generation hero

The emperor not only rewarded the mansion, but also rewarded two hundred servants, who could live there when Feng Cong arrived.

Before Yuan Tang went to the East Palace to take up his post, he and Feng Cong went to the Prince Huan's mansion to visit Prince Huan.

After King Huan returned to Beijing, he was no longer a council member in the imperial court, but was honored to be supported by a teaching post in the Taixue. Although King Huan's status was very noble, the Taixue in Beijing was not prosperous for a long time. The students either went back to their homes or found another way out, and King Huan took the teaching position, but he was idle all day long, and he couldn't get involved in the affairs of the court, which was quite boring.

When Feng Cong and Yuantang came to the door, King Huan took them to drink and talked about Beicheng's war and the Nanxia court, feeling a lot.

"I have never had the ambition to look north with my whip in my life, but I have been stuck on the banks of the river for more than ten years. It is not as good as your youthful spirit." King Huan poured himself a drink, and sighed to Yue.

When Prince Wenxi recommended King Huan back then, King Huan was already too old to be confused. With the death of Prince Wenxi, King Huan was also feared by the emperor. Hearing Feng Cong and the others talk about Beicheng's war also aroused depression in his chest.

King Huan said: "The great chaos in Beicheng is just a good time for me to send my troops to the north in Nanxia. Unfortunately, His Majesty has no intention of going out now, and there is no one in the court to ask for a concert, hey."

The emperor himself was still busy with alchemy, and was troubled by the water bandits on the seashore, thinking about how to weaken the power of the Xiao family. He didn't even have the time to send troops to the north, even the second north state.

Liu Yanping and the others recaptured Muzhou and Qizhou, and the rewards given by the imperial court were nothing more than titles. Liu Yanping was still allowed to guard Baiyu City, Zhou Xianpei was the prefect in charge of Muzhou, and sent several officials to Muzhou and Qizhou. Still in Liu's and Zhou's.The current military strength of the two prefectures is dominated by the Su'an warriors and the Yuan, Zhou, and Liu clans. Feng Cong and Yuantang are far away in the capital, and Muzhou and Qizhou are still their backing. Can't do much.

People in the court were not in harmony, no wonder King Huan sighed like this.

After drinking for half an evening, when Feng Cong's Yuan Tang left, King Huan insisted on seeing them off in person. In front of the gate of the palace, King Huan suddenly grabbed Yuan Tang and asked, "Do you remember the questions I taught you in the past? ?”

Yuan Tang was taken aback, and said, "Don't dare to forget."

"Do you have the answer, what is a strong army in the world?"

Yuan Tang thought for a while before saying, "Students don't dare to admit that everything they think is right."

"tell me the story."

Yuan Tang said: "Students think that a strong army cannot be accurately stated. Those who can win are not necessarily strong and strong, and those who are defeated are not necessarily weak. It is difficult to distinguish between strong and weak. A strong army does not necessarily mean a prosperous army, so it is difficult Judgment. Probably only a soldier who can stop the world from fighting can be called a strong soldier."

King Huan listened carefully to Yuantang's words, closed his eyes and nodded, without making any comments, squinting his drunken eyes and walked back to the mansion with the help of his servants.

The crooked moon passed through the clouds, and when the cool wind blew, the drunkenness dissipated. Yuan Tang and Feng Cong watched King Huan's back.

Feng Cong patted Yuan Tang on the shoulder and said, "Why are you in a daze, let's go."

Yuan Tang said, "I don't know if my answer is right or not."

Feng Cong got on his horse and said with a handsome smile, "Uncle didn't say you were wrong. I think you have gained some insight. Liu Changshi always said that although you are motivated, you don't care about the overall situation. I think you are like a mirror in your heart."

Yuan Tang shook his head and said with a smile, "I can't care about Liu Changshi's overall situation."

A few days later, Yuan Tang went to the East Palace to wait for the prince's order, and was appointed by the prince as the guard general of the East Palace, responsible for commanding the guards of the East Palace and the safety of the prince and his concubines.The appointment of the prince can be said to have given Yuan Tang great trust and attention. It is not because the prince is rash, but because there is no one available in the East Palace.

