Yang Peng rushed back to Bianliang. As soon as he returned to Bianliang, he immediately convened all the cabinet members in Bianliang to discuss the matter.

Zhang Xiang said: "According to the latest information, Tianzhu's 500,000 army plus Duan Zhichun's 80,000 horses have attacked Tengchong Mansion ......."

"Has Tengchong Mansion fallen?" Yang Peng asked.

Zuo Mou said: "It has fallen, but the situation is a little different from what we expected before. Tengchong Province was not captured by the Tianzhu army, but by the people of Bagan. ”

Yang Peng was a little surprised, "Bagan people? That's a little weird. Even if they saw that the situation in Dali had an opportunity to invade north, it would never be so fast! ”

Zhang Xiang nodded and said, "What Your Majesty said is extremely true, and this is also what we are puzzled about. It is said that this time Bagan mobilized a total of 200,000 troops, and such a large-scale mobilization, as well as the assembly of grain and grass, can by no means be completed in a short period of time, and it will take at least several months to prepare. In other words, they had already begun preparations before the civil strife in Dali, which is really incomprehensible! ”

Huang Qiaoyun said: "Dali tried to invade Sichuan before, but the result was in vain, and our Ming army may sweep Dali at any time." Maybe Bagan saw such a situation and thought that there was an opportunity, so he began to prepare, but it had nothing to do with the civil strife in Dali. ”

Yang Peng said: "There is this possibility. But there is a problem here, if this is the case, then the people of Bagan should think that their soldiers and horses should encounter our army in Dali, and Bagan has not been in contact with us at all during this time, is Bagan not afraid of a conflict with our army in Dali? Or does Bagan have the confidence to stand up to our army? ”

Everyone was also puzzled, and Huang Guang mocked: "These southern Fanbang barbarians, before they suffered a big loss, they all thought that they were invincible in the world, and there was no one in their eyes, and they were extremely arrogant!" They may really think they can defeat our army! ”

Zhang Xiang said: "Lord Huang's words remind me of one thing. In that year, the Yue Li Dynasty invaded the Guangnan West Road, and was defeated, and even the prince and the prime minister were killed, and the Yue Li Dynasty had to sue for peace. However, the Yue Li Dynasty still had to say something, in order to save the people of the two countries from being devastated, so they reluctantly accepted the Song State's request for peace. Under such circumstances at that time, Yue Li Chao's speech was still reversing black and white, and he tried his best to whitewash it. One can imagine how arrogant and invincible they were before starting the war! Therefore, as Lord Huang said, I am afraid that Bagan really thinks that their 200,000 horses are enough to deal with our Ming army! ”

Yang Peng pondered for a moment, looked at Yan Ji, and asked, "I remember that you told me one thing before, your subordinates once found out that Duan Zhichun, the general of Dali, was secretly in contact with certain parties in Dali?" Yan Ji did not leave Bianliang to go to Yanjing, as the leader of Huaxu, she had to pay attention to all aspects of intelligence, so she stayed in Bianliang.

Yan Ji nodded and said, "Yes." At that time, our people discovered that Duan Zhichun's cronies were secretly in contact with certain forces. However, their actions are very secretive and cautious, so that although our people have found clues, they have not been able to gain anything further. ”

Yang Peng said: "If there is a connection between what happened then and what is happening now, then what does it mean? ”

Everyone was shocked, and Huang Qiaoyun exclaimed: "Big brother is saying that the Tianzhu people and the Bagan people are all allies invited by Duan Zhichun?" ”

Yang Peng asked rhetorically: "Isn't this possible?" ”

Everyone glanced at each other, and Zhang Xiang frowned and said, "If that's the case, then the problem is serious." If Bagan only wants to make a profit, then there is a chance that they will clash with the Tianzhu people, and we can take advantage of the fishermen. But if they are all allies invited by Duan Zhichun, then it means that they have reached some kind of agreement on dividing up Dali and even resisting our army. In this way, we will no longer face a chaotic situation, but a powerful alliance! Huang Guangdao: "This is just speculation, maybe the real situation is not the case!" ”

Huang Qiaoyun said: "No matter what the real situation is, we must be prepared for the worst!" ”

