"We have to go." Wang Zhikun did not say these words. He only glanced coldly at the generals in the tent and slapped the table. In a meaningful and heartfelt tone, he said, "I don't care who these Black Knights belong to. I only know that the Bureau of Military Affairs' winter training order says very clearly that no one can stop the 3,000 riders of the Yanjing Camp entering Dongyi!"
The 3,000 Yanjing soldiers were just a test. They were the vanguard. It was the attitude the court was showing as it pressed toward the Great Prince step by step. Wang Zhikun's eyes narrowed slightly as a cold light gradually rose in them. He squeezed his voice into an icy line. "No matter what, the 10,000 soldiers the Great Prince leads are, in the end, people of the Qing Kingdom. The Great Prince cannot take the risk of a mutiny and bring those soldiers to stop them. Thus, the problem at hand is the 1,000 Black Knights placed around Niutou Mountain. The day after tomorrow, we will send the Bureau of Military Affairs' transfer order to them. If they are still not willing to give way, then it can only prove that they are no longer part of the Qing Kingdom's army."
"But, the Emperor's attitude toward Sir Fan junior is still unclear," a general said worriedly. If the Yanjing Camp actually fought with the Black Knights, it would be the same as officially shedding all pretense of cordiality with Fan Xian's faction. The atmosphere in Jingdou was very delicate. The generals in Yanjing did not know exactly how the person in the Palace was planning to deal with Fan Xian. If they just wanted to give Fan Xian the cold shoulder, then the Yanjing Camp's actions were too dark and heavy. In the future, it would be difficult to salvage the situation.
The tent was deep in Yanjing. It was actually a very large room. However, it had a name with a strong military flavor. The generals in the room were all Wang Zhikun's trusted subordinates, so there were many things they could say that were not taboo. Some things could be said openly.
The worry the general spoke of earlier was actually the worry in Wang Zhikun's heart. The Emperor had indeed removed all of Fan Xian's official positions, but he had never truly questioned him. Who knew how the situation would develop in the future?
Outside Yanjing, the 1,000 Black Riders at the foot of Niutou Mountain were indeed a powerful force. However, Wang Zhikun had led troops for 20 years. The Yanjing Camp controlled 100,000 elite soldiers. Just based on numbers and equipment, they were the best of the Qing Kingdom's Five Roads border soldiers. It was impossible that they could not break through the 1,000 Black Riders' blockade.
The problem at hand was that it was impossible for Yanjing to throw in all its troops. Once the flames of war ignited, Dongyi would only belong in name. The hearts of the people would not be settled. It would probably lead to the Qing Kingdom's first true civil war.
Wang Zhikun did not dare to bear this kind of historical responsibility. His position in the military had already climbed to the top. Regardless of what other contributions he made on the battlefield, at most, he would return to Jingdou like Commander Ye and become the Head of the Bureau of Military Affairs. There would be some progress in his reputation, but in reality, there were no benefits. For this Governor of Yanjing, there was very little room left in life for him to struggle.
Thus, he had to think about the descendants of his family and the future. Although the Emperor still looked down on the world, he was, in the end, old. There would come a day when he would pass away. If Fan Xian could survive this storm … No, even if Fan Xian couldn't, once the Third Prince sat on the throne, given his relationship with Fan Xian, would he tolerate him?
Wang Zhikun's brows were furrowed tightly. After all, he was a military Commander. He was skilled in strategy on the battlefield, but it was difficult for him to notice the movements in the details. The matter of the Jingdou concubines had not allowed him to understand the Emperor's plans. His brows furrowed tightly and then relaxed. Finally, he made up his mind. In a cold voice, he said, "We'll move the day after tomorrow. If anyone dares to stop us, seize their weapons!"
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…
All of the Yanjing generals had their own thoughts and left the camp with heavy hearts. They were not sure if the military operation the day after tomorrow would actually cause a conflict with the Black Knights. They also did not know if the Great Prince in Dongyi would actually lead the 10,000 elite soldiers back to the East and directly oppose the Qing Kingdom's border soldiers. To sum it up, these loyal Qing generals were worried whether the Qing Kingdom's first civil war would erupt in the area under their jurisdiction.
