The furious Emperor Chongzhen, after roaring in the Dongnuan Pavilion for a while, there was a Jinyi guard commander Luo Yangxing, and urgently asked to see him. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

Chongzhen immediately summoned in.

Luo Yangxing entered the hall, and saw the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone all over the ground, and couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and then knelt down and said urgently: "Your Majesty, according to the investigation, now among the Beijing Division, there are rumors in the streets and alleys, and I dare not hide it, so I have come to report to the emperor." ”

A miserable smile crossed Chongzhen's face: "But what about Li Xiao, who has done a lot of misdeeds and is secretly dissatisfied with me?" ”

Luo Yangxing was stunned, and was greatly surprised that Chongzhen had already known about this, he blinked, and hurriedly said: "That's right." Now among the Beijing divisions, almost all of them are spreading that Li Xiao, the Marquis of the East China Sea, has no imperial court, despises the king, does not take state affairs as the priority and lightly provokes wars, and sends troops to Sakhalin Island without authorization for personal gain. And there are many rumors in the restaurants and restaurants, saying that Li Xiao is proud of his great achievements, and he thinks that the title of marquis given by the emperor is too small, so he secretly resents the emperor, and this statement is even more varied. ”

After Luo Yangxing finished speaking, there was no movement on the dragon chair for a long time.

Luo Yangxing glanced at it secretly, but saw Chongzhen sitting on the dragon chair, and the emperor with a gloomy face was reflected by the raging charcoal fire, and his face was strange.

The emperor's heart was inexplicably bitter at this time.

What to do?

Do you really want to tear your face with Li Xiao and issue an edict to arrest him and put him in prison?

Chongzhen could hardly suppress his impulse, so he immediately issued an edict. But he was so angry that he finally forcibly resisted his impulsive emotions.

Chongzhen, who has been an emperor for more than ten years, knows that he must not act rashly for a national general like Li Xiao, who is high and powerful and has a large number of generals.

He waved his hand and asked Luo Yangxing to step back first.

Then, Chongzhen said to Cao Huachun, who was standing aside, in a weak tone: "Hurry up and I will go to the Yang Pavilion Department to inspect Huguang, and return to Beijing with Xiong Shangshu of the Military Department, I have an extremely urgent matter, and I want to ask them." ”

"Yes, the old slave obeys."

。。。。。。

When Cao Huachun sent a little eunuch to Huguang to make an emergency call, Li Xiao was alone, sitting in front of the carved window in the official mansion, staring at the snowflakes flying outside the window in a daze.

Although he was wearing a heavy fox fur, Li Xiao felt very cold on his body, as if he had been completely cold from the inside out.

"It's time to come, it's always coming."

Li Xiao's muttering sentence was soon torn to pieces by the cold wind blowing from the window.

Li Xiao unconsciously recalled that some time ago, Cao Huachun came to Dengzhou to announce the decree.

When he knelt down to listen to the order, and heard that Chongzhen would eventually send officials to seize the island of Taiwan that he had obtained through his hard and bloody battle, Li Xiao knew that the time for a showdown with the Ming court had finally arrived.

For a long time, Li Xiao deliberately avoided clashes with the Ming Court, and he always hoped that the time for the real face-to-face conflict between the two sides could come as late as possible. But Li Xiao finally found that his good wishes could only be shattered in the face of reality.

What should come, it will come sooner or later. When the day of this showdown came, Li Xiao found that in a sense, it would not be transferred by personal will at all.

The imperial court is very jealous of its growing self. And now, in addition to firmly possessing the island of Taiwan and preventing the imperial court from getting involved, he has not yet made it clear to the imperial court, and has sent troops to Ezo Island and Sakhalin Island without authorization. There are two sins of rebellion in front of him, and no matter how much Li Xiaozong makes great contributions, in the eyes of the imperial court, it will only show his own ambition even more, and it will also make the imperial court more suspicious of himself.

It's just that Li Xiao wants to be so obedient and give up the island of Taiwan, which was won in a bloody battle and painstakingly managed, which is also absolutely unacceptable to Li Xiao.

So, when Cao Huachun read the holy decree to him, asking Li Xiao to withdraw from the self-appointed officials on the island of Taiwan, Li Xiao unceremoniously rejected him.

