No one knows what Liu Kuan's last words were for Gongsun Xun, because that night, Gongsun Xun, who was staying at Mengjin Ferry, simply burned the letters after reading them alone several times.
The next day, he still stayed in Mengjin, but he continued to write letters one after another. Firstly, he passed down Sima Zhi's suicide note, secondly, he asked for Guo Dian's title, and thirdly, he came to see the emperor.
When the letter arrived, the emperor agreed to his request and specially summoned him to Luomian Saint.
For this meeting, the emperor chose Zhuolong Garden, also known as the famous West Garden.
Because he was not in the palace, Gongsun Xun just removed his sword and walked calmly inside, and then saw the emperor... Interestingly, the emperor sitting in the pavilion was wearing casual clothes, and there was only one Jian Shuo of Zhonghuangmen standing next to him.
There are people with names and surnames, and the rest are just ordinary eunuchs and maids.
Obviously, this meeting was undoubtedly a sincere and private relationship for the emperor.
"Excuse me!" The emperor raised his hand from a distance to signal. "We are just talking in private. I don't call you me, so you don't have to be restrained... Come and sit in the pavilion."
"I thank your Majesty." Gongsun Xun had no expression on his face and did not make any excuses. He simply stepped forward and entered, sitting opposite the emperor. Then he straightened up and raised his head to meet the emperor's eyes.
This was the first time the two of them had such close contact, and I don’t know if it was the last time.
Gongsun Xun looked carefully, and his first impression was that the emperor, who was slightly older than himself, was quite thin, and his complexion was extremely poor, as if he had been addicted to wine and sex for many years, and felt somewhat hollowed out. However, other than that,
After all, he still has an appearance that is above average, which can be considered handsome... Moreover, Gongsun Xun also knew that this emperor had been carefully taught by Liu Kuan, Yang Ci and others since he was a child. In terms of Confucian classics alone, he was even better than him.
He is still a half-dabbler, and he is also very good at composing poems. In the past, he studied in Hongdu School and had many works published, so he is considered a talented person.
Of course, now it seems that he is not only good at writing poems, but also good at adding poems.
The two looked at each other for a while, and then the emperor spoke first: "You have specially written a letter to invite me to Luo, but what are your plans?"
"I would like to resign to guard Hanoi." Gongsun Xun raised his head and replied. "With all the troubles, it may be difficult to take up the actual post in the near future."
"I understand." The emperor nodded slightly as if he had expected it. "Liu Song also wrote a letter saying that the Taiwei said before his death that he would entrust you with all the affairs after his death, and the county governor has the responsibility of guarding the land and cannot leave easily.
In this situation, this is a matter of course... That's right, I won't let you take up my post anymore, and I will wait until after the funeral to discuss my official position with you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gongsun Xun bowed slightly without saying anything else.
The two came up to ask and answer questions, and the pavilion immediately fell into a strange silence.
After a long while, the emperor continued: "You have one more note before. Since Guo Dian has been confirmed to have died for the country, he will naturally be sealed. I have ordered the central government to deal with it."
"Your Majesty has a clear warning."
"People ridiculed him as the likes of Duke Ai of Lu. He was born in a deep palace and grew up with women's hands. He didn't know sorrow, worry, labor, fear, or danger... Such a person is also
Can it be called a clear guide?" The emperor opened his mouth and came, as if he was rich in knowledge.
Gongsun Xun knew what the other party was talking about. Lu Kang, the prefect of Lujiang who was the first to speak out against this matter after the previous tax increase, directly compared the emperor in front of him to the historical Duke Ai of Lu in his memorial, and the emperor himself
What he said is the typical evaluation of Duke Ai of Lu in history.
how to say?
Gongsun Xun wanted to nod and say, "You are quite self-aware," but in the end he just kept silent... and this was enough to show his attitude.
The emperor sneered when he saw this, but he was not angry: "You are really the queen of the border commander."
Gongsun Xun still said nothing.
