Chapter 144:
In the middle of the night, Gao Yongrong woke up from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat.
She dreamed of Xiao Daocheng's face. He stared at himself resentfully, describing it as extremely terrifying, like a ghost.
She sat up immediately, feeling a heartbeat, and looked around subconsciously. Empty.
She took a slow breath, wiped the cold sweat on her forehead, but couldn't sleep anymore, got up, took out a letter from a secret box, and read it again.
This letter comes from Murong Ti, the current emperor of Beiyan. A few months ago, long before that letter of credentials, it had been secretly delivered to her.
Murong's letter was concise, but only three sentences.
The first sentence said that he had no intention of becoming an enemy of the Southern Dynasty. As long as the Southern Dynasty did not start the Northern Expedition and did not seize Yan land, he would be willing to truce with the Southern Dynasty to negotiate peace and exchange friendship.
The second sentence says, looking at the Southern Dynasties, those who have always advocated the introduction of troops to the northern expedition have a deep meaning behind them, and establishing prestige is one of the purposes. Li Mu's Northern Expedition, I am afraid that the intention is far more than Liwei.
The third sentence says that when people from the south gain Luoyang, Xiao Shi loses the world. Which is more important, please consider the queen mother.
Gao Yongrong stared at the secret letter, lost for a moment, turned into the apse by himself, pushed the door inside, stopped in front of an object covered with brocade, slowly stretched out his hand, grabbed the brocade with his fingers, and suddenly pulled it off.
What was under the cloth was exposed.
This is a stone, but not an ordinary stone.
Hundred officials, the harem, and even the people have all paid homage to it.
Her gaze fell on the well-known imprint that looked like an inscription. The voice of Liu Hui's words sounded in her ears again, her lips were slowly pursed, and a shadow passed through her eyes.
"Quickly summon General Gao Yun to Jiankang. Urgent summons!"
When she came out of the palace, she gave an order to the palace servant.
…
Gao Yun has been living in his manor in Wuxing for more than a year, drinking and talking with local celebrities all day long. The distance between the two places is not very far. He received the order and set off immediately, and after a few days, he returned to Jiankang and entered the palace to see him.
When he learned that Gao Yongrong's purpose of recalling himself was to make him rush to Chang'an, Gao Yin, the supervisor, and when necessary, asked him to summon the old troops to replace Gao Yin, so as to take Chang'an as soon as possible, he was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said: " I am afraid that the Queen Mother will be disappointed. When I resigned from office, I planned not to ask about court affairs in the future. I am afraid that this is a little inconvenient."
Gao Yongrong said: "When my uncle was disheartened and resigned from office, his niece felt very sorry. Uncle is in his prime, looking at the court, family background, qualifications, military merit, who can surpass it? It was a time of great achievements, but it ended so sadly. My niece At that time, I really wanted to keep my uncle. However, the court was dominated by Li Mu, and His Majesty was like a puppet. Even if my niece knew that my uncle continued to stay in the court, it was inevitable that he would be excluded, so he had no choice but to let his uncle leave."
Gao Yun's expression changed slightly, he sighed, and waved his hand: "Forget it, these are all over, don't need to mention it again. Since you called me, I will ask, what happened to Ami that day when he came to Beijing?"
"My niece is going to tell my uncle. My uncle also knows that in the past few years, it wasn't me who forced Ami to stay in Jiankang, it was the court practice, and everyone did. If Li Mu wants to take Ami for a reason, just tell me, I will Isn't it unreasonable to forcibly detain Ami? He actually made a threat to kidnap His Majesty, the wolf's ambition is obvious! Does he still have the court in his eyes? , even his uncle was forced away by him. The niece, orphan, widowed mother, no one can rely on, what can I do? I can only swallow it and let him do whatever he wants..."
Speaking of sadness, her eyes were reddish and her voice was choked up.
Gao Yun was already hot-tempered, and since Li Mu forced his marriage to Luoshen, his prejudice against him has not disappeared, but it was only because of Gao Qiao that he endured it. He couldn't bear it any longer, and was furious: "He thinks it's almost the end, really wants to try to usurp the throne and do what Xu Mi did?"
