Yang Zhi and Ye Chuang chatted while drinking, and when they talked about the old things when they led the troops to drive in Tongguan, the strangeness and restraint of the reunion between the two after a long absence, disappeared in an instant.

Ye Chuang's qualifications, ability, and prestige in the army cannot be compared with several important generals such as Wei Feiyang, Shen Chong, Chen Zhun, and Zhang Desheng. Not only the generals under Ye Chuang's command, but also the generals of various armies who privately thought that Yang Zhi treated Ye Chuang unfairly, there were not a few. Some people even believe that Yang Zhiye Chuang's subordinates guarded Emperor Chu and a group of ministers, and took over the Southern Chu Palace and the treasury, all in order to block the mouth of Youyou and make a gesture.

Regarding rumors like this, Ye Chuang never complained on any occasion and never paid attention to them. Yang Zhi personally came to the door to drink with him, and took the initiative to ask, or was disturbed by rumors, Ye Chuang felt that it was better to speak clearly.

"Brother Yang, I have been in the army for nearly 30 years, how can I not understand the truth that military orders are like mountains and orders are forbidden? You are the commander of our army, I am the general under your command, and I act as I am ordered, as I should. ”

Yang Zhi shook his hand and said: "To put it bluntly, you have to implement it if you understand, and you have to implement it if you don't understand it." The reason is good, but it is too general, and I ask Brother Ye to explain it in detail. ”

Ye Chuang poured himself a cup and said eloquently: "You and I met in Tongguan back then, and I admired your courage and courage very much. But you and I don't have a deep friendship, just sympathy. ”

"Seriously, I am still from the old general Wei's disciples, and we are fellow villagers in Weinan. General Wei Lao was born in poverty, and in order to make a living, he joined the army at a young age, from a small pawn to a general who commanded hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and was widely respected by the world for leading the army to resist the Turks. The Ye family is a big family in Weinan, and my family is wealthy. Both parents hoped that I would study hard and devote myself to the scientific examination. Thought the light lintel. In fact, I didn't disappoint my parents at the beginning, and at the age of 14, I won the township test to be the top talent. ”

"But since I was a child, I have been an idol of the old general. In addition to studying, he also did not forget to practice martial arts diligently. After becoming sensible, he had no intention of devoting himself to the imperial examination. Later, my parents were really anxious, so I left a letter and went straight to Shuofang to join the army, when I had just turned fifteen. This walk was a full four years, until I was promoted step by step from a pawn to a partial general, and was transferred to the Chang'an Forbidden Army, and then I went home to report safety. ”

Yang Zhi listened. was also pouring himself a drink, and interjected with a smile: "If you dare to love, you are a disobedient and worryless bear child!" You call it a runaway, you know? A scholar who has a talent and a reputation and dares to play with his life is simply an incomparably precious baby bump in the army, no wonder you rose so fast. ”

Ye Chuang continued: "Abandon literature and follow martial arts, I will not regret it until I die." The reason why I say this is to tell you that I am not stupid, and I am a little arrogant in my heart. ”

"People are not saints and sages, they all have seven emotions and six desires. Not everyone has the heart and mind to be inclusive. From the time I learned that you were the general of the expedition to Chu, to the emperor's edict ordering our troops to be under your control, and then from the time I gave Wei Feiyang part of my troops, until I captured Fuzhou. I am indeed dissatisfied with you, and I feel both aggrieved and resentful. At that time, I thought that I was not as good as the Holy Family. Your qualifications and abilities in the military are better than yours, why? ”

Yang Zhi said jokingly: "When you took over Geng Chao's defense of Yuhang." I am serving as the customs governor of Jinling, and you and I have no contact with each other. I guess that's why, right? ”

"That's true." Ye Chuang drank another cup and said: "After our troops captured Fuzhou, they were ordered to rest and wait for nearly a year. As a general, you should keep the overall situation in mind, make plans early before the war, and summarize in a timely manner after the war. In my spare time, I think calmly, and the more I think about it, the more I understand, and the more I think about it, the more I admire. ”

