Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 219 There is a villain causing trouble!
Woye Town.

"kill!!"

The shouts of soldiers kept coming in from outside.

The room was very clean, with various swords hanging on the walls.

There were two burly men sitting in the room, and no one else.

Yang Zhong sat in the upper seat, stroking his beard with one hand, looking up with an arrogant look, and holding the wine cup with the other hand, he drank it all in one gulp.

Another general sat beside him, pouring wine for Yang Zhong and saying, "According to the general's order, several camps have been built. Now, we are right next to the Qi bandits and can fight at any time."

Yang Zhong said with a straight face, "General Han has done a lot, I will definitely commend you for your contribution."

Han Xiong lowered his head hastily. "How dare I, Duke? It is my job to prepare for the military campaign. But my son has never had a good opportunity to go to war. If you could train him, that would be the best."

"Well, the general has a good son, a brave and capable general. He will surely go down in history and live up to the family tradition."

"Hahaha, my son is useless. How can he compare to your son? He should be used at a young age. He will definitely be a minister who assists the country in the future."

"You have wine."

Han Xiong poured wine for the other person again. Just when the two were about to talk about something more important, someone suddenly pushed open the door and rushed in hurriedly.

The door was pushed open, and a gust of cold wind rushed into the room accompanied by shouts and screams, almost overturning the wine cup.

Han Xiong was a little angry and looked towards the door.

Han Qinhu hurriedly greeted the two men, looking exhausted.

"Look at you, you're so impatient, how can this be allowed?!"

"How many times have I told you that as a general, the most important thing is to stay calm and not be impatient!"

Han Xiong scolded him a few words, and Han Qinhu quickly confessed his guilt. Then he raised his head with a smile on his face.

"Duke! Grandpa! Such great joy!"

"Liu Taozi has sent out his troops! The vanguard is a Hu man named Po Duo Luo, who has already destroyed several of our new camps. We can attack now!"

Looking at Han Qinhu who was smiling, Han Xiong said solemnly: "Our army suffered a setback, and you are still so happy?!"

"Go get twenty military sticks yourself!"

"only!"

Han Qinhu saluted and looked at Yang Zhong again, "General, I only ask to be by your side and be your vanguard!"

"go out!"

Han Xiong said rudely, and Han Qinhu lowered his head again and turned to leave.

Han Xiong looked at Yang Zhong helplessly, smiled bitterly and said, "My kid is too young and doesn't know many things yet."

"No problem. How can a general not be warlike?"

Yang Zhong cleared his throat and said, "Let's get back to business."

"You will be responsible for contacting the Turks."

"If nothing we say is effective, let the Turks speak for us."

"He dares to ignore us, but he may not dare to ignore the Turks."

The two men talked in low voices for a long time before Yang Zhong got up and left. When Han Qinhu limped in, only his grandfather was left in the room, and Yang Zhong had long disappeared.

Han Qinhu looked around and said, "Grandpa, follow the Duke."

"sit down!"

Han Xiong scolded unhappily, and Han Qinhu sat down beside him cautiously.

Han Xiong pondered for a moment, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

There was some silence in the room. Han Qinhu spoke first to break the silence, "Grandpa, what happened?"

"No problem. I. Qinhu, why are you so eager to go out and fight?"

"Of course it's to achieve success!"

Han Xiong nodded, "Yes, you are right. Isn't it the same when Duke Sui goes to fight against the Eastern Bandits?"

"Of course, Grandpa, what happened? Why are you talking about this?"

Han Xiong hesitated again, "You have to avoid Liu Taozi when you send out troops this time."

Han Qinhu was stunned for a moment, "Grandpa, I don't quite understand."

"Then I'll explain it to you clearly! Don't be obsessed with Liu Taozi. Look far ahead and focus on Jinyang, not the border. Do you understand what I mean?"

"If we want to attack Jinyang, we must first attack the border. Liu Taozi is no mediocre person. If we bypass him to attack Jinyang, he will definitely cut off our retreat and wipe out our entire army. If we want to attack Jinyang, how can we avoid Liu Taozi?"

"How to attack is up to Duke Sui. He can think of everything you can think of, so you don't need to say anything."

"I just want to tell you not to keep staring at Liu Taozi, and don't always persuade the Duke to attack Liu Taozi."

