Chapter 909: Holding the Emperor in Charge
Outside Jiuqu City in Yiyang, Dugu Xin, who had never gone to the Heluo front line, and Zhao Gui and others who had fled all the way here had been waiting here early. When they saw Yuwen Taiyi arriving, they all rushed to greet him. .
"Winning or losing is a common thing, don't worry about it. However, there have been many rumors in the army in recent days that someone was involved in Otsuka Zai's body. Is Otsuka Zai okay?"
Duguxin and others did not see Yuwentai in the team before and after they entered, and immediately their eyes were locked on an airtight carriage in the team that was covered with draperies. Then they walked forward and asked with concern on their faces. .
"While the army was marching, there was a strong wind and snow. Otsuka Prime Minister occasionally felt the wind and cold. Although he was slightly ill, he was not seriously worried. I would like to ask the Grand Sima and others to drive into the city first and then meet with you."
Li Yuan stood in front of the car and stopped everyone, preventing them from visiting the car and causing nuisance.
Duguxin and others also noticed that all the confidants of the Zhongwai Mansion here had solemn expressions, and they felt something in their hearts, so they did not force themselves. They took a step back for a while and then got on their horses and entered the city together.
All the way from the outside of the city to the city lord's palace was heavily guarded. The cronies of the Chinese and foreign palaces followed the carriage all the way into the palace without stopping on the way.
Previously, Yuwen Taiqiang supported his illness and patrolled the army to stabilize the morale of the army, allowing the army to withdraw to Yiyang. However, on the way back, his condition worsened again and he fell into a coma again. After that, he was in and out of consciousness again and again.
Naturally, it was inconvenient to summon people under such a situation, so after arriving at the Lord's Palace of Jiuqu City, Dugu Xin and others were not summoned. As for the military affairs of the armies, they were completely entrusted to Yu Wenhu.
The first thing after arriving at Jiuqu City, Yu Wenhu relieved Zhao Gui of his military power on the pretext of adjusting the city's defenses, but he did not pursue the crime of escaping from the battle before.
Zhao Gui knew that he was wrong and did not insist on it. Moreover, many of the right-leg troops he commanded before had fled on the Mangshan battlefield, and not many of them had withdrawn to Jiuqu City with them. Even if they still retained their military positions, the number of troops he could control at the moment was not large. There were many soldiers, so they obediently handed over their military power and only led their own troops to garrison at the foot of Jiuqu City.
As the Western Wei army retreated to Jiuqu City, the Northern Qi army in the rear also came all the way south and continued to confront the Wei army who retreated to Jiuqu City. It was precisely because of such a severe situation that some personnel conflicts in the Western Wei army were suppressed and did not break out. However, under the appearance of unity to the outside world, there were many secret surgings.
Several days passed after returning to Jiuqu City, and Yu Wentai did not show up in front of anyone. The generals also knew that the situation seemed to be very bad. Although in order to maintain the stability of military morale, they all hid this situation very tacitly and did not inform the middle and lower-level soldiers, but they were also worried about the future direction of the situation.
Although Yu Wentai had entrusted Yu Wenhu with full authority to handle military affairs as early as when he was in Baiting City, Yuwen Hu had always lacked prestige in the army, and the generals were more or less disapproving of this appointment.
In this worrying and uneasy situation, people will subconsciously move closer to people they feel are stronger out of their desire for security.
In today's Jiuqu City, in addition to Otsuka Zai Yuwentai, who is in a bad situation and whose life or death is unknown, and Yuwen Hu, who was appointed but could not convince the public, there are three other Zhuguo Duguxin, Zhao Gui and Da Xiwu. The person with the highest status.
Zhao Gui and Da Xiwu were both newly defeated generals and their prestige was damaged. However, the Great Sima Duguxin, whose presence had been low since the beginning of the expedition, now suddenly became more important in the minds of the masses.
In the tense atmosphere of the confrontation with the Qi army, many generals were moving closer to Duguxin intentionally or unintentionally. Some even suggested that if Otsuka Zai was still unable to take charge of the affairs, the great Sima Duguxin should be in charge of military affairs. Of course, this is only said in private, and no one dares to publicly hold this argument yet.
Faced with this situation, Yu Wenhu was also very worried. He couldn't help but said to Yu Chigang in private: "Now a powerful enemy is watching from the side. We should have worked together to deal with the difficulties. But now, people are scattered and each has his own plan." , especially the growing popularity of Da Sima, which makes people worried. I decided to stay here and wait for reinforcements, but I don’t know whether it is right or wrong.”
Yu Chigang was already a little dissatisfied with such an arrangement. After hearing what Yu Wenhu said, he sighed and said, "My uncle has indulged in evil before, and now he hopes that a disrespectful man like Li Boshan can save the situation. I'm crazy. Now I'm standing against the enemy here, and it's hard for the army to return. Not to mention the great Sima stealing people's hearts here. If Li Boshan doesn't go to Heluo to rescue him, but instead rushes into Guanzhong from Wuguan, the situation will be even more dangerous. tired!"
