"All of you have to do this winter are the tasks you will have to accomplish this winter. You are no longer new officials who have just begun to take office, and you should have a foundation in your heart about how to govern. I don't want any of you to fall into my hands because of a mistake. Wei Zilin explained.

"In addition, the Lord has decreed that we will open the trade routes of the Western Regions, so that we can trade with the countries of the Western Regions. Of course, business is not the most important thing, the most important thing is that we need to find out everything about the countries of the Western Regions. We must figure out which country can be co-opted by us and used by us, and the strength of each country's troops. Therefore, this operation is not only the responsibility of the Department of Commerce and the local government, but also the generals. ”

Xu Ye said in a deep voice: "Lord Wei, are we going to prepare for the Eastern and Western Regions to mobilize troops?" ”

As soon as Xu Ye's words fell, the faces of the generals in the hall all appeared excited, especially those newly surrendered generals, and their eyes suddenly became eager. They are generals, and they naturally hope to make contributions on the battlefield, gain a firm foothold in the Zhao army, or even go one step further.

Of course, Wei Zilin understood the thoughts of these people, and said lightly: "Whether or not to use troops and when to use troops is not something you and I should consider." What you need to do now is what I have just commanded. Of course, if you really want to use the army, you are all part of the army. Of course, the premise is to complete the main military order well. ”

…………

"My lord, the weather is getting colder, and the southern princes have now stopped large-scale battles and have begun to enter the stage of recuperation."

Zhao Xun said in a deep voice: "After a year of war, no matter which way the princes are, they are all exhausted. If they don't rest now, I'm afraid it will be difficult for them to continue to support themselves. What is the situation of the Qi army now? ”

Situ Liang said: "Although the Qi army has suffered a joint attack from the Tang army, the Xuzhou army, and the Yong army since the beginning of this year, and has lost the entire Jingzhou, most of Jiaozhou, and half of Jiangzhou and Yangzhou, Murong Cheng's heritage is still much higher than that of the Tang army, and there are many Xuzhou troops. ”

After the Tang army occupied Jingzhou, the Qi army did not continue to fight hard with the Tang army, but stubbornly resisted the continued invasion of the Tang army. In addition, he also encouraged many people to find a lot of trouble for Tang Xian in Jingzhou. As a result, after occupying Jingzhou, the Tang army, which still wanted to advance eastward, had to stop and stabilize the place. ”

"The other great enemy of the Qi army, the Yong army, also because of our actions in the north, especially after the defeat of the Turkic army, forced the Yong army to start moving north, reducing the pressure on the Qi army. And the Qi army also began to defend step by step in various places, and with the background of the Qi army in various places, it also stopped the Yong army, which was originally like a bamboo, from advancing. ”

"The last enemy of the Qi army, and the first target of the Qi army's counterattack now, is the Xuzhou army. Originally, the Xuzhou Army wanted us to fight to the death with the Qi Army and Murong Cheng. The result was not successful, but allowed Murong Cheng to lead the army to return smoothly. And the Xuzhou army occupied the four prefectures of Yangzhou, but it cut Murong Cheng fiercely. ”

"Yangzhou is Murong Cheng's lair, and he is naturally unwilling to be occupied by the Xuzhou army. Therefore, the object of the Qi army's onslaught now is the Xuzhou army. It can be said that the Xuzhou army and the Qi army suffered countless casualties on both sides during the year, which can be described as a defeat for both sides. This is also because the princes around the Qi army are fighting together, scattering the forces of the Qi army. Otherwise, I am afraid that the Xuzhou army will be defeated and return now. ”

Although the Xuzhou Army occupied the land of the four prefectures of Yangzhou, it not only could not become a stable jurisdiction of the Xuzhou Army, but instead pinned down the Xuzhou Army on the Yangzhou battlefield. Although there is now less civil strife in the four prefectures of Yangzhou, the attacks and sneak attacks of the Qi army have increased a lot. After all, this is Yangzhou, and the Qi army is most familiar with the topography of this place. Li Chi of the Xuzhou army was desperately staring at the land of Yangzhou, I don't know if it was because of the loss of the land of Xuzhou, or for the purpose of expanding southward. ”

Therefore, the Xuzhou army suffered a lot of losses in the south. The Qi army as a whole was defending step by step and began to counterattack the Xuzhou army. The Tang army occupied Jingzhou, and the Yong army also stopped the attack. ”

