"It's a pity, if the Xiaoguo Army also sent troops from the northern front, this Situ Lei wouldn't last long. Since he is reluctant to send troops, then don't talk about it, this Zhao Xun is also a cheap guy, at this moment, he can't wait for us to fight to the death with Situ Lei. Murong Cheng said coldly. Regarding Zhao Xun's state of sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight, he was also very impatient but also helpless.

"What's going on with the Shanyang Army in the land of Yanzhou? In the past, he took our benefits and stood on our side, why is he now walking with the Yanzhou army and serving Situ Lei? He also defeated the Wuwei Army head-on. The group of fools of the Wu Wei Army, their predecessor in the past, and the current Tang Army were defeated by the hands of this Shanyang Army, and they didn't know the strength of the other party? despised each other, and it turned out to be this result! Murong Cheng said angrily.

A look of embarrassment appeared on Zhang Tu's face, and he said, "Lord Wang, you have forgotten that last time when Zhang Tao, the governor of Jiaozhou, remained neutral, you sent someone to question the Shanyang Army on the grounds that the Shanyang Army had received our benefits, but there was no action. As a result, the envoy sent not only fulfilled your order, but also took matters into his own hands and demanded from the Shanyang army to return the money and grain we had given, which caused the Shanyang army to maintain its original attitude and join forces with the Yanzhou army to launch an attack on our army. ”

"Execute the messenger who was sent last time, whoever it is! Rubbish! Murong Cheng said coldly. Then he also remembered the military order he gave last time, because Zhang Tao was his own person, but he finally accepted Situ Lei's title. made him raise his army to discuss, and finally maintained a neutral attitude in Zhang Tao, and did not dare to act rashly and withdraw his troops. Although for the overall situation of the war, Zhang Tao's neutrality is not bad for him Murong Cheng. However, after all, it was the loss of a state in his hands, and it also brought a very bad impact. Therefore, he was extremely angry, and somehow talked about the situation in the land of Dao Yanzhou, coupled with the inaction of the Shanyang army, but he reaped the benefits, so he sent people to question the Shanyang army despite the dissuasion of his advisers. It's just that I didn't expect that a small mistake in the past will now have such a big impact.

Murong Cheng sighed and said, "This thing, this king did something wrong!" If it weren't for this Shanyang Army, Xu Jie was afraid that he would have been defeated. It's just that I didn't expect that this small Shanyang Army would be a more powerful opponent than Xu Jie. ”

Zhang Tu nodded and said, "Lord Wang, Xu Jie's is nothing. The main thing is that behind him stood Situ Lei, with the Xuzhou army. Although the Shanyang Army is powerful, it is impossible to defeat our Wuwei Army independently. ”

"Send someone to contact the Shanyang army again, and now our armed guards have the advantage in the land of Yanzhou, I hope they can recognize the situation and surrender to me, and this king will not treat him badly." Now, in the land of Yanzhou, in addition to the things of his Shanyang Army, the only thing that opposes our Wuwei Army is the Yanzhou Mansion Army. And they are at odds with each other, and the Yanzhou government army is also vulnerable. Could it be that his Shanyang Army still wants to be silent with the broken ship of the Yanzhou Mansion Army? Murong Cheng said coldly.

Zhang Tudao: "My subordinates understand, what if this Shanyang Army has any conditions? ”

Murong Cheng sneered: "You mean that this Shanyang Army wants to be self-reliant, promise him." Just because my Wuwei army wanted to occupy Yanzhou, it was very rare at that time. Don't forget, Situ Lei is a massive build-up. What we need now is to gather friendly forces in the land of Yanzhou and fight together against Situ Lei's people. ”

After thinking about it, he said: "Besides, although the Tang army suddenly launched a surprise attack on the Xuzhou army for some reason, I don't think this Tang Xian will be on our side." As long as this Shanyang army falls to us, what if we let Tan occupy half of Yanzhou? The Tang army in the north naturally needs someone to guard against it, and this Shanyang army, which has a grudge against the Tang army, is the most suitable. After the coming year, Situ Lei's army marched eastward, and it was good that the two sides could deal with it together. ”

