Chapter 833 Death!

"My lord, Yishan County and the Sushan military camp cannot have problems. Once they do, this battle is unwinnable."

The blind man said, reaching into his pocket and fumbling around, but couldn't find what he was looking for.

Seeing this, Zheng Fan tossed him an orange.

The blind man caught it and began to peel it, but it felt rough. He frowned slightly.

Oranges, when peeled, are difficult at first, but then they willingly undress for you. Oranges are different, with no progression or layers. The former is art, the latter is hard labor.

"I naturally know this."

Zheng Fan put his hand to his forehead and continued:

"I've read the reports from all the logistics areas; it's very difficult. Let alone supporting a long-term war outside Nanmen Pass, just gathering these troops here is a huge burden on the daily rations of soldiers and laborers.

If we haven't even gone out to fight yet, and we have an internal rebellion first, and then the structure and environment near Nanmen Pass collapses, this battle will be even more unwinnable.

Qian and Chu would be delighted."

"Chen Yang made a mistake this time." The blind man said to Zheng Fan while struggling with the orange, "What did you originally plan to do with Chen Yang, my lord?"

"Set an example."

Concise and to the point.

Although Zheng Fan himself had done things like sacrificing comrades to save himself when he was a garrison commander in Cuiliu Fort, this didn't prevent him from standing on the moral high ground and criticizing Chen Yang's disregard for the overall situation.

Moreover, with the army gathered and a new commander taking office, a fire needed to be lit.

Everyone understands the principle of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys, but that doesn't affect its practicality, because monkeys just eat that.

"Kill him or not?" the blind man asked.

Zheng Fan replied:

"I'm hesitating."

The blind man smiled and said, "That's all there is to it. Your style has always been direct. Although you've always upheld righteousness, at critical moments, you wouldn't give face to anyone.

So, Chen Yang probably knows what awaits them.

Putting myself in his shoes,

If the same thing happened to me, and my life and death were still being weighed by those above, I would also rebel.

Moreover, Yishan County is not alone. The blame won't fall on him alone. You should know that when Chen Yang claimed illness and stayed home, the imperial envoy initially wanted to pick a general from Chen Yang's subordinates to temporarily take over the affairs of the Sushan military camp, but none of them gave him face.

At first, it was for loyalty and righteousness, but now that the boss is in trouble, the younger brothers will inevitably be implicated. Even if Chen Yang is willing to plead guilty with thorns on his back, will the little warlords under him be willing?"

"I know this principle. It depends on whether Chen Yang himself can control his troops."

"Yes."

The blind man put down the half-peeled orange, put his fingers to his nose, and sniffed. After hesitating for a while, he finally said:

"My lord, since the Secret Intelligence Division has noticed something, it means that there must be movement at the Sushan military camp."

"And then?"

"How many chances of success do you think Chen Yang has if he really rebels, my lord?"

"Unless he gives Nanmen Pass to Qian and Chu, and goes to Qian to be a dog himself, otherwise, he has no chance of success."

Zheng Fan said this with great confidence.

The fact is indeed the case. At this time, Zheng Fan had gathered so many troops around him. Even if Chen Yang rebelled with just the Sushan military camp, the army was right in front of him and could pounce on him immediately. As long as he dared to stir up trouble in Jin, he would be suppressed immediately.

Moreover, rebellion inherently lacks legitimacy. With Prince Jingnan not around, Chen Yang's rebellion, excluding Chen Yang and his close confidant generals, how many of the remaining generals and soldiers would be willing to follow him wholeheartedly?

And even if he surrendered Nanmen Pass, it was questionable whether Qian and Chu would dare to take it rashly. Even if he led his troops out of the pass to defect, how many people would be willing to go with him to a foreign country to be "wandering ghosts"?

The Sushan military camp is mainly composed of Yan soldiers, and the composition of the army under Prince Pingxi's command is very different.

Furthermore,

Doesn't Chen Yang understand the principle that there won't be a good outcome if he goes to Qian to be a dog?

"Therefore, I also believe that Chen Yang most likely won't openly rebel himself."

"Hmm?"

"I just accidentally put myself in Chen Yang's perspective, and then I discovered that there is a better way than rebellion to resolve the current situation."

"What way?"

"Rebellion."

"Isn't that the same?"

"It's to... place the yellow robe on you, my lord." (a euphemism for urging someone to become emperor)

Hearing this, Zheng Fan's eyes narrowed;

Perhaps because the blind man has been pondering rebellion for many years, he was able to quickly think of this, and after this point, Zheng Fan himself immediately understood the wonderful use of this trick.

