Looking at Sang Weihan on the left, and then at Feng Dao on the right, Shi Chonggui's heart was full of contradictions.

Just half a month ago, Feng Dao began to vaguely point out that there was no chance or need to fight again.

This situation seems to be recognized by everyone in the world, but it does not mean that Shi Zhonggui, as the emperor, will agree lightly. If he still stays in Taiyuan, this situation may change, maybe Shi Chonggui will also be one of the courtiers who wrote to persuade Shi Jingjiao to fight, but as soon as he sits on the emperor's throne, this chair seems to have a special magic, which can hide people's wisdom and heart.

Because Shi Chonggui did not punish Feng Dao with thunder at the first time, the subjects of Luoyang saw his hesitation, so those who did not dare to express their stance also joined the camp of "persuasion", and now, the "persuasion faction" has become a trend inside and outside Luoyang, not only the civil and official groups are almost unanimous, but even the military generals rarely put forward a fierce struggle against this, at most they only expressed their determination to Shi Chonggui: "I wish to follow His Majesty Xià Ma is the first to see!" ”

However, once Zhang Mai's soldiers are in the city, will these generals really be as loyal and brave as they say they are?

Who knows!

Not only the ministers of civil and military affairs, but also the people of Luoyang are looking forward to a "peaceful solution" to this issue. Especially today, in the face of the siege of 400,000 troops, is there any hope for the Shi Jin regime? I have never heard of a dynasty with a shattered land and a country besieged by hundreds of thousands of troops, and there is still hope for it to continue!

If it is the attack of one nation against another, it is possible to continue to fight, but this war is originally a struggle for the supreme leadership within China, and no people will be willing to follow the monarch of either side to the point of life and death. What's more, this dynasty is not right, but the attacker on the opposite side is a world-recognized Ming monarch!

The strong desires of the people are expressed through various channels, among which the merchants are particularly active. This group of people is the most "rootless" class, and it is impossible to dream that the merchant class can have any loyalty at all. Whoever has a great momentum depends on who is their nature, not to mention the importance that the Tiance regime attaches to industry and commerce and the system it has established, which is a business environment that businessmen covet!

So, with your mouth, with your money, with your connections. The merchants who were forced to stay in Luoyang and the local sitters spontaneously joined forces to lobby everyone they could, from the ministers of civil and military affairs, to the generals at all levels, down to the husbands and pawns, and even the palace maids and eunuchs were affected!

When Shi Chonggui realized that the momentum was wrong, it was too late, and now not only everyone in the market shouted surrender, but even the palace. Shi Chonggui felt that some eunuchs looked at him differently several times.

When Feng Dao knelt down in front of him again three days ago and earnestly advised himself to conform to the will of heaven and the hearts of the people, Shi Chonggui saw the word "hateful" on the face of this prime minister for the first time.

The expression on Feng Dao's face was actually just ripples, but Shi Chonggui saw from his eyes that the other party was no longer afraid of himself.

Yes, in the development of the situation in this half month, Feng Dao unwittingly became the banner of the "surrender faction", and at this time it was not just the people. Even the military had someone upside down, that is. Now Feng Dao has enough hard power at hand to compete with Shi Chonggui, and it is no longer a storage zài that Shi Chonggui can kill if he wants to.

Of course, if Shi Chonggui wants to use a hard hand, he may not be able to suppress Feng Dao, but the problem is that there are 400,000 troops outside the city!

Once there is an accident in Luoyang City. Who knows how many generals who were originally loyal to themselves will defect.

Therefore, Shi Chonggui did not dare to move.

――――――――

"I already understand what the prime minister means, so let's step down, and let me think about it carefully."

But Feng Dao didn't let go of Shi Chonggui's meaning: "Your Majesty." The strategy of peace and war must be decided as early as possible, otherwise I am afraid that the opportunity will be missed, and it will be too late to regret it at that time! ”

He eventually retreated, but what did these two sentences mean before leaving?

Is this forcing the palace?

"Bastard!" Shi Chonggui roared and smashed a bunch of famous weapons.

There are only two people left in the palace, one is Yao Yuanfu, who followed all the way from Hedong, and the other is Sang Weihan, who is almost the only one among the courtiers who insists on fighting with a tough attitude!

