Chapter 673: Wudangwei advances to Jinyang City

On July 18, in the tenth year of Tiantong, Deng Zhong, the general of Wudangwei, who was stationed in Yong'an City, Hedong County, also received the imperial edict from Emperor Deng Sheng and the military order from Li Siye, the general of the General of the General's General's Office, and led 50,000 Wudangwei to set sail from Yong'an City, heading north along the Fen River, and entering Taiyuan County.

In the tenth year of Tiantong, on July 22, Deng Zhong led Wudangwei to cross the Jieshan Mountain and seize Jiexiu, Wuxian and Zhongdu. The troops headed straight to Zhaoyuze. The battle reports reached Jinyang City, and the Zhao State's government and country were shocked.

In Jinyang City, Chengqian Palace, the regent of Zhao State, Meng, convened all the ministers to discuss.

"Your Highnesses, Deng's army has seized Jiexiu, Wuxian, Zhongdu and the three cities of the army, Zhao Yuze, and threatened Jinyang. I wonder what good ideas do you have?" Empress Dowager Meng asked in a panic tone.

Since the war started at the beginning of the year, in less than half a year, facing the powerful offensive of the Deng army, the Zhao army was defeated like a mountain, and all fronts were in a hurry. First, Zhao Kuo was arrogant and led his army south to Liyang, but was defeated by Deng's army, losing 70,000 elite troops. Then Huguan was broken, and Chen Ping retreated to Changzicheng. The only thing that gave Empress Dowager Meng some comfort was that Li Rubing led his army south to Fanyang and advanced to Liyang, forcing Deng's army to withdraw from Yecheng and return to Liyang.

However, after the Deng army retreated south, it soon defeated Zhao Kuo's troops in Neihuang. The 70,000 elite troops of Zhao Kuo's troops were wiped out. Zhao Kuo, the chief general of the army and the Grand Marshal of Zhao, also died in the battlefield. General Li Rubing, who was highly expected by the king and ministers of Zhao, was besieged by hundreds of thousands of Deng's troops in Wei County. It is probably a great disaster. Now, tens of thousands of elite troops of Deng's army have crossed the Border Mountain and entered Taiyuan County, and approached Jinyang City. Taiyuan County is not inadequate. How can we deal with the Deng's attack?

"The Empress Dowager doesn't need to worry!" Just when Empress Dowager Meng was at a loss, Prime Minister Zhong Xing went out to speak.

Originally, the person whom Empress Meng trusted the most was Zong Zheng Zhang Ying. After all, Zhang Ying was a minister of government and a meritorious person who helped Empress Meng take power. Empress Meng naturally obeyed her advice. However, since Zhao Kuo, who was an ally with Zhang Ying, defeated Li Yang, Empress Meng's trust in Zhang Ying was much worse than before. In addition, Li Rubing, who was strongly advocated by Zhong Xing, forced Deng's army to return to Li Yang and lifted the siege of Yecheng, which greatly increased the prestige of Zhong Xing, the prime minister who did not have much real power. Empress Meng's trust in Zhong Xing gradually exceeded Zhang Ying.

Although Li Rubing is now surrounded by Deng's army in Wei County, and it is difficult to win, Zhao Kuo was defeated and killed in Neihuang. In comparison, Li Rubing is even better.

Many people were upset that if Li Rubing had led his army south from the beginning and presided over the overall situation in Hebei, the situation in Hebei would not have been corrupted so much.

"What good advice does Zhong Xiang have? Tell me quickly and listen to the Ai family!" Since Zhao Kuo, who was supported by Zhang Ying, was completely disappointed with Zhang Ying. However, his trust in Zhong Xing, who had always supported Li Rubing, has increased day by day. When he had no choice, Zhong Xing took the initiative to stand up, which made Queen Mother Meng feel a little calmer in her uneasy heart.

