Chapter 378 Success depends not only on strength

Zhu Yun sent an envoy to see King Yan and proposed that as long as King Yan stopped fighting, he would pardon King Yan and the officers and soldiers of the Yan army for all crimes, and still restore Zhu Di's title to the king. [] After hearing this, Zhu Di immediately sneered. This is just the nephew of the emperor.

It was just a tactic to delay the attack, how could he not know.

Zhu Di said sternly: "Since the day I raised my army, I have issued an edict to the world. I am not rebelling against the emperor, but actually siding with the Qing emperor. In the third year of Jingnan, the people have been displaced, the place has been corrupted, the soldiers have been killed and wounded, and the country has been weakened. Who is to blame? So we stopped the troops and stopped the army.

By stopping the war, my family was safe and prosperous, but how should Zhu Di explain it to the people of the world? How should he explain it to the people who had their families displaced and their families destroyed? How should he explain it to the countless soldiers of the Southern and Northern armies who had died in the past three years?"

The envoy changed his color and said: "Your Highness..."

Zhu Di brushed his sleeves and said: "Angel, there is no need to say any more. Your Majesty wants me to stop fighting. You can, but you have to agree to one condition. As long as your Majesty will confuse the emperor's heart, alienate the royal relatives, force the prince to death and imprison the clan in the name of cutting down the vassal.

The chief culprits of this war, Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng, and Qi Tai, were executed in public. I immediately ceased my troops and rode back to the palace alone with my three sons. I only obey His Majesty's orders!"

The envoy had no choice but to return to the capital. Zhu Yun was just using this time to slow down the war and use this time to mobilize troops and collect food and fodder. He did not really intend to stop the war and seek peace. Besides, Zhu Di proposed to kill Fang Xiaoru, Qi Tai and others such harsh conditions

, even if he wanted to seek peace, he would never agree to it.

Because of the sudden change in the weather, Zhu Yun suffered from cold and was ill. After receiving the report from the envoy, he reluctantly dragged his sick body to the front hall. The queen was worried and hurriedly asked Mu En to summon the imperial doctor to attend her.

Zhu Yun summoned Fang Xiaoru, Ru Chang, Li Jinglong and other Wu ministers to the Zhengxin Palace. As soon as he mentioned that King Yan refused to negotiate peace, Fang Xiaoru spoke first. Now that Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were not in the capital, Fang Xiaoru's power was a little weak. He was afraid that Li Jinglong and Ru Chang would make the same old statement.

When they resumed the conversation, they asked for peace, so they said first: "Your Majesty, over the past two months, we have raised some food and grass to make up for the losses in Pei County, and also mobilized 100,000 soldiers from all over the south.

To supplement the front army. I believe that Yan Ni's rejection of the Holy Emperor's good intentions proves his wolfish ambition, and our heavenly troops are even more famous. Your Majesty can order Sheng Yong, Wu Jie, and Ping'an to send troops to attack Beiping again, and you can also recruit generals from Liaodong

Entering Shanhaiguan..."

Li Jinglong rolled his eyes and said: "What if the Tatars and Wala take advantage of the internal transfer of our Liaodong troops and seize the capital of Liaodong?"

Fang Xiaoru said: "Tatars and Walas are busy with civil war and have no time to care about others, so they may not have the intention to take over Liaodong. Furthermore, Yan's rebellion is getting stronger and stronger, which is a problem for those close to them. Even if they abandon Liaodong, they must first conquer Yan."

To eradicate Ni, as long as Yan Ni is eliminated, even if Liaodong is occupied, won't our mighty army still be able to recapture it? As long as Liaodong's troops and horses are mobilized, Yan Ni will be eager to return to defend his nest, and our army will sneak up and pursue

, it will surely succeed in one fell swoop.”

Zhu Yun hesitated for a moment and then looked at others. Xu Huizu calmly came out of the class and said: "What Mr. Xizhi said is the opinion of an experienced person who upholds the country! I second my opinion!"