Everyone couldn't help but nod. Zhang Xiang said: "If you consider the worst-case scenario, I think there are only two ways to go. The first is to withdraw our troops immediately, after all, our army is not at all prepared to deal with such a powerful alliance, and forcing the battle is very disadvantageous to our army. Although the other party is strong, it is a temporary and hasty alliance, lacking trust in each other, and they may unite in the face of the same powerful opponent, but once this opponent retreats, they will inevitably break out in conflict because of the competition for Dali! Huang Guang nodded and said, "Lord Zhang's plan is clever!" ”

Huang Qiaoyun frowned and said: "Although Lord Zhang's plan is clever, if they reach an agreement on dividing Dali and there is no conflict, will the situation be even more unfavorable to us?" Zhang Xiang and Huang Guang couldn't help but be stunned, and then frowned.

Huang Qiaoyun continued: "Our army retreats, and it is naturally good for them to compete with each other for Dali. However, if this kind of thing does not happen, they will each control a piece of land in Dali and be safe, which will be very unfavorable to our army to recover Dali in the future. At that time, although our army was fully prepared, the enemy was also prepared for defense in Dali. The mountains and rivers in Dali are steep, and their coalition forces are huge. In such a situation, even if you win, I am afraid you will pay a very heavy price! And in this case, I am afraid that our army will have to mobilize the main forces of the empire to participate in the war, if at this time, the Western Liao or the Liao State has an abnormality, I am afraid that things will be difficult to clean up! ”

After listening to Huang Qiaoyun's words, everyone couldn't help but sweat coldly. Zhang Xiang said: "What Lord Huang said is very reasonable, I take it for granted. If I do what I do, things could get worse! ”

Yang Peng said: "What Zhang Xiang said makes sense, and what Qiaoyun said also makes sense. Everyone looked at Yang Peng, waiting for Yang Peng's decision. Yang Peng pondered: "Considering the pros and cons of the gains and losses, the plan will be adjusted slightly, but the big plan of Dali will not be changed." Everyone clasped their fists together and said, "Your Majesty is wise." ”

Yang Peng said: "According to the original plan, we are two legions plus more than 200,000 soldiers and horses of the Hanzhong Army to enter Dali to fight. Now, in view of the coup d'état that has just taken place in the country of the Yue Li Dynasty, and the main force has been transferred to attack the city, there should be no problem in the direction of Jiangnan, so the two corps in Jiangnan are all dispatched. In this way, we have three legions plus the Han Chinese army, nearly 300,000 regular troops, such a scale, with Dali's army, relying on the mountains and rivers to defend and counterattack, should still have a chance of winning. The crowd nodded.

Yang Peng continued: "In addition, there is also the military army. Even if these troops can't fight in the field, they are still useful. Then he smiled and said, "Although the enemy army is strong, but in this way, we can completely deal with it." Then he said to the members of the cabinet: "You immediately send an order to Jiangnan in the name of the cabinet and immediately transfer troops." Everyone clasped their fists together and promised. Yang Peng looked at Huang Guang and said, "The weight of grain and grass must be safe!" Huang Guang hugged his fists and said: "The minister will guarantee that nothing goes wrong!" Chen Xiao nodded.

The realization goes to Dali.

After Zhao Xiang'er and his entourage crossed the Nu River, they went all the way to the east, and a few days later came to Fengyu County, a hundred miles north of Dali City, the capital of Dali. This Fengyu County and Dali City are separated by a point of Cangshan, after Fengyu County, over a point of Cangshan, and then along the south of Erhai, you will soon arrive at Dali City. Therefore, Fengyu County can be said to be the gateway to the north of Dali City.

Zhao Xiang'er and his party came to the city of Fengyu County and tried to enter the city, but the city gate guard said that the city gate could not be opened during the extraordinary period. Zhao Xiang'er negotiated with the other party, and the other party finally said that it was okay to enter the city, but all the Ming soldiers had to put down their weapons and take off their armor. The Ming soldiers were greatly annoyed and shouted and scolded. Seeing this scene, the Dali guard was very nervous, and even ordered his sergeants to wind up their arrows and prepare for attack. Zhao Xiang'er was worried that the conflict between the two sides would become uncontrollable, so she quickly persuaded Ma Jin, and then went to negotiate with the other party, only asking the other party to accept the people and the wounded soldiers of the Ming army. The Dali guard finally agreed to Zhao Xiang'er's request, but asked the Ming army to retreat ten miles before they opened the city gate.

