Chapter 161: The Decline of the Wei Kingdom [Two in One]
A month later, the family members of the young master Wei Yu were personally escorted to Daliang by Gao Kuo, Zhong Zhao and the Qingya people.
After learning about this, Zhao Hongrun personally went out of the city to greet him, of course, not as "King Zhao Run of Wei", but as a "nephew", because among Wei Yu's family members who moved to Daliang, there was also Wei Yu's mother "David Ji" ", that is, the sister of Zhao Hongrun's biological mother "Xiao Wei Ji".
In view of what Empress Dowager Shen said, Zhao Run's biological mother had a very close relationship with her sister before she was alive. Zhao Hongrun believed that he should, as a junior, go out of the city to greet his aunt in person.
Because he was leaving the city in disguise, Zhao Run only brought Wei Jiao, Lu Mu, Mu Qing and others, as well as about a dozen Imperial Guards soldiers wearing ordinary clothes. However, there were many Green Crows secretly protecting him, so even Zhao Run Run is unknown.
At the same time, on the official road to Daliang, Zhao Run's aunt David Ji was sitting on a carriage holding her grandson Wei Yun, whispering something vaguely to her daughter-in-law Wei Chen who was holding her daughter Ning Ning. You can hear words such as "nephew" and "what's your temperament like", probably asking your daughter-in-law to find out the character of the nephew of Wei King Zhao Run.
It can be seen that David Ji, who is nearly fifty years old, seems to have not yet recovered from the grief of losing her son. She is seen hugging her grandson Wei Yun tightly, as if she is afraid that this grandson will suddenly die like her son Wei Yu. She passed away, and her eyes were still slightly red. She was probably crying secretly in a deserted corner because she missed her son.
"His Majesty the King of Wei..."
Perhaps because she was afraid that Gao Kuo was outside the carriage, it would not be appropriate to wait for the crowd to hear the move. Wei Yu's widow, Wei Chen, lowered her voice and said: "My deceased husband and daughter-in-law didn't get along with him much at first, but in general , he is a very emotional person..."
Indeed, not long after Wei Yu was sent to Daliang as a hostage by King Wei Fei, Zhao Hongrun left Daliang and went to Shangshui County because of the relationship with the former prince Zhao Yu. Later, Zhao Run returned to Daliang, and a series of changes happened. I really didn’t have much contact with Wei Yu and his wife.
David Ji nodded and was about to ask something more when she saw Gao Kuo's voice coming from the carriage: "Old madam, according to the report from Gao's subordinates, I learned that you have come to Daliang, and our Majesty will personally go out of the city to greet you."
"Huh?"
David Ji was surprised and a little unbelievable.
Although she is indeed Zhao Run's aunt, and Zhao Run is indeed his nephew, considering that this nephew is now the monarch of the Wei State, and the Wei State is currently so powerful, David Ji really It was unimaginable that this nephew would actually go out of the city to welcome her arrival.
But it turned out that her nephew really went out of the city to greet him in person.
No, a moment later, David Ji met her nephew, King Zhao Run of Wei, at Shili Pavilion in the east of Daliang City.
"My nephew, Zhao Run, pays homage to my aunt."
After David Ji got off the carriage, Zhao Hongrun took the initiative to step forward and bowed his hands in salute. He behaved politely and showed no arrogance at all because he was the king of Wei.
However, David Ji, the elder, seemed a little restrained at first.
However, after Zhao Hongrun invited David Ji to the pavilion for a short chat, David Ji gradually adapted to it.
As for the topic of discussion, it was nothing more than Wei Yu’s death.
David Ji told Zhao Hongrun that Wei Yu's funeral had already been held in Weiguo, and it was organized by Xia Yu and Meng Ben, Wei Yu's capable generals during his lifetime.
Xia Yu and Meng Ben buried Wei Yu's body on a mountain on the outskirts of "Wuyan County" in Wei State. After all, Wuyan County was once the base camp of the Eastern Army.
