Chapter 590 The Invisible Hand
Let’s talk about it in two ways. First press the war in Tongguan, and talk about it in the capital.
With the new emperor's imperial power, the cabinet was in full power, especially Prince Cheng's divine weapon descended from the sky, guarding the last pass for the Qin Dynasty and greatly boosting the morale of the people. Zhongdu City finally got rid of the initial chaos and began to do its best to prepare for war, prepare materials, and support the front line... Everything was developing in a positive direction, and the Qin Dynasty seemed to have finally recovered.
But those who control the Qin Dynasty knew that everything was just the beginning and the real difficulties were still coming...
In the imperial study room of the Forbidden City, Emperor Tianyou, dressed in casual clothes, was looking helplessly at the white-haired old man sitting at the lower head. The old man was wearing a purple robe and jade belt, and had a luxurious sword hanging around his waist. He was looking at the emperor indifferently.
"Master Taiwei, your request is a bit too much?" Emperor Tianyou's voice was as gentle as ever: "My younger brother is on the front line to resist Zhao Wujiu's 400,000 troops, so why should I give priority to the guarantee?"
The arrogant old man turned out to be Taiwei Li. He raised his eyebrows and said rudely: "Emperor, I know it is not easy to become a prince, but is it easy for me? I ignored my 80s and led my army to cross mountains and ridges from Wangmang Gorge where birds could not cross. Then I returned to Huguan. Do you know how much the price I paid?"
"Our Tiance Army not only discarded all the war horses and supplies, but also thousands of people fell off the cliff and died and injured." As he said that, he rolled up his sleeves and revealed his arms wrapped in gauze and said, "Even I have hung up the lottery! Is it easy for me?"
The old bastard's voice was like a lion's roar, which made Emperor Tianyou's ears buzz, so he had to whisper: "Don't be excited, I know you are loyal..."
"Just know!" Li Sanjun said angrily: "Emperor, I am a veteran of all dynasties. In terms of seniority, I am from your grandfather. I have eaten more salt than rice you have eaten. You have just become emperor and don't know anything. It's better to say less and listen more and say more!"
Although Emperor Tianyou has a good temper, he is even a clay figure. He was so angry that his face turned purple when Li Hun snatched her away. His hands couldn't stop trembling slightly, and he could only say three words: "Okay! OK! OK..."
Seeing that the emperor was so angry, Li Hun slowed down his tone, but his voice still loudly: "In fact, our purpose is the same, both of us are to drive Zhao Wujiu back to Qi. But everything must be prioritized. For example, in Tongguan, Prince Cheng and 70,000 to 80,000 troops, with the strong city and dangerous passes enough to block the Qi army, there is no need to make up for it."
As he spoke, he stood up and approached Emperor Tianyou step by step and said, "Where is the 100,000 troops who followed me back? I said just now that the baggage and horses were all left in Yangchanban, and if they were not replenished, they would have no combat power." As he said, he slapped the written document on the imperial case and said, "On the contrary, if it is replenished, it can restore combat power, defeat Zhao Wujiu, and recover lost land... use the seal."
Emperor Tianyou said with a grim expression: "It's okay to ask me to use a seal, but you have to send the reinforcements requested by Prince Cheng."
"The sect must be sent." Li Hun said impatiently: "But not now, when I wait for the imperial guards to recover, I will naturally go to support me."
"If the front line is in danger, when will I wait for it if I don't send it?" Emperor Tianyou raised his arms and said, "If you don't send me, I won't use a seal."
"Don't pull it down." Looking at him for a moment, Li Hun snorted coldly, "Do you think your 'Emperor' is good for use? My 'Taiwei Seal' works as well!" As he said that, he put away the document and grinned at Emperor Tianyou, "I am the Taiwei of the Qin Dynasty, and the whole country's military is under my control. You can just be busy with yours and mine in the future. We will not interfere with each other, and it will be quiet." As he said that, he laughed and left.
After the Grand Marshal went out, it was the turn of the Grand Secretary Tian Minnong and Qu Yanwu to meet him. But the two pavilions waited for a while, and it was not until around Chen hour that the little eunuch with a panic expression came over and said, "Your Majesty, please ask the two pavilions to discuss matters in the Palace of Peaceful Hearts."
The two looked at each other suspiciously, then suppressed their confusion and followed the little eunuch to Emperor Tianyou's bedroom.
When we arrived at the outer hall, we asked the two cabinet masters to wait. The eunuch went in and reported: "Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary has arrived."
"Come in..." The emperor's faint voice came from the inner hall. The two of them were shocked again. They quickly stepped into the hall, bowed together, shouted long live, and then looked up and couldn't help but be shocked!
Emperor Tianyou was lying weakly on the easy chair, his face was very pale and a towel on his forehead, and he fell ill.
The two of them were surprised and said, "I was doing well in the morning court, why is it like this now?" They quickly said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty is not safe in the dragon body, so don't discuss matters today. It's important to be well-off."
He waved his hand with difficulty, Emperor Tianyou looked at the top of the palace and said, "I am not sick, I am so angry."