Zhao Xun frowned slightly, and said, "Situ Lei stopped attacking?" Is it because of our pressure, or because of internal problems in Yongjun? With Situ Lei's temperament, he shouldn't have done this. The loss of Liangzhou is already a matter of nine times out of ten, isn't he also laying down heavy troops in Chang'an and Hanzhong, now is a good time to expand, how can he stop acting? ”

Situ Liang said with a smile: "According to the news we sent back from our detailed work in Chengdu Mansion, since the beginning of winter, Situ Lei has begun to slow down the eastward movement and transfer the defense of Chengdu Mansion. Coupled with the replacement of the governors of the states under the rule of the Yong army, the transfer of the army. From this point of view, Situ Lei is afraid that he is preparing for the new king to ascend the throne. ”

Lu Ziliang's eyes lit up at the moment, and he said, "Lord, in this way, we can take action." After preparing for a long time, whether it is for the Yongwang forces or for the west in the coming year, we must find a way to disperse and disintegrate the Yongwang forces as a whole. ”

Zhao Xun nodded and said, "It's okay, this is indeed a good opportunity, since the opportunity has arrived, let's start it." If it can be done, it is naturally the best. Even if it doesn't work, it doesn't hurt for us. Either way, though, it will have a positive effect on us. In this way, let people start operations in Liangzhou and Yongzhou immediately, no matter how late it is, I am afraid that those two guys will be transferred back to Yizhou. ”

…………

Liangzhou, Longxi Province.

Although he was replaced by Lin Shucheng as the governor of the capital, Situ Fei still stayed in Liangzhou. Although he is not the governor of Liangzhou, his authority in Liangzhou is not much different from that of Lin Shucheng, the new governor of Liangzhou. Of course, this is also related to the fact that in the entire Liangzhou, there is no military force, and the top and bottom are all Situ Fei's cronies. Situ Fei installed his cronies in the civil and military affairs of Liangzhou Prefecture and counties as the former governor of the capital, and the new governor naturally could not be transferred out for no reason. Especially Situ Fei is still the son of his own father-in-law.

Therefore, although Situ Fei moved away from the Dadu Governor's Mansion, his current mansion is located hundreds of meters away from the Dadu Governor's Mansion, and the civil and military officials of Liangzhou often gather at his mansion on weekdays.

"Metropolitan Governor, Lin Shucheng took advantage of the fall of Yanju Mansion, the surrender of 20,000 troops, and the defeat of the western part of Liangzhou, and began to transfer the people we had placed in various places. Among them, especially in the military. He Wen, the Zuo Sima King of the Dadu Governor's Mansion, said to Situ Fei with a deep face.

Hearing Wang Hewen say this, Situ Fei's face was slightly gloomy, and then he smiled again: "Don't call me the Metropolitan Governor, the current Metropolitan Governor is Lord Lin." As the governor of Liangzhou, Lord Lin has the right to deal with all military and political affairs within the jurisdiction of Liangzhou. The appointment, dismissal, and transfer of officials are all very normal. Besides, everyone he mobilized had a good reason. ”

Wang Hewen's face remained unchanged, and he continued: "But, the Metropolitan Governor ...... The second son, no matter what, in our hearts, the second son is the governor of Liangzhou. We have taken refuge in the second son, and no one can accept us except the second son. Second son, this Liangzhou is your foundation, and now Lin Shucheng has replaced half of the generals in the north and east under various excuses. ”

"If it's just because the war is unfavorable, and if we replace them with people who can fight well, we have nothing to say. However, the people Lin Shucheng changed were all people who came with him. In other words, Lin Shucheng began to expel the original foundation of the second son and began to control Liangzhou. The second son, if you go down like this, this land of Liangzhou will become Lin Shucheng's. ”

Situ Fei's face froze, and he said coldly: "Don't talk nonsense!" Lin Shucheng is a confidant of his father, and Liangzhou is in his hands, so there is nothing bad! Also, don't talk nonsense about Lin Shucheng's not. This man has a deep place in my father's heart. Even me, it's far inferior! As he spoke, the look of hatred in Situ Fei's eyes flashed away.

