After Lin Jian left, Yuan Guizheng and Yuan Jinsheng quietly entered the Hailing Palace, and walked into the residence of the Empress Dowager Liang.

Empress Dowager Liang was closing her eyes to recuperate, suppressing the anger in her heart, listening to the footsteps, she saw Yuan Guizheng and Yuan Jinsheng bringing Miao Shuo in, her face was like dead wood, and she sighed and said: "The little bit of the Liang family is no longer in the eyes of the famous Marquis Lin......

"......" Yuan Guizheng was full of doubts, and asked softly, "Lin Jian really has no plans?" ”

"Maybe he has a plan, but the Liang family doesn't have the bargaining chips he wants......" Empress Dowager Liang said weakly.

"Chips, what chips?" Yuan Guizheng asked.

He asked the mourners: If you retreat without a fight, how will the people of the world treat it?" Empress Dowager Liang said in an old voice, "Shame, this face is too big!" If they want to be able to fight for face, why does the old face of the mourning family need to be trampled on so much by this arrogant descendant? A few years ago, he led his troops to fight bandits, didn't he also win great victories frequently, why didn't he dare to fight this time? If you really don't retreat from the battle, don't say that you won't be treated by Huaidong, and you will definitely not be able to please Jiangning! ”

"......" Yuan Guizheng was full of bitterness.

Back then, the Tianyuan Army was 300,000 Yellow River people who started an incident in a hurry, and they were basically a group of rabble, and Liang Xi, Liang Chengyi, father and son naturally fought well. When Liu An'er and Chen Hansan led their troops into Huaisi, although they were also exiled people's army, their troops had been fighting in the world for many years, with many soldiers and horses, and there were many elite soldiers, so the Liang father and son did not dare to fight hard. When Yue Lengqiu was besieged in Xuzhou, it was Lin Lian who led the Huaidong Army to the north to relieve the siege, but the Liang father and son led 50,000 or 60,000 elite soldiers but only dared to sit on the wall and watch - it was because of this incident that Yue Lengqiu had no good impression of the Liang family.

This time, Yan Hu drove south with tens of thousands of iron cavalry and hundreds of thousands of elite new annexed troops, how could the Liang family's soldiers and horses be able to defeat them?

Linzi fell, Jinan's flank was completely exposed to the attack range of Yanhu Iron Cavalry, once Yanhu soldiers and horses were given a firm foothold on the eastern front, they would inevitably be copied to the territory of Tai'an Mansion south of Jinan, cutting off the back road of the Liang family and his son, so how could they not be afraid?

Empress Dowager Liang was good at political disputes, and she was quite confused about marching and fighting. But no matter what, Lin Bin's questioning made her stammer, in addition to hating the Liang family for being useless, she really couldn't find a reason to refute or defend the Liang family.

Yuan Jinsheng said with little confidence: "Maybe Lin Huaidong is trying to test this side with words?" ”

Empress Dowager Liang shook her head and said, "Not like that." Miao Shuo withdrew, and after saying a few words, he left, and he didn't mean to talk about it...... The mourning family is really useless. "Empress Dowager Liang has dominated the court for half her life, and today she is so neglected, no wonder she is angry.

Yuan Jinsheng and his father looked at each other, and Yuan Guizheng smacked his lips and said, "It's not as expected!" The situation is so urgent, and there is no time to act calmly! Do you really want to bow your head to Jiang Ning? ”

When Miao Shuo heard this, the corners of his mouth twitched, and he thought: It is never a good idea to bow his head to Jiang Ning and bend his knees.

The biggest sin in these years is nothing more than plotting against the usurpation of the throne, standing on the wrong position in the matter of supporting the throne, in the eyes of Emperor Yongxing, how different can it be from plotting to usurp the throne?

The turmoil between the Liang and Gu families and the Yongchang Marquis Mansion secretly discussed the matter of supporting the King of Lilu seems to have passed, mainly because the foundation of the new emperor was unstable at that time, and Liang and Gu had a deep foundation of power in Shandong and held military power, so the new emperor temporarily let it go and did not pursue it.

But looking at how downtrodden the Yongchang Marquis Mansion has been in Jiangning in the past year, we can know what the consequences will be once the main force of the Qingzhou Army is annihilated in Yangxin, and the Liang family retreats to southwest Lu like a lost dog?

If the Liang family is completely cleaned up, including King Hailing, maybe dying in seclusion will be the best consequence.

