"So, you guys actually want me to surrender?" Late at night, Cao Lin quietly listened to the narratives of several young people. He was quite surprised for a moment, which caused the tower to ring.
In fact, if other people were here, they would probably find it strange.
Because the people standing in front of Cao Lin at this time, whether they are the adopted sons, Qian, Li, Qin, Lu and others, should be typical young men. They are young and have just started their official career, so they
They are eager for conflict and eager to make contributions in conflict...unless they have encountered setbacks and experiences prematurely, or have seen more people and things.
After Cao Lin finished asking, he looked at these people, then at his adopted sons, and then he suddenly thought of the two young men as a matter of course.
A man of humble origin refused his offer here and refused to be the son of Uncle Cao Huang; a woman who had just started to meditate was also here holding a Fulong Seal that was still somewhat useful.
, coercing a great master into himself in public.
Regardless of whether he is willing to admit it verbally or not, the fact is that Zhang Sanlang, who has become a personal thorn in his side, and Bai Sanniang, who was probably his thorn in the side before, simply grew out of his personal thorn in the side.
In front of those two people, it doesn't seem too difficult to understand that these people suffered some losses, were suppressed, hindered, and even respected and imitated.
Thinking of this, Cao Lin finally took a special look at Qian Tang, who had been silent all this time.
This young man who was born and raised in Jing'antai, has the highest qualifications and the most talents among the group, and is recognized as a leader, is already Zhu Shou, but he is not here to advise me, but is hiding at the far end.
This is a clue.
An expression that comes from the traction of his biggest henchman at this time. Compared with Zhang Xing, the rebels in the east, and the bastards in the east capital, they have not yet come to their senses, but this force has not clearly turned its back.
, even if he behaves well, it is difficult for him to express anything beyond the limit.
"Return to Zhongcheng." Li Qingchen, who had made a speech before, didn't know what the great master in front of him was thinking. He just bowed his hands in salute and spoke calmly. "This is not about submission, this is pragmatism... Of course those people are treasonous, but
Just like the rebels in the east, everyone knows that they are rebellious, but they still have to organize the army first, and then we have to get through Nanyang first, Youzhou and Hejian have to sweep Hebei, Jiangdu have to sweep Jiangdong, and then we can launch another attack
The main force will deal with it...unless they have penetrated the entire eastern border and have to send a large army."
Cao Lin nodded.
But there are some other concerns in my heart... Of course, getting through Nanyang is a higher priority, and sweeping Jiangdong is also a priority, because the military potential of Guanlong and whether Jiangdong's money and silk can be connected are the foundation for the continuation of the Wei Dynasty...
But this may not be the case in Hebei.
If possible, Uncle Cao hoped to make it clear to Jiangdu, prompting Xue Changxiong to quickly go south, especially since the situation in the east was changing so fast, and seven or eight counties would suddenly be captured in a short while, and he felt that the situation was no matter how difficult it was.
Rescue; after a while, Zhang Xuguo, who had never been noticed before, appeared in Qi County at the core position and withstood the situation, making people wonder whether they could use this as a fulcrum to sweep away the Eastern Territory.
As for Hebei... To put it bluntly, no one expects Hebei to continue to contribute money and efforts to Wei under this overall situation. Things are definitely going to be bad there, but it seems that there are not many that are going to become a climate at present.
It is impossible to say that we should put the eastern border first.
Uncle Cao Huang was thinking wildly here, but Li Qingchen had already continued talking over there.
But in general, they are still those measures, which emphasize pragmatism, make political compromises in exchange for some necessary practical benefits, and then use the practical benefits to form a joint force, and finally use their strength to control the situation.
The first step, of course, is to make concessions on spring plowing. Although compromise at this time is destined to seriously delay the spring season, compromise must be made, otherwise there will be a big mess... It doesn't matter whether it is the big one and the small one, directly emphasizing the period of the late emperor's later years.
The effectiveness of the law can also be improved, but it must be done quickly.
The second step is to release officials on a large scale.
The third step is to let go of the airs and further delegate power to officials in Hebei, the Eastern Region, and the Central Plains.