"This, this shouldn't be possible, right? Heluo is the place where Li Boshan shows his power, and the thieves Hu Lujin and others are all defeated by his subordinates, so he has nothing to fear. He should not be timid and unable to fight. What's more, there are still big Sikou in Guanzhong Waiting to stay behind..."
Hearing what Yu Chigang said, Yu Wenhu's expression suddenly changed, and his tone became slightly trembling. There is no other reason. If Li Boshan really chose to go north to Wuguan as Yuchigang said instead of leading his army north to come to the rescue via Sanya Road, it would be a disaster for them.
"Of course I also hope that Li Boshan will be willing to obey orders and rush to help Heluo as my uncle said. But if Li Boshan was really so respectful, what happened today would not be like this. His betrayal has been exposed. If he still has hope, wouldn't he be foolish? ?”
After hearing this, Yu Chigang said in a deep voice: "Such a situation is by no means impossible. If it comes true, what else can we do to deal with it? No matter how things turn out next, we should be more prepared!"
After Yu Wenhu heard this, he was silent for a long time. After a while, he said again: "Everything here is arranged by my uncle, and it may not be beneficial to change it rashly. But the situation you mentioned should indeed be guarded against. If Li Boshan really goes straight into Guanzhong, What he has done is nothing more than threatening your own dignity. You should send a message to the people left behind to temporarily move the emperor of Chang'an to Tongzhou to take care of him. Don't let Li Boshan get it!"
While the two were still discussing countermeasures here, Duguxin was also invited by Zhao Gui to meet him at his military camp outside the city.
"The current situation of Otsuka Sima is worrying, but the division and brigade are still trapped outside. I wonder if Otsuka has any ideas about this predicament?"
When Dugu Xin entered the tent and sat down, Zhao Gui asked directly. At the same time, he pointed at himself and said: "The former Otsuka Prime Minister entrusted me with an important task, but I was unlucky in the battle and failed to live up to my trust, so the division was defeated. Therefore, I am also full of guilt and hope that I can do my best to make amends. But I am panicking and I don’t know where the plan will come from. If the commander has a clever plan, I will accompany him on horseback!"
Dugu Xin had heard similar words many times in the past few days. Hearing them again now, he was not surprised, but because it came from Zhao Gui's mouth, he couldn't help but feel a little happy.
"Alas, who would have thought that the situation has fallen to this! Could it be that the current difficulties are caused by a momentary defeat? Otsuka Zai's discussion of military force and the use of troops is really too reluctant. He hastily set out to fight, and no one can stop him. Even after the spring of next year If we continue to conquer, we won’t fall into this state!”
Duguxin naturally understood why Yuwentai chose to go to war at such a time. The key was to take advantage of the turmoil in Nanliang and Shannan Dao to take advantage of the opportunity to act in the country. Lives are also at stake.
Zhao Gui heard that Dugu Xin's words also meant to excuse himself, so he nodded repeatedly and said: "Yes, the most important thing for the country is the military and sacrifice, how can you be so rash! When making this decision at that time, at least it should be universally praised by the country. The people are talking about it, especially the King of Taiyuan of Shannan Road, who has always been wise in the use of the country's troops, so we should ask him about it. During the march a few days ago, I asked the Grand Sima whether he had asked the King of Taiyuan. "
At this point, he changed the subject again, looked at Dugu Xin and continued: "The matter has come to this, and it will not help to talk about the past. In recent days, many governors and generals have asked Da Sima about their plans. Please don't do it." I hide my secrets and teach some fools.”
"Since Nanyang Gong asked, if I had a plan, why would I refuse to say anything? It's just that I have neglected military affairs since the expedition, and I am not in my position, so it is difficult to plan for it. But the current plan is nothing more than the common saying of working together and uniting. That’s all. Since Otsuka Zai has appointed someone, he must have a plan to clean up the mess.”
Duguxin is not modest. He seems to be highly respected by the masses, but in fact he does not know much about the specific situation between the enemy and ourselves, and there is really no clever strategy to save the situation.
What's more, it's uncertain whether Otsuka Zai is alive or dead. If he rushes to seize power and fails to succeed, he will not only find it difficult to deal with himself, but may also make the situation even worse.
After hearing this, Zhao Gui said: "Da Sima is too humble. I heard that during the recent defeat, Otsuka Zai had arranged for his confidants to go to the south to ask for help from King Taiyuan. When King Taiyuan's reinforcements arrive, then Weng and son-in-law will join forces..."
"Is this happening?"
When Dugu Xin heard this, his brows suddenly frowned, and immediately he stood up and slapped the case. He frowned and said angrily: "Otsuka Zai insisted on going his own way, which led to this defeat. It is self-humiliation. Why do you have to involve your young disciples in this disaster? Shannan?" It is unreasonable for Otsuka Zai to put the Kansai soldiers in a dangerous situation and leave the mess to others! "