Jiaozhou, located in Guangxi and northern Vietnam, is the city of dragons.

The city is located in present-day Hanoi, Vietnam.

Two months after Xiao Zhi defeated Yuzhang, Xiao Che, who was in the dragon compilation, also got the news.

In order to divide the strength of the south, Xiao Ju set aside a part of the area in Guangzhou and Jiaozhou and established Yuezhou.

Feng Ye, who fled back from Goryeo, was ordered to assassinate Yuezhou, and at the same time had his will conveyed to Xiao Che.

For no reason, the two cities of Linzhang and Hepu will be handed over, and the gate of Jiaozhou will be opened from now on, and Xiao Che will naturally not agree.

The atmosphere between the two sides was tense, but with Wei Ran's 50,000 troops coming to Linzhang and Linzhang Hepu surrendering without a fight, Xiao Che, who knew that it was not suitable to completely fall out with the imperial court at present, only went to the imperial court at this time and expressed his willingness to obey the will of the imperial court.

Wei Ran took Yuan Shu and five hundred soldiers, led by the merchants, into the territory of the Slang Clan.

During the two months of the civil war in the Southern Dynasties, a lot of things also happened in the Northern Qin Dynasty.

The Khan of the Shanhu tribe, Yu Jiu Lu Bodhi, was killed by his son Yu Jiu Lu Honghu, and his second son Yu Jiu Lu Nagui was not convinced, and led his troops to fight with Yu Jiu Lu Honghu, and was finally defeated and fled to Northern Qin.

Yuan Zhi listened to Yuan Shan's advice and divided a part of the land in Bingzhou to let Yu Jiulu Nagui recuperate, and promised to stay until the autumn to send troops to help Yu Jiulu Nagui regain the khan throne.

Princess Changqing because of missing the horse Zhao Youzhi, grief was too unfortunate to pass away, Yuan Zhi issued an edict to mourn the whole country, and at the same time crowned Zhao Zhao as a dingyuan wait, a hussar general, and the opening of the palace with the three divisions.

Min Shiyuan, the son of Min Guan, is now sitting in Yecheng, Pu Wang Yuanpin is not talented, although he is a royal family member, the younger brother of Yuan Zhen, but his behavior is quite obedient, and he is rampant and domineering in Jizhou, Min Shiyuan can't stand it, and repeatedly dissuades Yuan Pin.

Yuan Pin and Min Shiyuan gradually became suspicious of this, and Min Shiyuan took advantage of Min Guan to suppress Yuan Pin everywhere. Yuan Pin was finally unbearable and took the initiative to ask Yuan Zhen to change the fief, but Yuan Zhen had no choice but to transfer Yuan Pin to Youzhou Longcheng to become a vassal.

In Chang'an City, in the Qianyuan Palace.

Yuan Zhen, Zhao Zhao, and Gao Qian were plotting in the palace.

Yuan Zhi sat on the couch, looked at the two people in front of him, and said: "Now that Yuan is good and domineering, Min Guan is in power, why should he do it?" ”

"Your Majesty, although Min Xiang has a great desire for power, my father once told me that although Min Guan is a powerful minister and a traitor, he will not be a thief. On the contrary, it is Yuan Shan, this person's ambition is gradually expanding, he kills the minister, forces the anti-Yuan Xie old ministry not to mention it at this time, and also makes the decision to give the land of our country to Shanhu, which is all evil. Zhao Zhao said indignantly.

Gao Qian didn't say a word at this time, Gao Qian was a close minister of Yuan Zhen, and he was very much loved by Yuan Zhen. However, because he has no military merits, he cannot be promoted for no reason, and he can only serve as the secretary of the prince's mansion.

Yuan Zhi saw that Gao Qian didn't speak, but said curiously: "What does Aiqing have a high opinion?" ”

"Your Majesty, Weichen just thinks that now His Majesty can't leave the imperial city under his orders. The only available men and horses are the 30,000 forbidden troops in General Zhao's hands. But at this time, the soldiers of Si Yong and Qin were all under the control of Yuan Shan. An Zhong, the general of the expedition to the west, has now changed his defense to Luoyang, and has been transferred to Yongzhou by Shi Yuwen, and Wu Gui, a native of Min Guanmen, has been appointed as the history of the state assassin, counting Min Shiyuan, who is currently named the history of Youzhou assassin, has Your Majesty ever seen the subtlety? ”

With Gao Qian's words, Yuan Zhi suddenly understood at this time that it seemed to be a power game between Min Guan and Yuan Shan, but at this time, the court situation had achieved a corresponding balance, and Min Guan's henchmen and generals were now outside the gate, and all the people inside the pass were Yuan Shan's henchmen.

"It's not difficult to kill Yuan Shan now, but, after getting rid of Yuan Shan, how to appease Yuan Shan's old department, and second, who can control Min Guan?"