At this point, Li Qingchen paused for a moment and spoke slowly: "According to the subordinates, once this matter is brought up, it will only be a waste of spring plowing. When the official is dismissed, it will inevitably attract those people.
They started shouting and accusing Zhongcheng of appointing private individuals, and they might impose restrictions again..."
"It's not maybe, it's inevitable." The ringing of the wind chimes stopped, and Emperor Cao responded with a smile behind his back. "It's impossible for those bastards to hold you responsible for missing the queen. It's impossible for Duan Shangshu to shout in Nanya and let Gu Shangshu faction
People from the Ministry of Punishment will come to Jing'antai and take you one by one into the jails of the Ministry of Punishment...How should I respond then?"
Luo Fang and Xue Liang, who had lost half of his hand, were slightly startled, as if they did not expect this to happen.
"It's very simple." Li Qingchen, who had clearly made a draft, continued to talk. "Please ask Zhongcheng to release their personal people to serve as officials, and ask them if they have any descendants they want to support. In the family,
If there are any young people who have not yet been appointed officials, let’s all go to the Central Plains of Hebei to become officials and continue to compromise to the end.”
Luo Fang was the first to frown, instinctively disgusted.
Even Uncle Cao Huang was a little serious: "How to say it?"
"Everyone has selfish motives, and everyone wants to be a bigger official, but officials are different, and selfish motives are also different." Li Qingchen answered fluently, but his expression should not be so ferocious. "At this time, some officials look like
It is very high and heavy, but it actually has no meaning to the country. It can be used to win people's hearts or to make perfunctory decisions. Some selfish motives are certainly selfish, but when put into some specific situations, no matter what the original intention is, as long as it can have some effect.
If you use it, you can merge with the public heart..."
This is really interesting.
Uncle Cao Huang's heart moved slightly, so he stood up amidst the sound of wind chimes, leaned forward with his hands behind his hands and asked seriously: "What's more specific?"
"To be specific, if Zhong Cheng is here, even if they occupy all the positions within Dong Capital, it will not be enough to affect Zhong Cheng's absolute advantage in Dong Capital City, because Zhong Cheng is a great master and there is a black tower here.
It's unbreakable." Li Qingchen said through gritted teeth, as if the wound was aching again.
"Well said!" Luo Fang suddenly interrupted because he realized that he had not spoken for a long time and his foster father had been talking to these bastards.
"At the same time, non-Guanlong locals and the military have to face the rebellion directly, and there are already a lot of shortages of local officials. So whether it is their people or our people, as long as they are talented, as long as they are still willing
As long as they still listen to the court's orders at this time, they can let them go and let them deal with the situation." Li Qingchen continued to speak, but his face became more and more ferocious and his words became more and more difficult.
Uncle Cao Huang was thoughtful, and he vaguely noticed that there seemed to be some reservations in the other party's words. In addition, Li Qingchen was obviously injured, but he simply called Qin Bao's name:
"Li Twelve, please take a break. Qin Er, why do we hear that you have some unfinished words? Is that just what you said? Li Twelve is injured, please continue."
"Reporting to Zhongcheng, in fact, there is something hard to say in what I just said, but in my opinion, there is no need to play riddles." Qin Bao slightly cupped his hands, but did not shirk. "That is the Dongdu, no matter how many officials they occupy.
, after all, he can't suppress Zhong Cheng. In places other than Guanlong, things will inevitably fall apart in a short period of time. Even if the situation goes smoothly, it won't be able to be dealt with in ten or eight years... In other words, no matter who is left in the place,
They will all lose control, go their own way, and be out of touch with Guanlong and Dongdu. Therefore, it doesn’t matter who you use, as long as you are willing to do things and not be a thief. If you have a little talent, you will bet on the right destiny."
Cao Lin sighed on the spot... This was too direct.
"So at this time, let those young and talented people from the rich families who oppose Zhongcheng go to the local areas, go to Hebei, go to the Central Plains, and go to the military just like us young people in Taichung who want to make contributions." Qin.
