The war seemed to be about to break out, Guo Wei received the news, mobilized grain and grass, and actively prepared for war, and the abnormal movements of the Zhou army did not hide Yang Lian's spies scattered in Kaifeng and Luoyang, and kept sending the news back. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 info

In Yunzhou, after Yang Lian discussed with Zhao Pu, Lu Duoxun and others, he thought that the Zhou army had frequent troop movements, and it was obvious that there was a intention to send troops, and it seemed that Guo Wei had received the news that Khitan and Liu Chong had sent troops to resist the invasion.

Yang Lian also immediately mobilized troops and horses to deploy in the Yunzhou area, and all of a sudden, dark clouds were covering all parts of the north, and a big war seemed to be about to break out. In July, with the spread of news from all sides, Yang Lian got more accurate news, Yelu Ruan Li overrode public opinion, suppressed the Khitan nobles with imperial power, and decided to send troops to attack Hebei, Liu Chong also tried to go south, preparing to destroy the Great Zhou with the Khitans and restore the country.

Yang Lian had contacted Liu Chong, but at this time Liu Chong had refused to trust anyone, and his own son Liu Yun was killed by Guo Wei, so although Liu Chengyou was safe and sound under the protection of the Tang Dynasty, Liu Chong still refused to believe that his nephew was still alive, and he once asked Yang Lian to send Liu Chengyou to Hedong, but Yang Lian refused.

Of course, this reason is sufficient enough, Datang is far away from the mountains and rivers in Hedong, and it is necessary to pass through Hebei and cross the Taihang Mountains in order to reach Hedong, and at the border pass, Dazhou must set up checkpoints strictly, and it is too difficult to go all the way to Hedong.

No matter what Yang Lian's reasons were, Liu Chong naturally refused to believe it, so he would rather believe in the Khitan than the Tang Dynasty. The imminent war in the north made the people in Hebei very frightened, and the prefectures and counties close to the Khitan, the people got the news and went south one after another.

Infected by this emotion, the people in the Central Plains and Shandong prefectures and counties also became panicked, and many people began to rush to buy grain, so that prices soared rapidly. In particular, the price of grain in Kaifeng rose three times a day, and the people could accept it at first, but later, the ordinary people could not afford to buy food.

This situation attracted Guo Wei's attention, in order to avoid shaking the fundamentals, he had to use a certain amount of military rations to calm the price of grain, and at the same time sent people into Shu to buy grain, but Shu had already prepared, the two countries were about to go to war, the inventory was very strict, and it was almost impossible to buy grain. In desperation, Guo Wei had no choice but to set his sights on Nanping.

Although the Gao clan of Nanping has established a country, the area that may be ruled is only the area around Jiangling Prefecture, the army is insufficient, the land is insufficient, most of the time the Gao clan is relying on the advantage of being located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, robbing the caravans in the past, nominally the country, in fact, a relatively large bandit organization.

Due to the special geographical location, most of the caravans coming from the south to the north will pass through Jiangling, Guo Wei set his sights on the Gao clan in Nanping, he hoped to use the power of the Gao clan to get more grain and grass, as for the means, he didn't care.

At this time, Nanping was under the rule of Gao Baorong, and the successive Nanping monarchs all pursued the belief that the strong were respected, and most of the time they obeyed the Central Plains Dynasty, occasionally swinging between Yang Wu and Li Tang, with the purpose of surviving.

Gao Baorong got Guo Wei's secret order, and hesitated for a moment, Guo Wei's order he naturally had to obey, but although Jiangling was rich, there was not much land, where did he have so much food? In order to get food, he has only one way, to continue his old job, robbery!

Jinling, Fei Yan looked very embarrassed, in order to get the support of the Tang Dynasty, he once again transported a batch of grain to Jinling, but as soon as he arrived in Jiangling, the grain of more than a dozen merchant ships was looted and emptied, Fei Yan was almost caught by robbers, if he hadn't jumped into the river in time, I am afraid that his life would not be guaranteed.

