Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 451: Many Good Ministers in Jiangnan

"Things, things, how are they going?"

Inside the general's tent, Yuwen Yong was already able to raise his head.

He held Yuwen Xian's hand tightly, his eyes full of unwillingness.

Yuwen Xian hesitated, not knowing how to explain the current situation. If he said something good, he was afraid that he would be guilty of deceiving the emperor. But if he told the whole truth, he was afraid that something might happen to the emperor who had just woken up with great difficulty.

Yuwen Yong probably understood what he was thinking, and asked straightforwardly, "Just tell me the truth, I will have no problem."

Yuwen Xian then began to tell the story, his face looking sad.

"Chang'an has fallen. Liu Taozi broke through Chang'an and held many people hostage. Many officials were killed by him. Few were spared."

"Huang Fate started to fight back, leading his elite troops, following behind us, and wouldn't let go until he was dead."

"There is chaos everywhere, and many troops are coming to support the king. Wherever they go, the people suffer."

Only Yuwen Xian, the person involved, could give a definite answer to how bad the situation in the Zhou Kingdom was at that time.

Liu Taozi's capture of Chang'an was already the worst, and the impact of this incident is still continuing to ferment. Huang Fachi, the bastard, was chased by the Zhou people before, but now he is the one who is entangled with Yuwen Xian and pursues him relentlessly in order to delay the speed of Yuwen Xian and others' return.

There were great unrests in various places. First of all, some local officials and generals raised troops in the name of serving the king and going to the capital. Perhaps some of them really wanted to save Chang'an, but in Yuwen Xian's eyes, they were all traitors!
Without the emperor's order, you dare to lead the army to Chang'an. What do you mean by this? Are you here to save Chang'an or to replace it?

There is no need to say much about the performance of these so-called loyal troops along the way.

It was such a mess, with people burning, killing and looting along the way. Of course, this was also the daily routine of that era, and most armies in the world were like this.

This made the situation worse. A charlatan in Bashu brought a dozen people and claimed to be the emperor, and started to cause trouble.

The emperor's condition was even more serious.

Yuwen Xian didn't even say everything, he just picked out some key points to talk about. Just these contents made Yuwen Yong unable to bear it anymore. He hurriedly reached out his hand to ask Yuwen Xian to stop, and then took a deep breath to calm himself.

"I think that after the reform, I will be able to compete with Liu Taozi."

"I never thought that just one expedition would allow Liu Taozi to seize the key point and end up like this."

"This is all my fault."

Yuwen Yong's face was full of pain and tears couldn't help falling.

Yuwen Xian hurriedly persuaded: "Your Majesty, don't worry, and don't blame yourself. We will fight to the death and must take back Chang'an!!"

Yuwen Yong had no strength left, so he had to instruct his younger brother again.

"I can't take charge of important matters right now. Go and invite those important ministers and generals over. I will issue you an imperial decree in front of everyone. You use this decree to take charge of military and political affairs. You must take back Chang'an! Appease everyone!!"

Yuwen Xian was horrified, "Brother, there is no need to do this, wait until you wake up."

"Ah Xian, be prepared for everything. Go and call me while I'm still awake!"

Yuwen Xian had no choice but to stand up and give orders.

A moment later, several important officials who followed Yuwen Yong to the war came here, including Yang Jian. Yuwen Yong first told them that his body was fine and he would recover soon, and then issued an imperial decree in front of everyone.

He let Yuwen Xian take charge of state affairs as the Grand Chancellor and King of Qi while he was still seriously ill.

The important officials felt uneasy because this scene was so familiar.

Yuwen Yong began to rest again.

Yuwen Xian walked out of the general's tent in a daze. When he stood at the door, several ministers surrounded him, each with a different expression.

"Your Majesty, since we have arrived in Nanxiang, I think you can stay here to rest while we follow the front army and head to Chang'an first."

Yang Jian was standing far away at this moment, with his head lowered, looking sad and lonely.

She seemed to be worried about the emperor.

Yuwen Xian discussed with several people around him, and Yang Jian stood far away and had no intention of getting closer.

