Zhu Nao

After waiting for another half an hour, there was a noise in the room, and Tao Bei hurriedly pulled himself together.After a while, a young man came out of the house with a stretched waist. The silk robe was loosely draped over his body, and he didn't even tie his belt. He was very unrestrained.

Tao Bei stood up, with a humble expression: "Mister is awake."

Zhang Ling straightened his clothes and saluted, "Sorry for keeping General Tao waiting for so long."

Tao Bei hurriedly stepped forward to help him up: "Not long ago. I was the one who interrupted Mr. to rest."

Zhang Ling straightened up, pointed to the tea seat beside him, and signaled Tao Bei to sit down and talk.

After taking his seat, Tao Bei admired: "Sir, you are so good at predicting things! Mr. once said that Zhu Nao would not sneak attack me at Zijing Pass and Xiao Pass, but they really didn't gather their troops!"

A few months ago, Tao Bei had just got rid of Liu Ping and took over the power. He was afraid of internal instability and pressure from the outside world.At that time, almost all his subordinates suggested that he immediately increase his defenses to Zijing Pass and Xiao Pass to prevent Zhu Nao and Xie Wuji from taking advantage of the situation to seize his fortress.

You must know that Xiaoguan and Zijingguan are the two most important gates to the west and north of him. Once they are captured, the land of the Central Plains where he is located will fall into a situation where there is no danger to defend. From now on, he can only live in fear. He might be taken out of the bed and beaten violently, which he could not accept anyway.

At that time, Zhang Ling was the only one who advised him not to worry, saying that although Zhu Nao had a false reputation, he was actually not a rash person, especially when he was very cautious about using troops, and he should not storm the fortress without certainty of victory.Zhang Ling even suggested that Tao Bei should lead troops to surprise Jiangling while the Zhu Nao people were in the north.If Jingzhou can be captured, the southern gate of Zhu Nao's exit from Shu can be sealed!

At that time, although Tao Bei had already attached great importance to Zhang Ling, but with a hundred courage, he would not be able to take such a big risk because of Zhang Ling's words, and it was impossible for him to convince others.So he still mobilized heavy troops to garrison Xiaoguan and Zijingguan.

During this period of time, Tao Bei has been nervously watching the movements in the west.If Zhu Nao really wanted to take advantage of his instability to attack his weakness, no matter how quickly he would have to recruit troops and raise food and grass a month or two in advance.However, the west side has always been peaceful, and there is no plan to use troops. The only major event is that Zhu Nao returned to Hanzhong from Yanzhou.This made Tao Bei finally heave a sigh of relief.

Even though Tao Bei was given another chance, he didn't dare to take the risk and leave his gate unguarded to attack Jiangling, but he was still convinced by Zhang Ling's judgment, and he admired Zhang Ling even more.

Faced with Tao Bei's praise, Zhang Ling smiled, not being modest and said: "I have been wandering with my young master for the past two years. I have traveled to many places, seen and heard many things. My vision Although it is not as vast as General Tao, it can see some things that ordinary people don't know. That's why I make this judgment."

Tao Bei hurriedly continued to compliment: "Mr. Gao Zhi, Tao feels ashamed."

Zhang Ling—undoubtedly, it is Henry Zhang who abandoned Xuantianjiao and changed his face.Half a year ago, he brought the young monk to Yedu. With his extraordinary courage and his mouth that dared to say anything, he transformed himself into a counselor under Tao Bei's camp.

To say that Zhang Xuan is really smart, and in the past two years he has obtained a lot of information and secrets through the Xuantian Sect, it is not an exaggeration to say that he has extensive knowledge.Relying on the information he had and his penetrating tongue, he came up with a few tricks for Tao Bei, not only supporting Tao Bei to the top, but also earning himself a prestigious position.

Zhang Ling poured two cups of tea leisurely, and he really had the aura of an outsider in his gestures.He pushed a cup of tea in front of Tao Bei: "I don't know why General Tao is here today?"

Tao Bei hurriedly said: "Now that Henan and Hebei have been settled, all rebellious parties in the Central Plains have been punished. Outside of the Central Plains, the Han family proclaimed the emperor in Jiangnan, and Zhu Nao occupied Hanzhong. I want to restore the country, and I want to ask you about the world's plans. "

Although Tao Bei was quite courteous towards others, he was undoubtedly a very ambitious person.Otherwise, he would not overthrow Liu Ping and replace him.In the past few months, he has used lightning methods to quickly wipe out all those who opposed him, and took all Liu Ping's old forces into his pocket.In the next step, his eyes will naturally turn to the whole world.

Zhang Ling was naturally very clear about Tao Bei's thoughts. Before that, they had talked a lot step by step.But he was not in a hurry to speak, but took a leisurely sip from his teacup—if you want to be a master, how can you not be a secret?

Tao Bei didn't dare to press, and sat aside and waited patiently.

After waiting for a while, Zhang Ling finally put down the teacup and said: "As the general said just now, the three forces that are most likely to compete for the world today are the general, Zhu Nao and Han Rushan. The land of the Central Plains occupied by the general has always been a place where dragon veins occupy .As long as the time comes, how can Zhu Nao and Han Rushan be the opponents of the general? As long as the general has the heart to become an emperor, they will bow to the general sooner or later."

