The hot summer weather made people uncomfortable. When Murong Yanzhao was summoned to see him, he first enjoyed a bowl of iced drink and felt a chill in his heart before he started to think about business. The civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty could enjoy such treatment in front of the emperor. There are fewer and fewer people.
Putting down the ice handkerchief he used to wipe his sweat, Murong Yanzhao raised his hand to Liu Chengyou and asked for instructions: "Your Majesty, why are you summoning me?"
"How have you been recuperating during this time? Has your body recovered?" Liu Chengyou did not talk about business directly, but was concerned about Murong Yanzhao's physical condition.
During the Northern Expedition, I endured the wind and snow, and commanded the army several times in battles. I was under great pressure. I was exhausted both physically and mentally, and my body was also a little weak. In fact, there were many veterans who came out of this Northern Expedition. Especially the generals who stand alone have some physical problems during the high-load military journey.
From the founding of the Han Dynasty to the present, more than ten years later, Murong Yanzhao participated in most of the foreign wars and was entrusted with important tasks. He fought in the south and in the north, and his troops were ruthless. As he grew older, Murong Yanzhao He also got sick from overwork.
After returning to the court, he took the initiative to ask Liu Chengyou to rest and recuperate. Regarding his physical condition, Liu Chengyou showed great importance and concern. In addition to rewarding him with a large number of imperial medicines and supplements, he also specially asked the Imperial Hospital to send a doctor. The imperial physician was permanently stationed in the palace to provide care and make inquiries from time to time.
At this time, facing Liu Chengyou's concern again, Murong Yanzhao responded humbly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty! I have been suffering from a chronic illness for many years, and it may be difficult to recover. Thank you for Your Majesty's kindness. The imperial doctor has taken care of me. I feel much better!"
"That's good!" Liu Chengyou nodded: "You are the pillar of the country and a minister of meritorious service, so you should take care of yourself!"
Liu Chengyou's words came from the bottom of his heart. Among the generals of the Han Dynasty, in terms of meritorious service, Murong Yanzhao ranked first. To put it bluntly, he was the representative of the Han army. But on the other hand, Liu Chengyou's respect for him It's not entirely true that they were afraid of it. First, it was because of Murong Yanzhao's always humble style of doing things. Second, he had brilliant military achievements but little influence on military and political affairs. In addition, it was not until the twelfth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign. Years have passed, and no one in the Han army can pose much of a threat to Liu Chengyou.
Over the years, Liu Chengyou's adjustments and rotations in important military and political positions have been less out of fear for his subordinates and more out of consideration for the balance of court affairs, military affairs, and power. For example, Chai Rong was replaced and allowed to rest. , the main reason is still this, it is just a "warm" reason for him to take care of himself.
"Zheng Guogong is seriously ill, his body is overwhelmed, and it is difficult to govern. He has been guarding Lingzhou for many years, and he has been exhausted and injured. I can't bear it. I have issued an edict to call him back to Beijing to recuperate. However, Lingzhou affairs still need someone to preside over the election. Who do you want to send? I want to hear your opinion?" Liu Chengyou explained his purpose.
Shi Hongzhao's health had already deteriorated during the previous Northern Expedition. At that time, when he withdrew his troops from Hetao and returned south, it was due to physical reasons. However, after recuperating in Lingzhou for so long, he did not get better, but worsened. Only then did he report to Tokyo. If the situation arises, please ask the court to arrange it.
For Shi Hongzhao, because of his experience in Luoyang, coupled with the guarding of Lingzhou and his achievements in stabilizing the northwest border, Liu Chengyou has completely lost his initial dislike. As a die-hard loyal official of Emperor Gaozu, his feelings for the Han Dynasty are still worthy of recognition. With his character and temper, holding military power in the central government would be a disaster, but on the frontier, he is a sharp blade and a useful sharp knife. The courage to do things is also a quality developed by Liu Chengyou.
Now that Shi Hongzhao is only in his fifties, Liu Chengyou still hopes that your body can recover, and there are many places where he can be used.
