Chapter six hundred and sixty seventh in the palace
Guo Duanduo, the Minister of Rites of the Liang Kingdom, arrived in Jinling on October 16th with the credentials of Emperor Zhu Yu of the Liang Dynasty to discuss the conclusion of a peace treaty.
Accompanied by officials from Honglu Temple, Guo Duanduo checked into Dutingyi, which is equivalent to a state guesthouse.
There is only a palace gate between Shangshu Province and Chongwen Hall. Shen Yang led Zhang Qian through the palace gate and walked to Chongwen Hall. The north wind blew in, picking up the fallen leaves between the tall palace walls and waving on the corridor. Xuan'er.
Zhang Qian was only wearing a thin jacket under his official robe. He didn't expect the cold wave to come as soon as he arrived. He was freezing in the cold office in the afternoon. When he stepped out and was blown by the cold wind, he couldn't help but shiver and clasped his hands. Walk towards Chongwen Hall.
"Bang!" When he walked under the eaves of the main hall, Zhang Qian could clearly hear the crisp sound of inkstones and other items being smashed on the grindstone floor from deep inside the main hall, and then he heard Emperor Yanyou scream angrily:
"Since everything in Tangyi has been negotiated, Liang Jun has asked them to let them pass, and Zhu Yu has received all the benefits promised by them, let them continue to play out this drama with Liang. , you must pull me out to be a puppet? You are all as timid as a mouse, why didn’t anyone come to him and ask him whether he is a minister of Da Chu or a minister of Liang!"
Zhang Qian looked back at Shen Yang hesitantly, but Shen Yang pretended not to hear.
"Prime Minister Shen is here." Chen Ruyi, who was guarding the inside of the hall door, saw Shen Yang and Zhang Qian coming over and greeted them loudly.
Zhang Qian followed Shen Yang into the main hall and saw Emperor Yanyou sitting behind the imperial desk with a dark face. Several young eunuchs in green were hurriedly packing up the inkstone, pen holder, paperweight and other items that had been smashed in front of the imperial desk.
Shen Yang just pretended that he couldn't see him, walked to the imperial case, bowed and said: "Shen Yang has met your Majesty."
"Give Prime Minister Shen a seat." Yang Yuanpu ordered stiffly.
Shen Yang had just sat down and was about to report back to the officials of Honglu Temple and the meeting with Liang Envoy Guo Duanduo when he saw Chen Ruyi sneaking over and said, "The Queen Mother and the envoy Lu Gong are here."
Yang Yuanpu was still angry and sat motionless behind the imperial desk. Shen Yang, Zhang Yang, and Chen Ruyi walked out of the hall to greet the Queen Mother, Lu Qingxia and others.
"Why doesn't Prime Minister Shen invite Han Daoming and Chen Jingzhou to the Chongwen Hall and ask them what they have negotiated with Liang Guo, and what else needs us to cooperate with them to perform this play well?" Queen Mother Wang Chan'er looked at it coldly. Asked Shen Yang.
"The Queen Mother wants to summon Han Daoming, and Chen Jingzhou wants to ask for advice. They are also in Shangshu Province at this time, so don't bother sending someone to go there." Shen Yang replied.
"..." Wang Chan'er hesitated for a while, then waved the eunuchs behind her to run to Shangshu Province outside the palace gate, and called Han Daoming and Chen Jingzhou to the Chongwen Hall.
There was a palace gate on both sides. After a cup of tea, Han Daoming and Chen Jingzhou walked into the Chongwen Hall to pay their respects to Emperor Yanyou and the Queen Mother.
Yang Yuanpu was still angry, and Jiang Huo, who was still waiting in the hall, winked and asked the eunuch to bring two brocade piers over and called Han Daoming. Chen Jingzhou could sit in the hall and talk - anyway, Han Daoming's daughter Han Shuhui was here As a concubine, there is no reason why Han Daoming should be asked to stand and reply when everyone else is sitting.