Governor Wang seemed to have made up his mind. That night, he went to the Mei manor and found the leader of the civil officials in Yanjing, Mei Zhili.
Mei Zhili was Duke Liu's student. Although he did not have a deep relationship with Fan Xian, he was familiar with Fan Xian. After hearing Commander Wang's sincere request for advice, Sir Mei lightly asked Wang Zhikun a question.
"Zhi 'er is still in Jingdou, right?" Mei Zhili had left his position as the Jingdou magistrate in the fourth year of the Qing calendar and had come to Yanjing. He cooperated harmoniously with Governor Wang's military and political affairs and rarely meddled. Governor Wang deeply understood Sir Mei's foresight and strategy. Just by being able to leave the position of Jingdou magistrate unscathed, one could tell how capable he was in officialdom. The two of them had a good personal relationship, so Sir Mei addressed the young lady of the Wang family as naturally as he would a junior and only called her Zhi 'er.
Hearing the words "Zhi 'er," Governor Wang's expression did not change. His heart, which had been tempered by the ice and snow of the battlefield, trembled involuntarily. He knew what Mei Zhili wanted to make clear.
Wang Zhi 'er had entered Prince Heqing's manor in June and become the Great Prince's secondary fei. Before this young lady was married, she had been exhorted to her face by Fan Xian and lectured for a number of months. Other than Jingdou and Yanjing, most people in the world knew that other than Fan Xian's four disciples, Fan Xian had three other students of noble status. The first was the Third Prince, the second was the young lady of the Ye family, Ye Ling 'er, and the third was the young lady of the Yanjing Governor Wang's manor.
In the Qing Kingdom, filial piety was the most important word, followed by the word of one's teacher. Given the relationship between the Yanjing manor and Fan Xian, the 1,000 Black Knights blocking the foot of Niutou Mountain appeared complicated. Wang Zhikun glanced at Mei Zhili. After a moment of silence, he said, "There is an edict from the Palace and an order from the Bureau of Military Affairs. Even if it will incite some discussion in the future, this matter has to be done."
"Governor, you misunderstand." Mei Zhili's eyes were focused on his nose and his nose was focused on his heart. He had already escaped the political whirlpool of Jingdou for a number of years. Originally, he had no intention of participating in this major matter. However, he was born in the manor of Duke and had too deep a connection with Yi Guipin and the Third Prince in the Palace. Although he was currently in Yanjing, if he wanted to escape in the future, it would probably be very difficult. Thus, tonight, he had spoken these words clearly in front of Wang Zhikun.
"The teacher-student relationship between Sir Fan junior and Zhi 'er is certainly worrisome. Most importantly …" Mei Zhili sighed and looked at Wang Zhikun. "You want to send troops to Dongyi, but anyone with eyes can see that the Great Prince is no longer listening to Jingdou's edict. Zhi' er is a secondary fei of the manor. Have you thought about this problem? If the Great Prince truly takes over Dongyi and makes himself king, even if you gather 100,000 soldiers in Yanjing and take down Dongyi, what will Zhi 'er do in the manor? "
Wang Zhikun had guarded the Qing Kingdom's borders for many years and had suffered hardships. At the age of 40, he had a daughter. He loved her like a treasure and couldn't help being arrogant and willful. This created Wang Tong 'er's bad habits. Fortunately, Fan Xian had forcefully suppressed her bad temper. Every time he thought of this, Wang Zhikun felt a bit of gratitude toward Sir Fan junior. However, after being pointed out by Mei Zhili, he said in a daze, "Perhaps Sir Fan junior had long predicted the present situation? Is that why, contrary to everyone's expectations, he used his status as an official of Taichang Temple to facilitate the Great Prince's marriage to Zhi 'er? "
Thinking of this, Wang Zhikun's heart chilled. He had not thought that the Duke would have such deep and far-sighted plans. It truly made one's heart tremble.
Wang Zhikun's position was truly awkward. Although the Yanjing camp was powerful, Dongyi, where its blade was pointed, was already within the range of the Great Prince and Fan Xian's power. Yet, these two young nobles had an inextricable connection to Wang Zhikun. One was his son-in-law, and the other was his daughter's teacher.