However, after learning about this situation, Liu Chengyou asked Murong Yanzhao for his opinion on the personnel arrangements in Lingzhou. While expressing regret, Murong Yanzhao did not give any advice at the first moment, but said: "The appointment of Lingzhou will be done by myself." Your Majesty and the Privy Council have considered it, and even if it doesn't work out, the Ministry of War has proposed it. How dare I be so good at making superficial suggestions?"
Murong Yanzhao was a sign of keeping to himself and not overstepping his authority or breaking the rules. Of course, Liu Chengyou didn't take it seriously. With Murong Yanzhao's current status, many people have benefited from being promoted because of him, and not all of them are based on their rights. It comes from the rules and regulations of the imperial court.
Furthermore, there is nothing taboo about the emperor asking his ministers for their opinions on official matters. However, the emperor did not directly ask the person in power, which showed the emperor's political attitude, or perhaps sent a political signal.
Liu Chengyou, on the other hand, said directly: "Since your health has recovered well, you should continue to serve the imperial court. I intend to let you serve in the Ministry of War as Minister of War!"
Of course Murong Yanzhao knew politics. He was immediately surprised when he heard this. Wei Renpu had been the Minister of the Ministry of War for a long time. He had cut off the power from the Privy Council and returned to the Ministry of War. He has stayed in this position. Now it seems that he will also be moved. position. And thinking about some rumors in the court since the emperor's army returned to the court, perhaps a major change in the court situation is inevitable.
Murong Yanzhao was very smart and did not dwell on this issue. He no longer avoided Liu Chengyou's inquiries. He thought about it and said, "How about letting Wang Yansheng of the Dingyuan Army take over Lingzhou? He has been in the northwest for a long time and is quite famous. It can be suppressed!"
"Wang Yansheng's ability and reputation are sufficient, but his temperament is too rough. Lingzhou is a key area in the west of Hexi and connects the east and west. The situation is more complicated than Yanzhou. When Zheng Guogong was here, he was too overbearing and kind to the local people and tribes. I hope there will be changes. , choose a general who can combine kindness and power!" Liu Chengyou expressed his considerations.
After hearing this, Murong Yanzhao thought again. There were many generals in the Han Dynasty. Many of them met this requirement and were qualified for the job, but not many were suitable to be sent to Lingzhou.
Names flashed through his mind. Murong Yanzhao had been thinking about it for a long time. Liu Chengyou was not in a hurry and was waiting for him. Finally, Murong Yanzhao raised his eyes and said a name: "Kang Zai, the commander of the right wing of the Protector of Saints." How did it go?"
"Yes!" After hearing this, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment and agreed directly: "Just him!"
Kang Zaiyu was the general who had followed Shi Yanchao in pursuit as deputy general. He was a low-status but highly experienced general in the Forbidden Army. Following Yang Ye's second pursuit, he made a turnaround and was barely defeated. "The shame was washed away.
Later, the specific circumstances of Shi Yanchao's defeat were investigated clearly, and Kang Zaiyu's performance also caught the attention of Liu Chengyou. At this time, Liu Chengyou agreed to use Kang Zaiyu to take over in Lingzhou because he took a fancy to two qualities of him , calm and rational, with a lot of strategies. Although he has no great military exploits, he is a person who can be entrusted with important tasks.
Speaking of Shi Yanchao, although he was defeated and suffered heavy casualties from the imperial cavalry, he still fought hard and died for his country and refused to surrender. Liu Chengyou finally took pity on him and did not hold him responsible for his crimes. He treated his descendants kindly and demoted his son to the rank of raider. In addition, people such as Wang Yin also received posthumous gifts. Pampering their descendants is the best comfort to these heroic spirits.
After Murong Yanzhao resigned, Liu Chengyou took out a piece of white paper and wrote and drew on it, appearing thoughtful from time to time. What finally appeared on the paper was a diagram of the structure of the imperial offices, accompanied by The names of the officers.
Yes, he is indeed determined to make another adjustment in personnel arrangements. The current upper echelons of the Han Dynasty have been maintained for too long and have become somewhat solidified. It has been more than a month since he returned to Beijing. All major and minor matters have been arranged, and it is time. This matter has been put on the agenda.
I summoned Murong Yanzhao today to ask about Lingzhou's arrangements, just to make a start.