Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 688: Intentional, Unintentional, and Original Intention

Dingjun Mountain is where General Qiu Pi'er, a subordinate of Yang Zheng of the Western Army, was stationed.

Ever since Qiu Pier's sudden death, all kinds of rumors began to spread in the army.

The generals in the army began to distrust Yang Zheng because of Qiu Pi'er's sudden death.

Yang Zheng recently summoned all the military leaders to discuss matters, but the generals under Qiu Pi'er's command at Dingjun Mountain all made excuses and refused to go, which Yang Zheng felt helpless about.

The news that Yang Zheng intended to "join" the Wu family in Lixi was no secret among the middle and high-level officials of Yang Zheng's army.

And Qiu Pier was one of the senior generals who opposed this.

Those in high positions represent the interests of a large group of followers.

Yang Zheng was old and had no successor. For the sake of his descendants, he wanted to lower his proud head, submit to his former masters, the Wu family, and hand over his military power in exchange for wealth and glory for his descendants.

However, this will inevitably sacrifice the interests of his subordinates who have followed him for many years.

The Lixi Wu family is full of talented people, including many generals and warriors, and has abundant talent reserves.

No matter how good the promise of the Wu family in Lixi is now, it is obvious that once they take over the military power of Yang Zheng in Lizhong, they will gradually replace the Yang family's generals with Wu family generals.

The interests of the generals in Li Zhongyang Zheng's department could not be guaranteed at all.

Just a private promise that cannot be put into writing or made public?

Therefore, Yang Zheng, who had single-handedly led a strong army and stood out from the Wu faction and established his own faction, sadly discovered that he, the lion, had finally grown old.

He no longer has the final say.

The old brothers who once went through fire and water for him, and risked their lives for him, now no longer trust and follow him 100%.

His orders were no longer carried out without hesitation.

After Qiu Pi'er's death, he couldn't even send people to investigate the matter himself, because the Qiu family and the generals under Qiu Pi'er's command did not believe his findings.

Yang Zheng could only wait sadly for the court to send someone to investigate.

Qiu Pi'er's descendants are not yet capable of leading an army on their own. The eldest son, Qiu Dingjun, is only nineteen years old, and his limited experience in the army makes him unable to take on this task.

Even the rift between the tribe and Yang Zheng caused by Qiu Pi'er's death meant that his descendants could not even obtain normal interests.

Some of Qiu's generals wanted to take the throne, while others, after weighing the pros and cons, felt that they had no hope of taking the throne and turned to support Qiu Dingjun.

After all, the major general has little experience, so pushing him to the position is more comfortable than pushing someone else to the position.

Qiu Dingjun also knew that he was not up to the task, but he was reluctant to give up this opportunity.

So he has been hesitant about this.

"Yi Heizi, do you think I should accept the recommendation of several generals and inherit my father's position as commander?"

"why not?"

Kou Heiyi smiled and said, "Young General, hope is cultivated, and experience is gained through hard work.

First seize the throne, make use of the generals who support you, keep a low profile, and build up your capital.

In time, you will be able to control this army like your father, but if you give up this opportunity...

Major General, the Guo family in Lidong is now falling apart and has no hope of rising again. This is a lesson for the Qiu family!"

Qiu Dingjun didn't know that the man in front of him used to be a member of the Lin'an Imperial City Administration and the Privy Council, let alone that he had been a spy for Western Xia, Jin Dynasty and Song Dynasty.

He only knew that the man's name was Yi Heizi, a man from western Sichuan of mixed Qiang and Tibetan descent. He was injured by thieves while trafficking tea and horses, and was the only survivor of the tea and horse caravan.

Qiu Dingjun, who was in Chengdu at the time, discovered Yi Heizi, who was living in poverty there. Seeing that Yi Heizi had great kung fu skills, he took him in for his own use and gradually became his confidant.

It’s a pity that this man named Yi Heizi had been in the army for less than four months and was still a low-ranking military officer with little influence.

After hearing what Yi Heizi said, Qiu Dingjun was very interested, but thinking about his own bargaining chips, he hesitated and said, "However, there are still too few generals who support me. I am afraid... I can't suppress them."

Kou Heiyi's eyes flickered, and he asked, "What if the Major General can get Yang Zheng's support?"

