At the end of May, the situation around Luoyang City became tense, and rumors were about to start a war with the Xianbei people at any time.

After Han Jian participated in the meeting to arrange the defense line in Ye'an Pavilion, he returned to the Dongwangfu Annex, and lived in a simple place for a few days, looking like he didn't care about the world. On the last day of May, late at night on May 29, Mrs. Luo took Daxiliu to visit the Dongwangfu Annex secretly to bring the latest news on the north bank of the Yellow River. The soldiers and horses of the king of the north had already arrived at Changdi City, about sixty miles north of the Yellow River, and less than a hundred miles away from Luoyang City.

"His Majesty has issued an edict to the King of the South yesterday, and the specific content of the decree is not yet clear." This is Zhang Xing's recital.

Han Jian's sudden action not only disrupted the rhythm of the Northern King's rebellion, but also disrupted the empress's plan. In the empress's plan, she would wait for Yang Xi to arrive in the Southern Qi Dynasty before fighting the Northern King, which would exchange for a relatively stable external environment.

But now Yang Xi has only been traveling south for half a month, and he has already begun to act before he reaches Jiangnanbeiwang. The empress had to rely on the Southern King to set up a defensive line in the south of the Wei Dynasty to prevent the Qi Dynasty soldiers and horses from taking the opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

Han Jianneng guessed that Yang Xi should go to Southern Qi or go, and he would not stop the pace of the decisive battle with the Northern King, but the imperial court would slow down from a sharp to a slow down, and would appropriately delay the pace of the Northern King's southward advance, and then gradually use soldiers and horses from all over Hebei to block the Northern Wanghou's road, so that the Northern King would not return.

“…… At present, the king of the north in the name of pursuing the Xianbei people, at any time will Chen soldiers north of the Yellow River, the imperial court in the Hebei generation only Changdi to block, Changdi Zhizhou was beheaded in front of the battle by the king of the north in the name of disturbing the audio-visual. At present, part of the soldiers and horses of the Northern King are stationed in the city of Changdi, and the prince of the Northern King is leading a group of soldiers and horses to the Yellow River. It is expected to arrive at the Yellow River crossing ...... early in the morning."

The news from Hebei was reported by Mrs. Luo herself. Mrs. Luo, who Han Jian received in the inner hall, in the inner hall, in addition to Han Jian, Mrs. Luo and Da Xiliu, Han Jian only left Sima Yi, Ruan Ping and Zhang Xing.

As Han Jian said, he lacks manpower in Luoyang City, and there are not many people who can rely on him, and the current situation in Luoyang has deteriorated suddenly, and he must also make a choice, whether to go or stay. Han Jian believes that the most advantageous option for him at the moment. It is to find a way to leave Luoyang and return to Jiangdu. Although there is a suspicion of greed for life and fear of death, he can enter his own sphere of influence, and in the future, whether the empress or the king of the north wins the world, he is in his own sphere of influence. Neither of them could help him. Until then. Those in power will be temporarily wooed by him. Then gradually try to eradicate him.

Han Jian has the conditions to leave, and the secret channel arranged by the Dongwang Mansion in the capital will allow him to leave easily. But Han Jian didn't want to go, because he was gone. It will mean that the alliance between him and the empress will be completely irretrievable, which Han Jian does not want.

Now Han Jian wants to help the empress solve the current crisis, even if he can't contribute directly, at least stay, on behalf of him and the empress. The few people who are currently in the inner hall of the Dongwangfu Annex are the last strength he can mobilize, and they are also his brains.

"Young boy, can you tell me that the soldiers and horses of the Northern King will really cross the river and go south?" After listening to Mrs. Luo's report, Sima Yi couldn't help but ask nervously when he saw that Han Jian was silent for a long time, as if he was thinking about something.

"Yes." Han Jian did not shy away from saying, "When the king of the north comes, he naturally wants to cross the river, otherwise what will he do?" ”

Sima said: "Then I am surprised, now the imperial court has decreed that the state capital along the Yellow River is not allowed to go down the river by cutting wood and burning boats, how can the king of the north cross the river?" ”

Han Jian was silent and silent, and Mrs. Luo on the side said tentatively: "Young son, will the king of the north transfer ships from the upper reaches of the Yellow River?" Or, in the state capital along the Yellow River, there are people from the king of the north, although the imperial decree is issued, if the local state capital is violated, the king of the north still has a boat to cross the river? ”

Han Jian shook his head slightly and said, "No." At present, the imperial court has arranged a river defense line along the river, even if the king of the north can find a boat, it will not be too much, and crossing the river in a hurry will only make Luoyang and the soldiers and horses lightly intercept the king of the north from crossing the river, and the king of the north will not risk crossing the river in a hurry. ”

"That ......" Mrs. Luo's face was also a little puzzled, she was now thinking about the same thing as the people from all over the Manchu Dynasty, including the Northern King's forces, that is, even if the Northern King's soldiers and horses could kill the north bank of the Yellow River without encountering resistance, how could they successfully cross the river and threaten the defense line of Luoyang City.

