novelonline Chapter 1597 Jia Heng: Using the spirit tablets of the dead to intimidate the living
Chapter 1597 Jia Heng: Using the spirit tablets of the dead to intimidate the living
Chapter 1597 Jia Heng: He wants to use the spirit tablets of the dead to intimidate the living...
Palace Garden, Funing Palace
Concubine Duanrong sat on a soft couch covered with a mattress. After listening to what Li Zan said, her heart trembled slightly and she was a little confused.
Concubine Duanrong's eyebrows were as beautiful as spring mountains and her beautiful eyes were as bright as water. She whispered: "What does Lord Li want to say?"
Li Zan said: "I don't want to say anything, but your Majesty is the concubine of Emperor Sejong and gave birth to a son for him, so you should take on the mission of prolonging the country."
At the end, Li Zan's voice was a little low, but it was just loud enough for Concubine Duanrong to hear clearly.
When Concubine Duanrong heard this, her expression suddenly changed, and turbulent waves rose in her heart.
What exactly does Lord Li mean by this?
After Li Zan finished speaking, he stood up and bowed to Concubine Duanrong, saying, "Your Majesty, we can discuss this in detail during the Zhongyuan Festival when we go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to worship."
Concubine Duanrong did not say much, just responded softly, but her mind was in a brief daze.
After Li Zan left, Concubine Duanrong's bright and beautiful face seemed to be covered with a layer of gloom.
What does Li Ge Lao mean? Is he going to support Ze Er to ascend to the throne?
For a moment, Concubine Duanrong was somewhat confused.
I had never thought that my son would be able to ascend the throne, but now this has happened.
If Ziyu found out...
And that day, Zi Yu should have caught a glimpse of her. No, he just noticed someone peeking at him and he might not have known it was her.
Fortunately, Zi Yu didn't see that it was her.
When Concubine Duanrong thought of what happened that day, two blushes could be seen floating on her elegant and cold face under her beautiful emerald eyebrows. It was clearly the scene of going in and out, which made the beautiful lady tremble with fear.
This Zi Yu, really...how could he bully his sister like that?
……
……
Ningguo Mansion, Qiu Shuang Zhai
After Jia Heng and Tanchun had finished their meal, they sat down on the soft couch in the inner room again.
At this moment, outside the exquisite and unique courtyard with pavilions and towers.
You could hear the sound of the wind going back and forth in the corridor, and ripples could be seen on the lake surface in front of the Qiu Shuang Zhai pavilion.
On the embroidered couch, Jia Heng gently embraced Tanchun's soft and delicate body, and there was another period of passionate love.
After a long time, Tanchun leaned her delicate head with long black hair into the arms of the young man in the python robe. Her plump and white face was flushed and her beautiful eyes were filled with a hint of spring love.
Tanchun's heart trembled under her dark eyebrows. She whispered in her cute and tender voice, "Brother Heng."
It was clear that he was immersed in some lingering aftertaste.
Jia Heng gently reached out and stroked Tanchun's smooth and tender shoulders, feeling happy in his heart.
Min Tanchun, a charming and generous person, is now staying between the bed curtains, showing both shyness and enthusiasm.
Jia Heng calmed himself down, glanced at the dark sky outside, and whispered, "Third sister, it's getting late. I'll get up first."
On Tanchun's side, her plump and lovely face was as bright as the clouds. She said "hmm" softly, and then said nothing more.
At this moment, Jia Heng couldn't help but find a pair of black Chaoyun official boots, stood up quickly, and looked at the sky outside. He could see that the sky was dark, and bright lights had been lit one after another on the corridors.
Tanchun felt the heat surge in her lower abdomen. Her beautiful eyes were as bright as water under her beautiful eyebrows. She said in a trembling voice, "Brother Heng, if you are pregnant, what should you do?"
Jia Heng gently stroked Tanchun's round, smooth shoulders and whispered, "If you have a child, please give birth to it."
When Tanchun heard this, she felt so sweet in her heart that she said, "If we have a child in the future, I don't know how to raise it."
Jia Heng chuckled, stretched out his hands to embrace Tanchun's soft and tender body, and said, "Take good care of him. Teach him well and teach him some civil and military skills. He will be able to be an official in the future."
Tanchun's eyebrows were curved like crescent moons, and her clear eyes seemed to be filled with charming waves. She said softly, "Hmm," and said, "Brother Heng, what if it's a girl?"