Fei Yan has excellent water quality, after jumping into the river, he swam desperately, and was rescued by a fishing boat halfway, which saved his life. Fei Yan thanked his benefactor, thought about it, and went to Jinling first, the trading company he set up in Jinling temporarily settled down, and originally wanted to find Yang Lian to do something, but after inquiring, he knew that Yang Lian was in Yunzhou, so he hurried over.

Yang Lian couldn't help frowning when he received the news, he knew that Fei Yan had been selling food on this road for a long time, and because he had opened up the joints, there was no accident, and this time the accident was obviously not because the money was not enough, but because someone did it deliberately, why would Gao Baorong do such a stupid thing? Obviously, someone is behind it, Yang Lian thought about it, and this person was about to come out.

Yang Lian comforted Fei Yan with kind words, saying that this evil breath would definitely come out. Through Fei Yan's mouth, Yang Lian learned about the recent situation of Shu. At this time, Shu also received the news that the Khitan was about to invade, so they planned to take advantage of this time to occupy Guanzhong, take Tongguan as the boundary, and confront the Great Zhou.

Yang Lian thought it was feasible, he took Fei Yan to the army to take a look, now there are more than 10,000 soldiers and horses in Yunzhou, in addition to more than 30,000 soldiers and horses in Yanzhou, Xuzhou and other places, even if they don't get the support of the Tang Dynasty, they have the ability to attack the Great Zhou.

Fei Yan was overjoyed and immediately expressed his willingness to cooperate with Datang to win the world together.

Yang Lian poured a burst of ecstasy soup on Fei Yan, and told him the plan, Yang Lian's meaning was to ask Shu to wait for the opportunity, the Khitan and Hedong would definitely contain the forces of the Tang Dynasty, and Shu would wait until the main force of the Great Zhou went north, and when the two sides fought hard, and then attacked from the west, the Great Zhou was bound to be overstretched, even if they could win, the soldiers must be very tired, and it was reasonable to capture Guanzhong, Fei Yan felt that this plan was feasible, and after bidding farewell to Yang Lian, he hurried back to CD in early August, and the Khitan officially sent troops, with great fanfare along the wayAt the same time, Liu Chong of Hedong also led his troops out of Niangzi Pass, preparing to seize Zhenzhou, which is located at the exit of Taihang Mountain. Guo Wei got the news and sent a general to resist, while he stayed in Kaifeng and presided over the overall situation.

The reason why Guo Wei did not go out in person, in addition to the fact that he was the Son of Heaven, there was another reason, he was worried that the Tang army would take advantage of this time to attack, and if Kaifeng was surrounded, even if the Great Zhou blocked the Khitans, it would be useless.

In order to stabilize Yang Lian, Guo Wei once again tried to do so, he repaired a book again, and expressed goodwill to Yang Lian, the messenger was Zhao Hongyin, when Zhao Hongyin arrived in Yunzhou, Yang Lian was not in Yunzhou, and it was Zhao Pu who received him. Although Zhao Pu also expressed goodwill and treated Zhao Hongyin well, he kept silent about Yang Lian's whereabouts, and Zhao Hongyin asked several times, but Zhao Pu was fooled.

Zhao Hongyin lived in Yunzhou for a few days, and he found a phenomenon that almost all the people in Yunzhou were soldiers, and many people spontaneously organized themselves and practiced every day, which Zhao Hongyin was very puzzled about. Since the destruction of the government military system, the mercenary system has gradually become popular, and the unruly tooth soldiers are mercenaries.

It costs a lot of money to train a strong army, can he afford it with Yang Lian's financial resources? With this confusion, Zhao Hongyin asked several times, but did not get an answer, Yang Lian's whereabouts were always unknown, but he couldn't wait for a long time, so he had to return to Kaifeng in a hurry.

