Chapter 343: The chaos in the Central Plains

Zhang Huan's words when he arrived in the capital: "I want to comfort me in front of the spirit of the Taimiao Emperor" made Pei Jun sleepless all night. Zhang Huan's meaning was better than anyone else. The Palace of Prince Yu had just been established and was paying attention to it, but he wanted to go to the Taimiao to sacrifice. Who can't understand the information revealed in it? This made Pei Jun nervous than Lu Qi's platform. The Central Plains War is about to break out, and the stability of the court is more important than everything!

As soon as dawn, Pei Jun ordered someone to go to the Ministry of War to spy on Zhang Huan's movements. He learned that although he had entered the Ministry of War, his carriage was parked outside the gate, and his personal guard rode his horse and waited, as if he was about to leave at any time. Pei Jun, who was anxious, finally couldn't help but came to the door to advise him personally.

"Come uninvited, I hope Mr. Zhang will not be surprised!"

Pei Jun stepped into the door, but found a scene that made him embarrassed. Zhang Huan was rectifying the order of the Ministry of War! He was a little confused.

Zhang Huan smiled like a fox. Doesn’t Pei Jun’s arrival justify his eagerness to resolve the matter between Cui Qinggong and Wadeqing?

"Everyone go back to the court room! I will set a detailed rule to send to everyone in the afternoon."

Zhang Huan waved his hand and ordered everyone to part first. He quickly walked up to greet Pei Jun and bowed to him, and said with apologetically: "I wanted to deal with some trivial matters in the ministry and went to the Secretariat, but I was really ashamed to let the Prime Minister come in person."

"Where! I was passing by here and saw that the Ministry of War was quite lively, so I came in and took a look. I happened to meet the Shangshu cleaning up the family affairs. If I had known I would not have come in, haha!"

The two looked at each other and laughed to the sky knowingly. Zhang Huan quickly asked Pei Jun to enter the room for tea and sit down. Pei Jun was already sure that Zhang Huan would not go to Taimiao for the time being, and his nervous mood was slightly relaxed. He took a sip of the strong hot tea and smiled: "Does the Shangshu know that Wu Yuanheng is the descendant of Emperor Zetian?"

"A small head of the Ministry of War can make Pei Xiangguo remember it. This shows that Pei Xiangguo is very clear and Zhang Huan feels inferior." Zhang Huan sarcastically sarcastically. Before Pei Jun answered, he changed his tone and said solemnly: "I think it's not important who will be the Ministry of War supervision. What's important is to reverse the decadent style of going to court in the court. I think Pei Xiangguo should have a deeper understanding than me."

He spoke so frankly and explicitly, Pei Jun was not careful for a moment, and smiled awkwardly, but could not find a way to correspond. Zhang Huan did not stop there. He continued to pressure Pei Jun: "If Pei thought that officials went to court too early, and reorganized the system, instead of letting them do what they did. Once the Beijing officials are like this, what about the local counties? Officials judged cases at home, and not to mention that the people around the pillow are easy to interfere in politics, the complainant may be difficult to pass even the doorman's secretary. If this wind is not stopped, the Tang Dynasty will be in danger!"

Pei Jun sighed, "Oh! Why don't I want to restrain the officials?"

He shook his head and said helplessly: "But Cui Qinggong has always been a big problem for me. If he doesn't get rid of it for a day, I will not dare to act rashly for a day, let alone pursuing the ruling of the court. For fear that he will use the chaos in the court. Seeing that Cui Qinggong and Wei De Qing's merger have been completed, the Central Plains will be damaged again. I will devote all my efforts to this matter every day. Zhang Shangshu will help me."

After going around, Pei Jun still turned the topic to what he came today. A broken Tang Dynasty would not benefit anyone. He has decided to work with Cui Xiaofu to eliminate the cancer of Cui Qinggong, and at the same time he can also help the Wei family up to increase the bargaining chips against Zhang Huan.

But he was also afraid that Zhang Huan would take the opportunity to attack Hedong and reuse the old tricks of the three major families attacking Zhu Li, so today he came to Zhang Huan specifically, hoping that he could take the overall situation into consideration.

"How do you want me to help?" Zhang Huan said with a smile.