As she spoke, David Ji's eyes inevitably turned slightly red, and Wei Yu's widow, Wei Chen, who was standing next to her, also choked with sobs and couldn't help but say: "I beg your Majesty, King Wei, to send troops to avenge her late husband."
After hearing this, Zhao Hongrun couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
Wei Yu's death is almost universally believed by the Eastern Army to be the murder of Gongzi Jie, but this guess is actually not reliable. Does a mediocre person like Gongzi Jie have the courage?
Obviously, there must be someone behind the scenes with ulterior motives. After killing Wei Yu, he blamed the incident on Gongzi Jie.
Unfortunately, the Green Crows still have no clue who is the mastermind behind this. It is indeed difficult to trace. The men sent by Gongzi Jie to watch and escort Wei Yu neglected their duties. It is not even known when Wei Yu quietly died in the house.
, how to track down this kind of thing?
Precisely because the chance of finding the real murderer was very slim, both Xia Yu and Meng Bi, as well as David Ji and Wei Chen, regarded Wei Jie as the murderer of Wei Yu.
Wei Jie must be responsible for Yu's death.
But the problem is that Wei Jie is still the son of Wei State no matter how you say it. Although Zhao Run is indeed capable of killing Wei Jie, if this matter is deliberately distorted by others, it will not sound good. Wei State has lost Wei Gong Ziyu, you Zhao Run
If Run kills another Wei Jie, is it possible that he hopes that Wei Guo will lose all heirs?
What's more, in terms of responsibility, King Wei Fei is also responsible. Could it be that Zhao Run could also kill King Wei Fei?
Thinking of this, Zhao Run said to David Ji in embarrassment: "I, Wei, really can't get too involved in my cousin's matter. I hope my aunt can forgive me."
David Ji nodded when he heard this, and then let out a long sigh.
To be honest, the relationship between David Ji and Wei Wang Fei is not harmonious. Compared with her husband, David Ji is closer to her son Wei Yu. After all, Wei Wang Fei is a person who is very greedy for pleasure. He is the monarch of Wei State.
, there is naturally no shortage of young and beautiful women around, so it is inevitable that the relationship between husband and wife will be neglected.
This is not difficult to see from the fact that after the death of his son Wei Yu, David Ji took his daughter-in-law Wei Chen and his grandson Wei Yun to seek refuge with his nephew Zhao Run.
But having said that, no matter how bad the relationship between the couple is, Wei Wang Fei is still David Ji's husband after all. Therefore, David Ji did not beg her nephew Zhao Run to send troops to avenge her son, because she knew that once Wei sent troops to intervene
In this case, her husband Wei Fei's throne will most likely not be preserved.
The only thing she is thinking about right now is to take her daughter-in-law and grandchildren to her nephew Zhao Run and raise her grandchildren in place of her son Wei Yu.
When her grandson Wei Yun grows up, her husband Wei Wang Fei is probably no longer alive. When the time comes, she will naturally ask for the help of her nephew Zhao Run and use the power of Wei to let her grandson Wei Yun inherit the position of King Wei.
Things like this are not uncommon in this era.
"Run, uh... Zhao..."
Looking at Zhao Run, David Ji hesitated to address this nephew.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongrun said with a smile: "Aunt, just call me Hongrun. Otherwise, it's okay to call me Arun or something like that."
David Ji looked at Zhao Hongrun's eyes carefully and saw the sincerity in his nephew's eyes when he said these words. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "Miao'er was blessed to have a son like you in his previous life.
Already..."
Zhao Hongrun was stunned for a moment, and then he realized that the "Miao'er" mentioned by this aunt was probably referring to his biological mother.
Later, Wei Chen and Wei Yu's concubine Liu brought Wei Yu's son Wei Yun and daughter Ning Ning to meet Zhao Run.
It could be seen that the two little guys were still a little restrained. After calling their uncle gently, they hid behind their mother, which made both David Ji and Wei Chen feel a little embarrassed.