Just when Yuwen Xian asked everyone to leave, his eyes suddenly fell on Yang Jian.

"Follow the Duke."

When Yang Jian heard Yuwen Xian calling him, he stopped and quickly returned to Yuwen Xian. When he raised his head again, his face was filled with tears and he looked indescribably miserable. At first glance, he was truly a loyal man of the country, suffering to such an extent for his country and his king.

However, Yuwen Xian's eyes were extremely cold.

"I know that Duke Sui is good at fighting and has made many military achievements in the past. Now that Chang'an has fallen, I hope you can stay by my side, be my arm, and help me defeat the enemy!"

"only!!"

Yang Jian didn't waste any words and quickly saluted.

"Ah."

Yuwen Xian glanced at him again before letting him go.

Yang Jian walked slowly towards his tent. The closer he was to his tent, the faster he walked. Unconsciously, he rushed into his tent as if he was flying. When he returned here panting, everyone in the tent was shocked and stood up.

Zheng Daoqian hurried forward and asked, "My lord, what happened?"

"Yuwen Xian wants to kill me!!"

“What can I do?!”

When this statement came out, everyone was lost.

Yuwen Yong liked Yang Jian very much, but Yuwen Xian always felt that he had ulterior motives and had quarreled with Yuwen Yong several times over this matter. How could Yang Jian not know this? ?

But now that Yuwen Yong is ill, Yuwen Xian is holding the imperial edict and is in charge of all affairs openly.

He just asked me to stay by his side, saying that he was good at fighting. How could I not know? No matter how good I am at fighting, can He Ruobi and his men be better at fighting?
Then why did he keep me by his side? Isn't it obvious that he is going to take action?
His trusted followers immediately began to discuss the matter.

Zheng Daoqian suggested that in the current chaos, it would be better to lead the team and run away instead of being killed by Yuwen Xian.

Some ministers also felt that Yuwen Xian would not kill ministers indiscriminately as soon as he came to power, especially when they had no fault of their own. Doing so would only do him harm and no good. Yuwen Xian might be doing this to force us to make mistakes and escape, and then give him an excuse to kill us.

Therefore, the best thing to do now is to pretend that nothing has happened and continue as usual.

The opinions of the crowd were mixed. Yang Jian considered it again and again and decided not to react in a hurry and take another gamble!!!
The Zhou army set off quickly. With the emperor's edict this time, Yuwen Xian was finally free to act. He arranged for his confidants to leave the emperor in Nanxiang, while he led the army to Chang'an quickly.

The Zhou army was moving very fast. On his way back, Yuwen Xian issued several orders in the name of the emperor, asking officials from all over the country not to move and stay in their own places. Don't think about running around with the army. If you are caught by me, you will be beheaded! !
Under Yuwen Xian's manipulation, the Zhou Kingdom finally saw some hope.

Huang Fachi also stopped attacking at this moment.

It’s not because he can’t chase anymore, it’s because the emperor has ordered him not to chase anymore.

Inside the military camp, Xiao Mohe was wearing thick clothes and looked like an angry bear.

"What does it mean??"

"The situation in the Lower Zhou Kingdom is already very chaotic. If we can hold them back for a while, wouldn't the situation be more favorable to us?"

"Why are we withdrawing to take Jiangling again?"

"I really am."

Xiao Mohe was about to say something disrespectful, but Huang Fachi hurriedly stopped him.

“Don’t say too much!!”

Xiao Mohe had a stern face and was full of anger.

This battle completely shattered Xiao Mohe's impression of the imperial court.

When they were following their allies to gain victory and were about to show off their skills, they suddenly abandoned their allies and were asked to attack Jiangling when it was obvious that the enemy was stronger and they were weaker. Now that the situation was extremely good, they stopped pursuing? ?

What kind of people are giving orders in this court? ?

Compared with the young man Xiao Mohe, Huang Fachi is obviously more open-minded.

He was not surprised at all.

"The Heavenly King asked his brave generals to help us defeat the enemy. We delayed the enemy for more than ten days for the Heavenly King, which can be regarded as repaying the favor."

