Chapter 1 When I heard the drums of war, I was full of enthusiasm It was an extremely bright and extremely hot sunny afternoon, but suddenly it turned into night.From the blackened sky, the rain poured down from all directions, and hit the smoky post road.One after another, the thunderbolts were getting closer and louder, accompanied by lightning bolts, tearing apart the dark sky. Deng Laosan of the posthouse in Lingkou Town stretched his neck from the door of the house, seeing the rainwater pouring down from the eaves, walls, and treetops, and flowing out from the yard along the door cracks and gutters, he couldn't help being surprised Tongue twitched, cursing: This is the weather of a thug.He shook his head, and was about to retreat into the house, when he heard a few neighing sounds of horses from the post road.Deng Laosan hurriedly turned his head, waved to the inside of the room, and cursed: Li Banzi, look for the coir raincoat quickly, an official is here.Then someone in the room laughed and scolded: "Deng Dutou, don't play tricks on others. While scolding in this weather, I saw a middle-aged man walking over with a coir raincoat and a bamboo hat. This man is very strong. In the weather of June, I was wearing a kudzu cloak under my coir raincoat. My muscles were so straight that I could see them through the clothes. Unfortunately, I was missing a right arm and was disabled.As soon as he walked to the door, Deng Laosan grabbed the coir raincoat and bamboo hat, put it on his body, and limped out in the heavy rain.He hurriedly probed out, only to see several carriages, wrapped in rainwater, roaring towards them, and stopped outside the gate.Accompanying the carriage came dozens of knights on fine horses, all wearing red military robes. Although they were drenched by the heavy rain, these people didn't seem to care at all. Qi.He was stunned for a moment, then quickly followed Deng Laosan and ran out.

The leading knight saw that there were only two people coming out to greet him at the post station, so he started cursing early on, saying, "You bastards, you are all laying dead bodies."Which of you is the leader? Deng Laosan hurriedly laughed with him, and replied: "The younger one is the postman here, and the military master calls me Deng Laosan." The knight glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, and shouted: There are only two people in your station?Before anyone came out to greet him, he was cursing when he suddenly heard someone behind him yelling: Zhang Li, please be more polite.

Zhang Li responded and turned his head away.Through the heavy rain, Deng Laosan saw two men in black robes coming down from the front carriage, one in his forties and the other in his twenties. Stepping over, he said, "My lord, Mr. Tang, why did you come out in such a heavy rain?" Hearing what they were talking about, Mrs. Deng felt a light in his heart. Today is the sixth day of June in the seventeenth year of Xining. The list was made five days ago. Tang Kangtang, the former magistrate of Rongzhou, is going to pass by this station!Could it be that these two people got together?He looked suspiciously at the two men. It was really hard to tell who these lightly dressed men were.

Just as he was thinking, those two men came over with umbrellas, the younger one glanced at him, and asked with a smile: Was Deng Yicheng originally from the Xuanwu Army?Deng Laosan was stunned for a moment, but seeing the young man's gaze was on his forehead, he hurriedly smiled and said: An official has good eyesight.The man glanced at the back of his hand again, and said with a smile: Xuanwu Second Army, the word Xuanwu is tattooed on the forehead, and the white tiger pattern is tattooed on the back of the right hand.Back then when they attacked Lingzhou, it was the Megatron West Frontier!

Deng Laosan accompanied him with a smile, and said: officials have good eyesight.He was indeed an envoy of the capital of the Second Xuanwu Army, and it is customary for the army to use the old name, which is called the capital.Song Jun's custom of tattooing characters on his forehead was not practiced after Renzong's reign, but was changed to tattooing the back of the hand, and gradually even the back of the hand was no longer tattooed in Xining.But at that time, tattooing was originally a social custom, not only in the army, but also among the people.It was popular for the Xuanwu army to tattoo the word "Xuanwu" on the forehead and the white tiger pattern on the back of the hand.The first army stabs the left hand, and the second army stabs the right hand, thinking of the difference.This habit, whether it is a bad habit or a tradition, is how it has been passed down and is widely known.

At this time, Li Banzi had already called the people from the posthouse to come out and lead the horses and chariots into the stall, while Deng Laosan hurriedly welcomed the group of people outside into the posthouse.Lingkou Town post station is a medium post station, so hundreds of people came in, plus the original scattered people, the whole post house suddenly seemed to be boiling, and everyone in the post station was very busy.Fortunately, the young official saw Deng Laosan's crippled right leg and Li Banzi's severed arm, and had a few conversations. Knowing that both of them were veterans of the Second Xuanwu Army who had fought against Lingzhou City, the words were very clear. He was very polite, and he was not too demanding in everything, which made Deng Laosan heave a sigh of relief.After the two men entered the post house, they were served by their own cooks and servants, and Deng Laosan went to the stall to look for fodder.

He had just arrived at the stall when Li Banzi came over and asked: Dutou, I heard that one of the people who came here just now is an imperial envoy and the other is a magistrate? Deng Laosan patted him on the head and scolded: What do you care about?Serve carefully. Li Banzi smiled and said, "It's none of my business."I just saw that Nazhizhou is so young and stays so kind, it's really rare.I have been doing this in the station for several years, and I have never encountered it. Deng Laosan added some grass to the manger, and said: You know what a fart.How can there be such a high-ranking official at such a young age in this world without being bullying?Look at his eyes, his demeanor

Li Banzi smiled and said, "How can I see that he is very kind?" Friendly?Deng Laosan glanced at Li Banzi sideways, and said: Take good care of him, don't make any mistakes.Do you know who he is? Didn't I just ask Dutou?Li Banzi smiled. Deng Laosan looked at Li Banzi with a serious face, then looked around, seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he lowered his voice and said: Who do you think he is?He is Shi Xueshi's adopted brother, and Wen Xianggong's grandson-in-law Tang Kang! Li Banzi couldn't help being stunned when he heard the name, and said: "Is that Tang Er who used mandala wine to enchant dozens of heads and trap and kill thousands of barbarian people in Rongzhou?"

Which prefecture do you think he is from?Zhizhou of Rongzhou!A young man who kills without batting an eyelid.Deng Laosan said with a gloomy face: It is said that there are hundreds of people who died in the yoke of Rongzhou.He is being polite right now because we are wounded soldiers who fought in Lingzhou.Speaking of it, it is also the old department of Bachelor Shi, and I have a bit of incense.This kind of son's yamen turns his face and refuses to recognize anyone. If you don't know what is good or bad, you will hurt us all. At this time, even Li Banzi stopped laughing, and just lowered his head to feed the horse.Deng Laosan added another sentence in a low voice, saying: "The imperial envoy is not easy to mess with, he used to be a member of Weiwei Temple."After finishing speaking, he patted the horses in the yard for food, and while patrolling one by one, he yelled loudly: "Brothers, take good care of them, don't make any mistakes!"Everyone in the stall agreed with a smile, and some people ignored Deng Laosan and just murmured: This is a Hetao horse.

