Guo Yan, a veteran who has been in the officialdom for more than ten years, is naturally not a vegetarian.

He knew the twists and turns in the court, and he understood that the so-called promise was just a ploy, a delaying tactic to temporarily appease Zhu Zhenhai.

Zhu Zhenhai used to be a rebel thief, which gave the court a headache.

Although he later surrendered to the imperial court, who can guarantee that he had no ambitions to rebel again? After all, the country is easy to change, but the nature is difficult to change.

As soon as the imperial court gave him a verbal promise, he thought that he could really become the commander of the Western Route Army, which was ridiculous.

Guo Yan sneered, and said secretly in his heart: "Zhu Zhenhai, Zhu Zhenhai, do you really think that the imperial court will make you the commander of the Western Route Army so easily?" Don't dream, it's just a façade. The purpose of the court is to keep you working for the court and prevent you from rebelling again. ”

Thinking of this, Guo Yan couldn't help but admire the foresight of the imperial court.

He knew that although this battle for the throne seemed calm on the surface, it was actually surging and dangerous. If you are not careful, you may fall into a situation from which you will never recover.

And what about Zhu Zhenhai? He was still immersed in his own dreams. He thought that as long as he took Zhengzhou, he would become the commander of the Western Route Army and be crowned the crown prince.

It's a pity, he's so naïve!

After the discussion of preparing for the war was over, he first exchanged a few words with Zhu Zhenhai, and then cut to the chase and said: "General Zhu, I know that you have great expectations for the promise of the imperial court. But I want to remind you that the commander of the Western Route Army is not so easy to be. ”

Zhu Zhenhai was stunned for a moment after hearing Guo Yan's words, and then his face became ugly, and he sneered and said to Guo Yan, "Guo Yan, Guo Yan, do you think that you can hit my confidence by saying this?" Stop dreaming! I, Zhu Zhenhai, am not so easy to be defeated. I will naturally fight for the promise of the imperial court, and whether I can fulfill it depends on my ability. ”

Guo Yan looked at Zhu Zhenhai's arrogant and domineering appearance, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "What a guy who doesn't know the height of the sky!" ”

But he also knew that now was not the time to turn his face with Zhu Zhenhai, so he held back the anger in his heart and turned away.

Xue Mang kept staring at Guo Yan's distant back, until he was sure that the other party had gone away, and then he dared to come to Zhu Zhenhai.

He had a flattering smile on his face, but he couldn't hide the sly glint in his eyes.

"General," Xue Mang lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "You see that General Guo, as the commander-in-chief, simply doesn't take you as the deputy marshal in his eyes. ”

Zhu Zhenhai was already dissatisfied with Guo Yan, but when he heard Xue Mang say this, the anger in his heart soared.

His face turned pale, and he gritted his teeth and said, "This Guo Yan, do you really think that you are the commander of the Western Route Army?" Sooner or later, Ben Shuai will let him know that he is powerful! ”

Xue Mang saw that Zhu Zhenhai was angry, and he was secretly happy in his heart, but he still pretended to be loyal and persuaded him: "The general is angry." Guo Yan is just a clown, not worth your anger. As long as you get out of the Tiger Prison as soon as possible, attack Zhengzhou, and make great achievements, the imperial court will naturally fulfill its promise and let you be the commander of the Western Route Army. ”

Zhu Zhenhai's eyes lit up when he heard this, and the anger in his heart disappeared a little. He pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "You're right. As long as Ben Shuai takes Zhengzhou, the imperial court will obediently let Ben Shuai be the commander of the Western Route Army. When the time comes, see if Guo Yan, a bastard, dares to be arrogant! ”

However, although the idea was beautiful, the reality gave Zhu Zhenhai a resounding slap in the face.

He soon discovered that mobilizing a large army was not an easy task.

Guo Yan, as the commander of the Western Route Army, holds the right to mobilize the army, and without his life, it is difficult for Zhu Zhenhai to mobilize the army.

