Du Zhongxiao and Han Qi took Qian Hui to see the real body of Yeluzong, confirmed that it was the real body, and went to the yamen to have tea together.

Qian Hui was born in the Minyue Qian family, Qian Wei played the second son, and married the ninth daughter of Taizong. He was born in a family, married a princess, and has a noble status.

The three of them were gossiping, and the soldiers came to report that the new Hedong Road volume pacification envoy Zeng Gongliang, the deputy envoy Li Dui, as well as the meritorious service to the imperial wine king and the deputy Cao, the military envoy Li Wei and the deputy envoy Li Shou, and Du Zhongxiao did not hear the name of the envoy, and had arrived outside Tanglong Town.

Du Zhongxiao and Han Qi glanced at each other, and they both understood in their hearts what so many people were doing.

No matter what name these people came in, they all have one thing in common, they are the people who sent the Khitan envoy the previous year or the year before last. It seems that Yelu Zongzhen's death is of too great significance to the imperial court, and almost all the officials who have seen him and are in the capital have been sent over. Now there is a train convenient, group to see.

Du Zhongxiao and the three of them greeted them out of the city, saluted as if they were ceremonies, and welcomed envoys of various names into the city.

Before entering the city gate, Li Wei took Qian Hui's hand and asked in a low voice, "How?" ”

Qian Hui nodded: "Really." I made the Khitan a few years ago, and the body looked a little older. ”

Li Wei said: "The official family is also afraid of admitting mistakes, so they specially sent me to come with several officials. When I made the Khitan, I painted the true face of Zong. ”

Qian Hui is Taizong's attached horse, and Li Wei is the cousin of the current emperor, who usually has a close relationship and whispers all the way. Li Wei is good at Danqing, and when he came back from Khitan, he specially painted the true appearance of Yelu Zong for the emperor to see. The year before last, Liu Liufu made Song, who also wanted to paint Zhao Zhen's appearance, but he felt too vague twice in a row, and asked not to cover it, but was blocked back by Wang.

Li Dui is Du Zhongxiao's fellow villager, and when he was down, thanks to his help, he was Du Zhongxiao's elder. Wang is the same year as Du Zhongxiao, the leader of the year. Before entering the city, the two went to Du Zhongxiao's side and inquired about the killing of Zong Zhen that day, and they were extremely excited.

When they arrived at the Yamen, no matter what the envoys were, they all threw away their duties and rushed to the place where Yeluzong's real body was parked, and gathered around to watch and discuss. Due to being shot in the head, Yeluzong's appearance is really incomplete, and a few people are one sentence at a time, making up the characteristics in their memories.

After half an hour, Zeng Gongliang said: "So many people think that this is Yelu Zongzhen, and it seems that the Khitan lord was really killed under the city of Tanglong Town." Let's go back and write the seal, and all of us will sign it and report it to the court. There are still countless lawsuits to be fought on this matter, and it is not believed that the imperial court has not spread this matter to the outside world. Only when we have to play the chapter can they negotiate with the Khitan, and they have violated the affairs of our country. ”

Everyone agreed together, went out of the side hall, and arrived at the main hall, where Zeng Gongliang wrote a letter and signed it.

Ordered to send the chapter away, Zeng Gongliang said to Du Zhongxiao: "To be controlled this battle, defeat Yelu Chongyuan in one battle, and then kill the Khitan lord, a blockbuster known to the world!" To tell you the truth, after getting your recital, the saint and the courtiers can't believe it. Until the time we left Beijing, many officials still thought it was a false alarm, and few people even thought about what to do next. ”

Du Zhongxiao arched his hand: "It's also luck, the Khitan lord carelessly came to the front of the battle and was caught by our army's heavy artillery." ”

"How can others not encounter this kind of luck? You don't have to be humble, this merit is unmatched since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty! Zeng Gongliang was amazed as he spoke. Ding Xianggong and I edited "The General Essentials of the Martial Arts", and I didn't know that the artillery was so powerful when the book was written, but now it seems that it was compiled early. ”

Everyone sat down as guests and hosts, and all kinds of envoys gathered together.

The leader is naturally Zeng Gongliang, a bachelor of Hanlin, and the second is Li Dui, who is a member of the imperial history, and then Li Wei. At this time, Wang was Dr. Taichang, Zhiji Xianyuan, and fellow initiates, although he was a Qing important position, he could not be seen among these people.

Envoy to Khitan, civil officials require Jinshi to be born, whether it is appearance, speech, calligraphy, or a considerable amount of calligraphy, it is best to have a literary name. Most of the military generals are deputy envoys, generally from relatives or generals' families, and the emperor's relatives and nobles.

Not long after, Shi Quanbin, who was patrolling the city, got the news and hurried back to the yamen. A large group of people sat together, asking and discussing the situation of the day with great interest.

Du Zhongxiao's mind is simple in the recent war, and it can't satisfy these people's gossip hearts. Shi Quanbin regarded the killing of Yelu Zongzhen as the proudest thing in his life, and the situation of that day was vivid, and he said it vividly. As they listened, they were amazed.

