While the emperor was busy with state affairs and working on his bed till night in the palace, outside the imperial city, among the wealthy families and the aristocratic mansions, some social interactions were unavoidable.
The great victory in Huainan and the emperor's return to the dynasty affected the situation of the entire world. For the high-ranking officials in Tokyo, the changes in the situation of the Northern Han Dynasty attracted more attention. After all, they were personally concerned about it. But the waves were rolling, and they were in the midst of it.
After all, there are only a few people who can keep a clear mind and have long-term vision.
After returning to the capital and handing over official duties, Guo Rong, Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde came to visit one after another in Guo's mansion. Not to mention the old department and old officials, these three people, one son, one son-in-law and one nephew, are members of the Guo family.
, the most outstanding one, especially Guo Rong.
At this time, in the hall, Mrs. Zhang, the lady of the Guo Mansion, entertained the three of them personally and ordered people to prepare wine and food for them to enjoy to relieve their fatigue.
"Tokyo is still comfortable. After fighting for several months, I am exhausted physically and mentally!" Li Chongjin grabbed a leg of lamb, took a bite, and said with a greasy mouth: "The taste of Fuzhong barbecue is just extraordinary!"
"Then eat more! If it's not enough, I'll have someone prepare some more!" Madam Zhang responded with a smile and said to the three of them: "You were fighting in Huainan. My husband was worried and thinking about you all day and night, but now you are back in good health, but
Feel at ease!”
After hearing this, Guo Rong stood up and bowed to express his gratitude. Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde also followed suit.
"Bao Yi, this time you captured five cities in Lu and Erzhou, attacked seven strongholds, and defeated tens of thousands of Tang troops. You have made great achievements!" After drinking some wine, Li Chongjin glanced at Zhang Yongde and said with a smile.
"How can you compare to Brother Zhongjin!" Seeing Li Chongjin's expression, Zhang Yongde smiled slightly and said humbly: "Among the Southern Expedition armies, in terms of fierce battles, hard battles, and fierce battles, there is no one more outstanding than the Protecting Saint Army. Even hard battles are emphasized.
Brother Jin, you have finished the battle, and the remaining Tang army is just a ragtag group of people. How can you dare to take credit for the success of the city?"
Hearing Zhang Yongde's humility, Li Chongjin felt comfortable and laughed twice. He couldn't help but glance at Guo Rong on his right, showing a slightly proud look.
Noticing the look in Li Chongjin's eyes, Guo Rong nodded and said: "The Protector's Army did a good job in this battle. I have heard in Hao and Si that the Protector's Army is the best among all armies!"
However, Zhang Yongde looked at Guo Rong with admiration and said: "It is still the eldest brother Wen Tao's military strategy. He stood alone and attacked many enemies with a small army. In the battle of Lai'an, he defeated 30,000 enemy troops and shocked the world. Huaidong Economic Strategy
The results achieved by the armies are comparable to Shouchun's camp..."
"There are small results, but they are not enough to be proud of your merits! Baoyi, there are some things you should not say in vain!" Guo Rong looked at Zhang Yongde and said in a warning tone.
Zhang Yongde has a good character and is modest and prudent. When he heard the words, he understood what he said and said quickly: "I have forgotten my feelings. I need to be taught!"
The smile on Li Chongjin's face faded slightly. The complacency he had just felt was shattered by Zhang Yongde's words. No matter how brave he led the Holy Army in fighting on the Western Front, he was just a man driving the camp. Those military achievements were the same as those of Guo Rongxiang.
Compared to that, it’s nothing.
Seeing Guo Rong's airs, Li Chongjin couldn't help but said: "It's nice to give him a hug, so why should he be so unkind?"
Guo Rong looked at Li Chongjin and did not argue with him, but just sighed. This reaction made Li Chongjin feel embarrassed.
Seeing this, Mrs. Zhang spoke up to control the situation and said: "Look at you, after returning from hundreds of battles, it's rare to go to the government and return home once. During the drinks and meals, you still don't forget to talk about military affairs..."
Everyone had to give face to Zhang to smooth things over, so the atmosphere was naturally better. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhang said to Guo Rong: "You have been working abroad in the past few years. Last year, you suffered a setback and did not stay long, so you were sent
I’m going to Xuzhou. When I return to court, I intend to hold a family banquet on a certain date. You and your wife will bring Brother Yi and the others, we are all a family, and we will gather together!"
Hearing this, Guo Rong hesitated for a moment, but faced Zhang's expectant eyes, he still said: "Yes!"
When Guo Wei came back, it was already very late. He saw the scene in the hall, and the servants were still waiting. Everyone stood up to greet him. Only Li Chongjin, who had drunk too much wine, could not persuade him, and was trembling.
Guo Wei glanced at the three of them, frowned, and said: "When I first returned to the capital, the three of you came together, I'm afraid... that's all!"
His eyes fell on Li Chongjin, and he saw that his drunken state had recovered somewhat, but he was still a little unable to control himself. He couldn't help being slightly angry, and ordered the servant: "Send him back to the house first!"
