Qiao Tianya thought that Mr. should forgot to bring his cloak, and when he arrived this morning, he specially sent someone to bring the cloak over. , I'll wait for Mr. to ask."

Yao Wenyu was wearing a cloak, and her coughing did not diminish. No one mentioned the doctor's affairs in front of him anymore. Although the medicine was being used on time, Yuan Zhuo was visibly emaciated.

"Jiang Wanxiao went to Qidong..." Halfway through Yao Wenyu's words, there was movement outside the warehouse.

Tantai Hu walked in with a knife, saluted Shen Zechuan, and said in a rough voice, "Fu Jun, a messenger has arrived from Qudu, saying that he can't bear the life of the city, so he wants to talk to us. The dozen or so students have all sent out the city gate, just in An altar will be set up to the west of Dan City. Fujun, now that I am strong and the enemy is weak, what should I talk about? Simply let Shenwei pick up a pen and write a letter, and we will invade the capital and save trouble!"

Shen Zechuan wiped his palms and asked, "Who is coming?"

"Cen Xunyi is in the first place, and the rest are all students."

Shen Zechuan only had to think about it to know the danger.

"Jiang Wanxiao has arrived in Qidong, and the eldest lady needs to have a long talk with him. It shouldn't be at this time. It is inevitable that Qidong will look down on it. Besides, it is not the best policy to be around for a long time." Yao Wenyu held her veil, turned her head, and said to Shen Zechuan. Said, "The time has come, Fu Jun, I will go back when I go."

* * *

Qidong is sunny, and the tea pavilion produces smoke.

Hua Xiangyi sat opposite the tea table and served tea with clean hands.

Qi Zhuyin motioned Jiang Qingshan to sit down, and said, "You have come from a long way, this game is a banquet, don't be nervous, just sit."

Jiang Qingshan has been windy and dusty all the way. He just changed his clothes in the side hall, but he was not cautious. He sat down and said with a smile, "He De He Neng Jiang, can drink a cup of tea for Miss San."

He called Hua Xiangyi Third Miss. This is the old name, but he did not regard Hua Xiangyi as the great lady of Qidong, but as the old owner of Dicheng. In a word, there is a slight difference, and he does not want to talk to Hua Xiangyi.

Hua Xiangyi helped the tea and said softly, "The road is exhausted by boat and car, and my wife is pregnant, so it's really not appropriate to keep the station. I sent someone to clean up the yard early. If Wan Xiao doesn't dislike it, he can stay at home."

Her "home" is the Qi Mansion, and she is in charge of all the affairs of the inner court. No matter what Jiang Qingshan calls her, she is the head mistress of the Qi Mansion.

Jiang Qingshan was drinking tea, and it was their first confrontation.

* * *

It rained heavily in Dan City, and the bamboo waves were undulating.

Cen Yu was full of anxiety, and suddenly heard the flute sound entering the bamboo waves on the high platform. He stood up with a light "ah" and watched an oil umbrella walk towards here with the slow stream in the rain.

There was a boundary between the two armies, and Yao Wenyu did not move forward. The white donkey under the umbrella was leisurely treading the water, Yao Wenyu's cyan coat draped on both sides of the donkey's belly, and the letter bag on his waist was still the same as before.

"I was in a hurry to leave the capital that day, so I couldn't say goodbye to Mr. Yao," Yao Wenyu leaned over on the back of the donkey and saluted, "I heard about the invitation from Mr. Yuan today, so Yuan Zhuo came."

When Cen Yu saw Yao Wenyu salute on the donkey, he knew that the rumor was true, that his legs were really broken. For a while, I had mixed feelings, standing in the same place and buzzing in my ears, I could only sigh bitterly: "You are... why bother!"