Huang Yanqing said: "Princess Ningguo was forced by the Yan thief to write a blood book, and the master of the horse had to return to the Beijing Division, which is also understandable. However, the 5,000 military horses of the Jingshi Yu Linwei did not have to go back, and they were handed over to a reliable person to lead, and then contact the Tie Shangshu in Shandong, so that they could not make a comeback. ”

Zhu Yunwen nodded and said: "Huang Qing's words are very true, this is called staying in the green mountains, not afraid of no firewood." ”

Huang Zicheng asked, "Brother Huang, who is this reliable person you are talking about, and where are you going to find it?" ”

Huang Yanqing smiled, pointed at Sheng Yong and said, "Far away in the sky, close in front of you." ”

Sheng Yong was stunned when he heard this, and hurriedly waved his hand and said: "No, no, there is no military order, how can you serve the public?" ”

Zhang Shixing said: "We immediately announce that Your Majesty is here, and raise the banner of righteousness again, if there is no edict, who dares not to obey?" ”

Huang Yanqing shook his head and said: "At this extraordinary time, people's hearts are unpredictable. If it is immediately announced that His Majesty has not collapsed and comes to Huai'an, the Yan thieves will inevitably send troops to fight, and with the current comparison of the strength of the two sides, it will be difficult for us to win. Second, if there are people in the army who want to get great wealth, I am afraid that it will be detrimental to Your Majesty. I thought that Sheng Hou should be a Yan thief, indicating his obedience, and the Yan thief would inevitably order Sheng Hou to lead troops to garrison here in order to appease people's hearts. Sheng Hou took this opportunity to calmly arrange, accumulate strength, and after contacting Tie Shangshu, it was not too late to raise the banner of righteousness. ”

Zhang Shixing said: "I am afraid that after a long time, people's hearts will be lost, and it will be difficult to turn things around." ”

Sheng Yong nodded and said, "This plan is very good, I am willing to do it." Something will inevitably happen in the next month or two, and there is no hurry in these days. However, the matter is very high, and I ask Your Majesty to decide. ”

Zhu Yunwen lowered his head and pondered for a long time, and said, "That's it." I believe in Sheng Hou's character. ”

When Sheng Yong heard this, he hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "Sheng Yong will never fail Your Majesty, otherwise he will thank the world for himself." ”

Zhu Yunwen hurriedly helped him up and said, "Okay, you will go to the Beijing Master tonight, saying that you are in Huai'an, indicating that you are obedient and willing to collect the old ministry and be loyal to the new emperor." ”

Sheng Yong arched his hand and said, "Obey." ”

At the moment, the plan was decided, and Sheng Yong wrote a letter in Mei Yin's study, writing to Zhu Di, explaining his situation and expressing his willingness to surrender.

After writing it, Mei Yin immediately ordered someone to send this unveiling post to Beijing overnight, and then settled Zhu Yunwen and his party in a secluded place in Huai'an City.

Sheng Yong sent another letter to Tie Xuan, on which only a few words were written: "Brother Tie is like meeting when he sees the words: Brother Tie is in Huai'an, please come together to discuss major matters, Phoenix Nirvana, reborn from the fire." ”

A few days later, Mei Yin sent someone to invite Sheng Yong over, saying that someone from Jingshi had come to pass the decree, appointing him as the chief soldier of Huaiyang, guarding Huai'an, and asking him to go over immediately to receive the decree and thank him.

When Sheng Yong heard this, he was overjoyed, and immediately cleaned up, sorted out his clothes, and prepared to go to Caoyun Yamen.

Zhang Shixing grabbed him and said, "Sheng Hou, you might as well send someone to investigate, if the news is true, it's not too late to go." ”

Sheng Yong said: "Mei Concubine, please, this is still fake, you are too cautious." ”

Zhang Shixing said: "It's about the safety of the master, and An Neng is not careful and cautious. In this case, you go and receive the decree yourself, and we will change your place of residence at once, and you don't have to come and look for it. When Tie Shangshu arrives, you write a Xuan script on the back wall of the Yamen of the Governor of Caoyun, and we will meet you. ”

Sheng Yong was dissatisfied: "You don't even believe me anymore? ”

Zhang Shixing bowed his hand and said: "In extraordinary times, I have to do this. Please forgive me. ”

Sheng Yong snorted and shook his hand and went out.

Huang Zicheng and others complained about Zhang Shixing: "Zhang Si, you should be careful." Sheng Hou is loyal to his master, you treat him like this, how can you make him contribute to the restoration of the country in the future. ”

Zhang Shixing said: "Now it's not as good as before, and we can't make a mistake, let's be patient for a while, and wait for Tie Shangshu to come, and then make plans." ”

Zhu Yunwen was silent beside him, at this moment he only had Zhang Shixing by his side, a general, and he had to rely on him to protect himself, although he was dissatisfied, he also endured it, so he didn't make a statement.

