The carriage drove slowly through the streets, occupying almost half of the road. The road conditions in Kaifeng City were very poor, crowded and narrow, and most of them could not accommodate two parallel carriages traveling together.
In the carriage, Liu Chengyou sat cross-legged, eyes slightly closed, thoughts flashing in his mind. Judging from today's questioning in the palace, Liu Zhiyuan obviously did not intend to completely suppress him.
With his index finger pointing on his knee, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but think about where he should focus his work next. His eldest brother Liu Chengxun did a good job in appeasing the refugees, but what about him?
In fact, he has a lot of ideas in his mind. He has too many things that he is dissatisfied with and wants to change. In the military, government, officials, and people, from national strategy to national strategy, to farming and weaving, there are too many ills that need to be eliminated. It needs to be corrected urgently.
However, it is not his turn to dictate the world now. The incident involving Xue Huairang has already sounded the alarm for him. Things cannot be rushed.
Sometimes, knowing too much is not necessarily a good thing. Liu Chengxun's illness made Liu Chengyou worry about gains and losses. He knew in his heart that even if he didn't do anything, as long as he survived for half a year, everything would be his. He He also planned to do this. However, the indescribable restlessness in his heart has been really weighing on him recently, and he is far from as calm as he showed on his face.
He opened the curtain and looked out of the car, looking at the streets and alleys of Kaifeng. His eyes gradually brightened, but then darkened. The post of Kaifeng Governor is still vacant at the moment, and Kaifeng is still under semi-military control. If If you can govern Kaifeng, you can still accomplish something, and it may be more meaningful than being a deputy privy envoy.
However, it would probably be difficult for Liu Chengyou to ask for it with the respect of a prince.
"Your Highness, we're here." Li Chongju said respectfully from outside the car.
Lifting the curtain and stepping on the low stool prepared by his own soldiers, Liu Chengyou took long strides and walked towards the door of the mansion. His steps were a little hasty, and when he crossed the threshold, he stumbled, his body swayed, and he almost fell. wrestle.
Li Chongju quickly stepped forward to support him and asked: "Your Highness, are you okay?"
After getting rid of the support, Liu Chengyou frowned and looked at the threshold under his feet, calling out: "Where is the concierge?"
"The villain is here!" Hearing Liu Chengyou's call, the anxious Menzi immediately came over and knelt down nervously, his voice trembling.
"The threshold of my family shouldn't be so high. Find someone to change it!" Liu Chengyou ordered directly.
"Yes!" The person who could guard the door for Liu Chengyou was also an old man who was familiar with the job in Jinyang. He knew Liu Chengyou's temper very well. He breathed a sigh of relief and responded decisively. As for changing the height of the threshold, will it destroy the original design pattern of the door? , that is not something for a small person like him to consider.
"Where is Mr. Wei?" After entering the mansion, Liu Chengyou asked a steward.
"Go back to Your Highness, in the East Garden."
When he learned that Wei Renpu was living alone in Tokyo with only one servant, Liu Chengyou simply let him live in his mansion. His mansion was very big. Of course, more importantly, it was convenient for Liu Chengyou to discuss matters with him at any time. Not to mention other things. , Liu Chengyou’s behavior as a “courteous and virtuous corporal” was very satisfying.
What was prepared for Wei Renpu was an independent house in Dongyuan. The layout was very careful and the environment was quiet and livable. When Liu Chengyou wandered over, Wei Renpu was drinking tea and studying.
"Sir, you live a leisurely life." Liu Chengyou said softly.
After standing up and making a salute, Wei Renpu said calmly: "It's just a book for entertainment."
"Next, sir, I'm afraid you'll rarely have this leisure time." Liu Chengyou said as they all sat down.
Wei Renpu was a little surprised and asked: "How do you say this, Your Highness?"
Liu Chengyou directly told Wei Renpu about recommending him to the Privy Council. While Wei Renpu was thinking about it, Liu Chengyou said, "I'm good at making suggestions for Privy Council Guo's kind wishes. I'll accept it first for you, sir. You won't be offended."
Wei Renpu clasped his fists towards Liu Chengyou and said with some gratitude on his face: "I would also like to thank His Highness for the promotion."
After getting along with each other for such a long time, I have gained a certain understanding of Wei Renpu. He has a series of shining points in terms of ability and quality. He is almost a "perfect" person in his behavior. But he has never concealed his desire for fame and fame. , the pursuit of a successful career.
Liu Chengyou waved his hand, pondered for a while, and said: "Today in Chui Gong Hall, my father asked me to become a member of the Privy Council."
"Is there any result about the army reorganization?" Wei Renpu guessed.
"Yes." Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh: "A good Longqi Army was broken into pieces, but I feel bad in my heart."
"According to previous news, not only the Longqi Army, Wujie, Xingjie and other armies have also undergone changes. Your Highness does not need to be too depressed. The number of forbidden troops in the capital, the former dynasty, and foreign troops is extremely heavy, so Disruption and reorganization are beneficial to the imperial court's control." Wei Renpu advised.