After Wei Guogong's statement, many military generals expressed their support. Jing Qing, Lian Zining and others are not familiar with military affairs, but they have seen too many people like Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and others doing bad things with good intentions. The more they help, the busier they become.

I didn't dare to express my position at first, but now that I saw the support of many military generals, they thought that even if this plan was not a clever plan, it was probably not a stupid idea, so they expressed their support one after another. As a result, Li Jinglong and Ru Chang seemed to be alone.

I am too weak to speak.

When Fang Xiaoru saw this, he couldn't help but secretly feel proud. Although Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were no longer in the capital, with the strong support of his future in-laws, he could still influence the general situation of the court.

In fact, this was a method that he and Xu Huizu came up with. After Xu Huizu analyzed the situation outside the customs in detail, he concluded that the newly divided Tatars and Oaras were busy fighting for power and it was impossible to take advantage of Liaodong for the time being. The land outside the customs was already vast, and these

The herdsmen leaders care about ready-made wealth rather than seizing an open wilderness. Moving Liaodong soldiers into the pass seems risky, but in fact the possibility of being exploited by the Mongols is not high.

Zhu Yun couldn't help but feel happy when he saw that most people agreed with Fang Xiaoru's idea. He quickly asked someone to draw up an edict. According to Fang Xiaoru's wishes, he ordered Sheng Yong, Ping An and others to march to Peiping, and at the same time ordered Liaodong soldiers and horses to enter the pass to respond.

When everyone left, Fang Xiaoru stood still. When everyone left, he approached the emperor and whispered: "Your Majesty, I have another plan to help your majesty deal with King Yan."

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yun had a surprise and said quickly: "Mr. Xizhi, tell me quickly."

Fang Xiaoru said something to Zhu Yun in a low voice. Zhu Yun nodded frequently and said with joy: "Sir, you have unparalleled wisdom. I will follow your plan!"

Just as he was talking, Mu En came in with the imperial doctor. Seeing Fang Xiaoru striding out happily, Mu En couldn't help but be a little surprised. Ever since Huang Zicheng and Qitai were demoted and exiled, he hadn't seen Dr. Fang looking so proud for a long time.

Just because he had just returned from Tai Hospital, he didn't know that Fang Xiaoru had something happy.

※※※※

After receiving Zhu Yun's imperial edict, Sheng Yong immediately deployed a counterattack. He first mobilized Datong garrison Fang Zhao and sent his troops into Zijingguan to attack the counties of Baoding that had surrendered to King Yan; he ordered Wu Jie to support Fang Zhao with grain and grass; he also ordered the Liaodong governors to

The general led his troops into the pass and attacked Yongping; he personally led the army out of Dezhou and garrisoned at Xishui Village in Yixian County. This place is located in the mountains and is easy to defend and difficult to attack. The king of Yan could not exert his usual field combat power by relying on his cavalry.

and finally let Ping'an lead his cavalry to attack Peiping or King Yan, doing things conveniently.

For a time, the war situation in the north was clouded and tense again.

Beiping City was once again attacked by the imperial army. The Liaodong troops and Ping An troops who entered the pass took turns to attack Beiping. The fighting was fierce. Although it was not as terrifying as the last time when Li Jinglong surrounded the city, they knew that the defenders would never abandon Beiping City.

, so there is no need to besiege the city on all sides. We just concentrate heavy troops in one place every day to attack fiercely. The brutality is no less brutal than the last defense battle of Peiping.

In the past three years, King Yan and his second son Zhu Gaoxu have led their troops abroad, fighting fiercely and fighting hundreds of battlefields. As the crown prince, Zhu Xiaopang guarded Peiping. Although he had never been on the battlefield, it was actually more difficult than on the battlefield. He guarded the city of Peiping.

, It is necessary to levy grain and grass, recruit soldiers, receive surrendered and conquered prefectures and counties, manage local officials, collect taxes to pay for the army, receive and sort out the weapons of war brought back from the front line, and so on, so that King Yan can lead his troops without worries.