Deng Laosan looked at the crowd, shook his head unconsciously, and suddenly heard a thunderbolt, accompanied by a bolt of lightning, illuminating the dark sky pale and pale.For some reason, he suddenly felt an ominous feeling, and his right eyelid twitched continuously.He walked back and forth in the stall for a few more steps, always feeling uneasy, and was thinking of going to the front hall to take care of it, when suddenly a postman ran in in a hurry, saw Deng Laosan, and pointed out with his finger, Shouted stammeringly: all heads out Deng Laosan's heart sank, and he didn't care to finish listening, so he dragged one leg and walked to the front hall.Li Banzi saw that something was wrong, so he hurriedly followed behind Deng Laosan and walked out.As he walked, he tightly held a bronze medal at his waist. The bronze medal was engraved with the heroic title of loyalty and bravery, and it was a reward earned only for his great achievements in attacking Lingzhou.With this bronze medal, no magistrate in Lintong and Weinan could make him kneel down.

Within a few minutes, the two arrived at the front porch of the post house.From a distance, I saw all the people in the post house in the front hall driven out, guarded by a few soldiers brought by Zhang Dun and Tang Kang, all of them panicked; He squinted, his face full of evil spirits.Deng Laosan's heart skipped a beat, and he didn't know what happened, so he hurried a few steps, almost trotting along the corridor, and when he reached the door, he was stopped by the soldiers: stop !Don't you have eyes? !Deng Laosan hurriedly laughed and said: "I am the postman here. I don't know that those soldiers didn't even look at him, so they shouted: what postpost is not postpost."Mr. Zhang has ordered that idlers and others are not allowed to enter.Deng Laosan was very annoyed, but still had a habitual smile on his face, and said bluntly: "The younger ones are not well served, and I hope the superior will take care of them."I was troubled by a few elder brothers to inform him that he hadn't finished speaking, and then someone said in the hall: let them come in, maybe I have something to ask them. The soldiers responded and let the two of them go in. The two walked into the door, and saw that there was still only one oil lamp lit in the hall, it was dark and gloomy, and it was almost impossible to see the faces of the people in the hall.Based on their figures, Zhang Dun and Tang Kang were sitting on the two chairs in the middle, with a row of soldiers standing on each side, and sitting next to him was a strange old man in Ge clothes.The old man was about fifty years old, and by the light of the light, it could be seen that he was in a state of distress. His hair, face, and body were all drenched by rain, and everywhere was muddy and covered with grass clippings.Even though he was sitting in the hall at this time, he seemed to be out of his mind, as if he had been greatly frightened.Deng Laosan paid a visit to Zhang Dun and Tang Kang, and secretly looked at the old man with his eyes, but he was somewhat familiar. After thinking about it carefully, he dared to conclude that there had never been such a person in his posthouse. Just don't know where I've seen it before.He was wondering, but Zhang Dun said in a deep voice: Mr. Zhang, what happened to Weinan?How many rebellious soldiers are there?Deng Laosan suddenly realized that this old man was Zhang Ying, the magistrate of Weinan County, but he didn't know why he was wearing civilian clothes, and he was so embarrassed.He looked at Zhang Ying, speculating secretly in his heart, and suddenly remembered that when Zhang Dun and Tang Kang got off the car just now, he had carefully counted the number of people in his heart, and Zhang Ying was not included. , it must be the post he came to when he went to the stall. He was thinking wildly, but he saw that Zhang Ying seemed to have been stabbed by a needle, and he shuddered for no reason, and said in a trembling voice: "The second army of Xiongxiongwu is completely reversed, and there are rioters killing people everywhere. Zhou Tong is dead. I saw Zhou with my own eyes." Tongsan is dead. He repeatedly said that Zhou Tongsan was dead. He seemed to be in a great panic, and he completely ignored Tang Kang's question. But these few words were enough to send chills down the spine of everyone in the hall. mutiny! Weinan Mutiny! Zhang Dun and Tang Kang's faces turned pale. Zhang Dun asked Zhang Ying several questions one after another, but Zhang Ying didn't answer the point, but looked panic-stricken, and repeatedly said that Zhou Tong was sentenced to death.Zhang Dun stared at Zhang Ying angrily. After a while, he sighed helplessly and called out: Zhang Li. Zhang Li heard the sound and responded: Yes. Take Mr. Zhang down to rest.Find a few people to take good care of him and tell him to recover quickly. Li agreed, but Zhang Dun shouted again: "Wait a minute."He hurriedly stopped, but he heard Zhang Dun's stern voice: order: people guard the entrance and exit of the post house, and all people in the post house are allowed to enter and not to leave without my warrant.Zhang Dun, the violator, gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: Shoot or kill! Follow orders.Zhang Li responded loudly, and helped Mr. Zhang back out. Zhang Dun looked at Zhang Li walking out of the hall with a cold face. After a while, Fang turned his face, looked at Tang Kang, and said: "Kang Shi, what do you think?"After all, without waiting for Tang Kang to answer, he sneered and said: The second army of Xiongwu rebelled!hey-hey!hey-hey! Everyone's hearts felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave.If it is true that the two