Originally, he was going to punish him and bring him to justice,

But he turned around and gave himself this move. As long as the rice is cooked, he would have to acknowledge him, not only exempting him from the previous crimes but also owing him a favor.

Chen Yang could also directly transform from an "Yishan County" into an "important minister who followed the dragon."

The blind man muttered, "Right now, it is indeed a good opportunity to put on the yellow robe. After all, the imperial court has just had an unpleasant relationship with the warlords in Jin, Li Fusheng is dead in battle, and you, my lord, have gathered so many troops around you.

If you really make up your mind, this matter might be successful."

"So, you agree?" Zheng Fan looked at the blind man with interest, "Shall we just go with the flow?"

The blind man shook his head without hesitation, picked up the half-peeled orange again and continued to peel it, saying, "How could I agree? I want to play rebellion myself. This is only fun if you do it yourself. He stole my gaming experience."

"Hahaha."

"My lord, facing this situation, I have three strategies."

"Speak."

"The worst strategy, you go alone..."

"Eliminated."

"Yes, the middle strategy, we prepare in advance, the army continues to advance, bypass the Sushan military camp, and go to Nanmen Pass first. Chen Yang himself should also be at Nanmen Pass. When the army arrives, he won't be able to cause trouble."

"What about the best strategy?"

"The best strategy is naturally in your mind, my lord."

"What if I don't have any strategy? Wouldn't your flattery be very awkward?"

The blind man shook his head and said, "In politics, you actually have more talent than I do, my lord."

"You say, those Chen Yang and others, don't they regard me as a prince? Hehe, when Old Tian was around, I knew they had this idea, but they didn't dare when Old Tian was around.

Now that I'm here, they dare. They really don't take me seriously."

"But they are very prone to making mistakes."

"Yes."

"But I believe that you already have a plan, my lord."

"Alright."

Zheng Fan sighed and said:

"Pass down the order, the army continues to advance, the central army changes its route, bypasses the Sushan military camp, and goes to Suzhou City first."

...

No one expected that the central army of Prince Pingxi would directly bypass the Sushan military camp and head straight for Suzhou City.

Although the people in the Suzhou City area could be regarded as having waited for the "sea-stabilizing needle," after all, Prince Pingxi had arrived with his army, so the Qian dogs and Chu slaves would naturally not be able to invade, and at the same time, the war that everyone had foreseen should not happen.

But the officials in Suzhou City didn't think so. After all, the prince came all the way from the west, refusing to meet officials from various places and passing through cities without entering. Now that the destination was near, instead of going to the Sushan military camp or Nanmen Pass, he came to Suzhou City first. What was he going to do?

Liang Cheng didn't come this time and stayed in Jidong. There was no other way, someone capable had to be left to guard the home, and at the same time, someone with influence could mobilize all the troops in Jidong when Prince Pingxi was not around. Liang Cheng was the only one who could do it.

And this time, the person Zheng Fan personally appointed to be the commander of his central army was Ren Juan.

When Zheng Fan was the General of Shengle, he was Zheng Fan's superior.

Ren Juan is now conferred the title of Shunhai County, and his garrison is located in the former Jin capital.

The subordinates of the past now needed to kneel and greet him, Ren Juan himself didn't feel awkward, but Prince Pingxi himself was a little embarrassed.

Therefore, this time on the commander's carriage, Prince Pingxi sat in the first seat, and Ren Juan knelt beside him.

"After this matter is over, please take a trip to Nanmen Pass, Shunhai County."

"Don't worry, my lord, this general will never let Chen Yang do such a thing!"

"Putting national affairs first is the teaching left by the prince."

The prince Zheng Fan was talking about was naturally Prince Jingnan.

Ren Juan nodded,

and said:

"After this, Chen Yang has no reason to cause any trouble."

Zheng Fan smiled slightly and tapped his finger lightly on the table.

"Tea."

"Smoke."

Then,

under Ren Juan's twitching gaze,

His Highness the Crown Prince brought the tea,

and the Heir Apparent of Prince Jingnan lit the cigarette with a fire starter.

Ren Juan really couldn't even imagine this kind of treatment, but Prince Pingxi was calm and composed. Now, he was used to it, and the children seemed to be even more used to it.

In comparison, Ren Juan felt that Prince Jingnan had always adhered to certain rules and bottom lines, while the prince in front of him completely ignored and even seemed to enjoy trampling on these rules.

At this time,

Prince Pingxi took a sip of tea, exhaled a puff of smoke,

and said to the two eager children in front of him:

"Go."