Han Jian said leisurely: "The North King can't cross the river, which means that he doesn't need to cross the river to win the world." He led his troops south this time, in the name of pursuing the Xianbei cavalry, which means King Qin, and he did not rebel in any name, because he did not need to rebel at this time......"

Han Jian's words obviously violated some common sense, causing everyone present to look at him, hoping that Han Jian could explain in detail.

Han Jian Zhengse said: "The king of the north went south, not to cross the river, but to draw the attention of the imperial court soldiers and horses, even if His Majesty has given up on the defense of Hebei, but still sent soldiers and horses around Luoyang City to arrange river defense on the south bank of the Yellow River. In this way, the Luoyang garrison is empty...... The flames of war did not originate along the Yellow River, but began with the defense of Luoyang City. ”

When Han Jian mentioned Luoyang's defense, several people in the hall were surprised.

In the eyes of the outside world, Luoyang City is now impregnable. Whether it is the Xianbei people going south, or the northern king rebelling, the river defense line alone forms a natural barrier and obstacle, and then there are the high walls and thick walls of Luoyang City as a fortress, which is foolproof.

But in fact, the safest place is also the most dangerous place. Han Jian realized from the beginning that the reason why the North King was so resolute in leading his troops south and giving up the back road was because the North King was still in control of the situation.

Sima Yu's face was a little nervous and said, "The young prince is saying that there is a problem with the defense of Luoyang City at present?" What's the problem? Guardhouse? Or the army around Chang'an City? It doesn't make sense, these soldiers and horses are all at the mercy of His Majesty's orders, and the king of the north can't move, right? ”

Han Jian sighed: "The Northern King rebelled, in the eyes of ordinary people, this is a battle between the heavens, no matter who is the emperor, they can live a stable life as usual." Ordinary people are like this, and the officers and soldiers of the three armies are probably the same, now it depends on the attitude of the generals, if the king of the north tries to buy the generals in all aspects of Luoyang's defense, as long as there is a problem in any link, then there will be loopholes in Luoyang's defense. Judging from the current shape, the most stable thing in Luoyang City is the palace guard, and in addition, other links may be bought by the Northern King. The king of the north is so determined, which shows that there is not only one link that has gone wrong. It is also possible that there will be problems with the river line. ”

Mrs. Luo said: "The young man said. The most likely problem is the ...... of the guards"

"Hmm." Han Jian nodded and agreed with Mrs. Luo's statement, "Feng Qing, the former captain of the guard station, was beaten, and the case is still unsolved, and now His Majesty has transferred Zhou Che to the captain of the guard station." It seems to be a part of the guardhouse, but it is actually very problematic. Zhou Che himself has no experience in marching and fighting, nor does he have experience in managing city defense, this is to let a layman with little experience to manage a group of jackals, as long as there is a change in the life of one of the jackals, he will attract other jackals to replace Zhou Che. The King of the North arrived. The city gate is wide open, and Luoyang City itself is equivalent to no defense. ”

Sima Yu hurriedly said: "If this is the case, it is really dangerous. Why didn't the young prince go into the palace to talk to His Majesty and let His Majesty make arrangements as soon as possible? ”

"Do you think Your Majesty doesn't know?" Han Jian said. "Your Majesty actually knows it very well in her heart. Luoyang's defense is full of loopholes. Rather than waiting for the North King to cross the Yellow River and face an undefended Luoyang City, it is better to directly block the North King north of the Yellow River. Entangled the Northern King's soldiers and horses. In this way, even if there are people in Luoyang's defense who have two hearts, and there is no Beiwang soldiers and horses to kill, Luoyang's defense will still not be threatened. ”

Ruan Ping, who was on the side, interjected: "The young prince's guess may be reasonable, but if this is the case, why didn't His Majesty directly use the Hebei defense line to block the north's soldiers and horses from going south?" ”

"Because His Majesty is going to be delayed. Only when the soldiers and horses of the Northern King rashly went south, did His Majesty have the opportunity to gradually encroach on it. If the king of the north fights steadily and pushes to the banks of the Yellow River step by step, the general trend has been decided, the river defense can no longer play any role, and the defense of Luoyang will no longer work, and Luoyang will be in the hands of the king of the north. ”

Han Jian's meaning is very clear, although the situation is urgent now, the empress still made the most correct choice in the difficult situation. It was to use the natural danger of the Yellow River and the river defense line to block the pace of the Northern King to the south, and then try to fight a war of attrition with the local garrison in the Hebei region with strong walls and clear fields, so that this decisive battle would be carried out in the Hebei region all the time, and the war would not burn to the south of the Yellow River.

"What we can do now is to help His Majesty eradicate the loopholes in Luoyang's defense, so that the Northern King's plan to directly plot Luoyang City is stranded. Then when the king of the north returns north with his troops, wait for the opportunity to defeat him......"