"If it's just for me, the Longqi Army, and I'm going to be punished, I'll have to make a scene!" Liu Chengyou made a joke. With his character, he would never do any useless act.
As he spoke, Liu Chengyou couldn't help lowering his voice and said with a stern face: "Brother, I took the opportunity to place some people in the Forbidden Army. I heard that they even had contacts with Shi Hongzhao."
"It's conceivable to do this." Wei Renpu tried to persuade him.
But Liu Chengyou suddenly changed his face and said very relaxedly: "It seems that it's me, the eldest brother, who feels the pressure..."
He and Wei Renpu discussed world affairs again and left happily. Later, Guo Rong came to ask for an audience. He talked to Liu Chengyou about going to Chanzhou and gained his support.
The two of them had a tacit understanding about certain things that were "kept in the dark" and discussed the situation between Du Chongwei and Ye Du together.
The reorganization of the Forbidden Army soon entered the implementation stage. The preliminary preparations were very thorough. Shi Hongzhao and Guo Wei presided over it, with the cooperation of the Privy Council, the Third Department and other government offices, and carried out top-down operations on the hundreds of thousands of troops in Kaifeng. A head-to-toe adjustment.
Of course, this is almost just a systematic reorganization of the entire army to achieve the purpose of absorbing foreign troops and reducing redundant matters in the army. However, this is also an incomplete training, which does not eliminate the old and weak, and does not eliminate the weak and retain the good. The result is a mixture of good and bad. It is obvious that the combat effectiveness of the reorganized Han Forbidden Army will drop significantly before the running-in is successful. It is also unknown how long the running-in will take and what the effect will be...
Of course, the reorganization of the army is definitely of positive significance. The previous chaos has been swept away, the old military system has been completely disrupted and crushed, and the court's control over the Forbidden Army has also been unprecedentedly enhanced.
However, there are always people who express dissatisfaction and discomfort with this matter, including the original Hedong Army, including the Longqi Army...
There was a white paper on the desk. Liu Chengyou picked up the pen and wrote in a precise manner. After practicing the calligraphy for so long, it finally had some effect. Although it was not beautiful and had no aura at all, Liu Chengyou was satisfied. He believed that in the future, As long as his seal is stamped, "spiritual energy" will surely surge and appear on the paper.
"If you don't lead troops in the army and train soldiers, why do you come to my house?" Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Sun Li, who was sitting next to him, drinking tea with a cup of cow. He put down his pen and walked slowly to Sun Li's side. Filling his tea cup with water, he asked calmly: "You are ruining my good tea?"
I don't know since when, Commander Sun behaved a lot in front of Liu Chengyou, but his temper still hasn't improved much. He said carelessly: "Your Highness likes to drink tea. I will go back to collect some for you. I guarantee it will be top quality."
"Use all your thoughts on leading the troops!" Liu Chengyou sat down and looked at Sun Li: "Tell me, what do you want from me?"
"I don't know what the imperial court means. The good Longqi Army was broken up and we were separated. It's really frustrating..." Sun Li complained.
"Why, there are still people who dare to make you angry under Sun Du's command?" Liu Chengyou asked, sensing something in his tone.
"Brothers have dispersed. It's enough to assign us to the Xiaodi Army. Why should Shi Honglang be the capital of Yuhou and put pressure on us? The general will not accept it!" Sun Li said directly: "I think it is. That Shi Hongzhao abolished the official position for personal reasons and put his younger brother in a high position!"
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's expression became a little colder, and he looked at Sun Li. His dull gaze immediately made the excitement on his face disappear.
"Then what do you, Commander Sundu, want to do, let you and Shi Honglang switch positions?" Liu Chengyou said lightly.
The Xiaodi Army is an army of 12,000 young soldiers selected from various armies. Many people from the Longqi Army were selected into it. It is a new army that the imperial court attaches great importance to. As for Sun Li, because In particular, he was an old man who followed Liu Zhiyuan. He had sufficient qualifications and had gained a lot of military exploits in Hebei. He was transferred to the left wing commander of the Xiaodi Army, which was regarded as a promotion to another level.
Zhou Hui, the former commander of the right wing of the Wujie Army, was appointed commander of the Xiaodi Army Capital. Shi Hongzhao's younger brother Shi Honglang was appointed as Yuhou, the capital of the Xiaodi Army. However, Shi Honglang had no outstanding achievements, and then Sun Li Not convinced anymore.
No matter how nervous he was, he could still notice that Liu Chengyou's tone was not kind. Thinking of the past situation when he was controlled by Liu Chengyou in Longqi Army, Sun Li suddenly lost his momentum and said in a low voice: "That's not necessary, Longqi Army." The general has been there since the establishment. Your Highness, can you speak for the general and be sure to transfer him back to the Longqi Army? Don't stay in the Xiaodi Army and suffer the incompetence of that incompetent person..."