Zhu Zhenhai angrily approached Guo Yan and asked him why he refused his plan to send troops.

Guo Yan said coldly with a businesslike look: "The rest of the four armies have not yet arrived, so we can't act rashly." Don't think that Zhao Yingluo's private soldiers are a group of rabble, they are also prepared. ”

Zhu Zhenhai laughed angrily when he heard this. He said mockingly: "Guo Yan! Guo Yan! In vain, you are still the commander of the Western Route Army, and you are so cowardly and afraid! We are 250,000 troops, and as far as I know, the defenders stationed in Kaifeng are only 150,000 or 60,000. ”

Guo Yan was completely enraged by Zhu Zhenhai's words. He slammed the table and stood up, glared at Zhu Zhenhai and said, "This coach has his own reasons for acting, and it's not your turn to point fingers!" If you dare to transfer troops privately, don't blame me for being unkind! ”

Zhu Zhenhai also glared back without showing weakness and said, "You're welcome? What can you do with Ben Shuai? I'm going to send troops to attack Zhengzhou, can you manage it? ”

Guo Yan sneered and said, "Well, since you are so stubborn, then don't blame me for not thinking about my colleagues." I'll show the court to punish you for your crimes!" ”

When Zhu Zhenhai heard that Guo Yan was going to go to the official's house, his heart trembled suddenly. The churning anger seemed to be poured down by a basin of cold water, and it was extinguished a lot in an instant.

He is not a fool, and he naturally knows that going against Guo Yan at this time will only put himself in a more disadvantageous situation.

If he was deprived of his official position by the official family because of this, then he Zhu Zhenhai would really become an ordinary citizen of the Great Song Dynasty, and he would never have a chance to turn over.

Thinking of this, Zhu Zhenhai couldn't help but shudder, and most of the anger in his heart dissipated. He glared at Guo Yan, but didn't say anything, just turned around and brushed his sleeves away, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

Guo Yan looked at Zhu Zhenhai's back, and the corners of his mouth hooked up a satisfied smile.

He knew that as long as Zhu Zhenhai didn't come nonsense and obediently stayed under his control, then after the end of the crusade in the future, the first credit would definitely be his own.

After all, he is the real commander of the Western Route Army, and Zhu Zhenhai is just a deputy.

However, when the dispute between Guo Yan and Zhu Zhenhai temporarily subsided, Xue Mang did not plan to stop there. He had been secretly observing the movements of the two, and he knew that he had already planted the seeds of resentment in the hearts of the two of them.

Seeing the two of them stop at this moment, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious in his heart.

This seed was finally planted, and if it can't be allowed to take root and sprout, wouldn't it be a waste of all the work?

……

Meanwhile, in distant Yanjing, a deal is underway that sits on the fate of the two countries.

According to the peace agreement between the Jin State and the Great Song Dynasty, the envoys of the Great Song Dynasty finally sent 500,000 taels of gold and silk to Yanjing after a month's trek.

This huge amount of New Year's coins was undoubtedly a heavy burden for the Great Song Dynasty, but in exchange for the help of the Jin State's troops, they also had to grit their teeth and bear it.

After the envoy presented the New Year's coin, he conveyed the news that the Great Song Emperor Zhao Gou had requested the Dajin Kingdom to send troops as soon as possible.

Wan Yansheng sat on a high throne and looked at the gold and silver jewelry in front of him expressionlessly.

He did not rush to tell the Great Song envoys when the Dajin Kingdom would send troops, but just said that it was tiring all the way, and let the Great Song envoys settle in the post house to rest first.

Although the envoy was anxious, he did not dare to say anything. He could only follow Yan Sheng's arrangement and go to the post house to settle down first.

He knows that although the deal is halfway done, the real test is yet to come.

He had to find a way to persuade Yan Sheng to send troops as soon as possible, otherwise the New Year's coin would be spent in vain.