Empress Dowager Liang, Yuan Guizheng and others have been rolling in the power field for half their lives, and they don't have a clear understanding of this? How can you expect Emperor Yongxing to be truly tolerant and generous, regardless of past suspicions?

Empress Dowager Liang stood up and said to Yuan Guizheng: "Why don't you go to Jinan and discuss it with Liang Xi and Chengyi?" In any case, even if you retreat, you must always have something to explain the past. Today's court is not as good as in the past, and there is no one in the temple to help speak, so you still have to rely on your own waist pole......"

"I'm afraid it's very difficult," Yuan Guizheng is familiar with both military and political affairs, and said, "Now that Linzi has been occupied by Hu Lu, at this time, it is still because Yangxin has not fallen and the inland rivers and lakes of Linzi Mansion are crisscrossed, which is not conducive to the passage of the army, so it is not possible to use Linzi to attack Jinan's flank." If it drags on for another three months, the north will be frozen, not to mention that Jinan is difficult to hold, and I am even more worried that Hu Lu will cut off Jinan's retreat first! And the soldiers and horses between Huaisi and Huaisi are not subordinate to each other, otherwise they can organize a support army to go north, and Jinan may have the determination to fight Hu Lu......"

Not counting Huaidong, between Huaisi, there are Huaiyang, Xuyang, Xuzhou three towns of soldiers and horses, with Voryang being the weakest, with only more than 15,000 troops, but Huaiyang, Xuzhou soldiers and horses are still quite considerable. The total number of soldiers and horses in the three towns can be more than 70,000 people, and the minister will lead the north to join forces with the Liang family to relieve the siege of Yangxin.

However, the soldiers and horses of the two towns of Huaiyang and Xuzhou were all obtained by the Zhao'an Liumin Army, and they were all masters who did not listen to the propaganda, and only the Wuyang Town Army controlled by Liu Tingzhou and Xiao Kuian was loyal to the imperial court, so it was a little weak.

"Maybe you can talk to Dong Yuan...... Yuan Jinsheng said again, "Please return the queen mother, aren't they all saying that Dong Yuan is behind the scenes?" ”

"Dong Yuan is also the master who eats meat and doesn't spit out bones!" Yuan Guizheng said, "Dong Yuan doesn't want the Liang family and Huaidong to come together, but he may not have the ability to support the situation today - and Dong Yuan is now very docile to the new emperor and the Wu party, needless to say, the Wu party's group of guys who can only talk on paper have not achieved enough and lost more than anything, I am afraid that they will be the first to jump out and impeach the Liang family and retreat without a fight!" ”

These people were like trapped beasts in a cage in the fighting room, and they couldn't think of a way out of the predicament.

****************

After returning from Hailing Palace, a sentinel from the northern line returned to report the situation on the northern front, and Lin Jian summoned the sentinel to the side hall and personally inquired about Qingzhou's details.

"After Captain Chu and Wu Ye converged in Jimo, they only entered Linqu in mid-June, and went to see Lord Zhang Jinxian first; Although Lord Zhang Jinxian has no intention of abandoning the city, he does not object to Huaidong's management of Yishan, after we first won Baqi Mountain, Aquarius Mountain, Miandugu and other cottages, Lord Zhang Jinxian also agreed that we buy grain from Linzi and enter the mountain...... "This sentinel who rushed back from the northern line to tell the details is not a bystander, it is the general Chen Daozi who followed Sun Zhuang to Shanyang to receive the crime after abandoning Suining and Suyu.

Lin Jian sat in front of the long case, only listening and not speaking; Qin Chengzu, Lin Mengde, Zhou Pu, Gao Zongting, Ye Junan and others sat on the left and right, and they also listened patiently first.

"......," Chen Daozi continued, "Linzi was lost, although some soldiers and civilians escaped, but Lord Zhang Jinxian was unfortunately captured, and it was Lord Zhang Jinxian who led his troops to resist to the end, so that thousands of soldiers and civilians in Linzi City escaped. After the soldiers swept away, Captain Chu sent people into the city in disguise to rob the prison to rescue Lord Zhang Jinxian, but he missed and lost many people. Zhang Jinxian did not surrender to Hulu, and beheaded Chen Zhihu at the east gate the next day! ”

Lin Lian's face was gloomy, knowing that the situation in Qingzhou had collapsed, and countless people's lives would be ruthlessly devoured, and when he heard the bad news of Zhang Jinxian's death, his heart was still heavy and uncomfortable.

