Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 341 Is General Wei okay?

Jinyang, the Secretariat.

Duan Shao was a tall and strong man, sitting in the upper seat. He had completely changed from his usual gentle and elegant demeanor to a fierce one, revealing the look of a fighter.

In the past, only the Zhou people and the rebels had seen this kind of appearance, but they were all dead.

The ministers who usually chattered a lot sat on both sides of Duan Shao. They couldn't help but shorten their bodies by three inches, curled up, and put their heads in. None of them dared to stretch their bodies.

The brave generals sat cross-legged among the ministers, wearing armor and carrying weapons.

Duan Shao's eyes swept over these people one by one.

That is to say, Zhao Yanshen conducted the initial selection and eliminated many of those who were unqualified. Otherwise, there would be no room for everyone here.

Duan Shao's purpose is simple.

He just wanted to keep the State of Qi.

Back then, King Gao led this group of people and put in countless efforts to build this powerful country and despise the two thieves.

Many of the people who now come to Liu Taozi are second or even third generation.

They had never participated in the founding war and lacked basic sympathy for the country.

But for founding fathers like Duan Shao, Da Qi was created by everyone together. It was the foundation of everyone and the destination of countless people who had followed them in their battles and died.

If the country is destroyed in my hands, then what is the meaning of my life's battles? What is the meaning of the blood shed by so many people?
Duan Shao has a story about every state and every city in Da Qi.

But Duan Shao also sees the current situation very clearly.

The tide is gone.

One city or one state cannot feed so many people. In the past, Jinyang needed constant transfusions from the surrounding areas to maintain its army.

Now, after what that little beast has done, no one knows how much food and fodder is left in the national treasury.

If we were to go out to fight, the consumption of food and fodder would be a matter of days. With our current strength, if we lead the army to attack the enemy, I am afraid that we would run out of food halfway through the journey and the army would collapse.

People cannot fight a war on an empty stomach, unless they have higher ideals and a higher realm.

Duan Shao was faced with an unsolvable problem.

The generals were very happy. These rough guys never considered other issues. They just lived from day to day, blindly and not caring about the future. They just felt that without Gao Wei, everyone could go back to the past, continue to command the army, continue to do evil, and no strange people would appear to share their power.

The ministers were very frightened. They could not see any future and wanted to run away but did not dare to.

Liu Taozi doesn't want people like them.

Anyone who had a little confidence that he could be taken in by Liu Taozi would definitely not have stayed until today.

Duan Shao read out the Empress Dowager's edict to depose the Emperor.

The generals were delighted and bowed and obeyed.

The other ministers said nothing. In today's world, unless King Gao led the founding team to suddenly resurrect, no one could do anything.

"Everyone, what should we do next?"

Duan Shao looked at everyone, as if he was asking them, or as if he was asking himself.

Everyone slowly looked at Situ Zhao Yanshen.

Zhao Yanshen replied: "Grand Marshal, we should announce the emperor's crimes and prepare for the new emperor's enthronement. I am willing to have people prepare the ceremonies for the enthronement."

"Yes!"

"Yes, the next step is to prepare for the coronation!"

All the ministers responded.

Duan Shao was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Everyone please go back first, Lord Zhao will stay for now."

Everyone seemed to be relieved. They happily bid farewell to Duan Shao and left one by one.

Zhao Yanshen sat aside, and it was hard to tell whether he was happy or sad.

After everyone left, Duan Shao looked at him and said, "Lord Zhao, we are the only ones here. You are the only one in the court who can give me some advice. I hope you can speak freely. I will not punish you for your words, and I don't have any other ideas. I just want you to give me some advice."

Zhao Yanshen smiled bitterly, "Why would the Grand Marshal ask me this?"

"What else can we do now?"

"Bingzhou originally relied on subsidies from the imperial court to support so many troops. Now there are only a few cities left in Bingzhou. The whole country is in chaos, the people have no interest in farming, and the treasury is empty. We don't even need the enemy to attack us, we will collapse on our own."