After all, Yang Yuanpu and Wang Chaner could not resist angrily scolding Tang Yi for colluding with the enemy. They turned a blind eye to Jiang Huo's unauthorized access to Han Dao. Chen Jingzhou was sitting there and turned a blind eye. After all, it was not the time to quarrel with each other, but the resentment in their hearts could not be eliminated. Seeing Han Daoming, Chen Jingzhou didn't say anything and asked questions. The atmosphere in the hall was extremely depressing for a while.
"Your Majesty, what are your orders when the Queen Mother summons you?" Han Daoming waited for a while before opening his mouth to ask.
Seeing His Majesty, the Queen Mother had a dark face and remained silent. Shen Yang also lowered his eyebrows and looked at the new official boots. Zhang Qian didn't even dare to sit down on his butt, and of course he didn't dare to interrupt casually on such an occasion.
The eunuchs serving in the palace, except for Jiang Huo and Chen Ruyi, who were quite at ease, were all on tenterhooks, fearing that something might happen today and they would become the targets of anger.
Finally, Lu Qingxia, who was sitting under Shen Yang, slowly opened his mouth to break the silence and said: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother summoned Han Shangshu and Chen Shilang to ask you about Liang Jun's borrowing from Tangyi. How much do you know about Dao's transit?"
"Did the envoy Lu Gong ask the Liang envoy Guo Duanduo about taking a boat from Bei Feishui River to Jinling?" Han Daoming asked pretending to be confused, "The Liang envoy took the road to go to the Hajj to meet His Majesty and the Queen Mother. He wanted to establish a good relationship between the two countries. Tangyi We also sent troops to escort according to the imperial regulations. Is there anything wrong with this..."
Yao Xishui did not expect that in the Chongwen Palace, Han Daoming, an old fox who was even more cunning than his father Han Wenhuan, would dare to make baseless excuses at this moment. His almond-shaped eyes were filled with resentment and he asked sharply:
"Master Han is really good at pretending to be an idiot. Tangyi colluded with the enemy Liang. Not only did six thousand Liang troops borrow the road from Tangyi to Caizhou, but Tangyi even secretly escorted Liang Emperor Zhu Yu back to Hehuai. Do you really think that It’s done so perfectly that people and ghosts don’t know?”
"Yao Zhizao originally wanted to ask this, but about Liang Jun's borrowing the road, is it possible that the Marquis of Xinjin didn't report to the Queen Mother and Yao Zhizao before?" Han Daoming asked doubtfully, "The Weaving Bureau has the right to spy on the prefectures and counties. Fang Si has the right to spy on the military situation on the border. Is it possible that the Marquis of Xinjin did not report the situation and that the Weaving Bureau and Fang Si were not aware at all that there were 6,000 Liang Jun elites taking the road from Nanyang to Caizhou? How could this happen? Is Tangyi’s head coming up?”
Han Daoming ignored Yao Xi's flushed face, and before she opened her mouth to refute, he said to Yang Yuanpu:
"Your Majesty, in July, Tangyi's scouts discovered signs that people and horses were passing through Fangcheng in the south direction of Caizhou. However, at that time, Xiangbei was heavily guarded on the periphery, and Tangyi's scouts were unable to get close enough to gather more information. At that time, it was thought that Xiangbei was taking advantage of the chaos in Hehuai to send troops to seize the two states of Cai and Ru. Han Qian also communicated with Wei Chen and Chen Shilang many times about this matter, and also thought of advising Xiangbei's new Liangzhou not to be corrupt. At that time, I did not expect that I would secretly help Liang Jun from Guanzhong to cross the border to Caizhou."
"Han Shangshu, you are talking nonsense and slandering the Marquis of Xinjin. Do you really think that His Majesty is a three-year-old kid who is easy to bully?" Yao Xishui laughed angrily. He did not expect that Han Daoming dared to refer to a deer as a horse in front of Yang Yuanpu and Shen Yang, and went so far as to talk nonsense.