Zhong Xing said: "Empress Dowager, the Deng army invaded this time is only tens of thousands, and Jinyang City has 30,000 elite soldiers. Taiyuan County is the place where our Great Zhao Longxing reigns. The people return to their hearts. Yan and Zhao have been tragic and generous since ancient times. As long as the Empress Dowager summoned elite troops and joined the army, he could get tens of thousands of troops in an instant. Why should he be afraid of Deng's army?"

When everyone heard this, they agreed. After all, Jinyang City is the capital of Zhao State. The solidity of the city ranks among the top in the whole world, and there are 30,000 elite soldiers. If some elite troops are recruited, the troops will reach 100,000, and the invading Deng army is only tens of thousands. As long as they stick to Jinyang City, the Deng army will not be afraid.

But some people had different opinions. Zhang Ying came out and said, "Empress Dowager, this move is absolutely not allowed. Jinyang City is the capital of my Great Zhao, and how can we take such a risk? If Jinyang is in trouble and Great Zhao will be destroyed, I suggest summoning all the troops back to Jinyang to repel the enemy troops that invaded Jinyang first."

"Is Lord Zong Zheng a little too worried? The Deng army has only tens of thousands of troops, and Jinyang has 30,000 elite troops. As long as they can't stand, how can the Deng army break the city? Moreover, the Deng army came from afar and went deeper alone, so it will not last long. After a long time, it will not be able to break the city. The Deng army will definitely retreat without fighting." Zhong Xing said.

"Zhong Xiang's words are wrong!" Zhang Ying retorted unwillingly: "Since the Deng army can send tens of thousands of elite troops from Hedong County to Taiyuan County, they can naturally continue to increase their troops. Deng State has a million elite troops. Even if Shangdang County in Hebei has restrained 300,000 to 400,000 Deng's army, there are still hundreds of thousands of troops in Deng State. If the Deng army continues to drive to the city of Jinyang, how can our army resist? As for what Zhong Xiang said that recruiting elite troops to join the army to resist Deng's army, it is even more absurd. Could it be that Zhong Xiang thinks that untrained elite troops will be the opponent of Deng's army in a hundred battles? The most urgent task is to summon all the troops and horses to return to the army to serve the king and defend Jinyang City."

Zhang Ying's words left Zhong Xing speechless. The Deng army seemed to be alone in the army, but the Zhao army did not have the ability to cut off its retreat. Deng State could continue to increase its troops. However, his untrained strength would be difficult to stop the Deng army from facing the hundreds of battles.

However, Zhong Xing did not agree with Zhang Ying's dispatch of troops to help, and said, "Mr. Zongzheng said he wanted to dispatch troops to help the king. So let's ask Master Zongzheng where can he be transferred?"

Zhang Ying said: "Chen Ping's old general led an army of 100,000 to guard Shangdang County. As long as the empress dowager issued an imperial edict, the old general could return to Jinyang and Yuyang County within ten days. When General Li Rubing went south, he left behind the general Gu Tu and 30,000 elite troops, and the four counties in Liaodong, General Gongsun Lang also had 20,000 troops under his command, and he could all return to the army to serve the king!"

"Just!" Faced with Zhang Ying's remarks, Zhong Xing said disdainfully: "How can Chen Ping defend Changzicheng and resist Yue Fei and Li Siye's army be moved lightly? Once Chen Ping retreated, Yue Fei and Li Siye will definitely press forward step by step. When Yue Fei and Li Siye also arrived at the city of Jinyang, that would be a huge disaster. Lord Zong Zheng thought that Yue Fei and Li Siye were better dealing with than Deng Zhong? As for mobilizing Gu Tu, Gongsun Lang, it was even more nonsense. Gu Tu and Gongsun Lang guarded the northern border to resist the Hu people in the northern border. If the two of them were transferred back, what would happen if the Hu people in the northern border went south? Moreover, Gu Tu and Gongsun Lang were far away in the northern border and could not come to Jinyang for ten months. How could they serve the king?"

The ministers in the palace watched the two bigwigs quarrel, and they were trembling on the side, not daring to interrupt. After all, this was related to the life and death of Zhao State, and they did not dare to make any comments casually. If their words made Zhao State fall into dire straits, they would be sinners forever.