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Girls, I like them too. How can I not like them if they are as heroic as my third sister?"
Tanchun was overjoyed and uttered a soft "hmm". Her plump, cute face flushed. She leaned her beautiful head against Jia Heng's arms, listening to her beloved brother's strong heartbeat. For a moment, she seemed to see herself running in the courtyard with her child.
Thinking of this, ripples began to appear in the girl's heart.
Jia Heng said: "In the future, Third Sister may see the light of day."
When Tanchun heard this, her heart was shocked. She looked at Jia Heng intently and said, "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng chuckled and said, "Actually, I am not the son of Jia."
Now he could tell Tanchun about his life story.
In fact, with the death of Emperor Chongping, his life experience was no longer kept secret. The only thing to worry about was the identity of the heir of the deposed prince's general, which might cause some people to speculate that he was taking revenge on Emperor Chongping.
When Tanchun heard this, she was shocked and said in a trembling voice, "Brother Heng..."
How could Brother Heng not be a member of the Jia family?
How is it possible in these years?
But if you think about it again, all the doubts you had in the past make sense at this moment.
Jia Heng gently reached out his hand and stroked Tanchun's round and smooth shoulders, saying, "This matter cannot be explained in a few words. Anyway, there will always be a time to return to your ancestral home in the future. At that time, Third Sister will also have a legitimate status."
When Tanchun heard this, her innocent and bright face changed, and then she was surprised and happy.
Jia Heng said: "By then, the baby in Third Sister's belly will have a legitimate status."
Tanchun's innocent and bright face suddenly turned red as a cloud of embarrassment.
She doesn't have any children yet, so is she considering the child's future status now?
However, once this problem is solved in the future, other possibilities will arise.
Jia Heng gently stroked Tanchun's shoulder and said, "Third sister, it's getting late. I have to go back."
Tanchun responded softly, her plump and lovely face flushed as blood, her voice soft as a mosquito, filled with endless shyness.
While Jia Heng was speaking, he stood up.
After a while, I came to the side of the hall, staring at the dusk that was already falling outside the window, and felt a sense of loneliness in my heart.
The cool summer breeze blew the lanterns under the eaves, and the lights swayed continuously, orange like water.
……
……
When Jia Heng left Qiu Shuang Zhai, came to the front yard and entered the study, he ran into Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao handed over a piece of paper in his hand and said, "Just now, the Jinyifu scout beside Xie Zaiyi sent a pigeon message saying that Yangping Pass has been taken and the Beijing army has entered Shu. Wherever the army moves, it is unstoppable and the Shu army is defeated step by step."
Jia Heng said: "Speed is the key to victory. The Sichuan war should not be dragged on for too long."
Chen Xiao said: "Baoning Prefecture may not be easy to capture. There are also Jiange and Jiameng Pass. The mountains are dangerous and the advance may not be that smooth."
Jia Heng nodded, his expression paused, and whispered: "Before Yangping Pass is the vast land of Hanzhong, and the troops can be deployed more widely. Jiange and Jiameng Pass are narrow in terrain and are indeed not suitable for advancing troops."
The terrain before Yangping Pass is relatively flat, so the troops from the Beijing camp can be deployed there.
However, Jiange Pass is different from Jiameng Pass. The danger of the Shu Road lies here. The troops of the Beijing Camp are somewhat unable to be deployed, and the red cannons are facing the city wall built on the rocks, and the fire is continuous.
Chen Xiao said: "In the northwest, the two armies are still facing each other, but for the time being, the outcome has not yet been determined."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "We should keep a defensive posture in the northwest and wait for the right opportunity. By the way, where is the Red Cannon transported to?"
Chen Xiao said softly: "We should be able to reach Xining Prefecture in half a month."
Jia Heng thought for a moment and said, "If I were not indispensable in the capital, I would really like to go to the front line in person, lead the troops directly to the Western Regions, and recover the ancient territory of the Han and Tang Dynasties."
Chen Xiao asked, "Master is at Dongliju. Go and see him tomorrow."
Jia Heng said: "Then I will go over and take a look tomorrow."
Chen Xiao said: "By the way, these two days are the Zhongyuan Festival, the day for Emperor Shizong to worship. The Ministry of Rites intends to worship at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and summon all civil and military officials to discuss border affairs together."
Jia Heng looked thoughtful and said, "Sacrificing to Emperor Shizong is indeed a grand event."