armies of Xiongwu and one army are in chaos, this will be the largest mutiny in the thirteenth year of the Song Dynasty, and it is also the largest mutiny since the founding of the Song Dynasty!In the past, it was only a rebellion of thousands of people, but this time it was a rebellion of an entire infantry army with more than 10,000 people.Moreover, it also happened in the hinterland of Shaanxi!Don't say how much harm this rebel army will cause if it flees. Lingkou Town is only a short distance away from Weinan. Under the overthrow of the nest, how can there be any eggs? If what Zhang Ying said is true, and it really is true that the Second Xiongwu Army and the First Army rebelled, it would be the biggest incident since the Gyeongju Mutiny in the fourth year of Xining.Tang Kang pondered, turned his gaze to Deng Laosan, and asked: Deng Yicheng, do you know when the Second Xiongwu Army arrived in Weinan? Deng Laosan was already sweating profusely on his back, and his right eyelid twitched even more violently.This incident was actually many times more serious than the people in his posthouse who offended Zhang and Tang.He himself was a person who almost lost his life in Lingzhou City. Once the gate of hell was closed and walked through, life and death became a little less obvious.However, he knew best what it was like for more than ten members of his family to fight in Lingkou Town.Once the discipline of the army is bad, it is more cruel than robbers.Seeing Tang Kang's question, he quickly replied: "Responding to my lord's words, I heard from people from Weinan three days ago that the Second Xiongwu Army passed by Weinan and was resting outside the city." three days!Tang Kang looked at Zhang Dun and said: "If this is the case, judging from Zhang Ying's situation, it will take at most a day or two for the Second Army of Xiongwu to make trouble.We don't know exactly why they rebelled, whether they were instigated by officers or soldiers mutinied, how many people participated in the rebellion, whether there was premeditation, or what happened to Weinan.But the most urgent task right now is to prevent random soldiers from fleeing!If the hinterland of Shaanxi is destroyed by this group of rebellious soldiers, the consequences will be disastrous.He pondered for a while, and said with emotion: Brother Zhang, since you and I are in trouble, we can't take care of ourselves alone. This is not for repaying the favor of the emperor and the court. Zhang Dun nodded and said: "What Kang Shi said is true."He clenched the saber at his waist, stood up abruptly, stared at Deng Laosan and Li Banzi, and said sharply: Are you two veterans of the Second Xuanwu Army? yes.Deng Laosan and Li Banzi excitedly responded loudly.Li Banzi straightened his back, and said: "The little one and Deng Dutou both came from the city of Lingzhou." very good.Zhang Dun asked again: "How many veterans are there in this post?" Back to the adults, there is another Zhenwu Yijun. They are all good soldiers.Zhang Dun nodded, and asked again: Listening to your accent, you are a local.Do you have any family? Back to the adults, the small family has more than ten members, and Li Banzi's family also has seven or eight members, and they all live in Lingkou Town. Zhang Dun hummed, glanced at the two of them, and said: There are no eggs under the cover of the nest. The Weizhou mutiny, you two know, I don't care why he is. Every family, I am afraid that there will be no way out.I have nothing to say, I just want to ask if you are willing to contribute to the imperial court again, and also to protect your family? Deng Laosan and Li Banzi looked at each other, and they said in unison: "I would like to listen to my lord's orders." Well!Zhang Dun nodded, his face darkened, and he shouted: "Deng Laosan!" exist. A certain gives you ten soldiers, and you stay in the post house, just pretend nothing happened.No matter whether you go east or west, you are not allowed to intervene in military and civilian merchants.Take care of the mouths of the people in this posthouse, anyone who dares to say a word will be dealt with by military law. yes. Zhang Dun turned his gaze to Li Banzi again, and shouted: Li Banzi!Zhang Yi! yes.In the team, a soldier took a step, knelt down on one knee, and agreed with Li Banzi. The two of you brought two personal soldiers to Weinan to inquire about news. yes. Zhang Dun glanced at them, waved his hand, and everyone hurriedly gave orders to retreat.Fang walked to the door, but Zhang Dun said solemnly behind them: Don't fall into the prestige of Xuanwu Army! The third child and Li Banzi were inexplicably excited, they responded loudly, without looking back, they stepped out of the hall door. After watching Deng Laosan and others go out, Zhang Dun turned to Tang Kang and said: Kang Shi, this matter is not easy to handle.He looked at Tang Kang and said with a wry smile: The Second Xiongwu Army is elite Hebei soldiers dispatched to Yizhou Road to suppress the barbarian rebellion. There are more than 10,000 people, which can be regarded as a strong army.To suppress this mutiny, it is impossible not to use the imperial army.However, neither you nor I have the authority to deploy troops.If you go back and forth, ask for instructions Cannot ask for instructions.Tang Kang said categorically, it would take too much time to go back and forth to ask for instructions to dispatch troops.To suppress this mutiny, it is necessary to act swiftly and quickly, so that the disorderly soldiers are caught off guard, and thousands of elite soldiers are enough.Weinan South Africa is a very important area. The mutiny here is probably accidental.The rebellious soldiers made a mess in haste, and their hearts must