； Under. Xu Wei invited Qian Cheng to sit in for a while, but the latter did not shirk it and dismissed him. Follow Xu Jiu into the meditation room. Seeing that the furnishings in the house were simple and the meals on the table were all very ordinary feasts, Qian Cheng sighed again and arched his hand: "The death of Shao Bao is also extremely heartbroken, and I hope to ask for the public to mourn."

Xu Wei's expression was dark, but then he smiled indifferently: "Many officials are worried, and they all know the money." Thank you. I know that I have been tired all the way, and I am afraid that I will not have dinner, if I don't dislike it, how about eating some? ”

When Qian Cheng heard this, he shook his head again and again: What is the identity of the villain? How dare you sit fairly with the solicitation? "Although he is now known to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. But in Zhao Huan's dynasty, the status of eunuchs was far inferior to that of Emperor Zhao Xuan. Compared with Xu Wei. It's a big difference.

"This is the outside, I don't like to be polite, sit and sit." Xu Wei sat down first, and when Qian Cheng heard him say this, he no longer insisted, and the two sat opposite each other and chatted. At first, it was nothing more than some rumors from the government and the opposition, and personnel changes were numerous. Later, Xu Wei intended to introduce the topic to Shaanxi, and Qian Cheng talked about Li Gang and He Guan.

First of all, when it came to Li Gang's self-deprecation, the imperial court did not hold him responsible for the defeat, but encouraged him. As for He Guan, he also asked for dismissal and recommended the seed master, but the official family ignored this discussion at all. This is the benefit of befriending eunuchs. Their status is not high, and they have no right to speak or make decisions on military affairs, but fortunately, these people often accompany the emperor, listen to and see a lot.

"The reasons for the defeat of the front-line war are naturally many, but the two governors of Shaanxi are vying for responsibility, this mind, this courage, is really admirable, Xu Wei said.

Qian Cheng saw him say this, although he didn't refute it, but his face showed a disapproving look. Xu Wei saw it in his eyes, and didn't ask, picked up the teapot and poured a cup for him, and said apologetically: "This Buddhism is pure, you can't drink wine, a cup of tea, and the right to wash away the dust all the way for Duzhi."

Qian Cheng thanked him halfway, and seeing that Xu Wei didn't seem to be interested in this topic, he took the initiative to ask after taking the teacup: "Don't you want to ask why the villain is laughing?" ”

"I know that I have known Xu Wei for many years, so I will naturally mention it. Can't say. Xu also decided that he would not make it difficult for Duzhi, so he didn't ask. Xu Wei took a sip of tea.

"Actually, it's not a secret. The ruling ruler of the court and the central government all know in his heart, that is, the villain will not say it today, and he will go to the capital in a few days to recruit the prime minister. The two privy ministers naturally mentioned Qian Cheng and said with a smile. After a pause, as if thinking about what to say, after a moment, the conversation began.

It is said that after Li Gang and He Guan sent the two copies to the forbidden center, the official family specially summoned the privy envoy Xu Shao to ask for opinions on this matter.

Although I don't know what the two said in their recitals in addition to asking for punishment, the emperor said to Xu Shao, "If you declare discord, it will always hinder military affairs." Qian Cheng judged from this that one of the two people must have accused each other in the chapter, otherwise the emperor would not have said such a word.

After hearing this, Xu Wei was surprised: "Not so, right?" Li Xuanfu and He Shaobao are both civil and military ministers trusted by the government, and the two of them work together in Shaanxi, so they should be like fish in water, how can it be

"This. It's hard to say, anyway, the privy minister replied at the time that He Shaobao had been on the battlefield for a long time, and it was appropriate for him to take charge of the six-way military power. But later, the official asked Geng Xiang again, and the answer he got was that Li He and the two would give up one of them. After hearing this, the official family was silent. I've been worrying about this lately. Qian Cheng said.

Xu Wei didn't speak for a while, and said for a long time: "Alas. I can't figure out these things in the court, and I don't bother to think about it. ”

"It's a very small person, and it's just a casual talk. Xianggong, let's listen to it, what is it, haha, eat and eat Qian Cheng and pick up the bowl. The chopsticks stretched out, and when I saw a table of vegetarian dishes, I didn't know which plate to choose. In the end, it was estimated that he was afraid of saving Xu Wei's face, so he sandwiched two slices of cucumbers. also smiled, "This is good, this is good, eat cucumbers and have a bright complexion." Hearing Xu Wei's goosebumps on a hot day.

