Bai Wenbo pondered for a long time, still with a stiff neck, and said, "Why should the prince say more? The old man has served the Han for more than 50 years, and he is unwilling to betray the lord to survive. ”

Qiu Yizhi saw Bai Wenbo on the side, and he was also very impressed in his heart, for fear that his father-in-law would behead Bai Wenbo in anger, so he quickly knelt on the ground and said: "General Bai is also loyal to the master, and he has no intention of going against his father-in-law, and he also asks his father-in-law to be gracious!" ”

Although Zheng Rong has a strict and square personality, he is very lenient, and he didn't want to be too embarrassed for Bai Wenbo. Therefore, when he saw Qiu Yizhi kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy, he pushed the boat along the river to do personal favors: "Yizhi's words are just in line with loneliness." Then he turned to the two cronies and guards beside him and said, "You will send Old General Bai to the customs and choose a comfortable house to live in, without the slightest offense!" ”

Bai Wenbo originally heard Qiu Yi call Zheng Rong "father-in-law", and saw that he actually had such a big face in front of Zheng Rong - he saved himself with a light and clever word.

He felt more and more strange in his heart, so he pointed to Qiu Yizhi and asked Zheng Rongdao: "This young general went deep into our army alone, which can be called both wisdom and bravery, presumably a cadre under the prince, and please introduce the prince." ”

Zheng Rong listened to Bai Wenbo's tone has eased a lot, and he felt a little proud in his heart, so he smiled and said: "This is Qiu Yizhi, the son of the moth that he has been by his side since he was a child, although he has some talents, but he still lacks some experience, which makes the old general smile." "And to Qiu Yi's way, "Don't you want to see General Bai?" ”

Bai Wenbo was shocked when he heard this, and hurriedly said: "Since he is the son of the prince, how can the old man afford his worship?" He sighed again, "The old man has been idle for a long time, and he is really dizzy, and he doesn't even know the hero in front of him!" ”

Bai Wenbo said that, sighed again, lowered his head and went down.

Leading the army to fight, there is nothing more pleasant than sending down the enemy commander, Zheng Rong watched Bai Wenbo walk away listlessly, a happy smile immediately appeared on his face, and said to Qiu Yizhi: "Capture Tongguan, it all depends on Yi's clever plan, and you should take the first credit!" ”

Qiu Yizhi was extremely happy when he heard Zheng Rong's praise like this, but he had to be humble in his mouth, and said: "I'm just a little carving insect skill, and it all depends on my father-in-law's soldiers to press the realm and the soldiers to fight hard to take this Tongguan." How dare Yizhi take the risk here? ”

Zheng Rong was even happier when he heard Qiu Yizhi's words, and said: "Your words are decent, you have really grown a little over the past few days, and Gu is also very pleased." Rest assured, when you are done, you will be rewarded for your deeds. ”

Qiu Yizhi nodded and bowed, and said, "One more thing, please." Dai Luanxiang and Marshal Dai were rescued by Yizhi a few days ago. Yizhi was on the top of the Tongguan Arrow Tower, and he also saw it appear in the rear army of the forbidden army, and it seemed that his words shook the hearts of the officers and soldiers. Since Marshal Dai has the heart to join his father-in-law, it is not a trivial matter, and he also asked his father-in-law to meet him in person to reassure him. ”

Zheng Rong nodded and said, "Yizhi's words are reasonable, so I'll go see Marshal Dai." He also instructed Zheng Miao and Zheng Sen behind him, "You and others clean up the battlefield here, the casualties must be carefully treated and comforted, and the court prisoners must also be properly settled." After that, under the guidance of Qiu Yizhi and others, he walked to Tongguan.

Zheng Rong walked a few steps, then turned back and told Zheng Sen and Zheng Miao: "This is, where the world's henchmen are, and military discipline must be strict." If you encounter a person who attacks and harasses residents or commits adultery, you can't be soft and punish a few people, so as to make an example of chickens and monkeys. With that, he turned around and went down.

Qiu Yizhi only saw Dai Luanxiang from a distance on the top of the Tongguan Arrow Tower a few zhang high today, but he didn't know his specific whereabouts.

Fortunately, those who accompanied Dai Luanxiang were all elite soldiers brought by Zheng Rong from Youyan Road. When they saw that Youyan's army had taken down Tongguan, and that Zheng Rong had come down to the pass in person, they hurriedly walked out of the hiding houses, kneeling down in front of Zheng Rong with tears in their eyes.