"You two, come with me to the study!" After another word, Guo Wei left home one after another, while Guo Rong and Zhang Yongde did not dare to neglect and left in a hurry.
In the tidy study room, the three of them sat down, and a servant served tea. Guo Wei said directly: "I expected the Han Dynasty to win the Southern Expedition, but I didn't expect that in just half a year, they had captured Huainan and Jinling surrendered."
"Your Majesty has worked hard and the imperial court has been planning for three years, but the Jianghuai River was unprepared. Once the powerful force broke out, it was naturally difficult for the Puppet Tang Dynasty to resist it!" Guo Rong experienced the war in person and was not surprised.
"After this battle, His Majesty has conquered the whole world and consolidated the power of the world. The trend of unification has been achieved. The right time, place and people are all ready, and it is unstoppable. In view of this general trend, we, the Guo family, have to consider it early!" Guo Wei said this!
The words are explicit.
Zhang Yongde seemed to have mistaken his intention. He was startled and said hurriedly: "What do you mean, old lady? What are your plans?"
"I started from a humble background and followed Taizu before I achieved success. In the past, I was in Hedong, but my reputation was not well-known. After the founding of the country, I was trusted by the emperors of the two dynasties. I was appointed as a privy minister and given great power, and I became a very popular minister!" Guo Wei's expression
He calmly recounted: "Over the past few years, the Guo family has hundreds of generals and officials in the court, the army, and local areas, and they have a great reputation.
This time, the three of you and the old tribe of the Guo family have made great achievements in the conquest of Huainan, and the imperial court has rewarded you. At this point, among the foreign ministers, in terms of power and status, it is difficult to surpass those of my family!"
As he spoke, Guo Wei couldn't help but sigh: "However, there is a saying that prosperity and decline come together, and there is also a saying that blessings and misfortunes depend on each other. The position is prestigious and the reputation is great. But for my family, we have to be cautious and cherish blessings and be grateful.
Since His Majesty's visit, the old ministers of Hedong, Prince Shi Yang and Ersu, used to be happy with friends and guests, but now the scene is desolate and sad, but the Guo family can't help but take a warning.
As the emperor gets older, his power becomes stronger and his position becomes more solid, but his thoughts become more and more difficult to predict. Waiting for the emperor is like waiting for a tiger. If you cannot control the advance or retreat, sooner or later you will be in trouble..."
Guo Wei spoke from the bottom of his heart and made his intentions clear. Guo Rong and Zhang Yongde were both smart people and could understand Guo Wei's intentions.
Guo Rongdao: "My son has had this concern for a long time, but in my opinion, although the emperor's actions may appear cold and indifferent, he is magnanimous, has lofty aspirations, and has great ambitions. As long as he assists the king wholeheartedly, concentrates on the king's affairs, and restrains his behavior, there should be no consequences.
Woe. Right now, it’s far from being a great achievement!”
Zhang Yongde, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief and followed: "What the eldest brother said is that we have the same intentions, serve with all our heart, have an open mind, and have nothing to fear!"
Seeing this, Guo Wei shook his head, with deep thought in his old eyes: "Within three to five years, there will be no danger, but what about five years from now, or ten years from now? Although there are no immediate worries, we need to be far-sighted!
My family has too much power, which is not a good thing!"
After hearing what Guo Wei said, Guo Rong thought for a while and asked, "What are your father's plans?"
Guo Wei stared directly at Guo Rong and said: "Previously, there were rumors in the court that I, the Guo family, have two envoys, and that I support the princes. Although my merits are worthy of my title, I will inevitably be jealous of the villain. And I am in charge of the Privy Council.
Over the years, it has become deeply rooted, but I am increasingly afraid of being uprooted.
These days, I have been thinking about it, and I feel that it is not appropriate for me, my father, to be in court at the same time!"
After a pause, Guo Wei said: "You have been abroad for many years. You have served in the town, both in military and political affairs, and have made many achievements. Depending on His Majesty's wishes, I will keep you in the center. I intend to ask you to leave your post and be transferred to the local government as an official.
Come on, stay for a few years! In this way, you can work in Tokyo with peace of mind and seek peace for both yourself and the emperor!"
After Guo Wei finished speaking, Guo Rong shook his head repeatedly and said: "My father is already old. How can I bear this as a son? I'd better leave Beijing!"
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After hearing what he said, Guo Wei smiled and said: "Although I am old, I can still do something for the court and build some achievements. It's just that there is no suitable job for me in the court. You don't have to do this!"
Observing Guo Wei's state, Guo Rong nodded and thought for a while. He could probably guess a little bit of Guo Wei's thoughts. In fact, if he wanted to retreat and avoid suspicion, Guo Wei could have written a letter begging for the bones, but with his age and body, he could not
to that point.
And Guo Wei himself has not given up on his ambition to achieve success. He has wealth and glory, but there is still something he wants in the Qing Shi Dan Book. It is courage and wisdom to retreat bravely from the rapids, but it is a pity in the end.
Relocating in the middle of the court may not necessarily bring good results. It is better to go to the local level and do some practical things, so as not to attract attention in the capital.