Gao Qian then peeled off the cocoon: "Xuan Yuanshan entered the palace, and then General Zhao arranged men and horses to succeed, and then the army could control Chang'an." But if you want to hold Chang'an, you must let Min Xiang order the Hebei soldiers and horses to enter the customs, even if Yuan Shan's subordinates are defeated at that time, but Min Guan will inevitably directly tilt the power into the government and the opposition. ”

After saying this, even Zhao Zhao couldn't help but be silent.

Zhao Zhao and his father Zhao Youzhi want to compare, and their abilities are far apart.

"What's more, Xiao Ju in the south is eyeing the tiger, and last month Xiao Ju sent troops to quell the civil strife, but our dynasty actually didn't take any action, and missed this opportunity. However, at the moment when His Majesty is employing people, Wei Chen guarantees a person, this person can be several times more than the minister, with this person here, careful planning, it will be no hindrance. ”

"Who is Aiqing?" Yuan Zhen suddenly became interested and hurriedly asked.

"Qinghe Cui's son-in-law, Cui Yan. His father Cui Jin, the current official to Shangshu Youcheng, swayed between Min Guan and Yuan Shan, although Cui Yan is now only a Huangmen squire, but his brother Cui Huan has served in the Southern Dynasty as a sacrificial wine, Cui Yanzhi is even more talented Cui Huan, Weichen talked with Cui Yan a few days ago, Fang Jue five thunders hit the top, there is such a genius in the world. Gao Qianyang's words were sprinkled.

Zhao Zhao returned to the mansion, and Yuan Yun was already pregnant at this time, so Zhao Zhao was quite careful.

Seeing Yuan Yun coming to greet him in person, Zhao Zhao hurriedly said, "How can the princess be like this." ”

Yuan Yun glanced at Zhao Zhao quite dissatisfied, she had been married for a long time, although the husband and wife respected each other like guests, but Zhao Zhao never called her a lady.

Seeing Zhao Zhao's frowning, Yuan Yun hurriedly asked the reason.

Zhao Zhao didn't hide it, and told Yuan Yun everything about today.

Yuan Yun just sighed after hearing this, and then said: "Husband Jun has known Wei Ran since he was a child, and he thinks that he wants to compare with Wei Ran, can anyone beat him now?" ”

Zhao Zhao was curious why Yuan Yun suddenly mentioned Yuan Yun, but he didn't think much about it, just said: "Although Wei Ran and I have known each other since childhood, we are not close friends. Although my mother and Wei Ran's mother have a good relationship, my father and Dingnanhou still keep their distance, after all, military attachés can't get too close. ”

But after thinking about it, Zhao Zhao still said: "My father once told me that there is no one in the younger generation who is comparable to Wei Ran. Although I am not convinced, Wei Ran has won many battles in the Southern Dynasty, and I am ashamed of myself. ”

After listening to this, Yuan Yun said to Zhao Zhao with a smile: "In this case, my dynasty is still thinking about non-stop internal friction, he has recovered his original qi in the southern dynasty, and Wei Ran has come with troops, what should I do?" Although I don't know the art of war, I also know that only after experiencing the battle on the battlefield can the army have combat power. Now Wei Ran's subordinates are elite, first participated in the Huainan War, then participated in the Jiankang Rebellion, and now they have quelled the Guangzhou Rebellion, and they are already elite. ”

Zhao Zhao only woke up at this time, and his gaze at Yuan Yun also changed and changed.

He understands what Yuan Yun means, now Yuan Shan Min Guan has been internal friction, and in the long run, the country is not effective, and now although there are party disputes in the Southern Dynasty, Xiao Ju is the emperor's destiny, and Wei Ran holds the military power.

Although the Northern Qin occupies a geographical and demographic advantage, if it cannot be twisted into a rope, it will be broken by the Southern Dynasty sooner or later, no matter who Min Guan and Yuan Shan are in the middle of the court, at least they can unify their voices in this matter of external affairs.

Thinking of this, Zhao Zhao sighed slightly, and then said worriedly: "But now Your Majesty wants me to kill Yuan Shan, if this matter does not come to fruition, it will be a catastrophe for you and me." ”

After hearing this, Yuan Yun was helpless. In any case, Yuan Zhi can only become a puppet, and Yuan Zhi has no power to scheming or control people. In the prosperous times, he may be able to be a master of success, but in today's troubled times, it is inevitable that the end will be the same as that of Beiyan Fuqu Chengye, and he will become a tool of the Tuoba family and the Mu family.

Yuan Yun couldn't help but complain: "In the past, Emperor Yan Shun, Fuqu Chengye became a puppet because he was only eight years old when he succeeded to the throne. My brother was twenty-five when he succeeded to the throne, and it is incredible that he can still be reduced to a puppet. ”

Zhao Zhao's expression was also very strange at this time, but then he also sighed: "Wei Xian, if Chen Tao, the two founding pillars are still there, maybe Your Majesty can have the right to speak, one masters the two Huai soldiers and horses, and the other masters the Yongzhou soldiers and horses, they are all firm supporters of imperial power, and they are all sworn brothers of the first emperor. The royalists, on the other hand, turned to support Wonseon, who in their eyes was also a member of the royal family. ”

In Cui's mansion, a young man looks a little similar to Cui He, who is exactly the Cui Yan mentioned by Gao Qian.

