Chapter 423 1 days

Chapter 423 1 days

Chapter 423 One Day

Early morning, mist.

A convoy left Xiyang Gate and stopped after traveling several miles.

The soldiers immediately deployed and climbed up a high platform with great effort, then hung up the crossbows and deployed sword and shield soldiers and archers.

The platform is very large and can accommodate hundreds of soldiers. It is more than 15 feet high and was built by Liang Ji, a great general of the Han Dynasty. It was named "Huangnu Terrace".

To the north of Huangnutai is a large area of ​​messy buildings, most of which have been burned down and only one in ten remains.

This was one of the markets outside Luoyang (Dashi, Nanshi, Mashi), with a circumference of eight miles and a large scale. In its heyday, it had a wide variety of food, cloth, leather, salt, oil, sugar, tea, fruits and vegetables.

The largest fruit and vegetable store in the city was owned by Wang Yan's family. It had been closed for a long time. The shop and warehouse had even been burned down, and it seemed that it could no longer operate.

To the north of the market is the Imperial Road outside Xiyang Gate. After entering the gate, it connects to the Imperial Road inside Xiyang Gate and leads directly to the palace. At this time, soldiers are constantly passing by, marching out in a mighty force.

Xu Lang, the commander of the three divisions of the Left Guard, looked at it from the Imperial Princess's stage, pointed his finger, and said, "We will occupy the two earthen hills as well, and assign 200 men to each. We will also set up a camp behind the fish pond, with 400 men."

"Yes." A military school student took the order and left.

The first gate at the west end of Luoyang from south to north is Ximing Gate, and the second gate is Xiyang Gate.

The Daishi is a landmark building outside Xiyang Gate. To the south is Huangnu Terrace, and to the northwest are two earthen hills, which were artificially built - "earth was mined to build mountains, with nine slopes in ten miles, to resemble the two valleys."

As for what the fish pond at the foot of the mountain symbolizes, there are many different opinions. The more likely possibility is that it does not symbolize anything at all, but is simply a large pit dug to get soil to build the mountain.

"They are guarding the West City, but they don't even guard the high ground outside the city. What a battle this is. " Xu Lang sighed for a while and then shut up without saying much.

When Xin'an was defeated, the retreating camps were in panic, the command was incompetent, and they all wanted to get into the city instead of staying outside the city as scapegoats. At this time, who would actively arrange the defense line?
They waited until most of the Hun cavalry outside the city had dispersed and looked less scary, and then they mustered up the courage to leave the city and build an outer defense line outside the city.

"General, did Shi Le go to the South City?" Huang Biao, the Sima of the Vanguard Battalion, took two steps closer and asked quietly.

"Yes." Xu Lang nodded.

"They must be trying to cut off the army's return route." Huang Biao said anxiously, "Why not send troops to rescue them as soon as possible?"

"Who gave the order?" Xu Lang asked back.

Huang Biao choked.

Xun Song led his troops to a great defeat and was demoted several levels. Now the imperial guards don't even have a commander, and in theory they are all under the command of Grand Commandant Wang Yan. But Wang Yan couldn't let these defeated soldiers leave the city at this time, wouldn't that be suicide?
"Don't worry." Xu Lang said, "Shi Le only sent out cavalry, no baggage troops. They will leave Xin'an and carry at most seven days' worth of food and water. If there is nothing to plunder, they will return in a few days."

Huang Biao was still a little worried.

I don't know what the situation is like on the north bank. Even if we win, how long will the food and supplies be enough to sustain us?

One hundred thousand hu were sent in early August, more than one hundred thousand hu were sent in early September, and Xinzheng allocated 50,000 hu. All in all, it was enough to last less than four months.

Even though some men died in the battle and some horses were injured, they would only be able to hold out until the end of September at best.

It would be unimaginable if we were defeated.

Now that Shi Le occupied the south bank of the Yellow River and sent cavalry to patrol along the river, the ferry supplies would be greatly affected.

The most important thing is not this, but where the subsequent food and grass will come from!
Thinking of this, he decided to write a letter to Xuchang, asking Cao Gong to find a solution as soon as possible. Don't count on the court. He suspected that the emperor would not give Chen Gong grain at all, let alone send it out.

The soldiers who had left the city had already begun to build a defense line around the city. After watching for a while, Xu Lang stepped down from the Imperial Princess Stage, mounted his horse, and patrolled along the Xiyang Gate Imperial Road.

More than half a month had passed since the Battle of Xin'an, and the Luoyang Imperial Army had gradually recovered to 24,000 to 25,000 people, which was about the same as before the war. But it was only the number of people that was similar, and the quality was far worse.

