On the plains of Henan, a team of hundreds of officers and soldiers, with several carriages, slowly traveled westward along the valley waterway. This was the Han Dynasty's new envoy to Shuofang, Zheng Guogong Shi Hongzhao and his party, setting out from Luoyang for the northwest frontier fortress .
In addition to Shi Hongzhao's servants, the people accompanying him were some of his subordinates who had been following him for many years. In addition, Liu Chengyou also showed special grace and transferred several of Shi Hongzhao's old troops from the Tokyo Forbidden Army for his use. Such a result In other words, Zheng Guogong's mark in the Han Dynasty's Forbidden Army faded again.
Since receiving the order to move to Shuofang, Shi Hongzhao has been in a bad mood, mainly because of the huge gap in his heart.
At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, he was the commander in charge of the imperial army and the top leader of the army. He was so powerful and arrogant at that time. In the first year of Qianyou's reign, he was sent to Luoyang to stay. At that time, Shi Hongzhao was already unhappy, but he could still comfort himself. After all, he controlled Xijing. In the military and political affairs, the feudal officials also had a lot of power. Compared with the small emperor in Kaifeng and the assistant ministers below, they could at least be more comfortable and comfortable.
Therefore, Shi Hongzhao also lived happily in Luoyang for three years. But now, what kind of place is Shuofang? It is far to the northwest, a barren land, and just because the dry flies and bugs in Xijing buzzed, he was sent to Shuofang!
Distribution! In Shi Hongzhao's opinion, Shuofang's appointment, although it was a town, was tantamount to exile.
Due to his bad mood, Shi Hongzhao had a cold face all the way, giving people a feeling of evil spirit. Finally, during a break at noon, he broke out and cursed non-stop:
"Those people in Xijing are probably very proud this time. I was finally driven away by them! If I had known this, I should have been more ruthless in my attack!"
"Does the emperor just let those civil servants and pen officials manipulate them? What should Luoyang's old officials and officials with no military power and no power have to fear? That Fan Zhi was just a relic of the previous dynasty. What kind of person was he when I took the military power? ?In Luoyang, I have to take his land and take in his tenants?"
"Over the years I have been in Xijing, how many fields have I paid for the court, how many people have been registered, and how much food have been transported, can't the court see it?"
"That Jingfan is just a field official. He can't control the nobles and suppress the powerful. I have almost managed Luoyang. He comes to enjoy the results. There are such good things in the world. As soon as he takes office, he will show some kindness to those nobles. Give him some benefits, I'm afraid those people will have to support him..."
In the past three years in Luoyang, Shi Hongzhao has made some progress. Although his temper has not improved much, his political acumen has still opened up.
Shi Hongzhao was spitting loudly, and the followers around him were busy doing their own things, taking care of horses and livestock, eating and drinking, and did not dare to talk to each other.
After venting his anger, Shi Hongzhao shook his head, his rough face softened, and muttered to himself: "Where did Shi come from with so many rumblings? It has come to this point. For this woman to complain and spread it out, it will only cause trouble." People laugh!”
"Please remember, my father, what I just said is not allowed to be leaked!" Shi Hongzhao, almost shouting at the top of his voice, ordered to the left and right.
"Yes!" Several people nearby agreed quickly.
After his emotions calmed down, Shi Hongzhao put his helmet under his arm, ate dry food, and said with emotion: "Shi was originally a general, and now he went to the border again to guard the city against the invaders. This is his rightful place. That's all, he should guard the country for the late emperor and repay his kindness. Thank you for your kindness..."
Shi Hongzhao seemed to be looking away. However, after putting on the heavy armor, robe, and horse again, his nerves seemed to relax a little.
Sitting on a piece of bluestone, watching the pedestrians walking with heavy loads on the road, looking into the distance, two mountains facing each other are like a bridge, and there is a market at the entrance of the bridge. Even though they are far apart, you can still hear some noises, which are peaceful sounds. The sound of peace.
During his tenure, Shi Hongzhao inspected a lot of the vast areas around Luoyang, especially in the east and north. Basically, he went to the lands, manors and Dingkou of the nobles in Xijing. To the west of Luoyang, there was no How did you come here?
"Zou Li, where is the place ahead?" Shi Hongzhao asked.
A humble scribe who felt that his future was slim, hurriedly came over and reported: "The two mountains in front are Qinglong in the east and Fenghuang in the west. Below them is Quekou City. They serve as the east-west corridor. The new markets that have emerged in the past two years are surrounded by Villagers from ten miles away come and go and barter every time!"
"Haha!" Hearing this, Shi Hongzhao was happy: "They say that I, Shi Hongzhao, disturb the people and harm the people. Aren't the people in this village happy to work and live in peace?"
The clerk was silent, it was not his turn to comment on such matters.
The spring sun was warm and warm, and felt very comfortable on the body. Shi Hongzhao sighed again: "It's the Lantern Festival soon, but I still have to run to the west..."