Empress Meng above watched the two important officials in the court compete against each other, and didn't know what to do. Empress Meng was also unsure of whether to mobilize troops to help the king. Empress Meng had been regent for one or two years, and was no longer the first novice, and could still understand the situation.

The disadvantages of mobilizing troops to support the king can also be seen. Once the troops are mobilized back to the rescue, it means that Zhao has given up other places and defended Jinyang with all its strength. In this way, even if there are many troops in Jinyang, Jinyang will become an isolated city and will not last long. However, if the troops are not transferred to support the king, and relying solely on Jinyang's troops to fight against Deng's army, Empress Dowager Meng will be unsure. If Jinyang is gone, then what is the point of Hebei defending the northern border?

At this time, Zhang Ying no longer argued with Zhong Xing, but said directly to Empress Dowager Meng: "Empress Dowager, Jinyang is my capital of Great Zhao. The ministers and royal families of Great Zhao are all in Jinyang. If there is any mistake in Jinyang, what should the Empress Dowager do? What should you do? If the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty have something to do, then even if the victory in Hebei is of great help, please think twice! "

When Empress Meng heard this, her body was shocked. Yes, she and her son were both in Jinyang. If Jinyang was captured by Deng's army, she and her son would definitely become prisoners of Deng's army. Without the regent Empress Dowager and the emperor, is there still a need for Zhao State to exist?

After careful consideration, Empress Dowager Meng said: "Yes, Jinyang is the foundation of my lifeline in Zhao. There must be no mistakes. Ai's family decided to transfer to Gutu, Yuyang, and Gongsun Lang from Liaodong led his army to serve the king. However, Gutu, Gongsun Lang was far away in the northern border and it was difficult to reach Jinyang in a short time, so he ordered Chen Ping to draw a group of troops from Changzicheng to help Jinyang."

Empress Dowager Meng finally followed Zhang Ying's words and mobilized troops to help the king. Her first choice was Gu Tu from Yuyang and Gongsun Lang from Liaodong. However, neither Gu Tu nor Gongsun Lang could reach Jinyang in a short time, so Chen Ping's troops still needed to be mobilized. However, Yue Fei and Li Siye in the south were also a huge threat. Therefore, Empress Dowager Meng was very cautious and asked Chen Ping to mobilize a group of troops to help the king, and the rest of the troops continued to take charge of Changzicheng.

"Empress Dowager, never!" Zhong Xing said quickly: "Once Gu Tu and Gongsun Lang returns to help, the northern border will no longer be owned by me, Da Zhao. Jinyang City is as strong as a deep pond, and there will be no danger."

"Zhong Xiang, the Ai family has decided. You don't need to say much. There are still too few soldiers in Jinyang City. The Ai family ordered you to recruit elite soldiers and join the army without any mistakes!" Empress Dowager Meng did not obey Zhong Xing's dissuasion, but instead asked Zhong Xing to recruit elite soldiers and strengthen Jinyang's strength.

Then Empress Meng said to a general in the hall: "General Meng Si, you are the elder brother of the Ai family and the uncle of your majesty. Now the Great Zhao is at the critical moment of life and death. The Ai family orders you to preside over the defense of Jinyang City and defend Jinyang with all your strength!"

The elite soldiers and generals of Zhao State followed Zhao Kuo and Li Rubing to Wei County. There were not many generals left in Jinyang, and Empress Dowager Meng did not trust other generals, so she could only let her brother personally preside over the defense of Jinyang City.

When Meng Si heard this, he came out and responded: "I received the order!" However, no one saw it. At this time, a trace of strangeness appeared in Meng Si's eyes.

On July 25, in the tenth year of Tiantong, Chen Ping, who was in Changzicheng, also received an imperial edict from the king. Both Chen Ping and Zheng Xuan also complained about this imperial edict.

"Elder General, what is the Empress Dowager doing? We are facing Yue Fei and Li Rubing now, and we are unable to do it. Now we still have to draw troops back to Jinyang. The last general also knows that there are tens of thousands of Deng troops entering Jinyang City, but Jinyang has 30,000 elite troops. As long as we can't stand, with the strength of Deng's army, there is no possibility of breaking the city." Zheng Xuan said.