"The Jinyang troops are our guarantee and cannot be withdrawn."

Duan Shao looked at him calmly, "So, what should we do?"

Zhao Yanshen stopped talking, his expression becoming slightly more serious, "There are three options now."

"Mr. Zhao, please speak."

"The first way is to find a way to reduce the size of the army, cultivate land, increase grain production, retain elite troops, conduct drills, and wait for the right time to change."

"The second way is that we can take the initiative to attack while we still have some food and grass. While Liu Taozi is in the south, we can attack his rear and take Shuozhou and Hengzhou."

"The third way is for us to surrender to Liu Taozi and ask him to spare the lives of the royal family."

Duan Shao nodded, "As expected of an old minister."

"This third point is what Lord Zhao really wants to say."

Zhao Yanshen's expression remained unchanged. "Just now, the Grand Marshal said that he would not punish anyone for their words."

"I'm not blaming you for your words, I'm blaming you for your actions."

“I just don’t understand.”

Zhao Yanshen looked confused.

Duan Shao shook his head slightly, "Mr. Zhao's performance was really amazing, but it's a pity that he still revealed his flaws."

"I was thinking about one thing before. When the emperor was in Yecheng, the army sent by Liu Taozi was about to arrive. At this time, what choice should the emperor make?"

"First, gather everyone in the city to fight to the death, then dispatch Jinyang soldiers to support and attack the enemy in different directions, and then let the south of the river help with all its strength. With Liu Taozi's killing in the north, neither the south nor Jinyang will remain indifferent."

"Second, retreat to the Fen River, gather the Jinyang soldiers to escort them south, and then retreat step by step, transfer the army and their families to the south of the river, control the south through the army, use the supplies in the south to maintain the army, and continue the confrontation."

"Third, abandon Yecheng, do not occupy a position where you can retreat, run to the isolated city of Jinyang, and surround yourself."

"Your Majesty chose the third way. I am not surprised. The emperor is incompetent. But I heard that this was your suggestion."

"You've had a lot of dealings with Zu Ting in the past. I think you're in cahoots with him. Liu Taozi and his men are always able to quickly learn about the situation here, and they're able to erode our forces step by step. Wherever I move the troops, they'll come and capture that city. They know everything faster than I do."

"The temple is becoming more and more chaotic, but you, Situ, don't care about anything."

Zhao Yanshen was a little scared. He said helplessly, "I am a civil official. I don't have the long-term vision of the war. Besides, it's no secret that some people in the country are colluding with Liu Taozi. They all hope to save their lives in the future and are willing to sell all kinds of information to Liu Taozi. How can you blame me?"

"If you say you have a friendship with Zu Ting, then your brother also had a friendship with Zu Ting in the past. As for me and Zu Ting, we just know each other. I have never even been to his banquet."

"I have always been timid and never associated with anyone. I only want to protect myself. If the Grand Marshal wants to punish me for this, I admit it. But if you accuse me of colluding with Liu Taozi, I will not admit it."

Duan Shao suddenly raised his head and looked at him. "Mr. Zhao is a coward and only wants to survive. Everyone says so. If that's the case, why doesn't Mr. Zhao run away?"

"As far as I know, you are the least transgressive among the ministers in the court. You have never accepted bribes, seized land, or killed people indiscriminately. Your biggest crime is promoting your cronies. In the past, you were the best in local governance and you have outstanding abilities. Liu Taozi will never punish you. If you stay in Jinyang, you may die at any time. But if you join Liu Taozi's army, you can save your life. Why don't you run?"

"Many of the people I offended in the past are under Liu Taozi's command. If I go to his side, how can I survive if those people frame me together?"

"Although Liu Taozi is an enemy, I know him well. Lord Zhao must also know him well. He will not kill someone just to frame someone."

"Mr. Zhao, you are a minister who has served us for generations and founded the country together. Why do you want to do this?"

Zhao Yanshen sighed, "The Grand Marshal has already identified me as a thief, so there is no point in me saying anything more."