While eating, he suddenly heard a voice outside saying: "Falcon Li Guan asked the adults to show me, I have found the deceased, do you want to meet?" ”

Xu Wei put down the dishes and chopsticks, his expression remained unchanged, and he said to the outside: "There is a distinguished guest here, and he will disappear today." ”

When Qian Cheng heard this, he quickly got up and said, "Hey." How dare you mislead each other? It was dark on the left and right, and the villain went to the pavilion station, so he didn't bother, and he talked about it another day. Tell me another day, say goodbye, and stay

Xu Wei pretended to keep it, and then sent it out. Li Guan stood in the courtyard, and after Xu Wei came back, he immediately stepped forward to report: "Fortunately, I am not dishonored." The things that the adults have given have been done

"Dead or alive?" Xu Wei asked softly.

It was the head that Li Guan brought back from his humble position, and replied in a low voice. After that, he called out. A delicate man walked in quickly, carrying a burden in his hand, and handed it to Li Guan. The burden was wrapped very tightly, and Li Guanli opened the three layers and the outer three layers, and before he was stunned, he already smelled a foul smell. Li Guan walked to the window, and Xu Wei took advantage of the light in the room to see a human head, his eyes were closed, his lips were slightly open, and his face was already purple. When Xu Hong mentioned the name "Xu He", Xu Wei's impression was still very vague. But now I see that it is the timid Baozheng who was as timid as a mouse when the thief blackmailed Xujiazhuang.

Xu Wei waved his hand, Li Guan hurriedly wrapped it, and handed it to his subordinates to take it out, and then reported the process in detail. Originally. … With more than a dozen shrewd and shrewd works, the road went north to spy on the news. According to the situation of the sarcasm, he judged that Xu He was just a small person, and inquiring about him was tantamount to looking for a needle in a haystack. Because Xu He was with Gao Xiaogong's subordinate Li Cheng, he inquired about Li Cheng's department. If you are cross-examined. He prevaricated in the name of taking refuge.

It was not until Hengshui County, Yizhou, that he learned that Li Cheng's troops had retreated and camped here. Because Li Cheng was very famous in the Hebei Gao Army, he was nicknamed "Li Tianwang." He was defeated and returned, and the people of Yizhou were secretly happy. Li Guan had a friend in Yizhou, who had already taken refuge in Gao Shiyou and accepted a false position. Li Guan still went to visit him, and learned from him that among the people brought back by the southward daimyo this time, all those who were slightly famous were taken to Zhending by Gao Xiaogong. The rest. They were all placed in local positions, and Xu He was responsible for many years of work and identified the ancestral grave of the Xu family as meritorious, so he made a charge in Hengshui County. Li Guan found out about the news. did not rush to do anything, sent people to monitor the county government, found out Xu He's movements, and then assassinated him on the way home. Li Guan's own hands, after cutting off the head. Dive to the Daimyo overnight.

"Good! Well done! Xu Wei praised repeatedly.

"Zhijun, I also found out a news, Li Cheng has rushed to Zhending now, it is said that Gao Shiyou is going to borrow Yue to claim the emperor Li Guan said in a deep voice.

Xu Wei slammed sideways: "Oh? That's even better! ”

In August of the first year of Longxing, Xu Wei accepted the edict to recover, and at the same time expanded Xu Zhang's coffin to Tokyo. When leaving the Daimyo's Mansion, Zhang Suo led the civil and military officials of the Hebei Zhaofu Division to see him off, and the Daimyo and the people also gathered outside the city to see the veterans of the army leave; The sound of cries can be heard clearly for miles. At that time, the Daimyo's Mansion was not peaceful, and some people gathered in the mountains and forests to avoid military disasters, and did some things like cutting paths and looting. But I heard that Xu Zhang's spirit frame was passing by. No one dared to offend, and when it came to Puyang, there was a thief named Liang Jin, who led thousands of troops to intercept it. Seeing Xu Zhang's coffin, he learned that it was Xu Wei who personally escorted him. led the crowd to worship behind the Tao and dispersed by himself, which shows that Xu Zhang won the hearts of the people.

In early August, Xu Zhang's spiritual body arrived in Beijing. Zhao Huan sent his own uncle, the palace marshal Wang Zongchu, out of the city to greet him. It also set up a mourning hall in the Xu Mansion of West Water Gate. The ministers of the DPRK and the central government went to mourn more, and then buried in Mu Zhugang, Zhao Huan's imperial pen personally wrote "Xun Lie Changzhao." "Extremely glorious. When the emperor summoned Xu Wei, he repeatedly expressed his condolences and asked him to continue his father's legacy. Finish his father's unfinished business. Establish immortal honors and help the cause of Zhongxing.