Of course, the two cabinet masters would not say stupid words like "Who?". Between the morning meeting with them, only Taiwei Li was the only one who met the emperor. Who did you say that the emperor was angry?
Tian Minnong sighed and said, "Taiwei Li relied on his high qualifications and strong foundation. He was domineering in the dynasty of the Supreme Emperor and did not take the Supreme Emperor seriously at all."
After all, Qu Yanwu has served as the governor and commanded the soldiers, and he couldn't help but say indignantly: "Early, the Supreme Emperor and Prince Cheng joined forces to suppress his arrogance. Now, seeing that the Supreme Emperor is going to the east, Prince Cheng is in the border, His Majesty has recently ascended the throne, and this old man is getting worse again!"
Emperor Tianyou slowly shook his head, closed his eyes and smiled bitterly: "This is the reason why I didn't want to agree to you at the beginning. With the ditch of my father and the strength of the Yutian, I can't even control the Grand Marshal? How could I rely on us, the ministers and princes who are powerless, and we won't let him turn the world upside down?"
The two felt sad, but they could not help. They all knew very well that Li Hun was crazy not because of his noble status as a veteran of the four dynasties and the Grand Marshal of the Grand Marshal, but because of his far-reaching influence in the army... In addition to occupying half of the imperial guards, there was also the brother of Marshal Zhendong, which was Li Hun's arrogant capital.
"Eliminate him!" Qu Yanwu gritted his teeth and said, "If this beast is not eliminated, the country will not be defeated!"
"Impossible." Tian Minnong shook his head and sighed: "He is not alone. He represents military power that is free from imperial power. Unless you can dismantle those troops, Li Hun will be in chaos if he dies!"
"It's not just military power..." Emperor Tianyou closed his eyes slightly, his voice tired and helpless: "Recalling the 217th year of the founding of the Qin Dynasty, has there ever been a powerful minister to compete for the throne? Have there ever been a dictatorship of the emperor? None of them! The monarchy, military power, prime minister power, and struggles are endless, but no one has ever really won. Is it because I, the Qin Dynasty, cannot produce a wise ruler, a hero, or a traitor?"
The two of them were so scared that they couldn't help but ask, "Is there any bad hand behind this?"
"Yes!" Emperor Tianyou slowly opened his eyes and said in a deep voice: "That is the wish of the aristocratic families. They do not want to see who completely controls authority. The Qin Dynasty, which checks and balances power, is their paradise for power. Once anyone monopolizes authority, the first one will attack them!"
The two great scholars were silent. They always thought that Emperor Tianyou was cowardly and incompetent, but he was so clear-headed... It seems that his so-called incompetence at the time was not because of the dilemma faced by the Qin Dynasty, but because of his clear understanding of this position.
"Your Majesty, how can I cut off this black hand?" Qu Yanwu kowtowed and said, "The old minister goes through fire and water and never refuses!" Tian Minnong quickly followed the example.
"I don't know..." Emperor Tianyou shook his head slowly and said, "The emperor's grandfather was about to solve this problem, but he was assassinated by a bizarre way; the father finally saw hope, but was captured by the empire, and life was worse than death." He said, and laughed at himself: "My martial arts are not as powerful as the emperor; his strategy is far inferior to that of the father. I'm afraid this is one of the reasons why I can ascend the throne."
When the two of them heard this, they trembled all over and kowtowed hard and said, "I am sincere and I will never dare to plot against Your Majesty!"
"I'm not talking about you," Emperor Tianyou smiled and said, "You Tian Minnong is the minister whom the late emperor relied on; you Qu Yanwu is the iron rod of my fifth brother. You can both be considered the royal foe. Of course, they have to avoid you if they have anything to do."
The two of them then raised their heads and said, "If you can't fight, your Majesty will endure it for the time being and wait for the opportunity."
"You can't wait. After I understood it, I refused to be this emperor, just to avoid being in his position and not to do his own politics. Now that I have been put on the shelves and placed on the throne of Qin, I have to do his own politics! I can't just live by myself! Otherwise, how can I be worthy of my ancestors and the country?" Emperor Tianyou said with unprecedented firmness: "I decided to go to war with them! Are you willing to fight with me and the royal family?"
The two great ministers said with a solemn expression: "I wish to crush you to pieces for Your Majesty!"
"Very good!" Emperor Tianyou finally showed a smile on his face and said, "Then let me give you the first edict."
"Your Majesty, please speak." The two of them quickly stood up, one of them polished ink and the other held the pen, and listened to the emperor calmly: "I am foolish. Since I ascended the throne, I have always felt the difficulties and complexity of state affairs. It is not a person to take responsibility for it, but not a person to control it. The people often say: 'Brothers work together, and they cut off gold', and they also say: 'Brothers beat the tiger'. Although their words are not very elegant, they contain the ultimate truth!" The two adults understood that His Majesty was going to promote his brother...