Pei Jun was stunned when he heard him call him father-in-law, and then he understood what Zhang Huan meant. The implication was that they were a family, and the family would not be able to mess up internally.

Pei Jun suddenly felt a little ashamed, but this shame disappeared instantly, and the feelings of the father-in-law and son-in-law were far inferior to his desire to monopolize the power. He pondered for a moment and said, "Cui Qinggong has gradually lost control of his subordinates, and the generals under his command are all arrogant and domineering. Once Cui Qinggong's army splits, countless warlords will appear in the Central Plains, and the Anshi Rebellion will resurrect. Therefore, we must completely eliminate this confidant problem when Cui Qinggong's military is weak. I have no requirements for a virtuous son-in-law. I just hope that the virtuous son-in-law can help me control the overall situation. This is enough!"

After saying that, he looked at his son-in-law with expectations, hoping that he could agree.

However, Zhang Huan did not agree generously immediately. His original plan was to start to eradicate Cui Qinggong and Li Xilie after the Battle of Xiangyang, so that Xiangyang and Jianghuai would be connected together. Similarly, Wei Deqing could not make him bigger.

But the Anxi change disrupted his plan and forced him to implement the Anxi strategy in advance. Now that he has just taken Anxi, it still takes time to consolidate the results of Anxi and Hexi, and the main army will also be transferred back.

At this time, Cui Xiaofu and Pei Jun joined forces to deal with Cui Qinggong. He wanted to interfere in Zhongyuan, but it was too late to go.

However, he also knew that there was a way to hold Pei Jun back, but he didn't want to do this. He would rather take some detours than lose any political points, and things might not be as simple as they thought.

Politics is like military tactics, and it also emphasizes tolerance and waiting. Zhang Huan has been tolerant for three years, so for him now, there is only one word for what he needs to do: "Wait", and wait patiently for the opportunity to appear.

Thinking of this, Zhang Huan sighed softly, "I also know that the Central Plains Rebellion is about to begin, and Zhang Huan is indeed willing but not capable enough. Although the Battle of Anxi won a small victory, it is far from over the end of the battle. The attitude of the big food is unclear. Can Ann stop the war? The Uighurs' civil strife has been quelled. How can it ensure that it will not make a comeback? Tubo won't be able to let it go? Tubo lost his life in Anxi, how can he let it go? There is also the need to prevent Shatu people from returning to their hometown to rebel, and to suppress the ready and independent spirit of all ethnic groups in Anxi. All the above crises have made Zhang Huan frustrated and unable to sleep or eat more than his father-in-law. The army in Longyou has been waiting for the sword and is ready to advance west at any time. The matters of the Central Plains can only be taken by his father-in-law and the empress dowager. Zhang Huan also hopes that Cui Qingyi will be eliminated as soon as possible."

Pei Jun stared at Zhang Huan's eyes tightly, and Pei Jun saw a trace of sincerity in his eyes.

In Ruyang City, shrouded in the dark clouds of war, Cui Qinggong finally lost his last patience after confronting Wei Deqing for nearly two months. He had just received the news that Wei Deqing actually sold his concubine to a brothel and clearly marked the price: the concubine of the Prince of Ruyang, 200 yuan a day, which made Chenliu people flock to him. Such a great shame made Cui Qinggong furious and vowed to kill all the men in Chenliu County.

At this moment, he ordered General Yang Tieman to be the left marshal and the title of General Hantian, and led 30,000 troops to march into Xuchang. He ordered Ma Dawei to be the right marshal and the title of General Anti-Heaven, and led 40,000 troops to attack Qiao County. He himself led 120,000 troops to march northward and march into Chenzhou. Three armies attacked Chenliu Weideqing's troops. Because the military rations were difficult to collect, Cui Qinggong ordered the army to eat along the way.

Cui Qinggong's adviser Ma Si suspected that he was buying saltpeter in Guangling County. On the way back, he learned that Cui Qinggong had finally ordered to advance north. He was shocked and rushed to the road overnight. Finally, he rushed back to Ruyang City on the day Cui Qinggong sent troops.

