Luoyang, Huaqingfang, Wuguo Mansion.

The sun was sinking in the west, and the great Sima Tang Zhen was sitting in the study, reading the battle report carefully.

The seventh son, Tang Xiao, sat aside, flipping through the battle report that his father had just read, his brows furrowed.

Wang Caotian, Zhen Badao, and Fang Tianhua feints to attack Hengzhou, but they are bloodied by Yan Zhanshiya, the main force of the enemy's cavalry.

retreated again and again, and had already retreated to the vicinity of Yu County, Hedong Province, and hid in the mountains, and Yan Zhan Shiya was willing to withdraw his troops.

This battle was too bad, and the father and son who read the battle report had gloomy faces.

It was almost dark, and the candles were distributed in each room, and a few more were specially prepared in the study. The maid in the study is very shrewd, judging by Da Sima's solemn expression, tonight, the father and son will definitely talk until late.

The two maids said a few words at the door, and then went their separate ways.

As soon as the study maid finished lighting the candles and brought a pot of tea, she stood outside the house with interest. She knew the temper of the master, and she didn't dare to eavesdrop on military and political affairs, so she hid far away and sat in the pavilion. Unless the lord of the house calls her, she will not take the initiative to approach.

"In this Northern Expedition, our Shence Army has suffered relatively large losses." Tang Zhen put down the battle report letterhead and rubbed his forehead.

"But my son still thinks that the two veterans Wang and Zhen have done their best."

Tang Zhen nodded: "I am very satisfied that you can think about the problem like this." Defeat should be punished, but it should also be decided on a case-by-case basis. At the level of the entire campaign, the defeat of a certain area is harmless, and can even have some wonderful effects. Although Wang Caotian Zhen's domineering style did not last too long, Yan Zhan Shiya, the governor of the enemy cavalry, was held back by them, which played a vital role in the entire battle situation. Therefore, the two of them have completed their mission and cannot be considered defeated. ”

Tang Xiao, the seventh prince, flipped through the battle report behind him: "Huo Zizhen is very bold in using troops, and has pushed the battle line to the north of Xiangzhou, and Zhang Yunlong's marching speed today can be called god speed. ”

Tang Zhen smiled bitterly: "It seems that you still don't know Zhang Yunlong, a few days ago he deliberately marched slowly, I'm afraid he got a hint from someone, otherwise with his temper, he should be the first wave to attack the city." After holding it for several days, today's speed is not fast for him. ”

Tang Xiao flipped a few more pages, "How did Third Uncle Shi do it?" didn't rectify in Weizhou, and even killed Tang Yin directly. Isn't that a waste of resources? ”

Hearing this, Tang Zhen knocked on the table and said, "This must not be Shi Jinchong's original intention. Although he seems reckless, he has a lot of eyes. It is estimated that he got a death order from the commander. ”

Tang Xiao nodded.

Tang Zhen fell into his chair, "I guess, he will leave a group of people in Weizhou under the pretext of caring for wounded soldiers, and recruit new soldiers while collecting food." In this battle, if fresh blood is not replenished, it is impossible for any army to fight to the end. ”

After speaking, Tang Zhen closed his eyes and recuperated and stopped talking.

Tang Xiao flipped through the battle report again, and the bottom few pages were Tang Qi's battle report, he just glanced at it cursoly, and then dropped it.

This stubborn little sister had to go to the battlefield, and the fight was okay, at least she successfully crossed the river.

However, Tang Xiao has no expectations for her future.

It is estimated that in less than two months, the Fourth Recruit Division will be withdrawn from the battlefield and repaired en masse.

As soon as the words changed, Tang Xiao said: "Father is right, the killer who assassinated Meng Yang is really not a great grandmaster. ”

"Oh?" Tang Zhen's eyes lit up: "The real murderer was found out so quickly?" ”

"Nope." Tang Xiao said: "There is news from the Meng family, they have contacted the Sword God Li Lingpu and the Sword Saint Ouyang Wuji, and they both said that they did not participate in the assassination. By virtue of their status, they don't lie. ”

"Who did the Meng family ask?"

"The eldest prince of the Meng family has raised many killers, and the scale is so large that I am afraid it is not under fifty people. Among them, there are several killers who have friendships with the disciples of the two great grandmasters. Tang Xiao said in a low voice.