"Yao Zhizao is so excited. Mr. Han is a little shallow. I just want to ask, why does Yao Zhizao conclude that the Marquis of Xinjin did not deceive the Queen Mother, Your Majesty? Is it possible that the Zhizao Bureau does have Liang Jun passing through Tangyi, but not "Real evidence of transiting from Xiangbei?" Han Daoming asked, "Yao Zhizao should also know. Han Qian will not tell me everything as an uncle. If Yao Zhizao really has evidence in hand, he can let me know whether he has been raped or not." fool……"
Yao Xishui was speechless and asked Han Daoming where he lived.
At this moment, Lu Qingxia also looked at Han Daoming with sharp eyes.
Yang Yuanpu and Shen Yang looked at Yao Xishui and Lu Qingxia hesitantly at this time.
Zhang Qian also became confused. They had previously speculated that Han Qian must have colluded with Liang Jun, but after listening to Han Daoming, they felt that there was a possibility that Li Zhigao colluded with Liang Jun. After all, it was more convenient for Liang Jun to pass through Nanyang. Can be more deceptive.
Not to mention that it is no longer a shocking secret that father and son killed each other for power in the world. Even if Li Zhigao and others belong to the same lineage of the Shenling Division of the former dynasty as Wan Honglou, it does not mean that Li Zhigao never concealed it for the sake of personal power. After passing Yao Xishui, it is possible that Lu Qingxia secretly made a deal with Liang Guo.
It must be said that His Majesty himself and Chen Ruyi, the constant servant of Chongwen Palace standing behind him, are not considered to be from the Shenling Division. When did their interests completely coincide with those of Lu Qingxia, Yao Xishui and others? His Majesty and the Queen Mother still have Aren't you always in trouble?
Furthermore, since the rise of the Linjiang Marquis Mansion, Li Zhigao's relationship with many people here has not changed; Li Zhigao always made very pragmatic choices that were most conducive to his own transformation.
Li Zhigao wanted to resist Zhao Mengji and Wang Xiaogao's counterattack in Liang Fang, wanted to digest Liangzhou, and even had ambitions to plot Shu. He also had the motive to collude with Liang Jun.
After all, after the Mongolians occupied Jin territory at this time, the military front was extremely fierce. If it were Li Zhigao, he would not be eager to insert himself into Guanzhong even if he occupied Liangzhou. Secretly forming an alliance with the Liang army would undoubtedly be more in line with Xiangbei's interests.
Yao Xishui's pink face turned red. Only then did she understand more deeply what it means to be hard to argue with.
Of course, she cannot admit the most secret relationship. At this time, the Weaving Bureau and the Staff Division have closer ties with Xiangbei. They can keep track of Xiangbei's movements at any time and can confirm that Liang Jun will never pass through Xiangbei. Possible, but also inappropriate.
The Xiangbei Army had a close collusion with them, which was Yang Yuanpu's deepest hatred. If she admitted this now, not only would she not be able to clear anything up, but she would also be more likely to be beaten down by Han Daoming, who framed them for having already been involved in Liang Jun's transit. Things.
"I really didn't expect Mr. Han to be so sharp in his words," Lu Qingxia said, "This time Liang Guo brought the three cities of Shouchun, Fengtai and Huoqiu to negotiate for peace, but these three cities have now been captured by Tangyi. Is this all Can't you prove that Tangyi has secretly colluded with Liang Guo?"
"Of course not," Han Daoming said loudly, "Han Qian had already made a detailed battle plan before summer to mobilize 100,000 troops to recover the three cities of Huoqiu, Shouchun and Fengtai in autumn. Not to mention that Hehuai was in chaos, even if Even if the rivers and Huaihe Rivers are not in chaos, Huoqiu, Shouchun, and Fengtai have long been in the possession of Chu. Liang Guo must have seen this at this time and gave up these three cities. It was just a favor. I really can’t imagine why Han Qian needs to be accused of collaborating with the enemy in exchange for these three cities? Or maybe Lu Gongshi thinks these three cities are really great bargaining chips?”