During his reign, Emperor Chongping pacified Liaodong, promoted new policies, and rebuilt the prosperous era. He had a high prestige among the people and was known as a wise and heroic ruler among the civil servants.
This worship of Emperor Sejong...seems a little unusual.
Chen Xiao seemed to understand what Jia Heng was thinking, and said, "This move is somewhat like gathering people's hearts and minds to control powerful officials."
Jia Heng nodded, a hint of coldness in his eyes, and whispered: "You want to use the spirit tablets of the dead to intimidate the living."
Chen Xiao's beautiful face showed concern and asked, "What are your plans next?"
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "I'm worried that there might be a conspiracy here. Let's go and see what's going on."
When Chen Xiao heard this, a look of surprise appeared in her sparkling eyes beneath her slender and beautiful eyebrows, and she asked, "Conspiracy? What do you mean by that?"
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "After Gao Zhongping was purged, the court officials were respectful but not convinced. Now may be their chance to plot something secretly."
Chen Xiao said: "That's true."
As the two chatted, Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Tell the Jinyifu to keep an eye on Li Zan, Xu Lu and others."
The only people in the capital who could cause trouble for him now were Li Zan, Xu Lu and other upright ministers.
Chen Xiao responded softly and agreed.
……
……
The Land of Bashu, Chengdu Prefecture
Gao Cheng was wearing a black armor and sitting in the hall. His face was as cold as frost, and under his thick dark green eyebrows, his sharp tiger eyes were gleaming with brilliance.
"General, urgent news from Baoning Prefecture." At this moment, a young clerk came quickly, approached Gao Cheng, and said with a bow.
Gao Cheng heard this and asked, "Where is the military report? Where is it now?"
After a while, a young lieutenant, wearing armor and bloodstained robes, walked into the hall quickly and said in a loud voice: "Commander, something terrible has happened. Yangping Pass has been lost."
Gao Cheng's face was filled with anger, and he asked, "What? Yangping Pass is a strong pass, how can it be easily breached? What on earth does Bao Qichun do for a living?!"
The lieutenant said, "The Han army had previously deployed red cannons, but the city gate was unable to withstand the artillery attack and was breached in no time."
After these words were spoken, Gao Cheng's face was stunned for a moment, and his eyes, sharp as swords, swept over the officers present, and he could see the surprise on each of their resolute and rough faces.
"Commander-in-chief, the imperial court's red cannon is a powerful military weapon. In the past three to five years, it has been invincible in attacking cities and capturing strongholds." Among them, a young officer looked solemn and took over the conversation.
Gao Cheng's tiger eyes flashed fiercely under his thick eyebrows. He said loudly: "Tell Baoning Prefecture to resist well and not let the imperial court's troops enter Shuzhong again. Chengdu Prefecture can send reinforcements in the next few days."
The young officer clasped his fists in response, then, without saying anything else, turned around and left the government office.
Gao Cheng's face was extremely solemn, and he scanned the generals present with sharp eyes, saying: "Everyone, this battle is related to the survival of Bashu. All officers should work together to overcome the difficulties and live in the future."
Upon hearing this, the generals below clasped their fists and said yes.
Gao Bo was giving advice from below, saying loudly: "Brother, why don't we abandon Baoning Prefecture and withdraw our troops to Jiange and Jiameng Pass to block the imperial army with the terrain."
Gao Cheng pondered for a moment, his eyes flashing fiercely under his thick eyebrows, and said: "If Baoning Prefecture is captured, the imperial army will win the first battle and the morale will be high. At that time, the people of Bashu will surely be shocked."
Gao Bo showed hesitation on his face and said, "But the imperial army will capture Baoning Prefecture sooner or later."
"Even if we break through, it will consume and delay the imperial army and dampen their morale. When our army arrives, we can take advantage of the situation to launch a surprise attack and take them down in one fell swoop." Gao Cheng said in a deep voice with a solemn expression.
Gao Bo raised his eyes to look at Gao Cheng beside him and said, "Brother, we in Bashu cannot allow Baoning Prefecture to be breached. Chen Yuan and others in Shunqing Prefecture can also send a troop of troops to help."
Then, the entire Sichuan Governor's Office suddenly took action. Military armor, weapons, generals and soldiers were all mobilized one by one and began to march towards Baoning Prefecture.
The next day, early in the morning, 50,000 elite Shu troops assembled outside Chengdu City and rushed to Baoning Prefecture to provide support.