Bao paid no attention to it and just continued to talk. "It will not only benefit the country, but also prevent them from forming a group in the Guanlong area... For example, in the matter of spring plowing, why should we cut the knot quickly? It is not only a matter of weather, but also a matter of time.
Prevent them from taking advantage of this matter to form one body, from the inside out, from top to bottom, to form a force in Guanlong and Dongdu to oppose Zhongcheng."
At this point, Qin Bao hesitated for a moment, but continued: "Actually, these are things that Zhongcheng himself has done, and we only suggest to expand them... For example, Zhang Changgong went to Qi County for inspection,
Isn't it just a similar good move? His presence in Qijun must be of great benefit to Zhang Tongshou. He must have contributed to the stabilization of Qijun's situation. At the same time, he left Dongdu and also
It prevents him from following his father to sway between Zhongcheng and those people. But now, there is no place in the east to release people, so it is even more important to send people to Hebei and Kinki counties in the Central Plains."
When Cao Lin heard this, he was completely clear and nodded directly: "You are right, you are right, we should do this... and we do it together, they just think that I am compromising, and it will work out nine times out of ten.
.”
At this point, he couldn't help but glance at Qian Tang, who remained silent.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, Qian Tang also suddenly stepped forward and handed over his hand: "Return to Zhongcheng, it doesn't matter if they think of this idea, because people like Duan Shangshu can't stop their descendants from wanting to be officials, even Liu
The prefect ran away, Captain Dou and his whole family were gone, but they still flocked to him... This is the so-called conspiracy, which is also the so-called politics."
Cao Zhongcheng was greatly moved. He withdrew his eyes from Qian Tang, and then looked at the other people. After passing over Li Qingchen and Lu Changheng, he naturally fell on Qin Bao.
He has given up hope on Qian Tang. Qin Bao is the only young person here with a lower background. He has always valued his outstanding martial arts, broad cultivation, upright character, and quick thinking.
But inexplicably, Uncle Cao Huang thought of Zhang Sanlang again, and then forcibly suppressed the impulse.
He was scared.
After all, when the country employs people, whether it is because of his mother or something else, Qin Erlang's performance has surpassed that of many people and is completely worthy of his position. And if this young man also rejects him, will he have to recruit a talent out of thin air?
Push it out?
At the end of the first month, spring plowing was in full swing, and the plowing strike crisis in Guanlong had reached its most difficult point. However, following a collective speech by the young men in Jing'antai, Uncle Cao finally... compromised.
He reiterated the legitimacy of the special policies of the late emperor in his later years, and promised not to change the land grant due to the recruitment of private slaves. However, he also demanded that the recruitment of private slaves be accelerated and strict, and appointed several of his own protégés, or as Guanlong officials.
Local officials, who might be promoted to patrol inspectors, would lead patrols in the Guanlong, Shaanxi, and Luo areas to search for manors and transfer slaves to military status.
On the whole, this incident was considered to be a victory for Duan Shangshu and his people. Starting from the Dongdu area, replanting was also carried out quickly... However, Uncle Cao's subsequent actions still caused a stir, just as the uncle himself complained.
Similarly, Duan Shangshu directly instigated the impartial and honest Shangshu Gu Yigu in Nanya to go to Jing'antai to arrest people. He firmly grasped the sin of these eunuchs and lost the queen, which made the centrists in Nanya also waver.
.
But soon, Emperor Cao openly and impartially proposed that the Eastern Territory was completely corrupted and that Hebei and the Central Plains should be prevented from repeating the same mistakes. In addition, many officials had performed poorly during the turmoil in the previous six months. The children of Guanlong should be dispatched to serve as local and military officials.
, and greatly increased the authority of these local officials to facilitate their suppression of bandits.
Cao Zhongcheng even asked Duan Shangshu face to face where the Li Si whom he saved last time was and whether he could be the governor of Wu'an?
The prefect had been vacant for almost half a year, and Jiang Du had been ignoring him, so he had no choice but to take over the job.