"I really don't have any talent, but I have never left my house in Jinyang, and I never meet outsiders. How could I have colluded with Liu Taozi? Alas, I think I am not worthy of my position. If the Grand Marshal wants to punish me, please put me in prison. But please, for the sake of our past friendship, don't humiliate me and let me die quickly."

Duan Shao fell silent again.

"Someone is coming."

Several soldiers rushed in quickly. Duan Shao looked at them calmly and said, "Take Lord Zhao back to his house and take good care of him."

Zhao Yanshen stood up, saluted Duan Shao, and left with the soldiers without saying anything. Duan Shao frowned, and just as he picked up the document in front of him, his younger brother Duan Xiaoyan rushed in.

He changed into new clothes and looked a little excited.

"Brother, I have done it."

Duan Shao suddenly raised his head and stared at his brother, "What have you done?"

"The emperor, the emperor has passed away."

Duan Shao's eyes widened, he quickly stood up and grabbed his brother by the collar, "Regicide?"

Duan Xiaoyan was not afraid. He said seriously, "I'm going to die anyway, so I might as well die faster to avoid any hidden dangers. Why are you so angry, brother?"

Duan Xiaoyan didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

This story dates back to several hundred years ago. Ever since a reckless man named Cheng Ji stabbed the emperor with his spear and hit him, regicide was no longer a big deal. Moreover, it was not a regicide in the street, but killing him in a place where no one could see him, which was already very good.

This kind of operation was used twice in the past by the one in the west. Even before it was disabled, he was poisoned and killed while in power, and no one dared to say anything.

In today's world, killing an emperor is not a new thing, but not killing him after deposing him is a new thing.

Duan Shao asked coldly: "How dare you do such a thing without my order?"

Duan Xiaoyan said directly: "I was afraid that my brother would be merciful to this little thief and forgive him, so I killed him early. Now I don't have to worry about him causing any hidden dangers."

Duan Shao slowly let go of his brother, "Now, I have completely become a usurper."

"We have already done the work of abolishing and enthroning, do we still need to care about this?"

Duan Shao sat down again, his face numb.

What happened today was not Duan Shao's original intention. Although he had thought about it in the past, it was actually the emperor's own stupidity. If he had not been in a hurry to act, even if Duan Shao was angry, he would not have done so many things. These things are easy to deal with, but what about the next things?
Duan Xiaoyan sat aside and looked at his brother who was frowning. He asked in confusion, "Why would killing a deposed emperor make your brother so worried?"

"What I am worried about is not the deposed emperor, but the big event that will happen next."

Duan Xiaoyan thought for a moment, "Is it the new monarch's problem?"

Duan Shao no longer had any hope for his younger brother, as there was no one around him who could help him.

He drove his brother out and did not punish him. Just as his brother said, killing a deposed emperor was not a big deal.

The following events proceeded in an orderly manner.

Duan Shao didn't even participate too much. He locked himself in the house and began to think about countermeasures all night.

The new emperor, Gao Yan, was younger than Gao Wei and was just a little kid who was receiving enlightenment.

Empress Dowager Hu hugged him tightly and kissed and pinched him.

"My child, you must remember that no matter what, I am your biological mother. You must never forget this. No one can compare to me. Even if you become an emperor in the future, you must not get carried away."

The little guy just sat on his mother's lap stupidly, listening to her words, with confusion in his eyes.

Gao Yan was indeed smarter and more decisive. He inherited all of Gao Zhan's few good qualities. At a young age, he had many good friends. Children inside and outside the palace liked to play with him. He was polite to adults, just like the wise king Gao Zhan had been before he ascended the throne.

Although he is smart, he is still young after all, and he is still confused about what is happening now.

He opened his eyes and was about to find a teacher to learn, but was suddenly told that he had ascended the throne as emperor.

As for the matter of his brother, no one mentioned it again.

He listened to his mother's chattering and couldn't help asking, "Mom, where is my brother?"

"What happened?"

"Nothing happened. You are still young, so don't worry about these things for now."