So Zhang Shixing took everyone to change their residences and closed the door all day so as not to reveal their whereabouts.

Sheng Yong rushed to the hall of the Yamen of the Governor of Caoyun, and at this moment the hall had removed the spiritual seat of Emperor Jianwen and restored its old appearance. Sheng Yong saw Mei Yin, Mei Yin saw that his face was full of joy, he couldn't help but shake his head, and then asked for a messenger from the inner hall.

This Hu Qianhu unfolded the decree and began to read it, and Sheng Yong knelt down to receive it. The holy decree reads: "Fengtian carrier, the emperor's edict said: The Beijing division was initially decided, Huaiyang was not peaceful, and the Marquis Shengyong of Licheng was ordered to be the general army of Huaiyang, commanding the old department, stationed in Huai'an, protecting Caoyun, and stabilizing Huainan." Chin this, Shane. ”

Sheng Yong kowtowed and thanked him, saying long live long live long live, and then got up to take the holy decree.

Mei Yin called in the generals of Yulinwei in Huai'an, introduced Sheng Yong to everyone, and passed the holy decree to everyone.

All the generals had heard of Sheng Yong's name, and when they saw that he had also submitted to the Yongle court, they knew that the general trend had gone, and they all bowed their hands and said: "Only Sheng Hou is the first to look forward." ”

Sheng Yong also returned the salute: "I am willing to protect the country with you and live forever." ”

Next, Mei Yin set up a banquet to entertain Qincha, and Sheng Yong and the generals accompanied him.

The next day, Mei Yin took Huang Yanqing on the ship and went south to Beijing, and Sheng Yong sent him to the dock before returning to Caoyun Yamen.

As soon as he returned to the lobby, he saw that Hu Qianhu turned out from behind the screen and looked at him with a smile.

Sheng Yong exclaimed: "Why hasn't Hu Qianhu left yet?" ”

Hu Qianhu said: "In addition to the order of Your Majesty, I also have an errand to do. ”

Sheng Yong said: "What's the matter? ”

Hu Qianhu said: "I'm here to show Sheng Hou." ”

After Sheng Yong heard this, his face sank and said, "Hu Qianhu, don't laugh." ”

Hu Qianhu said: "Your Majesty ordered, how dare you joke." With that, he made a gesture of please, and said to the screen, "Master, please." ”

At this time, someone coughed behind the screen, and an old man walked out, only to see that he was thin and withered, his hair was white, his eyes were sunken, and his eyes were like electricity, shooting straight towards Sheng Yong.

Although Sheng Yong has gone through battles and killed countless people, he was shocked when he saw him.

The old man arched his hand to him and said, "Old decay Yuan Heng, I have seen Sheng Hou. ”

Sheng Yong had also heard that there were two strange people around Emperor Yongle, one was a Daoyan monk, and the other was this Yuan Heng Xiangshi, so he hurriedly returned the salute and said: "No, Sheng Yong, I have seen Mr. Yuan." ”

Yuan Heng said: "The old man was ordered by Jinshang to come to Huai'an with my apprentice Hu Ying to see if Sheng Hou was loyal or traitorous. ”

When Sheng Yong heard this, his heart moved, but his face did not change, and he asked: "Mr. Yuan has already seen it, is it loyal or traitorous in the next place?" ”

Yuan Heng smiled and said: "It is true that Marquis Sheng is a loyal minister, but he is loyal to the old master and traitorous to the present. ”

Sheng Yong's face changed dramatically and said, "Why did the old gentleman say this? ”

That Hu Ying interjected on the side: "Marquis Sheng, don't deceive, I followed you all the way, you and a monk, a warrior, and three scribes fled from Yangzhou to Huai'an. These people are all criminals of the imperial court, and they are on the list of traitorous ministers, and now you are the current official, but you do not hand over these people, which shows that you cherish the old lord and are not loyal to the new emperor. ”

Sheng Yong sighed and said, "I see." I don't know these people, but I met them on the road and came here together, and they left here a few days ago and went to Xuzhou. How I hand them over to you. Besides, I didn't know they were traitors. ”

Hu Ying listened to him push it cleanly, and slapped the table in anger and said, "Sheng Yong, you are not rampant." Although I have appointed you as the commander-in-chief of Huaiyang, if you collude with the traitorous party, I Jinyiwei can still correct you on the spot. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of Jinyi lieutenants rushed up from the hall with a hula sound, each holding a steel knife, and surrounded Sheng Yong.

