Chapter 694: Suspects don't need to

When the official family ascended the throne, he knew a lot of things, and he thought that the king of Xu County was also decent, and there was no illegal behavior. In general, it should be a loyal and good general. Shen Zedao.

Hearing his words, Zhao Chen nodded slightly: "Loyal ministers and good generals, I also think so." But Wan Qiwei said in his book that the Hedong Zhulu Righteous Army has been insisting on resisting Jin under the banner of Xu Wei for many years. This time, as soon as the west passed, the Hedong rebels rushed to attach. He was worried that Xu Wei had great power and prestige, and that it was not a long-term solution for him to hold the power of the army. ”

Shen Xue heard it in his ears and responded: "Although there is nothing wrong with King Xu Jun, Wan Qiao's worries are not groundless. ”

"That's true." Zhao Chen nodded. Although Xu Wei has always behaved decently, what Wan Qiyu said is also the truth. He suggested that the imperial court should be on guard and should impose some restrictions on Xu Wei's power. What do you think? ”

Shen Xue thought for a while and said, "The little slave has never led a soldier, and the second has never been in politics, so I really don't understand." ”

Zhao Chen took a sip of tea, felt tasteless, closed the lid and sighed: "This matter is troublesome!" If we want to restore the old frontier, we must rely on these people who lead troops. But the ancestral system has always guarded against these people. Even if I am determined to change my old mistakes, I will not be able to do everything the other way around. ”

Shen Xue heard what he said, and asked tentatively, "Then why don't you just ask from Wan Qiao?" ”

"How can it be so simple, Xu Wei's power is granted by the imperial court, how to limit it? Revoke his right to act cheaply? How far is Sichuan and Shaanxi from the south of the Yangtze River? Wouldn't it be wrong if everything needed the approval of the imperial court? Zhao Chen shook his head and said.

Shen Xue thought for a while, and suddenly said: "Since the official family can't make up their minds about this matter, why don't they summon the prime minister to consult?" ”

These words reminded Zhao Chen, and after thinking for a while, he ordered: "Go, summon Xu Liang and Zhao Ding." ”

When Xu Liang and Zhao Ding were both in charge of military affairs in the Zhongshu Political Affairs Hall, they heard that the emperor had summoned him, and they did not suspect him, so they put down the affairs in their hands and rushed to the Qinzheng Hall.

When he came to the emperor and saluted, Zhao Chen smiled and said, "Two virtuous people, good news." ”

Xu Liang and Zhao Ding looked at each other, good news? What's the good news? Immediately, I heard the emperor say: "In order to cooperate with the Liao army's eastward expedition, the Western Army sent troops to Hedong, and the progress can be described as rapid." In a short period of time, many prefectures and counties in the southeast of Hedong have been conquered, and the Hedong volunteers have responded in groups, and the situation is very good. It seems that the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains is still preparing, and King Xu Jun is about to take back Hedong. ”

When I heard the two of them, I was overjoyed! Sure enough, that's good news! Hey, you said that we had so much trouble fighting a battle, why did we get to the king of Tianshui County, as if we were eating noodles? It's Xu Wei in the end, okay!

Zhao Ding is a staunch representative of the Anti-Japanese War faction, and said happily at this time: "Your Majesty, with King Xu Jun's strategy in Hedong, I am afraid that the time in Hedong in the Central Plains is not far away!" Your Majesty's great cause of Zhongxing has been seen! ”

"Oh, hopefully." Zhao Chen chuckled, but his right hand kept flipping and closing Wan Qiao's book.

Xu Liang had already noticed his action, and he also noticed that the emperor's expression was different from usual. If it was in the past, as long as there was good news, how could the emperor still sit still? I'm afraid that I just raise my arms and shout, I like to be in sè, why is I so calm? Could it be that what's wrong with the book in his hand?

"Oh, I forgot, sit down with two virtuous people." Zhao Chen said suddenly.

Xu Zhao thanked each other, sat on the side, and Zhao Ding said again: "Xu Wei can work hard in Sichuan and Shaanxi to make a difference, which proves that the strategy of His Majesty and the imperial court is correct." ”

"However, some people don't think so." As soon as Zhao Chen's words came out, Xu Zhao and the two smelled an unusual smell.

Zhao Chen made a look, Shen Xue understood, took Wan Qiao's book, and sent it to Zhao Ding first, after all, he was the prime minister. The latter opened it and saw that it was played by Wan Qiao, the judge of Xuanfu in Sichuan and Shaanxi. The previous paragraph was a success, and Zhao Chen's heart was full of joy. But then the pen suddenly changed and discussed the military and political affairs of Sichuan and Shaanxi.

