GBP Chapter 230 The Sima Family's Heart
Chapter 230 The Sima Family's Heart
After the Li family, one of the seven major families, learned that their clan members were being bullied, they recruited more than 50,000 relatives from Longxi and even Qin, and also recruited 50,000 non-relatives, and more than 100,000 tenants and refugees.
A military representative, Li Jixian, was selected from the Li family in Longxi and appointed as the general of the guard. He gathered around the Longxian area and led more than 200,000 people to pass through Dingzhou County.
Everything went smoothly at the beginning. When passing through Hancheng, Yan Ruxiang found Li Jixian and wanted to go north together to defend against the enemy on the front line in Bingzhou.
"General Li is brave enough to travel thousands of miles to Dingzhou for the sake of my family. I admire him immensely. However, considering that the Great Zhou Dynasty is facing foreign enemies, I beg you to uphold justice and join us in resisting them."
Li Jixian had some insights after hearing Yan Ruxiang's words, but the matter of Dingzhou was originally caused by the Lu family colluding with foreign enemies, but it did not end well. How could their Li family sit idly by and watch?
Li Jixian clasped his fists and said, "General Yan, it's not that I, Li, am unwilling to fight the enemy together with you, but the matter of Dingzhou has not yet been resolved. If my Li family ignores it at this time, it will surely chill the hearts of the other soldiers."
Yan Ruxiang frowned and said, "General Li, the country is in crisis right now. Let's put aside our personal grudges for now. If the Great Zhou is not safe, how can Dingzhou remain unscathed?"
Li Jixian pondered for a moment and said, "General Yan, let me think about it again."
At this moment, spies in the army reported that the enemy had new movements and was advancing faster.
Intelligence shows that there have been many small-scale battles in Shizhou. It seems that Shizhou's defense force is not weak, and the enemy has been reluctant to attack the important town of Fangshan.
However, the appearance of Guo Zian made Yan Ruxiang feel strange.
He looked at Li Jixian and asked, "Why is Pharmacist Guo's son here?"
"I don't know, but we are just passing through Bingzhou and will not stay."
"General, there's something I need to explain to you. Pharmacist Guo is gathering troops near Dingzhou, but they won't be sending any troops, and..."
Although Yan Ruxiang never said it, Li Jixian also knew the secret.
Li Jixian snorted coldly, "This Pharmacist Guo has always been unpredictable. This time, he's gathering troops near Dingzhou but not sending any troops. I'm sure he's watching the situation and hoping to reap the benefits."
Yan Ruxiang said worriedly, "If that's the case, then our situation will be even more difficult."
Li Jixian pondered for a moment and said, "No matter what Pharmacist Guo has planned, we must first make our own arrangements. Strengthen reconnaissance and closely monitor the enemy's movements. We must not allow them to take advantage of any opportunity."
At this moment, a soldier came hurriedly to report: "General, there is news from the rear that our food and grass supplies were attacked by the enemy on the way, and we suffered heavy losses."
Li Jixian and Yan Ruxiang's faces changed drastically. The attack on food supplies was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.
Li Jixian gritted his teeth and said, "Immediately send people to the surrounding towns to collect food and fodder, and at the same time strengthen the escort team."
Yan Ruxiang nodded and said, "If such a problem occurs in my defense zone, I will definitely give you an explanation. Who has the guts to hijack the Li family's food supplies?"
Li Jixian looked at Yan Ruxiang and said in a deep voice, "General Yan, this matter is of great importance. I hope we can find out the truth as soon as possible."
Yan Ruxiang bowed and said, "Don't worry, General Li. I have sent my trusted confidant to investigate and I will not let you down."
However, one day passed, then two days passed, and there was still no progress in the investigation.
The army's food and fodder were running low, and the soldiers began to panic.
Li Jixian was extremely anxious and went to Yan Ruxiang again: "General Yan, when will this investigation produce any results?"
Yan Ruxiang looked troubled. "General Li, the people I sent out seem to have encountered many obstacles, and the clues are always inexplicably interrupted."
Just when the two were worrying about this matter, a mysterious man suddenly asked to see them.
