Chapter 1090: [Farewell to the Prince] (Part I)

Hu Xiaotian took out the Five-Colored Panlong Golden Token from his waist and showed it to everyone. Although this thing did not have much value, its symbolic significance exceeded the ordinary. Showing it at a critical moment had extremely strong persuasiveness. Among the generals, there were many knowledgeable people. Zhao Wusheng knelt down first, Li Yongfu followed closely, and then a group of generals hurriedly knelt down, saying in unison, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "This Five-Colored Panlong Golden Token was personally bestowed by the Emperor when I left the capital. You should know the significance of this golden token. Seeing the token is like seeing the Emperor himself, which means I have the power to execute first and report later!" These words were spoken decisively and domineeringly. Actually, when did the old Emperor ever give him such power? Anyway, no one had witnessed it personally. Everyone was already in awe of this Five-Colored Panlong Golden Token, and with Hu Xiaotian saying this, most people would not doubt Hu Xiaotian's words.

Hu Xiaotian did the whole act and took out an imperial edict, shaking it in front of everyone, "The Emperor has long heard about Zhao Dengyun colluding with Da Yong to betray Dakang's interests, but because of the lack of evidence, it has never been made public. However, the Heavenly Secret Bureau has never stopped its secret investigation into him. Why did the Emperor send me to Wuxing Jun? It was to thoroughly investigate Zhao Dengyun's treason and surrender to the enemy. Wuxing Jun is the northern gateway of our Dakang and cannot be lost. If Wuxing Jun is lost, the enemy army can easily cross the natural barrier of the Yongjiang River and drive straight in. The Yongjiang River is in danger, and Dakang is in danger. The Emperor felt deeply uneasy about this and specifically entrusted me to come and investigate clearly and eliminate the hidden dangers. General Zhao and General Li have endured humiliation and borne heavy burdens, risking being harmed by Zhao Dengyun to investigate the evidence. Now the evidence is conclusive and cannot be denied."

Zhao Wusheng and Li Yongfu looked at each other. Zhao Wusheng understood in his heart that Hu Xiaotian was dragging him into the water completely, clearly telling all the generals that he had always been an undercover agent sent by the Emperor. Li Yongfu thought to himself, Brother Wusheng, Brother Wusheng, you hid it deep enough. No wonder you asked me to go to Dongliang Jun to see Hu Xiaotian for you. It turns out you had been in contact long ago. It seems you still don't trust me. Why didn't you tell me clearly earlier?

Hu Xiaotian said, "I won't read this secret edict in public. If any general has doubts, you can come to me for individual verification." He had a fart of an imperial edict; it was completely a bluff. But Hu Xiaotian also calculated the thoughts of these generals. No one dared to come to him for verification. No one was a fool. Even if they saw something wrong, coming out at this time was just waiting to be silenced.

Zhao Wusheng said, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!" As soon as he called, everyone followed.

Hu Xiaotian secretly praised in his heart. Zhao Wusheng was indeed a smart man. Cooperating with smart people was tacit and did not require much brainpower. Hu Xiaotian said, "Everyone, get up! General Zhao has made the greatest contribution to today's events. As for what happened, I will write down the details and have someone send them to the capital overnight. When the Emperor learns that we have successfully eliminated the traitor, he will surely reward us heavily!"

Zhao Wusheng understood in his heart that I am afraid the Emperor would be furious when he learned about this. Reward? If he didn't send troops to crusade, it would be burning high incense.

After the generals stood up, Zhao Wusheng ordered them to restrain their subordinates and spread the news that Zhao Dengyun had rebelled and the Emperor had ordered a purge. As for Zhao Dengyun's confidants and followers, two had been killed just now, and three other generals were specifically kept by Zhao Wusheng. Now that the military morale was unstable, they could not take risks easily. The troops led by these people were temporarily taken over by Li Yongfu.

Zhao Wusheng and Li Yongfu both had extremely strong prestige in the army. Without their support, even if Hu Xiaotian could control Zhao Dengyun today, he would not have been able to stabilize the scene so smoothly. After Zhao Wusheng arranged everything, he came to Hu Xiaotian alone, bowed deeply, and said, "Sir Hu, Wusheng is untalented. From now on, I am willing to be born and die under your command and perform my duties."

Hu Xiaotian stepped forward and grabbed his arm, "Brother Wusheng, in my heart, I have always regarded you as one of my own. In the future, you and I will join hands to consolidate the Yongjiang defense line and ensure the people live and work in peace and contentment." He did not mention Dakang at all in his words.

Zhao Wusheng already understood that Hu Xiaotian was going to go against the court. As early as when Hu Xiaotian first came to take office, Zhao Wusheng saw that Dongliang Jun was by no means a place to stand. Although he knew Hu Xiaotian had extraordinary abilities, he did not expect that Hu Xiaotian would defeat the thirty thousand elite naval troops of the Nanyang Water Fortress with a mere three thousand troops and capture the other side's commander, Tang Boxi. Of course, Tang Boxi had now been killed by Zhao Dengyun by mistake. After Hu Xiaotian defeated the Da Yong navy, he did not stop and came to Wuxing Jun. The words he said to Zhao Wusheng when he got off the boat had already expressed his heart. From that moment on, Zhao Wusheng understood that Hu Xiaotian was prepared to take action against Zhao Dengyun. Only by eliminating Zhao Dengyun and controlling Wuxing Jun as soon as possible could he truly establish a foothold in the north.