"I have also read the letter of Sima Zhi's remonstrance submitted by you." The emperor continued. "Since there are many difficulties in various places, we really don't dare to push too hard... Well, I have already issued an edict to postpone the payment of the money for the palace repairs.
"
Gongsun Xun took a serious look at the emperor for the second time, and the surprise he had caused by his generosity disappeared in an instant. Sima Zhi tried his best to remonstrate, but he just postponed the payment. I wonder if the man who committed suicide by swallowing medicine
Since people are still here, is it still necessary for him to come and thank God for his kindness?
Simply ridiculous!
"I've got all the three things you told me right." The emperor yawned, but continued. "I also have a question that I would like to hear your heartfelt words."
"Your Majesty has inquiries, and ministers must tell the truth." After receiving the other party's approval, Gongsun Xun actually lost interest in the emperor at this time, and just wanted to end this patient interview as soon as possible.
"As far as I know." The emperor cheered up a little and said seriously. "The aristocratic families in the world are actually not short of money. For example, the Qing family, I heard the name of Amway when I was a child in Anping, and I also
I’ve bought things from Qing’s family... but why does Qing have to delay the money to repair the palace?”
Gongsun Xun finally couldn't help but laugh: "Your Majesty, if I use my private property to pay for the construction of the palace in Hanoi, I am afraid that if I pay it today, I will be punished tomorrow. Zhao and other servants will often report to the official for dismissal in the name of inviting people's hearts, saying
He may even be imprisoned... Then it will be difficult to find anyone who can plead his grievances on his behalf."
"That's true." The emperor continued. "But even so, Hanoi is so rich, and there is no epidemic or rebellion this time, is it really impossible to withdraw 50 million yuan to repair the palace? What do you think?
"
Gongsun Xun did not reply directly, but looked at the tall Zhonghuangmen Jianshuo standing behind the emperor, holding a sword.
Jian Shuo was stared at inexplicably, so he could only pretend not to know.
"I am probably worried that the money of the officers and people of the county will eventually be embezzled by the eunuchs in the court." Just when the emperor was a little impatient, Gongsun Xun gave a somewhat absurd, but very mainstream reply.
"Sima Zhi said in his memorial that the world was in turmoil and that all the states and counties could not collect the money to build the palace. Is it all because of this?" The emperor also laughed for a moment. "Isn't it a big epidemic, a military disaster or the season?"
"Perhaps everyone has their own difficulties in getting together the money to build the palace." Gongsun Xun turned around and faced it seriously. "The world is fierce, and it may not be without the powerful and reckless, and the family is corrupt and excessive, but more of them are the children of eunuchs.
It’s because the disciples are causing trouble!”
"Jian Shuo, did you hear that?" The emperor still looked back with a smile. "Scholars always say that it is you who are responsible for the world's problems. Now even General Wei, a man from a border county and a man who established himself in the world by martial arts, actually said this.
It was you who broke it! Could it be that it was really you who broke it?"
Jian Shuo was speechless and could only kneel down and kowtow.
The emperor laughed even more when he saw this, but Gongsun Xun remained expressionless, pretending not to know, and everyone in the pavilion was speechless again.
"As the emperor, I cannot leave the palace without permission." After a while, the emperor stopped laughing and said. "But after all, I am not the kind of emperor who is raised in the hands of women in the palace... If there is a chance, when the bandits in Hebei are calmed down,
I personally went back to Anping to take a look at the situation in Hebei, to see what my hometown looked like in the past, to see if the giant deer was as scrawled as Sima Zhi said, and to see if Zhao Changshi's residence was as scrawled as it was.
The music played by General Zuo Cheqi is so luxurious and extravagant..."
Gongsun Xun just bowed slightly and did not answer.
The emperor immediately became bored and said: "Forget it, as for the present, you can stay in Luozhong with full authority to deal with Master Liu's affairs, and then worry about it. As for Master Liu, he is old and gradually died last winter.
It can be said that given his character, it is natural for him to come and go smoothly. I have ordered the court to discuss his posthumous title and honor. You don’t have to worry too much. In the future, the world will rely on your talents to restore stability!"
