The news that the imperial court was going to use troops against the southwest had spread all over Chang'an in the evening.
However, it is a pity that except for the military and the princes, everyone else's response was very cold.
For one thing, many of the main forces of the Gossip Party, the rangers and ruffians, have left.
Those who ran fast had even passed the Liaodong border wall and entered the Xinhua boundary. Even those who ran slower still reached Luoyang.
Secondly, what can be found in the remote mountains and remote areas in the southwest?
Some old people in Guanzhong even remember the opening of southwest China during the Qin Dynasty.
"Back then, my father followed General Chang and opened up the southwest and built a five-foot road. The southwest was poor. According to my father, among the countries in the southwest, apart from taro, there were mountains and mountains."
At that time, in order to open up the southwest, the Qin State recruited tens of thousands of Guanzhong people and went to build roads there.
Today’s roads in the southwest were basically built by the Qin State.
As the most typical representative of China's classical era.
The Qin Dynasty was completely an infrastructure maniac.
Wherever his army attacks, roads will be built.
If mountains block me, I will dig mountains; if water blocks me, I will dig canals.
For the Qin Empire, there was no place in the world where roads and rivers could not be built.
In order to conquer Baiyue, the Qin army dug out the Xiangjiang River and Lijiang River to merge the water systems of Hunan and Guangxi into one.
In order to march north to the grassland, the Qin army built dense beacon towers and armories in the Hetao Plain, and even extended the straight road across it.
As for the Qin Zhidao, which is still connecting all counties and major cities in China and turning the Xia into a whole, it is a miraculous project that is almost impossible for humans to complete.
However, such a powerful infrastructure monster failed in the southwest.
Facing the complex terrain and changing environment of the southwest.
Even a militaristic regime as powerful as the Qin Dynasty could only choose to dig a road of less than five feet that could only accommodate people and horses, called the Five-foot Road.
Even so, this five-foot road had actually completed less than half of its design mileage by the time the Qin Dynasty fell.
I can barely pass the Five Feet Road.
In order to dig this five-foot road, the Qin Dynasty paid a heavy price.
Tens of thousands of civilians are buried forever in the high mountains of the southwest, and a large amount of resources are like wasted, disappearing and disappearing.
What's more important is that Qin is in the southwest and has not received any retribution at all.
People in Guanzhong are never afraid of death or difficulties.
As long as there are benefits, what does death mean? What does difficulty mean?
In order to support Wu'an Jun Bai Qi's Changping Battle, the entire Qin State, from eighty-year-old men to eleven or twelve-year-old children, young women and children, all went into battle to deliver supplies to the army.
Gritting his teeth, Qin people made the impossible possible.
In the battle of Changping, Zhao's elite main force was wiped out in one fell swoop, and the biggest obstacle to unifying the world was removed.
This level of nationwide mobilization and implementation and planning of the general war strategy was probably no more than what the warring countries in the First World War in the early 20th century could achieve.
However, if there is no benefit
Just like when Qin Shihuang opened the southwest region, except for taro, the Qin people did not receive any other compensation in the southwest region.
If this is the case, then naturally no one is willing to go to the high mountains in the southwest to play hide-and-seek games with the barbarians.
This memory is so profound in the people of Guanzhong.
So much so that today, decades later, when the imperial court once again expressed its desire to take a trip to the southwest.
The people in Guanzhong did not express any enthusiasm for joining the army as before.
After all, no one wants to travel thousands of miles to a foreign land and risk their lives to dig taro.
Of course, he is not a guy without big ideas.
In a remote residential area in Chang'an City, a scholar from Wudi was reading behind closed doors.
Suddenly, he heard the landlord's family discussing that the imperial court was going to take action against Southwest.
The man immediately dropped the book in his hand, stood up, and said to himself: "This is an opportunity given to me by God!"
This man's surname is Yang, his given name is Zheng, and his given name is Zice.
He was an inspector of the old Wu State. His father used to be a county lieutenant in a certain county who was a member of the Wu State, and he could be regarded as a son of an official family.
But unfortunately, King Wu rebelled three years ago and was quickly suppressed by the court.
His identity as a son of an official was thus lost. Even when his father died, Wu King Liu Bi was still the ancestor of the Han Dynasty and the pillar of the Southern Xinjiang Kingdom. However, the Han army that came in did not care about this and beat him with just one sentence.
Into the ranks of the 'Wu Ni Yu Party'.
Although he was not on the list of family members of the criminal official, as a descendant of the remnant party of the old Wu Ni, it was simply a dream to get a local appointment or even become an official.