In the past three years, so many things have been placed on his shoulders, and he has worked hard day and night, making Zhu Xiaopang mature. He has a calm temperament, is experienced in doing things, and is shrewd. The two slight mustaches on his lips have made his whole person look more mature.

He was very majestic, but the only thing that remained unchanged was his kindness to his family and his obesity that could not be reduced no matter how hard he worked or dieted.

Early that morning, the Southern Army launched another charge against Peiping. Zhu Gaochi personally guarded the city that was riddled with holes, encouraging and comforting the soldiers everywhere. Only when the Southern Army retreated at noon did he be able to breathe. Zhu Gaochi returned to the city gate. In the building, I wiped the sweat off my face and picked up a big tea bowl. Just as I was about to drink from it, someone came to report: "Report to the Crown Prince, someone from the city is waving a flag to ask for an audience!"

Zhu Gaochi was startled and asked: "How many people are coming to the formation?"

The soldier said: "There is only one person!"

Zhu Gaochi thought for a moment and then ordered: "Put down the hanging basket and pull him up. I want to know what kind of tricks Ping An wants to play."

After a while, a messenger from the Southern Army was pulled up to the top of the city and brought into the tower. Zhu Gaochi sat upright and said coldly: "What did Ping An send you to do?"

The man laughed, calmly raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I am not a subordinate of General Ping'an."

Zhu Gaochi frowned slightly and asked suspiciously: "Are you from Liaodong?"

The man smiled mysteriously and said, "No, I am from Jinling."

"Jinling?"

Zhu Gaochi asked in surprise: "Are you an envoy sent by the emperor?"

The man took out a secret letter sealed with yellow silk from his sleeve and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, your Majesty wrote this in your own hand. Your Majesty knows that your Majesty's insistence on standing in Peiping and resisting the imperial court is due to his father's orders and he has no choice but to do so. However, since ancient times, when loyalty and filial piety cannot have both, one should sacrifice filial piety and be loyal. His Majesty said that as long as the prince returns to the imperial court and sacrifices himself to Peking, the emperor will make the prince the King of Yan and guard him for generations..."

"say no more!"

Zhu Gaochi was furious. Huo Di stood up and said, "Come here, tie him up and take him to prison!"

A general standing aside looked at what was happening in front of him, his eyes rolled, and a hint of cunning brilliance flashed away.

At first glance, this man looked like a military commander, but if you look carefully, you can see that he was wearing an indigo eunuch's robe under his leather armor.

The several eunuchs in charge of the Yan Palace, Zheng He, Li Xing, Hou Xian, Gou'er, Wang An, probably because of the prosperity of martial arts in the north, they all have good martial arts, Huang Yan is also one of them, and the prince has personally After guarding the city, he would naturally accompany him.

In the past two days, due to the violent attack of the Southern Army on the city, Huang Yan was afraid of the battle and did not dare to approach. Zhu Gaochi, who was supervising the battle, found out and severely beat him with military law. Huang Yan held a grudge. At this time, he sent someone to the court to recruit the prince, and he took advantage of the situation. Later, at night, Huang Yan quietly called a confidant eunuch, gave him these instructions, and then quietly went down to the city.

The Southern Army was also afraid that Cheng Yan's army would attack the camp at night, so the camp was twenty miles away from Beiping City. There were no enemy troops under the city. The little eunuch got off the city and ran away into the vast darkness of night.

Besides, Zhu Gaochi took the imperial envoy to see his mother. Concubine Xu did not take this matter to heart. Zhu Yun's autograph letter was thrown aside by her, and she discussed with her son that King Yan was about to return to the army this winter. The problem of winter clothing and food for hundreds of thousands of troops.