have been terrified. His family members of the second army of the mighty army are still in the hands of the imperial court.Moreover, since it was a hasty rebellion, there must be differences among the rebels.If you go back and forth to ask for instructions, with time, the hearts of the rebellious soldiers will be stabilized, and the internal integration will be complete. The rebellion is also completely over.The only way to suppress them is to take advantage of their uncertain military spirit and internal instability.If they are caught by surprise, if they are unprepared to attack, the rebels, even if they have the strength of an army, are nothing but mobs, and they can be captured with one blow. The truth is so good Zhang Dun smiled wryly, but where did these thousands of elite soldiers come from?You know that when the state system was healthy, it is a heinous crime to mobilize troops without authorization, and even if you and I are willing to bear the responsibility for this crime, there is no army that you and I can mobilize As long as Brother Zhang has this heart, there is not nothing he can do.Tang Kang looked at Zhang Dun, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and said calmly: Brother Zhang, don't worry, even the crime of arbitrarily mobilizing the imperial army will be borne by someone Tang.Troubled Brother Zhang to take charge of the overall situation here, keep an eye on those lawless red men, and send people to Bianjing and Jingzhao Mansions for emergency.I will take a trip to the south, and within four days, no matter whether it is successful or not, I will come here to meet my brother. Zhang Dun was taken aback, looked at Tang Kang, and asked in doubt: Where is Kang Shi going?Zhang Dun had already heard about Tang Kang's actions in Rongzhou.In the 14th year of Xining, the Song-Xia War ended, and Shi Yue, the pacifier of Shanxi Road in the Song Dynasty, was transferred to be the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, and was intentionally left idle.Not long after, Tang Kang left the Privy Council and moved left to Rongzhou Zhizhou.When he took office, he implemented the so-called "Naturalization of Xining" on Yizhou Road. Rongzhou is located in the southwest of Yizhou Road. The whole prefecture has less than 10,000 registered households, but there are 30 Jimi prefectures under its jurisdiction. There are so many, the situation is extremely complicated.After Tang Kang received the relevant official document that day, he kept it secret. He had a big banquet every ten days and a small banquet every five days. He just took turns to entertain the chiefs of the tribes in Jilizhou for almost half a year.Those leaders only said that he was weak and incompetent, stupid and deceptive, and had no vigilance against him.However, he secretly sent people to inquire about the falsehoods of the various ministries, and recorded those tribal leaders who were rebellious and never obeyed the Song court one by one.Half a year later, in the name of discussing the quota and salt price of salt wells in Nanxi County, a subsidiary of Rongzhou, Tang Kang hosted a banquet for the leaders of various ministries in the prefecture.As soon as those rebellious leaders jumped out to object, Tang Kang immediately turned his face, announcing the crimes he had already snatched up on the spot, killing more than forty leaders of the Yi tribe and more than a thousand followers.Although those barbarians wanted to resist, they didn't expect that the wine in the banquet was all mandala wine. Tang Kang calculated the time, and it happened at that time that the medicine took effect. They were captured in one go, and not even a messenger escaped.Tang Kang also recruited local Han people and acquaintances as volunteers, and personally led the army. With lightning speed, he attacked and suppressed several most powerful tribes.Then Tang Kang forcibly ordered the repair of the Rongzhou Walled City, and moved all the nobles, heroes, and elites of all ethnic groups to live in the city to strengthen control.He also cleaned up the property and fields of various ethnic groups and divided them according to their status. More than half of the Southwestern Yi in Rongzhou City became wealthy landlords, while the original slaves became tenant farmers.Tang Kang also sent Han acquaintances to teach ordinary Yi people how to farm, distribute seeds, rent them to cattle, and encourage land reclamation. Rebellions occurred one after another in Yizhou Road, and the entire southwest of Yizhou Road was full of flames. When the rebellion was even involved in the Dali Kingdom, Rongzhou was as safe as a rock, and it became the most stable base for the Song Army to suppress the rebellion of the Southwestern Yi.Tang Kang also won the appreciation of the emperor because of this, and it is rumored that he will be promoted to the governor of the inspection department of the Privy Council and even the deputy capital when he comes to Beijing this time. Therefore, it goes without saying that Tang Kang is decisive in killing and attacking and has outstanding talents.And his return to the privy government this time is even more reminiscent. Shi Yue dismissed the privy deputy envoy in October of the fifteenth year of Xining, begged to resign from the crown prince and Taifu, and promoted the editorial imperial edict as a scholar of Guanwendian. Responsible for collating and editing all the laws, edicts, and regulations of the Song Dynasty for more than a hundred years, and has always maintained a close relationship with the political situation of the Song Dynasty.He doesn't seem to have any real power, but he is different from being demoted.Very different from the fate of the losers in all