Life is really amazing, Sang Weihan, who is extremely soft to the Khitan, is surprisingly tough in the face of Zhang Mai. Either it's not because of Sang Weihan himself, or it's just because Sang Weihan knows he doesn't have a choice.

Zhang Mai once publicly said that he would not forgive Shi Jingjiao, and now Shi Jingjiao is dead. Zhang Mai once publicly stated that he would not forgive Du Chongwei, and as a result, Du Chongwei escaped. Shi Jingjiao and Du Chongwei have the same biggest criticism, that is, Tonghu! And he, Sang Weihan, is the biggest lackey in collusion with the Khitan!

So Sang Weihan knows very well that he is also one of the people who is not "forgiven" by Zhang Mai. So he had to fight, he had to fight.

"I hate not listening to Sang Aiqing's advice that day!" Shi Chonggui hates the authentic.

Half a month ago, when Feng Dao vaguely expressed his intention to persuade him to surrender, he was not as "domineering" as he is today, daring to directly advise and even threaten to move faster.

At that time, Sang Weihan reacted violently, identified Feng Dao as a collaborator with the enemy, and asked Shi Chonggui to behead Feng Dao as an example.

But Shi Chonggui felt that Sang Weihan had overreacted that day, but today, it seems that Lao Sang is so far-sighted and wise.

"Your Majesty!" Sang Weihan said: "We still have a chance. ”

"Opportunity? Do we still have a chance? Shi Chonggui smiled bitterly.

It's not that he hasn't seen Zhang Mai's army, when he was in Yunzhou, Zhang Mai was only in control of thousands of people in the Mo knife and tomahawk array, plus the party cavalry, the sweat and blood cavalry and the Eagle Yang Iron Cavalry, have not yet gone south, at that time, Shi Chonggui still has the advantage of strength on the battlefield, the rear of the battlefield is still complete, Zhang Mai can be attacked, there is Taiyuan to retreat, Yanmen Pass can be defended, the hinterland of the Central Plains is basically complete, and there is a strong backup of Shi Chonggui in Youzhou.

In that case, Shi Chonggui didn't dare to fight Zhang Mai under Yunzhou City!

And even more so today!

What does Shi Zhonggui have now?

A city of Luoyang that is intact on the surface but is actually riddled with holes.

There is no rear, no reinforcements, and even the loyalty of his generals is unknown.

At this time, what opportunities are there?

"Yes!" Sang Weihan seemed to see Shi Chonggui's hesitation: "Although the Khitan is defeated, it is not extinguished!" Tiance is strong. But there are hidden worries! ”

Khitan?

"You still have a connection with the Khitan?" Shi Chonggui was very surprised.

Now Luoyang is far away from the Khitan half of Henan Road, a Hebei Road, Guanshan is far away, and the mountains and seas are blocked, how can Sang Weihan have a connection with the Khitan?

"Zhang Mai, he's too careless!" Sang Weihan said: "Since he won Hebei, he has blindly shown leniency. He connived at the free trade of merchants, and even the merchants of Liaodong and Goryeo did not stop the comings and goings between the thistles. But they don't know that the merchants have no discipline, the buyers and sellers can come, and the Khitan fine work can also come. Merchants can go to Tianjin, and ministers can also mix in. Therefore, the minister not only has contact with the Khitan, but also communicates with the merchants and the powerful from all sides! ”

Zhang Mai advocated the use of agriculture to determine the country, the industry to strengthen the country, and the business to enrich the country, and the smooth trade route has always been the characteristic of the Tiance regime, not only within the territory. Even overseas, even to the Northeast!

Although he was still at war with the Khitan, Zhang Mai did not prevent the merchants from doing business with the Khitan-controlled Northeast China, when Fan Zhen had questioned this decision, thinking that there might be hidden dangers, Zhang Mai just smiled faintly: "The Khitan will send spies, won't we send spies?" Now, our national strength and civilization are at the advantage. People's hearts are always upward, so that the civil forces of both sides have frequent contact. It will make the backward society admire the life of the advanced society more.,And then fall in love with me.,Pave the way for the future sinicization.。 Openness will only benefit us in the end, and even if some intelligence is leaked as a result, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. If exchanges are cut off, the Khitan will have the opportunity to retreat and defend themselves, and it will only benefit the Khitan at that time. ”

Zhang Mai's remarks. Naturally, Sang Weihan didn't hear it, but this did not prevent him from taking advantage of the loopholes that inevitably exist in this business system to engage in his strategy.

