Zhang Xuan looked at him for a moment and said, "You are indeed guilty, betraying the court and colluding with Li Tang. Although there are no serious consequences, they are very serious in nature. Even if you are sentenced to death, it will not be excessive."

Zheng Shanguo's face turned pale. Although he knew that Zhang Xuan was in his mansion at this time and the conviction of death would not have happened, the solemn statement from Zhang Xuan still made him tremble.

Zhang Xuan seemed not to notice Zheng Shanguo's emotional changes, and continued: "But you can worry about the massacre of Du Fuwei in Qichun, which shows that you still have a little conscience in your heart. It is this little conscience that saved your life. I have now considered pardoning you for your death."

Zheng Shanguo knelt down and cried, "Thank you for your tolerance!"

"I came to see you today, mainly to show you a clear path. If you are willing to accept the clear path I pointed at, after the battle, I will allow you to retire and return home and live your life. The Zheng family in Xingyang will not be affected by any influence. You can still go to Zhongdu to participate in the imperial examination. After the exam, you can still become an official. Are you willing to accept it?"

"I am willing to accept it!"

Zheng Shanguo shed tears of excitement. He knew in his heart that it was his greatest luck to be able to retire and return home, which meant that he was innocent and his reputation was preserved. This was the greatest forgiveness that Zhang Xuan gave him.

Zhang Xuan said lightly again: "The clear path I want to point out is that you want to make meritorious service and atone for your sins. Judging from the information we have now, the Tang Dynasty did not have scouts and spies in the Jianghuai area. They mainly rely on Jiangxia to search for information across the river, and also rely on some information you provided to them. For example, you told the Tang Dynasty that Jianghuai had no troops and had empty defense. This made Li Yuan decide to send Du Fuwei to Qichun County to raise an army, but the actual situation is not like this. I have secretly increased troops to Jianghuai since last autumn. At present, the elite army of Jianghuai has reached 100,000. Last night, there were 30,000 troops entering Qichun County, not the so-called eight thousand people. Do you understand?"

Zheng Shanguo was stunned, and after a while he slowly said: "I understand, Your Highness is going to attack Jiang Xia."

"It's not just about attacking Jiangxia. In short, I need you to continue to convey the message to the Tang Dynasty. This is your only chance to atone for sins."

Zheng Shanguo felt bitter in his heart. He knew that he had no choice. He nodded silently and said, "But your highness said just now that Jiang Xia would send a ward to inquire about the information."

Zhang Xuan smiled and said, "That was the past. From now on, Jiangxia's quizzes can no longer cross the river. Our naval army has blocked the surface of the river. Now you can only send a letter to Jiangxia when flying pigeons."

"I understand. I wonder which aspect of information your highness needs to send?"

"I need you to send two pieces of intelligence now. One piece of intelligence says that Du Fuwei's troops quickly expanded to 30,000 people, and the momentum was huge. He went directly to Lujiang County. The counties in Jianghuai were in chaos and asked for help from the court. This is one of them. The second is to immediately send someone to tell Du Fuwei that an army of 5,000 people were killed from Hefei County, Lujiang County, and stationed in Qichun County."

"I will write it right away."

After pausing, Zheng Shanguo asked carefully again: "Does Your Highness know that the Tang army is going to fight against Yuzhang County in the east?"

Zhang Xuan sneered and said, "How could I not know? I welcome their army to fight in the east. Li Yuan betrayed the agreement between the two countries. This time, I will return the principal and interest to him!"

Du Fuwei's army headed north. That night, their army rushed to Qishui Town, about twenty miles away from Qichun County. After crossing Qishui, they could kill to Qichun County.

After running for a day, the army was already exhausted, Du Fuwei ordered the army to rest on the spot and sent people to find ships to cross the river.

Du Fuwei stood by the river and looked at Qichun County on the distance on the other side with his hands behind his back. Under the moonlight, the outline of the county was faintly seen. The soldiers were anxious and eager to immediately enter the city to plunder *******, but Du Fuwei felt an inexplicable uneasy in his heart. This was the sensitivity he had trained for many years. This uneasiness still came from the inexplicable retreat of the mine defenders. The Sui army obviously knew that they were going to rebel and revolt. Not only did they not suppress them, they also asked them to raise troops, and even gave them thousands of iron bars. Will there be a trap hidden here?

At that time, Du Fuwei did not take this matter seriously, but as their march was extremely smooth, this uneasiness began to sprout in his heart. Even the Tang army cargo ship transporting troops admitted that it was too smooth across the river and did not encounter a Sui army patrol ship. Yes! Everything went too smoothly, and it made him feel panicked.

At this time, a soldier came forward to report, "General, the prefect Zheng sent someone to deliver the letter, saying that there was an emergency!"

“Where is the sender?”