Gao Cheng was wearing a suit of armor inlaid with copper nails, riding on a maroon horse, and personally led the troops with a heroic look on his face.
Although the Shu army had been at ease for a long time, but now the troops were in full force. Looking from afar, one could still sense a fierce and murderous aura sweeping over silently.
Obviously, Gao Cheng used Jiange as a bridgehead to resist the entry of Beijing troops into Shu and as a line of defense for the decisive battle.
On the other hand, Chen Yuan of Shunqing Prefecture, together with Chen Ran, Prince of Wei, and Chen Wei, Prince of Liang, sent troops all the way to Baoning Prefecture to provide assistance.
Finally, on the third day, Chen Yuan and other White Lotus soldiers arrived in Langzhong in a mighty force.
In Langzhong City, there were 3,500 Bashu soldiers and horses, and the general defending the city was a lieutenant general named Zhou Gu.
Accompanied by a group of generals and officers, Zhou Gu welcomed Chen Yuan, Chen Ran, Chen Wei and others into the city, and everyone sat down.
Chen Yuan looked solemn and asked, "Where did the imperial army fight to?"
At this moment, the lieutenant general's face became serious, and he said, "The troops of the Beijing camp have set up more than ten camps and have arrived at the city of Baoning. The war should have started in the past few days."
Chen Yuan nodded and said, "Let's take a rest in the city."
Chen Ran asked: "Where are the troops from Chengdu Prefecture now?"
The lieutenant general bowed and said, "The day before yesterday, Chengdu Prefecture sent troops and said that the army would arrive at Jiange first, and Master Gao will personally lead the vanguard troops to Yangping Pass."
Chen Ran nodded, feeling relieved.
This shows that these soldiers were not used as cannon fodder to resist the imperial camp in Beijing.
Chen Yuan said: "Baoningfu City has no strategic location to defend. It's a pity that Yangpingguan City was captured by the enemy. Otherwise, if our army strictly guarded Yangpingguan, how could we let the Beijing camp army take it in one fell swoop?"
Speaking of this, Chen Yuan cursed in his heart again, the Sichuan Army was really useless, they couldn't even hold the pass despite relying on the geographical advantage.
……
……
Northwest, Hamiwei
Jin Xuan, wearing a red copper armor with a mountain character on it, was standing at the foot of the city gate tower, gazing at the straight and spacious official road in the distance. He could see the Dzungar Mongolian soldiers in tents, and the soldiers holding weapons were moving back and forth in the military tents.
On the wilderness covered with yellow sand, one could see broken swords and guns, burning flags, and clouds of black smoke and bonfires rising in all directions.
Pang Shili put down the telescope in his hand, turned his eyes to Jin Xuan, and said in a deep voice: "General Jin, the offensive of the Junggar army has been a little slower in the past few days."
Jin Xuan reached out and gently touched the top of the city wall, feeling the heat, and said with emotion: "The weather is hot, and the Junggar soldiers have been stationed under the city for many days."
Pang Shili looked at the Junggar camp in the distance with thick eyebrows, and said in a deep voice: "In the past few days, the Junggar's harassment of the grain route has become more and more severe."
Jin Xuan pondered for a moment, his eyes warm, and asked in surprise: "Didn't General Pang send elite cavalry over there before?"
Pang Shili said: "In the past few days, the enemy has been harassing the grain route. It is fine as long as the grain route is peaceful, but it is equally difficult to eliminate the harassing enemy bandits."
Jin Xuan said: "It is the hottest summer day now. The Junggar army has come from afar and does not have enough food, fodder and water. When they run out of food and water, our army will take advantage of the situation and kill them. We can achieve complete success."
Pang Shili nodded, his eyes flashing fiercely under his thick eyebrows, which showed that he agreed with what Jin Xuan said.
Then, accompanied by the sound of war drums as dense as raindrops, the Junggar troops below attacked in a large scale and climbed towards the city wall.
"Whizzing……"
Black arrows fell like rain, hitting the city wall with a clanging sound, and from time to time there could be heard the sound of "pop" as they penetrated the flesh.
The Han army was equally unwilling to fall behind. They drew their bows and arrows, held guns and set up cannons, and fired continuously at the soldiers below.
And just like that, accompanied by a puff of blood mist, it can be seen that the soldiers of the Junggar tribe, at this moment, almost fell to the ground like wheat.
The fighting continued until dusk, when the Junggar troops retreated quickly like the tide.