In the palace garden, the "whooshing" sound of arrows piercing the air was constantly stimulating everyone's eardrums. Today's emperor's shooting skills seemed to have been greatly improved, as if he had installed a crosshair, and the arrows hit the target, and even two of them hit the target. The target hit the target, and the eunuchs and guards waiting nearby were both surprised and delighted. If it weren't for the rules, they would probably cheer.
After shooting all the arrows, Liu Chengyou still had the energy to pull an open string. Hearing the trilling sound, he couldn't help laughing a few times. Looking at the target covered with arrows twenty-five steps away, he couldn't help but smile. The upward move was obviously just about not missing the target, but he felt a feeling of turning over in his heart.
However, if you move your eyes slightly, you can see another target, which is also full of arrows, but obviously densely surrounding the bullseye.
"Shi Qing's archery skills are as good as before!" Liu Chengyou put down his carved bow with a smile on his face.
The person who accompanied the emperor to practice archery was Zheng Guogong Shi Hongzhao. He was transferred back to Tokyo from his post in Lingzhou to recuperate due to an illness. At first, Liu Chengyou really thought about whether he would be able to survive. Facts have proved that he thought too much. , Shi Hongzhao, the "evil man", was obviously hard-working, and he gradually recovered.
"I am old and my strength has declined! Your Majesty is the perfect shot!" Hearing this, Shi Hongzhao also laughed loudly and responded.
Perhaps many people would not have thought that Shi Dushuai, who was once vulgar, cruel, arrogant and rude, would now flatter him, although the flattery was not perfect. However, this change is still refreshing.
"Shi Qing, there is no need to compliment me. How about my shooting skills? Haha, it's nothing to mention, haha..." Liu Chengyou was obviously in a good mood, but his tone was full of kindness.
Today's Shi Hongzhao is visibly older than he was then, with locks of gray on his hair. He has been guarding Hexi all year round. Under the wind and sand from the northwest, his old face with crisscrossed ravines is full of vicissitudes of life.
However, looking at his energetic look and listening to his hearty laughter, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but feel happier. The monarch and his subjects returned to their seats, and a chamberlain immediately handed them ice handkerchiefs and tea.
After wiping his sweat and taking two more sips of herbal tea, Liu Chengyou turned his head and said to Shi Hongzhao: "Shi Qing is now shooting with his bow, and the arrows are not missed. This shows that he is no less brave than before. It seems that his body is recovering well!"
Fifteen years ago, Liu Chengyou would never have imagined such a scene. He and Shi Hongzhao could sit together, cross their legs, and talk in a relaxed atmosphere. At that time, Liu Chengyou was disgusted and guarded against Shi Hongzhao, and even tried to get rid of him. Without thinking about it, I can only say that times have changed and things are unpredictable.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Tokyo is a place that raises people. I have been resting for three years. I have good medicine and elixirs, and I am not tired from official duties, so I am still in good health!" Shi Hongzhao said.
"In a blink of an eye, Shi Qing has returned to the court for three years!" Liu Chengyou nodded slightly, looked at Shi Hongzhao with a more relaxed attitude, and asked with a smile: "Shi Qing, after raising him for so long, you are still used to it. Bar?"
It can be said that after so many years, he has somewhat developed his eyesight and obedience. When the emperor said this, Shi Hongzhao immediately became energetic, moved his shoulders, and responded: "To be honest with you, your Majesty, I have such bones. I feel itchy and unbearable and want to move!"
"I have a place to go here, but I don't know if Shi Qing is willing to go there!" Liu Chengyou said after listening to his words.
Hearing this, Shi Hongzhao stood up directly, his eyes reflecting the light, and looked at Liu Chengyou curiously: "Please give me your Majesty's orders!"
Liu Chengyou also put away his smile and said: "In the past ten years since the recovery of Qinfeng, Wang Jing, the Duke of Baoguo, has been stationed in the western border. He has continued to expand westward and regained the old lands of the former Tang Dynasty, so that the flag of the Han Dynasty was once again planted in Lan, Liang. States. However, although the territory is vast, it is difficult to consolidate. There have been turbulences in recent years. It will take time to settle it down. Baoguo is already old, and I cannot bear to let him still be guarding the border at such an advanced age. The pain..."
Speaking of this, Shi Hongzhao looked duty-bound and said with clasped fists: "Your Majesty, let me go! When I go to Qinzhou, I will make Xirong peaceful!"
Liu Chengyou was not surprised by Shi Hongzhao's request, and said: "I have the same idea. You have served in Hexi for many years. You know military affairs and military affairs, and your reputation is widely spread, which is enough to calm the people and control the territory!"
The emperor's compliments are always more appreciated, especially for Shi Hongzhao, whose old smiling face was almost full of wrinkles. He immediately said to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, the people of Xirong have not obeyed the king for a long time and do not know the majesty of the heaven." , so he repeatedly offended me. When I was in Lingzhou, I had a steel knife in one hand and wine and meat in another. After a few years, the soldiers did not dare to offend again..."