Qiu Dingjun's face suddenly changed: "No, now people outside say that it was because my father was not respectful to Yang Zheng that he was killed by Yang Zheng.

If I beg for mercy from Yang Zheng, how will people in the world look at me? "

"Your father's death was so strange and inexplicable. If you say that it was Yang Zheng who did it, I don't believe it..."

“I don’t really believe it, but… people’s words are scary.

Moreover, if I show my loyalty to Yang Zheng, the generals who support me now may also become disloyal.”

Kou Heiyi had not really advised him to pledge his loyalty to Yang Zheng, but it was too early to reveal his identity and true purpose.

All he has to do now is to pry open a corner of Yang Zheng's mountain and continue to sow division.

Therefore, Kou Heiyi frowned and sighed deeply: "Since this is the case, your father's matter has not yet been determined, and the position of commander is still vacant. Major General...

Let's be patient for a while, wait for the situation to change, and then look for another opportunity!"

……

"Lao Shi, you have been my subordinate for many years, and I have always relied on you as my military advisor.

Tell me the truth from the bottom of your heart, shouldn't I, Yang Zheng... join the Wu family?"

In Xingyuan Mansion, Yang Zheng's residence, in the study, Yang Zheng sat on a large tiger-skin chair with one leg crossed and the other on the ground, staring at Shi Han who was sitting on the side like a hungry tiger.

Shi Han is in his early fifties, still strong and vigorous.

He was the first commander of the cavalry stationed in front of the imperial court in Xingyuan Prefecture.

Yang Zheng has a tall frame and should have been a strong and muscular general when he was young, but now he is old and thin.

The skin sags and the cheeks become sunken, making the eyes appear larger.

Under a pair of frosty eyebrows, his eyes appear particularly sharp and fierce.

Shi Han was silent for a long time, then he sighed softly: "General, you should know why the generals are unwilling to return to the Wu family."

Yang Zheng continued to ask, "So, what do you mean?"

Shi Han said: "Qiao Zhen was appointed as the governor and pacification envoy of Chengdu Prefecture. He came all the way west and visited Kuizhou Prefecture, Tongchuan Prefecture, and Lizhou East, Central, and West Prefectures.

Yang Yuan was appointed as the governor and pacification commissioner of Tongchuan Prefecture, but he quietly crossed the border without making any announcement or visiting anyone, and was unruly and unruly.

As a result, just as he arrived at his territory, the Wu family in Pengzhou was massacred. Was it really done by bandits? I don’t believe it.”

Shi Han sneered, "It's clear that someone is trying to intimidate him."

Yang Zheng glanced at him and said, "Who do you think wants to give Yang Yuan a head start?" Shi Han said, "The only one who wants to do this should be Lixi Wu Shuai's family, right?"

Yang Zheng said slowly: "So?"

Shi Han said: “To do this means you have a rebellious heart.

However, he has the heart of a disloyal person but not the courage to do so. All he wants is to become a vassal lord.

Today, the government is wise and the country is prosperous, and centralization is the general trend.

If the Wu family still hopes to dominate the world, they will sooner or later anger the imperial court.

Taiwei, if we surrender to the Wu family, won't we be implicated by them?
That... also goes against the original intention of the general to serve, right?"

Yang Zheng sneered secretly. After all, you, my old brother who has followed me all my life, are unwilling to join the Wu family with me.

He even beats around the bush, acting as if he's doing something for me.

Yang Zheng sighed and said quietly, “Among the three commanders of our Western Army, the Wu family is the most powerful.

"There are still many arrogant soldiers and brave generals who are unwilling to obey the Wu family. Do I have any other choice besides the Wu family?"

Shi Han was displeased after hearing this. Even if you hand over the military power, will we, the old brothers, treat your descendants badly?
It couldn't be easier to keep them safe and sound and to make them rich.

It's just that you are too greedy. You know that your descendants are not capable of taking on important responsibilities, but you still want to find them a position in the army.

The sons are useless, the grandsons are useless, so is this the hope that in the future there will be a promising great-grandson who can revive the Yang family?

You are thinking too far ahead. When it comes to planning for future generations, no one can make plans as far ahead as you do, right?
If Yang Zheng handed over the military power to the Wu family, the Wu family would inevitably gradually replace Yang Zheng's generals with their own trusted generals.