And the few Yulin soldiers standing at the entrance of the hall actually hid far away, not daring to step forward to stop them.

Sheng Yong glared at Hu Ying angrily and said, "How are you going?" ”

Yuan Heng stepped forward and waved his hand, ordered these brocade captains to retreat, let Sheng Yong sit down, and persuaded him with good words: "Sheng Hou, although my apprentice is a little anxious, he is kind-hearted, all for the sake of your net worth and life." ”

Sheng Yong stiffened his neck and said: "I, Sheng Yong, are worthy of heaven and earth, and I don't have to worry about life and death." ”

Yuan Heng said: "I think Sheng Hou is not afraid of death, but he still has illusions about the previous dynasty, thinking that he can be restored." ”

Sheng Yong's eyebrows moved, he was silent, and listened to Yuan Heng continue.

Yuan Heng looked at him and knew that he was already moved, so he continued: "Today, when the army was raised in Beiping, there were only more than 800 soldiers, and there were no more than Zhang Yu and Zhu Neng, but overnight, they captured the nine gates of Beiping, killed Zhang Yu, lowered Zhang Xin, and responded in groups. What this is, this is what the human heart wants. ”

Sheng Yong snorted and didn't speak.

Yuan Heng said again: "After Geng Bingwen, Li Jinglong, and Sheng Hou, you have led the whole country's troops to come to conquest, several battles, at critical moments, there are strong winds to help, and now you can win narrowly, what is this, this is the destiny of heaven." ”

After Sheng Yong heard this, he didn't feel that his body moved slightly.

Yuan Hui said: "If it is decided today, Jianwen is dead, and now that he is on the throne, people are at peace, even if Taizu is resurrected, it will be difficult to turn things around." How can you turn the sky upside down with a few defeated generals and a few wandering ministers? I think you are killing yourself, and I think you are also a good man, so I persuade you with good words, don't be ignorant. ”

After Sheng Yong heard this, he lowered his head and thought for a long time, but he burst into tears.

Tie Xuan is still fighting hard in Jinan at the moment, refusing to surrender to Emperor Yongle. After receiving Sheng Yong's letter, he looked at it repeatedly, and was quite puzzled by the words Phoenix Nirvana and rebirth from the fire, so he asked Gao Wei to discuss whether to go to Sheng Yong's appointment.

After Gao Wei saw it, he said to Tie Xuan: "This passage evolved from the story of Buddhism. It is said that every 500 years, the phoenix will gather fragrant wood to self-immolate, and then reborn in the flames, and its face is stronger than before. ”

Tie Xuan repeatedly recited the words "rebirth from the fire", and suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "It is rumored that Emperor Jianwen died by self-immolation, could it be that Sheng Yong wrote these words to imply that my emperor did not die, but fled to Huai'an and was with him, so he invited me to discuss the restoration of the matter." ”

Gao Wei nodded and said, "Yes, yes, that's exactly what Sheng Hou meant." ”

Tie Xuan said: "Then I will immediately lead the troops south, join with the Marquis of Sheng, raise the banner of righteousness, and reinvigorate the royal family." ”

Gao Wei said: "It's not proper, now I heard that Sheng Hou is the Huaiyang general of the Yongle Emperor, and he sent you this private letter, and he said a pun, he must not want you to show up in public, first contact privately, discuss, and then raise the banner of righteousness." ”

Tie Xuan said: "What you said also makes some sense, I will take Gao Xianning to the south, and I will entrust it to you here." As soon as there is news, you will lead your troops south and join me. ”

Gao Wei bowed his hand and said, "Obey the order." ”

So Tie Xuan took Gao Xianning and a few guards, changed his clothes, and came to Huai'an with a light car.

Entering the city, they came to the Yamen of the Governor of Caoyun and said to the guards: "We are old friends of General Sheng in Shandong, and we are here to visit. ”

The guards went in to pass the ceremony, and after a while, the Chinese officer came out to greet them, and brought Tie Xuan and Gao Xianning into the back hall, and several guards stayed at the second gate to entertain them.

Tie Xuan and Gao Xianning walked into the house, only to see Sheng Yong sitting in the middle with his head down, and when he saw them, he didn't look up, Tie Xuan called him: "Sheng Hou, I'm Tie Xuan." ”

Sheng Yong raised his head, but he burst into tears.

Tie Xuan screamed badly, and hurriedly wanted to withdraw, but suddenly dozens of Jinyi lieutenants broke in, each armed with knives and guns, and surrounded the two of them.