The mysterious man entered the tent and said in a low voice, "Generals, I know the inside story of the food robbed."
Li Jixian and Yan Ruxiang were cheered up and asked in unison: "Speak quickly!"
The mysterious man said, "This was done intentionally by someone in the army who colluded with the enemy."
Li Jixian and Yan Ruxiang were shocked and shouted angrily, "Who is it?"
The mysterious man was about to speak when the guards came to report that Sima Yan was coming with his troops.
Everyone was shocked, especially Yan Ruxiang, who knew that the Sima family had always coveted the Qin territory, but due to the eyes of the world, they could not find a suitable reason to rebel.
Secondly, several major families are watching?
The current emperor coexists with the aristocratic families. If you rebel, you will be making an enemy of the aristocratic families.
Li Jixian frowned and asked, "Why is Sima Yan leading his troops here at this time? Could it be related to the looting of food supplies?"
Yan Ruxiang's face was solemn: "It's hard to say, but this person has bad intentions. We need to be careful when dealing with him."
Sima Yan quickly arrived in front of the tent, laughing as he walked in: "General Li, General Yan, how are you?"
Li Jixian snorted coldly: "Sima Yan, why did you bring your troops here?"
Sima Yan said with a forced smile, "I heard that your army's food supplies were robbed, so I came to help."
Yan Ruxiang sneered, "When did the Sima family become so kind? I'm afraid they have other plans!"
Sima Yan's face darkened. "General Yan, what do you mean by this? I have good intentions, but you treat me like a donkey's liver and lungs."
At this moment, there was a sudden commotion outside the tent, and a soldier hurried in to report: "General, it's bad! Sima Yan's soldiers clashed with ours!"
Li Jixian's eyes widened in anger: "Sima Yan, what do you mean?"
Sima Yan shrugged: "That wasn't my intention. I guess my subordinates were a little impulsive."
Li Jixian stepped forward and shouted angrily, "Sima Yan, if you don't give me an explanation today, there's no way I'll be free from this!"
Sima Yan remained calm, a strange smile playing on his lips. "Explanation? Humph, military affairs are inherently complicated, and some conflicts are inevitable."
Yan Ruxiang gritted his teeth and said, "Sima Yan, please stop being so flattering. What exactly do you want to do by coming here?"
Sima Yan looked around at everyone and said slowly, "The current situation is turbulent. The world will change sooner or later. Naturally, my Sima family must plan for the future."
Li Jixian's heart tightened: "Are you planning to rebel openly?"
Sima Yan laughed heartily. "Rebellion? This world is already unfair. The emperor is incompetent, and the aristocratic families are oppressed. Why can't we change that?"
Li Jixian glared at Sima Yan and sternly said, "Sima Yan, your wolfish ambition is obvious! The Sima family has enjoyed the emperor's favor for generations, yet now you are trying to usurp power. This is simply intolerable!"
Sima Yan snorted and replied, "Heavenly law? The natural law of this world is that the strong rule! My Sima family's power is intertwined and complex, and it's only a matter of time before we control the world."
Yan Ruxiang pointed at Sima Yan and cursed, "You shameless man, you'll do anything for power. Aren't you afraid of being infamous for eternity?"
Sima Yan threw his head back and laughed heartily: "Leave me in disgrace for eternity? When my Sima family ascends to the highest position, I will write history!"
Li Jixian gnashed his teeth and said, "You are absolutely mad! Do you think your Sima family can overthrow the world? Other noble families will never tolerate your outrageous behavior!"
Sima Yan said disdainfully: "Other noble families? They must either submit to our Sima family or wait to be eradicated!"
Yan Ruxiang shouted angrily, "Sima Yan, don't be so arrogant! There are many righteous people in this world who will definitely crush your Sima family's conspiracy!"
Sima Yan sneered, "Justice? In the face of absolute power, so-called justice is nothing more than an excuse for the weak."
Li Jixian stepped forward and shouted, "Sima Yan, you are so perverse and will be punished by heaven!"
Sima Yan taunted, "Divine punishment? I think you're afraid of the rise of my Sima family!"
At this moment, there was a sudden noise outside the tent...