After a moment, the soldier brought a yamen runner up. The yamen runner knelt down and saluted, presenting a note, "This is the urgent news from my envoy to the general!"

Du Fuwei took the note and asked, "Is something wrong in Qichun County?"

The yamen runner nodded, "Last night, an army came to the county town, with about 5,000 people. The city gates were closed. The villain got the special pass from the prefect to leave the city."

Du Fuwei was shocked and hurriedly opened the note and read it. The note said that it was the mining commander Li Chong who reported the message to the Hefei defenders. Five thousand Hefei defenders marched day and night, and arrived in Qichun County last night.

Du Fuwei couldn't speak for a long time. It turned out that there was a problem with the mine defender. At this time, Han Huang stepped forward and whispered: "I don't know whether Zheng Shanguo's words are true or not. Why not take a few brothers to check it out. If it is true, we will think of other solutions."

This suggestion was about Du Fuwei's heart, and he nodded immediately and said, "Okay! Take two brothers to the county town to investigate. I will stop the troops first and wait for your news."

Han Huang hurried away with his two subordinates. Du Fuwei was still a little confused. The news he had received before was that the Jianghuai army was empty, and the only 20,000 troops were stationed in Jiangdu. Where did these 5,000 troops come out?

He couldn't figure this out, so he ordered someone to call the yamen runner who reported the news and asked him: "How could there be 5,000 troops in Hefei? What did your prefect say?"

The yamen runner saluted and said, "The prefect did not tell the villain, but the villain just heard some news on the streets and alleys."

"Tell me! What's the news on the streets and alleys?"

"There are rumors that people gathered to rebel in Chaohu area of ​​Lujiang County, and these 5,000 troops came to Chaohu to quell the rebellion."

"What kind of man rebels over Chaohu?" Du Fuwei asked hurriedly.

"This villain knows one thing. There is a pirate in Chaohu. The leader is called Mrs. Ximen. She has not reached the negotiations for the government to recruit her several times."

Du Fuwei changed his mind. Could it be Ximen Junyi's wife Ximen Hua Sanniang?

During the battle of Hefei, his army was basically broken up. Ximen Junyi was killed by the Northern Sui navy in Chaohu. His wife Hua Sanniang was missing. However, Du Fuwei knew that this woman had excellent martial arts, great strength, and was very strong. If her husband was killed by the Sui army, she would never surrender to the Sui army. Unless she died, she would not give up.

Du Fuwei began to become enthusiastic in his heart. If it were really Ximen Hua Sanniang, then he would be able to gain a foothold in Lujiang County.

The next morning, Han Huang and his two subordinates returned to the military base. Han Huang reported to Du Fuweihui: "Reported to the general, the gate of Qichun County is closed and unable to enter the city. Bei Zhi did see the city gate full of defenders. Later, Bei Zhi asked the farmers outside the city to inquire and confirmed that thousands of troops had entered Qichun City. The news about Zheng Taishou should be correct."

Du Fuwei hesitated for a moment. If he could not enter Qichun County, what should he do if he promised the soldiers?

Han Huang whispered again: "I am considering it on the road. Since the Sui army came from Hefei, Hefei must be empty at this time. Why don't we go north to attack Hefei?"

This is of course Du Fuwei's idea, and Lujiang County has always been his old nest. His reputation in Lujiang County is second only to Liyang County. However, after he entered Lujiang County, he could no longer rob and kill troops.

But at this time Du Fuwei had no choice, so he immediately ordered the convening of the army and he wanted to give a lecture to the three armies.

Du Fuwei stood on a big rock and shouted loudly to the thousands of soldiers gathered around him: "Brothers, our original plan was to enter Qichun County and let everyone make a fortune, but just got the information that the Sui army had already set up a net of heaven and earth in Qichun County, waiting for us to die, but Lujiang County was very empty. I decided to change my plan and lead everyone to Lujiang County."

An uproar sounded around, and many soldiers showed disappointment. They were hoping to enter Qichun County to grab property and play with women. Now they don’t go anymore, how could they not be lost?

Du Fuwei understood everyone's mood and continued to shout: "Lujiang is a famous treasure land, with rich resources and fair women. We not only want to make a fortune, but also have all our descendants to enjoy wealth. We go to Lujiang County to establish a foundation. I will share the population and land of Lujiang County with everyone. Everyone will have three wives and four concubines, and there will be high houses. Brothers who want to make a fortune should not be discouraged. Hefei is more prosperous than Qichun. There are more than three times more wealthy households than Qichun. After we occupy Hefei, I will give you ten days off so that everyone can enjoy it happily!"

Du Fuwei's words aroused the crowd again. Thousands of soldiers raised their weapons and roared, with great momentum. Seeing that they had already boosted their morale, Du Fuwei immediately ordered: "The army sets out to head north!"
Chapter completed!