When Shao Xun arrived at Zhou Mansion, it was already the time when the moon was rising above the willow trees.
He brought fifty soldiers with him and entered through the small door - he didn't want anyone to notice him, but he was also afraid of being tricked, so he put on this embarrassing look.
The Zhou Mansion servant wanted to invite him to the banquet, but Shao Xun stopped him and asked, "Who else is attending the banquet tonight?"
"Guerrilla General Wang Hu, Sili Colonel Liu Tun, Shangshu Youpu She Xunfan, Zhongshu Shilang Zhou Wei, Shi Yushi Zhou Mu..." The servant named more than a dozen people in succession.
When Shao Xun heard this, he was like, good guy! If they are arrested according to the list, the royalists will be severely damaged.
He hesitated and planned to run away.
Unexpectedly, the host Zhou Fu came in person and said with a smile: "My husband has just arrived and left again. If the news spreads, outsiders will think that I did not entertain well. Come, follow me and get to know some of the most distinguished people in the court."
After saying that, he personally took Shao Xun's right arm and pulled him to the seat with a smile.
Shao Xun couldn't help but follow him to the table.
When you treat others with courtesy, you must ask for something. Before Shangguan entered the city, Zhou Fu didn't have this attitude toward him.
The banquet has been going on for most of the day. The cups and plates are in a mess. The guests are mostly drunk and their voices are getting louder.
"I heard that the emperor's brother was deposed, and there are people in Hebei who are ready to act and seem to have rebellion." Someone said loudly: "In my opinion, it is better to kill the king of Chengdu to put an end to their thoughts."
"Actually, I don't blame them, they just followed the wrong person. In the past, when the King of Qi was in trouble, He Xu and Dong Ai were his right-hand men, and there were also Lu Xiu, Wei Yi and other five princes. Where are they now?"
"What are you talking about? These people were lucky enough to suddenly rise to high positions. It can be said that they are crowned kings. King Ji of Qi has power over the government and the public. He dominates the top and forces the bottom. Defeat is inevitable."
"Drink, drink."
When Shao Xun walked into the hall, he heard these words.
At this time, he suddenly realized that the so-called royalists were not really loyal to the emperor, or not all of them were loyal to the emperor. Most of them had good family backgrounds and high official positions, but they did not have many resources at hand. They could not get enough benefits from the rounds of shuffling in the court, so they were forced to unite around the emperor.
Take the reign of King Sima Ji of Qi as an example. His right-hand men He Xu, Dong Ai, and the five great heroes Lu Xiu, Wei Yi, Liu Zhen, Han Tai, Ge Min (yu), etc. were all granted the title of prince, and they formed a group to exclude others. .
For example, Gu Rong was kicked out of the shogunate by Ge Min and became an official in the court. Wang Bao spoke out and dared to remonstrate, and was killed.
If a political group cannot effectively absorb fresh blood and carry out united front work, what vitality does it have?
He, Dong, Lu and others provided great help when Sima Jiong started his career, but their family background was limited to local prefectures and counties, and their influence was not broken out. They can only be called small gentry. Once they entered Beijing, they forgot about it. Buying and selling officials, being unscrupulous, killing without permission, etc., but not sharing the benefits with wealthy families and high-ranking officials, forced these people to become royalists.
Changsha King Sima Yi was able to make a miraculous comeback with the help of more than a hundred people, which may not have been due to the contributions of these so-called royalists.
"Gentlemen, this young gentleman is the general of the palace, Shao Xun. He is brave enough to fight and has unmatched martial prowess. It is all his fault that Luoyang was saved without incident." Zhou Fu pulled Shao Xun and introduced him loudly.
Everyone at the banquet was already half or eighty percent drunk and had mixed reactions when they heard this.
Xun Fan cast a sidelong glance at Shao Xun and asked in a drunken voice: "The general in the palace is naturally the result of meritorious service in the palace. Do you feel at ease with this merit?"
Zhou Fu's expression changed and he said: "Tai Jian, don't talk drunkenly. Capturing Sima Yi is an act of bringing order out of chaos. It has done a great job, so don't talk nonsense."
"Hmph! The King of the East China Sea has announced that you will be Tingwei, and you will be named Henan Yin. You are so proud of the spring breeze. It seems that you have forgotten your old friend." Xunfan raised his neck and drank a glass of wine and sneered.
Others were sitting or lying down, watching Zhou and Xun bickering, and from time to time their eyes would be cast on Shao Xun, who was wearing a military robe, full of gloating.
Shao Xun looked at these people with an indifferent expression.
I have long heard that those who supported the King of Qi in coming to Beijing to govern were mostly local nobles, while those who supported Sima Yi were mostly aristocratic families who held high positions but did not control military power, money or food. It seemed that they were this group of people.