When Ma Jin heard Zhao Xiang'er say the requirements of the Dali guard, he immediately couldn't suppress his anger and scolded his mother. Zhao Xiang'er said: "Now is not the time to turn against the Dali army, since they want us to retreat, we will retreat." It's all about the big picture. Ma Jin said no more, and ordered the wounded soldiers in the army to lay down their weapons and enter the city with the people. However, none of the wounded soldiers in the army were willing to lay down their arms to accept alms from the Dali people. So Ma Jin and Zhao Xiang'er led the men and horses to the north, while the people stayed outside the city and waited to enter the city.

The defenders in the city only opened the city gate when they saw that the Ming army had gone far away. And let the people in.

Ma Jin and Zhao Xiang'er led the men and horses all the way north, and arrived at a small town in the north of Fengyu County and stopped. When the people of Zhendian suddenly saw a strange army coming, they were very frightened and fled their homes. Later, however, when he saw that the army was only stationed outside the town and had not entered the town, his panic gradually calmed down. One by one, the people returned to their homes and tried to make contact with the sergeants, and found them very kind, so that the only remaining fears were completely removed, and the town returned to its former appearance.

Ma Jin and Zhao Xiang'er sat in the big tent, and Ma Jin frowned and said, "This thing is really strange! When our army came over, it was not blocked by the Dali army, why is the Dali army so guarded against us at this time? Zhao Xiang'er frowned and thought, "Something may have happened again!" ”

A day later, news came from Dali City, which was sent by Fan Yong, the messenger of the Ming Dynasty, after receiving a message from Ma Jin and Zhao Xiang'er. It turned out that Emperor Dali suddenly ordered the blockade of all checkpoints and cities, prohibiting Yan Yunjun's troops from passing through the checkpoints or entering the city.

The visitor also said that Emperor Dali had decided to completely surrender to the Ming Dynasty, but for some reason he suddenly regretted it overnight.

Ma Jin and Zhao Xiang'er looked at each other. Ma Jin scolded angrily: "The things of the dog day, morning and evening, are untrustworthy!" Is this kind of guy worthy of being an emperor too? Zhao Xiang'er frowned and said, "In this way, I'm afraid that it will completely disrupt the plan designated by His Majesty!" ”

Bianliang Palace. In the middle of the night, Yang Peng hurried to the study, and Yan Ji, who was dressed in a warrior suit, immediately hugged his fists and said: "I just received an urgent report from Dali, and Emperor Dali suddenly repented and ordered all cities and passes to be closed, and our army was forbidden to enter the city or pass through the passes!" ”

Yang Peng frowned, walked quickly to the map, looked at Dali's map and asked, "Where is our army now?"

Yan Ji pointed to Shanxian Mansion and said, "General Wu led a legion from Guangnan West Road into Dali, which is now near Shanxian Mansion (now Kunming City). "Then the slender jade finger moved northward and stopped at Huichuan Prefecture (Huili County)," the Eighth Army Corps led by Si Xingfang stayed near Huichuan Prefecture. Due to the sudden order of the Dali Emperor to close the pass and the city, two legions of our army were trapped in these two places. ”

Yang Peng asked: "Can their grain and grass be guaranteed?" ”

Yan Ji said: "The grain and grass baggage in the rear can't be transported now, but the grain and grass baggage they carry is enough to support a month, and there will be no problem." ”

"What are Shi Liancheng's plans?"