After Xu Zhang's funeral, due to Shaanxi's successive urgings, Xu Wei set off for reinstatement. Before leaving. specially went to the third uncle Xu Shao's house to pay a visit, or rather. Listen to the show. Xu Wei went to Shaanxi for less than two years, and saw Xu Shao again in his father's funeral. Uncle Jue has aged a lot, and his beard has turned gray.

"Sit down." In the study, Xu Shao, who was full of energy in the past, looked a little tired. Although the weather has cooled down these days, the scorching heat is still there. But he was not only wearing a robe, but even a straight one.

"Uncle is sick?" Xu Wei asked with concern after sitting down.

Xu Shao stretched out his hand and pulled the slippery straight on his shoulder, and said softly: "Recently, I have always felt heavy in my limbs. There are many inconveniences in lifting the pen, and it is estimated that "before the words are finished, he has shaken his head and his expression is gloomy." Xu Zhang's death, although he was not said to have hit him hard, but when he thought of the two brothers leaving one after another. The ancestral grave was excavated by Gao Wei again, and in the end it was more than fifty people, and his body was a little unbearable.

"Why did the third uncle say this?" Xu Wei hurriedly said.

Xu Shao waved his hand and sighed. After pondering for a while, he ordered: "Lao Jiu, this time the imperial court has delegated a lot of power to you, and the entire southeast border of Hedong is officially under your profit, and you still have the right to act cheaply, and Li Gang will also cooperate with you." As for the Shaanxi soldiers and horses in the same section, I don't need to say it. You know what it means. Do your errands carefully and control the situation in Hedong as soon as possible. ”

Xu Wei didn't guarantee anything, but asked: "Third uncle, the Western Army has entered Hedong, has the Jin State sent envoys to negotiate?" ”

When Xu Shao said this, he stood up with the handrail, and said with a worried face: "I'm worried about this matter, and the Jurchens have not moved so far. I'm afraid, they're waiting for the autumn to be fattened and going south to retaliate

Do you still need to guess about this? That's a certainty! You used the western army to attack Hedong directly, and you didn't even leave yourself a chance to fight, the Jurchens must be furious at the moment, I'm afraid it's this month. Bound to go south. When the time comes. The Jin army seems to be famous,,

When he was thinking about it, he heard Xu Shao ask: "Lao Jiu, do you think the decisive battle between Song and Jin will be advanced?"

"Back to my uncle, I really can't say for sure. Originally, the last time Jin invaded the south, he was seriously damaged, so he had to recuperate three or four of them. But this time, the Jurchens must be annoyed and angry, and it is really difficult to judge whether they will go south in a big way...... Xu Wei replied.

Xu Shao listened, and slapped his palm on the copy: "If Jin Guo really goes south, things will be tricky." The official family used He Guan to take charge of the six-way military power, firstly, because He Guan knew the soldiers and knew how to fight, and secondly, he also wanted to control the Western Army. But He Zhongyuan is obviously not enough. How long has he been in Shaanxi? Can the generals of the Western Army take him seriously? It's just this time. He quarreled with Li Gang again, this Xuanfu envoy and the control envoy were not in harmony, how could he lead the six roads in Shaanxi? ”

Xu Wei listened carefully, this matter. He would never interject. Because he knows best why Li Gang and He Guan got into trouble, and he may even know better than the two parties.

When Xu Shao said this, he suddenly looked at Xu Wei's face, looked at it for a long time, and finally instructed: "That's it, pill." If you go back to the front line, you must play Hedong! Even if the Jurchens come to Hu in a big way, the spoon, and the east can at least block it for a while and a half to relieve the pressure on Shaanxi. ”

"Yes! Third uncle, since this is the case, the nephew Xu Wei is about to leave.

Xu Shao seemed to remember something and beckoned. He asked in a low voice: "I heard that there are many charcoal wells in your jurisdiction, and the charcoal produced every day sells well in nearby states and counties, is there such a thing?" ”

Xu Wei was stunned, how could even the third uncle know about this? He replied, "Yes."

Xu Luo's eyes narrowed: "Have you ever been involved?" ”

was shocked, but Xu Wei quickly replied truthfully: "Almost all charcoal wells, nephews have a share." But there is a little nephew assurance. No one was forced. ”

Unexpectedly, Xu Shao heard that he was a military minister, but he was involved in business. Far from being angry. Instead, he nodded and said: "Okay, although you can rest assured that this kind of thing will finish speaking, I am afraid that he will not understand, so I beckoned my nephew and whispered, "If you want to be thoughtful about yourself, you must be able to defile yourself, the official family likes people with shortcomings, nothing is good, and those who have no desire are the most uneasy, understand?" ”

"Remember my uncle's teachings." Xu Wei bowed and said.

