Chapter 422: The ever-changing witch!

Youyan, outside the west gate of Yijing.

Tens of thousands of Yan troops are gathering here, with flags fluttering and murderous intent in the air.

Surrounded by hundreds of personal soldiers and dozens of generals, Zhao Fuqu, who was nearly sixty years old but dressed in military uniform, was inspecting his troops.

Looking at the majestic momentum of the Yan army under his command, Zhao Fuqu, who was riding on his horse, was full of lofty ambitions. He had been entrenched in Youyan for ten years. From his prime to his sixties, he had endured under the tyranny of Shangguan Hongyuan for too long. Now he finally got the chance. He wanted to deal a fatal blow to his old enemy Shangguan Hongyuan...

Zhao Fuqu led his troops to the front of the battle array and scanned his army. Under the gaze of tens of thousands of people, he took a deep breath and said loudly:

"Soldiers! The traitor Shangguan Hongyuan started a rebellion and persecuted your Majesty's civil and military officials, causing our Great Zhou to be disgraced and Your Majesty to be forced to tour the south!"

"The Shangguan thief's family has enjoyed the emperor's grace for generations, but they have not thought about being loyal. They have formed a clique for personal gain, persecuted loyal people and plotted rebellion. Their ambitions are known to everyone, and their crimes are too numerous to list. Your Majesty's personal letter to punish the thief has spread throughout the world! All the ambitious people in the world are excited, and all want to eat his flesh and sleep on his skin!"

"Although I am not talented, as the governor of Youyan in Great Zhou, I should respond to your majesty's call and fight against the traitor Shangguan to support the fall of Great Zhou. Now I will lead my Yan army to attack Yunbing. I will not return until I defeat the traitor!"

At the end, Zhao Fuqu drew the long sword from his waist, pointed it high to the sky and roared loudly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the tens of thousands of soldiers standing opposite him responded to their commander and issued a deafening roar.

"I swear to be loyal to Governor Zhao until death, and I will not return until the traitor is defeated!"

"I swear to be loyal to Governor Zhao until death, and I will not return until the traitor is defeated!"

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The next day, Liaoyang Military Governor's Office.

"Sir, Zhao Fuqu has taken action! He personally led 65,000 troops to attack Yunbing!"

Qi Dechao walked into Ye Mingsheng's study and said happily. As Ye Mingsheng's close minister, Qi Dechao knew very well that Ye Mingsheng had been waiting for this opportunity.

Ye Mingsheng, who was reviewing the grain and grass mobilization report, heard the news and raised his head to ask:
"What's the specific situation?"

"Your Excellency, the situation is similar to what was reported to the Coordination Office before. Zhao Fuqu's eldest son Zhao Jianan is stationed in Yijing, his nephew Zhao Yong is stationed in Zhuo County with 20,000 troops, and Shen Zhuo is stationed in Jizhou with 10,000 troops. The only difference is that Zhao Fuqu is not leading 60,000 troops, but 65,000 people, including 15,000 Youyan cavalry!"

Although Ye Mingsheng's face did not change when he heard the news, he felt a little happy in his heart. The strongest force under Zhao Fuqu, the Youyan Iron Cavalry, was not strong enough. According to the investigation of the General Coordination Office, there were probably only about 15,000 to 18,000 people...
According to the intelligence from the Coordination Office, Zhao Fuqu should only bring 10,000 Youyan cavalry to invade Yunbing, leaving a few thousand Youyan cavalry in his hometown just in case. But now it seems that Zhao Fuqu is very confident in the defense of his hometown of Youyan, and he brought almost all of the Youyan cavalry this time. This also shows Zhao Fuqu's determination to invade Yunbing this time!
However, Zhao Fuqu's determination was naturally a good thing for Ye Mingsheng. Although he had the Po Lu gun to deal with cavalry, in this era when cold weapons still dominated wars, cavalry still had a great advantage. Without the 5,000 Youyan cavalry, Ye Mingsheng's chances of successfully entering the pass and attacking Youyan would undoubtedly be much greater!
Now that Zhao Fuqu has begun to send troops to attack Yunbing, Ye Mingsheng has nothing to worry about and can officially start the plan to send troops to Gongdu...

"What does Yuan Song think about the General Staff's combat plan?" Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng asked Qi Dechao:

Qi Dechao hesitated for a moment after hearing this, and said with some difficulty:
"General Yuan has some other ideas about the General Staff's combat plan."