Guo Wei was very dissatisfied with the news, but he had no choice but to secretly send a letter to Guo Rong, asking him to act in Jinling.

Jinling, Li Jing was a little haggard, although he wanted to send troops to the Great Zhou, but the prime minister Sun Sheng, Situ Zhouzong and other ministers were very opposed, so that he never paid attention, and at this time, more bad news came, after the Tang army occupied the land of Chu, the soldiers robbed everywhere, took people's wives and daughters, caused the resistance of the people of Chu, Ma Yin's old general Liu Yan took the opportunity to raise troops, and Bian Ho fought several fierce battles, defeated the Tang army, Bian Ho was defeated and retreated, lost a large piece of land, and the Southern Han Dynasty also took the opportunity to send troops, the situation of the Tang Dynasty is not optimistic.

Li Jing didn't expect the situation to suddenly develop to this point, he was helpless, but at this time, the news of Wu Yueguo's mobilization of troops and horses came again, Wu Yueguo had been surrounded by the Tang Dynasty, Wu Yueguo mobilized troops, it must be to attack the Tang Dynasty, the difference is where Wu Yueguo moved troops.

Datang, which had just calmed down, was in flames everywhere in a blink of an eye, and Li Jing felt that the situation in Dazhou was critical now, and the situation in Datang was not much better. If one is not careful, it is very likely that the country will be destroyed. In this situation, it seems that it is not appropriate for the Tang Dynasty to move troops against the Great Zhou, first to concentrate troops to eliminate the threat of Wu Yueguo, and thirdly, to quell the rebellion of Liu Yan in Chudi.

In late August, the news came that 50,000 soldiers and horses of Wu Yue had set off from Hangzhou, ready to fight with Qian Wenfeng's Suzhou soldiers and horses, waiting for an opportunity to seize Changzhou. After discussing with Li Jingsui, the king of Qi, he made a final decision to stop the attack on the Great Zhou, and instead mobilized troops and horses, and rushed to Changzhou to resist Wu Yue's soldiers and horses.

At the same time, he ordered the envoys of each section to prepare the soldiers and horses to Qin Wang, and it can be seen that Li Jing is very nervous, although he achieved a great victory in Changzhou last year, he actually killed 3,000 enemies and lost 800 himself, and the losses of the Tang Dynasty were also very large, especially the losses of the forbidden army, which made Li Jing very distressed.

In Yanwangfu, Li Hongji and Guo Rong applauded each other and celebrated, with smiles on their faces.

For Guo Rong, to prevent Datang from sending troops, Da Zhou does not have to suffer from the enemy, this is the biggest victory, as for the future, this account will naturally have to be recovered from Li Hongji. Guo Rong looked smiling, saluted Li Hongji, and said with a smile: "This time, thanks to King Yan, Guo Rong is here to thank you." ”

Li Hongji squinted his eyes and smiled, for Guo Rong, he had other plans, and he still needed to use Guo Rong at present. Li Hongji waved his hand and said, "Brother Guo, you and I are brothers, why be so polite?" In the future, you and I will ascend the throne as emperors, and the Tang Dynasty and the Great Zhou will be each other's brotherly countries, and they will divide the world equally. ”

Guo Rong laughed and said, "King Yan, although you have successfully prevented the Tang Dynasty from sending troops, this matter is far from enough. ”

"Oh? What is Brother Guo's plan? Li Hongji asked, at this point, he was not reconciled, because he did not obtain actual benefits, at most he prevented Yang Lian from making another meritorious service.

Guo Rong said: "If there is a dispute today, Wu Yue's soldiers are pressing the border, just to buy time for King Yan." ”

Li Hongji pursed his lips and didn't speak, at this time, there is no need to argue, he just wants to know what Guo Rong is going to do, can he ascend the throne as emperor?

Guo Rong stretched out his index finger, dipped it in tea, drew on the desk, and said: "King Yan, this is Changzhou, located in the most important place between Datang and Wu Yue, and the two sides will inevitably station heavy troops here. The second brother in Guo Rong's mouth is Qian Chengli.

