As a prominent figure in the political arena of Jinling, the front door of the Han Mansion was once crowded with people and people. Even in the early days of Han Xizai's fall from power, there were still many friends, dignitaries, and literati who came to visit and have banquets. However,
As time went by, the former Han Mansion became increasingly deserted, and Han Xizai gradually closed his doors to thank guests and stayed at home quietly, rarely going in or out.
The low-key life has also caused Han Xizai's presence in the Jinling court to continue to decrease, but there are not a few people who think about him and miss him. Taking a closer look, Han Xizai today is actually the most prestigious and capable person in Jiangnan.
The third minister.
It's just that he can't be reused. Of course, with the country's situation collapsed to this point, it's too late to use him. Speaking of Han Xizai, he is indeed a famous minister of the previous generation. His knowledge, ability, and talents can all be called outstanding. However, looking at him
His resume is filled with ups and downs in his career and a rough life.
From Li Min, to Li Jing, and then to Li Yu, in fact Han Xizai has never really been reused to show his talents. In the Jiangnan regime, there was Song Qiqiu in the early period, and Feng Yansi in the middle period. In the later period, Han Xizai had been completely relegated to the "cold palace"
"Yes.
After the Huainan War, the reforms presided over by Han Xizai were more like cleaning up the mess and rescuing emergencies. The results achieved were also a return to the past. Forced by pressure from all aspects and the counterattack of Feng Yansi and others, it ultimately failed. Since then,
, Han Xizai was completely depressed.
But now, as the imperial army besieged the city, the door of the Han Mansion was opened again, and the guest welcomed was Prime Minister Xu Xuan. Because of the age difference, the two could barely be regarded as close friends.
Han Xizai showed great enthusiasm and respect for Xu Xuan's visit. He welcomed him into the main hall and received him personally. There were no dancing girls and musicians, and there were no delicacies from the mountains and seas. Just tea and light wine, three liang of dishes, and two years ago.
Extravagance and extravagance are quite different.
"Dingchen is on a mission, and after traveling so hard, he still has some free time to come and visit me, an old and decrepit old man. I would like to thank you for your kindness!" Han Xizai looked very happy and said to Xu Xuan.
Hearing this, Xu Xuan looked at Han Xizai and couldn't help but sigh: "Although Mr. Han has lived in the mansion for a long time and never left home, he still has a clear understanding of national affairs!"
"Thank you!" Han Xizai waved his hands repeatedly: "I am already over sixty years old and have low energy. I have no time to care about government affairs. I only hear about it. All I want now is to entertain my grandson, write lyrics and write articles, and enjoy my old age in peace!"
With that said, Han Xizai took out a book and handed it to Xu Xuan: "Dingchen, in the past two years, I have written several volumes of articles and named them "Maxims". This is the volume I think I have written the best. Please review it."
Ichiban!”
The two of them are literary giants known as "Han Xu". If it were normal days, Xu Xuan would study and taste it with great interest, but now... Facing Han Xizai's gaze, Xu Xuan only flipped through it slightly, even roughly.
Not liking it, he closed the album and said to Han Xizai: "Mr. Han, now the Han soldiers are besieging the city and the country is in danger. Forgive me for not being interested in paying homage to your masterpiece!"
There was some dissatisfaction faintly heard in Xu Xuan's tone. Han Xizai looked at him silently for a long time before he calmly said: "The country is in such a situation that it cannot be saved by manpower. What can I do?"
Xu Xuan's face suddenly changed. He wanted to speak out for justice, but after noticing Han Xizai's old age, he finally sighed with sadness: "We have been deeply favored by the three generations of lords, how can we just sit back and watch the ancestral temple fall into ruin and the country's lord fall?"
?"
"Ding Chen, what else can be done to save it?" Facing his old friend, Han Xizai finally showed a little wry smile.
However, he quickly returned to an unruly attitude and said to Xu Xuan: "I heard from King Nanping that the Lord of Shu was still treated well by the court in Kaifeng. If it is for the safety of the country's leader and the continuation of the Li family, he should make some choices.
!”
After listening to Han Xizai's words, Xu Xuan asked: "Does Mr. Han also think he should surrender?"
Noticing his words, Han Xizai said: "It seems that someone has proposed surrender!"
Xu Xuan briefly recounted the discussion in Chengxin Hall. After hearing this, Han Xizai did not show any surprise: "Zhong Zhongyi has already expressed his heart to the imperial court. At this time, Han troops are approaching the city and it is not enough to propose surrender."
