When Murong Chong led the rouge warriors to break into the west gate, he had scolded the city gate guards saying that it was Taifu Murong Ping who asked him to invite Chen Cao Zhi to hunt. Chen Cao Zhi secretly remembered it in his heart and did not ask any more questions. He and Ran Sheng and Shen Chiqian , Su Qi and the other three followed Murong Chong all the way to the west. To the west of Yecheng is the towering Taihang Mountain. At this time, the morning sun is rising, the autumn air is crisp, and the Cangshan Mountain is like black in the distance, and the green color is flying in the sky, reflecting picturesquely.
The Xianbei people were good at riding and shooting. Although Murong Chong was young, he was very good at riding, and his horse was extremely splendid. He often rode alone for more than ten feet, then slowed down his horse and waited for Chen Cao and others to catch up. When he came up, he saw that neither Chen Caozhi nor Ran Sheng had any bows and arrows, so he asked, "Can Chen Xima know how to shoot arrows?"
Chen Cao said: "I have never learned archery, but these three of my subordinates are skilled in archery. However, when I came to Yecheng with my bows and arrows, they were all given to the King of Taiyuan of your country, and they have not been returned yet."
Influenced by his mother, the Kezu Hun clan, Murong Chong also had a bad opinion of Murong Ke. He felt that Murong Ke's confiscation of the bows and arrows of Chen Caozhi and others was simply detrimental to the national prestige of the Yan Dynasty. How could the Yan Dynasty, which spans thousands of miles and controls millions of strings, They were afraid of Chen Caozhi's few bows and arrows. Wouldn't it be more elegant to let them keep the bows and arrows to show the grace of our Yan Kingdom? He immediately curled his lips and said: "When we get to the manor of King Shangyong, the best bows and arrows can be used at your disposal."
King Shangyong is Taifu Murong Ping, and together with Taizai Murong Ke and Taiwei Yangzhuo, they are all independent and important ministers of Murong Jun. They are collectively known as the "Three Assistants". Murong Ping has a respected status. He is the younger brother of Murong Chong's great-grandfather Murong Huang. Murong Ke, Murong Chui's uncle, is only one year older than Murong Ke. He is also talented, but he loves money as much as his life and is very greedy. He asked Murong Chong to invite Chen Cao to hunt today. Firstly, he wanted to inquire. Why did Murong Ke bring the Qin and Jin envoys back to Ye? If they were prisoners, how did they place them in Hongluguanyi? What was Murong Ke's intention? Could it be that he wanted Qin and Jin to support his rebellion and usurpation of the throne? Secondly , Murong Ping wanted to obtain property from Chen Caozhi and Xi Bao. Chen and Xi were envoys of a large country, so they naturally brought a large amount of gold and silver treasures. When they arrived in Yan State, how could they not bribe and give gifts to Murong Ping? , unless they don’t want to return to the country!
The twenty-mile journey took less than half an hour, and Murong Chong led Chen Caozhi to Shangyongwang Villa at the western foot of Taihang Mountain. Murong Jingpai's chief minister greeted him at the gate of the village, and Chen Caozhi followed him there. The Grand Tutor Chang Shi went to see Murong Ping. Murong Ping met Chen Caozhi, Ran Sheng and the other four people were all empty-handed. Apparently there were no gifts for him, so he was a little unhappy and said slowly: "I invite Chen Xima to come here to have a feast." Hunting, does Chen Xima know?"
Chen Caozhi said in his heart: "I have already come to this village and you still ask me if I know it. You just want to ask for a bribe. I see you very clearly, Murong Ping, the king of Shangyong. I don't care if I say you are your confidant." But, of course, I know you, but you don’t know me—"
After Murong Ke's death, Murong Ping was good at dictatorship and amassed money crazily. He blocked mountain springs, vended firewood and water, and accumulated money and silk like hills. The people were in poverty, and the soldiers were resentful and had no fighting spirit. When Wang Meng of Chang'an heard about Murong Ping's behavior, he laughed. Said: "Murong Ping is a true slave. His family and country are in ruins, and he wants to put his money and silk in a safe place!" The powerful Yan country fell in just one year. Although it was related to Murong Chui's defection and Wang Meng's strategy, Murong Ping's disaster to the country and people was the first. Because of the failure, Murong Ping is the person Chen Cao must meet.