Zheng Rong saw that these people were all familiar faces, and he was also very moved when he saw them, so he comforted them before he left to see Dai Luanxiang again.

Dai Luanxiang had already gone out to greet him, and when he saw Zheng Rong coming, he wanted to bow down and bow down when he called "Lord Wang". Seeing this, Zheng Rong hurriedly took two steps forward to support him, soothed him a few words, and then went into the house hand in hand to meet Dai's mother.

Dai Luanxiang had made up his mind to join Zheng Rong and immediately expressed his allegiance. It's just that Dai Luanxiang was still commanding the forbidden army a few days ago, and he didn't want to fight back immediately, so he shirked his physical discomfort and wanted to recuperate for a while before serving Zheng Rong.

Dai Luanxiang was able to surrender himself, which made Zheng Rong overjoyed. Zheng Rong is now a time when the soldiers are full of food and the generals are like clouds, and there is no shortage of a famous general like Dai Luanxiang, so he comforted him a few words and let him recuperate with peace of mind.

At this time, it is time to apply for cards, and the sun will set.

The afterglow of the setting sun reflected on the majestic and tall walls of Tongguan, which seemed to stain the entire wall with blood.

Zheng Rong saw that this Xiongguan was captured by himself in just one day, under a general attack, and he couldn't help but be excited; After taking Tongguan, the capital Luoyang will no longer be in danger; As long as you work harder, capture the capital and force the emperor Zheng Yao to take the throne; At that time, with his usual prestige and credit, he will have a reputation, and he will be able to pass on the name of the Han Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Zheng Rong was excited in his heart, so he ordered a banquet to be held on Tongguan to invite meritorious generals in battle. The rest of the soldiers, except for those who have a mission, are not allowed to drink for a day and open their tents, which can be regarded as celebrations.

Zheng Rong was strict in governing the army, and once the war began, it was strictly forbidden for the soldiers to drink and have fun. The Youyan army is extremely rich in rewards for its exploits, but it is rare to relax in the process of fighting, after a bloody battle, most of the troops are exhausted, Zheng Rong's arrangement is very much in line with the army's heart. When the Youyan soldiers heard this, they all cheered.

The news of the fall of Tongguan was sent to the capital Luoyang by 800 miles of expedited horses that night.

When the news was delivered to Emperor Zheng Yao, Zheng Yao was discussing the enthronement ceremony with Shi Liangzhi, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites. After receiving the battle report, Zheng Yao was immediately shocked, and summoned the ministers of the court and the central government at night to discuss countermeasures in the Shuli Palace.

The first to bear the brunt is Fu Kui, the secretary of the military department, but he has always had a good relationship with Zheng Rong, the king of Youyan, and he was imprisoned a few days ago and suffered a lot. Later, Emperor Zheng Yao really had no one at hand, so he was reinstated.

Therefore, Fu Kui was originally unwilling to help Zheng Yao, and now Tongguan was easily captured, almost to the point of exhaustion, and there was indeed no good way to defend against the enemy. So he only introduced and analyzed the situation perfunctorily, and there was no countermeasure to talk about, so he stood back in silence.

The other two Zhongshu Ling and Wubu Shangshu were all literati and did not understand the military, so they did not dare to talk nonsense in this crisis, and they only looked down at their shoes.

And the forbidden army poured out to resist Zheng Rong, and let the few generals of the forbidden army stay in the capital Luoyang, with only more than 10,000 old and weak soldiers left. They thought that they would increase the number of 10,000 tenfold, and they might not be able to beat Zheng Rong, the king of Youyan, so they all shrank their heads and didn't speak.

Zheng Yao saw that the court was lifeless, as if he was a dead country, and he regretted it in his heart: If he hadn't befriended the Heavenly Venerable Sect Master in the Qiandi at the beginning, and hadn't listened to his demagoguery to kill the king, then his father might not have passed on the throne to him, how could he have fallen into such a field today?

Even if he can't ascend the throne and become the emperor, his brother Zheng Chang is just a person with no ambitions, and he may not do anything to slaughter his brother. At that time, his knees will be softer and his mouth will be sweeter, and the title of a prince is still indispensable, and his wife will be a rich man peacefully, which can be regarded as a blessing for a very good minister.