Like the prince who has listened to politics for many years and participated in political affairs, although the emperor does not favor him, he still recognizes it. The East Palace should have been given the military power to command part of the Gyeonggi army, but now almost all the imperial guards in the capital are in Xiao's pocket. Not only can the prince not intervene in the imperial army, There are not many generals recruited.

It was precisely because Shen Jingxuan saw that the crown prince lacked the support of generals, he made peace with Feng Cong. Unfortunately, Feng Cong was unwilling to accept his favor, and it was more appropriate for the crown prince to have a close relationship with Feng Cong than to let Yuan Tang work in the East Palace.Therefore, Feng Cong was not persuaded, and Shen Jingxuan simply left him alone.

Half a month after Yuantang entered the East Palace, the crown prince kept Yuantang by his side to accompany him.It doesn't matter if they don't reorganize, after checking Yuantang, I know that the East Palace has also been placed by many people by Xiao Shi.

Due to the fact that there was no one available in the East Palace, Xiao Xiezhi's forces spread all over the court and the public, and the prince could not eliminate these people. Yuan Tang tried his best to streamline the guards of the East Palace, and recommended Yuan Xi, who was already qualified as a lieutenant general in Huizhou, to the prince.

Yuan Tang also had selfish intentions in his heart, the Yuan family could not support himself on his own, and needed to promote more worthy children of the Yuan family. Before that, Yuan Tang asked Zhou Xianpei to teach General Yuan's two youngest sons to practice martial arts when he was still in Jiyang. Now the crown prince To employ people, Yuan Tang boldly proposed Yuan Xi to the prince.

The prince didn't hesitate too much, and asked Yuan Tang about Yuan Xi's military position, and he said he wanted to transfer Yuan Xi to Beijing.

Yuan Tang and Shen Jingxuan exited the prince's study, Shen Jingxuan pulled Yuan Tang to a secluded place, and asked, "Why do you suddenly think of recommending Yuan Xi?"

Yuan Tang did not hide anything from Shen Jingxuan, and told his plan, but Shen Jingxuan frowned and remained silent. Yuan Tang recalled carefully, and said, "Is it inappropriate for me to do this?"

Shen Jingxuan shook his head, still frowning and said: "Prince trusts you, it is not impossible for you to plan for the family. The Bi Xiao family is powerful in the court, and the second prince has military power outside. His Majesty is dissatisfied with the Xiao family now, but he still loves the second prince." Yes, I don't know if it's good or bad for your Yuan family to be involved."

Shen Jingxuan was supported by his family background, even though he was once suspected by the emperor, and because of the involvement of the Queen Mother, the Shen family's reputation is still there, no matter how suspicious the Shen family is, the emperor still treats the Shen family with courtesy, and from time to time invites the Shen family's children to Beijing to show their affection.

The crown prince kept Shen Jingxuan by his side not only because the Shen family and the Xiao family were at odds, but also to use the Shen family to stabilize his prestige in other families.

Shen Jingxuan will not have another heart in serving the East Palace, nor will he not do his best. He understands that he and the Prince of the East Palace share the same interests and losses, but the direction of vision and thinking falls on the gains and losses of the family, so he said these words to Yuantang.

It's not that Yuan Tang never thought about it. The crown prince's status doesn't seem so stable. If one day the crown prince really loses to the Xiao family, the Yuan family will also be implicated. The family suppressed it again and again, and it was really difficult for the Yuan family to succeed, so Yuan Tang could only go one step ahead.

Yuan Tang said: "I understand everything, third brother don't worry."

Shen Jingxuan saw that Yuantang had his own plans, so he didn't say any more. He could also see that Yuantang had become much more mature in thinking and acting since he came back from Beicheng. .

Yuantang's recommendation of the clan to join may have shown the prince sincerity. Since then, the prince has trusted Yuantang more than before, and he does not always let Yuantang avoid discussing the political affairs of the court and the secret affairs of the East Palace with his staff.

Yuan Tang often traveled between the East Palace and Yuan's house when he was on an errand, and sometimes he even had to stay in the East Palace on duty. One day he rode home from the East Palace. Looking at the twilight in the sky, he suddenly remembered that he hadn't seen Feng Cong for ten days.

After dismissing the entourage, Yuan Tang rode to the Qi Palace by himself.