Zhang Tu nodded and smiled: "That's fine, my subordinates are thinking about the gains and losses of one city and one place." On the surface, the Tang Army and the Shanyang Army are on the same front as us, but the Tang Army has an intractable grudge with the Shanyang Army next to it. After repelling Situ Lei's men, we will gain a firm foothold in the south of Yanzhou, and let the Shanyang army and the Tang army fight in the north, and finally reap the benefits of the fisherman. ”

…………

The imperial examination in the area under the jurisdiction of the Xiaoguo Army was completed, and a total of more than 300 people were directly recruited by the Xiaoguo Army and became officials. Because there are chaotic battles in all parts of the world, the imperial examination has not been carried out for a long time, and in the past four years, only the Xiaoguo Army has held it once, that is, this time. It can be said that the impact is quite large, and everyone looks sideways.

Because the scholars in the territory under the jurisdiction of the Xiaoguo Army are upgraded to the system, enlightenment to the county school, the county school to the government school, and the government school to the state school. Of course, this county, government, and state school does not refer to the schools run by the prefecture and county, but refers to a kind of school that is uniformly handled by the Education Department of the Xiaoguo Army.

At the time of the scientific examination, there are directly students from state studies. Of course, because of the imperial examination of the Xiaoguo Army, scholars from all states in the world participated, so this time there were also scholars from outside the state school under the rule of the Xiaoguo Army to participate. Therefore, there is no restriction on the participation of bachelors in designated states. More than 5,000 subordinates participated in the scientific expedition, but in the end, only more than 350 were directly hired, and the rest, who were willing to stay, continued to study literature in the state. In addition, you can also serve as a local official. According to the rules of the Xiaoguo Army, the officials are divided into nine grades, which is the original system of Dayan. The officials are divided into five classes, the first class is the best, and the fifth class is the lowest. If a first-class minor official has meritorious service, he will be made up as a nine-grade official.

Of course, there is a dichotomy between rank and authority. Receiving benefits and benefits according to grades, but the positions granted are not necessarily higher than grades, only low, not high.

In addition, in the land of the Xiaoguo Army, among the soldiers who had never been directly hired, more than 1,000 readers were selected and added to the military Chinese position.

Originally, Zhao Xun was also worried that his implementation of the imperial examination in the northern states and the selection of talents would attract a joint crusade from the imperial court and the world. But now, the Central Plains and the major forces in the south are busy with chaotic wars, and Zhao Xun naturally has no scruples. Although many civil officials and well-known scholars in the imperial court and local areas were very unhappy with Xiaoguojun's actions, they said that Xiaoguojun's move was contrary to the government's program and self-reliance. But who can take care of it, and who dares to take care of it?

As soon as the imperial examination came out, it was not only for the Xiaoguo Army to select talents, but more importantly, it made the Xiaoguo Army's hierarchical school system well implemented. In addition, it also attracted scholars from the southern states who had no livelihood because of the chaotic war, and a large number of people went north, attracting a large number of foreign talents for the Xiaoguo army.

In recent years, the Xiaoguo army has taken the land of Khitan, and for Dingzhou, it has pacified the Beihai tribes, half of which is divided into Dingzhou Beihai Prefecture, and the remaining half is prepared to establish a new state together with the Liaodong Kingdom and the area occupied by the Xiaoguo army. So far, as well as the establishment of several prefectures. These prefectures and counties also need a large number of officials to govern. Together with the imperial examinations, these missing officials have been well replenished.