"..." Lu Qingxia saw that Han Daoming and Chen Jingzhou had come prepared, and it was difficult to argue with him, so he stopped saying anything.
Han Daoming continued: "Even if the situation does require a temporary easing of relations with Liang Jun, Han Qian will definitely ask the imperial court for instructions first as long as time allows."
"..." When Shen Yang heard this, he couldn't help but cough.
However, Han Daoming could climb to this position. How could he blush for talking nonsense? He saluted Yang Yuanpu and said: "Your Majesty, please take a closer look."
"Tangyi can mobilize one hundred thousand soldiers and horses, how majestic it is!" Yao Xishui couldn't help but sneered and mocked.
"In the same sentence, Wei Chen just wanted to explain that the Chu army was strong and there was no need to bend the knee to please in exchange for the three cities of Shouchun, Fengtai and Huoqiu. But he didn't want to say it from Yao Zhizao's mouth, but it seemed that Wei Chen had ulterior motives.
Maybe it’s because people’s words are scary,”
Han Daoming sighed and said with emotion,
"Wei ministers have long heard that the government and the public had long heard that the Marquis of Changxiang secretly colluded with Tangyi before usurping the throne. But in fact, after encouraging the Marquis of Xiang to usurp Shu, the Marquis of Xinjin gained Liangzhou and Jiujinzhou.
The state was also merged into Hunan Xingshangshu Province. What did Tangyi gain? Han Qian knew that there was no benefit in participating in this matter, but after knowing that Lin Jinhou was determined to lead his tribes to Liangzhou in Canglang City, he still sent someone to persuade Tan immediately.
Yu Liang led his troops to aid Shu. In addition, Shu could not pay an annual tribute of 200,000 yuan, which was why Han Qian was soft-hearted. He thought that Shu would also be a vassal state of Chu in the future. He should not forgive Shu's difficulties, so he finally agreed.
Accepting a small piece of barren land in Chongqing, in addition to paying annual tribute on behalf of the Shu Kingdom, an additional 300,000 yuan of money was squeezed out from the official money bureau and lent to the Shu Kingdom, so as to stabilize the tension in the Shu Kingdom as soon as possible and mobilize the enemy.
The situation. Han Qian is willing to do these things because he is loyal to Chu. I think that if he continues to condone the government and the public with his evil talk and provoke the public, it will chill the heart of loyalty and conscience, and it will not be a blessing to the country!"
Yao Xishui didn't expect that Han Daoming would turn black and white and tell lies with open eyes. However, Han Daoming did not allow them to refute every word he said.
Simply taking the matter of encouraging the Marquis of Xiangxiang to usurp Shu, Tangyi's profits seemed to be the smallest. So they spread the news that Han Qian had secretly colluded with the Marquis of Changxiang. After Han Daoming and others
Under the guidance of the government, some voices of doubt also emerged one after another from both the government and the public.
But she didn't expect that Han Daoming would muddy the water in front of Yang Yuanpu at this moment.
"What Han Shangshu said, I have to ask Shen whether he can believe it or not." Yao Xishui sneered.
She knew that Yang Yuanpu was very wary of them, but he would tend to listen to Shen Yang's opinions.
Seeing the quarrel between the two groups, Shen Yang still kicked the ball to his side. Shen Yang swallowed bitterly and said: "The strength of the Mongol soldiers is indeed a bit beyond the previous expectations. At this time, with
The Liang Kingdom's peace talks enabled the Liang army to concentrate their efforts on opening up the connection with Guanzhong via Heluo, Hangu Pass, and contain the Mongol military front from the north, which would also be beneficial to Da Chu. Your Majesty should make a decision quickly."
Seeing that Shen Yang was still calm and put aside the dispute, Yao Xishui shut up angrily.
"Well, Shangshu Sheng is fully responsible for the peace negotiation with the Liang envoy. We will come up with the terms and discuss them as soon as possible. The queen must be tired. I bother the Lu Palace Envoy and Yao Zhizao to protect me. The child will not send the queen back to Cishou Palace.
