At the same time, Zu Zhao made an example to all the people of Liaodong and Liaoxi, two men in the family, one of them joined the army, and the two brothers could get the same amount of military salary, so as to stimulate the people to join the army and develop the army.

As soon as this article came out, there were many responders, and even one spread ten, ten spread hundreds, and people from other states also came to Zuzhao to serve in the army.

For Zu Zhao's move, Xuanwu County Taishou Gongsun Wang or is also very supportive, he asked Yu Ban to follow Zu Zhao, and at the same time introduced a person to come, this person has a wide forehead and wide eyes, is very powerful, and his surname is full of favors; Later, Manchu introduced another person, surnamed Mao Mingyang, so that the double knife was powerless.

Zu Zhao was overjoyed and named the two as captains in front of the tent. The latter two recommended a number of warriors, all of whom were brave people, and Zu Zhao accepted them all.

At this moment, Zu Zhao has strategists and generals under him, and his army number and equipment far exceed that of other princes, threatening Liaodong.

When Gongsun Zhan heard that Zu Zhao's strength had increased greatly, he was afraid of threatening his power in Youzhou, so he hurriedly led the army back to Youzhou to fortify his defense, and even personally sent someone to visit Zu Zhao's mouth.

Of course, Zu Zhao knew that Gongsun Zan was testing himself, so he also lowered his posture as much as possible, treated it modestly, and said that his current power was only for the purpose of suppressing bandits, and nothing else. Of course, he also knew that it was unlikely that he would dispel Gongsun Zhan's suspicions with just a few words, even if he lowered his posture and humbly tongued the lotus, it was useless.

The main thing is the practical stuff.

Therefore, at the suggestion of Chen Gong, he deliberately counted the grain and grass and financial accounts in front of that envoy, and sighed again and again about the lack of grain harvest this year.

The envoy said: "The general's vast land in Liaodong is better than ours, but the grain and grass in our Youzhou cannot be compared with the general." "He is telling the truth, if it weren't for the lack of food and grass, how could Gongsun Chan not be able to do a single city in the previous allied forces?!

And now looking at the numbers on Zu Zhao's account, the messenger is envious, jealous, and worried. envy and jealousy, for Liaodong is really rich; The worry is that Liaodong is so rich, and this strength must be strong.

"Since the envoy said so, then it is better to go back with my grain, grass and belongings, which can be regarded as a little bit of my heart for General Gongsun." Zu Zhao said with a smile, and as he spoke, he turned his head to Chen Gong who was standing beside him and said, "Only our army has enough to eat, and let the envoy take the rest back." Now that the traitor has been condemned, I don't think there will be any more evil. ”

As soon as these words came out, both left and right persuaded him, Zhang Yuan said: "General, in this situation, if there is a war, if there is no grain, it will be a big deal!" ”

"The traitor has been executed, if you still want to send troops, the DPRK can always allocate some. Besides, in another month or two, the land will be harvested. Zu Zhao frowned slightly, "Now that I have some food, there is no reason to make Bo Jue hungry, so he is an official in the same dynasty, he has an urgent need, and I want to help." ”

"Think twice, general!" Zhang Yuan was worried, "Now that the situation is chaotic, the imperial court must be too busy to take care of itself, this ......"

"Don't say more!" Zu Zhao suddenly interrupted him, "I have made up my mind, and this matter will be handled by Chen Gong!" ”

Zhang Yuan left on the spot angrily. After Zhang Yuan left, everyone saw that Zu Zhao didn't even listen to the words of Zhang Yuan, the most valued deputy general, and immediately stopped saying anything.

And then the envoy began to pretend to shirk it, and then when he saw the number of the slip that Chen Gong handed him over, his eyes immediately lit up, and he accepted it with a thousand thanks.

Gongsun Zhan met this time, but he couldn't go to the city because of the lack of grain and grass, and now he got the grain and grass of Zu Zhao, and he was very happy in his heart.