Mei Zhili thought for a moment and then said, "As for what Sir Fan junior was thinking at the beginning, there is no point in you and me guessing now. However, there is something I must remind you. If I can think of the problem here, then the person in the Palace can also think of it. Yet, the Palace still hasn't done anything to Yanjing."
He raised his head and glanced at Wang Zhikun lightly. "If Sir Fan junior had truly predicted the present situation, then it can only be said that he had great foresight. Governor, you hold the fort in Yanjing, yet you are targeting Dongyi. If the Emperor suspects that you are not diligent enough, then no matter who comes, it will probably be difficult to solidify the Yanjing military's morale. Thus, Dongyi's safety will be a bit more guaranteed. "
"My loyalty to the Emperor can be seen by the sun and moon. If Fan Xian wants to use this, it won't work." There was no anger in Wang Zhikun's words.
Mei Zhili nodded and said, "It is clear that Sir Fan junior's arrangements have not been effective. Jingdou has not done anything to Yanjing. In the end, the Emperor is a wise ruler and trusts you greatly. Even the military order from the Bureau of Military Affairs and the secret edict from the Palace are actually a test the Emperor has given you."
Wang Zhikun was stern. He raised his fist in a salute and said, "I have learned my lesson."
Mei Zhili's expression remained serious. Slowly, he said, "But, Governor, are you really not going to consider Tong 'er anymore? Consider the discussion of the world? If you can truly subdue Dongyi in one battle, you will be a meritorious official of the Qing Kingdom. Once civil war breaks out and the flames of war continue, the pressure from all sides will be piled onto your shoulders. "
"But, what can I do? If I truly suppress my troops and do not move, I will be letting down the Emperor's trust. " Wang Zhikun's brows rose. "The conflict in Jingdou will, in the end, land on the battlefield. As the Emperor's official, there are many things I have to do."
"I have to do it. If I can't, then I won't do it." Mei Zhili looked at him calmly. After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and said, "To say something disrespectful, this is, after all, a family matter of the Emperor. As officials, you and I must be loyal to the Emperor. If the Qing Kingdom truly breaks out into civil war, how will you and I explain it to the world? The change in Jingdou should land on the battlefield. However, it is clear that Sir Fan junior and the Emperor do not wish for this turmoil to spread too far and wide. Otherwise, the Emperor would not continue to let Sir Fan junior live, and Sir Fan junior would not stay in Jingdou as a wealthy and idle person. "
"Those two are both guarding that bottom line. Governor, when you send out your troops in two days, please remember this bottom line. You can threaten or invade, but if you really want blood to flow like rivers, I think it is not wise. I'm afraid that is not the result the Emperor wants."
"But, the other party is the Black Knights. Those wolf cubs of the Overwatch Council do not know what it means to retreat," Wang Zhikun said with his eyes closed. "This is too difficult to grasp. You have to send out troops, but you can't actually fight. You can't ruin the Emperor's grand plan, but you also have to prevent the situation from becoming too serious."
Speaking of this, Governor Wang let out a deep sigh. He had lived his entire life in the light of knives and shadows, but he had never encountered such a complicated situation. If they wanted to fight, then fight. That was the simplest. Even if the other party was Fan Xian or the Great Prince, if they truly threw the East of the Kingdom into chaos, the Emperor would not be happy.
"Since the Emperor has a secret edict, we have to fight. At the very least, we have to truly confront each other and suppress the Black Knights' momentum." Mei Zhili's eyelids drooped slightly. "The Palace's edict must be carried out. Pressing down like a storm on a mountain, how many days can the Black Knights resist? Although they are a group of cold-blooded riders who kill people like flies, the Great Prince is not, and neither is Sir Fan junior. "
"This kind of situation will not last for many days. In the end, they will have to shed all pretense of cordiality." Wang Zhikun looked at him and reminded, "The Emperor's edict is here. I don't want the Emperor to mistakenly think that I am not doing my job well."
"No, there will certainly be an opportunity for the situation between Yanjing and Dongyi to stabilize." Mei Zhili looked at him and suddenly smiled slightly. "Sir Fan junior has spent so much effort on Shang 'er and your relationship with the Great Prince in order to seek a balance between the two sides. As for the Emperor's edict, I think he will certainly have a way to end this matter."
