On the third day after the "Luoyi Bloody Night", the Liaodong Metropolitan Hufu Scout Cavalry found a person who had passed out on the side of the road during their patrol. The man seemed to have been attacked by some terrible beast, and his body was covered with shocking wounds, and his clothes were already soaked with blood.

The scout saw that he still had a breath of air, so he hurriedly stepped forward to rescue, and finally snatched the man back from the ghost gate. Unexpectedly, as soon as the man opened his eyes, the first thing he said was: "Quick!" Report to Xiangzhou, Luoyi...... Finished! ”

The person who was rescued was none other than the Reverse Scale Division's secret agent who escaped from Luoyi's death.

The scout figured out his identity, did not dare to slack off, and immediately sent the person to the camp of the Liaodong Metropolitan Protectorate. After hearing the truth, Chang Tao, the deputy capital protector, was also shocked, and hurriedly sent an escort force to carry Jiezhichuan, who only had half a life left, back to Xiangzhou.

Due to the information that Arisuke Zhichuan desperately brought back, the crown prince Li Bing and the ministers finally learned about what happened in Luoyi at the first time, and Shen Lie also informed Li Jiangyao and the Yizhou court through the secret channel of the Reverse Scale Division.

Luoyi is not a small county like Zhongmu and Qingchi, but the eastern capital of Shengtang, the political, economic and cultural center of the Central Plains, and a great capital with hundreds of thousands of residents.

The earth-shattering tragedy that broke out in Luoyi soon spread, and the world shook!

For a time, the people's hearts were in turmoil and rumors were spreading.

Contrary to Li Bing, Murong Xue and Shen Lie's expectations, the first person to jump out was actually Li Jiong, the king of Huaiyang.

Previously, Li Kui originally planned to hold an enthronement ceremony in the fiefdom, and announced himself as the new monarch of the Holy Tang Dynasty before Li Bing. However, unexpectedly, at this critical moment, Lao Jianhua and Di Xian suddenly launched a mutiny in the Xuanjia Legion, killed Xie Guang, and then led their troops to abandon Luoyi and advance to the southeast. Zhao Jing instigated the old people of Huaiyang Palace, and directly caught Li Jiong off guard, not only was the enthronement ceremony completely disrupted, but also lost troops and lost a lot of territory.

Later, the Turks took the initiative to come to the door and expressed their willingness to help him join forces against the crown prince Li Bing. Li Kuong weighed the pros and cons, and felt that he was Li Bing in the north, and there was another Lao Jianhua in the Jiangnan region behind him, the situation was simply bad to the extreme, and it was very likely that he would be the first to be eliminated, so he agreed without hesitation, and agreed to share the world equally with Ashina in the future.

During this period, Li Kui used his identity as the eldest son of the former emperor Li Chengwu to send a large number of lobbyists to move around, which really bewitched many local state capitals, and got their support, and his own strength was also increasing day by day.

As soon as the news of the Luoyi tragedy came out, Li Jiong immediately seized the opportunity to let his subordinates spread rumors everywhere, saying that the reason why evil ghosts and monsters appeared in Luoyi was entirely because of the sin of the crown prince Li Bing: at the beginning, he colluded with Xie Guang, sent troops to coerce the first emperor, and obtained the power to supervise the country, and then did all kinds of evil in the eastern capital, and I don't know how many innocent people were killed, which led to the gathering of unjust souls and the incarnation of powerful ghosts to bring disaster to the world.

This kind of rumor of strange power and chaos is naturally more acceptable than the Turkic people's statement that they are refining poisonous soldiers, and soon, the people complained, and the people condemned and cursed Li Bing, saying that he was the biggest scourge of the Shengtang.

The original title of "prince" was gradually replaced by the word "pseudo-prince".

Even, even the imperial court in Yizhou and the Liaodong Metropolitan Protectorate, Yinshan Flying Cavalry, and Hebei Provincial Prefecture soldiers also had different voices inside.

Seeing that the situation was getting worse day by day, Li Bing couldn't help but feel anxious.

On this day, Murong Xue returned to Xiangzhou from the camp of the Imperial Protectorate in Xingyang to report to the crown prince and ministers on the situation on the Central Plains front.

"Your Highness, my lords, the current problem may be very troublesome," Murong Xue looked serious: "I was ordered by His Highness to go to investigate the Luoyi tragedy and inspect the Liaodong Army by the way. Along the way, I heard a lot of rumors, which was very tricky. ”

Li Bing frowned: "What have you said, you can tell me." ”

Murong Xue bowed her hand slightly: "Please forgive Your Highness." The situation is basically the same as that of Lord Shen before, many people in the Central Plains think that the Luoyi tragedy is the work of demons and evil spirits, and some ignorant and foolish people also blame His Highness for this matter. The minister has ordered the officials of all state governments to strictly investigate those who spread rumors and cause trouble, and arrest and punish a number of people, so as to set an example. ”

He paused slightly, and then said: "In addition, last time Lord Shen said that there was instability in the Liaodong Army because of the rumors in Luoyi, and the minister went to investigate it this time, and it was indeed true. Chang Tao's deputy capital protector also wrote a plea for this, and said that he would strictly enforce military discipline in the future and never have anything like that again. ”

As she spoke, Murong Xue presented Chang Tao's hands to Li Bing. Li Bing took it and looked at it slightly, then threw it on the table, and sighed lightly: "Alas, the mouth of the people is more important than the defense of Sichuan." Suppressing the people and the army can only treat the symptoms, but it cannot cure the root cause. Is there anything you can do? ”

Seeing that the ministers in the room were not speaking, Murong Xue said: "Your Highness, the minister suggests that you immediately send troops to occupy the Eastern Capital!" ”