In Zheng Xuan's view, there is no reason for Empress Dowager Meng's decree to dispatch troops. Jinyang has 30,000 troops, and faces 50,000 Deng's army and has the benefits of the city. There is no problem at all. Why should we transfer troops?

"Oh..." Chen Ping sighed and said, "You said that, I understand, but the imperial edict cannot be violated. Now the Empress Dowager ordered us to draw troops and horses back to help. Even if we have any difficulties, we must do as we do. Zheng Xuan, you can gather 30,000 troops and let Song Lian lead him back to Jinyang to serve the king."

"Thirty thousand soldiers?" Zheng Xuan said in surprise: "Elder General, the troops in our hands are not as strong as those in Deng's army. If we draw 30,000 troops back to Jinyang, what should we do if Changzicheng?"

"It's okay!" Chen Ping said: "Even if 30,000 troops were drawn, there were still 50,000 or 60,000 troops in Changzicheng. As long as we can't stand, the Deng army will not be able to shake it in a short period of time. As long as we repel Deng's army invading Jinyang, these troops will come back. No problem, let's do it!"

"Here!" Zheng Xuan replied.

Soon, Zheng Xuan found the general Song Lian and said to him: "Song Lian, now that Deng's army is invading Jinyang, the Empress Dowager ordered us to draw troops to serve the king. The old general decided to ask you to lead 30,000 troops back to Jinyang to serve the king. However, I have a word to remind you that as long as you repel Deng's army invading Jinyang, you must lead troops back to your eldest son as soon as possible, and there must be no mistakes!"

"Here!" Song Lian responded.

Soon, Song Lian took 30,000 troops out of Changzicheng and headed towards Jinyang. The Zhao army in Changzicheng was not long after the abnormal movements were learned by Yue Fei and Li Siye. Yue Fei and others knew very well that it must be Deng Zhong's army that was threatening Jinyang City, so Chen Ping would send troops out of the city. He must have returned to Jinyang to serve the king.

This is exactly the result that Yue Fei and others wanted. Although it was just a Zhao army, Chen Ping's main force was still in Changzicheng, but if he could wipe out a Zhao army, it would be enough to weaken the Zhao army's strength. So Yue Fei ordered General Li Jing, the Tianwu Guard, to lead the army to pursue.

The two sides fought fiercely in the area of ​​Fajiu Mountain. In the end, the Zhao army was defeated, with 30,000 troops and only 10,000 left. Under Song Lian, led by Song Lian, fled back to Changzi City in a panic. Seeing Song Lian covered in dust, Chen Ping suddenly burst into blood, spit out a mouthful of old blood, and fainted.

After Chen Ping woke up, he no longer said that he would send troops back to Jinyang to serve the king, because Chen Ping knew that this was a trap. Yue Fei and Li Siye wanted to lure their troops out. No matter how many troops they sent out of the city, they would be blocked by Deng's army and would have no chance to go to Jinyang City.

If the Zhao army did not come out, Yue Fei and others were not in a hurry. This time, the 20,000 Zhao army was wiped out, which was a considerable gain. After all, Chen Ping did not come out in the city. If he attacked for a strong attack, the Deng army would have to pay at least 30,000 people. Now, the Tianwu Guard has lost only a thousand people, which is a big victory.

Moreover, Yue Fei and others believed that Chen Ping could not keep defending her forever. Someone would help Deng’s general Chen Ping lead out of the Changzi City. As long as Deng Zhong’s troops arrived at Jinyang City, they would not believe that the orphan and widowed mothers in Jinyang City could still sit still.

On July 26, Deng Zhong led his army to continue northward. On July 27, the tenth year of Tiantong, he captured Jingling City and advanced to Qi County.

