Chapter 196
Chai Yue and Cai Xinghai still need to convince more people. The first target they aim at is Liu Kunsheng, the commander of the Northern Army.
The army led by Liu Kunsheng moved slowly and arrived at Shenxiongguan nearly a day later than Chai Yue. He handed over the general affairs to his generals. He first found a place to rest. Not only was he tired, but he was also confused. Avoid the whirlpool in the officialdom, but now he can't help being drawn into it.
Chai Yue came to visit with wine and meat, which was regarded as a clean-up for the commander of the Northern Army. After three rounds of drinking, the servants had all retired, and Chai Yue showed the letter from the champion Hou to Chai Zhi.
After Liu Kunsheng read it, he couldn't drink the glass of wine in his hand. After a while, he asked, "Does General Chai still have family in Beijing?"
"Mother and younger brother now live in the Marquis of Hengyang."
For these soldiers and soldiers who are fighting abroad, the biggest threat is the safety of their families. Liu Kunsheng also has a large family to support. He read the letter again, "Champion Hou excludes dissidents, I am not his person, I will die if I don't obey my fate. Death—" Liu Kunsheng returned the letter to Chai Yue, "What is General Chai going to do?"
"The champion, before he ascended the throne, has acted arbitrarily and changed the commander before the battle, forcing the northern army to attack the Huns under unfavorable circumstances. If he becomes emperor, not only Captain Liu will be in danger, but the entire northern army will be implicated. Up to now, There is only one way..."
Liu Kunsheng raised his hand, motioning Chai Yue not to continue, and he thought for a while, "If the peace talks between General Zhenbei and the Huns can go smoothly, there will be a 50% certainty about this matter. If there is no major turmoil in the court recently, there will be seven I'm sure, if the Northern Army can escort General Zhenbei back to Beijing in time—"
"Big things will happen."
The two talked for a long time, and it was dark when it ended.
Cai Xinghai didn't trust Liu Kunsheng very much. Seeing that Chai Yue was full of confidence, he couldn't help reminding him, "Liu Kunsheng once took the sword of Taizu from General Zhenbei himself, but he credited it to the Queen Mother in front of the ministers afterwards. Beware."
"I'll be careful, but I believe Liu Kunsheng is desperate, and General Zhenbei is his only hope."
"Who are you going to bring in next?"
"There shouldn't be too many people in the know. It's just the three of us for the time being. Next, if you want to let go, say that the imperial court is the main battle, and the champion is eager to make meritorious deeds, so he has to fight the Huns immediately."
"This is a fact."
"That's right, it's a fact. The Northern Army has been running around for many days, exhausted both physically and mentally, and now it's the middle of winter, with turmoil in the customs and unsustainable food and grass. It will remind you of General Zhenbei."
Cai Xinghai thought this was a good idea, "General Chai really has an idea."
Chai Yue smiled and said, "This is Captain Liu's idea."
"Hey, old slick, I guess he still hasn't made up his mind. He wants to see the reaction of the whole army." Cai Xinghai gave a different opinion on the same idea.
It was easy for Cai Xinghai to speak out in the army, and the effect was better than expected. Although the soldiers of the Northern Army were belligerent in the Iron Broken City, they knew very well in their hearts that once the war started, even defeating the Huns would be a tragic victory. I don't know how many people are going to die on the other side. Now that they have retreated to Shenxiongguan, no one wants to go back to the battlefield against the wind and snow.
Dissatisfaction builds quickly.
Chai Yue and Cai Xinghai took the opportunity to persuade more people. Chai Yue's target was those who were like him. The future of this kind of people is not guaranteed, but they are unwilling to work hard. They are eager to make achievements and build a career. Brave in performance. Chai Yue selected five people in the first batch, and they hit it off.
Cai Xinghai was looking for a few friends who had good friendship. After half a drink, they made an oath, and they were about to shout "Long live General Zhenbei".