"Bang", Liu Chengyou suddenly took a picture of the small case, stared at Sun Li coldly, and his momentum suddenly burst out: "Is the army a place to negotiate terms with you Sun Li? The imperial court has to go through you to organize the army. Do you agree with Sun Li? You are also a veteran who follows the official family. You don't know that military orders are like mountains and there are no orders and prohibitions? How can you have the courage to say such things without shame when you go to Gu Mansion? "
"I..." Sun Li was suddenly shocked by Liu Chengyou, and his butt felt like it was being burned. He jumped to his feet, and Nuonuo stood there speechless.
Staring at him, Liu Chengyou took a deep breath. This Sun Li, his perception of him has changed somewhat since the Battle of Luancheng. But his somewhat arrogant warrior temperament may never change in his lifetime.
Standing up, Liu Chengyou raised his finger, pointed it at his chest, and said seriously: "I'm telling you, no matter if it's Shi Honglang or Zhou Hui above you, even if it's Shi Hongzhao, I'll be honest in front of you. Commander, talk less and lead your troops well!"
"Yes, yes..." Sun Li didn't dare to be presumptuous.
With his hands behind his back, he wandered around in front of Sun Li for a few times. Seeing his appearance, Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief, pulled himself closer, lowered his voice, and warned: "Ignore other things, the five or six thousand troops in the left wing of the small bottom, Take good care of me! Do you understand?"
Hearing this, Sun Li was a little stunned. He looked at Liu Chengyou in confusion, and then said after realizing, "I understand."
I don’t know if he really understood, so he waved his hand to him, and Liu Chengyou added: "Also, don’t show off to the Gu Mansion like this in the future."
Regardless of whether your mind is confused or not, just agree and be done: "Yes."
"I heard that there are signs of recurrence of your injury?" Liu Chengyou asked, his expression slowly softening, and seeing Sun Li's aggrieved expression.
Sensing the change in tone, Sun Li smiled: "The root cause of the disease has been found, it's nothing serious. The weather is getting colder and it's just a slight pain. It's nothing. I will eventually be able to bear it..."
...
Early in the morning, it was still very early before dawn, and the surroundings were still shrouded in darkness. Liu Chengyou got up from the bed, and under the attendance of Mr. Geng and his maid, he got dressed. After finishing tidying up his green crown and purple clothes, he simply After eating some dry cakes, Liu Chengyou headed for the imperial city under a hazy atmosphere.
Today, Liu Zhiyuan came to the Chongyuan Hall.
Officials in Beijing who are qualified are basically in place. There are a large number of ministers from the later Jin Dynasty, and the hall is very full. After entering Tokyo, Liu Zhiyuan rarely paid attention to the imperial court. Basically, he stayed in the Chui Gong Hall with military and political ministers. We discussed and settled the matter.
Liu Chengyou was very adaptable to this serious occasion. With the dignity of a prince, he stood at the front and listened to the emperor and ministers' discussion. He was not impatient at all, but instead observed and listened with interest.
"Your Majesty, Suzhou reported that more than 500 people died of starvation in the territory."
"Stop the governor of Suzhou and the defense envoy, order the officials to take care of the civil affairs, and order Suzhou to reduce taxes by 30% this autumn!"
...
"Your Majesty, the Khitan has gone, but the remaining poison has not been cleared away. There are still people making Khitan-style saddles, bridles, instruments, and clothing in the official and civilian workshops of the various prefectures in Gyeonggi."
"The imperial edict prohibits creation!"
...
Listening to the officials talking about solving the problem one by one, Liu Chengyou talked about his experience. Although it was boring, he felt very comfortable in the orderly and solemn scene.
Liu Chengyou and Liu Chengxun stood together. After a while, he found that Liu Chengxun's face was a little red, a little strange, and he felt uncomfortable. After quietly observing for a while, Liu Chengyou guessed in his mind, did he want to sneeze?
As his mind was spinning, Liu Zhiyuan's majestic voice rang in his ears again: "...Emperor Taizu Gao and Emperor Guangwu are the unforgettable temples."
However, it was Quan Taichangqing Zhang Zhao who suggested that he please honor the Sixth Temple. In addition to the ancestors of the first four generations, he would like to honor the Han Taizu Liu Bang and Liu Xiu. This is probably all the "Liu Han" dynasties after the Han Dynasty. basic operations.
When he came back to his senses, he saw that the palace had become quiet. He probably noticed something was wrong with Liu Chengxun's condition, and his eyes stopped on him for a moment. Liu Zhiyuan ordered someone to bring a chair to Liu Chengxun so that he could sit and discuss politics.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" By thanking him, Liu Chengxun slightly released his "grievance" feeling. At the same time, he was a little touched by his father's love.
The morning session lasted for more than an hour, and it was already bright. He was probably thirsty, so Liu Zhiyuan took a sip of water and asked, "What else can I do?"
After a moment of silence, an official moved and said loudly: "Your Majesty, the country has been initially settled, but the East Palace is empty. In order to consolidate the foundation of the country, please establish a prince as soon as possible!"
As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the palace suddenly went off the rails.
PS: Let’s talk about the title of the book. Why is it called because the author likes it. As for what Liu Xiu should do, if there is a reasonable explanation, just change it.