Just when Zheng Guogong would complain from time to time, a small group of knights came running from the east, led by a green-robed official who was young and handsome.
"Forbidden troops from Tokyo!" With Shi Hongzhao's eyesight, he could immediately see the origin of the knight.
The visitor saw Shi Hongzhao, a large group of people, and turned straight towards him. The target was obviously him: "May I ask if it is Duke Zheng, the military envoy of Shuofang?"
"I am here, who are you?" Shi Hongzhao asked contemptuously, turning his back on the young green-robed official without even moving.
The leading official dismounted and noticed Shi Hongzhao's arrogant look, his brows showing displeasure, and he cupped his hands and said, "I am the one who picked up the works of the King in the palace. I have been specially ordered by His Majesty to come to see Duke Zheng off!"
"Zheng Guogong is worthy of being a resolute man. He moves so fast that I have to chase him for hundreds of miles until I reach Xin'an territory before I catch up!" Wang Zhu said, neither humble nor arrogant.
Since the emperor was here as an envoy, Shi Hongzhao sat upright, but that was all, and said: "I have to make way for others! I didn't expect that the emperor still remembered my old minister. Tell me, why did your majesty send you here?"
Wang Zhu took out an edict from the sleeves of his robe, handed it to Shi Hongzhao with both hands, and said, "This is your majesty's secret edict to Duke Zheng!"
Seeing this, Shi Hongzhao stood up and took it with one hand.
But seeing his attitude, it was clear that he was contemptuous of the monarch's authority. It was completely different from the awe of the emperor that the ministers had seen in Tokyo. He was angry, but he did not dare to attack Shi Hongzhao.
When Shi Hongzhao opened the edict and read it, thinking about Liu Chengyou's instructions, Wang Zhu stepped forward and said slowly: "Before your official departure, your majesty once gave an instruction to inform your official, Duke Zheng."
Shi Hongzhao put away the secret edict, with some thoughts on his face. After listening to his words, he stared at the king and asked: "If the emperor has anything else to say, please tell me!"
"Your Majesty said that he knows that Duke Zheng has been wronged this time. You have made great contributions to the imperial court. What you did in Xijing was for the consideration of the country and conducive to the rule of the imperial court. It is understandable that your methods may be excessive and your actions may be inappropriate."
"Moving to Lingzhou is actually a gathering of nobles and nobles from Xijing, wanting to hold you accountable. The country is vast and the affairs are complicated. To govern the country, we need guidance and compromise. As the saying goes, letting you go to Lingzhou can be regarded as a kind of protection. .”
"Your Majesty knows that Duke Zheng is very active in the army and is very good at running the army. His function should also be used in frontier fortresses. At present, there is chaos in the northwest, and it is time to use force. Please bear with it, look for opportunities in the future, and then transfer him back to the imperial court."
"Mr. Zheng has nothing to worry about at home. Your Majesty has already put on his official uniform and is kind to you. Your son, Dejuan, is a talented person with a loyal and upright character. He knows Yunzhou and has already gone to Xucheng to take up his post!"
After hearing Wang Zhu's words, Shi Hongzhao corrected his attitude. He lowered his head to look at the edict in his hand, bowed his hands toward the east and bowed deeply.
He straightened up and said to the king: "Go back and tell the emperor that I know his intentions. Please rest assured. I will definitely help him suppress those miscreants in Shuofang!"
"In addition, in a few days it will be the Lantern Festival. His Majesty ordered his officials to bring some gifts to Duke Zheng!" After saying that, the king waved his hand and asked the accompanying soldiers to bring them to him: "Come here, bring the gifts your Majesty has given you. !”
"Thank you!"
After seeing off Shi Hongzhao, Wang Zhu just took his guards and returned eastward. Riding on his horse, he shook his head lightly and muttered: "I have heard that Mr. Zheng is arrogant and difficult to control. When I saw him today, it turned out to be the case. I am an official with a small job. Although he is an angel, he is so contemptuous. He accepts the imperial edict and is so rude. If this continues, where is the power of the king and the power of the country?"
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"When I return to the court, I will report this situation to the truth!" Wang Zhu secretly determined.
"Wang Shiyi, what's our next step? Are we going back to Tokyo?" asked the accompanying commander of the imperial army.
"No, go to Xijing!" Wang Zong looked east and said, "Your Majesty still has an order to inform Jingfan who is staying behind."
This scene is easier to deal with than Shi Hongzhao. Regardless of exhaustion, Wang Zhu thought like this as he galloped on his horse.
Shi Hongzhao's performance just now greatly touched the young emperor's ministers. His Majesty now seems to be in charge of everything, but there are still many people in the local area who do not know the etiquette of the emperor and his ministers and despise the authority of the emperor. Since the late Tang Dynasty and the three dynasties, the imperial power has been sluggish. , still needs to be improved.
