Fenghou

The army marched into Nanchang County, and the city was orderly, but not chaotic. Li Hui asked, "How many rebels are there in the city?"

"Reporting to the Marshal, there were tens of thousands of troops at the beginning, but they withdrew after a short while, leaving only a few thousand troops, planting flags on the top of the city, bluffing."

Li Hui nodded secretly, as expected, His Majesty guessed right, the opponent's real target was Zhenjiang Mansion, and Jiangnan West Road was just a false attack.

"How much food is there in the city?"

"I don't know about the humble position, but they fled in a hurry and did not bring food, which is estimated to be about [-] shi."

Li Hui immediately said to Ju Shigu: "You lead an army of [-] to defend Nan County, and I will lead the army to continue the pursuit and completely recover Jiangnan West Road."

Ju Shigu hesitated and said: "Commander, I always feel that the enemy's retreat is deceitful!"

Li Hui glared at him fiercely, "This is the emperor's order, do you want me to resist the order and become the second Yue Fei?"

A big hat of rebellion and disobedience was put on, and Ju Shigu didn't dare to say anything.

Li Hui immediately ordered the army to rest for an hour, then set out to pursue the enemy, and at the same time ordered people to build a pontoon bridge.

An hour later, the pontoon bridge was built, and Li Hui led an army of [-] across the pontoon bridge, marching towards Jiangzhou in the north.

……

At two o'clock, everything was silent, and Nanchang City was completely silent. At this time, soldiers hiding in ambushes in various places in Nanchang City were dispatched. They gathered from various places to the City God's Temple in the north of the city, and quickly assembled into a team of 1000 people. A small trebuchet also appeared around the barracks.

A team of 1000 soldiers immediately attacked the North City Gate. Although there were more than [-] Song Army soldiers guarding the North City, they were basically in a deep sleep.

The city gate opened, and more than [-] Huaixi troops outside the city entered the city. At the same time, a fire suddenly ignited in the quiet barracks. Inside.

Soldiers in the barracks cried for their fathers and mothers, and rushed here and there. Countless soldiers were choked by the thick smoke and passed out, never waking up again.

Ju Shigu was so anxious that he led thousands of soldiers to break through the siege. He had just rushed to the gate of the barracks when there was a sound of clappers and arrows shot like a storm. tragic death.

The rest of the soldiers were so frightened that they knelt down and surrendered. The Huaixi Army accepted the surrender. Group after group of soldiers raised their hands and fled from the barracks. .

In the end, the [-] troops failed to escape from Nanchang City, and the entire army was wiped out. Nearly [-] people were burned to death or suffocated by thick smoke, and the rest of the soldiers all surrendered.

……

At the same moment when Nanchang City was attacked, Li Hui led an army of [-] to rest in a forest. This place is located on the west bank of Ganshui River, about [-] miles away from Ganshui River. There is no county town within dozens of miles. The nearest county town is It is Nanchang County on the east bank of the Ganshui River, but it is also forty miles away.

The [-] army marched lightly, with only five days' worth of dry food, which was just enough to reach the Yangtze River before returning to Nanchang County. In the middle of the night, ten gunpowder arrows suddenly shot into the sky from the north. This was the arrival of a large enemy army. alert.

The soldiers woke up from their dreams one after another, looking at the gunpowder arrows in the sky in surprise.

Li Hui shouted: "Everyone get up! Everyone get up!"

In the distance, the roar of horseshoes sounded, and it turned out that it was the cavalry who came to kill them. In just a moment, more than a thousand cavalry rushed past the woods where they were resting. Countless gunpowder arrows shot into the woods, and the pine trees began to burn. The [-] troops hurriedly retreated to the south. As soon as part of the army withdrew out of the forest, [-] cavalry suddenly came from the west, killing the Song army by surprise.

At the same time, tens of thousands of troops came from the north, the woods caught fire, and the cavalry charged. The Song army was unable to reorganize the army. "

The morale of the army quickly collapsed, and no one was willing to resist. The Song army was defeated, and tens of thousands of troops fled in the dark.

Li Hui led his army to escape for more than 2 miles in one breath. As the sky gradually dawned, he gathered the defeated soldiers, but found that there were less than [-] soldiers.

At this time, Li Hui discovered a more terrifying thing. The pontoon bridge on the Ganshui disappeared, and they could not cross the Ganshui. The water was full of warships of the Huaixi Army.

It wasn't until this moment that Li Hui finally realized that they had made a big mistake. Zhang Jun's main force was on Jiangnan West Road, and he was just tempting them to cross the Ganshui step by step. Once they crossed the Ganshui, they would be completely finished.

A scout rushed to report from the south, "Report to Marshal, thirty thousand Huaixi troops were found ten miles to the south, cutting off the road going south!"