"It's gone." Yang Yuanpu was like a trapped animal, locked in a cage. He didn't know who he could trust at this moment. At this time, he could only drive everyone else away with exhaustion and exhaustion.
Queen Mother Wang Chan'er, Lu Qingxia and others left, while Han Daoming and Chen Jingzhou also resigned and left.
Shen Yang stood up, but did not leave. Instead, he spoke to Jiang Huo and Chen Ruyi, who were serving in the palace, "Please, Mr. Jiang, Mr. Chen will step aside for now."
Jiang Huo and Chen Ruyi looked at Yang Yuanpu. Although it was against the rules for Shen Yang to ask the eunuchs to avoid having secret conversations with Yang Yuanpu, if Yang Yuanpu allowed them, they would not insist on staying in the palace and asking for trouble.
Yang Yuanpu waved his hand, signaling Jiang Huo, Chen Ruyi and others to go outside the hall.
"Rather than guessing in vain about the truth behind the scenes, what your Majesty needs at this time is to identify those who can be trusted and appointed," Shen Yang said, "In any case, your Majesty is the master of Chu. Even if someone has bad intentions, I don’t mean to be a minister, but more scholars and generals in Dachu place their thoughts of fame and wealth on Your Majesty, so Your Majesty must not give up on yourself."
"Master Shen taught me." Yang Yuanpu said.
"Your Majesty's top priority is to mobilize Zuo Wuxiang's army and Li Changfeng back to the capital to ensure that the capital is safe..." Shen Yang said.
"Han Daoming said that Tangyi can mobilize up to 100,000 troops in Huaixi. Is this an exaggeration?" Yang Yuanpu asked solemnly.
"If necessary, it should be more than this." Shen Yang said.
Not counting Xuzhou, the population of the five Huaixi prefectures at this time was close to 1.2 million, including 367,000 young and strong men.
Unlike other prefectures and counties where military service is hard work, young and strong people in Huaixi compete for it.
Han Qian implemented the New Deal in Huaixi, setting up government offices, prefectures, counties and then townships, and had an extremely strict organizational control system at the grassroots level. Although it could not last for too long, when necessary, Tangyi Sanding would draw one to mobilize , assembling 112,000 soldiers and horses is by no means unimaginable.
At this time, there were only two guards' troops and the Youlong Wu Army stationed in Jiangdong in the capital, with a total strength of no more than 50,000.
The strategic focus of Xiangbei was successfully transferred to the west wing by Han Qian. Only seven or eight thousand elite troops were stationed in the gap between Tongbai Mountain and Huaiyang Mountain in the north of Suizhou. When the situation was at its worst, even Xin Wang Yang Yuanyan stood On the side of the imperial court, Tangyi no longer had an advantage in terms of total military strength.
This was also the reason why Han Daoming dared to talk nonsense in the hall just now.
Yang Yuanpu remained silent.
Shen Yang continued:
"In addition to bringing Zuo Wu's army back, Your Majesty should also take advantage of the peace of things in the west and north to recruit a group of young generals from the bodyguards and pro-army who have nothing to do with the factions. Under the leadership of Du Chongtao or Zhou Bingwu, they should march south from the Ganjiang River. The Qingyuan Army also needs to ensure that the wealth of the two rivers and Hunan is under His Majesty's control. No matter how bad the situation is, it will not get that bad..."
"..." After a long time, Yang Yuanpu asked doubtfully, "Li Changfeng, Li Xiu, Li Zhigao, and Lu Qingxia are so close, and the Queen Mother obeys their words, can they really be trusted with their appointments?"
Seeing that Li Zhigao's betrayal finally made Yang Yuanpu choke in his throat, Shen Yang secretly sighed in his heart, before the left and right Five Tooth Army Navy was destroyed, how good the situation had been reduced to this?
