Eight hundred and forty seventh chapter decided to go
Pi Tong looked at Liu Xiu and said helplessly: "Your Majesty is childish."
Liu Xiu did not refute, but asked: "So what?"
"..." Pi Tong was speechless. The emperor was already being unreasonable, so what could he, a minister, do? Pi Tong was going to retire and return to his hometown, and it was hard to continue talking about the matter.
Liu Xiu was silent for a moment, then softened his tone and said, "If Wei Jun feels too tired, he can resign from his post as Taichang and become a Shaofu."
Before Pi Tong could speak, Deng Yu coughed dryly and reminded: "Your Majesty, the affairs of the Young Mansion are more complicated."
To put it bluntly, the Shaofu is the emperor's chief steward, helping the emperor manage the royal family's money, treasures, food and clothing, etc. Liu Xiu thought for a while and said: "If you don't want to be the Shaofu, you can also be the Zuo Cao. Now Zuo Cao
Cao is vacant."
In the past, Wang Chang served as Zuo Cao. Later, at Wang Chang's repeated request, he was transferred to a military position, and the post of Zuo Cao was vacated.
Zuocao and Youcao are collectively called Zhucao. These are not small officials, but important ministers in charge of the cardinals. Their salary is two thousand dan, and Taichang's salary is also two thousand dan.
Compared with Taichang, who had many trivial matters, Zuo Cao was much more relaxed, but he only had to attend court meetings every day.
Pi Tong thought about it for a while, then raised his hand to Liu Xiu and said, "I thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"
Liu Xiu nodded and said: "From now on, Weijun, please feel free to be Zuocao!"
Pi Tong originally planned to resign from Liu Xiu, but due to Liu Xiu's opposition, he had to retreat and become Zuo Cao.
Seeing that Pi Tong finally stopped mentioning the matter of returning to his hometown, Liu Xiu finally showed a smile on his face and said specifically: "Weijun is not feeling well. It doesn't matter even if he doesn't attend court meetings in the future."
Pi Tong hurriedly bowed and saluted and said, "I thank you for your consideration, I am humble minister."
Taichang does not need to participate in court meetings, because Taichang's responsibilities do not involve administrative affairs. He is in charge of sacrifices, ancestral temples, celebrations and other affairs, such as Taishi (historian), Taiyue (musician), and doctors, etc., all fall under Taichang's charge
.
But Zuo Cao was different. Cardinal Dian was the important connecting point between the emperor and the minister. Liu Xiu allowed Pi Tong not to go to court every day, which was to give him a small chance.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!" Pi Tong kowtowed to Liu Xiu respectfully.
"Great Lord, please get up quickly."
After Guo Shengtong gave birth to the third prince Liu Kang, Yin Lihua was about to give birth. This time Guo Shengtong and Yin Lihua were pregnant in front of each other, and there was only a month difference between them. Liu Xiu originally planned to wait until Yin Lihua gave birth to the baby.
Pang Meng was defeated, but the war on the Eastern Front forced Liu Xiu to change his original plan.
After Pang Meng captured Chu County, it didn't take long before he sent troops to Dongping County and captured the entire Dongping County in one fell swoop. Then, he called himself King Dongping and led an army of tens of thousands to march toward Zhang County, pointing his sword directly at Taoxiang.
Dongping County borders Taishan County. Taoxiang belongs to Taishan County and is located near the junction of Taishan and Dongping. Zhang County is within Dongping County and is also located at the junction of the two counties.
It can be said that Zhang County and Taoxiang, one is in the north and the other is in the south, and the two counties are close at hand.
Pang Meng led the main army to Zhang County, and his target must be Taoxiang. Once Taoxiang was defeated by Pang Meng, Pang Meng could use Taoxiang as a springboard to lead his army to invade Taishan County.
You must know that Chen Jun just conquered Taishan County, and his foundation is still shallow and the situation is not stable. Zhang Bu has already put enough pressure on Taishan County. Now there is another Pang Meng, who is attacked on both sides. Chen Jun's pressure will be
will be bigger.
If not, the Taishan County we just captured will be taken back by Zhang Bu and Pang Meng in the blink of an eye. If this is the case, our losses will be too great.
