Hello Chang’an

Chapter 473: Capture Jingzhou and defeat the royal court

In Yuezhou City, the streets were empty, except for the patrolling armored soldiers who appeared in the night like fierce ghosts.

The original plaque for the Governor's Mansion was removed last year and changed to "Bian Mansion", which was used as Bian Chunliang's temporary residence in Yuezhou.

At this moment, there was faint music floating in the mansion. The owner here seemed not to be disturbed by the imperial troops attacking the city.

There was a banquet in the hall, not only with fun, but also with fine wine.

The banquet was divided into two rows on the left and right. Almost all of Bian Chunliang's capable generals were present, and the hall was filled with the aroma of wine and meat.

The man sitting alone at the top is about forty years old. He is particularly tall but does not look bulky. The shoulders and back of his close-fitting black robe are embroidered with tiger patterns in gold thread. His angular face is covered with The beard is hidden under the thick eyebrows on the temples, and a pair of eyes are so gleaming and evil that people dare not look directly at him.

This was Bian Chunliang, who raised troops from Daozhou, slaughtered the powerful nobles and nobles along the way, and caused great chaos.

He doesn't look as reckless and murderous as the rumors say.

Although he claimed to stir up troubles for the people and incited the hearts of the people in the world, he himself was not reckless or from a poor background. On the contrary, he was born in a salt merchant's family. He was rich since childhood, proficient in pen and ink, and quite talented in martial arts.

Nowadays, the status of merchants is low. Since his childhood, Bian Chunliang has been determined to enter the court through talent or martial arts. However, after more than 20 years, he has repeatedly encountered obstacles.

Over the past twenty years, he had accumulated too much unwillingness and dissatisfaction with the current imperial court. This dissatisfaction was finally ushered in by the drought in Daozhou two years ago that was so desolate that no one cared about it. The timing of it breaking out.

The Bian family has been selling salt for generations and has accumulated rich family assets and connections. Bian Chunliang used this to quickly recruit troops. When his voice came out to crusade against the harsh government of the court on behalf of the people, countless people responded immediately.

He fought his way out of Daozhou, Yongzhou, and Hengzhou. Under the barbaric killings and looting along the way, the power of the soldiers and horses grew rapidly, and then he defeated Dongting. Since taking Yuezhou, the number of soldiers now exceeds 200,000 -

However, the strategic area of ​​Jingzhou was difficult to attack, and Bian Chunliang was blocked here for more than half a year, unable to advance any further.

Although everyone was drinking and having fun at the banquet, some generals were worried about the war: "...Commander, I'm afraid Xiao Min will be difficult to deal with!"

A young man sitting under Bian Chunliang had a thick wound on his arm. When he heard the word "Xiao Min", his face immediately darkened and he took a big gulp of wine.

This is Bian Cheng, the eldest son of Bian Chunliang. During the battle with Xiao Min, he was shot in the arm by Xiao Min.

"Well." Bian Chunliang, the leader, spoke with a deep and powerful voice: "Before, Xu Zhengye was killed by this man who was the commander. At that time, I only thought that this man was borrowing the help of Chang Kuo and his daughter, and did not have much real ability... Now it seems that it cannot be underestimated.”

"That's right, this person is not as impetuous as Li Xian, who only cares about military achievements..." The counselor on the side frowned slightly and said: "Although his fighting method is not surprising at first glance, it is better than being calm and solid. , Don’t be disturbed by external circumstances, keep your mind focused, know yourself and the enemy, patiently find out the flaws, and then break them down step by step.”

As the counselor spoke, he raised his hand in the direction of Bian Chunliang and said: "Commander, if the confrontation continues, it is unknown whether our army can defend Yuezhou, not to mention entering Jingzhou..."

After saying this, the subordinates immediately became noisy.

Bian Cheng put down his cup with a bang and scolded in displeasure: "Is this how Mr. Ao increases others' prestige in the current confrontation?"

The counselor lowered his head and raised his hand to hold the salute but did not put it down.

Bian Chunliang glanced at his eldest son who was losing his temper after drinking, and raised his hand to indicate to his attendants to take him down to sober up.

After Bian Cheng was taken away, Bian Chunliang waved his hand again and dismissed the musicians in the hall.

"Sir, there is no need to worry. From now on, our army will just continue to delay and wait for the opportunity." Bian Chunliang looked at the generals who were listening attentively, smiled boldly, and said in a strong voice: "I, Bian, have come to this day only because of the hearts of the people - just a mere Yuezhou is nothing, this time our army will take Jingzhou, drive northward, and attack the imperial city!"

He was very suspicious. Even so, he did not elaborate on the battle arrangements. Everyone had long been accustomed to this, but seeing that he had a plan, most of them felt relieved.

A general's eyes were aroused by these sonorous and powerful words, and he held up the wine glass: "I will drink this glass to the full to pay tribute to the commander-in-chief!"

Everyone followed suit and raised their glasses.

Bian Chunliang drank the wine in one gulp, threw down the wine cup, laughed and embraced the beauties serving on his left and right into his arms.