Thinking of this, Zheng Yao already regretted it a lot, and the complacent mentality when he saw the hundreds of officials of the imperial court prostrate at his feet had already dissipated without a trace.

However, now that he is the emperor, Zheng Rong's article clearly lists the crimes, even if he can go out and surrender, the best outcome is to be placed under house arrest and spend the rest of his life; Or find a reason, kill yourself in vain, and after death, you will have to bear the notoriety of killing the king.

Thinking of this, Zheng Yao regained his fighting spirit, thinking that instead of kneeling and begging for death, it was better to make a desperate bet, even if he couldn't win, at least he had to pull a few cushions.

So Zheng Yao relied on himself to be in charge of the forbidden army for a long time, and also had some military affairs, got up and ordered: "Spread my will, Tongguan will break up the forbidden army and immediately concentrate in Luoyang." After the edict was issued, it was transmitted to the whole country, and after the Han Dynasty received the order, they carried their own grain and grass, and immediately entered the king of Jingqin through the Hangu Pass. The military department should set up a military camp outside the city, and the soldiers and generals from all over the country should assemble in the military camp, and they should not enter the city, so as not to infiltrate Luoyang. ”

Zhang Chaohe was originally Zheng Yao's confidant. Although he didn't understand military affairs, he was full of confidence when he listened to Zheng Yao's orders, so he took the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone from the eunuch's hand, and the pen walked the dragon and snake, and instantly drafted three wills and sent them to Zheng Yao.

Zheng Yao read it through and praised: "Zhang Zhongshu is written in writing, and it is really good." It's good for me to read this article, you copied it on the Ming yellow paper as it is, and this will be the next Ming to the world! ”

Zhang Chaohe listened to the emperor's personal praise, and he couldn't help but be proud, so he hurriedly transcribed and used the seal.

Although Fu Kui, the secretary of the military department, was also born as a jinshi, he had been supervising the army for a long time and had been in charge of the military department for a long time, and he had also heard some military knowledge. He listened to Emperor Zheng Yao's deployment, which was right to the point of the current lack of military strength, but it was a bad move to camp outside the capital -

The Youyan army has always been known for its decisive victory in field battles, and now its morale is strong, how can the forbidden army that has just been defeated and the rabble of the Jiedu army in various places withstand the impact of the Youyan army? And if the army outside the city is defeated, then the capital is open to welcome it? Or is it better to close the door?

Zheng Yao couldn't help frowning when he saw Fu Kui, so he asked, "Fu Shangshu, what's wrong with my disposition?" Why don't Da Sima give some advice? "Da Sima is an honorific title for the minister in charge of military power in ancient times, and it has slowly become another name for the secretary of the military department, and Zheng Yao used this title at this time, which seems to imply mockery.

Fu Kui is also a thoughtful person, listening to Zheng Yao's words, his heart is also stunned, knowing that he has a close relationship with Zheng Rong, the government and the opposition know that if he says the wrong sentence and a half, he will immediately be accused of collaborating with the enemy, maybe he will be cut off immediately and used to sacrifice the flag.

Thinking of this, Fu Kui hurriedly bowed his hand, and said carefully: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and Weichen is far beyond it." It's just that the army is assembled, and the consumption of grain and grass is bound to be extremely large, can you ask Lord Shangshu Ye of the household department to respond to it below, so as to be perfect? ”

At this time when he was in danger, Zheng Yao had no intention of mocking Fu Kui, and immediately took up the case when he heard his words, which scared Fu Kui so much that he sweated and almost fell to his knees.

But I heard Emperor Zheng Yao say: "What Lord Jiang said is extremely true, and there is no need for the name of Ye Shangshu's user department, I will draw up a holy decree to mobilize the grain and grass of Yicang and Changping from all over the country into Beijing, and then the military department will issue it to the army in conjunction with the household department." The household department transferred 100,000 taels of silver from the treasury, and I also sent 100,000 taels of silver from the inner treasury, and gave each soldier a military salary of one tael of silver to boost morale! This money was pulled out of my teeth, if you dare to deduct it, don't blame me for not giving face! ”

As soon as Zheng Yao's words fell, Zhang Chaohe on the side had already considered the words, drafted the two holy decrees, and sent them to Zheng Yao. Zheng Yao took it and reviewed it carefully.

Fu Kui heard that Zheng Yao could have this deployment, and he was obviously not a dumb lord, but he was in the emperor's family, whether it was a blessing or a curse, he could only bear it on one shoulder.