Knowing that Pang Meng was proclaimed king in Dongping and was targeting Taishan County, Liu Xiu could not wait any longer in Luoyang. He issued edicts one after another, recruiting Grand Sima Wu Han, General Huya Gai Yan, former general Wang Liang, and Han Zhong
General Wang Chang, captured General Ma Wu, and captured General Wang Ba, gathered in Rencheng.
Liu Xiu himself decided to personally command 70,000 Han troops and set out from Luoyang to Rencheng.
Rencheng is not a city, but a county. It is just a small county. There are only three counties in the county, one is Rencheng County, one is Kangfu County, and the other is Fan County.
Rencheng County borders Dongping County and is located in the south of Dongping County. Liu Xiu's edict asked generals to gather in Rencheng. The purpose was also obvious, which was to pacify Pang Meng.
Before leaving for the expedition, Liu Xiu went to the West Palace. Now Yin Lihua's belly was very big, and it was very inconvenient to walk. When she saw Liu Xiu coming, she stood up from the bed and was about to give a blessing when Liu Xiu walked quickly
He stepped forward and supported her.
Yin Lihua asked with concern: "I heard that Your Majesty is planning to conquer in person?"
Liu Xiu nodded and said, "If nothing else happens, we will leave tomorrow."
Yin Lihua asked in surprise: "Your Majesty left in such a hurry?" There was not even a hint of news beforehand!
Liu Xiu smiled lightly, held Yin Lihua's arm, slowly sat down on the bed, and said: "Pang Meng sent troops to Zhang County. His purpose is to capture Taoxiang and then the entire Taishan County. The war ahead is tight, I must
You have to go there in person!”
Yin Lihua asked nervously: "Your Majesty, will this battle... be dangerous?"
Liu Xiu smiled disapprovingly. As long as there is a war, no matter it is a big battle or a small battle, there will be risks. If the horse stumbles, the boat can capsize in the ditch!
He said confidently: "Don't worry, Lihua, I know Pang Meng, and I am in control of every move he makes!"
Yin Lihua did not dispel her doubts because of Liu Xiu's words. Instead, she looked worried. She frowned and said, "Your Majesty knows Pang Meng, but Pang Meng also knows your Majesty. Your Majesty must not be careless in this battle!"
Liu Xiu patted Yin Lihua's hand and said with a smile: "I know."
After a pause, he changed the subject and said: "Lihua does not have to worry about me while I am away from Beijing, but should take care of her own body." After speaking, he turned to the outside and said: "Xueying, Hongjian, you all
Come in!"
Following his words, four palace maids walked in from outside. The two leaders were Xueying and Hongjian, and the two following were Li Xiu'e and Luo You.
Liu Xiu looked at the four girls and said, "During this period, you must take good care of Lihua. If anything happens to Lihua, I will take care of you after I return to Beijing!"
When the four girls heard this, they all knelt down and said in unison: "My maid must do her best to take good care of this noble man!"
Yin Lihua secretly pulled Liu Xiu's sleeve and gave him a dissatisfied look, expressing her dissatisfaction with Liu Xiu for scaring her maid.
Liu Xiu raised the corner of his mouth, smiled, and said: "I have informed Feiyan and Zhang Kun to ask them to pay more attention to the West Palace. If anything happens in the West Palace, Lihua can discuss it with Feiyan and Zhang Kun."
"Won't Hua Meiren accompany His Majesty on the expedition?" Yin Lihua asked curiously. Hua Feiyan was in charge of Yunxi Pavilion and was well-informed. When Liu Xiu went on an expedition, he would often bring Hua Feiyan with him.
Liu Xiu shook his head and said: "This time, I don't plan to bring Feiyan with me to fight!" Although Liu Xiu said it easily, he didn't take Pang Meng seriously at all. In fact, he didn't fully understand this battle.
grasp.
In this expedition, his enemy will not be Pang Meng alone, but also Dong Xian and Zhang Bu. Especially Dong Xian, who has already colluded with Pang Meng, and they have a close relationship. If he wants to destroy Pang Meng, Dong Xian must
I will do my best to help.
The enemy army was numerous and powerful, so this battle was not easy to fight. Seeing that Yin Lihua wanted to ask a question, Liu Xiu stretched out his hand, gently caressed Yin Lihua's belly, and asked with a smile: "Has the emperor been doing anything these days?"
Are you making trouble?"
Yin Lihua rolled her eyes at Liu Xiu and said, "The child has not yet been born, so how would your Majesty know that he is the emperor's son? Why is he not a princess?"