"Not long after the emperor ascended the throne, he launched a great war against the Turks, and the battle to destroy Chu is related to the merits of the millennium and the national fortune of Great Xia. The appointment of Brother Yang as the commander is by no means due to the saint's family. ”

"The territory of Southern Chu is vast, and the border between the two countries is long. Stretching for thousands of miles, only from Xiangyang and Wuyue will attack, there will inevitably be a gap. However, our army has limited strength, so we can only send brave generals and transfer troops to form another heavy army group to fill it. Anqing is the most critical node among them, and Wei Feiyang is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate for commanders. ”

"If our army advances too quickly from the three places at the same time, even if every battle is won, not only will it be difficult to keep up with the grain and ordnance support, the replenishment of troops and battle losses, and the post-war takeover, but it will also be difficult for Southern Chu to withstand the heavy pressure, or move the capital and retreat, and the war will be protracted. The emperor and you, especially you, have seen this step in the long run. That's why they will take advantage of Nanchu's initiative to ask for peace and temporarily cease fighting. ”

"Once you figure it out, everything works. Later, you once again ordered me to divide my troops and Wei Feiyang to reinforce Nanchang, and ordered our troops to capture Jizhou and Hengzhou one after another, in order to cut off Emperor Chu's retreat from the east, west, and south. Look at the dead Baling, seize Changsha, and the two heavily garrisoned fortified cities surrendered without a fight, not to mention. ”

"Brother Yang, I only admired your courage and courage before, but now I am completely heartfelt. Methodical, calmly arranged, actuarial battle damage, and bloodless soldiers, he can be called the leading soldier of our dynasty! It's really not as good as it is, it's far from it! ”

Yang Zhi said with a smile: "Brother Ye is too famous. I am satisfied with the reasons you have stated. I'm so stubborn for a reason. This is very important to you and me. ”

Immediately Zhengse said: "On the night of entering the city, I have written a concerto, recommending Brother Ye to take over the post of general of Zhengchu to command the whole army, and along with the battle report of the emperor of Chu and the ministers of the army, 800 li is urgently submitted to the emperor. The day after tomorrow was my first and last account in Longchang's five years. I will hand over the seal ribbon to Brother Ye in front of the commanders of all the armies, and then return to Beijing to report on my work. ”

The wine cup in Ye Chuang's hand fell to the ground with a "snap", and he exclaimed: "Dashuai, why are you doing this?!" …… It's a big matter, Brother Yang, don't laugh! ”

Yang Zhi took a drink of himself leisurely and said calmly: "Brother Ye doesn't think I'm drunk?" Do you think I'm joking? ”

"I have divided my troops to disperse you several times, not only for the needs of the war, but also for the preparation of this day. In terms of seniority, ability, and prestige in the army, Wei Feiyang is second only to you. Wei Feiyang's troops are the most abundant, and you have the most subordinates assigned to the past, so it will be easy to control in the future and will not cause trouble. ”

"I ordered your ministry to take care of the emperors and ministers of Chu and take over the palace ban and treasury of the Chu Palace, so that after you take over, it will be convenient for you to govern. I have not yet ordered the three armies to be rewarded, but I also want to leave this favor to you, so that you can establish the grace of the coach as soon as possible. ”

"Brother Ye, there's only so much I can do for you. There is still a large territory in Southern Chu that has not yet been ambushed, and you still have a long way to go in the future, so you can do it yourself! ”

Ye Chuang was silent for a long time and asked, "Why did Brother Yang recommend me to take over?" And not Wei Feiyang or a few other generals? Speaking from the heart, Wei Feiyang also has the talent of a commander. Brother Yang, is it just because he is your brother-in-law, in order to avoid suspicion? ”

Yang Zhi seemed to have expected Ye Chuang's question: "It's very simple, because you are the most suitable." It is true that Wei Feiyang has the talent of a commander, and it is not bad to be my brother-in-law, but mainly because he is too young! ”