To treat the sick Murong Ke, you should say "five stones are scattered"; to treat the money-hungry Murong Ping, naturally, you should say the way to make money by cultivating goods——
Chen Cao said: "The purpose of foreign officials' mission to the Northern Kingdom is to make peace with Qin and Yan, prevent each other from invading each other, trade with each other, and enrich the country and benefit the people. - In Yanshi, I asked to see His Highness the King of Wu and give him a generous gift. The King of Wu was very pleased, and was willing to relieve the siege of Luoyang. He also sent his son to send me to Gong County to meet King Taiyuan. Although the foreign official lived in a remote place in the south of the Yangtze River, he had long heard about the reputation of King Shangyong and was eager to meet him. I came to Yecheng prepared for this. Che Jiangdong’s unique and precious gift was confiscated along with the bow and arrow by the sergeants of King Taiyuan, and His Highness the King of Zhongshan also heard about this.”
Murong Chong on the side immediately nodded and said: "What Chen Xima said is true. Uncle Wang, please see. Chen Xima and his entourage came to hunt, but they didn't even have bows and arrows. They were all taken away by the fourth uncle."
Murong Ping had a gloomy face and said nothing. Yesterday evening, all the ministers discussed at the chancery table the return of Taiyuan King Murong Ke to his grand minister, Grand Sima Zhangshou. The ministers headed by Taiwei and Shangshu Ling Yang Qian drafted an edict for the emperor to retain the Taiyuan king. However, He was allowed to return to power, and the imperial edict said: "——Now there are Di people who are not guests in the right of Guan, and there are captives who are still in Jiangwu. We must quickly plan for you and harmonize the Liuhe. Is it not appropriate to act humbly and violate the mandate? "Zhong, Wang Qi cut off the small Dushan of Ershu, and restored the big Yan of Zhenggong." Murong Ping also knew that he could not reduce Murong Ke's position at this time, because if the chief assistant was blamed for frequent floods and droughts in the territory, then he would As a Tutor and an important Situ, he should also return to power together with Murong Ke. This was something Murong Ping never wanted to do, so he did not firmly oppose it. He was just depressed. Now he learned that Murong Ke had sent the Jin Dynasty envoy to the Jin Dynasty. All the gifts given to him were confiscated, and there was no way to recover from him. I was really annoyed. He glared at Chen Caozhi with his triangular eyes and said coldly: "What you said is not entirely true. The person you are sending as envoy is Qin." , not me, Dayan, you bribed the King of Wu just to understand the siege of Luoyang!"
Chen Caozhi said calmly: "Your Majesty, what you said is wrong. Since our Jin Dynasty can negotiate peace with Qin, why can't we negotiate peace with Yan? Ambassador Chi Jie can do it as cheaply as possible. If King Wu takes Luoyang, our Jin Dynasty will attack Yan together with Qin. The outcome is uncertain. Even if the King of Taiyuan and the King of Wu win, it will not be beneficial to the king. If defeated, the king, as the third auxiliary minister, will not be able to escape the blame. How can Jin and Yan be friends? "
Murong Ping was worried that the Murong Ke brothers would take Luoyang and enter the pass and make great contributions. Of course, he felt that what Chen Caozhi said was quite reasonable, but he was still worried about the fact that all the gifts from Jiangdong were returned to Murong Ke. He said: "The King of Taiyuan has received your gifts." , how could you refuse your request?"
Chen Cao said: "The foreign officials know that the king is benevolent and wise, and does not take killing as merit. He originally wanted to discuss peace talks with the king, but he met the King of Taiyuan. The King of Taiyuan has always prided himself on his illustrious military exploits. If there is no war on the border, , how to show its prestige!"
Murong Ping remained silent, and felt very satisfied, then heard Chen Caozhi say again: "To show sincerity, the foreign official is willing to dedicate to the king the method of managing the manor by the Jiangdong gentry. Laozi said, 'It is better to teach a man a fish than to teach him a fish. Fishing is a shortcut to getting rich. Whether this method is effective or not, your Majesty will know after you try it."