"Although it is difficult to disobey an edict, I do not want to meet the men of the Qing Kingdom on the battlefield." Wang Zhikun's brows were furrowed deeply. A moment later, he slowly said, "However, I cannot see any way in the current situation that I can not disobey an edict and still withdraw troops from Niutou Mountain."
"That will depend on Sir Fan junior's methods." Mei Zhili calmly extended a finger. "If he wants to continue, he needs a variable. We don't know what this variable is, but Sir Fan junior will certainly know."
Wang Zhikun sighed and said, "I don't believe he can do this. If he can actually find this variable within five days, I'm afraid I will have to be like Shang 'er and admire him endlessly."
Two days later, there was a somber atmosphere both inside and outside Yanjing. The border soldiers that had gathered from various military camps gathered in front of the city and set out toward the east. After traveling for half a day, they had met up with the 3,000 Yanjing soldiers they had sent earlier and arrived at the foot of Niutou Mountain.
A government road passed by the foot of Niutou Mountain, passing through the golden and bright red edge of the late autumn forest and extending toward the shore of the East Sea. Following this road, the army could reach Dongyi.
The black mass of soldiers gathered there. Banners fluttered in the wind. The riders wore light armor and had a murderous aura. There were more than 10,000 people in this army. Their aura looked very frightening.
However, such a menacing Qing border soldier was held back at the foot of Niutou Mountain and could not advance a single step. At the entrance of the government road at the foot of the mountain, there were three rows of black-armored riders waiting solemnly.
There were only three rows, a total of a hundred or so riders. However, they gave off a frightening coldness as they blocked the center of the road. On both sides of the gentle slope halfway up the mountain, there were two even thicker black ink lines. They were also the Black Knights.
In order to show his loyalty to the Emperor, Yanjing Governor Wang Zhikun had put in a lot of capital for this test. He had sent 10,000 border soldiers. Of course, the Governor would not personally lead the troops. The one leading them was one of his trusted generals who had already received a secret order.
This general looked at the Black Knights on the road in the distance and felt a chill in his heart. The Qing military had long been famous and envious of the Black Knights of the Sixth Bureau of the Overwatch Council. They had the best equipment, the best warhorses, and the light armor all over their bodies were personally made by the three workshops of the palace treasury. Their battle power was completely piled up with gold.
There had always been a legend within the military that if the Black Knights did not exceed a thousand, they could not be defeated if they exceeded a thousand. This was, of course, because the generals of the Qing military deeply knew the power of the Black Knights during their cooperation over the decades. It was also because the Qing law and edict strictly limited the number of Black Knights to below a thousand.
Of course, there were military generals who were not convinced. The name of the elites of the Qing military shook the world. Regardless of whether it was the Dingzhou cavalry or the Long Arrow Camp of the Northern Camp, they were all illustrious figures. How could they allow a subordinate cavalry of the Overwatch Council to steal all of the limelight?
During the Jingdou rebellion three years ago, Fan Xian had led 500 Black Knights into Jingdou and engaged in a bloody battle under Zhengyang Gate. The Black Knights were like death gods from the underworld. In front of countless pairs of eyes, they had forcefully torn apart the rebel army cavalry.
Those were the elites of the old Qin family. Even Qin Heng had been stabbed to death by the Black Knights' spears. This iron-like reality made the Qing military truly understand the power of the Black Knights. No one dared to underestimate them again. They even felt an indescribable fear in their hearts.
The Yanjing general narrowed his eyes and looked at the lone rider in front of the Black Knights. From the other party's silver mask, he clearly knew the other party's identity. It was the Commander of the Black Knights of the Sixth Bureau of the Overwatch Council, the silver-masked Jing Ge.
The Yanjing general's heart chilled slightly. He knew that the Commander of the Black Knights was the fierce general who had stabbed Qin Heng with one spear.
After thinking for a moment, the Yanjing general led a few soldiers and squeezed their horses' bellies. With a clatter, they moved closer to the Black Knights' defensive line.