A scout rushed to report, "Twenty thousand enemy troops have been found five miles to the west!"

At this time, the main force of the Huaixi Army also appeared in the north, and the [-] Huaixi Army surrounded Li Hui's remnant army from three directions, while the wide Ganshui River was in the east.

Li Hui was desperate and powerless to resist. The soldiers were almost bare-handed. They even lost their armor in order to escape. People were panic-stricken. Li Hui had no choice but to order the whole army to surrender.

So far, of the 1 Song troops on Jiangnan West Road, except for the [-] guarding Shangrao, the remaining [-] troops were completely wiped out.

……

At noon, countless newsboys poured out of the "Beijing News" newspaper office. They ran and shouted, "Extra! Extra! The Song army on Jiangnan West Road was wiped out, Ju Shigu died in battle, and Li Hui surrendered!"

With the newsboys running and the "Beijing News" being published, the news of Song Jun's disastrous defeat on Jiangnan West Road spread quickly throughout Lin'an City like wings.

The headline on the front page of the newspaper read, "The [-] Song army on Jiangnan West Road was wiped out, the giant master Gu died in battle, and Li Hui surrendered!" 'Especially shocking.

The detailed description below is that the Song army was greedy for meritorious deeds and was cut off by the Huaixi army after crossing the Ganshui River. The morale of the army collapsed and the whole army was defeated.

When the news spread, the whole city was in an uproar, and almost all the teahouses and restaurants were talking about it. The crowd was outraged. Tens of thousands of people gathered in front of Chaotianmen on Yujie Street, shouting angrily.

First, there was a disastrous defeat in Haizhou, where the [-] troops were wiped out. Only half a year later, the Song Army suffered a disastrous defeat again, with the [-] troops wiped out. Repeated defeat?

Tens of thousands of people didn't have any demands, they just gathered in front of Chaotianmen and shouted to vent their inner resentment.

In the imperial study room, a piece of "Beijing News" was spread out on the table, and the emperor Zhao Gou sat in front of the table in a daze, staring at the newspaper, his mind went blank.

At this time, the servant whispered: "Your Majesty, several gentlemen are urgently seeking to see you!"

After a long while, Zhao Gou finally realized, nodded, "Announce them to see you!"

The first thousand and 240 six chapters of danger

After a while, the five prime ministers walked into the imperial study room quickly, and everyone looked dignified.

Qin Hui bowed and said: "Your Majesty, there is no specific battle report yet, not even a letter sent by a flying pigeon. The situation is still unclear, but the "Beijing News" is bewitching the public and stirring up public sentiment. I suggest that the "Beijing News" be shut down. Your Majesty please approve!"

Zhao Gou sighed and said, "What if the whole army is really wiped out?"

"Your Majesty, these are two different things. Victory or defeat is a common matter in military affairs. You don't need to take it too seriously. However, the "Beijing News" provokes the public's emotions, ruins the credibility of the imperial court, and weakens your Majesty's prestige. It is really unforgivable."

Zhu Shengfei also provocatively said: "Your Majesty, no matter whether the battle report is true or not, the "Beijing News" is not qualified to publish this kind of news in front of the court, which has brought great trouble to the court. The last time the Haizhou fiasco was published first If the imperial court let it go, then the court’s people’s hearts will gradually be disintegrated, and this may be the purpose of Chen Qing’s publication of the "Beijing News."

Huang Guinian hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, no, the people in Lin'an City are now infuriated. If the "Beijing News" is sealed up, it will inevitably lead to greater chaos and damage the credibility of the court, and it will definitely attract Chen Qing's revenge. His Majesty personally agreed to open a newspaper, but I believe that we can interview, but we cannot ban the newspaper!"

Zhao Gou found that Xu Xiantu was standing at the end and remained silent all the time, so he asked, "What about Xu Aiqing's opinion?"

"Weichen was thinking about other important things, and didn't consider such small issues!"

"small issue?"

Qin Hui was dissatisfied and said: "The public opinion in the entire capital is controlled by Chen Qing, and you dare to say that this is a small problem. Then ask Mr. Xu, what is a big problem."

"Zhang Jun's occupation of Jiangnan West Road is a big problem. Will he divide his troops into two ways to attack Lin'an? I think it's a bigger problem. When will Zhang Jun's army reach the city of Lin'an? What will we use to defend the city? Qin Does Xiangguo think these are small problems?"

"This... is simply nonsense, will such a thing happen?" Qin Hui glared at Xu Xiantu.

As soon as the words fell, the servant reported outside the door, "Your Majesty, Yanzhou urgently reports that the Huaixi Army's [-] vanguards have entered Quzhou, and Yanzhou is in a hurry!"

"what!"