Sima Yu didn't have the slightest confidence after hearing this, but was very depressed and said, "Young boy, how can we have so many people? In the past, His Majesty was willing to transfer troops to you and let you investigate and handle the case, but now His Majesty is all focused on the rebellion of the Northern King, and he does not listen to your words. In my opinion, it is really better to leave Luoyang and go south and return to Jiangdu, I don't believe that the king of the north can directly lead his troops to Jiangdu. Even if he kills the past, Jiangdu's soldiers are full of food, and the power of the Northern King cannot penetrate it, so he will return in vain. ”

Sima Yi's suggestion was immediately seconded by Zhang Xing and Ruan Ping, and even Mrs. Luo, who was in a dilemma at the moment, seemed to think that this was a feasible solution. After all, staying in Luoyang City is a bit resigned to fate, Han Jian is now alone, and it will be difficult to do anything without the assistance of the empress.

"Not really." Han Jian had a smile on his face, and this smile at least encouraged the hearts of those present.

"What?" Sima Yi looked dazed.

"We are in Luoyang City, and we still have a ring. This link may seem small, but it can play a very important role when it is critical. Facing the puzzled gazes of several people in front of him, Han Jian sighed lightly, "Lin Zhan......"

"Young Master is talking about Lin Youjian?" Sima Yu said disapprerovingly, "He is just a right eunuch in the Tingwei Mansion, and no matter how big the official is, there are only two or three hundred people under him, and those two or three hundred people are not military generals, but just a group of ordinary officials." Even if it can come in handy, there is a surname Lu above Lin Youjian, and the surname Lu is a little holiday with the young man, and he will definitely not go against the meaning of His Majesty and help the young man. ”

Han Jian smiled slightly and said, "The Tingwei Mansion is indeed a little insignificant in the defense of Luoyang City. But our goal is not to stabilize the city defense, but to find out the loopholes in the city defense, and the Nating Governor's Mansion has enough manpower. Let's not rush to act first, we will see the next move of the North King before making a decision, if the North King forcibly crosses the river to the south, then we can leave Luoyang directly, because staying in Luoyang City will only wait for death. However, this is unlikely. ”

"Uh...... Yes? Sima Yi hesitated for a moment, expressing his incomprehension, "Does the young prince think that the king of the north will not forcibly cross the river?" He crossed the river, Luoyang City was undefended against him, as long as he called, he would be able to be the emperor. Will he not fight? ”

"It's not that the king of the north doesn't want to fight, it's that he doesn't need to fight." Han Jian said, "If I am the king of the north, I will Chen soldiers in the north of the river, because I know that the imperial court soldiers and horses will only be deployed on the south bank of the Yellow River, as long as I don't cross the river, the imperial court soldiers and horses will not be able to do anything for the time being." I just need to wait for the chaos to occur in Luoyang City, take advantage of the changes in the imperial court itself, and then cooperate with the internal and external responses of the Luoyang defense line, and cross the river in one fell swoop, so that the world is in my hands. ”

"No wonder the young prince said that the first battle of this battle will start from Luoyang City." Ruan Ping said abruptly on the side.

"Hmm." Han Jian nodded, "In the war outside, a few hundred officials in the Tingwei Mansion will not play any role, but in the internal turmoil in Luoyang, the Tingwei Mansion is very important. The most important thing now is to grasp the exact time of the civil strife in Luoyang, so that you can take the initiative. ”

Sima Yu thought more than Ruan Ping, and at this time he couldn't help but ask: "But young prince, even if we know that Luoyang will have civil strife now, Tongguò Tingwei's Mansion will have a good effect." But the young boy is sure that Lin Youjian must stand on our side? Lin Youjian is a person...... How to say, he may be different from before, he is already the right prisoner of the Tingwei Mansion in his heart, even if he is grateful for the promotion of the young son, he does not dare to make the decision without permission, and skips Lu Fengning to help the young master. If this one is not done well, it is a crime of rebellion by stealing the family and exterminating the clan.

Young boy, you said that Your Majesty doesn't trust you very much now, so why do you take the risk to help Your Majesty? If things are not done well, even you will blame you......"

Mrs. Luo, who had been silent for a long time, also said: "The young man should think twice." If the emperor excludes the king of the north, the next step will be other vassal kings, and the young prince will also be among them. If His Majesty uses this matter as an excuse to treat the young son's sin at the same time, it will be more than worth the loss. ”

Han Jian sighed helplessly, now whether it is Sima Yi or Mrs. Luo, they are a little too utilitarian.

Indeed, from his standpoint, it is better not to help the empress than not to help. It is the best choice to leave Luoyang City and return to the domain to watch the fire on the other side. But for some reason, Han Jian has an inseparable affection for the empress, although the empress's attitude towards him has weakened recently, Han Jian still wants to help the empress through this difficult time. Even if the empress doesn't appreciate it, he seems to be able to fulfill his heart's wish and not leave regrets for himself.

"Don't worry, Lin Youjian will naturally help us. I know exactly who he is. Han Jian said in an affirmative tone, "Also, to help His Majesty quell the rebellion of the Northern King, this matter cannot be discussed again." (To be continued......)