"Father." Zhao Kuangzan stepped forward and squatted in front of the couch.
"I'm back." Zhao Yanshou looked weak, and his body relaxed visibly when he saw his beloved son.
Zhao Kuangzan stretched out his hand towards him and took it. Zhao Yanshou's hand felt a little cold and he asked with concern: "Your body..."
"Zhang Mengchen is gone!" Zhao Yanshou shook his head with a look of sadness in his eyes. His weak tone was filled with emotion and a hint of sadness: "He couldn't survive this summer after all!"
Zhao Yanshou's words were not only sentimental for Zhang Li, but also for himself. After saying this, he sighed: "I don't know how many days I have left to live as a father!"
Hearing what he said, Zhao Kuangzan felt something in his heart, and the worry on his face became more intense, but he still tried to calm down his emotions and comforted him: "Father, as long as he takes a good rest, he will be able to live a long and happy life!"
"My body, I know it!" Zhao Yanshou's breath was a little hot, and he said slowly: "Zhang Mengchen is a talented person. Originally, if he had helped you, he would have saved you a lot of trouble. It's a pity that he walked in
What's ahead of me?"
Zhao Kuangzan was silent.
After closing his eyes slightly and taking a few deep breaths, Zhao Yanshou asked: "What are the movements of the Khitan people?"
"The Xi people rebelled in western Liaoning. The Khitan cavalry should be used to quell the rebellion. There should be no intention of invading the south for the time being." Mentioning this, Zhao Kuangzan immediately responded to reassure his father.
Over the past year, the Khitan has not been peaceful, and rebellions have continued. These are all the consequences of the defeat of the Southern Kingdom last year and the replacement of the throne. Although Yelu Ruan successfully ascended the throne with the support of a group of nobles, the situation he faced was worse than that of Liu Chengyou.
It's not much better here, it's just that the strength in his hands is stronger.
Under such circumstances, Yelu Ruan continued to suppress the aristocratic ministers and tribes of Taizong Yelu Deguang's line, and promoted private individuals, which divided the core of the Liao Kingdom's rule. Many nobles were dissatisfied. Coupled with the differences in governing philosophies, Khitan rebelled.
Continuously.
Coupled with the collapse of the domestic economy and widespread famines, the various tribes that had surrendered to the Khitan were gradually unstable, including the Bohai homeland, which was subject to unrest from time to time. If the Hu people were talking about rebellion, they would not be less generous than the vassal towns in China today.
In the Han Dynasty, Liu Chengyou was like a tinker, sealing leaks and making up for the vacancies, and Yelu Ruan, the Emperor of Liao in the north, was no different. However, under the decades of management of Yelu Abaoji and his son, even though he suffered heavy losses last year, his foundation was still there.
Yelu Ruan still has strong strength in his hands, which allows him to gradually eliminate those troubles with confidence, and he still has the remaining power to attack Youzhou.
That is to say, under the circumstances of internal power struggles and constant constraints, the Yan army can take a breather.
However, Zhao Yanshou's expression was not at all relaxed, and he still worried: "We are not afraid of summer, but we are afraid of autumn!"
Zhao Kuangzan understood what his father meant. If the Hu people mobilized troops, it would be the time when the autumn harvest was high and the horses were fat. At that time, Youyan was in the midst of the busy autumn harvest. Like the imperial court, Youzhou's military and political affairs should not be in a hurry for farming and be disdainful.
In this land, they are constantly harassed by barbarians, making farming even more difficult.
"I have ordered the garrison in the north to closely monitor the Khitan people's movements to prevent them from taking advantage of them!" Zhao Kuangzan said.
Although Zhao Yanshou was ill, his mind was obviously still clear, and he hinted: "Although external troubles are serious, they will wait for him, and internal troubles can be seen before your eyes. You Yan is also in a troubled time!"
"Father, have you heard about it?" Zhao Kuangzan asked.
"Help me up!" After giving the order, Zhao Yanshou sat up and said: "The people's morale is unstable, the military's morale is fluctuating, and public opinion is turbulent. How can I have peace on my father's bed?"
"People's hearts are already in disarray." Zhao Kuang sighed with admiration, his handsome face showing some bitterness: "Recently, rumors have been spreading in the army. Although I ordered to suppress them, they have had little effect. If nothing is rectified, things will change. !”
"Those people can't stand it any longer!" Zhao Yanshou's voice was pale, full of contempt: "They are despicable, short-sighted, and ignorant of the general situation. The current situation is difficult, and it is inevitable that dissent will arise!"