Han Qinhu said seriously: "Father, you don't know that Liu Taozi is definitely a powerful enemy of the Great Zhou. He is currently managing the border, and his strength is getting stronger day by day. The strength of the border troops is almost as strong as when Gao Yang was in power. The Duke also thinks that he is a serious threat and must be eliminated first. I think that no matter how much it costs, Liu Taozi must be eliminated first!"

Han Xiong slammed the table and said, "Yes, that's what I'm talking about!"

"The Duke sent out troops to build meritorious service, not to destroy a general. Liu Taozi's army is extremely strong, so why fight him to death? When you go to war with the Duke in the future, do what he tells you to do honestly. Don't talk too much, and don't act on your own."

Han Qinhu seemed to understand a little bit, "The Duke doesn't want to eliminate Liu Taozi at all? He doesn't want to really take over Jinyang?"

"Then why did he send out troops? Just to gain some military merit?"

Han Xiong said calmly: "War is not just about fighting, there are many things outside the battlefield."

"Destroying Liu Taozi may be beneficial to the Great Zhou, or it may lead to the destruction of the Great Zhou."

"You are still young and don't understand the reason."

"Just do as you're told."

After all, Han Qinhu had read many books, and after a temporary loss of consciousness, he quickly reacted.

He didn't speak for a long time.

He raised his head, a look of disappointment appeared on his face, and he asked, "Grandpa, if the generals only think about their own interests and ignore national affairs, can the country last long?"

Han Xiong frowned and waved his hand.

"Don't ask me about this."

"You can ask Yuwen Hu."

After coming out from Han Xiong's place, Han Qinhu became much quieter. He looked up with a bitter look on his face.

During these days, he was very busy, setting up tents around Liu Taozi's towns, waiting for the other side to take the initiative to attack, creating an excuse to destroy the enemy and eliminate this great threat.

In order to accomplish this task, he ran around and fought several battles with several guards under Liu Taozi. He finally waited for the other side to send out troops and had an excuse.
But the conversation with his father just now made Han Qinhu suddenly wake up.

Duke Suiguo didn't care at all whether Liu Taozi would become a serious threat. This was just an excuse for them, an excuse to send troops.

Send troops to attack those places that are easy to capture, make more military achievements, support more military leaders, increase your own power, and kick out those Yuwen Hu's confidants who are not good at fighting.
There are many purposes, but none of them is for the world.

Thinking of his busy running around these days, Han Qinhu's mood suddenly became complicated.

How come the things recorded in this book become completely different once they are around us?

Han Xiong's words just now also indicated that the army would definitely go out to fight, and Han Qinhu would be able to join the army, but for some reason, he did not feel as excited as before.

After returning to his courtyard, Han Qinhu took out all the books in his study and put them into a box.

The next day, he led his army out of the fertile land and headed to the junction of the Jin River to continue his mission.

The entire Great Zhou became somewhat lively, with armies from all over the country sharpening their swords.

Almost everyone knows that there will be a huge East-West war this year.

This is what all generals expect, especially those who are ambitious and eager to continue to increase their power. War is the biggest way for them to gain benefits.

At the same time, Yubi City also became lively.

The knights kept running back and forth, in and out.

In winter, carrier pigeons are almost useless and messages can only be delivered by manpower.

Inside the house, the fire was burning brightly.

Wei Xiaokuan sat in front of the fire, stunned.

He didn't even take the clerk's report seriously.

"General?"

The scholar interrupted Wei Xiaokuan's contemplation. Wei Xiaokuan then looked at him and said with a wry smile: "This is what it's like to be old. I don't have much energy to continue talking. I will definitely be serious this time." "Liu Taozi also sent his soldiers to serve as county lieutenants in various places, patrolling and recovering the county soldiers in various places."

Wei Xiaokuan was stunned again.

But the scribe did not stop and continued speaking.

After an unknown amount of time, Wei Xiaokuan finally shook his head and said, "No need to say more."

"Gao Zhan actually sent Gao Anagong to deal with Liu Taozi. How ridiculous."

"At this moment, generals from all over the country are eager to go to war again."

Wei Xiaokuan frowned. "Now, it is beneficial to the Great Zhou not to start a war. Although Liu Taozi has taken Shuozhou this time, he has acted much more radically than before. If there were no outsiders, they would definitely start a fight first."

"Although Gao Zhan is brutal, he has many capable generals and elite soldiers under his command. If the two go to war, Liu Taozi may not be able to hold out and may even defect to the Great Zhou."