Zhao Gouteng stood up and said anxiously: "Xu Xiangguo, what should I do?"

Xu Xiantu said coldly: "Your Majesty can ask Qin Xiangguo, he said that such a thing cannot happen."

"you--"

Qin Hui said angrily: "When is it, you still say such sarcastic remarks, and you don't care about the overall situation at all!"

Xu Xiantu said calmly: "If Your Majesty wants to listen to my minister, please invite Mr. Qin out, otherwise he will object to any suggestion I made, and then his suggestion will definitely end in disastrous failure."

Qin Hui said angrily: "It's nonsense, when did my suggestion end in a disastrous defeat, please make it clear!"

"Did you encourage Your Majesty to urge the Song army to march in the battle of Haizhou? I am in Yangzhou, but the special envoy who issued the decree bypassed Yangzhou and bypassed me as the commander. Isn't it your responsibility?

Isn't it your suggestion to urge Li Hui to march immediately?As a result, the entire army was wiped out?Don't you have any responsibility?Also, did you instigate His Majesty to force Zhang Jun back?Chen Qing occupied Jing South Road and North Road, did you forcefully intervene in the negotiations to cause..."

"enough!"

Zhao Gou couldn't hold back his face, and Xu Xiantu's accusation made Zhao Gou's ears especially harsh. He slapped the table and shouted: "You all get out, get out!"

The crowd had no choice but to leave. Qin Hui and Xu Xiantu glared at each other and followed them out. At this moment, Zhao Gou waved his hands and said, "Xu Xianggong stay here!"

Qin Hui was annoyed, gritted his teeth secretly, and had no choice but to quicken his pace and go out.

Only Zhao Gou and Xu Xiantu were left in the imperial study room. After a while, Zhao Gou sighed and said, "Don't talk about Mr. Qin, but talk about the current situation. The situation is critical now. What should I do?"

"Your Majesty must first forgive me for the crime of speaking out, and then I can speak."

"Say it! I pardon you for not guilty."

Xu Xiantu sighed and said: "The defeat on Jiangnan West Road was caused by Li Hui's incompetence and lack of responsibility. At this critical moment, His Majesty must put talent first, and other things are not important. I recommended Han Shizhong before, and I still recommend it now." He, and then Wei Chen recommended Wu Ji to guard the Zhenjiang mansion, he is now in Lin'an, just in time to use it!"

Zhao Gou thought for a while and said, "Let's do this! I will hold a military and political discussion, and I want to listen to their ideas before using them."

Xu Xiantu nodded, "It's absolutely fine!"

"What about the Beijing News?"

Zhao Gou asked again unwillingly: "Do you want to seal it up? Or order it to temporarily suspend publication!"

Xu Xiantu said indifferently: "Your Majesty, if you listen to Qin Hui's slander and seal the "Beijing News" today, I can guarantee that Zhang Jun's 20 troops will come to Lin'an City, Han Shizhong and Wu Yu will be defeated, and it will be a disastrous defeat." .”

Zhao Gou was moved, "Why?"

Xu Xiantu was a little anxious, couldn't he see such an obvious situation?

Zhang Jun's chaos is not terrible, but what is terrible is Chen Qing behind Zhang Jun. He has drawn his sword out of its sheath, but His Majesty doesn't feel it at all. It's really worrying!

"Some things are a kind of tacit understanding, which cannot be broken. The "Beijing News" is a tacit agreement reached between His Majesty and Chen Qing. If His Majesty breaks it, then Chen Qing will definitely support Zhang Jun, Han Shizhong and Wu Ling's army. I'm afraid It’s not Zhang Jun’s army, but the Western Army disguised as the Huaixi Army. He waited for Zhang Jun to break through Lin’an, and then supported the late emperor to ascend the throne in Jingzhao and establish the Western Song Dynasty. Does Your Majesty think this possibility is absurd?”

Zhao Gou broke out in a cold sweat, this could happen!Maybe this is the truth.

"Could it be that Chen Qing participated in the disastrous defeat on Jiangnan West Road?" Zhao Gou asked nervously.

"Your Majesty, Chen Qing must have been involved. He will never stand idly by. The humble official got a piece of information yesterday, which may prove it."

"What information?"

"It's about Luo Ji, the magistrate of Yangzhou. He has already taken his family northward. According to reliable sources, Luo Ji bought land in Jingzhao long ago."

"You mean to say that the gathering of rebels on the north bank of the Yangtze River is a fake news from Luo Ji?"

"It should be that the Huaixi Army has only started to gather in Yangzhou now, and the warship is still on the way."

Zhao Gou sat down slumped, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart. Chen Qing was far-sighted and thought out every step. An inexplicable fear surged in his heart, and he asked quickly: "Do you mean that I don't If the "Beijing News" is moved, Chen Qing will not fully support Zhang Jun?"