However, Zhao Hongrun didn't care. He smiled and said to the two little guys: "There are also a few little gangsters in my uncle's family. They are two years younger than you two. They are your younger brothers and sisters. From now on, you two will take care of your younger brothers for your uncle."
Sister, how are you?"
Although the two little guys were a little restrained, they still nodded yearningly. After all, it is the nature of children to feel happy when they learn that they have peers.
After thinking that he had become a little closer to the two little guys, Zhao Hongrun smiled and said to David Ji: "Aunt, it's getting late. How about I go back to Daliang first?"
David Ji nodded and said solemnly and gratefully: "Then I'll leave it to you, Hongrun."
"Where is it?"
Zhao Hongrun smiled and waved his hand, and after personally helping David Ji into the carriage, the group went straight back to Daliang.
At this time in Daliang, Zhao Run had already arranged a residence for David Ji, Wei Chen and others. It was on the straight road in front of the North Palace of the City, and there was a guard post nearby, and he had also given instructions in advance.
If you pass the Imperial Guard, there will be no problems at all in terms of security.
David Ji and Wei Chen followed Zhao Run to the new mansion, and accompanied by the latter, they had a general tour of the building facilities in the mansion. They were very satisfied with both the building facilities and the servants in the mansion.
"Aunt, are there any old people around you?"
During this period, Zhao Hongrun asked casually.
The "old man" in his mouth refers to his trusted confidant. After all, David Ji, Wei Chen and Liu are all female dependents. Even if Zhao Hongrun has asked the eunuch to take care of them and provide them with daily needs, the three
Women also need confidants around them who can be used to control them.
After hearing this, David Ji said: "In a few days, my son's old subordinates will come to Daliang..."
Glancing at her young grandson Wei Yun, she rarely showed a smile and said: "Xia Yu, Meng Bi, and Meng Chong said that my son treated them with great kindness, and even if my son passed away unfortunately, they would still follow his young master...
"
"Xia Yu? Meng Ben?"
Zhao Hongrun was stunned. If he remembered correctly, he was a general who served under Wei Yu during his lifetime and was a very well-known knight-errant figure in the Wei Kingdom.
On that day, Zhao Hongrun invited David Ji, Wei Chen and others to meet Queen Mother Shen. After all, Queen Mother Shen and Zhao Run's biological mother Wei Ji had a very good relationship. Therefore, after learning that Zhao Run intended to invite David Ji and his party,
After the Wei Kingdom, Queen Mother Shen also wanted to meet Wei Ji's sister David Ji. She thought they should have many topics to talk about.
Sure enough, David Ji and Empress Dowager Shen got along well, and sisters Wei Yun and Wei Ning also got along well with Zhao Wei, Zhao Chuan, Zhao Han, Zhao Chu and other Zhao Hongrun's children. They had not been in contact with each other for half a day.
Already familiar with it.
Seeing a group of kiddies playing in the open space in front of Fuyan Palace, Zhao Hongrun asked Gao Kuo who was following him: "Has Wei Yu's Eastern Army... been absorbed by Puyang?"
"Not really."
Gao Kuo shook his head and said: "There is a crazy rumor in the Wei Kingdom that Wei Jie killed Wei Yu, and the King of Wei was also involved in this matter. How could the Eastern Army reconcile with Puyang? If we, the Wei Dynasty, hadn't timely
If we intervene, the Eastern Army might break into the palace and execute King Wei Fei and Young Master Jie..."
"Regicide? Such an exaggeration?" Zhao Hongrun asked in surprise.
Gao Kuo chuckled and said: "Your Majesty did not see the scene at that time. To be honest, in the eyes of the ministers at that time, the Eastern Army was no different from the 'violent army'... If it hadn't been for the news that Your Majesty wanted to adopt Wei Yun, the Eastern Army would have been
The army is a little bit defensive, and I am afraid that soldiers like Xia Yu, Meng Ben and other soldiers who came from the country's rangers will never agree to reconciliation so easily."
"Well..." Zhao Hongrun nodded. He also knew that the knights of the Wei Kingdom were always loyal and courageous.