Although Zhao Xun did not personally meet with these selected students, he also asked the princes of the princesses in the palace and the Zhao palace to have a banquet for the scholars. Of course, the reason for Zhao Xun's absence was still to command the army on the northern front to conquer the Zhu tribes. Most of these newly selected officials were sent to serve in the six prefectures of Dingzhou and the three prefectures of the prefectures of the Jinya Prefecture, as adjutants and deputies, to assist the original officials in handling government affairs. On the one hand, let them know the difference between officials and scholars, and on the other hand, they also accumulate experience in politics. Of course, it is also to test the political intentions of these officials and to check whether they are spies of other forces.

…………

Luzhou Mansion, Pingqiu.

With a tired face, it seems that Xu Jie, who is much older, and Situ Wen, who is also tired, both stayed here, commanding the battle between the Yanzhou Mansion Army and the Wuwei Army.

The Wuwei army broke through from Luzhou Mansion, defeated the Yanzhou Mansion army, occupied most of the resistance, and approached the last three prefectures of Luzhou Mansion, which made Xu Jie and Situ Wen both raise their minds to the extreme. If this Luzhou Mansion is broken, the next thing is the last foundation of the Yanzhou Mansion Army, Jiyin Mansion, and at that time, I am afraid that the Yanzhou Mansion Army will also be defeated.

"Lord Situ, what do you think again?" Seeing Situ Wen's brows tightly knit and falling into deep thought, Xu Jie couldn't help but feel annoyed in his heart. Just now when he was talking to the other party about the Shanyang Army, this Situ Wen began to wander.

Being shouted by Xu Jie, Situ Wen came to his senses, didn't pay attention to Xu Jie's thoughts, sighed, and said, "Think about Xiaoguo Army again!" They started the expedition, and we all fell behind him. ”

Xu Jie suppressed the anger in his heart and said lightly: "Xiaoguo Army? Scientific expedition? This is nothing, there are few scholars in the north, and there are naturally few people who can be officials under the rule of the Xiaoguo army. It is also normal for them to conduct scientific examinations to select talents. Besides, it's not like this everywhere, it's just that we're just recruiting directly. ”

Situ Wen despised Xu Jie's lack of foresight in his heart, and shook his head and said: "It's different, private recruitment is different from scientific research. Our recruitment, just as the imperial court allows local officials to recruit officials and adjutants, is used to serve ourselves, and it is not recognized by real talents. With the exception of a very small number of people who attract for their livelihood and high positions, the majority of capable and knowledgeable scholars are dismissive of such callings. ”

"The imperial examination is different, this is equivalent to the righteous selection of the imperial court, it is a positive way for the imperial court to confer genuine official positions, and it is also a means for the Xiaoguo army to start controlling the officials and officials in the jurisdiction. Don't you see, even under your rule, there are many scholars who went north to Youzhou to participate in the imperial examination, and afterwards, they also stayed in the state school of Youzhou, and many were directly absorbed into the army. But, Lord Governor, did they go so gladly as you were once called? ”

"A single imperial examination allowed the hard-working scholars of the world to find a way out, and made scholars from all over the world go one after another. The world's talents are all in the hands of Zhao Xun. Taking advantage of the battles of the major forces in the south, the Xiaoguo Army is searching for talents in the back. We're nowhere near that! ”

Situ Wen sighed, and wanted to say more in his heart, but Xu Jie in front of him was obviously not the object of complaining. Of course, if Xu Jie's martial arts were really powerful, he Situ Wen would not have a chance to let Xu Jie work for him here. However, Situ Wen also saw that Xu Jie was afraid that he had come to an end. The Yanzhou government army is far inferior to the Wuwei army.

After listening to Situ Wen's words, Xu Jie also lowered his voice slightly, and after a while, he said: "This King Zhao is indeed very powerful, and we are far behind." "For Xiaoguo Jun, Xu Jie has nothing to say, except for jealousy and envy, what else can he do? Tube? He has no strength, let alone qualifications. However, he is now through guò trade, and he has also exchanged a lot of armor and food from the Xiaoguo army.

