Chapter 679: The Army Marches North
Chapter 679: The Army Marches North
Inside Wang's office, Zhang Liang was reporting the intelligence he had just received. Xiao Xia, Liu Wenjing and others looked solemn as they listened quietly to Zhang Liang's report.
"After Yu Wenzhi led his army into Chengdu, he began to purge the Western Sui royal family. Yang Qing, Yang Ji, and Yang Shigui were all taken to Caishikou and their entire families were executed. The whereabouts of the King of Qin, the King of Shu, and the descendants of the Western Sui emperor were unknown. It was rumored that they were all poisoned to death."
"Is there any news about our emperor?" Xiao Xia interrupted and asked. This was the matter that concerned him most.
"There is no definite news, but Yu Wenzhi established Yang Hao, the son of the King of Qin, as the new emperor."
Xiao Xia's heart sank. It seemed that the emperor was in great danger. After a long while, Xiao Xia sighed softly and said, "Any more news?"
"There is also Yu Wenzhi who proclaimed himself the King of Shu and the Prime Minister. It is said that he has an army of 200,000."
Xiao Xia nodded, "I understand!"
Zhang Liang bowed and left.
Zhang Yunqiu beside him asked, "Your Highness, are you going to officially announce the death of the emperor?"
Xiao Xia shook his head and said, "Wait a little longer. I think there will be news soon."
Two days later, Xiao Xia finally got the exact news. Yu Wenzhi mourned for the emperor in Chengdu and announced to the world that the emperor of the Sui Dynasty had unfortunately contracted an epidemic in Hanzhong and eventually died in Ziwu Valley. Yu Wenzhi also asked the people of the world to recognize the new emperor.
Xiao Xia immediately ordered the entire city to wear white to mourn the death of the emperor. At the same time, he announced to the military, civilians and officials of Jiangnan Road that the Prince of Jin's Mansion and the Jiangnan Road General Administration Office did not recognize the false emperor established by Yu Wenzhi.
That afternoon, Minister Xiao Cong found Empress Xiao, who had also learned the news of her husband's death. Her eyes were red from crying and her expression was sad.
Xiao Cong comforted his sister, "The dead cannot be resurrected. I believe that His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin will find out the truth. If he was killed by someone, he will definitely kill the traitor and avenge the emperor."
Empress Xiao wiped away her tears and nodded gently, "What is the Prince of Jin's plan? Will he recognize the new emperor of Chengdu?"
Xiao Cong shook his head. "The King of Jin has made it clear that he will never recognize the Bashu regime."
Empress Xiao nodded and said, "Prince Jin's attitude is very good. In fact, I have been thinking these days, if something really happens to the emperor, can we consider supporting the Prince of Yan in Luoyang to succeed the throne?"
Xiao Cong sighed and said, "I came here today to make this matter clear to you. First of all, none of the three grandchildren are legitimate grandchildren. The Crown Princess has never given birth. All three of them were born to Liu. You know this better than I do, so there is no question of establishing a legitimate son or abolishing a concubine. Since there is no legitimate son or concubine, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin is also a concubine of the emperor, so why can't he inherit the throne?"
"The emperor has always wanted to establish a crown prince!"
Xiao Cong hesitated for a moment and said, "I came here today to tell you that the Prince of Jin does not represent himself, but the officials, civilians and soldiers of the entire Jiangnan Road. Everyone supports him because they hope that he can inherit the throne. I am not asking you to recognize the Prince of Jin as the legitimate heir, but at least I hope you can express your position carefully."
"How do you want me to express my opinion?" Queen Xiao finally understood what her elder brother meant.
Xiao Cong said slowly: "I hope you don't specify who will be the heir apparent, but add a condition that the one who unifies the world will be the legitimate heir!"
"Is this what King Jin meant?"
Xiao Cong nodded, "But our Council of State hopes that you can confer the title of Prince of Jin as the Regent!"
After Xiao Cong left, Yang Feiyan walked up to her mother and whispered, "Mother, why didn't you suggest that Dong'er inherit the throne?"
Empress Xiao sighed and said, "If Dong'er is content to be a leisurely prince, he can live out his life. But if he has the heart to fight for the throne, how can the subordinates of Prince Jin tolerate him? I'm afraid he won't live for many more years. It's better to leave a heir for your eldest brother!"
The news of the emperor's death spread throughout the world in an instant. Some people were happy, some were mourning, but more ambitious people saw an opportunity, and local tyrants rose up in arms.