"陛xià! Don't be discouraged! Now Zhang Mai seems to be strong, but in fact, there are hidden dangers everywhere. Meng Shu in the southwest, after two years of downturn, also has the heart to cheer up. Xu Zhihe of Jinling is not a male lord who will be tied down. Not to mention the great enmity of the Khitan Heavenly Strategy. Now everyone is just waiting for an opportunity. As long as the time comes, the forces of the four parties will work together, so why not be afraid that Zhang Mai will not be defeated at that time! ”

Shi Chonggui sighed, but he didn't seem to be very tempted: "The three families of the family join forces, and they can't help but rely on the Tiance in the northwest corner, let alone now." And I'm only afraid...... I'm afraid we won't be able to survive that time! ”

"Yes, as long as His Majesty has confidence, he will definitely be able to!" Sang Weihan said: "Luoyang is undefendable, but there are still mountains and rivers in the east of the river, Liu Zhiyuan of Chang'an is also stubborn, and Qin and Jin are each other's horns......"

Before he finished speaking, Shi Chonggui's face changed!

Don't talk about Liu Zhiyuan, as soon as Liu Zhiyuan is mentioned, Shi Chonggui is angry: "Also mention Liu Zhiyuan!" This traitor! ”

He was furious and said loudly, "Before Tiance's cavalry cut off the road, how could the road to the west be blocked? The result? Twelve golden orders have passed in a row, and I haven't seen a single soldier sent from the Western Capital! Liu Zhiyuan! How can I still believe this old horseman! ”

Sang Weihan also knew Shi Chonggui's anger towards Liu Zhiyuan, so he didn't dare to answer, and waited until Shi Chonggui finished venting before he said: "Your Majesty, Liu Zhiyuan is certainly not a loyal minister, but in his current form, as long as it can help us fight against Tiance, it is a usable chess piece." Although he was annoyed, he could defeat Zhang Mai and then settle accounts with him. ”

Shi Chonggui snorted and didn't speak, but he didn't object.

The shape shì is stronger than the person, at this time, what else?

"What's more, the minister thinks that Liu Zhiyuan is not not not coming, he is also waiting for an opportunity."

"Opportunity?"

"Yes, opportunity, a chance for heaven to be on fire on all sides and take care of yourself. In the current situation, Zhang Mai launched an army of 400,000 to force the palace to besiege the city, whether it is the western capital, Taiyuan, tens of thousands of troops or tens of thousands of troops, it will not be able to reverse the defeat of the Central Plains. But as long as we hold on for a while, when Liaodong, Mobei, Jiangnan, Bashu, and Guanzhong have an accident in all directions, so that Zhang Mai can't take care of everything, then it will be our chance. ”

Shi Chonggui didn't listen very attentively, but he still accidentally noticed the word Mobei.

"Mobei?"

"Yes."

"Wasn't Mobei conquered by Zhang Mai?"

"Conquest? How can it be so easy! Although Mobei was suppressed by Zhang Mai for a while, how did Zhang Mai suppress Mobei? That's all the way through! Eight thousand miles of desert, that inch of land is not a rolling head, and what is exchanged for killing is not only the temporary submission of Mobei, but also the blood feud between all the desert tribes and Zhang Mai! Once the hatred is ignited. It will not be able to be cleaned up, and as long as someone raises their arms and shouts, the entire Mobei will be reversed! ”

"But who will raise their arms?"

"A person, a very important person......"

"Who?"

Sang Weihan hesitated, hesitated. After a while, he said, "Yelu Ruan! ”

Shi Chonggui was slightly taken aback, as the queen of Taiyuan, he still knew a lot about the Khitan interior. Who is Yelu Ruan? That was one of the legitimate heirs of the Khitan, the son of the human emperor, and the son of the living Buddha of Zanhua in Mobei.

Even under Zhang Mai's system, Yelu Ruan still had a lot of influence.

"He's going to be anti-Zhang Mai too?" Shi Chonggui was a little surprised.