Up to now, more than 3 million people have immigrated to the island of Taiwan, and various industries such as sugar production, tea planting, salt production, rice, potatoes and other industries have become increasingly prosperous, and commercial and trade transactions have become prosperous. It can be said that Taiwan Island, the original land of transformation, has become the most important and valuable land in Li Xiao's army under Li Xiao's painstaking management, and it is an important population and food base on which Li Xiao will rely for his future development and growth. And now, the imperial court wants to let Li Xiao give away such a fat and incomparably valuable piece of land with just a piece of edict, how is it possible!

Although Li Xiao thought about it, he still gave Cao Huachun 100 taels of Chengyi as hard-earned silver before sending him back. But he still read deep resentment and dissatisfaction in the eyes of this old eunuch. Li Xiao can imagine how this eunuch will speak ill of himself in front of the emperor after returning to the capital.

What's more, now the security departments in various places are also constantly flying pigeons to spread the word, saying that almost all parts of the country are now rumors, saying that in addition to sending troops without permission in disregard of the imperial court's edict, Li Xiao is even more dissatisfied with this marquis title, saying that by his own great achievements, he will become a national prince, and it is also a matter of course.

Li Xiao believes that this vicious rumor, after Cao Huachun returns, will definitely report it to the emperor with more fuel and vinegar.

Hearing this rumor, Li Xiao couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart.

Such rumors are really heart-wrenching.

This rumor is the most vicious and powerful because Li Xiao did not act in the past, so Li Xiao has no way to prove his innocence now. Therefore, I am afraid that the more he is discerning now, the more suspicious the court will become.

Li Xiao suddenly discovered that now that he is sitting big, there are only three paths in Chinese history that can be used as a choice.

The first is to take the road of Liu Yu, after making great contributions in the southern and northern wars, he completely turned his face with the original Eastern Jin Dynasty and became self-reliant on behalf of the Jin Dynasty, which is an out-and-out anti-thief road.

The second is to take the path of Cao Cao, coerce the Son of Heaven to order the princes, control the emperor in his hands, and be a powerful minister who leans towards the government and the opposition.

The third is to follow the example of Zeng Guofan of the late Qing Dynasty, after defeating the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, he cut his wings in order to seek peace, so as to dispel the suspicions and doubts of the Qing court, and to be satisfied with being a slave, so as to save his own life.

To be honest, these three paths are not his favorite options for Li Xiao now.

Li Xiao knew that if he wanted to take the first two roads, the Ming Dynasty, which was already rotten and riddled with holes, would definitely set off a bloody storm of self-attack, and there would be countless Li people who would die tragically under the sword and soldiers of the civil war in the bloody battle between themselves and the imperial court.

Such a result may only end up in the end, first, it will cheapen the Liukou, so that the Liukou can regain their rampant resurgence from the current state of being suppressed by most of them, and once again poison all parts of Zhongzhou. The second is to cheapen the Manchu Qing outside the pass, so that the Manchu Qing can sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight, so as to reap the benefits of the fishermen, and when Li Xiao and the imperial court are both defeated, they will enter the customs again in the future to plunder and pick up a big bargain.

It's just that if you don't take the first two roads, it is absolutely impossible for Li Xiao to cut his wings like Zeng Guofan and be a slave who only wants to save his own life. After all, the current Li Xiao is ambitious, and he is bent on reviving China's national power and showing China's majesty again. Like now, the rogues have not been eliminated and the Tartars have not been eradicated, so Li Xiao is asked to give up military power and go to the elite when this cause is flourishing, just to dispel the doubts of the Ming court, which Li Xiao absolutely cannot accept.

So, is there any other way for Li Xiao to go now?

Li Xiao believes that there should still be.

That is, under the current situation of offending the imperial court, it is still necessary to strive to maintain a state of fighting with the imperial court without breaking it, at least until the thieves and Tartars are eliminated, and maintain peaceful relations with the Ming Dynasty. In order to reduce the disasters and losses caused by the internal struggle as much as possible, so that the Chinese people who have suffered a lot will no longer suffer from this unwarranted sword disaster.