Zhao Wusheng said, "How does Sir Hu plan to tell the court?" Although Hu Xiaotian kept saying he was acting on the Emperor's order to eliminate traitors, he could deceive others but not Zhao Wusheng.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Wuxing Jun's military pay cannot be issued, and military rations are almost exhausted. Can the Emperor help solve this matter?"

Zhao Wusheng shook his head. Previously, Zhao Dengyun had repeatedly requested food from the court because of this, but now Kangdu was unable to take care of itself, so how could it take care of them?

Hu Xiaotian said, "Things the Emperor cannot manage, we ministers should naturally take over."

Zhao Wusheng said, "The news of Tang Boxi's death will soon reach Da Yong. I am afraid Da Yong will gather a large army and make a comeback."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Some things are not things you can hide from if you want to. If it is destined to be solved by war, then what we need to do is prepare to meet the battle!"

Zhao Wusheng's heart shook violently. Looking at Hu Xiaotian before him, he saw strong confidence and indomitable courage on his face. Although Zhao Wusheng did not know where Hu Xiaotian's confidence came from, he believed that Hu Xiaotian possessed such ability.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Dongliang Jun's food and grass can support for three months. I will order them to distribute half of the food and grass to Wuxing Jun to solve the urgent needs of the soldiers."

Hearing this, Zhao Wusheng was overjoyed. If he could solve the problem of the soldiers eating and spending the winter, it would undoubtedly create the most favorable conditions for Hu Xiaotian to win over the hearts of the people. However, Dongliang Jun's food reserves were not much, and winter had just begun. If the food and grass had not been distributed to Wuxing Jun, Dongliang Jun could undoubtedly pass this harsh winter smoothly. But now that the food and grass were halved, although the urgent needs were solved, they would soon face a shortage of food and grass. Zhao Wusheng raised his concerns.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Live the good days first. As long as Dongliang Jun has a bite to eat, we cannot let the soldiers of Wuxing Jun starve. From today on, Wuxing Jun and Dongliang Jun are connected, lips and teeth. Brother Wusheng, don't you understand? The world is difficult. If you want to survive, you can only rely on ourselves."

Zhao Wusheng nodded. He had completely understood Hu Xiaotian's intentions. Being on the Yongjiang defense line, he understood the severe situation Dakang was facing better than anyone else. If it weren't for the sudden death of the Da Yong Emperor Xue Shengkang, I am afraid the Da Yong army would have already pressed the border.

Hu Xiaotian said, "How many soldiers are there in Wuxing Jun?"

Zhao Wusheng said, "There are still thirty-six thousand soldiers. Because of the recent lack of clothing and food, the combat effectiveness of the soldiers will inevitably be affected. There are three hundred and twenty-seven large and small warships, many of which cannot enter the water due to improper maintenance. Currently, there are one hundred and twenty that can be put into battle normally."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Brother Wusheng, are you ready to go into battle?"

Zhao Wusheng said, "A man standing in the world should be upright. Sir Hu's battle today has already made us excited and convinced. It is my honor to be able to fight side by side with Sir Hu."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I cannot stay here for long. The situation in Dongliang Jun is not stable, and more than ten thousand prisoners of war are waiting to be dealt with. There are still many things to do after the war."

Zhao Wusheng said, "Sir, I have already had people control Zhao Dengyun's family."

Hu Xiaotian looked at Zhao Wusheng. He should have deliberately brought this up. According to the usual practice, it was to cut the weeds and remove the roots and leave no future troubles. Hu Xiaotian vaguely felt that there must be a grudge between Zhao Wusheng and Zhao Dengyun, otherwise he would not have repeatedly stood on his side and helped deal with Zhao Dengyun. Hu Xiaotian said meaningfully, "There is no need for me to intervene in your Zhao family's affairs. I believe Brother Wusheng can handle this matter well."

Zhao Wusheng pursed his lips and whispered, "Sir Hu, Wusheng has always been hiding something from you. Actually, Wusheng's parents were harmed by Zhao Dengyun."

Hu Xiaotian patted his shoulder, "There is no need to mention the past. If it weren't for Brother Wusheng's full support, I wouldn't have the current situation. From now on, how about you and I join hands to create a world from the Yongjiang River?"

Zhao Wusheng was excited, "Sir Hu, Wusheng will follow you to the death!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "You can keep a few of Zhao Dengyun's confidants and let them go to the capital to report."

Zhao Wusheng was stunned. He did not know why Hu Xiaotian did this. He actually felt compassion for Zhao Dengyun's confidants. Letting them go to Kangdu was not letting the tiger return to the mountain? These people would definitely file complaints against them in front of the Emperor.

Hu Xiaotian already knew from Zhao Wusheng's expression that he did not understand his approach. He smiled, "The Emperor is wise and extraordinary. He will definitely know how to assess the situation. If he accepts the reality, he will definitely execute Zhao Dengyun's remnants. If Long Xuan'en accepts the reality, he can only swallow this bitter fruit, admit that Zhao Dengyun rebelled, and execute these generals who went to the capital to complain."

Zhao Wusheng then understood that Hu Xiaotian's decision was to test the old Emperor's attitude. If Long Xuan'en punished Hu Xiaotian because of this, he would leave the lives of those generals. If Long Xuan'en accepted the reality, he could only swallow this bitter fruit and admit that Zhao Dengyun rebelled and execute these generals who went to the capital to complain.

Hu Xiaotian calculated that with Dakang's current situation, the old Emperor Long Xuan'en would not dare to turn against him. After he controlled the Wuxing Jun Yongjiang navy, he already had something to rely on. Long Xuan'en would most likely be afraid of the rat and could only accept the reality before him.

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