the past political struggles of the Song Dynasty and the ministers who were jealous of the emperor, although Shi Yue apparently left the center of power, he was actually beaten but not defeated. As a bachelor of the Dian University, he lives in Bianjing and presides over the compilation of imperial edicts. In the past year, he has seen the emperor at least ten times a month. Except for a few prime ministers, among the ministers, there is no one else who can compare.What made Zhang Dun even more incredible was that Shi Yue's begging to resign from the crown prince was actually granted!Zhang Dun naturally understood very well that in the new official system, the three divisions, three young masters, as well as Zhongshu Ling and Shizhong, all these official titles, on the surface, are great favors, but in fact they are an out-and-out full stop in politics.Because these official positions are too high, once their owners have real power, they will have huge power, and they will easily become powerful ministers that the emperor cannot control. This is a situation that the emperor tried his best to avoid.So although everyone desires these official positions, everyone only hopes that they will get these titles when they become official.Although Shi Yue's crown prince and Taifu still have room for improvement, they are also among the high-ranking officials. Although this crown prince and Taifu is not yet a full stop for Shi Yue, but for now, he His official career can also be said to have all kinds of harm but no benefit.Zhang Dun secretly guessed the emperor's thoughts. The purpose of granting Prince Shiyue the Taifu was to quell the endless attacks on Shiyue, prevent such attacks from escalating out of control, and give various forces a passable explanation.Ten months later, Zhang Dun, who was allowed to resign from the prince and Taifu, had an extremely keen political sense, and immediately caught a message that the emperor was ready to use Shi Yue again at any time.Tang Kang's return to the Shufu was a very clear signal. But no matter what, the Song Dynasty's control over the Forbidden Army can be said to have a strict system.Zhang Dun, as a patrol envoy on the Shaanxi Road, has no right to mobilize any forbidden troops stationed in Shaanxi, let alone Tangkang, a governor of Rongzhou who has just left office!Not to mention that Shi Yue's comeback is just a scent that few people can smell, even if Shi Yue has really proclaimed his majesty, Tang Kang can't do as he pleases. He looked at Tang Kang secretly, and saw that he was generous and looked forward to his own strength. He couldn't help but suspect that he was a young man with more than enough intelligence but not enough prudence. He also euphemistically said: I am always sent by an envoy to watch the wind on the Shaanxi Road, if someone goes to Jingzhao Mansion to discuss with Fan Chunchun, Gao Zunhui and the others, the imperial army will not be able to move, and there are more than 10,000 teaching rooms in Chang'an right now Army, why not Obedient bosom friend, Tang Kang knew that he couldn't trust him, so he said with a smile: "Brother Zhang, if Liu Xiang was still a transfer envoy from Shaanxi, your plan would have worked."However, with all due respect, at present Fan Chunchun is acting as the transshipment envoy and Gao Zunhui is the admiral envoy.Fan and Gao Ergong have always followed the rules and abided by the laws of their ancestors. This is an extraordinary matter. There is no edict, and there is no edict from the two governments. If Brother Zhang goes, they will persuade him to be prudent. Zhang Dun also knew in his heart that Fan Chunchun didn't understand military affairs after all, and Gao Zunhui's relative, Admiral Dazhen, was cautious for fear of incurring rumors and rumors. Most likely, the two would not agree to take risks.At that time, Yingcheng must be self-defense, and then send someone to ask for an order from the imperial court, and even I can't do anything with myself.Zhang Dun originally had the idea of ​​a battalion of forbidden troops stationed in Chang'an. The commander of that battalion was from Weiwei Temple. He knew that subordinate was simple-minded. It's just that the risk to be taken is too great. He originally wanted to discuss with Tang Kang and drag more people into the water. If the court investigates it in the future, he will have room to shift the blame to others and keep the credit for himself.Seeing Tang Kang's expression, he seemed to have a plan in mind, and he was even more doubtful. If Tang Kang really had a way to transfer the forbidden army, it would be a good thing. Let Tang Kang be responsible for the crime of arbitrarily transferring the forbidden army. Anyway, he has two big backers. Help him bear it; but if he can't transfer the forbidden army, won't it delay the big event? Zhang Dun glanced at Tang Kang again, and said slowly: "Kang Shi must tell me where you are going and how to transfer the imperial army?"Let Zhang know what to do. Tang Kang looked up at Zhang Dun, met his eyes, and said with a slight smile: If brother Zhang knows, he will never be able to get rid of this matter.I have never dared to deceive the emperor. When the emperor asked in the future if Brother Zhang knew about this matter, if Brother Zhang didn't ask at this time, I would know.please think again Without hesitation, Zhang Dun said: How can I let Kang Shi bear this responsibility alone! Tang Kang smiled, he didn't believe it in his heart, but he said with a smile: Then it doesn't matter to tell Brother Zhang.Rebellions in Yizhou came one after another. The imperial court dispatched forbidden troops from Hebei and Shaanxi to Shu. The rebellious Xiongwu Second Army was