However, during this entire operation, Yang Zheng's descendants would inevitably be given a military position without real power but prestigious enough to stabilize the morale of the Yang family army.

At the same time, this also has a certain meaning of "respecting the king and expelling the barbarians".

After Yang Zheng's former subordinates were purged, for the sake of reputation, this harmless general would have to be kept by Yang Zheng's descendants.

How could Yang Zheng be planning for peace and wealth for his descendants? He has not rebelled, nor committed any serious crime. How could his descendants be deprived of their wealth and prosperity?

This old guy is clearly trying to preserve the Yang family's influence in the military as much as possible. If his descendants are promising, they may be able to make a comeback in the future.

Think about it, wasn't he just a small soldier under Wu Jie's command?

But it would be better if the imperial court sent someone to take over the military power, or selected someone from among his subordinates, such as Shi Han.

Precisely because these people are his old subordinates, they will try their best to eliminate all traces of him in the army.

By that time, his descendants will inevitably be driven out and will no longer have any connection with this army.

Shi Han also understood what his big brother was thinking.

He felt that this elder brother was no longer as brave and fair as he once was after he grew old, and had become too selfish.

However, Yang Zheng still refused to give in even at this point. What else could he say?

Shi Han could only express his dissatisfaction through silence.

Seeing that he remained silent, Yang Zheng smiled faintly and leaned back in his chair: "Qiupi died inexplicably, and at this critical moment.

Now people are spreading rumors everywhere, saying that I was angry with him for being disrespectful and sent someone to kill him.

I also want to know who... killed Xiao Qiu.

I have already reported this to the court urgently, requesting that it send someone to investigate this case.

Let’s wait until the truth of Qiu Pi’er’s death comes to light before discussing this.”

As Yang Zheng spoke, he was already secretly furious.

Since you don't know what's best for you, don't blame me for being cruel.

When the time comes, I will pick out a few of the most disobedient ones and frame them as the murderers of Qiu Pi'er. Let's see whether you will respond to soft or hard tactics!
……

"I don't eat free food!"

Chengdu Fu, a restaurant.

When he saw the rice being served, Master Fanqing put down his chopsticks and expressed his opinion very seriously.

This young nun had never been down the mountain, so she had no experience in walking.

She told the abbess that she was going down the mountain to visit a devotee at his home, and the abbess believed her.

Because this junior sister is a blank slate, she says whatever she thinks and has never lied to anyone.

The abbot was also familiar with that believer.

That is an old lady from a wealthy family at the foot of Mount Emei. We can stay there for two days. Junior sister has excellent kung fu skills, so there is nothing for us to worry about.

As a result, the little nun came down the mountain. She had been on the road all the way, but she couldn't get the directions right. She didn't bring much money with her, and she didn't understand anything in the secular world...

Such an dignified Emei master was in such an embarrassing situation.

Fortunately, there are many Buddhists in Shu, and Fan Qing was born with a good appearance.

Logically speaking, at her age and with such a beautiful appearance, it is hard to believe that she is a practicing nun.

But her temperament is so pure!
Looking at her clear eyes, even a lecher would feel reluctant to desecrate them.

Who would be willing to destroy such flawless beauty?

Therefore, there were many people willing to provide help to this little nun, some of whom were not even Buddhists.

In this way, this great master from Mount Emei, after stumbling all the way, has finally... arrived in Chengdu Prefecture.

Fortunately, after all the hardships along the way, she gradually gained experience in traveling and knew how to hitchhike and ask for help.

However, because she had lived in the mountains since she was a child and was protected too well by her master, she was still very ignorant about human relationships.

When she saw the porridge served to her, she expressed her opinion very frankly, as if she was telling them that she didn't eat meat.

She is not being squeamish, she just thinks that I should tell you honestly whether I like it or not.

If it were someone else, and I kindly provided you with vegetarian food, would you still be picky?
However, Baili Bing is not an ordinary person.

Seeing that the little nun was speaking to her so seriously, Baili Bing couldn't help but laugh.

"Okay, then, besides not eating meat and soft food, what other taboos does Master have? You can tell me all of them."

(End of this chapter)