"But now, the generals in the country have repeatedly pressed him. Even if Gao Zhan knows, he dare not act rashly."

As Wei Xiaokuan spoke, his face became more melancholy.

Unlike other generals, he was opposed to sending troops rashly.

Although Gao Yan died, the Pseudo-Qi was not affected at all. Although the border defense was dilapidated, the elite troops in Jinyang and Yecheng remained unchanged.

In such a situation, sending troops will only do harm and no good.

He felt that the imperial court should send an envoy to offer sacrifices to Gao Yan, and then promise Gao Zhan to live in peace, and then withdraw the troops from the border to create a good space for a duel between Gao Zhan and Liu Taozi.

Once the two started fighting, it would not be easy to end. Liu Taozi could not break through Jinyang, and Gao Zhan could not quickly defeat Liu Taozi.

Once the war becomes intense, no matter what the outcome, it will be beneficial to the Great Zhou.

However, his idea did not receive the support of generals at home.

Because of the influence of the unique military system of the Great Zhou Dynasty itself, the generals of the Great Zhou Dynasty were more warlike. War could bring them huge benefits. This was also the reason why they became stronger and stronger as they fought more wars, and why the country's national strength could still make great strides even with people like Yuwen Hu.

But this is not without disadvantages, and the disadvantage is the current situation.

Wei Xiaokuan closed his eyes and began to ponder again.

How can we speed up Liu Taozi's rebellion?

How to get them to fight?
If not, how can we get Yang Zhong and others to attack Liu Taozi with all their strength and make eliminating Liu Taozi the top priority?
Wei Xiaokuan suddenly opened his eyes, stood up, walked a few steps to the door, and opened it.

There was a strong wind outside, but Wei Xiaokuan was not afraid at all. He faced the cold wind and looked into the distance.

At this moment, he already had some ideas in his mind.

A smile flashed across his face, but then disappeared.

The huge jade wall surrounded the government office.

The Qi people could not enter this fortified city.

But he couldn't get out.

"Someone, send someone over here. I have a message to deliver to Yecheng."

The sound became blurred by the wind.

Yecheng, Imperial Palace.

"Is this the Tiger and Bear General you recommended to me?!"

"Is this the courage of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei? The military strategy of Han Bai?!"

Gao Zhan grabbed He Shikai's arm, his face ferocious, and kept questioning him.

He Shikai lowered his head, his eyes full of tears, and cried, "Your Majesty, it's my fault, please punish me!!"

Looking at He Shikai, whose face was covered with tears, Gao Zhan slowly loosened his hand and sighed, "It's not all your fault. Who would have thought that Liu Taozi would act so quickly? How dare he rebel?!"

"Having a provincial governor hostage, deceiving the imperial court, and occupying the city privately is already an act of treason and cannot be condoned!"

"Prepare the carriages and horses. I will lead the troops to Jinyang and have King Pingyuan come to greet us!"

He Shikai was still wiping his tears and sobbing softly.

Zu Ting hurried forward and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, Liu Taozi is a rebel, there is no doubt that he should be killed, but the pseudo-Zhou army is already ready at the border. Attacking Liu Taozi now may only benefit the Zhou people in the end."

Gao Zhan was very angry, "What should we do? Should we allow him to occupy Shuozhou privately?"

Zu Ting said hurriedly, "Of course we can't condone this. The King of Pengcheng even reported to the emperor earlier, saying that it was justifiable and that he would discuss this matter after defeating Yang Zhong. I don't know what he was thinking."

"What does King Pengcheng know?! Liu Taozi's move is treason!!"

"Don't say anything more. Prepare the carriage for me now. I will lead the army to defeat Liu Taozi and cut off his head!"

Gao Zhan looked irritable and asked He Shikai for more drinks.

Zu Ting refused to persuade her and went out to make preparations immediately.

He Shikai cried and sat beside Gao Zhan, "Your Majesty, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have recommended such a person."

Gao Zhan listened to his crying, his face full of helplessness, "Forget it, forget it, don't cry anymore, you and Gao An'gong were both careless for a moment, even I didn't expect that Liu Taozi would dare to do this, his grandfather is still here with me, his relatives are still here with me, you are really right, this guy doesn't care about others at all, he is a beast without a king, father or discipline!"

"The sooner we kill him, the better it will be for us."

"Before killing him, we have to kill Liu Taozhi first."