"Your Ma Siyi must not!" Ma Siyi almost got out and knelt in front of Cui Qinggong. He repeatedly whined: "Wai Deqing wanted to inspire the prince to send troops first, with the purpose of making the prince bear an unjust crime. Now that the prince ordered the army to eat along the way, it would inevitably cause people to suffer a disaster, and re-take Zhu Li's old path, so that the prince would lose all the hearts of the people in the world. This is one of the unwise. The prince also gave Yang and Ma Generals a title that shook the sky and defied the heavens. This is obviously accused of rebellion, which will only make the court angry and support Wei Deqing. This is the second unwise. Isn't the prince not hearing that the country is based on the people, and those who win the hearts of the people will win the world? If the prince lacks enough food and grass, he can cut down his troops and encourage farmers to farm in mulberry fields. He will gain something in three or five years. Do not eat along the way, imitate Jie and Zhou's disaster to the people!"

"Enough!" Cui Qinggong cried out, "The way of heaven is normal, not for Yao, not for Jie, since ancient times, those who do great things have no worries about the common people! If I don't indulge soldiers, just eat, where does the soldiers get their combat power? The court played with me several times, just because I was too weak. Zhang Huan was able to squeeze into the prime minister if I was strong, but I could only commit myself to become a thief. I have seen through these villains who bully the weak and fear the strong. In front of me, I will put away your sour and rotten tricks in the future."

Cui Qinggong felt that this person was pedantic. In the past few years, he could have made some conspiracies and tricks for himself, but now he only dragged himself back. What kind of people wins the hearts of the people win the world? He has come to this day. Can he still take back the hearts of the people? This person is really like Yang Tieman's comment. He is calculating all day long and is useless. He remembered that he once wrote a letter to be loyal to Pei Jun. Cui Qinggong was even more disgusted. He glared and said, "I'll ask you, you said that the gunpowder smoke is too big because of impure sulfur. I will give you money to buy it in Guangling. What about now? Where is your gunpowder?"

After several experiments, Ma Siyi finally confirmed that Zhang Huan's thunder was the gunpowder for Taoist alchemy, but the gunpowder he obtained was not the kind that was rumored in Zhang Huan's army, "sound like thunder, red flames soared into the sky, and the city stones were all powdered." Instead, it only emitted black smoke and no flames were seen. It was even extinguished halfway, which made Cui Qinggong, who was extremely expectant, extremely disappointed. In anger, he killed all the alchemy Taoist priests he recruited, and ordered him to create the gunpowder from Zhang Huan's army within three months. He inquired from many sources and asked for guidance from experts, saying that it was because of the impure sulfur produced in the Central Plains. More than a month ago, he went to Guangling to order a batch of Japanese sulfur, but it had not arrived yet.

"Don't worry, my subordinates have already made some mistakes in this matter. Give me another half a year and I will be able to develop military gunpowder."

"Half a year!" Cui Qinggong was furious. He swung the whip and was about to whip down, but he did not whip down in the end. He just slammed the whip on the table, pointed at Ma Sisi's suspicious nose and said, "You can make gunpowder for me within one month, otherwise I want your head!"

"But where can I have time for a month?" Ma Siyi screamed in dismay. For a month, even his sulfur has not arrived yet!

"It's your business whether you have time. I don't care what you do. Even if you go to Longyou to steal, I just need to see the gunpowder I want within a month, otherwise...." Cui Qinggong bent down and stared at his eyes fiercely and said, "What will happen to your parents, wife and children? Don't blame me for being cruel and vicious."

"You..." Ma Si's suspicion surged in his chest, and his parents, wife and children fell into his hands.

Cui Qinggong stood up and glanced at him coldly and said, "Go! You only have one month to do it one day earlier, and you will see your family one day earlier."

As soon as Ma Siyi left, a person immediately walked out of Cui Qinggong's inner tent. He looked at Ma Siyi's back and said coldly: "Prince, this person is a useless scholar. What are you leaving for him to do?"

Cui Qinggong shook his head gently, "You don't know that his girl is Ma Dawei's wife. I'm afraid that killing him will cause Ma Dawei's dissatisfaction, so I keep him for a few months."

Speaking of this, Cui Qinggong looked at the person in front of him and smiled: "Does Brother Zhu think the Wei family really won't let Wei Deqing go?"

This brother Zhu is only about thirty years old, with dark skin and a bunch of beards, so he looks like he is forty years old. Of course, Cui Qinggong is clear about his old background, and everyone sitting there is also very clear about him. He is Zhu Tao, the younger brother of Zhu Li. After the assassination of Zhang Huan in Baling County, he surrendered to Cui Qinggong and became his aide.