What Zhao Yanshou refers to is naturally some of the generals in the Yan army. Most of them are military bureaucrats and landlords who have risen since the "Jie Yan" period. They are a powerful force. Previously, the Khitan people mostly relied on their rule. The land of secluded swallows.
Last year, the current situation changed drastically, and the conflict between Hu and Han broke out. Forced by the general situation, the other generation "muddle-headedly" joined the cause of resisting the Liao Dynasty. In the early days, especially during the looting of the Hu people in Youzhou, Huge profits.
However, in the nearly one year of confrontation with the Liao army, life was difficult. Troops suffered casualties, the land was deserted, and tenants fled. It can be said that the losses were heavy. Compared with the previous days under the rule of the Khitans, the gap was only a tiny bit.
In addition, the people's livelihood in Youzhou was declining, and the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous. However, the other people knew how powerful the Khitan people were, so their grudges accumulated and gradually showed signs of exploding. National interests, national justice, and conflicts between Hu and Han, at this time, this scene, in the eyes of other people , is no longer a big problem...
"They also don't think about it, can such a blood feud be eliminated in a short time? The Chinese people from western Liaoning and eastern Liaoning who have not yet evacuated are now serving the barbarians like cattle and horses. If the Khitans capture Youzhou again, what will happen to them? What will be the outcome? I see, I'm afraid it might not be as good as a savage in the deep mountains and harsh waters!" Zhao Yanshou said with anger in his tone.
"There are so many mediocre people in the world, and there are even more mean men in the army and generals. The world is unpredictable. How many people can see the current situation clearly and have a glimpse of the future." Zhao Yanshou sighed, feeling a little sad.
After gasping for breath for several times, Zhao Yanshou slowly calmed down, suddenly looked at his son, and said solemnly to him in a serious tone: "Kuang Zan, it's still the same sentence, he is uneasy, you must Be firm and don't allow yourself to be disturbed and do the opposite. The Khitan people deeply hate my father and my son. If You Yan is dead, they may become slaves, but my Zhao family will only end up dead."
This scene is a bit funny. When he went north, Zhao Yanshou had the mentality of having both sides, but now he uses this to educate his son.
"My son knows."
"The Khitan has been eliminated, and it is necessary to rely on the Han court. Although the Han Dynasty is not very stable, I see that the emperor, although young, is not a thing in the pond. He defeated the Khitan and plotted against the Yan Dynasty. Since he succeeded to the throne, he has also shown great power. The posture of the Lord.”
"He wants to use my Zhao family to control Youyan to fight against the Khitans and avoid the danger from the north. He will definitely support and win over us."
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"There is one more thing you should keep in mind. Youyan lost the north and the Hu cavalry came in and out at will. Although the city is large and strong, it will be difficult to resist the Khitan for a long time. If its army goes out and the Han court is unable to go north, Youzhou can defend it.
, we must not give up the rules and lead the troops and civilians to withdraw southward, we must have the army in our hands."
"If the emperor of the Han Dynasty can successfully revitalize the court, strengthen the country, and recruit soldiers, he will definitely have the intention to advance northward in the future, and he will definitely rely on the Zhao family and the Yan army. If he lacks talent and virtue, or if there are major changes in the Central Plains, then he can still borrow
Youyan's army and civilians are trying to find another career..."
This conversation had the feeling of explaining the funeral affairs. Seeing his old father supporting his sick body and speaking earnestly, Zhao Kuangzan's nose couldn't help but feel sore. He expressed his understanding and advised: "Father, it is better to take a good rest. The matter in Youzhou will be with me."
Disposal."
Under Zhao Kuangzan's service, Zhao Yanshou lay down again, calmed down, looked at Zhao Kuangzan, and ordered: "Zhang Mengchen's funeral cannot be ambiguous. You go to the Zhang Mansion in person to help with the preparations to show your respect."
Zhao Kuangzan was slightly stunned. Although Zhang Li's reputation was high, he was dead after all. With the current tense situation in Youzhou, at this important moment, he should win over people's hearts, stabilize the situation, and grasp the military and political power.
Apparently understanding Zhao Kuangzan's suspicions, Zhao Yanshou added: "I have ordered that all military commanders and generals above come to the Zhang Mansion to express condolences and see Judge Zhang off. Later, I will go to mourn Zhang Mengchen in person!"
"But your body... that's enough!" Zhao Kuangzan said subconsciously, but soon, a deep thought appeared on his face, and he looked at his father with a fixed gaze: "Does father have other plans?"
Seeing his alertness, Zhao Yanshou comforted him, heaved a sigh of relief, and said in a solemn tone: "The Yan army can't be in chaos, and Youzhou can't be in chaos either. We have to take advantage of the situation to be peaceful. I still have breath to clean it up for you."