The news of the fall of Luoyang spread like wings. The fall of the eastern capital is not a trivial matter, in the minds of the people of the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an is certainly the royal holy land in their minds, and the second is the eastern capital Luoyang, which is also a sacred place in the minds of the people of the Tang Dynasty like Chang'an, and a symbol of power. Now, this sacred place is occupied by rebels, which makes the people of Datang can't help but panic in their hearts that the building is about to collapse.

The news reached the capital Chang'an three days later, and there was an uproar in Chang'an. Xuanzong, who was still ecstatic about the victory in the Tiger Prison Pass not long ago, learned the news as if he had aged ten years all of a sudden, and when he came over overnight, the wrinkles on his face were a few more and a little deeper.

In the early morning hall, in the face of such a situation, the ministers remained silent, no one spoke, and there was nothing to say.

Xuanzong said in a hoarse voice: "Luoyang has been lost, and the thieves have captured my Luoyang, what do you say?" What to do? On weekdays, everyone can speak well, why don't they speak anymore? Give me an idea. ”

The ministers are even more silent, no one wants to talk too much at this time, and if they say the wrong word at this time, they may lose their wealth. In the end, it was Yang Guozhong who stood up and spoke.

"Your Majesty is angry, don't be in a hurry. The loss of Luoyang is small, and His Majesty's dragon body is the largest. ”

Xuanzong shouted angrily: "Is this still a trivial matter? Luoyang is the eastern capital of my Tang Dynasty, and Chang'an is my royal capital, although the status is not as good, but it is also where my Tang Dynasty accompanies the capital. For example, Chang'an is like my queen, Luoyang is like my concubine, my concubine is occupied, but you tell me not to be in a hurry? Your Yang Guozhong's concubine has been occupied, can you pretend not to know? ”

Someone couldn't help laughing, Yang Guozhong only leaned slightly, and used the power of his eyes to scare the man so much that he almost peed his pants.

"What Your Majesty said is, of course, you can't ignore it. Gao Xianzhi's 150,000-strong army had already reached Tongguan and would soon be able to recapture Luoyang. I believe that good news is coming soon. Yang Guozhong said in a deep voice.

"Good news? Good news. Xuanzong rarely exploded in the court.

The ministers' faces turned pale, and several old masters and scholars shook their bodies, wondering if their ears had heard it wrong, and they actually heard His Majesty's scolding on the street. You must know that Xuanzong has always prided himself on his elegant style, and he never speaks with dirty words, but chews words with allusions, which teaches people to feel profound and difficult to understand, so as to demonstrate his high literary literacy. Such a thing as exploding foul language is unique at all, which shows that Xuanzong has been annoyed by the gaffe.

"Look at this recital, this is a secret note written by Bian Lingcheng, the general of the prison gate who I sent to Gao Xianzhi's army. Gao Xianzhi's soldiers and horses were originally less than 100 miles away from Luoyang, and when he heard that Luoyang was in a hurry, this Gao Xianzhi actually turned his soldiers and horses and fled back to Tongguan in embarrassment, ignoring Luoyang. Xuanzong said loudly, because of excitement, the wrinkles on his face turned red, as if blood vessels were about to burst.

The ministers buzzed and were amazed. No wonder His Majesty is so angry, it turns out that in addition to the bad news of the fall of Luoyang, there is also this secret letter.

"Your Majesty, what did Bian Lingcheng say in his recital?" Yang Guozhong hurriedly asked.

"Lux, read it out and listen to them, and teach them to know what kind of bastard they did to Gao Xianzhi." Xuanzong shouted.

"Yes." Gao Lishi bowed forward, picked up the secret fold book on the dragon case, held it in his hand, cleared his throat and read it.