The next morning, Monk Dao Yan raised a sum of gold and silver and went to Prince Yan's Mansion to hand it over to Princess Xu. Princess Xu remembered what happened yesterday and told it to Dao Yan. Dao Yan couldn't help but laugh and said: "The Emperor is really at his wits' end. If he wants the prince to betray His Highness, not to mention what will happen to the son of the King of Zhou after he instigates him to sue his father, just because of the prince's benevolence and filial piety..."

When he said this, his expression suddenly changed.

Concubine Xu was so alert that she immediately noticed something was wrong and asked hurriedly: "Master, what's wrong?"

Dao Yan said slowly: "The poor monk is worried that the emperor's recruitment is false, but the alienation is real."

Concubine Xu was startled and said: "Separation? Gao Chi and His Highness are father and son. Just a letter can..."

When she said this, her face became sad. Isn't the second son of King Zhou not her own flesh and blood? And he is also his legitimate son. Since ancient times, there have been few cases of flesh and blood fighting for power. King Yan is now leading troops outside. If there is any loss in Peking

, will lose its foundation immediately. If the news spreads, his army will be dispersed in an instant, with no food and grass, no foundation, and its fall will only happen in an instant. If King Yan hears the news, he will

Not worried?

Concubine Xu stood up in excitement, her face turned pale and she said, "Oh, I was careless, Master, what should I do now?"

Dao Yan asked: "Has the emperor's letter been opened?"

Concubine Xu said: "No, Gao Chi didn't care at all, and I didn't take it to heart."

She hurried over, rummaged through the table, found the unopened letter and handed it to Dao Yan. Dao Yan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's okay. I'll send someone to bring this letter immediately, and then bring that one."

When envoys from the imperial court go to see His Highness, everything is left to His Highness's disposal. Only in this way can His Highness's doubts be dispelled. Otherwise, even if Your Highness doesn't care, He will inevitably suspect that the Crown Prince has hesitated, which will be very detrimental to the Crown Prince in the future!"

Concubine Xu also knew that the situation was serious, and hurriedly called for the envoy who was detained in the prison, and called several trusted family generals to give serious instructions. When Zhu Gaochi came back from the city, he couldn't help but be shocked when his mother explained how powerful he was.

In a cold sweat, at midnight that night, Zhu Gaochi opened the city gate, let the generals out of the city, and quickly went to find King Yan.

As soon as the young eunuch sent by Huang Yan left the Peiping area, he immediately bought a horse with money and traveled day and night to the place where King Yan was stationed. King Yan couldn't help but hesitate when he heard the young eunuch reported that the emperor had sent a secret emissary to lure the prince to surrender.

I really don't want to believe that my son will betray me. He is his own flesh and blood, but the stakes are so high. If it is true, it will be an irreversible outcome.

After thinking about it for a long time, King Yan called his second son, Zhu Gaoxu, and asked him if the prince had any contact with the emperor when he was in Beijing. Zhu Gaoxu was a little confused at first, but when his father took out Huang Yan's secret letter, he finally understood what happened.

Greed can't help but arise spontaneously.

He thought that he had contributed a lot to his father's life and death, but he was not the eldest son. He had no share in the position of King Yan or once his father took the throne of the country. Zhu Gaoxu often thought about it and felt very angry and unfair.

The eldest brother is fat and weak, and may not live long, but he already has a son, and with this legitimate son and eldest grandson here, the throne or the throne will still not belong to him. If he can...

A trace of evil thoughts lingered in his mind, and he suddenly remembered that his eldest brother had always been kind and very close to him and the third child. When they were young, the eldest brother had tried his best to tolerate and protect them, and now he could decide with just one word.

The life and death of my eldest brother can't help but feel a little unbearable.

Seeing his uncertain expression, Zhu Di couldn't help shouting: "My father is asking you something, why are you so hesitant and not answering?"

"ah!"

Zhu Gaoxu was shocked. His desire for power finally defeated his family ties. He made up his mind and knelt down and said: "Father, son...he hesitated because he didn't want to talk about the rights and wrongs of his eldest brother. After all, he is the child's biological eldest brother.
To be continued...