At the same time, with Zhong Xing's efforts, Zhao State recruited 20,000 strong elites in the Jinyang area. Together with the 30,000 elite soldiers in Jinyang City, there were 50,000. It was already comparable to the Deng army that was about to arrive in Jinyang, and also gave Zhao State a little confidence.

Jinyang City, Yuzhong Marquis Mansion, this is the residence of Meng Si, the uncle of Zhao State. Since a few days ago, after Empress Dowager Meng Si asked Meng Si to preside over the defense of Jinyang in Chengqian Hall, the entire Jinyang City has been controlled by Meng Si.

As soon as Meng Si entered the mansion, he found his two sons Meng Chen and Meng Xing.

"What's going on now for you for your father?" Meng Si asked as soon as he met.

Meng Chen replied: "Back to my father, the child has already installed a large number of our people in the army. The entire Jinyang City has been controlled by us. We guarantee that no one will hinder my father's plan."

Meng Si nodded with satisfaction. Since taking over the defense of Jinyang, Meng Si began to arrange his confidants to the army. Now many important positions in Jinyang City are all Meng Si's people. Now the entire Jinyang City is frightened by the arrival of Deng's army and has not noticed Meng Si's small moves at all. Even if they discover it, they will not say anything. Now Jinyang City is in turmoil. In order to better control the situation, Meng Si is reasonable to use some people he can trust.

Then, Meng Si looked at Meng Xing again and asked, "What about you? How are you doing in the palace?"

Meng Xing replied: "Don't worry, Father, the child has fully controlled the imperial guards in the palace, and the three thousand imperial guards only obey the orders of the child."

"Very good. Whether our Meng family can continue to continue depends on yours." Meng Si smiled with satisfaction.

"Father, do we really want to do this? That's our aunt and cousin. My father loves his aunt the most." Meng Chen said hesitantly.

"Oh..." Meng Si sighed and said, "If it were not a last resort, do you think your father wants to do this? It is not only for our Meng family, but also for the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty. Now, the only ones that can be taken advantage of in the entire Zhao State are Li Rubing and Chen Ping. Chen Ping is old and cannot be a rival to Li Siye and Yue Fei. Although he temporarily blocked Deng's army from Changzi City, how long can he stop it? As for Li Rubing, he is unable to protect himself now and cannot rely on him. Da Zhao has no hope. If you want to protect the Meng family, we can only rely on ourselves."

The reason why Meng Si put in close friends everywhere was to fully control Jinyang City. When Deng’s army arrived, he would open the city to welcome the Deng army and fight for wealth for the Meng family. Although as the national uncle, wealth and glory were endless, these premises were only possible for Zhao State to exist. Now Zhao State is obviously no longer able to do it. The identity of this national uncle is more like a death talisman. Meng Si does not want to be buried for Zhao State. He wants to save his life, protect his family, and to protect his own wealth, welcoming the Deng Army is the best choice.

"Brother, my father is right. Da Zhao is no longer saved. Why should we be foolish and loyal people?" Unlike Meng Chen, Meng Xing felt that Meng Si's approach was not a problem. If a person does not punish him for himself, he will be punished by heaven and earth. Nothing is more realistic than the glory and wealth of his own family.

"Oh..." Meng Chen sighed, and he was helpless about this. On one hand, he was his parents' family, and on the other hand, he was Zhao's country where he once swore allegiance. It was a dilemma, but Meng Chen knew that he could not stop his father. Now he was on the verge of arrows and had to fire. If he tried his best to stop him, he might be the first to clean up his family before Deng Jun entered the city.

"Father, what will happen to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty after Deng's army enter the city?" Although Meng Si could not stop him from opening the city to welcome Deng's army, Meng Chen was still very concerned about the fate of Empress Dowager Meng and the little emperor of Zhao.

Meng Si said: "After Deng's army arrives outside the city, his father will ask Xing'er to control the Empress Dowager and His Majesty, and then persuade the Empress Dowager to sign a letter of surrender and surrender to the Deng army. Deng's country has always treated the royal family that voluntarily surrendered. The Empress Dowager and His Majesty will inevitably be rich in the future."
Chapter completed!