An old minister next to him hesitated: "This ...... I'm afraid it's inappropriate, right? Before, we were supposed to capture Luoyi, but the Xuanjia rebels destroyed the city defense system, and the Liaodong Army suggested not to act hastily first, otherwise it would be easier to be suppressed and attacked by the Turks if we took an undefended eastern capital. Now that there are a large number of terrible poisonous soldiers in that place, and there is not one in ten people in the city, will it be more disadvantageous to occupy it at this time? ”

Murong Xue said: "It should be said that there are pros and cons." At present, the overall contraction of the Turks is obviously trying to make our Shengtang infighting. Li Kui is in Lianghuai and Lao Jianhua is in Jiangnan, and their strength is showing signs of growth. ”

The other minister nodded: "Yes, it has been delayed for a long time, but it has been burdened. The troops in the Jingxiang area have been assembled, and they can be ordered to go north at any time, and with our existing men, the total strength can reach 800,000 people! Simply, launch a general attack directly on the Turks and wipe them out completely! ”

"It's too hasty," a minister standing in the back shook his head: "Li Chenglin, the king of Anping County, who is in charge of commanding the army in the Jingxiang area, signed a joint letter with Lingnan General Ma Hongjie a while ago, saying that although the army has been assembled, it will take time to train. The 500,000-strong army came from more than a dozen different places, and it was easy to go into trouble if they were hurriedly sent to the battlefield without running-in. ”

"They're making excuses!" The previous minister said indignantly: "It's not because the Turkic cat cried and pretended to be merciful, and said something to sow discord when he sent the first emperor to the funeral, and Li Jiong jumped out to make waves, so Li Chenglin began to waver!" ”

The minister behind immediately retorted: "Since you know that the king of Anping is wavering, then let him go north?" Isn't it asking for trouble? ”

Li Bing raised his hand to stop their quarrel and said to Murong Xue, "You haven't finished your words just now. Let's move on, why do you want to occupy Luoyi at this time? ”

Murong Xue replied: "In order to calm the people's hearts." Your Highness, although the poisonous soldiers are terrifying, they are far less harmful than gossip. Since there are rumors that the demons and ghosts are all caused by us, it is very simple, let's go and destroy it with our own hands! Recapture the eastern capital of Luoyi, drive out the poisonous soldiers, save the people, establish a firm foothold in the Central Plains, block the eastward advance of the Turks, and the world will return to its heart! ”

Li Bing bowed slightly: "This palace agrees with your idea, but there are two issues that have to be carefully considered. First, what should be done about the city defense of Luoyi; Second, are we sure of dealing with poisonous soldiers? ”

He had been assassinated by the Blood Demon Soul Eater, and the horrific and bloody scene at that time still haunts him to this day.

At this time, Shen Lie, who had not spoken, spoke: "Your Highness, the minister thinks that these two problems can be solved. First of all, we have received reliable information that the main force of the Turkic Helianxiong has now withdrawn to the front line of Tongguan, and will not advance out of Luoyi in a short time, as long as there are enough manpower, it is enough to repair the city defense of Luoyi. As for the poisonous soldiers, the ones that appeared in Luoyi were obviously far less powerful than the Blood Demon and Soul Eater, and the Jiezhichuan under the minister's hand was not very high, and even he could kill four poisonous soldiers, which shows that those monsters are only numerous, but the combat power is not enough to worry about. ”

Murong Xue agreed: "What Lord Shen said is right. As long as the soldiers can overcome their fears, the organized armed forces can defeat the monsters. ”

Shen Lie nodded, and continued: "Yesterday, there was news from the Western Frontier, Li Jiangyao is discussing countermeasures with the Xiahou Sect Master, and they are going to find the lead, and from it they will study a way to restrain the soul sand, and I believe that they will be able to harvest soon." At the same time, the Yizhou Military Department also said that they are also organizing people to discuss ways to crack the poison soldiers. ”

As soon as he heard him mention Xiahou Ninghan, Li Bing's mood became a little more complicated. He was stunned for a moment, and earnestly instructed: "You bring a message for this palace, please ask Sect Master Xiahou to take care of yourself." The western Xinjiang side is also in chaos, don't get into danger easily. ”

"Obey." Shen Lie bowed and replied: "Please also rest assured, Li Jiangyao and they have now completely recovered the ghost desert of Western Xinjiang, and the countries have once again submitted to my Holy Tang, and the danger over there is not great." ”

Speaking of this, Shen Lie glanced at Murong Xue beside him, and said: "Your Highness, the soldiers of Western Xinjiang have fought hard to quell the rebellion, and now they have cut off the retreat of the Turks. ”

Murong Xue is good brothers with Li Jiangyao and Xu Youchang, of course this kind of thing will not be silent, and hurriedly arched his hand: "The minister also suggested commending Li Jiangyao and the soldiers of Western Xinjiang to show their loyalty." ”

Li Bing nodded noncommittally and asked, "What kind of official position is Li Jiangyao now, and what are the troops under him?" ”

Shen Lie replied: "Back to Your Highness, the Ministry of War Examination is on the record, Li Jiangyao is a guerrilla captain in the Zhenjiang Metropolitan Protectorate, and the official rank is from the sixth rank to the seventh rank, and the minister can't remember it clearly for a while. However, those were all positions before the rebellion in Western Xinjiang, and in the past five or six years, even if they were promoted normally during the Taiping period, they should be at least six grades now. As for the soldiers and horses under Li Jiangyao's command, according to his own words, there were about 300,000. ”

"300,000," Li Bing couldn't help but smile: "A school captain commanding an army of 300,000 is indeed strange. ”

A minister next to him said, "Lord Shen, I heard that Li Jiangyao is not as simple as a school captain." He seems to have never consulted the imperial court, so he appointed himself to protect the capital of the Zhenjiang army, is there such a thing? ”