Yuci Prince Qi's mansion is very grand, with continuous and spacious buildings in the front, and a stream flowing into the artificial lake at the back, surrounded by green trees by the lake, pavilions, pavilions and houses of all sizes are built near the water.

Feng Cong was sitting by the lake fishing, wearing a short gray cloth jacket, clogs on his feet, and a bamboo fish reel beside him. He was extremely relaxed and casual.

Yuan Tang walked over, Feng Cong raised his head and said, "General Yuan came to the humble house, it's a shame to welcome you."

Yuan Tang was guilty, but he didn't give in, and said politely: "I'm disturbing the king's interest." After speaking, he winked at Feng Cong.

Feng Cong showed a smile, waved away the servants at Linshuitai, stretched out his hand to Yuantang and said, "Come."

Yuan Tang walked over obediently, and was pulled by Feng Cong to sit down beside them, only the two of them were left, Yuan Tang took the initiative to say: "Recently I have been staying in the East Palace for a long time and I haven't been here since I haven't been here. I really have no free time."

The buoy on the water moved, Feng Cong flipped his right hand, and caught a big fish.Feng Cong put the fish in the basket and said, "I heard that you recommended your clan brother to the prince to go to Beijing?"

Yuan Tang never hid it from him, and admitted: "I think there is no one in the Yuan family in Beijing, and there is no one available in the East Palace. My elder brother has already experienced enough training in Huizhou. A big help."

Feng Cong said: "I'm afraid it's not so easy for the East Palace to transfer people. If the Ministry of War doesn't let go, Yuan Xi can't do without Huizhou." Xiao Xiezhi held the power of the center, and the crown prince had to go through him.

Yuan Tang said: "Anyway, the crown prince has promised me, how to get people to come is his business."

Feng Cong was a little amused: "You really are... But since it's a recommendation, why don't you recommend a few more people to the prince. When you were in Qizhou, Heihu and the others believed in you. They are your subordinates. If you let them come to Beijing It will be of great benefit to you."

"I've thought about it," Yuan Tang said, "It's just that none of my brothers may be able to enter the capital, and I'm not so talkative in front of the prince." Yuan Tang could also see that the prince was a cautious person, and treated him Not too much trust, but it must be used now.

"You're thinking about it," Feng Cong said, "If the Ministry of War wants to stop you, it doesn't matter how many people there are. I'm afraid the palace would prefer people from Muzhou and Qizhou to come to Beijing."

It is true that the emperor is not planning to introduce forces from other states to check and balance the Xiao family. If the crown prince proposes to transfer people from Huizhou and Qizhou to the capital, it may gain more weight in the emperor's heart. As long as the emperor can persist and take charge of the central government Even Xiao Xiezhi had to regress.

Yuan Tang thought about it for a while, looked up and saw Feng Cong flicked the fishing rod again, and said to himself, "Let the kitchen cook fish for you tonight."

Before Yuan Tang was going to the East Palace, Feng Cong didn't agree with it, but when Yuan Tang really went, Feng Cong really thought about him. Yuan Tang leaned against Feng Cong and said, "Then I'm going to bother you more."

Feng Congbai sighed boredly: "You are not free, but I am very free."

Yuan Tang felt guilty, and felt a little bit sorry for Feng Cong.The emperor asked Feng Cong to go to Beijing, clearly intending to use Feng Cong to contain the Xiao family, but Feng Cong really went to Beijing, I don't know if the emperor stopped using Feng Cong because of his jealousy and guilty conscience towards Prince Wenxi, and left him in the air. In the palace, Feng Cong was never called into the palace even at some clan gatherings such as palace banquets, and both inside and outside the Qi Palace were people sent by the emperor. Although Feng Cong had the throne, he was still no different from being under house arrest before.

No, there might be a little difference. Now Yuantang is by Feng Cong's side, and Feng Cong still has Su'an troops in Muzhou, and has the support of Muzhou and Qizhou.

Yuan Tang had seen Feng Cong galloping on the horse and fighting on the battlefield, he really couldn't see him like a bird in a cage.

Yuan Tang said, "Let's go outside the city when we go back to Xiumu."