"And then?" Li Hongji lightly knocked on the case, which didn't seem to be good for Datang, Datang and Wu Yueguo fought to the death, and if the elite was polished, it could only be cheap Zhou Guo in the end.

Guo Rong said: "I heard that the Son of Heaven has ordered all parties to prepare soldiers and horses, once Jinling is in danger, he will enter the king of Jingqin, and now there is no war in the north, Yang Lian will definitely lead the troops south, so this is your chance for me." ”

"Opportunity? He led tens of thousands of troops south, how could there be a chance for you and me? Could it be that Brother Guo has a peerless master who can win the head among the ten thousand armies? Li Hongji said that he had a question.

"Haha!" Guo Rong laughed, buckled the case with his hand, and said: "King Yan, Yang Lian led his troops south to King Qin, he must go to Jinling, passing by Jinling, he will inevitably enter the capital and face the saint, does he dare to lead tens of thousands of troops into Jinling City?" ”

"This, of course, will not." Li Hongji shook his head.

"That's right, he brought dozens of people into Beijing at most, and at this time, it is an opportunity for you and me, or to set up an ambush in the city, or to kill halfway, it is one of the options." Guo Rong said.

Li Hongji thought quietly for a while, this is a way, but there is a premise, he has already controlled Jinling, otherwise Yang Lian has just died, I am afraid that his father will send troops to arrest him, even if his father lets him go, King Qi's side will definitely not give up. Li Hongji thought carefully and said, "Of course, this is a solution, but the father ...... there."

"The royal family has been ruthless since ancient times, can't King Yan give it up?" Guo Rong asked.

Li Hongji was stunned, there were too many things revealed in Guo Rong's words, could he mean that?

"King Yan takes the Son of Heaven as his father, but does the Son of Heaven of the Tang Dynasty really take King Yan as his son? King Yan, with all due respect, you have been grounded for more than a year, and in the past year or so, has the Son of Heaven ever been rewarded? Guo Rong asked.

"Smack!" Li Hongji punched the table, and the tea splashed and fell on the table, rolling brightly.

Yes, for more than a year, my father didn't care, even if there were rewards, most of them were given to other princes, especially the sixth prince Li Congjia. As for King Qi, as the emperor's younger brother, he got even more. Li Hongji felt a pang of sadness in his heart, if my father really regarded me as the eldest son, how could this be? How so?!

Li Hongji couldn't help biting his lip, although he didn't speak, his actions and expressions already said everything.

Guo Rong saw it in his eyes, and a burst of joy flashed in his heart, he looked at his words and looks, and he had already seen that Li Hongji's heart was moved, otherwise he would have driven himself away just now, and immediately said: "King Yan, the throne and family affection, which is more important?" ”

Although Li Hongji joined the army, he is also clear about the events in history, not to mention that Li Shimin, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, was able to ascend the throne of God, didn't it depend on the changes in Xuanwumen? Although this is a stain on Tang Taizong, but more, it is the glory he left behind, Li Hongji also wants to be as brilliant as Tang Taizong, conquer the north and south, sweep away the barbarians in all directions, and establish an unprecedented empire, which is respected as "Tian Khan".

But the premise of all this is that he can ascend to the throne of God and have the supreme right to realize his dream, otherwise how could he establish such a great achievement with him, a Yan King who was almost deposed?

Guo Rong saw Li Hongji's inner struggle, and said: "King Yan, if you keep interrupting, you will suffer from it." ”

"Say no more!" Li Hongji's heart was in turmoil, he stretched out his hand, pulled it on the desk, the tea set fell to the ground, making a crisp sound, Li Hongji stood up and quickly disappeared from Guo Rong's sight.

Guo Rong looked at Li Hongji's distant back, touched his chin and smiled, it is also beneficial to stay in Jinling. (To be continued.) )