At this moment, Cui Yan was in the study and said to Cui Jin: "Father, Gao Qian has looked for a child today, and hopes that the child will join His Majesty's camp, what does my father think?" ”

Cui Jin didn't seem to be surprised, but said with a sigh: "Your Majesty really can't see through the current environment." ”

Cui Yan also nodded: "Yuan Shan Min Guan is not a good person, Your Majesty relies on Zhao Zhao to try to copy Xiao Ju and relies on Wei Ran, but the power in Wei Ran's hands is not comparable to Zhao Zhao." Listening to Gao Qian's intentions, His Majesty seems to be preparing to kill Yuan Shan by the forbidden army in the palace. ”

"Confused! It's easy to kill Yuanshan, but how to deal with the aftermath is big. Although Zhao Zhao controls the forbidden army, how many of Yuan Shan's henchmen and generals are among them, and Zhao Zhao doesn't even know this way, and he dares to participate in this matter? Cui Jin was shocked when he heard this.

"Child, our Qinghe Cui clan can stand tall, and it has always been a two-headed bet. Now your brother Cui He has been worshiped by Xiao Ju as a sacrificial wine in the Southern Dynasty. My father has been swaying from side to side in the court, but he doesn't want our family to suffer in the north. ”

Cui Yan was surprised at this moment: "Father, Cui He has always hated us." If he kills the Northern Dynasty, he will not let us go. ”

"Good boy, what if you don't let us go? Our Cui family can also have people in high positions and pass on the incense. ”

Cui Yan was shocked by Cui Jin's ruthlessness, but then he also understood the truth that Qinghe Cui's family followed.

That night, Cui Yan knocked on the door of Yuan Shan's house.

Yuan Shan was also surprised to see Cui Yan's visit, but still asked, "Cui Gongzi came here late at night, what is the matter?" ”

"Does King Pengcheng know that a catastrophe is coming?" Cui Yan took a sip of tea, then put down the teacup and chuckled.

"What's so hard about this king? Childe can say it clearly. Yuan Shan remained silent, and just let Cui Yan continue.

"King Pengcheng is now threatening the imperial power, and His Majesty is already quite worried. Although King Pengcheng is confident that he can control the surrounding soldiers and horses, his Majesty cannot act rashly. But don't forget, our Majesty is not the lord of Taoguang Yanghui, now that Zhao Zhao is in command of the forbidden army, His Majesty thinks that he can take advantage of the situation to control Zhao Youzhi's old Yongzhou department, I got the news that Your Majesty has plotted with Zhao Zhao and is ready to eradicate the king of Pengcheng. ”

After listening to Cui Yan's words, Yuan Shan's face was gloomy, he threw the cup in his hand on the ground, and said fiercely: "Yuan Zhen'er, it's like this. ”

"King Pengcheng must not be angry, now he only needs to get rid of Zhao Zhao, His Majesty has no one to use, not a palm puppet."

"Does Min Guan know about this?"

"I don't know. Min Guan is also His Majesty's next target. ”

"Cui Gongzi is here today, presumably because he has a plan in his heart."

"That's right, many of the forbidden army are the henchmen of King Pengcheng, so King Pengcheng has no worries about Zhao Zhao as the commander of the forbidden army. But Zhao Zhao only needs to trick the king of Pengcheng into the palace, and thirty or fifty people can take down the king of Pengcheng, why doesn't the king of Pengcheng draw the scoop in the same way. ”

"It's easy to take down Zhao Zhao, but how to deal with it? This king used to kill Yuan Xie without permission, which has caused dissatisfaction among the government and the opposition. Although Yuan Shan was moved, he was still quite scruples.

"Let's just say that Zhao Zhao and King Pengcheng intend to rebel, and King Pengcheng can buy Zhao Zhao's personal guards in the mansion and make him testify, so King Pengcheng arrests Zhao Zhao."

Hearing Cui Yan's words, the king of Pengcheng was suddenly dumbfounded. Saying that he rebelled is a strange story through the ages.

But then, Yuan Shan also suddenly. Everyone felt that they were in power and would rebel sooner or later, so Zhao Zhao took the lead in persuading, and it seemed logical that his father Zhao Youzhi died violently after going out with Min Shiyuan.

In this way, Zhao Youzhi's old ministry can turn his anger on Min Guan instead of himself.

"After taking Zhao Zhao, he seized his military power and put him under house arrest. In this way, the old department of the Zhao family will not hold a grudge against King Pengcheng. ”