"What is the current situation of the Eastern Army?" he asked.
Gao Kuo clasped his fists and replied: "It's nominally disbanded. I don't think that group of people will accept Puyang's incorporation... Most of the people have dispersed, but among them, Xi Xia Yu, Meng Bi and others decided to
They followed the young master and wanted to see the young master grow up with their own eyes, while some of them returned to "Weidong". According to my guess, they probably wanted to prepare for the young master's succession to the throne in the future." At this point, he shook his head.
, said with emotion: "Weiguo, I'm afraid it will never recover from this."
Zhao Run remained silent after hearing this.
A few days later, the county magistrates of the counties in Liang County reported to the court that a large number of guardsmen had recently poured into the country, most of them civilians, and a small number of them were guardsmen holding sharp swords.
The court did not pay attention to it at first, but gradually, local rangers in various counties and rangers from the Wei Kingdom frequently clashed over territory, which forced the court to pay attention to this phenomenon.
Even Chu Shuli, the chief minister of the Daliang Mansion, reported to Chui Gong Hall soon after that the reason for the instability of public security in Daliang in recent days was the influx of a large number of knights from the Wei Kingdom into Daliang. These people robbed the mainland of Daliang in order to survive.
As a result of his job as a ranger, conflicts between the two groups continued, and several lives were lost.
To be honest, the court originally turned a blind eye to the robbing and fighting between the Jianghu Rangers. After all, snakes have their own ways and rats have their own ways. It is unrealistic to expect these people to disappear completely.
Therefore, as long as these rangers did not cause trouble to the government, the court always turned a blind eye.
In view of the power of the imperial court, the local rangers in Wei have always been relatively disciplined. For example, two gangs fighting for territory will never happen on a few main streets. They will solve it on their own in a remote corner, even with corpses.
Let's deal with it all and not cause any more trouble to the Criminal Department.
After all, once the window paper is pierced, the Imperial Guard will definitely intervene, which will not be of any benefit to the rangers on both sides.
However, in recent days, due to the influx of a large number of rangers from the Wei Kingdom into the Kingdom of Wei, and even coming to the royal capital of Daliang to make a living, this inevitably violated the interests of the Kingdom of Wei and the local rangers in Daliang, and thus conflicts occurred.
Why did the Weiguo knights pour into Wei in large numbers?
In fact, the reason is very simple, it is because these knights were completely disappointed with King Fei of Wei, or to put it more simply, they were completely disappointed with Wei who lost Duke Ziyu of Wei, which led to a large loss of the population of Wei to Wei.
Gao Kuo's guess was correct. After losing his son Wei Yu, the country of Wei was destined to collapse from now on, but this can be seen from the people's aspirations of the Wei people.
In view of this incident, the Wei court had a dispute for the first time in a long time.
The Judicial Office, represented by the Ministry of Punishment, stated that the influx of these guards, especially the Wei State Rangers, had greatly affected the security of the Wei State; while the Ministry of Husbandry and the Ministry of Rites stated that the influx of foreigners settling in the country was not a problem.
Is it a good thing?
In the end, the imperial court reached a unanimous attitude: to accept these refugees from Weiguo, but they must be restrained, especially those Weiguo rangers who are accustomed to going their own way.
A few days later, the imperial court ordered the imperial guards to intervene in the matter. One hundred thousand imperial guards received the order and were sent to various places in Liang County to suppress the local rangers. Anyone who encountered a street fight would be arrested first.
Let’s talk about it later, as for those who resisted the arrest, they were all killed on the spot.
How can the Ranger force defeat the Praetorian Guard?
For a time, the ranger force was in turmoil. Both the rangers of the Wei Kingdom and the rangers of the Wei Kingdom had to put their tail between their legs and pretend to be good and obedient to the people in front of the powerful imperial guards.
This continued until winter came. When the year was approaching, the imperial court ordered the withdrawal of the Imperial Guards sent to various places. As expected, the ranger forces became much more peaceful. Even though there were still conflicts between the Wei Rangers and the Wei Rangers,
They no longer dare to fight openly and openly in broad daylight, and most of the time they meet in remote alleys to resolve them.