Yan Ji said: "General Shi Liancheng is waiting for Fan Yong to negotiate with the other party. General Shi Liancheng planned that if the other party insisted on refusing to open the city and passes, he would seize Shanxian Mansion in one fell swoop, and at the same time order the Si Xingfang to seize Huichuan Mansion nearby, and then the two armies would attack Dali directly! ”

Yang Peng shook his head and said, "You can't do this." Emperor Dali suddenly repented, probably out of the enemy's scheme. That Duan Zhichun was a general in Dali, with a high position and a long time in an important position, and there must have been his allies in the Dali court. Maybe it was through this ally that he made a slander to the Dali Emperor, which made him suddenly repent. Our army is attacking the Dali army, I am afraid that this is what Duan Zhichun and they want to see the most! ”

Yan Ji felt that what Yang Peng said was very reasonable, but she felt that the current situation was really very chaotic, and asked, "Husband, what should we do?" ”

Yang Peng looked at the map for a moment and asked, "Tianzhu Army, Duan Zhichun, and Bagan Army, where are they now?" ”

Yan Ji pointed to Yongchang Mansion, "According to the information I just received, the combined forces of Tianzhu and Duan Zhichun have captured Yongchang Mansion (Baoshan County in Yunnan, on the east bank of the Nu River). "The jade pointed eastward and landed on the Luo Yan Division," the Bagan army has arrived at this position, but it has encountered strong resistance from the coalition forces of the Luo Yan Division, and it is difficult to advance north for a while. However, the strength of the coalition army is limited, with less than 10,000 soldiers and horses, and the reason why they can stop the Bagan army is all due to the dangerous terrain in the local area, if there is no accident, they will not be able to resist for long! ”

Yang Peng looked at the map and thought for a moment, and said, "Tell Shi Liancheng and them to stand still." Yan Ji didn't know what to do, and wanted to ask, but she felt that she knew so much to do, and she just needed to do things according to her husband's instructions.

In the Dali Imperial Palace, the Dali monarchs and ministers received a report that the two main forces of the Ming Dynasty were stationed on the spot after being denied the pass, and did not take any drastic actions. Dali Junchen couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Princess Qionghua looked at a sanctimonious minister and said angrily: "What kind of fake way is nonsense!" Since we have taken refuge in the Ming Dynasty, we should make the actions that our subordinates should be, such half-heartedness and suspicion will only harm all of us! "That minister's name is Duan Wu, and he is the secretary of the criminal department of Dali State, and he can be regarded as a high authority. Not long ago, it was the emperor who was still in doubt when he said that the Ming army had bad intentions and that the army entered Dali not to help Dali resist foreign insults, but to play a conspiracy to fight against false ways. Emperor Dali was already suspicious of the Ming army's entry into the country, and when he heard such words, he was greatly frightened, and even if he overturned the promise he had just reached with the Ming side, he ordered all cities and passes to immediately close the city gates and prohibit the Ming army from passing.

Duan Wu didn't look at Princess Qionghua, and said to the emperor: "Your Majesty, Weichen is also thinking about Dali's Jiangshan Society!" He turned his head and glanced at Princess Qionghua and said, "At this time, the Ming Army has not made any moves, which does not mean that they have no conspiracy!" They didn't expect His Majesty to see through their conspiracy, so they were at a loss for a moment in the face of the sudden situation! I'm sure they're now stepping up their plans and will attack us at any moment! The Emperor frowned and nodded.

Princess Qionghua had a feeling of crying and laughing, and said, "May I ask my lord, is it the Ming army that is attacking us now, or are the rebels, Tianzhu and Bagan attacking us?" The Ming army is what we invited you to come, and the rebels, Tianzhu and Bagan people have captured countless state capitals and counties! We are here to discuss how to deal with the Ming army, which is also ridiculous! ”

Duan Wu said: "The princess is wrong! Then he said to the emperor: "Your Majesty, the Ming people have no ill intentions at all, and take this opportunity to enter our country, and their intentions can be described as Sima Zhao's heart, which is known to everyone!" In fact, the problems we are currently encountering, we can completely solve them ourselves, why do we need to intervene? Tianzhu and Bagan were invited by Duan Zhichun, and Duan Zhichun, Your Majesty, he is your royal brother, you should be very clear about his personality, he will never seek to seize the country, the reason why he united Tianzhu and Bagan is actually to deal with the Ming people! Therefore, we can negotiate with Duan Zhichun, as long as the misunderstanding between the two sides is eliminated and the two sides are unanimous, the current crisis will not only be solved, but also the Ming army will be wiped out in front of the powerful forces of the coalition forces! ”

The emperor nodded thoughtfully, and all the ministers echoed it, all of them feeling that what Duan Wu said was very reasonable.