There was no other way out, so taking the exam became his only way out.
only
After coming to Chang'an, Yang Zhengcai discovered that there were so many competitors, and each of them had a frightening family background.
Although the state selects scholars through examinations, thousands of scholars are selected every year.
However, this exam is getting more and more difficult.
Of course, if you just want to be a local clerk, helping others, encouraging others, etc., it is very simple.
Basically, as long as you are literate, your handwriting is neat, and your logic is clear and organized, that's it.
However, as a former official's son, Yang Zheng was unwilling to give in. He spent his whole life in a pavilion in the countryside, dealing with farmers, mud-legged people and rich locals in the countryside, earning a few kilo per month, living a poor and nervous life.
day.
He even hoped to sit in the county government office or in the lobby of the county government office and give orders.
"A true man, you will get your fame right now!" Yang Zhengjiang threw it aside.
His father once traveled to the southwest as an envoy of King Wu, and even served as an honored guest in King Yelang's palace.
He was somewhat aware of the situation in the southwestern countries.
So he sat down, picked up a pen and paper, and began to write the famous calligraphy.
"Yang Zheng, a member of the barbarian family, pays homage to the king: I heard that the king intends to collect the southwest for your majesty. I, Yang Zheng, admire the king's mind and offer you some suggestions for your consideration."
Half an hour later, Yang Zheng had already written a 3,000-word guide to the southwest.
Then, he copied several copies of these greetings, and while it was still early, he went out in the direction of Qi Li and Shang Guanli.
"Now, there are probably only a few nobles who are likely to lead an army on an expedition." Yang Zheng thought as he walked. After excluding Prime Minister Zhou Yafu and several special elders, in fact, there are only a few people who are qualified to lead an expedition.
, there are only a few of them.
It is nothing more than Weiwei Li Guang, Jin Wuzhidu, generals Li Xi and Guo Wu, generals who were not born among the princes, as well as Jianping, Pingqu, Jiangyang and other heroes of the late emperor and several veteran military officers.
General Hou.
But, maybe.
After all, the emperor has the final say who is sent to lead the army.
Many times, when it comes to matters that are the same no matter who is sent to them, the old Liu family often chooses those less conspicuous princes by surprise.
Taking this into account, it seems that among the princes in Beijing nowadays, except for the world-famous Chang'an Three Cowards, everyone else may be an option.
Thinking of this, Yang Zheng stopped, went to his residence, and continued to copy the greetings.
His idea is simple and direct. Since I don’t know who may become the general in command this time, then I will just vote for all possible candidates.
This was also a common choice for literati in Chang'an City in the past before there was an examination system.
At the same time, in the residence of Qili's general Wei Qihou.
A young diner paid homage to Dou Ying and said, "Your Majesty, your Majesty wants to capture the southwest. This is the occasion for your Majesty's meritorious service. Your Majesty, please make a decisive decision at the opportunity. Your Majesty, please recommend yourself to be your commander-in-chief."
Dou Ying looked at the young diner and stroked his beard. He sighed: "I know myself, but I know nothing about the southwestern countries. I'm afraid."
The diner bowed and said, "Don't worry, my lord! I have a good friend. His name is Tang Meng. He is the son of Poyang Wei of the late Wu Kingdom. This son once traveled to the southwest and had long-standing friendships with the kings and ministers of today's Yelang, Zuo, Bo and other countries.
, Your Majesty can send envoys to invite them. With their help, your Majesty will naturally know all about the domestic conditions of the southwest countries!"
Dou Ying was overjoyed and stood up to worship him: "If this is really the case, I will thank you very much!"
Immediately, he ordered people to bring hundreds of gold and property, and together with the diner, they went to invite the man named Tang Meng.
A similar scene was also taking place in the mansion of the Huben Guard Commander in Shang Guanli.
"Your Majesty wants to take the southwest. Now that the captain has made a meritorious service, I ask the captain to make a decisive decision and go to the palace overnight to pay homage to your majesty. Please be the commander of the southwest." Several dramatists were clamoring.
Ever since Ju Meng became rich, he had been imitating Chang'an Liehou Xunchen in his family home in Shang Guanli, raising a large number of diners and staff to plan for himself.
However, Ju Meng was born as a knight-errant, so among his diners and disciples, there were people from all walks of life.
Among them, many are his close friends and neighbors when he was poor.
These people are not so much serving as diners and disciples of Ju Meng, but rather are here to eat and wait to die.
Anyway, as long as the drama doesn't fail, they can drink wine and eat meat every day, and go to Huajieliuxiang to do some health care and other things in their free time. Their life will not be too happy at all.