When Wang Hewen saw Situ Fei call Lin Shucheng like this, he naturally understood that he was already dissatisfied with Lin Shucheng. So he said in a deep voice, "Second son, it's not that your subordinates want to say this, and Lin Shucheng has already started to do something to a few of us." Yesterday, Lin Shucheng bluntly said that we and several others were incompetent, and added three fake Simas to deal with the military and political affairs of Liangzhou with us. ”

"These fake Simas are just assisting us and other directors, but behind them is Lin Shucheng, they make decisions in everything, and we are in danger of being set aside. Second son, once we lose real power in the Dadu Governor's Mansion, then we will completely lose everything in the entire Liangzhou. ”

"Although the second son also replaced most of the Liangzhou army generals and schools a few years ago, because of the urgency of time, he did not let these people completely control the Liangzhou army. It is also because of this that Lin Shucheng now immediately withdrew our people on the advantage of the disadvantage of the war. Second son, is he trying to find a way to reverse this situation. Otherwise, the consequences are unpredictable. ”

Seeing that Situ Fei's face was constantly changing, Wang Hewen gritted his teeth and said: "Second son, now that the prince has begun to prepare for the new king, no matter what, there can't be no countermeasures." This Lin Shucheng came here, although it was to defend against Zhao Jun, but he did not have the intention of stripping the second son of your rights. Only by stripping the rights of the second prince can you take office for the new king, just in case. ”

"You mean to say that my father has already decided on a new king?" Situ Fei's face immediately changed, and he said coldly.

Wang Hewen's face sank slightly, and he said slowly: "Second son, please forgive your subordinates for their false words, I'm afraid that's the case." The second prince should also know that the prince is in poor health, so the person who assists the prince is naturally the one who values it the most. The second prince is now in Liangzhou, but he has been deprived of the position of the governor of the capital, and the deep meaning of this is probably ......"

Situ Fei's face suddenly became gloomy, in fact, he didn't fail to see the problem in this. Regarding the throne, he knew very well that since he was divided into Liangzhou and constantly drew troops from Liangzhou, he had no chance here. It's just that Wang Shizi has not been established for a day, and he will not be willing for a day. Now that he is picked up by Wang Hewen, he will naturally not feel good in his heart.

"Lord Wang! Lord Nagashita is out asking to see you! The guards outside the house whispered.

"Let him in!" Situ Fei replied absentmindedly.

"My subordinates have seen the second son!" Shi Tianyu, the governor of the Grand Metropolitan Governor, walked in, with an angry look on his face.

"No need to be polite, aren't you in the Grand Governor's Mansion? How did you come to me? ”

"Deliberations? The second son, whose subordinates are now in the Dadu Governor's Mansion, no longer has any qualifications. Everything is controlled by the new adjutants, what is the use of me staying? Earlier, I thought that Lin Shucheng would take a sick leave. Tian Yu said hatefully.

Wang Hewen and Situ Fei glanced at each other, and they couldn't help but have annoyance on their faces. Tian Yu is the governor of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, responsible for assisting the Metropolitan Governor in handling government affairs, and now he has also been excluded by Lin Shucheng.

did not continue to tell his situation in the Dadu Governor's Mansion, but said with a serious expression: "Second son, my subordinates are here to report something important to the second son!" ”

"Oh? Event? Situ Fei frowned slightly, "Tell me, what's the big deal." ”

"Second son, in the subordinate house, there are envoys from Zhao Jun, and they want to meet you, second son." Tian Yu whispered.

Situ Fei was stunned for a moment, and said urgently: "What? Zhao ...... Why are they in your house? Do you have a connection with them? As he spoke, Situ Lei's eyes flashed with murderous aint, and when he looked at Tian Yu, there was a trace of ruthlessness.

As soon as he saw Situ Fei's face, Tian Yu understood that he had been misunderstood. At that moment, he said in a loud voice: "Second son, please ask your subordinates to explain, your subordinates feel that they have no contact with Zhao Jun." This time, the envoy of Zhao Jun was originally here to find the second son, but he was worried that he would not be able to get started, or would be noticed by Lin Shucheng, so he found the door of his subordinates and asked his subordinates to introduce them on his behalf. ”

"I see! Looks like I misunderstood you! When they saw me, they didn't want Lin Shucheng to know, what was the reason for this? Did you know? Situ Fei asked slowly.