"The best relatives in the world are just brothers and sisters of parents. However, my father is old and should enjoy his age. Even though I am unfilial, I dare not work hard. Fortunately, I rely on the blessing of heavenly father and the emperor's blessing, so that I have seven brothers. Except for the young brothers who have not yet changed their affairs, the rest are all talented and pillars of the country. This is a gift from heaven. If I don't use it, I will be punished by heaven!"
"The eldest brother of Jin, Qin Li, is the Prince of Yong, is the Ministry of War, the third brother is the Prince of Zheyi, the Ministry of Personnel, the fourth brother is the Prince of Jianming, and the Ministry of Revenue; the fifth brother is the Prince of Wucheng, is the Prince of Grand Marshal, and controls the troops and horses of the world; the sixth brother is the Prince of Yingcheng, and is the Prince of Da Nei after returning to the country. I hope all brothers work together to help our Qin Dynasty turn danger into safety as soon as possible and prosper. I am here!"
Tian Minnong and the other two wrote, while their hearts were overwhelming. The deep grudges between His Majesty and His Highness could let go of them. It seemed that the holy intention was determined. But was it really useful? The two cabinet masters looked at each other and saw extremely complex meanings from each other's eyes, but they did not see the word "faith".
But no matter what, the emperor's words and imperial edict have been completed, and no one can change it. Looking at the figures of the two Grand Secretarys leaving, Emperor Tianyou leaned back on the back of the chair, slowly closed his eyes, and murmured softly: "Brother, I can only help you. Even if it has no practical effect, it is still a title..."
As he said that, he fell asleep. In his dream, he seemed to have flew over thousands of mountains and reached the front line of Tongguan where war was raging...
There has been no war in Tongguan City for two days, but the atmosphere is becoming increasingly tense.
Qin Lei knew very well that Zhao Wujiu would take down Tongguan at all costs... Even if there was no more miles to move west after capturing Tongguan, it didn't matter. Because as long as Tongguan had already been cut, Qi would completely gain the strategic initiative. From then on, he would fight as much as he wanted, and he would fight as he wanted. He could do whatever he wanted.
Standing at the strategic height, he firmly believed that the fierce battle to defend the city would happen. Therefore, from the day he entered the city, he strengthened the city walls and strengthened the defense to a higher position. For this reason, Qin Lei used his tough skills to mobilize all his strength and turned the entire Tongguan City into a precise and cold war machine.
The Military Intelligence Advisory Office, which was highly anticipated by Qin Lei, finally began to play its due role after the war in Qi. Tu Gongchun was the staff officer of the Military Intelligence Administration, and made a meticulous and thoughtful plan for the city defense. After careful reading, Qin Lei only made a little modification and signed and used a seal to turn it into a commander's order:
The first one was to eliminate traitors and appointed Li Sihai as the city's security officer. Shen Bing was recovering from the injury. Li Sihai followed Shen Bing's instructions and led his subordinates to sort out the military and civilians in the city. Relying on the household registration files over the years, more than 200 unknown sources were found within three days, including more than 100 people who were confirmed to have done more than 100 people. At the same time, the method of protecting the troops and co-locating was strictly implemented, forcing neighbors to supervise each other in case there were fish that missed the net or illegal people who were illegal to seek opportunities to do evil.
He also appointed Magistrate Niu as a patrol officer to maintain public order and prevent fire and theft. He was also worried that the people of Qi would use fire cannons to attack the city, so he ordered Magistrate Niu to take people to remove all thatched bamboo houses near the city walls and warehouses. He also ordered them to take soil, sand, seaweed, water jars, and buckets to distribute them to each person to protect and armor in case of any situation.
Facts proved that Qin Lei's speculation was completely correct. Two days later, Qi's siege equipment was finally transported from China. Perhaps because he felt that being blackmailed by Qin Lei was too embarrassing, Emperor Xinghua spent a lot of money and transported all the equipment he had made and stored in China over the years to Zhao Wujiu, and issued an order to strictly order him to break through the pass and attack Zhongdu immediately.
The reason why Zhao Wujiu has not attacked for a long time was to wait for these things. But he did not take the emperor's dream seriously. Now he felt that as long as he could capture Tongguan, it would be enough. As for Zhongdu City, it would be better to stay for three or five years, and even leave it for future generations to conquer. Anyway, I don't expect it this time.
After the shipped bamboo, ladder, goose cart, cave, cannon stone, attacking tools, grass cows, earthen cloth bags and other items were assembled and arranged, Zhao Wujiu no longer wasted his time and ordered the city to attack the next day.
October 27th, before dawn. The sleepy patrol soldiers in the city were suddenly awakened by the noise. They rubbed their sleepy eyes. They saw that the torches in the Qi army camp outside the city were clear, and teams of Qi army came out of the village, winding like long snakes.
Soon, the sentry that came to his senses sounded the alarm bell, and the quiet Tongguan city immediately responded. First, the lights of thousands of households lit up, and then a group of soldiers rushed out of the barracks and rushed to the combat post under the leadership of officers at all levels.
Qin Lei also arrived at the city at the first time, but outside the city, the Qi army infantry was in front and the horse army was behind, densely surrounded by endless circles, and was slowly advancing towards the front of Tongguan City.
Chapter completed!