People were moved, rumors spread around the little Shenxiongguan, and some people even found Chai Yue directly and hinted to him that they supported General Zhenbei.
On the contrary, Chai Yue was a little nervous, the secret would soon be leaked, and it had to be resolved quickly.
At noon that day, the left general Han Tong led the third part of the Chu army to Shenxiongguan. Among the generals, he was known for his timidity, and was trusted by the champions, and would not fall to the Zhenbei general.
Liu Kunsheng held a banquet to greet Han Tong, only drank three glasses of wine, Liu Kunsheng changed his face, ordered the guards to tie up General Zuo and escort him to the cell, on charges of lax military control, favoritism and intentional robbery to rescue Zhang Yanghao and others. One of the charges was correct, but the latter was a bit wronged, but Han Tong was so frightened that he didn't say a word in front of the generals.
This move is not only to clear the obstacles, but also to test the response of the generals. At the same time, it is also Liu Kunsheng's "voice certificate". After this incident, he has no way out.
Han Tong was suddenly arrested, and everyone was surprised, but no one stood up to speak for him.
Chai Yue and others were more confident. Liu Kunsheng came forward and attracted several generals. Those in the know gathered together and made a plan: General Zhenbei was rushing to Shenxiongguan, and he would arrive tomorrow. Before, he shouted long live, and supported him to become emperor again.
This plan is far from perfect, but the soldiers are inexperienced in this kind of thing, and they only feel that it is imminent and have to make it. Even the cautious Liu Kunsheng and Chai Yue, who is good at using soldiers, are no more than ordinary soldiers at this time. calm.
But accidents always happen, Chai Yue and others are preparing for tomorrow's big plans, and an uninvited guest comes to Shenxiongguan.
Not long after Han Tong was locked up, a "guest" came to the capital, not a post soldier delivering a letter, nor an officer hiding a secret order, but a real court official.
Zuo Cha Censor Xiao Sheng, as an imperial envoy, came to Shenxiongguan to inspect the military situation.
Xiao Sheng has a high position and is always considered to have a close relationship with Mrs. Cui. At the same time, he is also married to the Chai family. One nephew is the son-in-law of the Chai family, and the other nephew, Xiao Bi, has been arrested for intending to murder Chai Yue. Imprisoned in Ironbreaker's prison.
Such an imperial envoy was tantamount to a bolt from the blue for a group of soldiers who were "concerned with ghosts".
There should have been news about the arrival of the imperial envoy, but Xiao Sheng was uncharacteristically. He did not send anyone to notify in advance, and led hundreds of people directly to the city, ordered the guards to open the door, rushed into the city, all the way to the yamen, ascended to the hall, and sent people to convene the generals. .
Chai Yue and others were caught off guard and did not dare to act rashly, so they could only be ordered to meet the imperial envoy.
Xiao Sheng was sitting behind the desk, still wearing a cape, and his expression was cold. He was the censor of Zuo Cha, and his daily duty was to supervise the civil servants in the capital. They all bowed and bowed respectfully, daring not to be a little rude.
Xiao Sheng was not polite. Even when facing the highest-ranking captain of the Northern Army, he just nodded his head. When Chai Yue came in, he didn't even nod his head, but took a few more glances.
Liu Kunsheng was the nominal general in charge of the army. After more than 30 main generals had arrived, he stepped forward and said, "I was waiting for the arrival of Zuo Cha Yushi, and if I have made a mistake, please forgive me."
Xiao Sheng coughed, "A few people haven't arrived yet."
Liu Kunsheng had no choice but to reply: "General Zhenbei, General Right and others are still on the way, General Zuo... guilty and has been jailed."
Xiao Sheng snorted softly, "Nowadays, the world is full of events and the road is unstable. I came from a long way from the capital, and I didn't want to leak the news too early, so I didn't send someone to deliver the letter in advance."
Everyone didn't dare to make a sound, and some even regretted that the Shenxiongguan was taken back too soon, and the imperial envoy did not meet the mob.