Gao Yongrong wiped away his tears: "The last time Yan State sent an envoy to send a letter of credentials, although my uncle was no longer in the imperial court, but because the matter was very important, my niece also sent news to my uncle at that time. My niece knew that my uncle did not believe in Murong Ti and did not approve of this matter. However, the officials of the court said in unison at the time that we had been fighting hard in Dayu for a long time, and the people were in urgent need of recuperation. Such an opportunity should not be easily missed. When the niece lost her mind for a while, and was still hesitating, then Li Mu actually made an assertion, even Jiankang. The difference is that he leads the army and invades the state of Yan. Where does he want to place the imperial court when he acts like this? The subjects of the Southern Dynasty know the Great Sima, but not His Majesty, so Deng’er has to give up the throne.”
Gao Yun said coldly: "Since he wanted to marry Ami regardless of his identity, I knew that he was by no means a man of his own accord. It was not what I expected!"
"One more thing, my niece dare not hide my uncle. My uncle should also know that Rongkang presented auspiciousness before. At that time, the niece was very happy. Later, Liu Hui reminded him, saying 'Muhexing, Guolongtai', 'Muhe'. , it can be interpreted as a farmer, and it also coincides with Li Mu's name. Who is it? It's not the son of today, it's Li Mu! This is not auspicious, it is the fate of the heaven...
"My niece also thought about it, if Li Mu really is destined to return, he wants to replace the cauldron on my behalf, and I don't dare to go against the sky, so it is better to consider Zen in him, lest he die without a place to be buried..."
With a "pop", Gao Yun slammed the table and said angrily: "Why are you so useless? What auspiciousness, but a broken stone! Dayu Jiangshan, if you say let it go, where do you want to place the ancestors? "
"It's the niece who said the wrong thing! Uncle calm down!"
Gao Yongrong hurriedly wiped away his tears.
"My niece was only forced to be helpless, and she felt emotional for a while. For me, the Great Yu Jiangshan, even knowing that the man's arm was blocking the car, it was going to be a fight. Therefore, I discussed with the courtiers and sent my eldest brother to Chang'an to replace Li Mu, the governor of Chang'an. position, take over Chang'an to contain Li Mu."
"My niece knows that my uncle is now devoted to the mountains and rivers, and I didn't dare to disturb my uncle, but this matter is really important, and the niece is afraid that she can't bear it. Let's not hide it from my uncle, my niece knows that the eldest brother and Li Mu have always been on good terms, and I am a little worried about him. If things don't work out, the niece and His Majesty can only sit back and wait. After thinking about it, only my uncle is the only person I can trust, so I can only invite my uncle to come, and beg my uncle to come out again and **** me in Dayu. My uncle is in the Guangling Army. Known as prestige, the old generals are all over the camp, as long as the uncle comes forward, there will be a hundred responses, and Chang'an will be taken down, just around the corner..."
Gao Yun did not speak.
Gao Yongrong glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "Actually, before my uncle left, he passed his uncle and passed on the position of the head of the family to the eldest brother, and the niece felt it was inappropriate... In terms of seniority, qualifications, prestige, and military merit, what kind of uncle is It's not that he overpowered the eldest brother, but the uncle behaves like this, and it is impossible for the niece to figure it out..."
"Don't say it!"
Gao Yun frowned and interrupted Gao Yongrong's words.
"Yes!" Gao Yongrong said respectfully.
"My niece only dares to hold her uncle's injustice in her heart, so how dare you speak up about uncle's actions. I also know that my uncle is grand and magnanimous, so I don't care about it. Not only eldest brother, Li Mu was also favored by uncle at the beginning. But uncle, even if you are He avoided Li Mu's edge and was willing to give in. When he succeeded in rebelling in the future, how could he let his uncle go? Liu Hui was dissatisfied with Li Muji, although it was because of his narrow-mindedness and hatred. The New Deal, even Duke Feng advised him to slow down, but he turned a deaf ear, and his methods were ruthless and outrageous. Liu Yan, the governor of Kuaiji County, was known as a famous person, and he had no credit or hard work to the court. , is your uncle actually indifferent?"
"Li Mu was born in a poor family, and he must hate the nobles and celebrities. With his cruel heart, once he ascends the throne in the future, my mother and son, Liu Hui and others will suffer. I am afraid that even my uncle will not escape his poisonous hands."
"Uncle, you were born in the Gao family, with a distinguished status and a hero in your life. You have made great contributions to my Dayu. Li Mu gathered people's hearts through military exploits and the Northern Expedition. Uncle was in Guangling at the time, guarding the gate for the imperial court. This was a missed opportunity. It's not as good as Li Mu. Uncle, are you willing to continue to be suppressed by this humble family, and even finally, be captured?"