Therefore, after sending away Cao Huachun and his party, Li Xiao, who has always been decisive, immediately began to prepare, according to his own well-thought-out plan.

Li Xiao ordered that the current camp in Xingzhong be tripled and Xingzhong Town was established.

This Xingzhong Town, under the jurisdiction of three battalions, each battalion three sentinels, a total of 135 shields with a total of 13,770 people, 270 spearmen with a total of 27,540 people, a total of 1,800 Xuanhu heavy cavalry, a total of 1,800 flying harriers, a total of 1,800 Manchurian cavalry, a total of 1,800 people, 3,000 auxiliary soldiers, 2,000 gunners, and 500 artillery troops. The total strength reached 54,010 people.

Tian Wei, the former battalion commander of Xingzhong Battalion, was promoted to the mayor of Xingzhong Town, and Liu Guoneng, the former deputy battalion commander, was promoted to the deputy mayor of Xingzhong Town.

In addition, the former Xuanhu heavy cavalry sentry chief Bi Lun was promoted to the general commander of the Manchurian cavalry, and the former commander of the horizontal sentry post Chata was promoted to the general commander of the rampant line.

Li Xiao's principle of employing people is like this, showing loyalty and ability, and then reusing it. And because these generals only have the right to train and fight, and the rest of the military education, combat merit review, salary payment, etc., are all in charge of supervising the civilian officials, and there are secret agents of the Security Department who secretly monitor the actions of the generals, so Li Xiao's set of management models borrowed from the Gongjun army, and the actual control of the army is better than that of some modern armies, not to mention compared with ancient armies such as the Ming army and the Qing army.

As for Li Xiao's other troops, symbolizing the Xiying, Zhendongying, Pingnan, and Dingbei, they all remained in their original state for the time being, and they would be expanded again after further manpower and materials were abundant in the future.

Li Xiao's expansion of the army is mainly based on two considerations.

The first is to deal with the conflict with the Ming court, and there are enough troops to deal with it. Second, Li Xiao is also worried that in the twelve years of Chongzhen, the Qing army is very likely to enter the customs again, and if the original historical trend is followed, the Qing army will mainly attack Shandong, so Li Xiao must seize the time to prepare.

When Li Xiao was preparing to build and expand the army and Xingzhong Town, Yang Sichang, a scholar of Dongge University and a scholar of the Ministry of Rites, and Xiong Wencan, a scholar of the Ministry of War, finally rushed back to the capital, and then hurriedly entered the palace to meet the emperor.

"Minister, Yang Sichang, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, knock on the emperor."

"Minister, Xiong Wencan, the secretary of the military department, knock on the emperor."

"The two Aiqing are even."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Looking at the two important ministers standing in front of him, both of whom looked like dusty servants, Emperor Chongzhen had mixed feelings in his heart, he sighed lightly, and said lightly to the two: "Two Qing families, you should already know that I summoned you to the capital, but what happened, right?" ”

Yang Sichang frowned and did not say a word.

Xiong Wencan, who was on the side, stole a glance at Yang Sichang, who didn't speak, before he replied timidly: "Your Majesty, but for the matter of Li Xiao, the Marquis of the East China Sea?" “

"Yes, yes." Chongzhen sighed and said: "Now, the rumors in the capital are becoming more and more noses and eyes, saying that Li Xiao is wantonly expanding the army, but he wants to start an army to make a rebellion and plot to destroy the country." “

After listening to Chongzhen's words, Yang Sichang said with a wry smile: "Your Majesty, such unfounded rumors, Your Majesty is credulous. “

"Encore is gullible, what an Encore is gullible, how can I not believe it?!" Chongzhen suddenly became furious: "Then Li Xiao, if he doesn't show the court, he will go to the Hankhalin Island without authorization, in his heart, the face of the court can be half of it!" Subsequently, this person categorically rejected my edict and did not allow me to arrange officials to go to Taiwan, but he wholeheartedly took the island of Taiwan, which was already the land of the Ming Dynasty, for private use. Now, I have received a secret report from Jinyiwei that Li Xiao has expanded his army in Shandong, and his original Xingzhong battalion has been changed to Xingzhong Town, and its strength has tripled! Which of these piles is not the shape of rebellion, and which is not a sign of rebellion! Could it be that I have to wait until Li Xiao, like Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming that day, officially started an army to make a rebellion, can I say that he is a legitimate thief?! ”

Listening to the emperor's extremely angry words, Xiong Wencan lowered his head and shrank his head, while Yang Sichang frowned and sighed in his heart.