Therefore, in fact, there are only a dozen or so people that Ju Meng can really rely on.
But now, regardless of whether they are those who are just waiting to die, or those who are truly talented, they all can't help but encourage the drama.
For them, Ruoju Meng became the commander in chief of this military expedition.
According to the dynasty system, as the chief general, you can recommend a few or a dozen mid-level and low-level officers such as lieutenants and sima, and then everyone can follow Ju Meng to the southwest to gain promotion and wealth.
Even if it doesn't work, even if he takes 10,000 steps back and makes great contributions, Ju Meng's status will be improved again.
Whether you are just hanging around and waiting to die, or you want to make contributions, your future security will be improved to a higher level.
However, Ju Meng was very hesitant.
He remembered what his confidant Cheng Bushi, the current real manager of Huben Guards, had said to him.
"Today, the captain is serving as your majesty's confidant. The foundation of a captain is to stay at your majesty's side day and night. If the captain leads an army on an expedition, there must be someone else who is close to your majesty. Even if the captain returns with meritorious services, he will eventually feel that
It may be more reliable to stay with His Majesty. Moreover, the army is fierce and dangerous, and the captain has no experience in commanding troops. If there is any oversight, wouldn't he be setting himself up for death?"
"And the captain is different from Dongchenghou. Dongchenghou is favored by Mrs. Yiyi and has the emperor's eldest son and Wanyi Lord as his help. Even if he is thousands of miles away, I'm afraid his trust in your majesty's heart will not be reduced at all.
The commander-in-chief, on the other hand, finally heard that his majesty sent the prince (royal way) to conquer the commander-in-chief, but the commander-in-chief had doubts and stopped moving forward."
"If the captain leaves the capital today for an expedition, the general will be worried. Some villains will use this as a basis to falsely accuse the captain."
Cheng Bu didn't know what he was saying, so it certainly made sense.
However, under the persuasion of relatives and friends, Ju Meng felt an undercurrent surging in his heart and couldn't help himself.
Ju Meng knew very well that by staying in Chang'an and staying with His Majesty, he would be able to ensure that his current status and favor would not be compromised at all.
But
Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, there has never been any precedent of relying on attendants to become a prince!
Even a well-known literary master, a well-known local honest official and capable minister, without military merit, even if he has an incredible talent, he can only live with two thousand dan, which is enough to support him to death.
Do you want to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Prince Consort and the Commander-in-Chief of the Tiger Guards for the rest of your life?
Ju Meng is really unwilling to do so.
Although, four years ago, he never thought that one day he would be able to go in and out of the palace, serve on the left and right, and let everyone in the court, from the prime minister to the princes, bow to him and say:
So-and-so met the captain.
As for local officials and elders in their hometowns, they would pack their homes with large and small packages every year.
This made Jumeng feel very satisfied.
But gradually, Jumeng also began to feel empty.
In particular, when Yi Zong marched thousands of miles away, and his troops conquered the country and his rulers were punished before and after his majesty, it became even more difficult for Ju Meng to restrain his inner impulse.
With the contrast of Yi Zong, coupled with the desire for the position of prince.
Ju Meng finally made a decision.
"Everything you said is good." Ju Meng stood up and said, "I will enter the palace right now. Please see your Majesty."
Military generals, after all, still have to rely on military merit to prove themselves.
Moreover
Ju Meng felt that even if he was not afraid this time, he might have to lead his troops to fight next time.
Ju Meng knows very well how big your Majesty's heart is.
This is a lord who wants to swallow up the universe, reach all over the world, and dominate the world!
Even the Huns are just a signpost on the road to conquest today.
In today's eyes, in this world, every place that his eyes can see must be conquered and occupied!
What he wants to accomplish is a great cause that even the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors have never accomplished, a hegemony that even Qin Shihuang can only look up to!
And Ju Meng is also very clear about the emperor's thoughts today.
This emperor has very high requirements for his ministers!
"Those who cannot keep up with me" Ju Meng remembered what the emperor once said to him: "I will not stop and wait for him."
"I must try hard to keep up with His Majesty's footsteps" Ju Meng told himself in his heart: "I cannot be eliminated."
Those who are eliminated are losers and defective products.
And Ju Meng is unwilling to live in the past even if he dies.
Therefore, even if it means taking some risks, he will take the gamble this time! (To be continued.)
ps: Note: During the Qin and Han Dynasties, a large and moist taro was produced in the southwestern region. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, refugees from Shu County even ate these taros for a time.
In Zhuo Wangsun's workshop, taro was first used as food for the workers.
These are all recorded in the Biographies of Southwest Yi and the Biographies of Goods in Historical Records
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