In mid-August, Xu Wei left the capital and rushed to Shaanxi non-stop. While he was still on the way back to office, Hedong had already been in a battle, and the Li family father and son gathered more than 50,000 people and horses to surround Zhaode Mansion. The city walls of Zhaode are not high, and the city defense is not strong. However, Ma Kuo led the people to defend the city, and after Li Jun exhausted all siege methods, such as digging tunnels and releasing smoke, it was still unbreakable. Li Zhi, who was furious, transferred from Taiyuan on the one hand, and took local materials on the other hand, and built a large number of siege equipment, and there were seven or eight hundred large goose carts alone. When driving to detain the city, Li Zhi was sure that the Western Army was newly defeated and would not come to help, and set up a robe cart near Zhaode City, if Zhaode was not broken, he would prepare day and night

Hit.

Since the middle of the month, the weather has cooled, and the offensive of Li's army has become more ferocious. Although the rebels had a lot of troops, they suffered from poor equipment, especially the serious shortage of bows and crossbows, and they were unable to strike the enemy at long range. Wait until the enemy has climbed to the top of the city, and then fight hand-to-hand. The city gate was smashed several times, and it was Ma Kuo who organized the brave men to block back the enemy who entered the city. After dozens of days of fighting, both sides suffered heavy casualties, and the rebels knew that there was no hope of asking for help, and their morale gradually declined.

If Zhaode is lost, Li Jun can go south through Huguan and directly enter Zezhou, then the entire territory of Hedong may fall into the hands of thieves. At this time, the Ruojin army went south again. To the west through Xiuzhou, it used to be the Guanzhong Plain. The brunt of it is the Shaanhua Road that is being restored! Therefore, whether Zhaode can be saved. It is directly related to the safety of Shaanxi, and Ma Kuo is well aware of this. Therefore, he often takes the lead and motivates his subordinates. When the Western Army marched into Hedong, he already knew the news that Xu Wei was worried about his father's funeral. The soldiers of the Righteous Army also know this, so they think that if General Manager Xu is not there, no one will take care of our Righteous Army, whether it is dead or alive, Shaanxi will not take a look. And. The Marshal Qu, who had the blood of the righteous army on his hands, is now the envoy of the Hedong Economic System. What else to expect?

In view of this, Ma Kuo lied that the imperial court had revived Xu Wei's affection, and he would definitely lead a large army to help in the near future, as long as we defend Zhaode and protect Shaanxi, it will be a great achievement!

Li's army trench bridge goose carts could not work, and from the Mid-Autumn Festival onwards, a large number of robe carts were mobilized to bombard the city day and night. Because there was no suppression of the bow and crossbow, Li Jun's robe car was even very arrogantly set up to a distance of dozens of steps from the city. The soldiers of the rebel army were at the head of the city, and they could only shrink and watch as one big stone after another roared overhead. fell into the city, morale dropped to the extreme,

If this confrontation continues, I am afraid that the city will fall before Li Jun runs out of food. In desperation, Ma Kuo organized brave soldiers to break through at night. Not for a sneak attack, but to bring in other rebels to help. But the problem is that now the rebels have no unified leadership. Each fights for itself, and no one can care about saving Zhaode. Ma Kuo was almost in despair, and some of his subordinates even had the idea of surrendering."

On August 21, the weather was pleasant and cool. Despite the Great War in Hedong, there was still a peaceful scene in Dingrong City. Cities that had been battered by the war had been repaired, and all walks of life were gradually improving. The number of pedestrians on the street is also increasing day by day, and the faces of the people are smiling again.

In the first battle of Fanzhou, and then to the later blockade of Guozha Town, Hujie suffered large casualties, and the bigwig Xu Wei returned to his hometown to mourn. In terms of government affairs, there are few general judgments sent by Shaanxi to take care of military affairs, and under the leadership of Wang Yan and Wu Jie, they are stepping up their training, especially focusing on innovating tactics, especially for heavy cavalry.

When Xu Wei and Li Guan entered the city, they were now the soldiers guarding the city pass. Without the main general, and the battle was defeated, the Hujie soldiers were like motherless babies during this time, and they saw the return of the Zhijun in vain, and the soldiers shouted: "Xu Zhijun is back!" "Shout and shout. No one dared to leave their posts.

The soldiers didn't dare, the people didn't care about this, and when they saw Xu Wei, they rushed over, blocking the water. Li Guan was there snorting and drinking. When he asked the people to get out of the way, he suddenly heard the sound of the clanging of armor and raised his eyes. I saw a team of sergeants running over, who was the leader of the army, who was Zhang Qing and Zhang Jiyi, who was not the deputy commander?

Zhang Qing squeezed into the crowd with the assistance of the guards. When I saw Xu Wei, the first thing I said was: "You can be regarded as back!" ”