originally scheduled to join forces with the Western Army in Lantian. Kind of er?Zhang Dun was startled, his mouth was so wide open that he couldn't close it. I'm from Chengdu. Lieutenant Zhong has already entered Sichuan. There is still a battalion in Lantian. I heard that they are waiting for the firearms from the capital. When Zhang Dun heard Tang Kang mention it, he suddenly remembered something, and his face turned pale. Seeing that his expression was not right, Tang Kang hurriedly asked: "Brother Zhang?" Brother Zhang stared at Tang Kang with a sullen face, and said in a low voice: Among the firearms delivered by the imperial court to the Zhong'e army this time, there are four more cannons, which are to be transported to the Lanzhou army. They were delayed by the heavy rain. We are going to Weinan. ah?Tang Kang's face turned pale immediately, he quickly stabilized his mind, and said: No matter what, Brother Zhang can only trust me once.The forbidden army in Lantian's battalion was Tian Liewu's soldiers.He and I have the friendship of teachers and friends, and have general knowledge, and are not the generation who care about salary, official titles.If you can persuade him to send troops to quell the Weinan incident, it will be as easy as flipping the palm of your hand! I can only count on Tian Liewu!Zhang Dun forced a smile, but his right hand hidden in his sleeve clenched the hilt of the saber.At this time, a series of dull thunderbolts suddenly sounded outside, and the clattering rain intensified. The rain in June comes as soon as it is said, and stops as soon as it is said to stop.Tang Kang took a few family members, braved the heavy rain, and drove all night in the dark. Although everyone was drenched, he only hoped that the rain would be heavier and longer, so that it would last longer. The troops that dragged the capital to transport firearms could also stop the rebels in Weinan.It's just that the world is not as good as it should be, and at dawn the next day, the heavy rain like splashing water stopped in an instant, and at noon, it was another sunny afternoon with the sun hanging high.The distance between Lingkou Town and Lantian is less than a hundred miles, but it is only connected by a simple official road. After the heavy rain, the road is extremely muddy. Tang Kang and others actually walked for more than ten hours on the eighty or ninety-mile road.Unexpectedly, after arriving in Lantian County, there was no trace of Tian Liewu's tribe. After inquiring, they found out that there was a Song army stationed in a mountain twenty miles south of the county.Tang Kang didn't dare to stop any longer, so he immediately ate some dry food indiscriminately, and then went south to the mountains. The official road from Lantian to the mountain is a thoroughfare, and it is often repaired. Although it has been washed by heavy rains, it is not very muddy, but the terrain becomes more dangerous as it goes south, and it is not much better than the previous road.After walking for more than an hour, we reached the foot of the mountain.Tang Kang raised his eyes and saw huge peaks like a screen, mountains and rocks reflecting each other, amidst the lush greenery, a river of clear water meanders out of a secluded valley.Tang Kang rode his horse up the river and walked for more than a mile, but he didn't see a single person, let alone a flag post.Every time Tang Kang took a step, his heart sank a little, and he walked about half a mile with a sullen face. The family members behind him couldn't hold back anymore, and a family member asked tentatively: Has this General Tian already left?Tang Kang seemed to have been bitten by a mosquito, turned his head suddenly, with a livid face, gave him a vicious look, and said coldly: If you don't want to follow, just go back.After finishing speaking, he gave a drink, whipped his mount vigorously, and drove the horse towards the valley.All the family members were taken aback, hurriedly galloped, and followed closely behind Tang Kangma. In fact, Tang Kang was already worried that Tian Liewu had left the camp.He had already uttered big words in front of Zhang Dun before, if he didn't promise, he would not stop corrupting state affairs, and if it spread, he would also be the laughing stock of the world.At this time, Tian Lie Wubu was nowhere to be seen, so he couldn't help feeling a little restless.He drove the horse to gallop, and lashed the mount fiercely, all the anger was released on the Hetao horse, the horse's body was covered with whip marks, deep and shallow. After running for another stick of incense like this, there was a sudden sound of horseshoes ahead.Tang Kang was overjoyed, and hurriedly rode forward to meet him, but saw the two knights in red military robes galloping side by side, and after a while, they had arrived in front of him.Seeing Tang Kang, the two quickly got off their horses, one of them took a step forward, clasped his fists and asked, "May I ask if your lord is Mr. Tang, the magistrate of Rongzhou?" A certain is.Who is next? The man smiled at his companion and bowed to Tang Kang: "The commander of the Fifth Battalion of the Longwei Army, Commander Zhiguo, Mr. Tian, ​​and Zhao Long, the commander of Yihui under the command of Mr. Zhiguo, welcome Mr. Tang. Long-awaited, General Zhao doesn't need to be polite.Sitting on the horse, Tang Kang only slightly cupped his hands, then looked up at the mountain road in front of him, and asked: How did you Lord Tian know that I was coming? Zhao Long couldn't help being taken aback when he saw that Tang Kang was so trusting.He was born in the Western Army. He followed Wang Shao, Yao Lin, and Li Xian successively. Besides the bustling world of Bianjing, even