Finally, an incident was reported. It is said that there are hundreds of thousands of righteous troops in Hedong, all of whom play the Xu character banner and claim to be the subordinates of the king of Xu County. Obviously, it is the result of years of painstaking management by King Xujun. He believed that Xu Wei was in a high position and was faintly uneasy, and hoped that the imperial court would pay attention to this issue and restrict it.

When Zhao Ding saw this, he remained silent, and then handed it to Xu Liang. Xu Liu took it, looked at it, tried to make himself look calmer, and handed back the notebook.

At this time, his heart can be described as up and down, and he is uneasy. Because this matter of Wan Qiao's report is too sensitive! It's easy to think in a bad direction.

Moreover, although the emperor sent him to Sichuan and Shaanxi, although the purpose is not clear, everyone knows that it is to monitor Lao Jiu. Now, he is secretly playing, will the emperor become suspicious of Lao Jiu, and then, even cause it to himself?

"Zhao Qing, Xu Qing, tell me, what do you think?" Zhao Chen saw that both of them had finished reading, so he asked.

Zhao Ding moved his legs, and Shen said, "This matter ...... It can be big or small. ”

"What do you say? What about being small? Zhao Chen asked.

"To put it mildly, what Wan Qian said is true, and if the court thinks that this is inappropriate, it can naturally be rectified; To put it mildly, there is nothing to worry about in this matter. If the minister is not mistaken, Xu Wei served as the head of the righteous army in the past, and the Hedong righteous army played his banner just to gather the displaced stragglers to show their integrity, so there is no need to over-interpret it. ”

This may be the biggest defense that Zhao Ding can make for Xu Wei. Because since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty, no one has good fruit to eat when this kind of thing is touched. The most obvious example is Di Shumi of the Renzong Dynasty. He also fought in the south and the north, and his achievements covered a generation. In the north, he defeated the party many times, and in the south, he tried again to quell the rebellion. It was only because he became a privy envoy that he sparked discussions in the Manchu Dynasty, and in the end, Emperor Renzong still followed the advice of the courtiers and demoted Di Qing to other places. Soon, Di Qing died of anxiety.

And now Xu Wei, whose reputation and martial arts are similar to Di Qing's, and he also holds the power of heavy soldiers in his hands, as the so-called melon field and Li Xia, how can he not attract criticism?

Zhao Chen listened, was noncommittal, and turned to Xu Liang again: "What about Xu Qing's opinion?" ”

Xu Liang didn't answer for a while, he had to be cautious and cautious! Because he and Xu Wei are cousins, if he is not careful, it will inevitably make people gossip. As an official who was born to read the books of sages, he also had some of the basic characteristics of a civil servant. However, because he has served in the Tokyo Left-behind Division, the Shaanxi Xuanfu Division, and the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Division, he has a good understanding of the local situation. Therefore, he does not think that Xu Wei's situation is unreasonable now.

But then again, if the emperor had nothing in his heart, he would not have brought it out and said it. Since he solemnly summoned the prime minister and vice minister to discuss it, it shows that he also cares. If you speak for Lao Jiu, I really don't know if it's a blessing or a curse. It would not be good if the Emperor suspected that my two brothers were hiding from each other.

Xu Liang's two hands shrunk in his sleeves were already sweating, and after thinking twice, he replied: "Your Majesty, if the court is suspicious, then there is no need for Xu Wei to stay in his current position. ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked!

Zhao Ding turned his head and looked at him in surprise; Shen Ze also secretly squinted his eyes and looked at his expression; Zhao Chen was even more hesitant and asked, "This, where does this start?" ”

"The country has its own laws, although Xu Wei has not committed any crimes, but if His Majesty and the court are worried, in order to prevent the slightest problem, he can be sent another way." Xu Liangdao.

Zhao Chen listened to it in his ears, and he didn't comment, and asked Zhao Ding: "What does Zhao Qing think?" ”

Zhao Ding was very embarrassed, he had no friendship with Xu Wei, but from a fair standpoint, Xu Wei made great contributions to the stability of the northwest, and it was because of him that Sichuan could be saved, Shaanxi could be recovered, and the Western Army could reorganize and regain glory. His credit is indeed great! If it is really as Xu Liang said, then this matter must be cautious and cautious! Because it's not just about changing an official!

"Your Majesty, the minister has only gotten a glimpse of this matter from Wan Qiao's notebook, and he doesn't dare to draw conclusions. But ......" Zhao Ding bowed his head.