Feng Cong pinched Yuan Tang's ear, and just about to speak, a servant passed by the corridor by the lake, Yuan Tang immediately sat up straight, and the servant came to report that Feng Cong was going to enter the palace immediately.

Feng Cong stood up, stretched his waist, and said, "It seems that you didn't have a good day today."

Yuan Tang became worried: "Why is there a sudden message from the palace?"

The servant took away the fish basket and rod, Feng Cong comforted him and said, "Don't worry, you'll know when you enter the palace, you go back to the mansion to rest first, or just sleep with me first, and I'll be back when you wake up." .”

In the second half of the sentence, Feng Cong blinked ambiguously, Yuan Tang couldn't help punching him, and said, "I'll go with you."

As long as the emperor saw Feng Cong, Yuan Tang could only accompany him to the gate of the palace. Feng Cong went into the palace alone, and Yuan Tang waited for him in the study room at the palace gate. After a while, it was dark, and Xiao Huangmen came to tell him Yuan Tang, Feng Cong was left behind by the emperor to give a banquet, saying that Yuan Tang should go back first.

It's really strange, the emperor always looks like he can't wait for Feng Cong not to exist, and he still keeps Feng Cong to give a banquet in the palace. Feng Cong knows that Yuan Tang will be worried when he is outside, so he asks Xiao Huangmen to give Yuan Tang money. When the news spread, Xiao Huangmen said: "General Xiao lost at the front line, Your Majesty is going to send King Qi to assist in the battle."

Yuan Tang thought to himself, what should come will still come.

Yuan Tang returned to the palace, and did not come out of the palace until Feng Cong was in the middle of the moon.The emperor ordered Feng Cong to go out of the city to the camp at sunrise to prepare for departure. He couldn't wait for a moment, and the servants of the palace lit candles to pack Feng Cong's luggage.

Feng Cong pulled Yuantang into the house, took off the brocade embroidered robe, hugged Yuantang vigorously, and said: "You have always had your own ideas, you don't have much time, and I won't give you any orders. You just need to remember Just take care of yourself."

Yuan Tang said: "I know, don't worry. How many people will your Majesty ask you to bring to support this time?" The total strength of the imperial guards in Xiangjing is only [-] to [-], which is more than enough to protect the capital. It must be tight.

Feng Cong showed a slightly cold smile, turned around and threw away his outer robe, took off the red blond hair crown, found the military uniform and put it on.

Yuan Tang couldn't help cursing inwardly, the emperor had no plans to send troops at all.The frontline military power was in Xiao Shanzhi's hands. If it sounded good, he would send Feng Cong to support him. If it didn't sound good, he would send him to remind Xiao Shanzhi. As for Feng Cong's life and death, it was not within the emperor's consideration at all.

Feng Cong said: "You don't have to worry. Your Majesty asked me to go to Daying Point with a hundred entourages, and also allowed me to bring guards. And Shen Jingxuan will also go to the front with me."

"Brother Shen is going too?"

"Yes," Feng Cong tied his clothes, put his arms around Yuan Tang's shoulders and said, "You should be more careful if you stay in Beijing alone."

Yuan Tang's heart calmed down, he took a deep breath and said, "I understand."

Feng Cong and Shen Jingxuan left Xiangjing the next day.

After they set off, the north wind began to blow in Xiangjing.Crown Prince Feng Hongshao originally did not agree to let Shen Jingxuan go, but Shen Jingxuan asked repeatedly, so he pleaded for Shen Jingxuan in front of the emperor. After Shen Jingxuan left, Feng Hongshao often sent people to report the news, and he was very concerned about the frontline battle situation.

The climate in the southern summer of this year was erratic, and it still rained intermittently in the early winter, and the water flow in the river did not decrease. Many people hoped that the water bandits would recede with the river water in autumn and winter, but their wishes could only be in vain.

Part of the rebellious water bandits were bandits who occupied the island all the year round, and some were former civilians who were displaced along the eastern coast. Due to the defeat in the battle of Xiao Shan, some water bandits invaded Pengwu, and many big families packed their bags and dragged their families to Xiangyang. Taking refuge in Beijing, the city gate of Xiangjing was crowded by teams of horse-drawn carriages and child servants. The city guards had to guide the crowds entering Beijing and check whether there were pirates and refugees mixed into the crowd. The pressure increased tremendously.