"Commander Jing." The Yanjing general ordered his subordinate to hand over the Bureau of Military Affairs' transfer order. In a heavy voice, he said, "Please make way."
Jing Ge silently accepted the Bureau of Military Affairs' transfer order. After glancing at it, he said, "We are only under the jurisdiction of the Overwatch Council. Until now, we have not received any Council orders, so forgive me for not being able to comply."
The Great Prince led 10,000 elite soldiers and was actually stationed in the Song Kingdom not far from Niutou Mountain. However, in order to deal with the court's inquiries, he could not personally lead troops to stop them. He could only give this task to the Black Knights.
The mask on Jing Ge's face glowed with a cold silver light. Looking at the densely packed Yanjing army in front of him, he said in a heavy voice, "I am under orders to guard Dongyi. Unrelated people are strictly forbidden from entering. If anyone dares to take a step in … kill without mercy."
His words were spoken very clearly and calmly, yet it carried an unquestionable certainty.
Under orders to guard Dongyi? Under whose orders? Sir Fan junior's? However, Fan Xian was no longer the Director of the Overwatch Council. As for only listening to the orders of the Overwatch Council, that was even more of a joke. If Yan Bingyun truly sent an Overwatch Council official to mobilize troops, the Black Knights would probably cleanly and cleanly execute the person and then burn the Council order into a pile of black ash.
These words made the Yanjing general's heart slightly cold and angry. In a cold voice, he said, "This is the court's order. Are you going to defy it?"
Jing Ge did not reply. After he finished the conversation that needed to be carried out, he reminded, "Don't think about making a detour into Dongyi. I don't want to cross the mountains to seize your weapons." After saying this, he pulled on the reins of his horse and returned to the solemn Black Knights. The metal spear hanging horizontally by his saddle shone with a cold light.
The Yanjing general took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart. Narrowing his eyes, he observed the Black Knights close at hand. After looking for a moment, he had to admit that the other party's equipment was far superior to his. Looking at the weight of the equipment, he knew that the quality of the individual soldiers and the quality of the warhorses were far above that of the Yanjing generals.
Although there were only 1,000 people, it was easier said than done to charge in with as little blood as possible when faced with 1,000 killing gods.
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…
The true confrontation between the Yanjing camp and the Black Knights entered the third day. It was also the fifth day Governor Wang had calculated. There were occasional small scuffles between the two sides. The Yanjing side's desire for battle and anger had already surged. Although the Black Knights were few in number, they were still unusually cold and not excited.
It was a time of mutual hostility. Governor Wang also felt that he could not endure it any longer. He had to teach the Black Knights a lesson. Because of the Emperor's edict, waiting for five days was already giving Fan Xian and the Great Prince enough time to react. If the Yanjing side continued to maintain the situation of confrontation and were unable to enter Dongyi, the Emperor in Jingdou would probably be unusually angry.
Just as Wang Zhikun was preparing to sign the military order to forcefully enter the Niutou Mountain front line and launch an attack on the Black Knights, a general suddenly held a battle report with a serious expression and quickly rushed into the Governor's manor.
Wang Zhikun narrowed his eyes as he read the contents of the battle report. His heart felt a chill. He had not thought that Fan Xian would actually be able to create a variable in the North of the Qing Kingdom. Furthermore, this variable was one that he had never thought of.
He knew that his army could be pulled back. He had not disobeyed the Emperor's edict and had not allowed civil war to erupt within his jurisdiction. This should have been a wonderful thing. For some reason, there was not a glimmer of calmness in Wang Zhikun's eyes. They were filled with worry.
The military report came from the Northern Camp in Cangzhou. It clearly said that Shang Shanhu, who had been resting in Shangjing in Northern Qi, had suddenly returned to the border. Leading 100,000 soldiers, he headed straight for the Southern front. He was already 70 li north of Cangzhou.
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Today is the last day of 2008. Originally, I had some feelings. Later, I thought about it and decided to leave it for next month when the Qing Year ends to chat with everyone. I just wish everyone a happy New Year, truly happy. Those who still have monthly votes, please vote. Don't waste it. This is the last month. I want to look a bit more glorious. Tomorrow, I hear that the monthly votes have doubled. I hesitate …
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