Huang Fachu whispered again: "The Heavenly King defeated the enemy. I am afraid that the nobles in Jiankang are more afraid than the nobles in Yuwen Yong's army. They did not allow pursuit. It was expected. It is also a good thing that they can capture Jiangling."

"Don't complain. Wait until we take Jiangling, and then we'll talk about it!" After Huang Fachi stopped chasing, he turned around again and prepared to fulfill the emperor's edict.

But when Huang Fatican led his army back, he was surprised to find that the emperor's new edict had been waiting for him.

After the first imperial edict ordering Huang Fachi not to attack, the second imperial edict ordering Huang Fachi to return to Jiankang was waiting for him here.

Huang Fachi could more or less understand the imperial edict to stop the pursuit, but he could not understand the imperial edict to replace him.

In fact, these people seemed to not want him to enter the camp.

Huang Fachi was stopped outside the gate of Nanyang City and was not able to enter the city.

The messenger looked very tired, even more tired than Huang Fachi.

He was followed by several soldiers, who stood at the city gate and showed the imperial edict to Huang Fachi.

Huang Fachi was furious after reading the imperial edict.

"What does this mean?"

"How can we change the generals in the middle of a battle?"

"If I go to Jiankang now, what should I do with the army that just captured Nanyang?!"

"Your Majesty believes that General Xiao can take over."

At this moment, Xiao Mohe, who was standing aside with righteous indignation and anger in his heart, was confused.

Me?? How can this have anything to do with me?
The messenger bowed to Xiao Mohe and said, "Until the new commander arrives, your majesty orders General Xiao to take charge of the army."

Xiao Mohe hurriedly looked at Huang Fachi and was about to explain, but Huang Fachi shook his head slightly at him.

Xiao Mohe saw General Huang's expression change from anger, to sadness, and finally slowly calm down.

"it is good."

"General!"

Xiao Mohe hurriedly grabbed him. Huang Fate looked at Xiao Mohe deeply and said, "After I leave, don't attack. Wait for the commander calmly and then obey. Remember, remember."

At this point, Huang Fate reminded him, "You have the talent of a great general. When you encounter problems, don't get angry. Think more and seek solutions."

After saying this, Huang Fachi did not go into the city again. Instead, he took his personal soldiers with him and followed the messenger away.

Xiao Moha stood there in a daze, at a loss as to what to do.

What the fuck is going on here?

Huang Fate rode his warhorse towards the shore, and the envoy also rode a horse and followed beside him. Looking at the exhausted envoy, Huang Fate could not help but say, "If you feel tired, we can rest for a few days before setting off again."

"Thank you, General Huang. You don't need to rest. Let's go back as soon as possible."

Huang Fachu sighed, "For my sake, I made you run around for days without taking a rest. You have suffered."

The messenger trembled all over, gritted his teeth, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered: "General Huang, Ouyang He defected to the Han Kingdom."

After saying this, he quickly became serious and acted as if nothing had been said.

Huang Fachi was stunned at first, and then burst into laughter.

His laughter was particularly bitter.

He had thought of many possibilities, but this was the only one he hadn't thought of.

When he arrived at the dock, someone had already prepared the boat, so Huang Fatichan headed for Jiangdong.

While the people of Chen were busy changing their generals, Yuchi Jiong's army had already fought its way back to Chang'an. There was chaos inside and outside Chang'an, and order was completely destroyed. All the bandits emerged and began to steal things that the Han Kingdom had not taken away.

After Yuchi Jiong arrives, he can start to suppress the rebellion, kill the bandits and recapture Chang'an.

However, the city walls of Chang'an were severely damaged, and all the military buildings had been completely destroyed. As for the princes, nobles, officials and ministers in the city, they had disappeared without a trace. Except for some who had been hiding from the beginning and had hidden very well, the rest were either killed or taken away.

Looking at the dilapidated and devastated Chang'an City, Yuchi Jiong just shed tears silently.

Because Yuchi Jiong's family was also taken away by the thieves.

But without Yuwen Xian's order, Yuchi Jiong did not dare to continue the pursuit.