The two women were thinly dressed and both had very young faces. They were originally aristocratic women in Yuezhou City who had read poetry and books. Their father and brother were massacred by Bian Jun...

There was an uneasiness in their eyes that could not be concealed by makeup, but they could only try their best to put on a smile.

After the banquet was over, the counselor surnamed Ao followed Bian Chunliang alone to the study to discuss matters.

With no one else around, the half-drunk Bian Chunliang leaned back in the large armchair and picked up a few letters on the desk: "The governor of Anzhou, Cao Hongxuan, has written to me repeatedly, inviting me to send troops to take control of Huainan Road -"

Ao Ben hurriedly asked: "What do you think, Commander-in-Chief?"

"It's just Huainan Road..." Bian Chunliang laughed: "I am determined to be in the capital, how can I abandon the near and seek the far?"

He threw the letter down: "When I break through the emperor's gate and become the lord of the world, the Huainan Road will be just in my hand, so why should I take a detour to get it now!"

As he spoke, his eyes showed a sarcastic look: "Then Xu Zhengye was defeated in the first place because he should not have fallen into the trap of others. He was too cautious and chose to change his route to capture Luoyang! He wasted a great opportunity!"

The counselor knew that he was focused on the capital and had no intention of expanding his territory, so he agreed: "The commander-in-chief is wise. Although Huainan Road is rich, Chang Sui Ning is not an ordinary person. He rashly went to fight with him at this time. Indeed, Not the best idea."

Finally, he asked: "But, according to this... the commander-in-chief rejected the Anzhou governor?"

Bian Chunliang: "No, I will let him take the opportunity to attack Jingzhou!"

The counselor's eyes lit up slightly: "Good!"

He hurriedly asked: "I wonder if this person is willing to obey?"

"He has to obey." Bian Chunliang smiled: "As Mr. said, if Anzhou doesn't want to recognize Changsui Ning as the new master of Huainan Road, she will definitely not let it go! Cao Hongxuan doesn't want to sit back and wait for death, so he just I can find another way out!”

The other party also knows this truth well, otherwise he would not take the initiative to surrender to him.

I just want to make things happen with him, but I don't want to take risks. I just want to sit on Huainan Road and wait for the benefits to come... But it doesn't work here in Bian Chunliang.

It is impossible for him to go to Huainan Road. He wants Cao Hongxuan to leave Huainan Road and help him attack Jingzhou!

"This is the best!" the counselor said: "If Cao Hongxuan attacks Jingzhou from the rear, regardless of success or failure, Li Xian and Xiao Min's army in front will definitely be in chaos...The general will then take advantage of the chaos and lead an army of 200,000 to attack in one fell swoop. If we can capture Jingzhou, we can enter Shannan East Road and take the capital directly!"

Bian Chunliang, who was drunk, laughed when he heard this, and suddenly asked someone to prepare wine to drink with the counselor.

The night slowly faded away, and the first ray of fish belly white appeared on the eastern sky. Xiao Min has ordered troops to prepare for the next battle to attack Bian.

"General Li." Seeing Li Xian coming in armor, Xiao Min asked, "I wonder if there has been anything strange in the area around Jingzhou in the past few days?"

"Jingzhou has the Yangtze River to the west, the Han River to the east, and the capital at the back. We are waiting in front to stop the Bian rebels. What can happen now?" Faced with Xiao Min's self-righteous inquiry, Li Xian smiled. He asked with a smile: "General Xiao has been preparing for this battle for so long. I wonder if he can capture Yuezhou City this time?"

Xiao Min paused after hearing this, and then said: "You should do your best."

Li Xian laughed and patted Xiao Min on the shoulder: "In that case, General Xiao should concentrate on preparing for war."

After finishing speaking, he strode away.

Xiao Min looked at Li Xian's back and then glanced in the direction of Jingzhou.

Most of the people responsible for garrisoning Jingzhou were Li Xian's soldiers. Xiao Min knew that Li Xian was dissatisfied with him, but the other party was eager to make meritorious deeds and wanted to get rid of his fault. He would not treat the situation in Jingzhou carelessly anyway.

A horn sounded at the military point, and Xiao Min strode away.

As Xiao Min thought, Li Xian was indeed very concerned about the safety of Jingzhou. He had also learned privately that Anzhou wanted to collude with Bian Chunliang, but the secret letter he intercepted stated that the governor of Anzhou encouraged Bian Chunliang to attack Huainan Road. Out of selfishness, I chose to turn a blind eye.

But what he didn't know was that Bian Chunliang rejected the proposal and secretly asked the Anzhou governor to attack Jingzhou secretly.

…

At this moment, in Anzhou City, an eye-catching procession of carriages and horses passed through the long street and headed towards the city gate.

Many people soon recognized that it was the driver of the Anzhou Governor's Office.

Not long after, news spread that the Anzhou governor had set off for Jiangdu to meet the new Jiedu envoy.