"Brother Ye, do you remember when I wrote the lyrics on the outer wall of the palace gate? Obviously, he heard some rumors in the army, and he was resentful and intended to defend me in front of you. Based on this alone, it can be seen that he is still not ready to take over as the commander. Sooner or later, Feiyang will be on par with you, but definitely not now, he still has a long way to go. ”

Ye Chuang said solemnly: "Thanks to Brother Yang for giving me such a lift, I will allow me to say a few words today. ”

"If the commander of the army is too powerful and too domineering, it has not been a good thing since ancient times. As the saying goes, poetry and songs are all elegant words. Laughing and scolding, all for articles. The so-called words are the voice of the heart, and it is not a secret, that **** asked Brother Yang to compose lyrics, just to try Brother Yang's state of mind. Brother Yang is talented, and the song "The Goer" is not only a sentiment about the rise and fall of Nanchu, but also has a subtle and clear meaning, which is very acceptable. ”

"I have heard a lot about what Brother Yang has done in the past ten years. Brother Yang just said that Wei Feiyang is too young, is Brother Yang already dying? Brother Yang returned to Beijing this time to report on his work, and the emperor will definitely reward him for his efforts to destroy the country, which is the meaning of the title. However, everyone else can accept it safely, but Brother Yang can't! With all due respect, the Golden Silk Mansion can be accepted, but the lord cannot exceed the throne, and the official cannot exceed the second rank. If you are promoted to an official, you cannot be promoted to an official, and if you are an official, you cannot be promoted to a knighthood, and you can't take both! This is the way to protect yourself! ”

Ye Chuangneng and Yang Zhi talked about this, and it can indeed be called a heart-to-heart and lungs.

Yang Zhi said disapprerovingly: "It's hard for Brother Ye to treat me so kindly, I must remember it." What Brother Ye said was nothing more than that he was afraid that I would be overpowered and would not die well, but he was too worried. I returned to Beijing this time just to give the emperor an explanation in person, and I will insist on not accepting all the official titles granted by the emperor. ”

"Now my father is old and needs me to come home and serve. My children are still young, and they need me to accompany and teach. I've been running around all these years, and I owe them so much! I don't want to leave such lifelong regrets! ”

Ye Chuang was stunned again: "What does Brother Yang mean...... Retired and returned to his hometown to live in seclusion? No wonder he had to move his wife and children out of Chang'an in advance! ”

Yang Zhi smiled, got up and said, "You and I are all about it, and we will cherish each other in the future!" ”

After saying goodbye from Ye Chuang's residence, as soon as he returned to the Chinese army, Ma Yang, the commander of the personal guard, presented a secret decree: "Marshal, this is the emperor's secret decree sent by Chang'an to knock on the city pass overnight." ”

Since Changsha and Baling successively opened the city and surrendered, the emperor sent the first will. Yang Zhi couldn't help frowning: Tomorrow is the thirtieth year of the Chinese New Year's Eve, as the saying goes, Hanako has a Chinese New Year's Eve, which still makes people celebrate the New Year? What is it that is so urgent?

When I opened the secret decree that was tightly sealed with fire paint, I only had a few words: I was very relieved to destroy Chu successfully. Wei Su is seriously ill and can't afford it, but I'm afraid that time is running out. ordered Wei Feiyang to hand over the military power within three days and return to Beijing to serve his father. ”

It's a very interesting message. It is not for Yang Zhi, but it is not entirely for Yang Zhi. Regarding the destruction of Chu, he only said one word, and nothing else was said.

Judging from the time, it is obvious that the emperor sent it after receiving the battle report of Yang Zhi and Chu, as well as the note recommending Ye Chuang to take over. Wei Su was seriously ill, and the edict ordered Wei Feiyang to return to Beijing to serve his father to his death, which was a matter of course, and it can even be said to be very humane.

The reason is very good and powerful, and the meaning of folding his wings and urging Yang Zhi to fulfill the contract is also obvious. Anyway, I didn't want to do it for a long time, and I happened to have a companion on the way back to Beijing.

Yang Zhi thought for a moment and ordered: "Go and ask General Wei to come and see me immediately!" (To be continued.) )