He carefully interrogated the situation of Zu Zhao sending grain and grass, and heard that there was a conflict between Zu Zhao and Zhang Yuan because of this matter, and after listening to the envoy Jun describe the scene of Zu Zhao looking at the accounts, he believed it to be true, stroked his beard and smiled: "Now there is really no threat!" He only had two-thirds of the food and grass left, and he couldn't do anything he wanted to. ”

"But isn't it," said the subordinate who sent the envoy to Liaodong, "the fields are still green and yellow, and there is some drought in Liaodong this year, and this harvest will certainly not be good." I'm afraid it's only enough for daily use. ”

Gongsun Chan nodded: "He treats me so righteously and generously, if he needs help in the future, I will not stand idly by." After receiving the things, he did not doubt Zu Zhao, but seriously developed and spread his power around their territory, hoping to compete with other princes in the future.

Zu Zhao saw that Gongsun Zhan really didn't doubt him, and he was relieved.

And Chen Gong found Zhang Yuan and secretly told him about Zu Zhao's intentions in private, so he was not angry, but felt that Zu Zhao had a vision. But he still felt a little painful about what was given away.

Chen Gong saw that he was still sullen, so he whispered to him: "The general was prepared before the envoy came, and the thing that was sent out was just a drop in the bucket, and it had no effect on us at all, and it also made Gongsun Chan owe us a favor." ”

"But isn't it raining in Liaodong this year, this harvest is ......"

"Du Wei didn't know that although the rain in Liaodong this year was not as sufficient as in previous years, because of the waterwheels that the general asked for mass production, just that little rain could already moisten the earth, and this harvest was not bad. If you don't believe it, you can go to the back of Cangyu Mountain to have a look, and you can see it at a glance! Chen Gong said with a smile.

After getting this news, in order to dispel the doubts in his heart, Zhang Yuan really went to Cangyu Mountain to check according to what Chen Gong said. As a result, at a glance, the farmland below the mountain is really growing amazingly, and the fields are sparsely pulled, and there are many wheel-like things, which are clearly waterwheels that have been rushed out before.

At this time, Zhang Yuan was completely relieved and told the news to his subordinates, so that they could all feel at ease.

Let's say that after Zu Zhao leveled the matter of Gongsun Du, it was only half of the completion of the previous plan, and after sending the messenger sent by Gongsun Zhan, Quan Zhiyu on the other side sent someone to send a message, saying that her side had been fully prepared, and she was waiting for Zu Zhao to make a move to cooperate.

Zu Zhao was overjoyed and wanted to set off with his troops, but just as Zu Zhao was about to send an order to set off with arrows, Chen Gong came forward to stop him: "Lord, this matter is not in a hurry for the time being. ”

"How can this not be in a hurry! The so-called soldier is fast, what he wants is speed! What's more, Quan Zhiyu is already waiting over there, if I don't hurry, she will die in a hurry! Although Goguryeo is not a powerful country, I can't let Quan Zhiyu go to me for too long with a woman. Zu Zhao said.

"My lord, the approval of the imperial court has not come down yet!" Chen Gongdao.

Zu Zhao paused, and then remembered that he had also handed over a fold to the imperial court because of this matter, in order to justify the dispatch of troops. But after thinking about it, now that Quan Zhiyu and Goguryeo are on the same page, she sent a message again, and if she doesn't give a response, it will be too unpleasant if she doesn't go! Where is there a wife to charge ahead.

"Then I can't wait, the war over there is about to ignite, if I don't go, what should I do if I call her?"

"Lord, if you can't bear it, you will make a big plan! You handed over the book, but you rushed to send troops without waiting for the approval of the imperial court, that is, you lifted a stone to shoot yourself in the foot, and the original name was justified, but it also became unjustifiable. Now that your strength is so strong, if you become the target of public criticism because of this unrighteous disobedience, it will be more than worth the loss! Besides, Mrs. is also the king of a country, and she is also a heroine, just Goguryeo, I am afraid it will not make her too embarrassed, you can wait for two more days with peace of mind, Xu In these two days, the approval of the imperial court will come down. ”

Zu Zhao also knew that what he said made sense, so he didn't refute it. But he was still a little worried about everything, so he sat down in his seat and said sullenly: "Okay, I'll wait for five days at most." It's just that how do you deal with it?! All of them are my people, but her subordinates may not all be mine. The affairs of this messenger cannot be dealt with. ”

Chen Gong didn't answer Zu Zhao's question, but just said, "My lord, if you want the court to move faster, it's not like there's no other way. ”

Zu Zhao's eyes lit up: "Oh?!" Let's talk about it! ”

"You can have your allies pretend to be Goguryeo armies and harass our borders. The movement is a little bigger, anyway, when they tried to get rid of Gongsun Du's traitor before, they also pretended, and if they pretended again, they should be handy. When the DPRK and China got the news, they would definitely hurry up and invite the general to fight. Chen Gong Huanhuan said what he thought.