Most of the common people and literati in Anzhou City were relieved because of this. Their governor had not expressed his position, which made them very uneasy.

A few days ago, they heard that the governor of Guangzhou had already left, and they hoped that their governor would wake up in time. Today, they finally got good news.

The people of Anzhou, who had listened to too many poems and nursery rhymes recently, rushed to tell the good news - the governor has gone to Jiangdu, and Anzhou should be able to stabilize!

At the same time, in the carriage leaving Anzhou, in the middle carriage, there was a man wearing the robe of the governor, who looked very anxious and raised his hand to wipe the sweat on his forehead from time to time.

In the inner study of the Anzhou Governor's Mansion, two counselors and several military generals were sitting at the bottom.

The man sitting at the top said slowly: "...After they arrive in Jiangdu, even if they are discovered on the spot, Chang Sui Ning will immediately lead his troops to come, and the round trip will take at least half a month. Half a month is enough time. ”

The man who put on the robes of the governor and left Anzhou was similar to him in stature and appearance. Although he couldn't confuse the fake with the real one, it was enough to cope with him on the way.

Chang Suining had given her a deadline this time. If he remained inactive, she would definitely arouse her suspicion... At this time, it would be safer to push a substitute out to confuse the situation and delay time.

"Sir...really want to follow Bian Chunliang's arrangement and go attack Jingzhou?" A counselor hesitated a little.

"I originally wanted to let him come to Huainan Road, but this person is domineering and suspicious..." Cao Hongxuan said: "To show sincerity at the moment, this is the only way."

"But my lord..."

Cao Hongxuan raised his hand to interrupt the counselor's dissuasion: "I have made up my mind, sir, there is no need to say more - this move is certainly risky, but the chance of winning is extremely high."

"The imperial army is in front of Yuezhou at the moment. Bian Chunliang's army will definitely be able to hold them back. Jingzhou's defense is at its most empty at this time. If we go there at this time, we can catch it unawares."

"Even if Li Xian leads his army back quickly, Bian Chunliang will immediately pursue and intercept him. By then, Bian Jun and I will be able to form a pincer attack... The imperial army has been defending Jingzhou for half a year and is already exhausted. Once it is encircled, it will surely affect the hearts of the people." Collapse!"

"This plan sounds indeed feasible!" A soldier who joined the army was also very excited, but still said: "But Bian Chunliang is domineering and cruel... I'm afraid he will end up seeking skin from a tiger."

"It's still unclear who the tiger is." Cao Hongxuan sneered: "But a mere merchant and salt dealer took advantage of the popular sentiment... He acted recklessly and massacred so many powerful nobles. If he really got to that point, there would be How many people are willing to follow him sincerely?”

"I am not as powerful as others at this time, but I am just taking orders from him temporarily." Cao Hongxuan said: "If we really succeed in capturing Jingzhou, we will be able to take over the capital soon, and great things will happen by then -"

When he said this, he paused and said with a smile: "Counting three generations up, my great-grandmother, Cao Hongxuan, was the eldest daughter of the Li family. I also have the blood of the Li family - when the time comes, all the forces will be more willing to Support me, or am I a cruel and unscrupulous salt seller?"

The counselor was silent for a moment, and it could be heard that the decision was indeed made after careful consideration...

However, your great-grandmother is the direct wife of the Cao family, and your great-grandmother is just a concubine of the Cao family... What does this Li family's bloodline have to do with you? Could it be that bloodline can still be spread through middlemen?

This statement is really far-fetched.

But when it comes to birth, people sometimes only hear about it in general terms... something far-fetched is better than nothing.

And the unjust substitute has already set off for Jiangdu. At this time, there is no way to retreat. It is useless to talk more. It is better to plan hard and give it a try.

The counselors and everyone could only put away their useless hesitation.

Cao Hongxuan sent people to Shenzhou and Huangzhou to send a message, ordering the governors of these two states to send troops within three days.

Unlike Guangzhou, which had been wavering in its stance from the beginning and had given in now, Shenzhou and Huangzhou had been secretly firmly taking Anzhou as their leader and obeying Cao Hongxuan's orders.

Within three days, Cao Hongxuan received replies from Shenzhou and Huangzhou. Both the governors of the two states promised him that in three days, the troops could be assembled and meet at the bank of the Han River.

So far, everything went well, and Cao Hongxuan was very excited.

This time, Cao Hongxuan will use the troops of Anzhou, Shenzhou, and Huangzhou to cross the Han River, capture Jingzhou, and defeat the royal court!

Three days later, when everything was planned, Cao Hongxuan put on his armor and sent his troops to the banks of the Han River.

Before setting off, he already had scouts to report the news, and learned that the governor of Shenzhou had already rushed to Hanshui, waiting to meet up with his army.

When Cao Hongxuan arrived, he saw a large army waiting here from a distance.

The two armies met head-on, and he saw the Shenzhou governor, but the next moment, he saw the Shenzhou governor silently reining in his horse and stepping to one side. The men and horses on both sides also consciously separated, making way for a way -

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