"The slave maid Bian Lingcheng presented His Majesty, and the slave maid went to Luoyang with Gao Xianzhi's soldiers and horses, and arrived at Dafeng Mountain in the west of Luoyang on the fourteenth day of the lunar month. Along the way, I saw that the people along the way fled to the west, and the slaves and maids intercepted and asked, only to know that the thieves had come to Luoyang City. The slave and maid urged Gao Xianzhi to speed up the march to rescue the siege of Luoyang, but Gao Xianzhi ignored the slave's suggestion and ordered to camp fifty miles west of Luoyang to wait and see. The next day, Luoyang was lost, and Feng Changqing fled Luoyang with thousands of soldiers and horses, and joined our army. On that day, Gao Xianzhi summoned the generals to listen to Feng Changqing's account of the loss of Luoyang. Feng Changqing tried his best to exaggerate the fierceness of the thieves, so as to shirk his responsibility, and was recognized and questioned by the slave maid, Feng Changqing was speechless. ”

However, Gao Xianzhi and the others were afraid of the enemy like tigers, and they were terrified when they heard Feng Changqing's words, and immediately decided to retreat. The slave was furious, angrily accusing Gao Xianzhi of not respecting the holy will and ignoring Luoyang, hearing that Luoyang was lost, he did not recapture Luoyang, but listened to the envelope Chang Qing's demagogic words and intended to retreat. Who knew that Gao Xianzhi not only did not listen, but said that the imperial court's will was wrong, claiming that His Majesty's order was wrong, and also took the Battle of Tubo as an example, saying that His Majesty's mistake led to the ambush of the Tubo people in the Hexi Longyou coalition army. He also said that he would not be subject to anything outside, and he could do whatever he wanted, telling the slaves and maids not to talk too much. The slave and maid argued with reason, and was almost slashed by him with a knife. The slave and maid were entrusted by His Majesty to supervise the army and supervise the battle for His Majesty, although they were not afraid of death. But in this case, the slave and maid are really powerless, the slave and the maid are incompetent, and they have failed His Majesty's kindness, and the slave and maid are heartbroken. ”

"Now Gao Xianzhi has ordered the army to withdraw to Tongguan to garrison, after thinking deeply, the slave maid feels that there are a few words that have to be explained to His Majesty, although it is the speculation of the slave maid, but the slave maid feels that there is nothing to hide from His Majesty, if the speculation is contrary to the facts, please behead the slave maid. The first thing the slave and maid guessed was the loss of Luoyang. Before Luoyang was captured by thieves, Feng Changqing ordered the people to evacuate, which showed that Feng Changqing was ready to abandon Luoyang. And Gao Xianzhi deliberately delayed the speed of the march and did not go to the rescue of Luoyang, and the minister dared to guess that Gao Xianzhi and Feng Chang had communicated early in the morning, afraid that they had secretly agreed to abandon Luoyang. Feng Changqing is Gao Xianzhi's deployment, and the two of them sang and harmonized, describing the thieves as like tigers and wolves, just to cover up the fact that they abandoned Luoyang. The second guess is Gao Xianzhi's attitude, he has an army of 150,000 but is afraid to fight against the rebels, against the holy will, stubborn and self-serving, and even wants to cut down slaves and maids, the minister is worried that once such a person has two hearts, if he colludes with the thieves, the consequences will be unimaginable. Moreover, this person is extremely greedy for money, and some generals privately reported it to the slave maid, saying that Gao Xianzhi withheld military rations and filled his pockets. The officers and men in the army only had white rice and mussels for each meal, and he ate and drank a lot of wine, meat and delicacies in his daily tent, which aroused the anger of the soldiers and soldiers. There are many other things, and it is not easy for slaves and maids to explain them one by one. The slave maid only wants His Majesty to know that the people on whom His Majesty has high hopes may not be loyal to His Majesty, and His Majesty's purpose is that some people are as light as a feather, please let Your Majesty know it. The slave maid ordered Cheng to kowtow. ”

When Colliers finally finished reading the last word, a layer of cold sweat broke out on the backs of all the ministers in the palace. Bian Lingcheng's secret recital was actually such a content, and it turned out to be a letter that violently attacked Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing. And the reason for the attack is also shocking: deliberately abandoning Luoyang, fearing the enemy and cowardly, disobeying the holy decree, slandering the saint, and having ulterior motives. As long as one of these articles is true, it is a serious crime to behead one, especially in the current dangerous situation.