Of course, Yang Yuanpu did not question whether Du Chongtao or Zhou Bingwu could be used or trusted, which was considered progress.
Shen Yang collected his thoughts for a moment and continued:
"Huang Liu, the Marquis of Jiangyin, has an uncle-like relationship with His Majesty, and he has never had any great ambitions. I commend Duke Huang Hua for hoping that the situation in Jiangdong can be stabilized and worthy of Your Majesty's trust. Although Zhang Pei did not follow Li Yu to go into seclusion at that time, But he has been keeping his peace all these years, which shows that he has a thorough understanding of the situation. In the end, he will think more about protecting his own life. Zhang Feng has nothing to take special precautions, not to mention Du Bingbu and Zhou Privy Envoy - and Chang Guo Gongfu As for the old friends of Li Changfeng, they got close to Li Zhigao and the others mainly because the second prince was taken to Cishou Palace to be raised. After all, they placed their hopes on the second prince, not on Li Zhigao or Lu Qingxia. There is a difference. Firstly, His Majesty may not be able to appoint the second prince as his heir in the future. Secondly, if Li Zhigao and Lu Qingxia really have any shameful ambitions, Li Changfeng, Li Xiu and others who are influenced by the county prince will not act casually. Attachment. This time the Youshenwu Army stayed in Canglang and then entered Liangzhou. Han Qian was able to make Li Changfeng and Li Xiuxian march west together. He should have seen through this..."
"Master Shen also thinks that Han Qian has been involved in the conspiracy behind the scenes for Changxiang Marquis to usurp Shu?" Yang Yuanpu asked.
"Yes or no, it doesn't matter," Shen Yang said, "Han Qian can win people's hearts without taking advantage of him, so why does Your Majesty need to ask whether it is yes or no?"
Yang Yuanpu pondered for a long time and asked again: "Master Shen said this, specifically called Jiang Huo, Chen Ruyi avoided it, right or wrong, they can't be trusted?"
"Whether you can trust or not is not important. The key is that people's hearts will change. Your Majesty also needs more people in the palace, and you cannot place your trust on two or three people." Shen Yang said this and hesitated for a while. , and then he made up his mind and said, "If the late emperor really has any secret edict for your majesty, I hope that your majesty will destroy it as soon as possible. Shen Yang is not saying that the late emperor did anything wrong. In fact, after missing the opportunity of Fanchang, your majesty should not think about the secret edict anymore. It’s happened…”
Yang Yuanpu looked at the dusk outside the hall with gloomy eyes.
Shen Yang quietly looked at the candles that had been lit early in the hall, wondering if Yang Yuanpu understood what he meant.
Given the current situation, as long as Yang Yuanpu can let go of his suspicions about people, whether it is Yang En, Du Chongtao, or Zhou Bingwu, they are all veterans who can be used by Emperor Tianyou and can be called pillars.
The current situation requires that they be truly put to use, so that they have the opportunity to command the army and power, so that their direct relatives, nephews, and disciples have the opportunity to serve in the bodyguards, privy envoys, and the military department, instead of just leaving them with the military department. The title of Minister of Secretariat and Privy Council is false, and there are not many useful men under his command.
In that case, how can they truly control the power of the Privy Council and the Ministry of War?
In particular, Zhou Bingwu and Du Chongtao have been in the military for half their lives, and they have a group of capable direct military generals who they can trust, and they can ensure that the combat effectiveness of the soldiers and horses they control will not be much worse.
As long as this is done, Shen Yang believes that the situation in Dachu will not be too bad.
Seeing Yang Yuanpu's hesitation and hesitation, Shen Yang could not help but feel a sense of powerlessness deep in his heart. However, he believed that Yang Yuanpu would still transfer Zuo Wuxiang's army back to the capital, and would not let Han Qian's plan succeed and Li Changfeng , Li Xiu and others stayed in Liangzhou to drive nails for Li Zhigao.
"Wei Chen resigned first..." Shen Yang bowed slightly and resigned from Chongwen Hall.