"Lord Situ, it stands to reason that this approach of the Xiaoguo Army should be questioned by the imperial court. Could it be that King Yong just let it go and didn't react in any way? Xu Jie said slowly, with a little resentment and faint disregard on his face.

Seeing Xu Jie's expression and question, Situ Wen's heart jumped secretly. Xu Jie's question is very clear, your King Yong is in charge of the court, and now that the local princes no longer take the court in their eyes, can you King Yong only mutter a few words in private? Situ Wen was worried, perhaps because of this, Xu Jie's heart began to have some doubts about Situ Lei's confidence. Situ Wen knew that if this Xu Jie really doubted King Yong's ability, he was afraid that it would not be easy for him to deal with the Wuwei army with the help of the Yanzhou Mansion Army and the Xuzhou Army.

Situ Wen said with a smile: "Although this King Zhao has his own scientific examination, according to the rules of Dayan, the scientific examination above the local level is still allowed, but the later entrance examination to the capital city cannot be implemented." Therefore, for the behavior of King Zhao, we can only issue a decree to question and reprimand, and it cannot be used as a reason for conquest. Of course, for the imperial court and King Yong, their current purpose is mainly Murong Cheng, not the north. Don't forget, this Xiaoguo army is still conquering foreign tribes, and compared with its merits, these mistakes can only be put aside for the time being. ”

Xu Jie smiled faintly, noncommittal, for Situ Wen's answer, there was nothing but a sneer in his heart.

"Governor Xu, what's the situation on Li Chi's side? It was impossible for them to sit idly by and watch the land of Luzhou be captured by the Wuwei army, unless they were willing to face the enemy on all sides. With Xu Jie's like this, Situ Wen had no choice but to change the topic.

As soon as he heard about himself, Xu Jie's spirit came to his senses immediately, and he said in a deep voice: "Xu Jie's choice to fight with the Tang army in the north, and the war with the Qi army in the south and east is to help each other, but I'm afraid I won't be able to move many people." ”

Situ Wen said in a deep voice: "There are not many elite soldiers, they just need to send more new soldiers to form a large army." Of course, if they are willing to sit and watch their western flank be occupied by the Guards, then let them sit and wait. There shouldn't have been too many strong attacks and big battles a year ago, but we can't let our guard down. In addition, we must also tell Li Chi that if they don't take any measures, we can only give up the four counties occupied by the Wuwei Army, and when the Wuwei Army attacks their western side, don't blame us for not reminding us. ”

Xu Jie nodded and said, "Don't worry, I've already sent someone to discuss with Li Chi." Speaking of which, it's all this damn Tang Xian, if he was on our side, how could he be in the current situation? I'm afraid that the Wuwei Army in the land of Yanzhou has already been wiped out by our joint efforts, even Yuzhou, but I'm afraid that it has already been pacified. ”

Situ Wen also said depressedly: "Xu Dudu, speaking of which, we underestimated this Feng Ziming, everything was expected, but something went wrong with him, defeated the Tang Army, and established the Shanyang Army." Now ......" shook his head, Situ Wen didn't bother to say any more. If it continues, it will involve Xu Jie, for Feng Ziming and Shanyang Jun, Xu Jie has always been obsessed, and often scolds secretly.

Sure enough, hearing Murong Cheng talk about this Feng Ziming, Xu Jie's face was not good-looking, and after a while, he said: "Lord Situ, you have also seen Ge Xin's reply, Shanyang Jun's requirements are becoming more and more excessive, you say, how should the governor of Pontus reply?" ”

Situ Wen said in a deep voice: "Governor Xu, you say, what should we do now?" After all, this Songzhou Mansion is your jurisdiction, and your decision shall prevail. ”

Situ Wen pushed the hand and threw the question to Xu Jie, who cursed secretly in his heart. It was precisely because he was unwilling, but he had to agree, that he hoped to solve the problem with the help of Situ Wen's hand, but he didn't expect that Situ Wen was not stupid, and directly kicked the problem back.