He looked at Ximing Gate in the south again.

The soldiers also left the city, but only set up camp outside the city gate. They didn't even dare to camp four miles outside the city like they did at Xiyang Gate.

Like a frightened bird, full of gloom and sorrow, what else can be said!

******
At noon, it was drizzling.

A convoy arrived outside the Prince Minhuai Pagoda. The monks had already received the notice and came out to greet them and even pay their respects.

According to the rules, outsiders do not need to pay respect to the Heavenly Family. But what time is it now? The mages have brains, why don't they kneel down and lick some food? If they continue to do this, let alone ringing the bell, they won't even have the energy to chant the sutras.

Queen Liang Lanbi got off the carriage, wearing a hat, and after exchanging greetings with the monks, she entered a Buddhist temple on the northwest side.

Everything had already been prepared in the Buddhist temple. After burning incense, people would chant sutras and pray for blessings.

General Miao Yuan led his troops to guard outside the palace, and occasionally took a look at the scenery of the temple.

You know what, these mages really know how to enjoy themselves.

Although it is located in the city of Luoyang, it is well maintained, with green trees, bamboo forests, ponds, gardens, and winding corridors, creating a tranquil and beautiful scenery.

The forty-two Buddhist temples around Luoyang are White Horse Temple, Bodhisattva Temple, Stone Pagoda Temple, Manshui Temple, Dashi Temple, Fashili Temple, Panqishan Temple, and Prince Minhuai Pagoda.

To be honest, these Buddhist temples were affected by the war to a certain extent, and life was a bit difficult. The Prince Minhuai Pagoda in Luoyang City could only be maintained by donations from the royal family and ministers.

The Queen came to pray today, and the magicians were extremely happy.

Miao Yuan held his sword and began his careful inspection.

Inside the Buddhist hall, Liang Lanbi had already taken out copies of Buddhist scriptures.

The Buddhist scriptures were made of elm wood and were extremely precious. They were originally stored in the White Horse Temple. "At first, the elm wood was used to hold the scriptures, and the white horse carried the map, representing China, so the temple was named after White Horse."

The words on the wooden slip were densely packed and very elegant, but Liang Lanbi could still read it smoothly, obviously having read it many times.

After reading one sheet, the palace servants carefully placed the second sheet and then put away the previous sheet.

As Liang Lanbi read on, her legs became numb, but she held back and insisted on reading the last word.

The palace maid put away the last wooden tablet.

Liang Lanbi closed her eyes and prayed silently: "I only wish that the world will be peaceful, the ruler and his subjects will get along well, and the people will be healthy. If this wish is fulfilled, I will devote myself to worshipping Buddha and offering sacrifices continuously..."

After the prayer, his eyes were slightly red, and he silently said in his heart: "If there is any disaster, come to me. The emperor is just too worried and has made mistakes."

After finishing the recitation and calming himself down, he slowly walked out of the Buddhist hall with the help of the palace servants.

The autumn wind is blowing and the ground is covered with fallen leaves.

Seeing such a bleak scene, Liang Lanbi felt even more sad. She tightened the letter in her sleeve, hesitating.

The monks stood far away, all bowed their heads and clasped their hands together.

Liang Lanbi glanced at them one by one, and when she saw a few skinny little monks, she sighed softly. She called a palace maid, whispered something to her, and then handed the letter to her.

The maid left quietly.

The rain gradually stopped, the dark clouds quietly dispersed, revealing a few golden rays of light.

A look of surprise appeared on Liang Lanbi's face.

So I did nothing wrong? Does God also praise me like this?
Chen Gong's army is the last barrier of Luoyang. If they are left on the north bank of the river, even without the arrival of the Hun army, Shi Le and Wang Mi alone can capture Luoyang.

But then she became a little panicked because the rumors that were spreading were so scary that even she was shaken.

Mr. Chen wouldn't go to such lengths, would he?
If you piss him off, you'll be doomed.

Liang Lanbi sighed softly, walked out of the Prince Minhuai Pagoda absent-mindedly, got in the car and left.

******
In the evening, the western sky was filled with rosy clouds.

Wang Yan sat behind the desk, slowly reading a letter.

The letter was written by Shao Xun, who wrote it five days ago at the Xiongnu camp at Zhamati and sent it to Luoyang by someone.

After reading, Wang Yan closed his eyes and thought silently.

No one in the capital knew the outcome of the Battle of Zhamati yet. Most officials only knew that a war had broken out, and they learned about it from the court meeting.

Wang Yan never expressed his opinion on this battle.

As a casual observer, he discovered that the court was in fact divided.