Gao Yun's face was gloomy, and his eyes flickered.
Gao Yongrong turned back, glanced at the depths of the palace, and coughed.
A tent was raised, and I saw the young emperor rushing out, running to Gao Yun, kneeling on his knees, and said in his mouth: "Deng'er is in trouble, please help my uncle!"
Gao Yun got up in a hurry, helped the young emperor up on the bed, turned to Gao Yongrong and said, "Forget it, it's for the imperial court, so I can't just sit back and watch!"
Gao Yongrong showed gratitude, and thanked him in person.
Gao Yun said: "It's not too late, I'll leave immediately, you and Your Majesty can rest assured and wait for my news." After that, he retired.
Li Mu is currently fighting with Murong in the Tongguan area. Even if he learns the news, he will not be able to return the troops in time because he is restrained. This is a heaven-sent opportunity to seize Chang'an.
Gao Yongrong was always a little worried when he sent Gao Yin to attack Chang'an. Now that Gao Yun was finally persuaded to go out, Gao Yongrong's confidence suddenly increased.
As long as Murong can contain Li Mu and prevent him from returning to the customs, he will know the news, and he will be out of reach.
If Chang'an and Yicheng succeed, Li Mu will have no support from the rear. What can such a huge army use to fight against the extraordinary Murong?
Gao Yongrong could almost see his end.
She looked at the back of Gao Yun's hurried departure, and then let out a long sigh of relief, suddenly thinking of the accusation that Luo Shen had made to her when she left that day, and a shadow passed through her heart.
She can't say that she has no feelings for her cousin. When she learned that she was forced to marry a poor family martial artist she had never met, she decided to carry out the assassination on her own accord, not only because she did not want the Gao family to be humiliated by this marriage, but also for her own cousin. Knowing that she didn't want to marry that poor family warrior, Gao Qiao and Xiao Yongjia were helpless.
Unfortunately, not only did they fail at the time, but later, even they all blamed their own unauthorized ideas.
After staying with Li Mu for a day, she felt that she could not rest assured for a day.
Naturally, she wouldn't believe the nonsense that Murong said was unintentional about the Southern Dynasty. Those barbarians are more ruthless than each other. As long as they have the ability, as long as they have the opportunity, who will not try to continue to go south?
But under the current situation, compared to Li Mu, the threat from Beiyan was really insignificant. If you don't seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and work with Murong for the first time to eliminate the hidden danger of Li Mu, I am afraid you won't have to wait for Murong to attack in the future, his son's status will already be guaranteed.
The Southern Dynasties now have the newly won large area of the Huai River in the north of the Yangtze River as a buffer, the Yangtze River moat, the Rongkang who covets Luoshen and is willing to serve his own strength, and the Gao clan army who has always been loyal to himself. Even if Beiyan comes to commit crimes in the future, he is not without the capital to fight against.
Sitting in her current position, who can tolerate a powerful minister like Li Mu?
She was just out of self-preservation. no choice.
…
It has been rainy in the north this summer. The heavy rain for several days has caused the Jingshui and Weishui in Kansai to swell, and the water level is almost flush with the embankment. Outside Chang'an City, some low-lying places have accumulated water.
It has been a few days since Gao Yin was ordered to lead the army that had been stationed in Huainan with him.
He did not immediately drive the army to Chang'an City, but stationed in a field dozens of kilometers away from the city, and then ordered someone to go first to announce the will of the imperial court to the Chang'an defenders.
It rained heavily last night. Although the rain stopped this morning, some parts of the garrison were still standing with water, and the soldiers were not able to set up tents for the night. Early in the morning, he found another place with higher terrain, and arranged for the army to set up camp and change it. station.
The entire battalion of officers and soldiers immediately got busy.
Standing on a high ground, he looked at Chang'an City at the end of the wet and gloomy horizon in the distance.
Gao Huan, dressed in military uniform, brought a team of fierce soldiers, fast horses and hoofs, and crossed the several horse fences outside the barracks, and went straight to the gate. He was blocked by the guards, and the two sides immediately clashed.
When Gao Yin arrived, he saw Gao Huan sitting high on the horse, his brows sullen, the long sword had been drawn and pointed at the throat of one of his generals. And around him were a circle of soldiers with swords in their hands that surrounded him.
The atmosphere was tense, and it was about to explode.
"Stop it all!"
Gao Yin hurried out and shouted sharply.