This is Shi Hongzhao's extremely simple security method. It is too powerful in approach, but it grasps the core, and the effect is more beneficial than harmful. However, the Longxi region is different from the Hexi region, and the forces are relatively scattered. When expanding to the Han Dynasty, most tribes and powerful people still chose to surrender.
Therefore, in the process of advancing westward, the Han Dynasty's policy was to be gentle rather than repressive. This has the advantage of expanding the territory thousands of miles easily, but it is not stable. Especially when Wang Jing is getting older, this time Liu Chengyou In addition to Wang Jing's age and physical reasons, he also wanted to replace him with someone stronger to consolidate his rule.
Among the Tubo people in Qinzhou, there was a tribe living in the original Fuqiang County. The leader was named Shang Boyu. During the process of Wang Jing's expansion to the west, he took the initiative to join the Fuqiang tribe and dedicated his territory to the Fuqiang.
However, in recent years, there has been a restlessness due to the conflict of interests. The tribe's land is lush with vegetation. By cutting down the trees and selling the timber, they can make a lot of profits. However, after the imperial court issued a logging restriction order, this contradiction also disappeared. It happened, and after all, it cut off other people's financial opportunities.
"The mountains, forests, rivers and lakes belong to your Majesty. Your Majesty does not allow him to cut them down, but he still dares to disobey. After I leave, I will definitely teach this beast a lesson!" Shi Hongzhao said murderously.
"After all, I have cut off a way for them to make money. There are reasons for this. I can understand it, but for gathering people to cause chaos, they must be punished!" Liu Chengyou said.
Having said this, Liu Chengyou looked at Shi Hongzhao again and said: "My logging restriction order is not to completely prohibit logging, but to prohibit indiscriminate logging. My painstaking efforts, alas, that's all. Military issues will be left to Shi Qing. As for the rest, I will arrange for someone else to support you!"
"Yes!" Seeing that Liu Chengyou's mood suddenly dropped, Shi Hongzhao had no idea why, but he still responded respectfully.
In fact, for many people, the emperor's "restriction on logging" in the Longyou area was a bit incomprehensible, and many even objected. In their view, the water, grass, and trees are a gift from God for people to use. , many Rong people believed in its benefits, and if the imperial court forced such a policy, it would inevitably lead to chaos. No, there was indeed chaos, and Shang Boyu was just one of the larger factions.
Liu Chengyou, as for Liu Chengyou, has learned a lesson from this. Some policies, although they may be beneficial in the future, are actually out of date. In fact, there are many Han people who make money from logging in Longxi, and some giant trees are good buildings. Once the materials are shipped to a big city, they can be sold at a good price.
But if Liu Chengyou is forced to cancel the restraining order under pressure, that is impossible. However, in this era, the price of water and soil environmental protection is really not small, and Liu Chengyou will also have a headache.
"I worship you as the inspection envoy to Longxi to control the armies. I will prepare the book later!" Putting aside the distracting thoughts in his mind, Liu Chengyou looked at Shi Hongzhao and said to him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shi Hongzhao hugged his fist hard and even knocked out some smoke, and said, "When will I take office?"
"No rush!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said, "Wait for someone to come to Beijing!"
"Who?" Shi Hongzhao was a little confused.
"Shi Dejun, the chief envoy of Hedong Province, returns to Beijing to report on his duties!" Liu Chengyou paid attention to Shi Hongzhao's expression and said softly.
Shi Hongzhao was a little shy at first, but then he came to his senses and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"You father and son haven't seen each other for some years. Let's take this opportunity to talk about our family ties!" Liu Chengyou said caringly: "I have to thank Shi Qing for training a capable minister for the big man!"
Shi Dejun, the son of Shi Hongzhao, was upright, knowledgeable, upholding justice, and had served in various political positions. He also developed his political skills and was promoted to a senior official. His reputation and reputation have always been good. This time he returns to the court and should be used in other important ways.
"It's a long way to go to Qinlong! Shi Qing, you should take care of yourself. Over the years, the old ministers have gradually withered away, and the heroes of the year have also passed away. Every time I think about this, I feel extremely sad!" Liu Chengyou said again Suddenly he sighed with emotion, looking very emotional.
Seeing this, Shi Hongzhao was also deeply affected, with a look of reminiscence in his old eyes. He looked at the emperor, hesitated for a moment, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say. I don't know whether it is appropriate to say it at this time!"
Seeing his cautious look, Liu Chengyou suddenly became interested, smiled slightly, and signaled: "Speak!"
Shi Hongzhao said: "There are still two founding veterans in Jingwei and Weizhou..."
When he reminded him like this, Liu Chengyou certainly reacted, although his impression was a little blurry. What was a little surprising was that Su Fengji and Yang Bin were still alive.
What's even more surprising is that Shi Hongzhao actually took the initiative to intercede for the two. You must know that in the chaotic political arena of the early Han Dynasty, most of the time, Shi Hongzhao, who held great power, extremely despised civil servants like Yang and Su.
The power of time is too powerful and can change too many people or things.
Perhaps to give Shi Hongzhao face, or perhaps out of nostalgia, Liu Chengyou asked someone to check two things, one was Yang Bin's situation, and the other was how many horses Su Fengji had given to the court in the past ten years.