Ye Mingsheng was a little surprised to see this. In his impression, Yuan Song was a tough guy who always took on the toughest challenges in battle and never backed down in the face of difficulties. Although the General Staff's combat plan had some risks, it was generally feasible. Yuan Song should not be scared by this risk!
"What's going on? Qi Dechao, tell me the truth!" Ye Mingsheng asked in a deep voice:

Hearing Ye Mingsheng's question, Qi Dechao organized his words and said:
"Sir, General Yuan does have some ideas about the General Staff's combat plan, but not against the enemy, but against General Guo Zhiping!"

"General Yuan said that his First Division of 18,000 men is enough to deal with the people of Gongdu. He does not need the support of General Guo and General Peng. He will be able to take Liujing and complete the mission within a month. He will present the heads of Shen Jianzhong and Wang Kangxin to you!"

Ye Mingsheng couldn't help laughing when he heard that. He said how could Yuan Song be scared by the people of Gongdu. It seemed that he was still competing with Guo Zhiping and wanted to suppress the other party...

Let Guo Zhiping not come to support, let him work alone in the First Division, this is really something that Yuan Song can do

In the last battle to unify Liaoyang, Yuan Song's troops initially made rapid progress, but later suffered a setback in Dongning and were besieged by the main force of the Zhenwu Army. If Ye Mingsheng had not arrived in person with a large army and forced the Zhenwu Army away, Yuan Song might have really lost that battle. At that time, Guo Zhiping was among the army that rushed to support Yuan Song.

Yuan Song didn't say anything afterwards, but it was obvious that he still cared about the matter in his heart. He felt ashamed in front of Guo Zhiping, so this time when he sent troops to Gongdu, it seemed that Yuan Song really didn't want to be rescued by Guo Zhiping a second time.

Shaking his head, Ye Mingsheng ordered:
"Send a message to Yuan Song, tell him that a lion will use all its strength to fight a rabbit. The combat capability of the new army in Gongdu is unknown, so don't underestimate the enemy! The strategy of advancing in two directions has already been decided and cannot be changed. Let him cooperate sincerely with Guo Zhiping. If anything goes wrong, I will not forgive him!"

"Also, his First Division has the heaviest burden in this expedition to Gongdu. If he can handle it, our military strategy will become halfway through. If he can't, all our previous efforts will be wasted. Among my Fengwu Army, only Yuan Song can take on such a heavy responsibility!"

"I've prepared a celebratory banquet in Dongning, waiting for his triumphant return!"

Ye Mingsheng paused for a moment and then instructed:
"Also dispatch 500 war horses, 1,000 steeds, 100 boxes of grenades, 1,000 sheep, and five red cannons to Yuan Song's First Division! Tell Yuan Song that I remember his promise. I'll wait for him to send me the heads of Shen Jianzhong and Wang Kangxin in a month!"

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As a vassal state of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Gongdu was also deeply influenced by the culture of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and its political system was highly consistent with that of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Like the Great Zhou Dynasty, the official positions in Gongdu were divided into nine grades, from the first grade to the ninth grade, a total of eighteen levels. Among them, the third grade was divided into the third grade hall upper and the third grade hall lower.

Officials from the first to third rank were called Tangshangguan, and their official uniforms were also made in the style of the Zhou Dynasty. They could wear red robes like the Gongduwang and discuss politics with the Gongduwang in the palace.

As for the third rank to the seventh rank, they are called Tangxiaguan or Canshangguan. Those below the seventh rank are Canxiaguan. Under the palace king, there is the highest auxiliary body - the Council of Government, whose chief is "Ling Yizheng", which is equivalent to the chief minister of the cabinet of Da Zhou. Under the Ling Yizheng are the left and right councilors, who are of the same first rank as the Ling Yizheng.

Under the Council of State, there were six ministries: Li, Hu, Li, Bing, Gong, and Xing, which were equivalent to the six ministries in China. Their chiefs were called judges, which were equivalent to the six ministers of the Zhou Dynasty. The inspection and admonition agencies were the Censorate and the Censorate.

In addition, there is the Chengzhengyuan, which drafts edicts for the King of Gongdu. The clan and loyal institutions include the Zongqin Mansion, Zhongxun Mansion, Yibin Mansion, Dunning Mansion, etc. Even for a higher education institution like the Imperial College, Gongdu also set up a Wenjunguan. From this, it can be seen that Gongdu can be said to be a small Da Zhou...
柳京
Minister of Works Park Sung-hyuk had just finished a day's work and dragged his tired body back to the mansion. As soon as he sat down on the armchair in the study, ready to call his new concubine to enjoy her flute skills and relax his body and mind, he suddenly saw a woman with a graceful figure and charming appearance looking at him quietly in his study...