Duan Shangshu and others were stunned by this punch, and as the news spread inexplicably throughout the capital, these people immediately realized that they could not be evil in this kind of thing, and they would not be able to pursue the queen again.
.
Even Emperor Cao himself was aware of a problem, that is, the ministerial integrity he had always tried to abide by was wavering as these personnel appointments and the authority of local officials expanded.
But so what?
If you are doing justice, why should you fear others?
In early February, some changes were first made in the military and local official systems.
The official documents of Nanya clearly stated that during the process of suppressing bandits, the army's marching commander or the general of the first guard had the power to restrain the prefects and generals in the marching area, and the prefects and generals had the power to command separate garrisons within the territory.
General Zhonglang.
At the same time, the prefects and general guards were allowed to command troops to cross the border to suppress bandits and assist each other in suppressing bandits.
At the same time, the quota of county soldiers was greatly increased, and school captains were set up below the captains and generals, and the number of troops to be led was a thousand.
States and counties isolated by banditry are allowed to handle their own storage.
He also asked the black guards stationed in Fusi, Taitung Town, Jing'an, to immediately expand their power, communicate with each other, and send the security, personnel, and weather conditions of each county to neighboring counties and the eastern capital every ten days, at least to the nearest city.
Accompany the capital Zhu Shou or the generals in the military camp.
Overall, this was a temporary wartime policy that greatly enhanced the power and convenience of local officials and the army.
Immediately afterwards, many people were promoted and awarded titles.
in:
The sinner Li Ding, who was idle at home, was appointed as the prefect of Wu'an (the Hebei side of Hongshan Mountain);
Qian Tang served as Pingyuan Tongshou;
Luo Fang, who lost his queen, became the prefect of Feng Yi (Guanxi is second only to Jingzhao, next to Tongguan and Hedong);
Xue Liang, who lost his queen and half his hand, was appointed as the prefect of Fufeng (west side of Jingzhao);
Qin Bao entered the Nanyang army and sent out military captains to a new slave group;
Li Qingchen was appointed as the captain of Huaiyang (a large county in the Central Plains southwest of Liang County);
Lu Changheng was appointed as the captain of Ji County.
As the news of Lu County's victory came, Zhang Xuguo was appointed as the general manager of the march to the east, and Zhang Changgong was appointed as the governor of Lu County.
Of course, this is only a very small part of it. There are countless others such as filling up the six ministries, opening up the temples, supervising the nobles, and even the Chai Changjian was ignored and became the Tuoyang Tongshou.
He rebelled against the job of escorting grain and fodder... It seems that it was difficult for him to spend his remaining years in the Eastern Capital with calligraphy and painting.
The only huge controversy is the mess in Liang County, specifically how to deal with Cao Wang, the prefect of Liang County, and how to coordinate the relationship between Jiangdu and the local area to redeem the queen.
This matter, due to the special status of the queen and the strange situation that even if Liang County was hollowed out and half of the county was destroyed, there was still a huge and wealthy territory, 6,000 troops, and thousands of county soldiers.
It gives people a feeling of chewing chicken ribs.
As a result, we fell into a chaotic situation that was destined to have no solution and seemed to be prepared to continue like this.
Anyway, there are envoys from Jiangdu and local officials, as well as a Huaiyou League who was in trouble for some reason. They are there to fight with the traitor Zhang San. Anyway, it seems that Zhang San is not prepared to hurt the queen. As long as the queen survives,
Jiangdu, who cares about anything else?
However, these did not delay other appointments being issued, and heroes from all walks of life rushed to various places... It seems that the wheels of history are rolling forward day and night.
As for the tens of thousands of palace residents and chamberlains who were left behind along the way, they seemed more like half a boot left in the mud puddle after the wheel of history passed by. No one even looked at it.
In February, the snow in Dongdu and Liangjun had melted, but there was still some snow in the shade of the mountains in Jindi. Under such circumstances, Bai Yousi entered Taiyuan City with one man, one sword and one horse.
PS: Thank you to Mr. Qiu from Partridge Mountain Renqu for joining me. He is an old book friend.