Xu Xiantu shook his head, "Weichen just said that if the "Beijing News" is moved, he will definitely support it, but in turn, Weichen can't guarantee it, but can there be a way to prevent him from helping Zhang Jun?"

"What way?" Zhao Gou asked anxiously.

"His Majesty asks Chen Qing for help!"

"Ask for help?" Zhao Gou was stunned.

Xu Xiantu nodded slowly, "As long as Chen Qing gets the benefits he wants, he will definitely send troops to destroy Zhang Jun. If he doesn't get the benefits he wants from His Majesty, then he will definitely get them from Zhang Jun, Your Majesty , In fact, we have no choice, Zhang Jun's chaos is Chen Qing's opportunity, he will seize this opportunity no matter what."

"Let me think about it! Think about it again!" Zhao Gou's voice became lower and lower.

Xu Xiantu sighed and said: "Your Majesty can think about Chen Qing's matter slowly, but the current crisis cannot be delayed for a moment. Please call your Majesty for a military and political discussion immediately!"

The first thousand 240 chapters and seven appointments

That night, the side hall of Ziwei Pavilion was brightly lit, and more than [-] important ministers gathered together to discuss how to deal with the immediate crisis, but the protagonists were Han Shizhong and Wu Lin, and the emperor Zhao Gou would ask them for advice.

Xu Xiantu, a privy secretary, first introduced the situation in front of everyone, "According to the news just received, Zhang Jun sent General Luo Shengping to lead [-] troops into Quzhou. There are [-] troops left by Li Hui, but their morale is very low. I am afraid that they will be difficult to defeat the Huaixi Army. If Zhang Jun's army captures Yanzhou again, the next step is to enter Lin'an Mansion."

There was a slight commotion in the hall, and many ministers had no concept of the state capital. It was not until Xu Xiantu said that Lin'an Mansion would be the next step after Yanzhou was taken, and everyone suddenly realized that Zhang Jun's rebels were very close to them.

Xu Xiantu paused for a while, and when the crowd calmed down, he continued: "I have received information from Jiangbei that tens of thousands of troops are gathering in Jiangbei, and the opponent's warships are sailing along the Yangtze River, and will arrive in Jiangdu County within a few days, so it is very possible Zhang Jun's army will cross the south from Yangzhou to attack Zhenjiang Mansion, this is the opponent's two-sided attack, the situation is very critical, we must make a decision as soon as possible!"

"Excuse me, Xu Xiangguo, how many troops do we have?" Jie Qian, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, asked.

"Currently we still have 15 troops, Zhenjiang Prefecture has [-] troops, Fujian Road has [-] troops, Lingnan has [-] troops, Yanzhou has [-] troops, and there are [-] troops in Lin'an. Some state soldiers add up to about [-] to [-]."

University scholar Zhang Jun asked again: "If we recruit troops urgently, how many troops can we recruit?"

Xu Xiantu thought for a while and said, "There should be at least [-]!"

Zhang Jun nodded, "In this case, we should urgently recruit troops. It is best to recruit 30 troops, immediately transfer the [-] troops from Fujian Road, and then gather the [-] militia troops. In this way, we will have [-] troops in our hands Wan Dajun will be able to calmly counterattack the Huaixi Army, the most important thing for us now is the army, we must immediately recruit troops!"

Although Zhang Jun was dismissed and demoted twice, he was appointed as an ambassador to know Fuzhou affairs and appease Fujian Road, but Zhao Gou recalled him back to Beijing because of his old feelings, and granted him the title of Taifu, Chongxin Military Jiedushi, and Wanshou Temple. At the beginning of the year, he was appointed as a bachelor and participated in politics as a bachelor.

Zhang Jun's suggestion was unanimously agreed by the important ministers. The key is that Qin Hui and Zhu Shengfei both learned to be smart tonight and kept silent, especially Qin Hui. When the emperor left Xu Xiantu to ask questions that afternoon, he knew that the officials were dissatisfied with him. Well, if I object again, I am afraid that the officials will push me to bear the responsibility for the defeat, so it is better to remain silent at this time.

Zhao Gou said happily: "The matter of recruiting soldiers will be handed over to the Privy Council, and it must be implemented as soon as possible, and it is best to start early tomorrow morning!"

"My minister obeys the order!" Xu Xiantu bowed and retreated.

At this time, Zhao Gou glanced at Han Shizhong, "Dudu Han!"

Han Shizhong stepped forward quickly, "My minister is here!"

"I want to ask you a few questions. First of all, Poyang Lakekou Shuizhai was defeated. Why did you retreat without a fight? Abandoned more than 500 warships!"