As Gao Zhan was speaking, a soldier suddenly came up to report.

"Your Majesty, Minister Gao Rui requests to see you."

"Oh? Subaru is here? Let him in!!"

Gao Zhan was very happy and quickly asked someone to come in. Soon, a young man who was less than 30 years old walked in. He looked somewhat similar to Gao Zhan, but much softer, and looked kind and honest.

He was dressed somewhat lightly, and when he entered the hall, he hurriedly bowed to Gao Zhan.

"His Majesty!"

Gao Zhan smiled and helped him up. Gao Rui was the nephew of Emperor Shenwu and also Gao Zhan's cousin.

He was raised by Gao Huan, so he has a very close relationship with Gao Zhan. He is also a rare all-rounder among the royal family.

He was a gentle person, respectful to the wise and caring for the people. Like Liu Taozi, he had served as the governor of Beishuozhou in the past, and the commander-in-chief of the three states of Beiyan, Beiwei, and Beiheng, as well as the military affairs of the towns on the Great Wall west of Kutui and east of the Yellow River.

During his term of office, he appeased the people, strengthened garrisons, dug wells and ponds, and implemented many benevolent policies, winning him the support of the military and civilians.

Until now, his reputation is still known in all places along the border, and his prestige in the border may not be less than that of Liu Taozi.

Seeing him coming, the anger on Gao Zhan's face disappeared immediately. He couldn't help laughing, "Some people told me that Liu Taozi's prestige in the border is too high and it is not easy to take action. But they don't know that I have a wise man like you by my side. I will appoint Duan Shao as the general and Hulugu as the vanguard. You will appease them along the way. Can Liu Taozi stop me?!"

"Subatari! You've arrived just in time!"

"Liu Taozi is plotting a rebellion in Shuozhou. I am going to lead a large army to fight him. You will come with me!"

Gao Rui was stunned.

He quickly knelt in front of Gao Zhan and said, "Your Majesty, this is exactly why I came here."

Gao Zhan was stunned for a moment, then he helped him up and said solemnly: "In the current first month, Yang Zhong and others dare not send troops without orders."

"Liu Taozi is still underdeveloped, and his troops are scattered all over the place. If we can quickly attack and defeat his main force, we can smoothly take over the defense of various places and maintain the local situation before the Zhou people."

"Besides, you have the most prestige in the frontier. Beishuo, Beiheng, and the many garrisons outside the city, who would not obey you?"

"Liu Taozi's rebellious intentions are already apparent. If we don't strike back quickly, we won't be able to check and balance him in another year."

Gao Rui shook his head, "Your Majesty, the roads are now covered with ice and snow, and the news of the military expedition cannot be concealed at all. When Liu Taozi learned that the army was about to leave, he had no chance to ease the situation. He would either fight or surrender to the Pseudo-Zhou. At present, Liu Taozi held Gao Anagong hostage, just as King Pengcheng said, because Shuozhou rebelled and robbed supplies. He did not take the position of governor of Shuozhou, and has now withdrawn from Shuozhou. The officials he arranged were all reported to Gao Anagong, and the local troops are the same as before."

"This cannot be considered as a rebellion, and he should not have sent troops directly."

Gao Rui slowly looked at He Shikai, "If you want to blame someone, you should blame those villains who bewitched you. Huluxian is in Shuozhou and has done nothing wrong. I don't believe he would swallow up military food and supplies, and I don't believe Gao Anagong can take on the heavy responsibility and resist the powerful enemy."

"Gao Anagong is just a show-off. In the past, he only served as a guard and accompanied him on hunts. He can be a playmate, but he cannot be a general."

"Especially in this critical moment, if I were Liu Taozi and knew that the court had sent Gao Anagong to stay behind me, I would also send people to capture him!"

"Your Majesty, the person who should be punished is not in Shuozhou, but right next to you."

Gao Zhan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

"I see!"

"Someone is coming!!"

“Go and capture Zu Ting for me. Beat him with twenty military sticks! Drive him out of Yecheng and send him to serve as an official in the border areas!!”

ps: The emperor asked Zu Ting to play the pipa in the back garden, and Shi Kai to dance the Hu dance, and each of them was rewarded with a hundred pieces of gifts. Shi Kai was jealous of this, so he was sent out to be the governor of Ande, and then the governor of Qi County. ———"Book of Northern Qi·Biography of Zu Ting"

(End of this chapter)