Seeing this scene, Princess Qionghua was very anxious, and said urgently: "What does Duan Zhichun think, let's not talk about it for the time being, but are the Tianzhu people and Bagan people all here to do good deeds?" How can they stop if they don't occupy our land? ”

Everyone couldn't help frowning, although they didn't want to believe it in their hearts, they couldn't help but worry. Duan Wu said: "The price must be paid, but the two of them just want some land and some benefits, and Da Ming is different, he wants to destroy our Dali!" The lesser of two evils, at this time, you have to pay a part of the price in exchange for Tianzhu Bagan to deal with the Ming people! Driving the tiger and devouring the wolf is the best policy at the moment! ”

Everyone nodded in agreement, saying that at this time, they could only use such a strategy.

Princess Qionghua said to her father: "Father, don't do this! ”

The emperor glared at Princess Qionghua and said angrily, "Do you want us to be annexed by the Ming Dynasty?" Princess Qionghua couldn't help but be shocked when she saw her father talking to her so violently. The emperor said angrily: "You are a woman, you should not be in charge of national affairs, and you should not participate in the discussion of politics in the future!" Princess Qionghua was sad and worried, and burst into tears. The emperor waved his hand and said, "Go down!" Qiong Huagong bit his lip with tears, bowed to his father, and staggered down.

The emperor looked at his daughter's back and was very disgusted. Turning his head to Duan Wu, he said, "Aiqing, do you think we can talk to Duan Zhichun?" Duan Wu said categorically: "We must be able to talk about it!" The minister is willing to guarantee the head of the item! Chen believes that as long as the two sides negotiate, the Tianzhu army and the Bagan army will no longer be our enemies, but will become powerful allies against the Ming Dynasty! ”

The emperor was very pleased, and then said depressedly: "I was really dizzy before, I actually listened to slander and went to ask Da Ming for help, and now I have led the wolf into the house, alas! ”

Duan Wu said: "Your Majesty is wise and martial! In fact, it is better for His Majesty to bring in the Ming Army! Now that the Ming army is trapped in the territory of my Dali, it is impossible to advance or retreat, as long as it negotiates with Duan Zhichun, then the army will besiege them, and they will be able to destroy them in one fell swoop like catching turtles in an urn! The emperor was overjoyed, nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad!" It's really a turtle in an urn! All the ministers laughed, and the haze that had been haunting everyone's hearts these days seemed to be swept away in an instant! The emperor said impatiently: "Without further ado, we must send an envoy quickly!" Aiqing thinks who is the best messenger? Saying this, I couldn't help but think about Duan Wu's examination in my heart. Although the emperor felt that what Duan Wu said was very reasonable, he also had some doubts about whether he had already secretly communicated with Duan Zhichun, and his words at this time were to sell himself. If he wants to be a messenger himself, that is, he wants to take the opportunity to get out, then he has already been bought by Duan Zhichun nine times out of ten, otherwise there should be no problem.

I saw Duan Wu clasp his fists and said: "The minister originally wanted to serve His Majesty, but the envoy lobbying is not what the minister is good at, so I also ask Your Majesty to find a minister who is good at diplomacy to come out and envoy the other party!" ”

When the emperor heard him say this, the doubts in his heart immediately disappeared, and he smiled: "Aiqing is too modest. If Aiqing can make the other party, I will naturally sit back and relax. But I can't do without you by my side, so this messenger has to choose someone else! Then his eyes swept over the crowd in the main hall, and finally landed on a minister, and called with a smile: "Wang Aiqing! I saw a middle-aged man who was slightly blessed and kind-looking left the train, came to the middle of the main hall, bowed down and said, "The minister is here." "This person's name is Wang Zhong, he is the secretary of Dali Temple, although he is not the most suitable candidate for an envoy, but he is the most reassuring person for the emperor.

The emperor instructed: "Wang Aiqing, the heavy responsibility of this envoy will be handed over to you." Wang Zhong bowed and promised.

After all, what happens next, let's see how it will be broken down next time.