Jingzhao Mansion was a completely unfamiliar world to him.Therefore, he didn't know about Tang Kang's status other than the governor of Rongzhou, and he had never even heard of such a person before.And no matter what he said, he was also a commander of Yihui's school lieutenant and battalion deputy, and a military attache from the seventh rank.Although Tang Kang's official position is high, he is only an exile magistrate after all, and he, the current military attache of the Forbidden Army, has nothing to do with him.He hurriedly ran out to meet him, although he was ordered, but it was also the face of the boss, how could Tang Kang dare to be so high above him, and let it go without getting off his horse, but he didn't even look him straight? But he was ordered to welcome guests, no matter how unhappy he was, he could only put it away first, and said: Mr. Zhi Guo was promoted to Beijing, and he may pass by Lantian in the past few days. Your Excellency and Zhi Guo are old friends, maybe they will meet again Visiting friends, I have already known that I will go down.Therefore, as soon as your lord enters the mountain, our secret sentry has already discovered it and copied the path to report it.Zhiguo was very happy, because he ordered his subordinates to come and greet him. I see.Tang Kang felt even more unhappy in his heart, he only responded lightly, and stopped talking.Zhao Long felt even more boring, so he got on his horse, led the way, and headed towards the camp. Tian Liewu's camp was not far away, and Tang Kang and others arrived at the camp in less than a stick of incense. At this time, Tian Liewu had already led the general and school of the camp, and greeted him in front of the camp gate.Seeing Zhao Long ushering Tang Kang over, Tian Liewu clasped his fists with a smile and said, "Second Young Master, don't come here without any harm."He and Tang Kang have a triple relationship of master-servant, master-student, and friend. When he was teaching in Shifu, Tang Kang was only a teenager.At this time, after more than ten years of separation, the former boy has grown up, not only capable of both civil and military skills, but also seems to be a capable minister of the country. When we meet again, Tian Liewu's joy cannot be described in words.He took a few steps forward, and was about to take Tang Kang's hand into the camp, but before he stretched out his hand, Tang Kang had already bowed his hand, and said with a dry smile: "Master Tian, ​​don't come here and be safe!" Tian Liewu was startled, stretched out his hand to touch his head, and said with a smile: Second Young Master, this will kill Lao Tian. Tang Kang looked at Tian Liewu, and said with a half-smile: "The majestic Captain Zhiguo of the imperial court, what can you kill or not kill?"The so-called farewell for three days, you should look at it with admiration No matter how rough Tian Liewu was, he could vaguely feel the irony in Tang Kang's words at this time.He glanced at Tang Kang in surprise, but he saw that Tang Kang looked smiling and friendly, and for a moment he suspected that he was feeling wrong.But he is a straightforward person, he doesn't want to hide it in front of his friends, so he immediately said: Second son, don't say that he is just a captain, even if he is a general, I, Tian Liewu, is still the Tian instructor in Shi Xueshi's mansion back then!If the second son still remembers the little affection he had back then, he can call me Lao Tian or Tian Jiaotou Before he finished speaking, Tang Kang stepped forward, took his hand and laughed, Coach Tian!What a field teacher!For more than ten years, nothing has changed at all. You are also a famous general of the Song Dynasty who was a martial artist, commanded thousands of warriors, and made the Xixia people fearful in front of Lingzhou City. How dare you call you Tian Jiaotou?Do you really want to ask the censors to join us? As he said, he walked into the camp hand in hand with Tian Liewu. Only then did Tian Liewu realize that Tang Kang was joking with him, and he laughed embarrassedly with Tang Kang.Among the group of people, only Zhao Long could guess the reason at this time: Tang Kang's unhappiness at the beginning and his later sarcasm were all because of Tian Liewu's disrespect. But Tian Liewu greeted his old friend instead of his old master from the time he went out to greet him, no wonder Tang Kang felt unhappy.Based on Zhao Long's understanding of Tian Liewu, he naturally knew that this was all unintentional. Perhaps in Tian Liewu's heart, his status with Tang Kang, the two statuses of master, apprentice and friend are more important. 他跟在田烈武與唐康的身後走進大營，不覺又看了一眼唐康的背影，這個年青人的機智應變，讓在軍中生活了快二十年的他自嘆弗如。他不覺替田烈武憂慮起來，田烈武還把唐康當成十幾年前的唐康，但唐康卻顯然已經不是十多年前的那個少年了 兩天後，零口鎮。 儘管章惇曾試圖封鎖消息，但渭南發生叛亂的傳聞，此時還是早已傳遍了這個繁華的小鎮，被傳言驚擾的居民們都驚恐萬狀，紛紛收拾細軟逃向臨潼城甚至是京兆府，往來客商更已絕跡。除了零散從渭南逃難來的百姓，繁華的零口鎮此時便只餘下一群如臨大敵的廂軍了。 零水上的一座石橋西岸，章惇正向剛剛趕來的范純粹與高遵惠介紹著他所瞭解的情況。范、高二人得到報告後便立即趕赴零口鎮，讓他頗覺意外。陝西轉運、提刑、提督、學政四司，提刑司設在河中府不可能趕來，新任學政使尚未到任，范純粹與高遵惠已經是陝西階級最高的兩個官員，二人完全有充足的理由可以坐鎮安全的京兆府，不必來零口鎮親身犯險的。無論如何，對於有膽色的人，章惇還是佩服的。 陛下託以封疆之重，范某雖不肖，亦不敢愛身甚於愛君。畢竟要親眼看一看，才敢安心。范純粹沉聲道。 范公盡可放心。章惇執鞭指著石橋，笑道︰零水、渭水之渡口、渡船，都已在我掌握中。零水上所有的木橋、石橋邊，也都堆滿了乾柴、炸藥，叛卒絕不可能西竄。 畢竟是子厚顧慮周詳。范純粹讚道。一旁的高遵惠卻望著章惇，眼中盡是詫異之色。他嘴脣動了動，卻終是沒有說什麼。到零口鎮後，他便詢問過張英還有一些難民，大致瞭解了叛卒的情況。那些叛卒此時正在渭南城中不知所措，惶惶不可終日。就算是要流竄，又豈敢向長安西行？最多是東入華山散為群寇而已。但不論章惇是真糊塗，還是故意誇大兵變的威脅邀功，他都沒有必要當面揭破。 章惇又道︰渭南兵變，已查明乃是因雄武二軍一士卒在渭南入室強暴婦女，被渭南通判周泌當街杖斃而起 雄武二軍的軍紀怎的這般差？高遵惠不禁皺眉道，他們沒有軍法官的麼？這周泌也 周泌是白水潭院貢生、熙寧十二年進士，兩任通判，考績都在優等，為官清正，是個能員。范純粹板著臉，打斷了高遵惠的話，禁兵入室強暴，做父母官的，自然要主持公道。殺得好！殺得好！ 范公，國家自有法度的。高遵惠也沉下臉來，道︰死刑要過刑部、大理寺的，若事事都來個杖殺了事，國家設刑部做什麼？禁軍犯法，是衛尉寺該管，他周泌憑什麼便能杖殺禁兵，激起大變？ 以高大人之見，周泌是渭南通判，有人在渭南犯案，他竟管不著？ 范公、高公！息怒，息怒章惇早就聽說陝西將相失和，范純粹與高遵惠相互看不對眼，他赴沿邊觀風時，路過京兆府，見范、高二人和和氣氣的，還以為那只是無聊的謠傳，此時才相信原來事出有因。