"Lord Situ, the Shanyang army has looted the treasury and plundered the big gentry within my jurisdiction, and now they have sued me. As the governor of a place, the current county magistrate not only failed to give justice to the people in the jurisdiction, but let it go. These are all for the overall situation of the conquest of the Armed Guards, so I will admit it and endure it. But now, Lord Situ, the Shanyang Army is clearly encroaching on my territory, just like it occupied Shanyang Mansion in the past, just like Yanzhou Mansion. Do I need to back down? If it goes on like this, what's the point of me as the governor of Yanzhou? What do I use to feed tens of thousands of troops and serve King Yong? ”

"Lord Situ, I, Xu Jie, and the army of Yanzhou Mansion have been serving His Royal Highness King Yong to this day. In the past, there were more than 100,000 troops under his command, but now there are only more than 50,000. Is Lord Situ just watching my Yanzhou Mansion army gradually lose like this? ”

Listening to Xu Jie's words gradually becoming colder, Situ Wen sighed secretly in his heart, Xu Jie's fall to today, in addition to his own use, is more of the vulnerability of the Yanzhou Mansion Army, and in the face of opponents like the Tang Army and the Wu Wei Army, who are both from the Wei Army, there is no way to do it.

"Xu Dudu, it's not what I want to do, but today we are at a disadvantage. After all, the Shanyang Army defeated the Wuwei Army and recovered the three counties of Songzhou Prefecture. As Shanyang Jun said, when winter comes, it is inconvenient to transport grain and grass from thousands of miles away. Although Shanyang Jun has other thoughts in it, we can't deny that what he said is reasonable. After all, we can't provide them with food and grass supplies, and his Shanyang army won't trust us. Of course, if Lord Governor refuses the conditions of the Shanyang Army, we can also exchange it back, and our soldiers will personally take care of it. ”

After a pause, Situ Wen continued: "Presumably, Lord Governor also knows that His Royal Highness King Yong has already drawn troops from various states, and in the spring of the next year, he will begin to advance eastward, enter the land of Yanzhou and Yuzhou, and completely defeat the Qi army. So, now we have to endure it. Xu Dudu made a qiē, His Royal Highness King Yong will naturally not forget it. Otherwise, they would not have been able to provide the Governor's army with money and food. ”

"Xu Dudu, the Shanyang Army should indeed be destroyed, but now is not the time. After the coming year, my Yongwang army will come together, and wait to make this Shanyang army look good. When the time comes, it will be driven to attack the southern provinces, and if it dares to disobey, our army will go straight to this as an excuse to destroy it in the name of righteousness. At that time, Mo said that the land of the three counties that was now temporarily claimed by the Shanyang Army was Yanzhou Mansion and Shanyang Mansion, and they had to be returned to the Governor. After all, the Governor is the Lord of Yanzhou. ”

Seeing that Xu Jie did not respond directly, Situ Wen threw another card: "Lord Dudu, this time I agreed to the conditions of the Shanyang Army, at the end of this month, His Royal Highness King Yong will provide a subsidy of 1.3 million silver coins for the Dudu to help your Excellency restore the strength of the Yanzhou Mansion Army and prepare for the recovery of Yanzhou, which can be regarded as His Royal Highness King Yongwang making up for the loss of Lord Dudu." ”

Hearing Situ Wen's words, a smile appeared on Xu Jie's stiff face, and he said, "Then thank Your Royal Highness King Yong, I did this so that the strength of my Yanzhou Mansion Army can be preserved and strengthened, and it will not be swallowed by the Wuwei Army." Since His Royal Highness King Yong has said so, I should follow the order. ”

Situ Wen secretly hated in his heart, this Xu Jie's words were very simple, but the meaning was not shallow. Expressions of gratitude are fake, threats are real. In fact, it is to sue Situ Wen, if he only knows how to use the Yanzhou Mansion Army and the Wuwei Army to oppose him, he Xu Jie may fall to Murong Cheng.