The Sui army also suffered a series of setbacks. Yang Yichen and Tu Wanxu were defeated in Weijun and almost their entire army was destroyed. Unfortunately, both Yang Yichen and Tu Wanxu died in the chaos. Zhang Xutuo was also defeated by the Wagang army and led the remaining troops to retreat to Liangjun.
In Luoyang, Wang Shichong and the officials who stayed in Luoyang supported Prince of Yan Yang Dan to ascend the throne, and honored Princess Cui as the Empress Dowager and Empress Xiao as the Grand Empress Dowager.
He also sent envoys to Chang'an and Jiangdu, asking the King of Dai and the King of Jin to recognize the emperor.
At the same time, Empress Xiao issued an edict, formally stating that whoever unified the Sui Dynasty was the legitimate ruler, and at the same time appointed Prince of Jin Xiao Xia as regent.
On the first day of May, Xiao Xia offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, and formally ordered a northern expedition as the regent of the Sui Dynasty.
150,000 troops, 2,000 warships and logistics ships headed north along the Tongji Canal.
The surrounding counties expressed their allegiance to the regent one after another. The Ruyin County, Huaiyang County, Runan County, Qiao County, Pengcheng County, and Xia Pi County that were previously conquered by Zhang Xutuo were all captured by Xiao Xia at the hands of the Ministry of War.
On this day, the army arrived at Suyu County, Xia Pi County, and rested there.
Qin Qiong hurried to the boat where the King of Jin was boarding and was taken onto the ship by his personal soldiers.
In the past two years, Qin Qiong has been fighting bandits in various counties in the south. He has never had the opportunity to participate in a major war and make merit, and he is quite depressed.
In history, Qin Qiong was very famous. He was officially named a meritorious official in the Lingyan Pavilion and was also known as a door god among the people. But this was mainly because Qin Qiong went to Wagang. After going to Wagang, he followed Li Mi, a great man, in battles in the south and the north. He had a high rate of going abroad. He then surrendered to Wang Shichong and fought fiercely with Li Shimin, which made Li Shimin see his abilities.
Following Xiao Xia does not mean that there is no opportunity to make a name for oneself. Generals like Luo Shixin and Pei Xingyan are already famous throughout the world. Wang Junkuo, You Junda, and Wang Bodang are also well-known.
Qin Qiong has always been unknown. The key reason is that Qin Qiong joined Xiao Xia too late and missed many good opportunities, but now he has the opportunity.
"I, Qin Qiong, pay my respects to His Highness!"
Qin Qiong knelt on one knee and saluted. Xiao Xia nodded, "General Qin, please stand up!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Xiao Xia said slowly: "Du Fuwei and Fu Gongyou are also from Qi County. Do you know them?"
Qin Qiong nodded, "I have seen both of them, especially Fu Gongyou. I once caught him when I was the head of the Licheng County Police. He is quite cunning and very good at escaping."
Xiao Xia walked to the front of the sand table and pointed at Donghai County with a wooden pole and said, "Since Zhang Xutuo wiped out Li Zitong, Du Fuwei has also begun to develop northward. His old nest used to be in Donghai County, but now he has moved to Langya County. However, he still has 30,000 troops stationed in Donghai County, and the chief general is Fu Gongyou. This time I want you to be the chief general and lead an army of 20,000 to recapture Donghai County."
Qin Qiong was overjoyed. He had finally waited for the opportunity. He bowed and said, "I will definitely not let Your Highness down!"
Xiao Xia immediately ordered Qin Qiong as the main general, You Junda as the deputy general, and Jia Wuben as the Sima, and led 20,000 troops to attack Donghai County.
Xiao Xia continued to lead his troops northward. Five days later, the army arrived at Pengcheng County. The army stationed in Pengcheng County, met with local county officials, and appeased them one by one.
Xiao Xia immediately sent someone to Liang County, ordering Liang County Governor Zhang Xutuo to come see him.
The next morning, Xiao Xia arrived in Liu County under the escort of thousands of cavalrymen. This was his first time to inspect the coal fields in the south of the Yangtze River.
[The weather is getting colder and colder. I caught a cold. I used three packs of tissues to clear my nose. I feel groggy and weak all over. I can’t stand it any longer. I’m going to ask for a day off from everyone. I’ll take a break at noon and update as usual in the afternoon. Thank you! ]
(End of this chapter)