Tian Yu said: "The subordinates don't know, they only let the subordinates say to the second son, this matter is related to the life and death of the second son." Second son, do you see it or not? They said that if the second son was gone, they would leave. ”

"Is it my life or death? Amusing! Situ Fei sneered, "They have taken away my western prefectures and counties in Liangzhou, and they are already mortal enemies with me." Now he is still looking for me, and he doesn't let Lin Shucheng know, which is obviously provoking my internal relationship in Liangzhou. Now that the war between the two sides is over, what does Zhao Jun mean by sending envoys? What's the use of seeing it? If they are not messengers who have come to us, they should be beheaded directly. ”

Wang Hewen on the side suddenly said: "Second son, in the opinion of your subordinates, it is better for you to go and see it." Although our army is now fighting head-on with the Zhao army, his subordinates guess that their visit this time is related to the throne of King Yong. Either way, it's better to see each other. Although we are enemies of the Zhao army, at this moment, the second prince is not the governor of Liangzhou, nor is he the lord of the Yongjun. ”

Situ Fei groaned for a while, and said, "It's okay, go to Tian Yu's mansion tonight, I want to see, what does this Zhao Jun want to say?" ”

Night falls, and the crescent moon hangs high. Situ Fei decided to meet the so-called envoy of the Zhao army to see if what the other party said had anything to do with the throne of King Yong. Of course, if it was a question about Liangzhou, he would naturally ignore it. Although Situ Fei is very dissatisfied with Lin Shucheng now, he also knows that if he fights with Lin Shucheng, the only one who will be cheaper in the end will be Zhao Jun.

The meeting was very crisp and direct, there were only three envoys from Zhao Jun, and as soon as the two sides met, they began to go straight to the topic.

"Yang Zhaoyuan, what are you doing when you come to see me this time? Please tell me bluntly, I don't have time to gossip with the enemies of my Liangzhou army. ”

"Okay, Situ Ergongzi is refreshing, since the second son's son said so, then Yang Mou will also be blunt. The second son was still the governor of Liangzhou two months ago, right, but now, the power of Liangzhou is beginning to break away from the control of the second son step by step, is what Yang said right? Zhao Jun's envoy Yang Zhaoyuan said lightly.

Situ Fei's face stiffened slightly, and then he smiled and said: "The governor of Liangzhou is free to be appointed by my father, and my transfer is just a normal transfer." How? Could it be that Zhao Jun also has a relationship with the appointment of officials in Liangzhou? This son is no longer the governor of Liangzhou, so naturally he has no right to interfere in the military and political affairs of Liangzhou, what you said seems to have little to do with the things that need to be discussed between you and me. ”

Yang Zhaoyuan smiled: "No, it's not that it doesn't matter, but it has a lot to do with it." Second son, do you know that in addition to sending someone to take over your position as the governor of Liangzhou, your father also sent someone to take over your eldest brother's position as the governor of Yongzhou. In other words, you and your big brother have now been stripped of their roots. ”

"Second son, listen to me for the time being!" Yang Zhaoyuan interrupted Situ Fei's rebuttal, "If Liangzhou is transferred because of the war, then what is Yongzhou?" Actually, the second son should know the meaning of this very well. You must know that the transfer of the governor of Yongzhou and your transfer have not been announced, but they have just sent someone directly to the two of you to announce the military order in public. ”

Situ Fei's heart jumped up and down by Yang Zhaoyuan's words, in fact, he was not very clear about the transfer of the governor of Yongzhou, that is, his eldest brother. I only know that in Yongzhou, my father sent Ling Xiao to guard against the Zhao army, and there was no explicit transfer.

Thinking about himself, Situ Fei felt that what Yang Zhaoyuan, the envoy of the Zhao Army, said, should not be false. Then, combined with his own situation, he suddenly began to think about it, and he couldn't help but consider the deep meaning implied in it.

"Even so, it doesn't mean anything, it's not unusual for the Metropolitan Governor to be transferred, isn't it?" Wang Hewen, who was with Situ Fei, said lightly.

"Yes, but the cronies of the two princes have been transferred out by the new Grand Governor, is this also normal? Second son, you still hope that after this battle, Lin Shucheng will leave office, and you will continue to control Liangzhou. ”

Yang Zhaoyuan smiled coldly, stared at Situ Fei and continued: "Not to mention that after this battle, whether your Liangzhou army can block the attack of my Great Zhao army. Even if it is the eastern part of Liangzhou in your hands, the second prince will not become the governor of Liangzhou, because, it won't be long before you will be recalled to Chengdu Mansion by your father. ”