The prince proposed to support the city defense with Dong Gongwei, but Xiao Xiezhi rejected it several times. Until one evening, a group of refugees fleeing outside Xiangjing had to spend the night outside the city because the city gate had to be closed on time. attitude, and a dispute with the soldiers, and finally turned into refugees breaking into the capital.

A large number of refugees came to Beijing, and the local ruffians who were originally in the city took advantage of the night to make trouble. The city of Xiangjing was in chaos all night. More than a dozen families were robbed and deliberately set on fire by gangsters. Do not send out the guards to search and arrest the city.

Yuan Tang rushed to the East Palace after receiving the news. The sky was still dark, it was raining lightly, and the air was cold and humid. Prince Feng Hongshao came out of the bedroom with his clothes on. criminal.

The most important thing is to let the emperor see the role of the East Palace. The crown prince also understands this truth, but fires appear in the city from time to time, and even the East Palace can be seen. The number of guards in the East Palace is small. He was even more worried about the safety of the Eastern Palace.

Yuan Tang said: "I only brought 500 people to the city, and the rest are enough to guard the East Palace."

Feng Hongshao hesitated for a moment, and finally said: "Just do as you say."

Yuan Tang cupped his hands and saluted, then slowly took a few steps back, knelt again, and said: "I think the prince should enter the palace to report this matter to His Majesty as soon as possible, preferably before Xiao Shangshu."

In fact, even if Feng Hongshao enters the palace at this time, he may not be able to see the emperor. The emperor is increasingly addicted to beauty and alchemy. After using up the elixir, he sleeps in the bedroom of the young concubine. Will get up and soak in the alchemy room again in the afternoon.So the day Feng Cong and Yuan Tang entered the capital, the emperor didn't even have time to meet them.

But even if the emperor is gone, the prince should go at this time. It is best to see the emperor before Xiao Xiezhi. The city guards are not strictly guarded. Guilty, but the emperor must know that Xiao and the imperial army had neglected this matter. As for what the emperor said after seeing the emperor, it was up to the prince himself.

Yuan Tang reminded everyone out of the heart that everyone was in the same boat. Feng Hongshao agreed with his reminder. He took another look at him, let Yuan Tang get up, and said, "Qing's hard work Gu understands, Gu will enter the palace now."

Yuan Tang bowed his head and retreated silently, Feng Hongshao instructed again: "It's rainy and windy at night, Qing and all the East Palace Guards should be more careful."

The riots in the city didn't subside until noon on the second day. When Yuantang took people back to the East Palace to report to his orders, the crown prince hadn't come out of the palace yet. Or be demoted, or dismissed and go home to think about your mistakes.Although the crown prince had the upper hand in this matter, the Xiao family did not suffer much substantial loss because of it, but everyone could see that the emperor distrusted the Xiao family more and more.

Soon the emperor assigned part of the military power of the imperial army to the East Palace, and the Xiao family had to give in because of a major mistake in the defense of the capital.

At night it was Yuantang's turn to be on duty, the prince called Yuantang outside the bedroom, the rain continued, the dripping glass was full of water beads, and the silent night was full of ticking sounds.

It was too humid, so the palace people moved the smokers to the corridor, and used curling cigarettes and charcoal fire to disperse the moisture.

Yuan Tang took off his coir raincoat and saluted Feng Hongshen, Feng Hongshao hurriedly waved his hands and said, "Yuan Qing, come in quickly, there is no need to be polite, don't let the rain get wet outside."

Having said that, Yuan Tang went deep into the corridor after finishing the ceremony.

The crown prince said: "Father made a decree today that the defense of the West City and Yunxiang City will be handed over to the East Palace in the future. I just think that Yuan Qing is the only one in the East Palace who can take on this responsibility."

Yunxiang City is a military city in the northwest of Xiangjing. There are city walls and docks.

Yuan Tang said: "I have little talent and little knowledge, but Your Highness entrusts me with a heavy responsibility, so I dare not try my best."

Feng Hongshao nodded in satisfaction, and said with a slight smile: "Qing, you don't have to be humble, you are the only candidate I like, but the Xiao family is deeply rooted in the army. Apart from you, the East Palace can only send some classics and bookkeepers." It's just for assistance, if there are too many replacements of guard sergeants, there may be discussions in the military department, and the emperor will not agree."