"It's okay to be outspoken." Zhao Chen encouraged.

"However, don't use suspicious people, don't use suspicious people." Zhao Dingdao.

Zhao Chen savored this sentence and looked at Xu Liang from time to time. The atmosphere in the Qinzheng Hall was a little weird for a while. There are three monarchs and ministers, plus one Shen Xue, each with their own hearts.

As for Zhao Chen himself, he didn't believe that Xu Wei would have any second thoughts, because there were no clues. But as an emperor, there is no such thing as absolute trust in anyone. Even my father and son can't be trusted, who else in this world can fully believe it? But Xu Wei's situation is indeed special. If it is a prefect or a prefect, or a transfer envoy or something, the imperial court is half worried, and it can be removed at any time, but Xu Weixing?

"Haha!" Zhao Chen suddenly laughed.

Zhao Ding and Xu Liang raised their heads at the same time, not knowing what the emperor was laughing at.

"Zhao Qing is right! Don't suspect people, don't doubt people! Since I have named Xu Wei as the king of the county, I trust him. Wan Qiaoyu also reported with loyalty, but Xu Weishijun was decent and respectful, and I entrusted Sichuan and Shaanxi and hundreds of thousands of western troops to him, which was reassuring. Now that the whole country is looking forward to recovery, it is the time for the military ministers to serve, how can I mind the handsome because of one-sided words? That's it, there is no need to mention it again. Zhao Chen said loudly.

Xu Liang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and secretly wiped the sweat in his palms in his sleeves.

"Xu Qing, you are too. Don't you know who your cousin is? How can it be replaced? He is the commander of the 200,000 Western Army, if he is replaced without evidence, will it not shake the morale of the army? Sichuan and Shaanxi need Xu Wei, and ZTE needs Xu Wei. In the future, you must not avoid your relatives, and you can't be too harsh just because Xu Wei is your cousin. Zhao Chen taught a lesson.

How could Xu Liang not know how false this was? But he still got up and bowed his head and said, "The minister respectfully obeys His Majesty's instructions." ”

"Alright, you guys go." Zhao Chen waved his hand.

The two prime ministers saluted, withdrew from the Qinzheng Hall, and went to Zhongshu Province. As soon as he walked out of the Qinzheng Hall and walked a few steps away, Xu Liang took off his hat and wiped the beads of sweat on his head. Zhao Ding saw it in his eyes and said intentionally or unintentionally: "It's short and long, and it can't be prevented." ”

Xu Liang smiled bitterly, buttoned up his hat, and walked away quickly.

May 30, Yangliang Beiguan.

The roar of earth-shattering thunder stopped for the time being, but the smoke in the air had not yet dispersed. After a round of strong attacks, the Western Army retreated again, resting and replenishing. And the Jin army on the border also urgently adjusted its forces in preparation for another battle. From the slope of the hill to the foot of the mountain, the corpses of many brothers of the Western Army lay on the ground, and the wounded were dragged down and sent to the shed for emergency treatment by the military doctor.

Xu Wei observed the battle in the military camp in the distance, and the generals next to him analyzed the battle situation to him from time to time.

"On the right hand, the horses on the mountain were suppressed the most, and the strong crossbows were concentrated there. If we can't get rid of it, it will be too much of a threat to our army. Yongxing Shuai Yang Yan said.

"Not only that, but the point is that the slope is too steep! Our army suffered too much from attacking on the back! As soon as he went up, his rolling stone fireball came down! Even if you get close, you can only use the simplest ladder to climb up, and there is basically no protection. Fuck it, if you keep doing this, the casualties will only get bigger. Du Feihu said.

Xu Wei frowned: "This terrain restricts the deployment of our army, and the Weiyuan artillery can't reach it, and it can't hit the pass." How many days have you been playing? ”

"It's been thirteen days." An officer said.

Xu Wei took a deep breath and gritted his teeth: "Suspend the attack and summon the officers above the command level to the battalion to discuss matters!" With that, turn around and leave.

It may be that seeing the Western Army retracting into the barracks, it is estimated that it will not attack for the time being, and the defenders on the Yangliang North Pass suddenly burst into a burst of provocative cheers, which made the soldiers of the Western Army itch their teeth!

Back at the tooth tent, Xu Wei took off his helmet and threw it on the table, and his own soldiers rushed up to remove his armor for him. After a while, from the envoy to the commander, dozens of generals gathered in the tent.