Hearing this, Gongsun Xun immediately stood up and stepped back, bowing to express his gratitude and salute. After the other party nodded slightly, he proudly left the palace, ignoring Jian Shuo on the ground the whole time.
The West Garden is originally located on the westernmost side of the North Palace. After going out, it is along the palace road. Gongsun Xun easily met several confidants waiting here under the watchful eyes of the tiger troops in front of the palace gate. However, they are confidants, but they can
In fact, because his trip was too hasty, Han Dang, Wei Yue, Yang Kai and those followers were all at Chaoge in the north of Hanoi, and Lu Fan and others had to deal with county affairs in Hanoi, so they hurriedly followed him.
However, the only ones who arrived were Lou Gui, Wang Xiu and Xi Zhong. The rest, Wang Xiang and others, were not allowed to cross the river at all.
Even Gongsun Yue and Gongsun Fan were also dealing with things at Liu Kuan's house at this time and were not here.
"Your Majesty! Is there anything you can gain from this meeting with the Holy Spirit?"
"Your Majesty, what are you saying this time? Have you decided how to go into hiding? Will there be any results this time?"
The three of them hurriedly stepped forward to ask, especially Lou Gui who asked the fastest. There was no way, as confidants, they were also in a state of confusion these past two days, and they were at a loss because Gongsun Xun obviously had some ideas after reading Liu Kuan's letter.
Thoughts and decisions were made, but they knew nothing about it. Not to mention that this meeting with the emperor was of great importance.
"Your Majesty," Xi Zhong also wanted to step forward and ask about the result of Gongsun Xun's request, but when the words came to his lips, he suddenly changed his question. "Who do you dare to ask the emperor?"
As soon as these words came out, Lou Gui and Wang Xiu fell silent and couldn't help but look at Gongsun Xun.
"That's a good question." Gongsun Xun didn't take it seriously. He just held the sword and walked away and replied. "I know today that our emperor is a truly smart man. He not only knows the sufferings of the people, but also understands the nature of eunuchs.
, I also know the hypocrisy of the world and the excess of power..."
The three of them followed behind and couldn't help but look at each other.
"So, wouldn't it be rare to see a holy king?" Lou Gui really couldn't bear it.
"No." Gongsun Xun suddenly stopped, turned around and sneered in a low voice. "But he is too selfish. He only cares about himself and does not care about the life and death of others... His intelligence is all based on personal enjoyment and wanton behavior.
, this person does not have the reputation of a king who has subjugated his country, nor does he have the actual status of a king who has subjugated his country!"
Lou Gui and Xi Zhong both sneered. Wang Xiu sighed, but was speechless.
"Let's go!" Gongsun Xunfu waved his hands again and said. "Sima Zhi died in exchange for the postponement of extorting money to repair the palace. I have also resigned from the post of governor of Hanoi. Zi Bo went to Hanoi to summon Zi Heng, and Yi Gong and others came to Luozhong to wait for them.
Zhicai and Shuzhi will go to Master Liu's residence to attend the funeral. As his disciple, I should wear sackcloth and show my filial piety, and live up to the trust of my mentor!"
The three of them saluted solemnly.
Not to mention Gongsun Xun, in the evening of that day, in the somewhat depressed Beigong, Quan Huan Zhang Rang suddenly invited Zhao Zhong of Great Changqiu again, saying that they had something to discuss.
"What do you mean?" In the private room, where the oath was taken in February with bare arms, Zhao Zhong was at a loss for a moment. "Why should we show favor to the other party? In the current situation, how can you and I reconcile with each other?"
"I have to give it a try..." Zhang Rang said helplessly, but also detailed the incident when the emperor summoned Gongsun Xun during the day. "Listening to the descriptions of the little Huangmen, I am afraid that in the emperor's mind, these generals are
You can't move it, but your niece-in-law is more or less important."
"The emperor is a smart man, so he naturally knows how to appease his generals." Zhao Zhong said disapprovingly. "As for today's summons being unusual, in my opinion, it is because of Liu Wenrao's death that the emperor was also quite sad and pushed for entry...