When Zu Zhao heard this, he felt that it was very reasonable, and he also solved the problem of the envoy, even if he repaired a book, handed it to the other party, and let him bring it to Quanzhi.

After sending the envoys, within two days, there was news that Goguryeo was disturbing the people and preventing fire at the border. Zu Zhao immediately flew a pigeon to report to the imperial court, saying that there was a foreign invasion and thieves rebelling on the border of Liaodong County, and in order to protect the people of Liaodong, he could only send troops to quell the chaos.

The imperial court finally came to the news, allocated grain and grass and a small amount of military salary, and asked Zu Zhao to send troops. Zu Zhao naturally didn't see that little thing, but some of them gave him and he was naturally willing to accept them.

The army had already been reorganized, and as soon as the people who issued the edict from the imperial court arrived, Zu Zhao took it and left directly with his soldiers and horses, and went straight to the border where Liaodong and Goguryeo intersected. There, Quanzhiyu's army was already waiting to join him.

He planned to attack Wuhuan, Xianbei, Goguryeo and other countries to stabilize the rear of Liaodong, so that the backyard would not catch fire in the future when he fought for world dominance. This is the same as why Zhuge Liang wanted to pacify the south before the Northern Expedition, only by ensuring that the rear is not chaotic, can he move forward with his heart and chase the Central Plains.

And taking Goguryeo is the first step to stabilizing the rear!

At noon, Zu Zhao led an army of 80,000 out of Liaodong, and when he was still more than ten miles away from Yanyun Pass, he suddenly saw a scout in front of him to report: "General, outside Yanyun Pass in front, the enemy army dressed in Goguryeo has been discovered." ”

"Oh? What are the characteristics? Zu Zhao was interested, "Have you ever seen a big wordless flag?" ”

The scout thought for a while, nodded and said, "The general really expects things to be like a god, there is indeed a red wordless flag in the army, and his subordinates still feel that the flag is strange, and they dare not come close to check it." ”

"Ha Lu Ha ......" Zu Zhao Ha Lu Ha Da Lu laughed, the flag is the mark of Quanzhiyu, it has been said in the letter before, if it is a fake enemy they pretend to be, then erect a wordless flag in the army as a sign, so it seems that the army outside the Yanyun Pass is all the danger.

Zu Zhao said: "Don't panic, it's an allied army, not an enemy army, I made an appointment with the Queen of Silla to meet the army here, and the wordless flag is the symbol." After a while, it will be directly switched out. ”

At this time, Zhang Yuan said: "Lord, it's probably inappropriate to make a conclusion based on just one banner, we might as well stop when we get to Yanyun Pass, if it is really the Queen of Silla's people, they will definitely contact us, if it is not ......"

"Makes sense! Be careful to sail the ship of ten thousand years! Zu Zhao exclaimed, "You have also improved a lot during this time." He also really felt that what Zhang Yuan said was reasonable, but in his heart, he believed that a person like Quan Zhiyu would never be able to pour out his news, or do things badly, so Zu Zhao was not too confused about the army outside the Guan. However, when it is time to go to war, there is nothing wrong with being cautious.

"The general is well-taught." Zhang Yuan said humbly.

After the 80,000 army arrived at the Yanyun Pass, it really stopped, Zu Zhao stayed on the city wall, and looked at the dotted tents not far from the pass, as well as the huge wordless flag, he was still a little happy in his heart, because he was about to see Quanzhi.

And the day after his army stopped, the wordless banner army outside really sent a messenger to ask Zu Zhao to switch it, saying that he wanted to join forces with Zu Zhao, and said that this was what the queen meant.