Gao Yan frowned, thinking of the teachers' teachings, and suppressed his curiosity, "Mother, don't worry, I've written down everything you said."

Empress Dowager Hu was extremely happy. She still preferred having a youngest son. She no longer had to worry about some bad woman taking her child away.

Thinking of Lu Lingxuan and others being arrested and imprisoned by Duan Shao, she felt indescribably happy.

This should have been done long ago. When Empress Dowager Hu thought that she would no longer have any hostages or worries and could play as she pleased, she felt even happier.

Even after the death of an emperor, Jinyang became surprisingly quiet, as if nothing had happened.

The entertainment venues in the palace began to be dismantled, and the actors who were imprisoned there finally got a chance to survive.

These people were sent out one by one by the soldiers. Of course, there was no compensation. Duan Shao did not allow these people to be captured as slaves. This was already the greatest gift.

The old Xianbei were very indifferent to human life, especially to the lower-class common people. They didn't care how the emperor played with them or killed them.

Pigeons flapped their wings and flew continuously in the air, coming and going very frequently.

Under such circumstances, the new emperor's coronation ceremony seemed particularly shabby.

Fortunately, the new emperor is still young and doesn't care about these things at all.

After the coronation ceremony, everyone received the "bad news" that the deposed emperor died of worry because of what had happened.

This is how everything is going.

Until this day, Duan Shao was calculating food and losses in his study, but a soldier came to tell him that someone wanted to see him.

The soldier said seriously, "The man who came is an old man. He claimed to be from Liu Taozi's army and came to see the Grand Marshal for something very important."

Duan Shao put down the document in his hand and glanced at him, "How much did I give you?"

The soldier did not hide it and immediately took out the money from his pocket and began to count it.

"Forget it, forget it, don't count, go and bring them here."

Duan Shao rubbed his forehead, looking helpless.

This doorman thing has become a common practice everywhere and has become commonplace.

Duan Shao had probably guessed the other party's identity.

Three people walked into the house, led by an old man.

The soldiers were guarding around, and they hurriedly bowed to meet Duan Shao.

Duan Shao stared at the three of them for a moment and asked, "Is Wei Xiaokuan in good health?"

"I heard that he is still fighting Gao Changgong and his men in the north. It is really hard for him. On the one hand, he is fighting Gao Changgong, and on the other hand, he has to consider the affairs in Jinyang."

The three men were stunned. The leader slowly stepped back, and the people behind him came out and saluted Duan Shao.

"Greetings, Lord Duan. My general is in good health and often writes to us to ask about your situation."

This is a woman.

Duan Shao didn't care much, "Why, he wants to persuade me to surrender to Zhou?"

"How dare you."

Zhang Siyan smiled and looked towards the door. "The letter my general gave us was just found by that soldier and has not been returned to us."

Duan Shao looked at the soldier. The man held the letter in his hand. He touched it carefully and then handed it to Duan Shao.

Duan Shao looked helpless, but did not refute him. Picking up the letter, Duan Shao casually glanced at it.

But when he saw this, Duan Shao was shocked.

This was not a letter written by Wei Xiaokuan to Duan Shao, but to Gao Wei.

Judging from the signature and other aspects, this letter was sent to Jinyang very early, but it has not yet reached the emperor's hands.

The content of the letter was also quite explosive.

Duan Shao slowly looked at the other party, "Does Wei Xiaokuan want to repeat what happened in Liang State?"

When the State of Liang was destroyed and the State of Chen emerged, the Pseudo-Zhou State found the royal family of the State of Liang and established a puppet State of Liang. This State of Liang was almost a vassal of the Pseudo-Zhou State. From inside to outside, everything was decided by the Zhou people. The main purpose was to disgust the people of Chen State.

The Emperor of Chen State repeatedly appointed Wu Mingche as the main general to try to get rid of the fake Liang State, but the fake Zhou State could not protect it, and the Liang State still exists today.
Wei Xiaokuan's proposal was to help the Emperor of Qi to establish a country in the south.

(End of this chapter)