After all, the emperor and the Gongsun family's boys are both serious students of Liu Wenrao, and Liu Wenrao is no better than Yang Ci, so the emperor will never have a bad feeling towards him."
"Maybe!" Zhang Rang said helplessly. "But Sima Zhi died to remonstrate, Guo Dian died in battle, and Liu Kuan suddenly left. The emperor may have been touched, otherwise he wouldn't have thought of meeting Gongsun Xun like this and wanted to go.
Inspection of Hebei... We always have to be on guard against one or two things. After all, there is already a general in Luozhong who is starting to take flight, and Yuan Shao is raising dead soldiers with malicious intentions. If there is another one, wouldn't it make people miserable? "
Zhao Zhong was silent for a moment, but still couldn't help but shake his head: "To reconcile at this time, no matter how you think about it, you are just humiliating yourself! However, I can try to ask my brother Zhao Yan to see my brother Zhao Bao, and give a little hint.
But it’s better for Changshi Zhang not to think too much.”
"That's enough, let's not talk about it until the matter is settled." Zhang Rang nodded. "The key is to make the emperor inseparable from us, and to let the emperor enjoy himself."
"There must also be arrangements in Jizhou." Zhao Zhong continued to speak seriously. "What if Your Majesty really goes to Jizhou and sees those things in my house?"
"What do you want?" Zhang Rang asked nonchalantly.
"I am willing to follow the current and move Huangfu Yizhen to leave Jizhou... If he is away, the banditry will reappear. If you and I exaggerate the banditry in Jizhou, the emperor will naturally not dare to go again." Zhao Zhongping said calmly. "What does Zhang Changshi think?
"
"Bandit trouble..." Zhang Rang thought thoughtfully. "Didn't your clan in Julu get wiped out by bandits before? How could you still let bandit trouble go?"
"They are just nephews. They are not my main branch in Yecheng, nor are they close to me in Luoyang." Zhao Zhong said disapprovingly. "Could it be that a group of bandits can attack Yecheng and not Luoyang? My tribe is vast and spread all over Jizhou.
This one is missing."
"You are Changqiu, and you have to take care of matters outside the court." Zhang Rang also disagreed. "Don't forget my entrustment."
A night of silence.
On the second day, the biggest event in Luozhong was that the mourning hall for the late Lieutenant Liu Kuan was officially opened and condolences were openly accepted.
What is interesting is that Gongsun Xun, the general in charge of the funeral, publicly stated that Master Liu was a drinker throughout his life and should not be treated with vulgar etiquette. Anyone who comes to the door, if he can drink, should drink a glass to pour out the injustice and mourning.
, and then pay tribute.
For a time, people in Luozhong were sighing with emotion. People hanging there were crowded and drinkers were gathering.
————I am the dividing line for myself————
"When the deceased Taiwei Liu Kuan passed away, Taizu left his last words to mourn in Hanoi. After entering Luo, Emperor Ling of the Later Han Dynasty summoned him in the pavilion of the Western Garden and asked: 'Why is the world so violent?' Taizu said: 'I am fortunate to be disturbed by my descendants.
At that time, the eunuch Jian Shuo stood outside the pavilion. The emperor's adviser Jian Shuo was frightened and did not know what to do. The emperor also spoke to Taizu about Sima Zhishi and said: "Qing's family has a fortune of hundreds of millions, but there is no official money?" Taizu
Ancestor said: "The wealth of my family is over 100 million, but I don't have a single cent to enrich my personal pockets with the eunuchs." The emperor was silent and came out.
After they came out, Lou Gui, Wang Xiu, and the loyal prime ministers were outside the palace. Taizu angrily said to Gui and others: "Today, I know that I am very smart. I know the truth and reality of the world, but I am greedy and greedy. I know it but do nothing. It is really hopeless." The medicine is gone.' The historian said: Taizu's heart has flourished since then." - "Dian Lue". Yan. Pei Song's Notes
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