As soon as Zu Zhao heard it, he heard that the problem was coming, and he and Quan Zhiyu had made an appointment in the letter that they were indeed fighting together, but it was just a password similar to a password. How could he let Quan Zhiyu fight with him, this time she was able to come to help and cooperate with him in acting, and he was already very moved. Therefore, although it was written in the letter, he deliberately verbally told the messenger to tell Quan Zhiyu to withdraw as soon as he saw his army.

Now, not only did the soldier not retreat, but he even asked himself to switch off and join the army, even if the rest of the people didn't say it, Zu Zhaozi could feel that something was wrong during this period.

He beckoned, and the people around him greeted him, Zu Zhao told them to entertain the envoy well, and then called several high-level officials to hold an emergency meeting.

Needless to say, the content of this meeting is also related to this messenger.

Zu Zhao told everyone all about his original plan and the agreement with Quan Zhiyu, and after everyone heard it, they all felt that the army outside was very problematic and could not advance rashly. Then they agreed that it would be better to plan and tell the messenger that they would open the city gate directly, but the difference was that they would set out today and kill him by surprise.

The 80,000 army in Zu Zhao's hands is not considered elite, but because of the good equipment, it is not impossible to fight hard with the army outside, but because Zu Zhao pities his soldiers and thinks that it is best to exchange the maximum benefit with the smallest loss, so he did not directly harden it, but in this way, first confuse the enemy, and then conquer it in one fell swoop.

But at the same time, Zu Zhao also filmed a small group of people to contact Quan Zhiyu, after all, if the army outside is fake, then the previous information must have been intercepted by others, and Quan Zhiyu's situation will obviously be very dangerous. However, now he doesn't have time to think about it so much, so he can only deal with the enemy in front of him first.

Outside the Yanyun Pass is a long and narrow walkway, with high mountains on both sides, and if you want to set up an ambush, this is the best place to ambush.

When Zu Zhao first arrived at Yanyun Pass, he figured out the terrain here. At this time, another scout came to report that many people had gone up to the mountains on both sides of Yanyun Pass, and a lot of stones had been prepared.

In this way, this fake alliance is basically completely exposed. Zu Zhao sneered, and immediately made a decision, adjusted the battle plan, and ordered Zhang Yuan and Yu Ban to each bring a thousand elite troops to assassinate them, and asked them to kill everyone before dawn tomorrow. And the army will be changed to leave the customs tomorrow morning at the latest.

Zhang Yuan and Yu Ban marched all the way, and they had long been eager to try, but now that they got the order, they were so excited that they couldn't do it, and they immediately took the order and left, and after changing their disguises, they sneaked into the mountains in two ways, as long as they saw the people dressed in the Goguryeo army, they would be killed directly.

Before the sun had set, the two of them sent someone back to tell Zu Zhao that everything had been settled, that the mountains on both sides had been occupied, and that no news had been leaked at all.

Zu Zhao was overjoyed, and even ordered the feather order to order the army to go out of the customs.

On the other side, Zhu Xiaoshan, a general of Goguryeo, was complacent about his foolproof plan. Ever since he intercepted Jo Zhao's correspondence with Queen Silla a few days ago, he has been working hard to lay a net to get rid of Jo Cho.

This general is quite politically sensitive, and he knows that the most powerful person in Liaodong is Zu Zhao, if he can kill him, even if he takes Liaodong, it will probably not be a difficult thing. He is determined to succeed and full of confidence.

And when he heard that Zu Zhao had switched off the city in advance, although he was a little panicked because Zu Zhao had advanced the time, he also reacted quickly. He asked people to bring a message to the brothers who were lying in ambush on the mountain, and when Zu Zhao reached the middle of the canyon, he immediately put stones and killed him by surprise.

Although Zu Zhao's army is numerous, once Zu Zhao dies, it will be to go to the group without a leader, so it can be seen that there is no use in having a large number of people.

However, long after Zhu Xiaoshan sent the news, he did not hear the movement in the valley, but the sound of the horses' hooves of Zu Zhao's army approached. Only then did he realize that something had happened on the mountain, and he immediately jumped up, intending to gather his soldiers to defend against the enemy.

However, he hasn't finished this side yet, and Zu Zhao has already brought his lieutenants to kill him. After approaching the barracks, the road was like chopping melons and vegetables—although the Goguryeo army had armor and weapons, compared to Zuzhao's army and equipment, it was simply a child's toy.