"Did you hear me clearly? As far as I know, Bian Lingcheng is an honest man who never exaggerates, and he is also cautious, otherwise I would not have sent him to supervise the war. However, I would like to hear your opinions on Bian Lingcheng's words. Xuanzong's face was grim and said in a deep voice.

The ministers looked at each other, but no one spoke. Even Yang Guozhong didn't speak, because he hadn't figured out Xuanzong's attitude yet, so he was going to observe it secretly.

Xuanzong's brows furrowed more and more, he glanced at the ministers, and fixed his eyes on Chen. Xi Lie said in a deep voice: "Zuo Xiang, you have never expressed your opinion on state affairs recently, and you have been silent every time you go to court, I don't know what you think in your heart." You are the left minister of the Tang Dynasty, and you should have some opinions on such a major matter, I want to hear your opinion. ”

Zuo Xiang Chen. Xilie's body shook, trembling and trembling stepped forward a few steps, and said, "Your Majesty, this ...... Lao Chen...... Lao Chen actually has nothing to say about this matter. ”

Xuanzong was dissatisfied: "Everyone has a scale in their hearts, how can they have nothing to say?" How did you behave as a left-hand minister, confused. ”

Old. Xilie coughed twice, plucked up his courage and said, "Your Majesty really wants the old minister to say it?" ”

"This is a national event, will I ask casually?" Xuanzong Dao.

"Okay, then the old minister will speak bluntly." Old. Xilie finally mustered up the courage to speak: "Your Majesty, I am afraid that there is some misunderstanding in this. Gao Xianzhi is a famous general of my Tang Dynasty, who has been stationed in the Western Regions for so many years, expanding his territory, winning a hundred battles, and making outstanding achievements. This person is indifferent, clean and self-conscious, and is known as an elegant name in the world. Although he is a little arrogant, and sometimes he is too arrogant when he speaks, that is also the foundation of Tianzhong Wizard's own pride, and in his heart, Gao Xianzhi is a loyal and good general of the Tang Dynasty. When this national crisis is in place, Your Majesty should not doubt the use of people, and must not shake the morale of the army because of some unwarranted speculation. The old minister thought ...... Bian Lingcheng should not have written this recital, it shook the morale of the army in vain, and was suspected of provoking false accusations. The truth of this matter can only be determined by sending people to investigate, and we must not cause an unfavorable situation because of one-sided remarks. ”

As soon as these words came out, many officials nodded one after another, and they also thought that Bian Lingcheng's twists and turns were too suspicious, and many accusations were obviously a bit too speculative.

"Oh? I didn't expect you Chen. That's what Heellie thought in his heart. Then I ask you, did Gao Xianzhi follow my will to recapture Luoyang? Xuanzong asked in a deep voice.

"This ...... No, Luoyang fell, that's a fact. "Chen. Xilie said hurriedly.

"Where are his soldiers and horses at the moment?"

"In ...... Tongguan garrisoned. "Chen. Xilie sensed that Xuanzong's tone was no longer quite right, and his heart became more and more flustered.

"Since these two items are true, is Gao Xianzhi's violation of my will a false accusation?" Xuanzong shouted.

"This ...... It's not a frame-up, but when leading the troops into battle, the general should judge the situation and ......"

"Shut up! Old. Xilie, you are so confused, what benefits did Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing give you to excuse him like this? Although he has made outstanding achievements in the war and has contributed to the Tang Dynasty, so what? Didn't An Lushan also contribute to the Tang Dynasty? Do we want to excuse An Lushan? Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing did not respect His Majesty's will to recapture Luoyang, but instead feared the enemy and retreated to Tongguan in order to protect themselves, didn't this live up to His Majesty's trust? Yang Guozhong suddenly interrupted Chen. Xilie's words were sharply reprimanded.

The ministers were stunned, it turned out that Yang Xiangguo had such an attitude, then, Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing were probably in a bad situation.

Yang Guozhong looked righteous and stern, and out of the corner of his eye, he looked at Xuanzong on the throne with a look of relief, knowing that his words at this time were in line with Xuanzong's intentions. I have figured out Xuanzong's psychology countless times, and this time I succeeded again, and I can say that I know Xuanzong well.