"Oh!" Murong Pinglai became interested and leaned forward and said: "Just tell me, if it is indeed effective, I am willing to promote peace talks between the two countries, and at least you can return home safely."
Chen Caozhi pondered for a while and said: "I'd better write it down and show it to the king."
Murong Ping understood the idea and asked Chen Caozhi to move to the study. Murong Chong, a child who was a little impatient, got up and asked Ran Sheng and others if they wanted to go hunting in the back mountain first? Ran Sheng, Shen Chiqian and Su Qi all said they wanted to Murong Chong couldn't wait for Chen Caozhi, so he left first.
Chen Caozhi and Murong Ping had a secret discussion in the study. Chen Caozhi quoted the Eastern Jin Dynasty's "Land Occupation Law" and "Mountain Occupation Law" and suggested that Murong Ping seal the mountains and lakes. If the people want to cut fuel, livestock, fish and hunt, or even draw water for drinking, Everyone has to pay money and silk, so you can get rich——
Chen Caozhi said kindly: "Of course, selling firewood and selling water is not enough. If you collect a small amount and collect a lot, the people will not feel it is a hardship, and the king will return the money. This is how to accumulate a little to make a lot, and to gather sand to build a tower! Salt, Tie can be sold exclusively by the government, so what’s wrong with trees and mountains and springs? This is true for all the wealthy families in Jiangdong, and the imperial court does not prohibit it——"
Murong Ping raised his eyebrows and his eyes shone like bright golden light. Everywhere he could see, the mountains, forests, springs and stones were all money and silk.
Chen Caozhi stood up and said: "Your Majesty, please plan carefully and take a long-term approach. Let me first enjoy the scenery of the Taihang Mountains."
Murong Ping looked at Chen Caozhi with admiration. This Jin envoy was not only handsome in appearance, but also indeed talented. No wonder Murong Ke respected him so much.
Murong Ping ordered Taifu Changshi to accompany Chen Caozhi on a tour of the mountain scenery, and he must be respectful to each other and not be negligent.
Chen Caozhi, Ran Sheng, Shen Chiqian, and Su Qi followed the Taifu Changshi and more than ten followers Zhuangke to the back mountain. This place is at the southern foot of Taihang Mountain. The mountain is not steep and can be climbed up and down on a horse. It is gentle. There are large tracts of willow forest on the hillside.
One of the villagers said: "His Royal Highness the King of Zhongshan went north. In the early morning, hundreds of villagers came into the mountain and drove the animals here so that the King of Zhongshan could hunt."
Taifu Changshi then led Chen Cao and four others to the north. Ran Sheng, Shen Chiqian, and Su Qi each took a pair of bows and arrows and ran for more than ten miles. The trees gradually became sparse, and the mountains became steeper and farther away. They saw a red shadow flashing in the deep ravine of the forest, and the trembling sound of the bowstring could be heard far away. It must be Murong Chong and his rouge warriors hunting, so everyone rushed to that side.
Suddenly, a big lynx jumped out of the forest. With quick eyes and quick hands, Ran Sheng shot out an arrow with a "swish" and entered the big lynx's left eye. The big lynx fell over to the right and died instantly, winning everyone's cheers.
Not to be outdone, Shen Chiqian and Su Qi joined in the hunting one after another. Chen Caozhi didn't want to join in the fun, so he turned the horse's head towards the mountain peak on the right. After walking for several dozen feet, he heard the sound of horse hooves behind him, and turned around to see Ran Sheng following him. Coming up, Ran Sheng protected this brother very closely.
The mountain was relatively steep, so the two of them led their horses to climb on foot. When they reached the top of the peak, they saw a wide open area. The Zhangshui River not far away sparkled under the autumn sun, and the water flow was gentle, like a soft jade belt going around Yecheng. The area along the river is lined with green willows, just like the scene in the south of the Yangtze River in spring.
Chen Cao said: "Xiao Sheng, I am 80% sure now."
Ran Sheng understood what his brother was talking about and nodded solemnly, feeling excited.
At this time, Murong Chong sent someone to report that a leopard had been shot and asked Chen Caozhi to go and watch.
Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng went down to the valley and saw a colorful leopard with an arrow on the ground. They asked who shot it and they replied: "Princess Qinghe."