After the fall of Linzi, Cheng Weiyuan was forced to give up Guangrao, retreat from Guangrao to Shouguang, and get the name of Du Juefu, and retreated into Qingzhou. Du Juefu intends to give up Shouguang and Changyi and concentrate his forces to defend Qingzhou......," Chen Daozi said.

The idea of concentrating troops to defend Qingzhou is correct, but how many troops can Du Juefu gather in Qingzhou at this time?

At this time, someone was walking outside the door, Lin Jian looked at it, and Chen Hua walked in and said, "Madame knows that someone from the north is coming back, and she is a little worried about the safety of the old lady......

With a little filial piety, it is normal to care about the safety of his father and mother, Lin Jian walked to the door, saw Gu Junxun standing in front of the eaves of the porch and was uneasy, took her hand, and said: "Xun'er, Jiren has his own natural appearance, don't worry too much; You can come in and listen to it......"

"I'm afraid it's not good...... Gu Junxun hesitated, she has been in contact with the idea of women not doing military and political affairs since she was a child, and she feels very inappropriate when she comes to Dongya to inquire about the news, how can she want to go in and interfere with Lin Tie and them to discuss big things?

"What's so bad?" Lin Jian took Gu Junxun's hand and walked in, he let Song Jia participate in confidential matters, so he didn't feel that there was anything wrong with women's participation in politics, sometimes he just didn't want to go too against tradition and be too deviant.

Qin Chengzu, Lin Mengde, Gao Zongting, Ye Junan and others all stood up and saluted: "I've seen Mrs. ......"

"The concubine has seen the princes ......" Gu Junxun replied, standing beside Lin Jian nervously, listening to Chen Daozi continue to talk about the situation on the northern front.

Lin Mengde knew what Gu Junxun cared about, and helped her ask Chen Daozi: "After Chu Zheng and Wu Qi arrived on the northern line, did there be any news of the old lady?" ”

"Du Juefu intends to defend Qingzhou, but he will move the capital of his family to Linqu City, and he will rush back from Baqi Mountain, and I heard that the old lady is also in Linqu." Chen Daozi said.

Afraid that Gu Junxun wouldn't understand, Lin Jian explained: "Linqu is in the south of Qingzhou, with hills and ravines on both sides, and the terrain is quite dangerous. If Qingzhou is lost, Linqu gets the news that the army and civilians will abandon the city and retreat to Yishan, and there will be a buffer time of one or two days......"

Listening to Lin Lian's explanation, Gu Junxun felt a little relieved, his father and brother were trapped in Yangxin, and there were captives on all sides, and it was difficult to get out of the siege, but her mother and sister-in-law were at least safe for now.

"Du Juefu might as well guard Linqu with all his might!" Ye Junan said.

Ye Junan is known as Mr. Siming, who has literary talent and military strategy, although he has no experience in fighting with the army, his knowledge is not bad.

When Linzi fell, there were less than 1,000 defenders in Guangrao, but Guangrao City was small and easy to defend. If it weren't for Chen Zhihu leading his troops to intervene, the general trend in the north of Linzi would have been lost, and Cheng Weiyuan took the initiative to withdraw from Guangrao, and Chen Zhihu would inevitably have to pay a greater price if he wanted to fight Guangrao.

Just like Yangxin at the beginning, the city is small, easy to centralize command, and it is not easy to break through the gap for the enemy; As long as three or five thousand people abide by the law properly, they can block the siege of twenty or thirty thousand people - defending Qingzhou is the same as guarding Linqu.

The situation in Qingzhou has collapsed and is irreparable, and the greatest significance of defending Qingzhou or defending Linqu is to retain the last base that can advance and retreat, so as not to make Hu Lu comfortable and completely control the situation in Qingzhou.

Du Juefu concentrated his troops, but he could only gather three or five thousand miscellaneous scattered soldiers in Qingzhou, and there was no general who was good at using soldiers to help defend it.

Once Chen Zhihu is given the lead to surround it, it is difficult to predict how much time it will be able to hold on - and Linqu and the broken car pass in the south of Linqu are located in a dangerous area, the city is small but the city is strong, and the back is Yishan. If it is only to occupy a city north of Yishan, it is far more suitable to guard Linqu than Qingzhou.