"Then according to Your Majesty's opinion, what should be done with Li Xiao?" Yang Sichang replied in a low voice.

"Hmph, in my opinion, we need to immediately arrest this rebellious and unrebellious Li Xiao into the prison of the Criminal Department and punish him severely!" Chongzhen gritted his teeth and snorted softly from his nose.

"Your Majesty, Weichen is only afraid that Your Majesty's actions will only force Li Xiao, who has a heavy army, to immediately raise troops to rebel against the court." Yang Sichang smiled bitterly.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Li Xiao is a national cadre, a good general of the country, and a strong soldier, Your Majesty must not act impulsively." Xiong Wencan added in a low voice on the side.

Chongzhen glanced at the two people standing with their heads down, and felt even more angry in his heart. He shouted angrily: "According to the two of you, could it be that this Li Xiao can do whatever he wants, but I can't do anything about him?!" ”

Yang Sichang knelt on the ground, and then bowed his hand: "Your Majesty, the situation of the country's suppression of bandits has just improved, how can it be at this juncture, if you fall out with a general like Li Xiao, wouldn't it give those rogue who are on the verge of extinction a chance to resurrect!" This is simply a painful thing for relatives and happy for enemies. ”

Yang Sichang sighed lightly and continued: "The emperor said that Li Xiao has a lot of bad intentions, but from the minister's point of view, Li Xiao has made great efforts to suppress the bandits. From the beginning of last year to the present, he has dispatched troops to Huguang, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Datong to assist the local officials and troops in suppressing the thieves and recruiting the homeless people who cannot survive. Li Xiao is a cadre of the country who serves the country, how can His Majesty doubt Li Xiao's loyalty because of the rumors of the moment. From the courtier's point of view, even if he has misbehaved and misbehaved, he is afraid that he will also have many hardships, how can His Majesty reconvict him without careful investigation? ”

"Yes, Your Majesty, if I am in the Ming Kingdom, the monarchs and ministers are out of harmony and infighting, then the Qing prisoners outside the border will wake up laughing from their dreams. If it really comes to the time when the imperial court and Li Xiao are both defeated, then the Qing people take the opportunity to enter the pass and plunder, then I will be Ming, how can I stop it! Xiong Wencan said worriedly.

"You 。。。。。。 Okay, okay, aren't you, you've already connected with that Li Xiao how to persuade me! ”

Seeing that Yang Sichang and Xiong Wencan both helped Li Xiao speak like this, Chongzhen laughed angrily, his tone was very sharp, and he roared and continued: "Then Li Xiao is so blind to the court, unauthorized to use swords, and insists on arranging for officials to govern Taiwan, and is bent on monopolizing Taiwan for personal gain, such a paradoxical performance, Yang Gebu, how much do you say he has a hard time?" In your opinion, that Kong Youde Geng Zhongming rebelled that day, and there was a lot of hardship? ! ”

The emperor's words were extremely serious, Yang Sichang was shocked, and he knelt on the ground, and kowtowed again and again: "Your Majesty, Weichen's loyalty to the Ming Dynasty can be seen every day!" And the minister and Li Xiao have always been official and have no personal feelings, where does this conspiracy with Li Xiao start? The minister only hopes that at this time when the state affairs are difficult and the situation is erosive, the emperor must first prioritize his actions. How can you fight with your own generals when the rogues and the Tartars are not destroyed, so that they will eventually lose and lose! Taking another 10,000 steps back, even if Li Xiao is really anti-voluntary, His Majesty must not easily provoke him to mutiny and let his iron heart confront the imperial court. Your Majesty, what the minister said, every sentence is a heart-to-heart word, look at Your Majesty, be careful! ”

Xiong Wencan, who was on the side, also knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, the minister also seconded the words of the Yang Cabinet Department." I am now suffering from internal and external troubles, how can I withstand such internal fighting and attack again! It is not too late for Your Majesty to think carefully and make a decision. ”