Tao Bei's eyes flickered when he heard the words "Emperor's Dominance".

He pursed his lips and didn't speak immediately. After a while, he said in a humble tone: "Tao only wants to restore the country and society as soon as possible, so that the world will be free from war and the people don't have to be displaced. As for the others..." After a moment, " I don’t dare to think about it for the time being.”

For the time being, he said these two words very lightly, so lightly that he was the only one who heard them.

When he was talking, Zhang Ling poured tea and observed him calmly.Hearing his answer, Zhang Ling raised her eyebrows slightly.

The words of the emperor's hegemony were Zhang Ling's test of Tao Bei's attitude.There is no doubt that Tao Bei wants to unify the world, but what identity he uses to do so is very particular.

From Tao Bei's answer, it can be seen that he has no idea about becoming emperor for the time being.After all, he had just usurped Liu Ping's seat. With his qualifications and ability, he was in a hurry to become emperor now, and he would only shoot himself in the foot.For him, the most important thing now is to grasp the real power, and the matter of status depends on chance.

Zhang Ling understood his attitude and was quite satisfied, and continued: "Since that's the case, I can speak directly. Zhu Nao and Han Rushan are undoubtedly the biggest opponents of the general. But the two of them have deep foundations. If you want to shake them, you can't do it overnight. The most urgent task now is to bring the huge and complex forces in the world under your command as soon as possible, and continue to strengthen the general's strength."

Zhu Nao, Tao Bei, and Han Rushan are the three largest forces, but they have not reached the level of dividing the world into three.There are still many small princes in the world who are independent, or who appear to be subject to a certain family but are not controlled by others.

Zhao Wu from Hezhong, Wang Rong from Jinzhou, Sun Xiang from Changsha... There are quite a few small princes among them, even occupying the battlegrounds of the military strategists.If Tao Bei can annex these forces first, and then deal with Zhu Nao and Han Rushan, on the one hand, it will be more helpful;

Tao Bei also agreed with Zhang Ling's point of view, and asked, "Then according to what Mister sees, where should I start first?"

But Zhang Ling shook his head: "Although the general is outstanding in martial arts, he should not resort to force blindly. Now that the general has pacified the Central Plains, the future is boundless. Those little crows and sparrows should be given a chance to make them surrender voluntarily. What the general lacks Yes, it's just a title."

"Fame..." Tao Bei's eyes flickered again: "What do you mean, sir?"

Zhang Ling said unhurriedly: "There is no one in the world..."

Tao Bei was silent.

He understood what Zhang Ling meant.After the little emperor died in the hands of Guo Jinli a few years ago, the world fell into a situation of no master and division.If you want to unify the world, you must have a monarch who allows the world to worship together.Otherwise, why should the other princes submit to Tao Bei?Some people may have higher official positions than Tao Bei!No matter the etiquette or the name, it can't justify it!

Facing the problem of ownerlessness, many people have thought of solutions over the years.For example, a few years ago, the Henan government pulled a sheep-herding doll out of the field and said that he was the tenth grandson of the Taizu, and they wanted to honor him as the new emperor; for example, the Jiangnan family directly lifted Han Rushan to the throne...but others did not agree. Admittedly, in the end they were just entertaining themselves.

The Guangjin Mansion has never taken any action against the vacant throne, but now Tao Bei wants to go further, and it will be difficult to continue down without an emperor.

And he didn't dare to proclaim himself emperor, so who should he put on the dragon chair?

Don't ask Zhang Ling about this, he has his own concerns.

Undoubtedly, it is impossible for him to delegate power, so he will never invite back an old, independent Buddha to block him; in addition, he can't just grab a child on the side of the road, he must be a child of the Zhu family with royal blood.

The reason for maintaining the old dynasty of the Zhu family is that the continuation of the old dragon vein is the least controversial. Otherwise, what is the difference between changing the surname of Wang and Zhang and being emperor himself with his surname Tao?Two deeper reasons are related to the identities of the various princes at present.

When the world was in chaos, all kinds of monsters, ghosts and snake gods appeared on the stage, and the reckless ones like Guo Jinli almost became emperors, which almost became a big joke.But with the passage of time, the big waves wash away the sand, and the reckless people have been silently annihilated due to lack of knowledge and connections, and lack of vision in doing things.The princes of all parties who can still stand today, even if they are not the nobles of the past, are inextricably linked with the noble families.

If we want to build a new dynasty and overthrow all the old systems, I am afraid that it will touch the interests of the old dignitaries and make the princes of all walks of life unwilling to agree.And to continue the dragon veins, rejuvenate the dynasty, stabilize the people from all walks of life first, and then gradually get rid of the old evils with gentle means in the future, this is the easiest way to succeed.

That being the case, where should I find the new emperor of the Zhu family?

Thinking of this question, Tao Bei first glanced at Zhang Ling.Zhang Ling lowered his eyes and continued to drink tea, as calm as if everything had nothing to do with him.

Tao Bei involuntarily looked towards the corner of the room again.

In the corner where he was watching, the little monk "Zhu Xin" has been quietly meditating and reciting scriptures, completely ignorant and unconcerned about what is going to happen in the world...