"Of course he wants to oppose Zhang Mai." Sang Weihan said: "Although Yelu Ruan and Yelu Deguang have a gap, it is also a struggle within the country. The fight is over who will be the emperor. And now, Zhang Mai is going to destroy the Khitan - not to mention this hatred, just say that for Yelu Ruan, prostrate under Zhang Mai's feet, be a Shunyi Marquis with no real power, how can he return to the Khitan, regain his prestige, and become the lord of the northern kingdom who controls the territory of thousands of miles! ”

"So. When does Yelu Ruan plan to raise an army? ”

"This ......" Sang Weihan couldn't answer for a while: "He's also waiting for an opportunity......"

――――――――

To Sang Weihan's answer. Shi Chonggui was not very satisfied.

Opportunity, opportunity, are waiting for opportunity.

But will that opportunity come?

What's more, Yelu Ruan may be able to wait for that opportunity, and Liu Zhiyuan may be able to wait for that opportunity, but he is expensive...... He didn't have much time.

Zhang Mai is just outside the city. The siege may be launched at any time, how can he wait for that "opportunity" that does not know if it will come?

If you want to retreat, where do you retreat?

Shi Chonggui can't be trusted by anyone now, Liu Zhiyuan can't, and An Chongrong can't either. The west is not to think about it. Liu Zhiyuan obviously has his own plans, as for Hedong, although it is his old territory, even if he is ruthless and retreats to Hedong, who knows what An Chongrong's thoughts are now.

From the fact that Zhang Mai let go of the gap in the north, it can be inferred that Zhang Mai was not afraid of escaping back to Hedong.

What if he ran across the Yellow River, but An Chongrong gave an order to cut off the road to the north, what would he do at that time?

An emperor who is left on the road is a big joke.

――――――――――

Sang Weihan also retreated, and Shi Chonggui summoned Yao Yuan Fulai, said Sang Weihan's plan in a few words, and asked him for his opinion.

I don't know since when, this Yao Yuanfu, who came all the way from Hedong as his deputy general, has won the trust of Shi Chonggui.

After Yao Yuanfu heard this, he was silent for a long time before he said: "It is difficult to say about the major affairs of the military family. Sometimes it is clear that it has won a big victory, but in the blink of an eye, the army is defeated. ”

Shi Chonggui's spirit perked up: "So, General Yao thinks there is a chance?" ”

Yao Yuanfu said: "If His Majesty orders to fight to the death, then the minister will fight to the end, and if the city is unfortunately broken in the end, the minister is willing to be martyred for His Majesty." ”

Shi Chonggui was stunned, why did he suddenly say such ominous words.

But he listened to Yao Yuanfu and said: "But Sang Weihan's plan ...... Hey...... I thought it was just a fool's dream! ”

"Idiot dreaming?"

Yao Yuanfu said: "The decay of the human master must be caused from the inside, and there are clues to be found. But what is Zhang Mai's current behavior, where is there a little sign of decay? Its broken stone is expensive, and the conquest of Shandong and Hebei is not unexpected by the minister, but there is a bold way to exempt the tax from the tax and the country is not trapped, and the country is not in chaos, but in just half a year, Hebei and Shandong have an atmosphere of rapid rule after the chaos! Today's shape shì, the Zhang family has not yet been called the emperor, and the people of Qilu, Yan and Zhao have all submitted to its jurisdiction! In this situation, what to talk about the siege of the four directions, what to talk about the five ways to divide the Tang, the minister thinks, it is just a fool's dream. ”

Shi Chonggui's expression was gloomy, and he waved his hand to let Yao Yuanfu retreat.

When there was no second person in the palace, the last emperor of the Shijin Dynasty let out a terrible howl.

Yao Yuanfu's words, he felt were true-because deep down, he also judged it this way.

Not blind now. Who can't see the general trend of the world?

Although Feng Dao is hateful, from another point of view, the old man is just following the general trend.

As for Sang Weihan, Shi Chonggui also knew that he was forced to do so!

Now Luoyang, there is no hope.

The sky is gray, and the heart is precious to stone. Also completely ashed.

――――――――――

In the eighth year of Tiance, in late March, Feng Dao Fushi surrendered.