If in the past everyone had to cooperate with Mr. Chen and pretend to be nice to him just for the sake of their lives and property, things are different now.

Some people really want Chen Gong to be in power.

He followed the example of Sima Yue, took charge of the imperial guards and the imperial court, and directed the war against the Huns.

Before the result of the Battle of Zhamati was reported back, many people supported Mr. Chen. What would happen if he won?

Wang Yan just found it a little ridiculous. He was laughing at these people and at himself.

Let’s not mention Shao Xun’s background at this time. He was able to tolerate him climbing over his head, being arrogant at first and respectful later. It’s laughable to think about it.

"Alas!" Wang Yan put down the letter.

Reality is the most educational.

I can stand it once or twice, and it won’t change the views I have held since my youth.

What about three or four times? I'm afraid I'll be a little shaken.

Okay, you can hold on for three or four times, now it’s the fifth or sixth time, can you still hold on?
In Luoyang city, even the nobles did not have much food left, let alone the common people.

After this battle, regardless of whether Mr. Chen wins or not, there will be another climax of moving south.

Those who were unwilling to cross the river to the south should think carefully about who could better protect their interests: the imperial court or Lord Chen?

After sighing, Wang Yan took out paper and pen, wrote a letter, and asked the servants to send it to the Chenjun Duzhi branch.

Mei Zi was supervising the grain transport in Chen County, and another batch of grain ships were about to arrive.

With this letter, he would certainly go to Cao Fu to discuss the matter. With the two of them working together, things would be easier.

The emperor is really fooling around! He doesn't even consider the time. If you continue to do this, you will be deserted by your friends and relatives, and no one can save you. In this matter, Wang Yan would not understand the emperor's concerns, nor would he want to understand.

After sending the letter, he picked up another letter on the table and began to read it for the second time, carefully savoring its flavor.

The letter was written by Maohong (Wang Dao), and was mostly about the affairs of Jianye.

After reading it, Wang Yan felt very emotional, thinking that it must not be easy for Maohong over there.

When we first crossed the river to the south, the people of Wu refused to accept our proposal and even looked at us coldly. But we brought too many people with us, and the expenses were too great to cover our expenses.

During the most difficult times, the officials in the Langya King's court would run around to tell each other when they got a pig, and they were overjoyed.

A few years have passed and the situation has changed greatly.

Maohong made connections and friends everywhere, and even disregarded his status to attend gatherings of scholars and powerful people from lower classes in Jiangdong. Gradually, the Jiangdong powerful families changed their views on King Langya and started to support him.

Afterwards, he won over the powerful people in Wu, gave them official positions and real power, and boasted for them, thus exerting tremendous pressure on the Wu aristocratic families headed by the four families of Gu, Lu, Zhu and Zhang.

By now, all the Jiangdong nobles and powerful people had come over, their foundation was becoming increasingly solid, and their lives were much better.

Next, Maohong needs to balance the relationship between the scholars who have moved south, the scholars in Jiangdong, and the new nobles and powerful people.

This is what Wang Yan is good at and it is also the Wang family's unique skill. He is not worried at all.

What he was more worried about was the attitude of the Jianye Shogunate towards Shao Xun.

In the letter, Maohong asked Shao Xun whether he would risk the disapproval of the world by taking control of the government and deposing and enthroning the emperor.

In response, Wang Yan could only smile bitterly.

What time is it, and we still need internal fighting!
Is internal strife a characteristic of our Great Jin Dynasty?

He knew very well what Mao Hong meant by asking this question. It was nothing more than that the Prince of Langya and the three forces that were gradually forming behind him (the aristocratic families who had migrated south, the old money from Jiangdong, and the powerful and new nobles) were paying attention to the political situation in Luoyang and testing whether it was still necessary to respect this court.

If you feel it is necessary, then just hold your nose and continue to transport money, food and supplies.

If it is not necessary, then let the Prince of Langya "regency" in Jianye.

As for who will be the regent, that doesn’t matter, as long as the Jiangdong forces recognize you.

Ever since Chen Min's rebellion, the Jiangdong gentry have been wavering between independence and non-independence, and their centrifugal tendency is very serious.

Today, the imperial court’s prestige is far less than when Chen Min rebelled, and more people support independence.

If we weren't careful, the Jin Dynasty would fall apart.

Wang Yan would not allow this to happen. He felt that he had to go to the palace to have some "talk therapy" for the emperor, to dispel his worries and not to force him to rebel.

After the victory in the Battle of Zhamati, the three cities of Heyang can be built as scheduled. Next, it will depend on Mr. Chen to deal with Wang Mi who is entrenched in Hongnong.

(End of this chapter)