Only after Yuwen Xian arrived did he give the order to pursue.

Yuchi Jiong led elite cavalry from Chang'an and pursued all the way. When he just arrived in Yanzhou, Gao Changgong suddenly attacked with ambush troops. Yuchi Jiong was defeated and killed, and fled in a hurry. Gao Changgong then left the Zhou territory with his spoils.

Yuwen Xian had a lot to do here, including sending orders to various places, appeasing officials, fighting against rebels, and changing defenses.
But all these things needed help from the imperial court. At that moment, Chang'an was emptied and the imperial court was completely paralyzed. Soldiers had to run away to convey the imperial court's orders. As for stabilizing the various places, it could not be carried out.

Even when the two countries were busy fighting, the State of Chen still did not launch a counterattack.

Huang Fachi has arrived in Jiankang.

The emperor was very anxious to see him, so Huang Fachi did not dare to rest at all and traveled all night long.

After Huang Fachu arrived in Jiankang, he was brought directly before the emperor, which was not in accordance with etiquette at all.

Inside the main hall, Huang Fachi performed great formalities and paid his respects to Chen Xu.

Chen Xu enthusiastically helped him up.

"Don't worry too much. I summoned you back this time because I don't have anyone around me who can discuss important matters with me. The matter of Jiangling is just a small matter, and someone like Xiao Mohe can accomplish it. But for the important matter of pacifying the country, I can only listen to your ideas first."

Chen Xu asked Huang Fachi to sit next to him, quite close.

After letting the people around them leave, the soldiers stood far away.

After no one was around, Chen Xu whispered, "My dear, I summoned you back this time because of the Han Kingdom!"

"Oh? Han?"

"Yes, some people in my country are trying to persuade me to attack Henan while Han and Zhou are at war. Some people are trying to persuade me to maintain the alliance and help Han to completely pacify Zhou. I am confused and don't know whose advice to listen to. What do you think?"

Huang Fachi was about to answer when he suddenly recalled the messenger's words.

Ouyang He surrendered to the Han Dynasty.

If the emperor called me here because of this matter, it was obvious that he suspected that I also had the idea of ​​surrendering to the Han Dynasty.

Then why do we still ask ourselves whether we should send troops to Henan?
Huang Fachi understood instantly.

He looked at the smile on the emperor's face again. That smile seemed to have a bit more hypocrisy, and his eyes were a bit fierce.

Huang Fate fell silent.

Chen Xu was still pressing, "What does General Huang think?"

Because of the previous war, too many people were slandering Huang Fachi, especially after the incident with Ouyang He, Chen Xu was even more certain that his guess was correct and that the generals on the front line were in collusion with Liu Taozi.

As the person who had the closest contacts with Liu Taozi, Huang Fachi was naturally the first to be targeted.

Huang Fate slowly raised his head.

"Your Majesty asks, and I shall speak frankly."

"I believe that people live by loyalty and trust, how can we betray them?! If Your Majesty wants to attack the Han Kingdom, you should send an envoy to inform them of the severance of the alliance, and then mobilize the army to defeat them. How can you suddenly attack when the ally is not prepared? Even if you succeed, how will the people of the world view Dachen? If the Lord is like this, how can the people in the country know what loyalty and trust are in the future?"

"My Southern Country is the orthodox Chinese nation! The northern barbarians understand morality, how can we be worse than them?!"

"The villains in the country do not plan to march north, but only seek to protect themselves! They have no ambition to make progress, and only want to rule across the river and make a balancing act! Today, we have joined forces with Han to destroy Zhou. This is a good opportunity for us to conquer Jingxiang and then take Bashu. My army has already passed Xiangyang and can see the Nanxiang city wall from afar!"

"Your Majesty, why did you change the generals at this time? And why did you want to make a balancing move at such a critical moment?!"

"If the Han State can take Zhou territory, why can't the Chen State take it?"

"Liu Taozi has the ambition to pacify the world, so why can't my lord do the same?!"

Looking at Huang Fachi who was questioning loudly in front of him, Chen Xu stood there in a daze, dumbfounded.

"you you."

(End of this chapter)