In this case, the imperial court continued their previous attitude of turning a blind eye. After all, when the water is clear, there are no fish. The existence of rogues like rangers, no matter what era they are in,
It is difficult to completely eliminate it.
It is worth mentioning that among the rangers who defected to the Wei State, many of them hoped to join the Wei army because they could not find a living. This gave the Wei State a lot of young and strong soldiers, which was really a surprise.
joy.
During this period, Zhao Hongrun also called the Green Crows to pay attention to Weiguo. He mainly wanted to know that although the smelting workshop that Wei Yu had worked so hard to develop was very weak, at least with Wei Yu's efforts, Weiguo's smelting
Manufacturing technology has also gradually developed.
However, it is a pity that after Wei Yu's death, these smelting workshops gradually stopped working and then became abandoned.
"Weiguo is completely ruined..."
After learning about this, Zhao Hongrun couldn't help but sigh in the Manlu Hall.
I still remember that when Wei Gong Ziyu was alive, although the Wei Kingdom was weak, it gradually showed a prosperous and developing situation. However, this new look of prosperity and development disappeared all of a sudden after Wei Yu's unfortunate death.
In fact, because of this civil strife, many people in Weiguo were completely disappointed with King Wei Fei, so that today's Weiguo is actually weaker than before Wei Yu came forward to rectify domestic affairs.
Under such circumstances, can Wei Guo defend Dongjun, which Wei Yu captured from Qi?
Zhao Hongrun is not optimistic.
In his opinion, Qi State is still at war with Chu State, but has no time to take care of Wei State. However, when Qi State repels Chu State and takes action to deal with Wei State, Wei Yu may not be able to capture Qi State before.
Territories will be spit out one by one.
What's more, the weakness of Weiguo will make Han, Chu and other countries have some thoughts about it.
In short, Wei Yu's death caused Wei Guo to miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen itself.
In the winter of the second year of Wei Xing'an, the Chu State attacked Qi State for the second time, but still failed to capture Qi State's Langya County.
In view of the fact that the national strength could no longer support the war, King Xiong Tuo of Chu finally accepted Qi's peace talks. The two countries took "maintaining the current territory" as the basis. After several negotiations, they finally shook hands and made peace, ending the long war.
The "Battle of Qi and Chu" lasted for more than two years.
After reaching an agreement, except for the necessary troops stationed in Donghai County, the rest of Chu's troops gradually withdrew into the country.
It has to be said that this situation is very beneficial to Wei State, because although Chu State captured Qi State's Surabaya and Donghai counties, it failed to completely seize Qi State's wealth. On the other hand, Lu State allowed Zhao Hongrun to
Surprisingly, Huan Hu, the former great thief who suddenly transformed into a general of the Lu State, miraculously defeated Xiang Mo, one of the Three Pillars of the Chu State, and became a hero of the Lu State. In short, Chu State also failed to get
The craftsmanship and technology of the State of Lu.
Under this circumstance, the destined war between Chu and Wei over the Central Plains overlords could only be postponed again.
Qi State, after all, survived with just one breath.
And since the war between Qi State and Chu State has ended, I believe that Qi State will probably start to settle the accounts of Wei State taking advantage of the situation and taking Dongjun.
The Wei State, which has lost its son Wei Yu, really doesn't know how to resist Qi's army.
Will Wei help defend the country?
To be honest, unless Qi's army hits Puyang, the capital of Wei, and approaches Wei, Zhao Run really doesn't want to help Wei against Qi's army.
Perhaps as Jie Ziyu said, the relationship between Wei and Wei had faded the moment the young master Wei Yu died, at least it was no longer as strong as it once was.
After the New Year, which was the third year of Wei Xing'an, the countries of the Central Plains ushered in a new year of relative peace.
But as we all know, the so-called peace is only temporary, and temporary peace only breeds larger-scale war.