"Why did he suddenly train so many killers?" Tang Zhen sat up suspiciously, "In addition, who is the mastermind behind the scenes, this is what matters." ”

Tang Xiao brushed her thoughts and said: "Now there are four rumors in the rivers and lakes, first, some people say that the Queen Mother found someone to do it; The second theory is that the son of the Meng family did it, and as for which son it is, there are different opinions; Third, it was Meng Yang who forcibly expropriated land when he was in Jingzhou, frantically amassed wealth, offended the local snake, and found someone to assassinate him. Fourth, the Southern Jin Dynasty did it. ”

After a pause, he said: "Xiao Wujian, the nine-rank shooter, is in the Sima family of the Southern Jin Dynasty. ”

"Xiao Wujian has taken refuge in the Southern Jin Dynasty?"

"Yes, I heard from Wolf Fang."

Tang Zhen shook his head: "I don't think these four are very likely. The third possibility, in particular, is just nonsense. If the head snake in Jingzhou wants to move him, he will do it in Jingzhou, why chase it all the way to Henan?

And the second statement, I think it is also very unreliable, Meng Yang is the ninth rank of the Meng family in the end, and his fall will do more harm than good to the Meng family. I don't think it's possible for the two sons of the Meng family to be dizzy to this extent.

And I have long heard that Meng Yang has no intention of revitalizing the position of the patriarch of the country. Otherwise, there would be no need for those two sons to fight with each other, because it would not be their turn at all. ”

Tang Xiao frowned and said, "Then the Queen Mother and the Southern Jin Dynasty are left." ”

Tang Zhen immediately waved his hand and said, "It won't be the Southern Jin Dynasty." And you have to believe this, the Southern Jin Dynasty will never send troops to Daliang when Daliang is fighting with the male Jiaren. They deeply understand that if the girder is finished, they will be even more unlucky. The girder is here, it is a wall, blocking the northern iron cavalry from going south, and they can also leave room for the ministers through peace talks. If the girder is extinguished, they will have only a dead end. A Yangtze River can't stop the northern iron horse. ”

"If you don't cross the river, how can you fight?"

"Won't people take a detour?" Tang Zhen stood up and pointed to the map: "For example, go to Xichuan from Longyou, and then call from Xichuan." ”

Tang Xiao nodded suddenly, "So my father thinks the Queen Mother did it?" ”

Tang Zhen rubbed his forehead: "This possibility sounds reasonable at first glance, and it will be reminiscent of the possibility that the Queen Mother wants to seize the power of the Meng family." But if you think about it, don't you think there's something strange about it? ”

Tang Xiao didn't speak, staring at her father.

Tang Zhen said: "Let's think about it differently, why did Meng Danqing send Meng Yang to the battlefield in Hebei." Now Huo Zizhen's soldiers are enough, and the overall battle situation seems to be an advantage. What did Meng Yang send to ride with three thousand iron horses at this time? Although Meng Yang is very capable of fighting, he is not in this battle sequence. has made military merits, and it is also a military merit within their Meng family, what is the significance of this to Meng Yang? He wasn't even interested in the position of the head of the Meng family, could he be rare in these military exploits? ”

Tang Xiao was puzzled: "Could it be that it is to spy on Huo Zizhen?" ”

"I guess it's going to be like this." Da Sima nodded.

"Then you mean, Huo Zizhen did it?" Tang Xiao was even more suspicious, "This is unreasonable, right?" ”

Tang Zhen looked at his son, and Hui Hao smiled: "What if Huo Zizhen has two hearts?" Knocked lightly on the table, "Like taking refuge in the Queen Mother?" ”

Tang Xiao's expression was blank, and after thinking for a while, he sat down in disbelief.

Tang Zhen looked out the window and said, "Perhaps, this is also the reason why the eldest son of the Meng family suddenly supports so many killers." He picked up his coat and wanted to leave, but when he walked to the door, he said, "Oh yes, don't be careless in our family, in case this kid has another purpose." Tomorrow, you go and tell Princess Chang'an about this, and you must pass it on to the ears of the Queen Mother, and ask him to drop the right Jin Wuwei to our Huaqing Fang. ”

Before Tang Xiao could reply, the little girl had already trotted over, snatched the coat from Da Sima's hand, and put it on the crook of her arm.

It's not that Tang Xiao reacts slowly, but as soon as he hears the words "Princess Chang'an", he feels a headache.

Hearing his father say this, he nodded in embarrassment.