Liu Xiu said with a smile: "I feel it will be the emperor's son." As he spoke, he bent down and put his ear against Yin Lihua's round belly. After listening for a while, he smiled and said: "The emperor's son is moving!"
Yin Lihua was amused by him and laughed for a while. She held Liu Xiu's hand and said seriously: "Your Majesty must be more careful in this battle!"
"I will." Liu Xiu nodded to Yin Lihua.
Luo You stood behind Xue Ying and Hong Jian with her head lowered, secretly looking at Liu Xiu who was deeply in love with Yin Lihua and his wife, and frowned imperceptibly.
When she moved from Changqiu Palace to the West Palace, it could be said that she was a big step closer to Liu Xiu. She could often see Liu Xiu here in the West Palace.
The more frequent contact she had, the clearer she felt that Liu Xiu was completely different from her perception.
He has a gentle temperament, a generous mind, and is approachable, without the airs of an emperor. This is very different from the cruel and cunning Liu Xiu she knows.
Liu Xiu chatted with Yin Lihua for a long time in the West Palace before getting up and leaving. After that, he went to the Changqiu Palace to say goodbye to Guo Shengdao.
Guo Shengtong wanted to accompany Liu Xiu on the expedition, but Liu Xiu refused. She had just given birth and was still very weak. How could she accompany the king on a long expedition?
After that, Liu Xiu went to the Phoenix Palace, and finally to the Lecheng Palace. Relatively speaking, Liu Xiu went to the Lecheng Palace the fewest times. He couldn't say he disliked Xi Cheying, but he didn't dislike it too much.
like.
Xi Cheying brought Liu Xiu closer to the main hall. After sitting down, Xi Cheying asked with a smile: "Your Majesty came to Lecheng Palace this time to say goodbye to my concubine, right?"
Liu Xiu was startled and asked, "Does Cheying know that I'm going on an expedition?"
Xi Cheying said: "Pang Meng caused chaos, and the imperial court's Eastern Expedition was messed up by him. Now Pang Meng has plans to plot against Taishan County. How can your Majesty tolerate him continuing to cause chaos?"
Liu Xiu took a deep look at Xi Cheying. Even though Xi Cheying stayed in the palace all day, she was even more knowledgeable than Hua Feiyan. She even knew about Pang Meng's plans in Taishan County.
.
Xi Cheying continued: "Taishan County is a large county, with a total of twelve counties. How can Pang Meng alone manage such a large county? Moreover, Taishan County was originally Zhang Bu's territory, and Pang Meng
Even if Meng wants to swallow up Taishan County, Zhang Bu can't just sit back and watch."
Liu Xiu listened carefully, thought about it carefully, nodded, and agreed with Xi Cheying's statement.
Xi Cheying said: "So, Pang Meng is definitely not the only one who wants to annex Taishan County. Dong Xuan must also be involved. It's just that due to the friendship between Dong Xuan and Zhang Bu, it is inconvenient for him to send troops openly."
"so what?"
"Pang Meng, Dong Xian, and Zhang Bu are by no means monolithic. There is also intrigue among the three of them. I can still conclude that the three of them will never fight together sincerely. In this expedition, His Majesty's main priority is
In fact, the only opponents are Pang Meng and Dong Xian, and Zhang Bu will not send troops to help them." Xie Che said firmly.
Liu Xiu asked curiously: "Che Ying knows the relationship between Pang Meng, Dong Xian, and Zhang Bu so well, so he must have arranged a lot of informants in Qi Di, right?"
Xi Cheying smiled and said, "I have some spies in Qingzhou."
Liu Xiu picked up the tea cup and took a slow sip. In this campaign, Liu Xiu was more worried about the fact that Pang Meng, Dong Xian, and Zhang Bu had joined forces to send out troops. The total strength of these three people together would be enough to reach
Five hundred thousand people.
Facing so many enemy troops, even if Liu Xiu fought in person, it would be difficult to deal with them.
Therefore, whether Zhang Bu participates in the war or not is of vital importance to Liu Xiu. And Xi Cheying has planted a lot of spies in Qingzhou and can grasp Zhang Bu's every move. This is very important to Liu Xiu.
Very beneficial.
He put down the cup and said: "Che Ying has never mentioned before that he has an spy in Qingzhou."
Xi Cheying smiled and asked, "Has Your Majesty ever asked about my concubine?"