Shi Chonggui held the jade seal of the country, Zhang Mai went around to the west, in the west of Luoyang, Zhang Mai accepted Shi Chonggui's kneeling, Feng Dao took the jade seal from Shi Chonggui's hand, and gave it to Zhang Mai, Zhang Mai took over the jade seal of the country that was broken and lost in history from Feng Dao.

The two Wenchen beside him. One was Li Nuan, who had been with the army all the way, and the other was Wei Renpu, who had come from Yedu, and Wei Renpu trembled with excitement when he saw Zhang Mai holding the jade seal.

The supreme seal system of two jade, two copper, and two gold, this one is missing! And the last link of the etiquette system of the Tiance regime has also been completed!

He glanced at Feng Dao, Feng Dao was also looking over, and the two knelt down at the same time. Zhang Mai, who was holding the jade seal in his hand, shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, long live." Hooray, hooray! ”

On one side were the besieging generals and the military generals of Tiance Wenchen who followed, and on the other hand, the surrendered subjects who came out of Luoyang, knelt down together when they saw this, and thousands of people shouted in unison: "Your Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, long live." Hooray, hooray! ”

Zhang Mai didn't stand on a very high place at the moment, but when everyone knelt down, his eyes turned into looking down at everyone.

It wasn't until this moment that he really understood how the emperor came!

It's not that I climbed to the heights. It's everyone else who bent their backs.

"I see, that's what it tastes like......"

He snorted softly, did not hold the jade seal high as everyone expected, nor did he react violently, just silent.

The stone noble, who was already crawling on the ground like dead ash, secretly raised his head!

He saw Zhang Mai's expression as usual in the shout of long live, and also saw Zhang Mai holding the heirloom jade seal in his hand, but there was no trace of fanaticism in his eyes - he thought that it was not like this when he first got his hand, when he got the jade seal for the first time, and sat on the throne for the first time, he felt that he had become different, as if he had changed from a person to a god.

But now Zhang Mai handed over the jade seal to Wei Renpu without hesitation, and then said softly: "Get up." Luoyang is not peaceful, and the surrounding areas are not quiet, so be vigilant and don't leave people a chance. ”

When the generals heard this, they immediately straightened up.

Many people, including Shi Zhonggui, don't understand!

Why not ascend to the throne? Why?

It wasn't until Feng Dao raised his head that Zhang Mai said, "This is not a place worthy of your shouting long live. ”

Feng Dao hurriedly asked, "Please make it clear!" ”

"Chang'an hasn't arrived yet," Zhang Mai said, "let's do practical things now." ”

――――――――――

In the eighth year of Tiance, at the turn of spring and summer, the Tang army took over Luoyang, and under the operation of Feng Dao, the handover work in Luoyang could not be seen at all. In the evening of the same day, after Zhang Mai removed all the city defense troops in Luoyang, he announced the lifting of martial law, and the whole city was in a state of rejoicing.

The news spread south, and Xiang and Deng Zhuzhou announced that they would return to Tang, and from the east of the Three Gorges and north of Jiangling Mansion, they were all included in Tiance before Xia received them. Zhang Mai ordered the troops of the original Central Plains Military Region to move south, set up the Jingbei Military Region in Xiangyang, and designated the area north of the Yangtze River as the Jingbei Road to govern. For this result, except for Jinling, which is located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is greatly stimulated, everyone takes it for granted.

When the news spread westward, the Guanzhong Plain was greatly shaken, and most of the prefectures and counties north of Weishui also announced that they were willing to serve Zhang Longxiang as the Son of Heaven, and Guo Wei, who was monitoring Liu Zhiyuan in Weinan, did not move, while Murong Chunhua led a thousand cavalry into Weibei and controlled most of the area north of the Weihe River in the Guanzhong Plain without bloodshed.

The news spread north, and most of the east of Hedong south of Taiyuan also surrendered, and a month later, An Chongrong's envoy also appeared on the road to Luoyang.

In just three months, dozens of military states have been peacefully surrendered one after another, and it depends on the real rumors!

In the midst of the joy and joy, only a few small gray spots that are not very harmonious remain.

Liu Zhiyuan has not yet expressed his attitude, and Sang Weihan, whom Zhang Mai hates, has also disappeared. (To be continued......)