"I don't know if the adults are here, what's the important thing?" Liu Kunsheng could only bite the bullet and ask.
"It is reported that the Chu army is confronting the Xiongnu army across the river in the Iron Broken City. This officer was ordered to come to supervise the battle and reward the three soldiers. Now that you have returned to the customs, you must have won a great victory on the front line. Talk to me."
Liu Kunsheng was sweating profusely, and the imperial envoy came too suddenly. After a moment of hesitation, they had already lost their chance. Now, there are guards brought by Xiao Sheng inside and outside the lobby, and more than 30 generals are helpless.
But regret was useless. Xiao Sheng was an important official in the court and was above all the generals of the Northern Army. Even if Liu Kunsheng had made plans earlier, he would not have dared to detain Zuo Cha Censor.
"Reporting to my lord, Shenxiongguan was in danger, and the Chu army returned to defense overnight, without fighting the Huns, and..."
Xiao Sheng slapped the table and said angrily, "A few thousand refugees are worth the return of 80,000 Chu troops?"
Liu Kunsheng knelt on the ground speechless, Chai Yue stepped forward and said: "Sir, calm down, the Chu army's return to defense is not only to deal with the robbers who seized the pass, the military situation on the front line is changing, and the general Zhenbei is talking with the Xiongnu people, and it must have been successful at this moment. The Huns are not a threat for the time being, and there is not enough food and grass in Broken Iron City..."
"Who is the speaker? Sign up." Xiao Sheng said coldly.
Chai Yue is the concubine of the Hou Shu of Hengyang, and he is not favored at home. He has met Xiao Sheng several times, but he has not been introduced, but he believes that Xiao Sheng will not have no impression of himself.
"Last General Chai Yue."
"Chai Yue? I've only heard of the Northern Army's Zheng Chai Zhi. When will there be another Chai Yue?"
"Chai Jun is the brother of the last general, unfortunately killed..."
"Bah, if the elder brother is killed, can the younger brother inherit the official position?"
Chai Yue was stunned and cupped her hands: "The last general is a general under the command of General Zhenbei. He was ordered to take charge of the entire army with the commander of the Northern Army, and he did not hold the post of military officer."
"Hey, a small general can actually be in charge of the entire army. If this officer comes a step late, will you even take the position of the general?"
Chai Yue knelt down, "Sir, calm down, the last general is really forced to take charge of the army..."
Xiao Sheng didn't give Chai Yue a chance to explain, and turned to Liu Kunsheng, "Liu Duwei, in charge of the Northern Army, the court only recognizes you, now I am here, you can hand over power. Let me ask you, what is the current status of the Northern Army's chief Sima Yin? where?"
Liu Kunsheng touched the ground with his head, "Incompetent, the Great Sima Yin... was taken away by the King of the East Sea."
Xiao Sheng laughed several times, and suddenly put away his smile, took out an object from his arms, and put it on the desk, "Is this what it is?"
Liu Kunsheng raised his head and glanced at it and recognized that it was indeed the Great Sima Yin of the Northern Army.
"The dignified commander of the Northern Army, who eats the salaries of the imperial court, can't share his worries for the king, and even loses his official seal. It's really a big joke in the world. The 80,000 Chu troops retreated without a fight in the face of the Huns, which is even more chilling to the world's hearts. Do you know the guilt?"
Chai Yue, Liu Kunsheng and others could only bow their heads, and there were generals who saw the wind and turned the rudder, and immediately said: "We are instructed to act, and it has nothing to do with losing the seal or withdrawing from the army." "I saw with my own eyes that the Chai army was being Assassination." "The right general Han Tong has just been imprisoned, and there must be a conspiracy behind it."
Xiao Sheng let the generals beg for mercy, and his expression remained unmoved.
A guard outside the hall hurried in, "General Zhenbei has entered the customs and is heading for the yamen."
Han Ruzi arrived at Shenxiongguan more than a day in advance.