It's strange. It can be seen that the courtiers have different intentions, the army has been defeated in a row, and the people are in panic. How can they stop the hundreds of thousands of powerful Han troops? Lin Renzhao was imprisoned, and although Zhu Lingyun was a queen with meritorious deeds, his talents could not help him after all.
Qing, a Huangfu Jixun made Ezhou fall easily, how could Zhu Lingyun defend Jinling?"
After Lin Renzhao was imprisoned, in an emergency, the chief minister of Jinling chose a chief general, Zhu Lingyun, a senior general of the Forbidden Army. This was a figure that was only recorded in a few words in official history. He was the protagonist of the last battle of the Song and Tang Dynasties, which ended in complete defeat. Li Yu Junchen
We really couldn't find anyone, so we had to find a tall guy to shoulder the important task.
Noticing Xu Xuan's increasingly heavy face, Han Xizai thought for a moment and continued to say to him: "Dingchen, the land of Liangjiang, especially the south of the Yangtze River, has been recuperating and prospering for more than sixty years since Wu and Tang Dynasties. It can be said that,
There is no better place in the world than this, and Jinling is the center.
The unification of the world cannot be stopped. The imperial court wants to level the south and never wants Jiangnan to be reduced to ruins. Especially Jinling City. If it can be taken over intact, it will be of great benefit to the imperial court's future restoration and governance.
Now, the Han army has not yet broken through the city. I think they are making preparations and taking this into consideration. Li Weizhen is a knowledgeable and ambitious person, so he can persuade him to surrender. If he surrenders at this time, Jinling City can still be used as a condition for negotiation. If
The patience of the Han army is exhausted, and if they surrender after the city is broken, then it will be another possibility..."
What Han Xizai said is a very simple truth. However, even this simple truth often makes it difficult for many people in the situation to understand it. Xu Xuan's face was serious and he exclaimed: "Li Gu's letter of persuasion to surrender clearly states that
Lord, attack the city in three days!"
"That is to say, the Han army only gave the king three days to think about it!" Han Xizai sighed and looked at Xu Xuan: "Dingchen, I know that you have always been upright, and the proposal of surrender will never come out of your mouth easily.
However, if it is for the sake of the Li family, we must make a decision quickly!"
This was Han Xizai's most straightforward expression of his attitude. Originally, Xu Xuan came to the door with the intention of seeking some solutions to the problem. His expression changed a little, but Xu Xuan suddenly raised his head, looked at Han Xizai, whose beard had almost reached his stomach, and said with a wry smile:
"Mr. Han, it may not be a blessing to live in seclusion in the mansion!"
"I'll take my leave!" Xu Xuan got up and left after smelling the wine for the first time but not drinking the tea.
Han Xizai saw him off in person, but before he had taken two steps, Xu Xuan stopped and said, "But I was confused. Before returning to the city, the Han army commander Li Gu asked me to give a message to Mr. Han!"
With that said, Xu Xuan relayed Li Gu's greetings to Han Xizai.
After hearing this, the expression on old Han Xizai's face became complicated. There were memories and emotions in his eyes. I thought back to more than thirty years ago, before Zhengyang Crossing, how proud and confident he was at that time, and how lofty and ambitious he was.
Now, he has become nothing more than an old man.
"After all, Li Weizhen won!" Han Xizai sighed.
After sending Xu Xuan away, Han Xizai returned to the hall again, poured himself a drink, and seemed to have entered a state of indifference and tranquility. The extravagance and extravagance of the Han family in the past two years can now hardly be seen.
.
On the one hand, the wealth of the Han family cannot support such a luxurious life for a long time. On the other hand, although Jiangnan is a glitzy place where gold and jade are piled up, once you join the imperial court, it is almost impossible to maintain the past life style.
impossible.
Especially for a bureaucrat, therefore, in the fifteen years since the Qianyu reign, Han Xizai dismissed the retainers he had previously recruited, promoted tricks, reduced the government's expenses, and restrained his family's lifestyle. It took nearly a year to finally
Complete the difficult process of transitioning from luxury to frugality.
From this aspect, even though Han Xizai has been quite unsatisfactory in his official career in recent years, he has not completely lost his interest in politics, and is not as depressed and decadent as he appears on the surface. Otherwise, he would not be so smart and wise, saying to Xu Xuan
Say those words.
In addition, judging from the changes in life in the Han Dynasty, this man is probably ready to become a Han official.