他連忙打著圓場，道︰周泌處置事情，確是剛直有餘，有失當之處。但雄武二軍兵變，卻是冰凍三尺，非一日之寒，亦不能說是周泌的責任。 oh?how do I say this?范純粹與高遵惠都不由把目光投向章惇。 章惇咳了一聲，道︰這兩日間，我從張英、章義、李板子以及渭南的難民，還有幾個不願附逆逃出來的雄武二軍軍士口中，問到了一些原委。所有供狀，我皆已附於奏摺後，遞送京師。趁此機會，正好也稟與二公知曉。 范純粹與高遵惠連忙道︰不敢。 章惇知道二人心裡定然在暗恨自己不知會他們便上奏朝廷，卻也不以意，嘆道︰此番渭南兵變，看似偶然，實則事出有因。說罷，喝道︰來人，帶張彥。身邊的親兵應了一聲，未多時，便見一個神色憔悴的河北大漢被兩個親兵帶了上來。見著章惇，那大漢連忙叩首道︰小人守闕銳士張彥叩見章大人。 That's all.章惇瞥了一眼范、高二人，道︰張彥，你把前日向某所稟報之事，再原原本本地向范大人與高大人講一遍。 彥又向范純粹與高遵惠行了禮，道︰稟范大人、高大人，小人本是雄武二軍第三營第二指揮的副什將。俺們雄武二軍是六月初二到的渭南。自河北調撥時，軍中接到的命令，是赴益州路种太尉麾下聽差，替朝廷殺西南夷。到渭南之前，大營裡原就不太安穩，到了渭南 wait.你說到渭南之前，怎麼個不安穩法？高遵惠皺眉問道。 張彥看了一眼高遵惠，又看了一眼章惇，怯聲道︰軍中有流言，說朝廷在益州死了十幾萬人，西南夷住的地方有瘴氣，北方人沾了就死，不死也殘廢了。又有人說，朝廷國庫沒錢，正在二次整編軍隊，不僅被裁掉的廂軍要調到西夏那邊去屯邊，禁軍被裁為教閱廂軍的，也要調到西夏去軍屯。軍中的兄弟既怕去益州路送死，又怕打了仗，要背井離鄉去西夏，死了連祖墳也歸不得。還有人說，俺們雄武二軍素來不聽話，當官的又想去西邊 What is this nonsense?這次不僅連范純粹不明白，便是高遵惠也不明白了。 章惇忙解釋道︰他說得不明白。雄武二軍的士兵，原多是魏博人，河北禁軍中最是驕悍者。朝廷為了馴服這些驕兵，雄武二軍的武官，自指揮使以上，都是從西軍中調來的。故士兵們不願去西邊，反疑心軍官們想回故里。 absurd!范純粹不禁罵道︰這等事豈是幾個禁軍軍官做得主的！ 高遵惠卻板著臉道︰軍中不許傳流言，違令者斬。這些軍官怎麼帶的兵？ 只怕雄武二軍中官兵對立已到了不堪言的程度章惇苦笑道︰雄武二軍軍都指揮使孟紹欽是隨王韶平熙河出身的，素以治兵嚴厲出名，樞府、兵部當初商議選用他到雄武二軍，亦是看中他這一點，可惜反害了他 范純粹與高遵惠大驚失色，道︰孟紹欽也說罷齊齊望著章惇。章惇沉著臉搖搖頭，望著張彥。張彥垂下頭，澀聲道︰那天軍中到處都在說五營的一個兄弟被渭南的周通判杖殺在大街上，俺軍中往往一營兄弟都是同鄉，都鼓噪起來，道禁軍犯事，要殺也要衛尉寺來殺，輪不到渭南縣來管，於是便有幾百個人跑去縣衙鬧事。然後孟大人帶了許多軍官和軍法隊來彈壓，帶頭鬧事的四十多人全部被罰一百軍棍，當場就死了三個，餘下的也都被杖罰。當天晚上，營中便有人傳言，說去當官的不給活路，去益州也是死，就算活下來，到了西夏，我們也當不成禁軍背井離鄉，和死本就沒什麼區別；縱是朝廷開恩將家屬送到西夏，但朝廷要裁減禁軍，上三軍輪不到，西軍和河東軍有功，也輪不上，我們河北禁軍是在劫難逃，憑廂軍那點薪餉，最後也是個死字後來聽說是第一營的幾百士兵先作亂，殺了全營的軍官，又闖進中軍大營，殺了孟大人。然後全軍都亂了起來，指揮使以上的軍官，全死了然然後，數千人趁夜攻進渭南縣城，我親眼看到他們把周通判剝皮鞭屍說到此處，張彥忍不住渾身顫抖，九尺高的漢子，竟然低聲抽泣起來，章大人、范大人、高大人，你們明鑒，小人實是被裹脅的，看他們那樣子，小人便知道是死路一條，趁亂跑了出來，想去京兆府報信的小的一家隨太祖皇帝征淮南起，就是禁軍，也知道忠君愛國四個字 范純粹與高遵惠聽得愀然變色，二人竟是半晌說不出一句話來。章惇低聲嘆道︰章義、李板子冒險混進渭南，探得消息渭南縣現在實是慘不忍睹！叛卒作亂後自知罪在不赦，惶惶不可終日，整日除了內哄鬥毆外，便只知道殘破百姓。渭南百姓，此時盼王師之至，猶勝久旱之盼甘霖！ 章惇說完，目不轉瞬地望著范純粹與高遵惠。二人自然都知道章惇是什麼意思，范純粹不敢正視章惇的眼睛，只沉聲道︰子厚，明人面前不說暗話。我只是陝西路轉運使，既非經略使，也非安撫使，朝廷的制度子厚是知道的，我根本無權調動陝西禁軍。高遵惠卻是坦然迎視章惇，道︰陝西路廂軍我有調動之權。然叛軍雖是無用之輩，卻畢竟是整編之禁旅，裝備精良，訓練有素，且雄武二軍素有悍勇之名，狗急跳牆，亦不是些些廂軍可以對付的 章惇凝視二人半晌，忽然一笑，道︰范公、高公，不必介懷，朝廷自有處分。此番兵變非有預謀之叛亂，已是不幸中之大幸。我等只需盡力防止叛兵四下散為群寇便算是盡到力了若讓這些亂兵散入陝西，非止追剿更難，縱然剿滅，陝西也 子厚放心。范純粹澀聲道︰我定會盡力而為。我這便兼程去華州，子育去商州，佈置防務。高遵惠看了看范純粹，又看了看章惇，眼見范純粹登上馬車，忽然道︰范公，北面只要守住渭水便可，要緊是要防止亂兵向東竄入華山。 范純粹一愣，回首望了高遵惠一眼，默然一陣，抱拳道︰多謝！車夫駕地一聲，隨即長驅而去。高遵惠望著范純粹的馬車遠去，回首凝視章惇，嘴脣微動，眼見隨從牽過馬來，卻是什麼也沒說，只抱了抱拳，躍身上馬，揚塵而去。 章惇目送著范純粹與高遵惠先後離去，回想著高遵惠離開前的眼神，竟一時失神。渭南兵變真正的原因，真的僅僅是因為雄武二軍存在已久的官兵對立麼？這是瞞不過真正的聰明人的。唐康對平定兵變如此熱心，不惜干冒奇險；高遵惠臨走時的眼神他眺望東方，彷彿感覺到一場供風驟雨，正要降臨千里之外的汴京城 零水河畔。 離開零水鎮十餘里後，高遵惠便放緩了速度，按綹徐行。一干隨從見他雙眉緊鎖，神不守舍，都不敢打擾，只是遠遠跟在他馬後，徐徐而行。如此默默行了四五里，高遵惠才似乎忽然間緩過神來，勒馬回頭喚道︰象先。一個三十多歲的黑袍男子聞言，雙腿一夾，連忙疾馳幾步，趕到高遵惠馬後，欠身道︰高公有何吩咐？ 高遵惠看了一眼這個他最為倚重的幕僚宋象先，卻又不說話，只是驅馬緩行，宋象先素知他性情，忙不緊不慢地跟在後面，等待高遵惠開口。 唐康去哪了？半晌，高遵惠忽然道，你曾說在零口鎮驛館看到了唐康入住之記錄六月初六他去哪了？ 極難說。宋象先沉吟道︰不過，以唐康時之所作所為來看，臨陣脫逃不太可能。他打的什麼主意，學生猜不到，但我敢肯定，此事章惇定然知情。 高遵惠嗯了一聲，章子厚故弄玄虛，只好欺欺范純粹這樣的書生。叛兵倉促作亂，無人統率，不過烏合之眾，其憂誅不暇，豈敢西向長安？他在零口鎮，看起來孤身犯險，實則安若磐石。亂兵若要流竄，北過渭水則缺舟輯，南下商州則阻於洛水，只需扼住潼關，最多便是散入華山為盜賊。章子厚非糊塗之人，這番做作，不過是欲彰己之功而已。他與唐康時必有所謀者。 高公所見甚是。宋象先點頭道︰然公為外戚，明哲之道，只有一句話︰不為有功，但為無過。綽公實是前車之鑒。官家雖委公以重任，然公非止要報皇恩，還需知謙退之道，朝野之間，能少樹敵便少樹敵。我觀今日海內之事，實有如一鍋沸水，沸水眼見著要噴濺出來了，下面卻還有人不斷在添柴加薪依學生看，渭南兵變，只怕便是個導火線！這鍋沸水，不可避免地濺將出來了。當此之時，上智及大勇者，亦不過能勉強保住自己不要被這鍋沸水所傷及而已。 Well? 宋象先看了高遵惠一眼，又繼續分析道︰今國家之兵，一在陝西，一在益州。陝西雖無戰事，然平定西夏後，興靈駐紮之禁軍、廂軍各三萬餘，蘭會駐紮之禁軍二萬餘，平夏亦有萬餘禁軍、四萬餘廂軍，以上單禁軍即有八萬餘眾，總兵力十三萬有多，若僅以駐軍而論，較之恢復靈夏前其實好不了多少。這十三萬大軍，雖有屯田，朝廷又是軍屯又是募民實邊，但一兩年內實難見效，其糧草供給，依然有大半要靠國內轉運。且朝廷還要經營河套，章質夫在河套築了三座城與遼人周旋，朝廷所費國帑以億萬計！平心而論，陝西百姓較之戰前，的確稍得息肩，然轉運之苦，依然未絕若只是陝西，倒也罷了，經營靈夏，再有五年，必見成效，國家由此獲利非用財貨可衡量者。然偏偏陝西路之外，尚有益州路宋象先說到此處，不由得再三嗟嘆，而今這益州路，便果如石越當年所預言，真不亞於一個大泥潭，大宋已然一隻腳踩進去，泥足深陷，便是想拔也拔不出來了！ 西南夷之叛亂此起彼伏，牽連至數郡。朝廷屢番派兵鎮壓，然當地瘴癘橫行，地勢險峻，南兵不堪戰，北兵不習水土，王師屢戰屢敗，瀘州一戰，兩萬禁軍竟被五千蠻夷打得丟盔棄甲、落荒而逃，朝廷為此連誅數員大將！學生估算，至今喪命於益州之禁軍總數已超過五萬餘眾，其中七成以上是死於疾病若非不得已，朝廷如何會從河北抽調禁軍入蜀？那雄武二軍中之謠言，亦並非全無根據之辭！但依學生看來，這雄武二軍之兵變，還只是癬痢之疥；蜀中百姓因供給軍需，賦稅加重，困於徭役，才是最危險之事。萬一有陳勝吳廣之徒振臂一呼，蜀中局勢，只恐要無法收拾！ 而且，據學生觀察，而今國庫只怕也早空了別處學生不知，但陝西一路，交鈔泛濫，物價上漲，卻是明擺著的事情。石越治陝時，交鈔兌銅錢是一比一，現在市面上兩貫交鈔也未必能兌到一貫緡錢！朝廷這幾年究竟印了多少交鈔學生無從知曉，但以陝西一路之情況看，絕不容樂觀。兼之傳言這兩年聖體時有違和許多事，學生真是不願想，也不敢想！ 高遵惠聽他細說當前天下局勢，不覺低聲嘆了口氣，道︰呂吉甫的熙寧歸化，雖然在荊湖南北路頗為順利，卻是搞亂了整個益州路。但他只怕也是騎虎難下了 荊湖南北路那是石子明與蘇子瞻積下的家底，屯田廂軍遍佈各地，熟悉地理民情，兼之蠻夷各皆分散，自然容易制伏。呂吉甫將荊湖南北路之功全歸到自己名下，這才讓皇上相信益州路之叛亂只是軍隊無能，而非他呂吉甫之過！宋象先冷笑道︰不過，渭南兵變，只怕呂吉甫在政事堂的日子，便指日可待了。這麼大事，他怎麼遮掩得過？事過之後，總會有人要問一聲，雄武二軍為何會兵變的？一句官兵不和，能蒙混得過去麼？只不過高公要當心，呂吉甫定然要在陝西找替罪羊的。 讓他來找。高遵惠淡淡一笑，道，是禍躲不過。他縱找得到替罪羊，他的下場也好不了看著罷，說不定，便是石越要東山再起了。 宋象先也笑了笑，道︰石越能不能東山再起，也不干高公的事。還是那個宗旨︰高公是外戚，不必管他誰家得勢誰家失意。總之少招搖少樹敵，藏拙，認真辦好分內的差，便是自全之道。這鍋沸水，讓石越、唐康、章惇他們去忙罷。 高遵惠聽到此話，不覺自失地一笑，脫口道︰倒是我想岔了，象先說得是。不管他唐康去做甚事，亦不必管渭南兵變後有甚東西，總之我安心辦差便是。高遵惠在高太后家中，是頗為謹小慎微的一個，也最得高太后看重，屢次下旨褒獎，言語之中，多次透露出要舉家事付之之意。故此高遵惠不免更加謹慎起來，此時他治下出此大事，更加要顧慮周詳，這時與宋象先一番交談，才醒悟到整件事情其實與自己關係不大，頓覺釋然，揮鞭抽馬，向著商州疾馳而去。 雖然高遵惠覺悟到渭南兵變與自己關係不大，努力地想要獨善其身，但命運卻與他開了個不大不小的玩笑，他被命運的漩渦拉扯著，不可抑制地轉進了那鍋被他與宋象先視為洪水猛獸的沸水旁邊，甚至還不得不把手探了進去。 自零口鎮南入商洛，當時必須越過塚嶺山，即當年劉裕伐秦，遣沈田子等入武關，恐其眾少，又遣沈林子將兵自秦嶺取之的秦嶺，當地人俗稱為南山。而在塚嶺山以北，藍田縣與渭南縣交界處的堠子鎮，便是自藍田往渭南，自臨潼、藍田往商洛的必經之地。因當時南山多猛虎野獸出沒，宋朝在此設立斥堠，以便於保護往來商旅。高遵惠原計畫便是當晚在堠子鎮歇息，次日再趕早翻越南山，直趨商州。 但當他們一行人在黃昏時分將到堠子鎮之時，卻被眼前所見到的景象所震驚了。數座行軍大營安紮在堠子鎮外，數十道炊煙裊裊升起，野地裡一些解了鞍的戰馬正在悠閒的散著步 這是一個營的馬軍！幾乎只是一瞬間，高遵惠已經準確的估算出了他眼前所見的兵力。哪來的禁軍？另一個疑問隨即在心裡冒了出來，他是陝西路提督使，任何軍隊在陝西境內的軍事調動，他都應當知情。堠子鎮何時會出現如此規模的一隻馬軍？ 高遵惠正要派人前去詢問，突然卻發現自南邊山旁，有數十騎簇擁著兩三個人正飛馳而來。他定睛望去，只見這些騎士都扛著、拖著各種野獸，而正中兩三個人當中，有一位赫然正是與他有過數面之緣的唐康！ 夕陽如同一個淡紅西瓜掛在遠處的山邊上，身後那些層層疊疊的群山，都變成了一片紫褐色，便如同唐康此刻的心情一般陰鬱。在高遵惠看見唐康的那一刻，唐康也看見了高遵惠！他原本極為興奮的心情，在那一剎那，恍如掉進了嚴寒的冰窟中。但也只是一瞬間，唐康便恢復了鎮定。他勒住奔馳的戰馬，向同行的田烈武、趙隆簡單地交代了一聲，便掉轉馬頭，迎著高遵惠走了過去。田烈武與趙隆對視一眼，也都隨著唐康走了過來。 離高遵惠還有三十步的時候，唐康在馬上見著高遵惠已經下馬等候，他不敢失禮，連忙翻身下馬，牽著馬快走過去，遠遠便抱拳揖道︰高大人，下官有禮了。田烈武、趙隆也連忙緊隨著下馬拜見。對唐康這樣的後起之秀，一貫謹小慎微當官的高遵惠是絕不敢怠慢的，忙上前幾步，回了一禮，笑道︰康時，不意在此邂逅。又扶起田烈武、趙隆，和藹地笑著問道︰恕某眼拙，這兩位將軍是？ 唐康連忙替田烈武與趙隆引見，這位是致果校尉田烈武，這位是翊麾校尉趙隆，皆是种太尉的愛將。 Disrespect, disrespect!久聞田將軍是天子門生，靈州城前，威震西戎，某素仰威名，不料今日在此邂逅，也算是有緣高遵惠拉著田烈武的手，稱讚不已，田烈武連連謙謝。高遵惠又望向趙隆，笑問道︰這位趙將軍可是秦州人，字子漸的？ 趙隆不料高遵惠竟也聽說過自己，不由一怔，忙抱拳道︰正是末將。 高遵惠轉頭對宋象先哈哈笑道︰象先，這便是上回姚君瑞大人提到的趙子漸將軍了。當年姚君瑞隨故王襄敏公開熙河，君瑞為大將，出戰，被重創，曰吾渴欲死，得水尚可活。當時亦是黃昏，而泉近賊營，一軍當中，無人敢往，惟子漸將軍獨身潛往，漬衣泉中，為賊所覺，子漸將軍且鬥且退，竟全身而退，持衣裂水以飲君瑞，君瑞因此得活。常謂西軍