The two children walked out hand in hand, very excited and nervous.

...

Outside the commander's carriage, in front, was a group of officials waiting to welcome the prince. Everyone was neatly lined up in several rows. As for the people in the Suzhou area, they were separated by the soldiers under Ren Juan's command, because the yamen runners and guards in Suzhou City alone could no longer stop the enthusiastic local people.

There was no way, Prince Jingnan's reputation among the people was difficult to improve because he had exterminated his entire family;

With the rise of Zheng Fan, from Earl Pingye to Marquis Pingxi to the current Prince, it could be said that in the past few years, every time the Great Yan won a great victory, the imperial court had its own calculations, but the people were more willing to attribute the credit and boasting to Zheng Fan.

Because Zheng Fan's background was clean and relatable.

What came from this was the huge prestige from the people.

Children also knew that when playing war games, being spanked with the sole of his shoe if he played Prince Jingnan, but if he played Prince Pingxi, his father would show a gratified smile and say to his mother:

That Prince Pingxi came from a family like ours!

However, the surging crowds on the outside could not affect the trepidation of the Suzhou officials within the circle;

Because,

the commander's carriage had long stopped there, but the prince himself had not come out.

Standing at the front of the officials was not the governor of Suzhou, but the prefect of Litian City, Zhou Furui. Standing beside Zhou Furui was Imperial Envoy Xu Qingshan, holding the imperial envoy's scepter.

Zhou Furui's hair was a little disheveled, meaning that he had been restless recently;

And Xu Qingshan, his official uniform was impeccable, his hair was meticulous, but his whole body exuded a kind of twilight.

The imperial court's inquiries came one after another. In fact, it was already going through the process, waiting for the final conviction.

But at least for now, he was still an imperial envoy, so it was justified for him to stand side by side with Zhou Furui in front of the officials of Suzhou.

The sun was shining brightly,

but the commander's carriage was still silent.

Zhou Furui walked over first and came to the front of the commander's carriage,

and said:

"Zhou Furui, the prefect of Litian, pays respects to Prince Pingxi, may Your Highness be well!"

The commander's carriage didn't move.

Zhou Furui turned his head and looked at Xu Qingshan behind him.

Xu Qingshan stepped forward holding the scepter.

At first glance, he was indeed a talented and personable man, with the aura of an official.

Because he was carrying the imperial mandate as an imperial envoy, he did not bow,

but said on equal terms:

"Imperial Envoy Xu Qingshan has seen Prince Pingxi."

As soon as he finished speaking,

there was movement inside the commander's carriage.

The curtain was lifted,

Just as everyone subconsciously stood on tiptoe to see, two small figures appeared at the front of the commander's carriage.

One was wearing a well-fitting golden dragon robe, and the other was wearing a white python robe.

Their identities were actually easy to guess and recognize.

Zhou Furui immediately knelt down,

Xu Qingshan also knelt down,

The governor of Suzhou behind them also knelt down,

The officials behind hadn't seen the figures clearly and only felt that Prince Pingxi couldn't be so short, but seeing the three giants in front kneeling, they immediately knelt down as well.

Zhou Furui and Xu Qingshan said in unison:

"We pay respects to His Highness the Crown Prince, may Your Highness live ten thousand years!"

Then,

the two got up,

Zhou Furui bowed down to the Heir Apparent:

"This official pays respects to His Highness the Heir Apparent, may Your Highness be well."

Xu Qingshan said, "I have seen His Highness the Heir Apparent."

Whether it was the Crown Prince or Tiantian, they had both seen big scenes.

Those in the prince's mansion were very clear on how much the Crown Prince could pretend to be an adult; as for Tiantian, Zheng Fan had even taken him to fight in battles before, how could he be stage-frightened?

But at this time,

the two children looked at each other, obviously a little nervous. This was the first time they had done such a thing.

After all, Tiantian was older and took on the responsibility of an older brother.

Tiantian pointed at Xu Qingshan,

and asked:

"Are you the Imperial Envoy Xu?"

Xu Qingshan nodded and said, "Replying to Your Highness, it is indeed Xu."

The Crown Prince also coughed lightly at this time,

and said:

"Xu... Qingshan."

Xu Qingshan bowed down,

and said:

"What are your orders, Your Highness?"

The Crown Prince pointed at Xu Qingshan,

and said:

"Why don't you..."

The Crown Prince stuttered a little.

Xu Qingshan raised his head in confusion and looked at the Crown Prince, asking:

"What's wrong with me, Your Highness?"

The Crown Prince replied:

"Why aren't you dead yet?"