Perhaps because of taking the elixir, the emperor had a moody temper. Although he was afraid of the Xiao family, he had to rely on the Xiao brothers to appoint the prince, but he was not completely at ease in appointing the prince, so that the prince was also tied in the government.

The prince hoped that Yuan Tang could completely control Yunxiang City without arousing the emperor's dissatisfaction. Seeing that Yuan Xi and Hei Hu were about to enter the capital, Yuan Tang asked the prince to send Yuan Xi to him.

They also discussed some matters concerning the defense of the Eastern Palace. Yuan Tang was about to resign, but Feng Hongshao said, "It's getting late and it's inconvenient to travel. Yuan Qing can stay in the Eastern Palace and prepare to go to Yunxiang City tomorrow."

The prince has become more and more friendly to Yuan Tang recently, and Yuan Tang knows in his heart that this is because the prince hopes to get more help from the general of Muzhou.

Yunxiang stands on the edge of the waterway in the upper reaches of Xiangjing, surrounded by solid stone barriers, and faces Xiangjing far away. Although it is not far from Xiangjing, it takes some time to travel. Yuantang can't go back to Xiangjing from Yunxiang every day, but he still sends people Go back to Xiangjing to inquire about the news.

Shangjun's army was fighting in the lower reaches of the river, and Feng Cong led an army to make a surprise attack, driving the bandits on the bank of the river away from Pengwu.

Shen Jingxuan wrote to the imperial court, hoping to recruit the water bandits, especially the part of the water bandits who had been civilians on the east coast. The court and the Chinese had different opinions on this, and Xiao Shangshu was the one who opposed it the most.When the rebellious soldiers entered Pengwu, Xiao's family was affected, their houses were completely destroyed, the clan members were scattered, and suffered heavy losses. In addition, Shen Jingxuan's idea of ​​recruiting security was put forward by Shen Jingxuan, and the Xiao family could not agree.

At the same time, the memorial to urge the military rations from the front line also spread to the city. The winter rain continued, and the rebellious soldiers showed no signs of retreating. The Shangjun Army must continue to stand firm on the river. They agreed on the allocation of military rations, and quickly ordered from the central government to dispatch grain and grass to various warehouses inside and outside the city.

Xiao Shanzhi lost consecutive battles and was unable to establish his prestige in Shangyun. He didn't run away this time, and persisted for several months. Yuan Tang later found out that Hu Feiyuan was actually serving as the deputy next to Xiao Shanzhi this time.Xiao Shanzhi is not familiar with soldiers and horses, and he has learned a lesson from the previous defeats. After he arrived in Shangyun, he gradually reused Hu Feiyuan. This time, he transferred Hu Feiyuan to Shangyun as the deputy general. The soldiers suppressed Shangyun's former Ministry of King Huan.

Yunxiang City also received an order to open a granary to adjust the grain, and Yuan Tang took the order to personally take the officials who supervised the grain to the granary.About ten days after he arrived in Yunxiang, Yuan Xi also arrived in Xiangjing and was sent to Yunxiang. The two brothers hadn't seen each other for a long time, and they talked all night. Many sergeants have relied on the Xiao family for many years, and they cannot switch to Yuan Tang's command for a while, as long as they can command Yunxiang City.

The emperor ordered the crown prince to supervise the distribution of grain and grass. Three days later, the crown prince came to Yunxiang. Yuan Tang could see that the crown prince was more concerned about whether Yunxiang could be used by the East Palace, so he came here specially in the name of supervision, and brought wine and meat to comfort the soldiers.

After eating and drinking enough in Yunxiang City, the crown prince met Yuan Tang in the tent of the main general and asked a lot about the military equipment of Yunxiang City.

It rained continuously for days, the river was turbulent, the waves rolled with moisture, and the sound of the water was endless. The prince looked down at the ships of all sizes docked on the dock with great interest, and he was still unwilling to leave after walking half a section of the city wall.

Yuan Xi was the first to notice the anomaly. Standing on the city tower and looking into the distance, he saw many black shadows moving across the river.