Because of the hot weather, Xu Wei's clothes were soaked with sweat, and he wiped his face and neck with a handkerchief, and said: "If you continue to fight like this, it seems that it will not work, you have to reformulate tactics, you all talk about it." ”

"King, this terrain is limited, our army can't use it, let alone say it, and it's all back attack, it's too much of a loss."

"Exactly, the defenders are equipped with strong bows and crossbows, and our army almost rushed upwards and was suppressed. In turn, the long-range weapons of our army have been discounted, which is really ......"

Xu Wei threw the veil and shouted, "That's not what I want to hear!" Lao Tzu is not a rookie egg, I don't know how to watch it myself? What I want is a countermeasure! It's tactical! Less! ”

The generals were all quiet for a while, and the countermeasures and tactics were not so easy. On the march to fight, geographical advantage is one of the most important conditions for victory, and now that the enemy occupies the advantageous position, what can we do?

"King, this Yangliang North Pass is built on the mountain, relying on the mountain shape. Frontal assault, it is difficult to work, can it be ......" A soldier and horse manager did not finish speaking.

Xu Wei was furious: "Don't tell me to send someone to explore the way, and attack from behind the flank." In this regard, I have touched all of them, and there is no way! ”

Zhang Xian, who was sweating profusely and still had blood stains on his body, lowered his head and thought for a moment, took a step forward, hugged his fists and said: "King, I have an idea of humiliation, but it may be ......."

"If you have, just say it, don't but but." Xu Wei waved his hand.

"The place where our army started to assemble was on low ground, and the artillery trucks were set up here, and they could not be closed. If it is retreated, it is beyond the shè process. Instead, fill it in. Zhang Xian suggested.

The hall was dumbfounded! Filled? Zhang Zongben, are you kidding? Let's go around there every day, don't you know how big that place is? It's not as simple as filling in a moat or moat! How big of a project is this? How many people do you have to use? How much earth and rock do you have to use?

"Zongben, you are too ......" Yang Yan felt that this matter was unreliable.

Xu Wei waved his hand to stop him and asked, "Tell me more." ”

"Yes!" Zhang Xian said loudly. "Recently, many rebel armies have gathered in our army, and we have no shortage of manpower. The king might as well order these rebels to accumulate earth and rocks, and fill in the terrain until there is enough artillery to send shè! Although Yangliang North Pass is dangerous, the gate is not long, and we don't need to fill it all up, as long as dozens of artillery trucks can be placed. At that time, it will be easier to attack and cover with Weiyuan artillery first. ”

Xu Wei was silent in thought, suddenly took a step, and rushed out. The generals dodged one after another, followed him, and went out of the tooth tent and the barracks.

The Yangliang North Pass in front of you, sandwiched between the two mountains, is more than ten zhang high, plus the height of the Guancheng, so the artillery truck can't hit it. And the terrain at the foot of the mountain, compared to the place where the army was encamped, was significantly lower, forming a huge deep pit. Every time the Western Army attacked, it was from here that it was launched.

If this pit is filled, at least twenty or thirty Weiyuan cannons can be placed. Although it is not as good as the siege of the city, it is enough to pose a threat to the gate.

After Xu Wei looked at it carefully, he asked, "How many people and how much time does it take to fill in this place?" ”

An officer who knew how to do engineering pondered and replied: "My lord, at least five or six thousand people must be sent to carry and fill without stopping, and I am afraid that even so, it will take ten days." ”

Xu Wei didn't hesitate: "Five days!" Five days at most, fill this place for me! Put the Weiyuan cannon on me! Delayed, military law engaged! ”

The next morning, when the first rays of morning light broke through the clouds and shone down, the soldiers of the Jin army, who had been guarding the city all night, saw a scene that puzzled them. At the foot of the mountain, the Song army suddenly stopped attacking, and the people were like long dragons, stretching for miles before and after! I don't know what I'm doing!

When the day is getting clearer and clearer, they are amazed to find out! The Song army was carrying earth and rocks all the time! It seems to want to fill in the low-lying area at the foot of the mountain!

Seeing this, the guard quickly reported it to the officer, who in turn reported to the guard. When the guards rushed up to the gate and looked down, he couldn't help but shiver! He knew what Song Jun wanted to do! Fill in the ground so that you can place the equipment! But even if they fill in the ground, what equipment will be able to shut it down? That's a height of dozens of feet! Do you use a strong crossbow? We are on the castle, how do you shè? Do you use a cannon truck? What kind of cannon can hit such a long distance?

Although he didn't understand the ultimate goal of the Song army, he still didn't dare to take it lightly and ordered the soldiers to keep a close watch! And sent an urgent report to Taiyuan and even Yanjing, asking for reinforcements!