Seeing that the envoys did not announce the holy decree, and those who gave the imperial wine did not take out the wine, they all listened to the story there, Du Zhongxiao whispered to Han Qi: "Xianggong, the envoys are coming from the capital, and they should be entrusted by the Holy Lord and the Political Affairs Hall. ”

Han Qi nodded, pulled Zeng Gongliang aside, and said, "Neihan, can there be a message from the chief minister?" ”

Zeng Gongliang said: "Yes." And ask Li Tuan to practice, he brought the holy word. ”

called Li Wei, Han Qi and Du Zhongxiao and the two of them went to the back, sat down separately, and arched their hands: "There are many people outside, and they talk inside." ”

Zeng Gongliang said: "Before leaving Beijing, Pang Xianggong specially summoned him, saying that if Yeluzong really died in Tanglong Town, his army would be chaotic. It is said that the poor should not be chased, they have made great contributions, and there is no need to seek more small victories, so as not to lose. ”

Li Wei said: "The official family, everything is cautious. The two prime ministers are the side marshals, and they are allowed to act cheaply. As soon as Zong Zhen dies, the Khitan will have civil strife, and the dynasty can just sit and watch the success or failure. There is no need to force the tiger into the Jedi and provoke the Khitans too much. ”

Han Qi said: "The destruction of the sect is really a big victory, and the imperial court is right to be cautious. However, Han and I have ordered the army to go north and take the Khitan Hequ Prefecture. The two of you go back and tell the Holy Lord and Pang Xianggong that we can take the land of the river meander, and the Khitan death code will be returned. ”

Zeng Gongliang and Li Wei nodded, and said together that they would inevitably bring the words.

The words brought by the two were not court decrees, but only showed the attitude of the prime minister and the emperor for Han Qi and Du Zhongxiao's reference. In the face of a great victory, although the imperial court intended to be conservative, it could not directly order Han Du and the others to retreat. If you do that, you won't be able to fight the battle in the future. This is the role of Han Qi sitting here. If it was just Du Zhongxiao alone, the court showed that it didn't want to fight, and he ordered the army to go north to weigh it carefully.

The emperor and the courtiers only knew the results of the battle, how this battle was fought, and how Du Zhongxiao's army was fighting relative to the Khitan, they didn't know anything. With only 30,000 people, it is still Yingtian's Xiang army, and the large-scale attack on the Khitan is too mysterious.

Zeng Gongliang asked Du Zhongxiao in detail about the deployment of Du Zhongxiao's northward journey, wrote them down one by one, and said: "To be controlled and be careful, the land of the river meanders is not only the Khitan army, but also the party as neighbors. As soon as Zong Zhen dies, the party members may not be as obedient as before, and it is also possible to fight with me. ”

Han Qi said: "I have ordered a total of 40,000 soldiers and horses from Linfu Road and Hedai Road to come to Tanglong Town to support, and the Privy Council has no objections. The imperial court can order Qin Feng, Huanqing and Yan to assemble soldiers and horses to be party items to prevent party trouble. ”

Zeng Gongliang said: "I have written down the words of Xianggong. It's just that the elite soldiers of the three roads followed Captain Di to the south to conquer Nong Zhigao, but I am afraid that they will not be of great use. ”

Han Qi said: "As long as there are soldiers and horses assembled, so that the party does not dare to seize the river meander with the army of the country." If Yelu Shi does not defend the three states and takes the army back to Beijing, we will have 70,000 soldiers and horses, and we will not be afraid of the party members. ”

After discussing the war, Zeng Gongliang wrote them down one by one, and the four of them returned to the hall.

After winning the battle, the imperial court will maintain the authority of the generals in front, and if there are different opinions, they will only make suggestions, and the commanders themselves will decide. Of course, if you don't do what the court says and lose the battle, the suggestion is not just a suggestion, it becomes a crime. If you win in the end, of course everything is good.

Shi Quanbin had already ordered the preparation of a wine feast, and when he saw Han Qi and Du Zhongxiao coming out, he said loudly: "It is very rare for everyone to gather today, drink a drink to celebrate the victory!" If you don't come, how dare others drink? ”

In Shi Quanbin's mouth, Du Zhongxiao's status has been rising in the past few days, and now he is usually called, but the system is reduced, and he is often called a prince. has never been a deacon, Du Zhongxiao, the husband, is really watery.

They took their seats, slaughtered a sheep, and boiled it. At this time, the king and the others suddenly remembered their identity, took the imperial wine given to them, and all kinds of snacks brought from the capital, and ordered a table to be set. This big victory boosted morale, not only the royal gift, but also the princes and ministers who knew it, and they also sent gifts to celebrate the achievement, so that those who came could take it. All kinds of chicken, duck and fish meat are very rich.

Suddenly, the so-called imperial wine is only a good wine sealed in the palace, and most of the food is bought in Beijing. It's winter, and I'm not afraid of rot on the road, everyone has what to buy. There are even dozens of baskets of citrus from Xiangzhou, which makes Du Zhongxiao feel a little familiar.

After drinking a glass of wine, Du Zhongxiao said: "The rest of the imperial wine is sealed and left for the soldiers in front." If you don't think the local wine is shoddy and choke, it's better to use some local wine. Many years ago, I knew about the Volcano Army, and there were several wine-making workshops here. ”

Everyone said yes. Shi Quanbin ordered the remaining imperial wine to be sealed, and there was a chance to transport it to the front line, and the local wine was replaced.

After several rounds of drinking, the atmosphere became lively, and more than a dozen envoys came over to persuade Du Zhongxiao to drink. They are all people who have sent the Khitan to see Yelu Zongzhen, and when they see his body today, they have a sense of being separated from the world, and they feel the deepest.

Li Dui looked at Du Zhongxiao, who was drinking, and even felt a little unrealistic. This is the old man who went to the capital to study with his own help and became a jinshi? Since I was a child, I have always been mediocre, but I didn't expect to be able to do such an earth-shattering event. I think ten years ago, in the county seat of my hometown, I was still bullied by the power family of my hometown. Ten years later, commanding tens of thousands of troops as one side commander, who still remembers who the little man who bullied him was.

Du Zhongxiao drank more than a dozen bowls of wine, only to feel that the wine was surging up, and his whole body was hot. Since that war, he has been suppressing himself, for fear of getting carried away and causing chaos. Today, with the strength of wine, I got rid of my psychological baggage, and I only felt proud.