Although he was frightened by this woman, Park Sung-hyuk was filled with lust and stared at the woman with his eyes fixed.

Although he wished he could strip this woman of her clothes right now, press her under his fat and bloated body, and rape and play with her at will.

However, Park Sung-hyuk, a high-ranking official in the Palace and the Third Rank Hall, was lustful, but he was not completely carried away at this moment. He still had a trace of rationality in his heart, and asked the woman tentatively:

"Who are you? Why are you here?"

In response to Park Sung-hyuk's question, a smile appeared on the woman's charming face. Just when Park Sung-hyuk was immersed in the woman's beautiful smile and unable to extricate himself, the woman's gentle voice came to his ears.

"My name is Kobayakawa Takahide, and today I have come here specially to see you, Master Park..."

When he heard the name "Kobayakawa Takahide", the expression on Park Sung-hyuk's fat face was stunned for a moment, his whole body shuddered, and the fat on his face trembled violently. The next second, he glanced at Kobayakawa Takahide, and then he suddenly lifted his buttocks from the chair with his mouth wide open, as if he was trying to run away while shouting for help!

However, just before Park Sung-hyuk shouted, the gentle voice of Kobayakawa Takahide rang in his ears again.

"Master Park, if you don't want to lose your head, then you'd better sit back in your seat. Looking at your current state, you should know my methods. Believe me, those are definitely not rumors!"

Feeling the undisguised threat in Kobayakawa Takahide's words, Park Sung-hyuk hesitated for a moment, but wisely sat back in his chair.

Sitting back in the chair, Park Sung-hyuk looked at Kobayakawa Takahide without any lust. Instead, he had deep fear and dread. Wasn't this damn woman already killed? Why did she appear in front of him now...

Looking at Park Sung-hyuk who was fidgeting, Kobayakawa Takahide smiled and asked calmly:

"Master Park, do you know why I came to see you today?"

Hearing Kobayakawa Takahide's question, Park Sung Hyuk had a possibility in mind, but he still shook his head and pretended to be very sincere and said:

“President Kobayakawa, I have heard of your name for a long time. I have never offended you, and I don’t know why you are bothering me now. If you want silver, I have some in my house, and I am willing to give it all to you. I only ask that you can let me go…”

Upon hearing this, Kobayakawa Takahide sighed, and like a little woman abandoned by her husband, he said with some resentment:

"Master Park, do you think I'm a robber?"

Upon hearing this, Park Sung Hyuk quickly waved his hand and said:

"President Kobayakawa, that's not what I meant. I gave you that money voluntarily!"

Seeing Park Sung Hyuk at a loss, Kobayakawa Takahide, who was very resentful a second ago, now covered his mouth and chuckled and said:

"I won't tease you, Master Park. To tell you the truth, I came here because I couldn't bear it. Master Park, you are in great trouble. You are imprisoned and your entire family will be executed!"

Park Sung-hyuk was shocked when he heard this. He didn't know what Kobayakawa Takahide meant. After hesitating for a moment, he raised his head and asked Kobayakawa Takahide tentatively:
"Thank you for your kindness, President Kobayakawa, but I don't know where this danger comes from."

"Where does the danger come from? It's very simple!"

"If you, Lord Park, are a traitor of the Black Dragon Society, and have been using your position to help the Black Dragon support the court, persecute loyal officials, and amass huge wealth, and even released Ishii Yukio, Suzuki Jiro, Yamada Kenta and other Black Dragon Society criminals, do you think the people of the palace will want to eat you and your family alive?" Looking at Park Sung Hyuk, Kobayakawa Takahide said with a smile:
Before Kobayakawa finished speaking, a flash of panic appeared in Park Sung-hyuk's eyes, but he still spoke calmly:
"President Kobayakawa, I don't know what you are talking about! Although my life is in your hands now, you can't frame me out of thin air. I am the Minister of Justice of Miyato. When did I become a spy of your Black Dragon Society?"

Seeing that Park Sung Hyuk didn't cry until he saw the coffin, thinking that he was deceiving him, Kobayakawa Takahide shook his head and said slowly:
“Twenty-one years ago, in the third year of Longde in the Great Zhou Dynasty, you were just the second son of a prefect who was bullied by your brother. It was Sato Kaga who helped you create an accident for your brother, making you the only son of your father and gaining all the political resources of the family…”

(End of this chapter)