Zhu Tao smiled faintly and said, "Wei Yan is a narrow-minded person and is very suspicious. Just by watching him keep Wei Deqing's mother in Wei's mansion, you will know that he can't believe Wei Deqing at all. Otherwise, why should Wei Qing go to Chenliu as the governor? Therefore, no matter how loyal Wei Deqing is, he is not. Wei Yan will definitely use this battle to capture the army into his own hands."

Cui Qinggong nodded, and he pondered for a moment and said to Zhu Tao: "Anotherwise, I really want to get Zhang Huan's gunpowder formula and production method. Although Ma Siyi is a little scheming, he may not be able to get it, so I want to ask Mr. Zhu to work hard, how about it?"

Zhu Tao immediately gave a long tribute and said with a sigh: "Zhu Tao was lucky enough to be taken in by the prince. He just regretted that he had no reward for his achievements and was willing to serve the prince."

Let’s talk about Ma Siyi returning to the mansion with a dejected look. The mansion was empty and his family had been taken away by Cui Qinggong. Thinking of his loyalty, he ended up like this, Ma Siyi couldn’t help but gritted his teeth. If it weren’t for his family’s hands, he would definitely defect to Wadeqing and kill the demon with his own hands in the future.

Ma Si was both regretful and hated in his heart, and thought that his parents, wife and children might not be able to see him from now on. From then on, he finally couldn't help but lie on the table and burst into tears. At this time, a series of footsteps suddenly came from behind him, and someone advised him: "Brother Ma, crying is useless. Let's think of a way to save my sister-in-law and nephew!"

Ma Siyi quickly wiped his tears, turned around and looked at the person behind him and said, "Mr. Jiang, what can I do?"

Mr. Jiang is named Jiang Gan, who is the master who has pointed out that gunpowder may be impure sulfur. He claims to be a merchant in Shu and has dealt with Longyou Army, so he knows something about gunpowder. Not long ago, he took Ma Siyi to Guangling to buy sulfur. Because he was smart and capable, very smart, and was quite in love with Ma Siyi, he refused to let him go.

Jiang Gan smiled slightly and said, "I see Brother Ma is so anxious. Have you forgotten whose parents are?"

Ma Siyi slapped himself suddenly, but he forgot that his brother-in-law is Ma Dawei, a general under Cui Qinggong! But after a second thought, he shook his head in frustration and said, "If you don't know Cui Qinggong, he will let my parents go at most, but he will never let my wife and children go lightly, and he still has to find a way out of gunpowder."

"Maybe I have some clues." Jiang Gan thought for a while and said, "I have an uncle who is doing business in Chang'an. I have his guidance from Longyou. He has a good relationship with many generals in the Longyou Army. Why don't you go and find him to see if he can find any way."

"What does your uncle do?" Ma Si asked with some doubts.

Jiang Gan smiled and said, "My uncle's surname is Hu. He opens a jewelry store in Dongcheng City, Chang'an. However, this jewelry store is just a cover. In fact, he is doing military products. If you go to him, you will say it was my introduction. I will write you a letter later."

"It may not be a good idea for me to go alone." Ma Siyi bowed to him repeatedly, "I have never met your uncle. How could he help you easily with such a busy life? Why would Brother Jiang accompany me? I will thank you very much afterwards."

"this...."

Jiang Gan seemed very embarrassed, "I still have to go to Guangling to buy goods. I may not be able to get away for a while. Brother Ma, I am really sorry."

Ma Si was extremely sick at this time and he would not let him go as long as he had a glimmer of hope to rescue his wife and children. What's more, he only had one month left? He grabbed Jiang Gan's arm and begged him, "I'm already desperate. For the sake of our friendship, you can help brother this time!"

"This... OK!" Jiang Gan nodded reluctantly and agreed.

On the eighth day of the twelfth month of the first year of Yong'an, Cui Qinggong paid homage to the heaven and earth, and formally sent troops to Chenliu in three groups. Nearly 200,000 troops were in full force, burning, killing, raped, and robbing people's wealth along the way. Wei Deqing's army retreated to Chenliu.
Chapter completed!