They supported Sima Yi in the war, but because they held a noble and noble position and did not have the real power of money, food and weapons, their support was insufficient. After another group of aristocratic families colluded with the generals of the Forbidden Army and promoted Sima Yue as the leader, they failed suddenly.
But what is ironic is that, perhaps because of their insufficient support and their prominent family background, they were not liquidated and are still in high positions to this day.
Sima Yi and his family are just losers. They hug each other to keep each other warm and complain, and they don't deserve too much attention.
"When Xun Pushe returned to Luo from Yecheng, his face was hungry and disheveled. Can he still remember the two biscuits in Hanoi?" Shao Xun walked slowly into the field, looked at Xun Fan, who was wide-eyed, and asked with a smile. road.
He knew why Xun Fan targeted him. Didn't he just kill his eldest son Xun Sui? I still hold a grudge to this day.
He regretted slightly. If he had known that Xun Fan was here today, he would never have come here.
"General Wang, I haven't seen you for a few days. Are you okay?" Shao Xun walked up to another person and saluted.
"General Shao..." Wang Hu stood up and returned the greeting.
He looked at the young man in front of him, who was too young, and was slightly stunned.
More than a year ago, this young man named Shao Xun had just become famous for killing Meng Chao. He was then selected by Sikong to capture Sima Yi in the palace. He promoted filial piety and integrity along the way and became the lieutenant of Sima. He then rectified the kingdom's army and preserved Luoyang. He returned home to welcome the Holy Emperor and eventually became the general in the palace.
Shao Xun has been so dazzling for more than a year.
Looking back at myself, the Battle of Jianchun Gate reached the pinnacle of reputation, and then the spring breeze was proud for a while. Finally, it wavered between Sima Ying and Sima Yue, and lost everything after the failure of the Northern Expedition.
Beijing is about to rebuild the Forbidden Army. Even if he can take up a high position, he will only go back to more than a year ago. In fact, he finally missed the generals of the left and right guards, and could only control a small number of soldiers and horses, and he was on the same level as the man in front of him.
The mysterious changes in circumstances can really make people feel at a loss.
"I also admire General Wang's talent." Shao Xun bent down, filled Wang Hu's glass of wine, and said: "Only in terms of the skill of using the cavalry, no one in Luoyang can surpass the general. General, don't be discouraged. As long as there is a chance, you will definitely win." Someone who can make great contributions and bring honor to our ancestors."
When Wang Hu heard this, his heart felt hot and his nose felt a little blocked.
There was a wealthy family of ministers in Beijing, but they only regarded him as a capricious villain, and their words were full of sarcasm. Even if I have a banquet today, I can only stay with the last person and apologize for my laughter during the dinner.
But Shao Xun is not like that.
He doesn't look at his past or his family background, he only values his ability.
Shao Xun stretched out his hand, took the wine bottle from a maid, filled it for himself, and then whispered to Wang Hu: "General Wang, don't get involved in political disputes. You are not suitable for this. Be more pure."
After that, he drank it all in one gulp and left.
Everyone present may have noble family backgrounds, may be full of knowledge, or may be famous all over the world, but in Shao Xun's opinion, none of them are worthy of close friendship. Only Wang Hu deserves his words to wake him up.
There are few cavalry talents in the Central Plains, and there are even fewer talents who can command large-scale cavalry groups in combat.
When the Luoyang Central Army was at its peak, it had a considerable cavalry establishment. This was one of the few skilled cavalry talents in the Central Plains.
Unlike grassland herdsmen who practice riding skills and hunting tactics, the cavalry in the Central Plains are all recruited soldiers and are professional warriors. They don't have to think about life and just train daily.
In terms of riding time alone, they may not necessarily spend less time than grassland herdsmen, or even more, because they do not have to do chores or run for a living. There is only one thing in life: training in riding and fighting skills.
This is a cavalry unit whose combat effectiveness far exceeds that of its opponents, but it is a pity that it was exhausted little by little in the war.
Wang Hu was surrounded by hundreds of cavalry officers and veterans who had escaped, and they had close relationships and frequent exchanges.
He also knew some other cavalry generals, and dozens of people gathered around them.
These are precious resources. Relying on them as the backbone and with enough money, food, and horses, we can gradually restore the Forbidden Army's cavalry establishment.
In troubled times, talent is the most important thing.
No matter how bad Wang Hu’s conduct is, he has professional skills and a bright future.
The premise is to stop playing politics!
The water here is too deep, you really can't control it, you will only destroy yourself.
Zhou Fu pulled Shao Xun over and confessed to everyone. He came to the back hall and said with a bitter smile: "What a pity! I wanted to let you get to know some people, but I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
"Duke Zhou, they and I are not the same people. It's no pity." Shao Xun said.
"But you still came today." Zhou Fu looked into Shao Xun's eyes and said.
Human eyes reveal a lot.
Shao Xun's eyes are very bright, containing confidence, ambition and infinite yearning for the future.
He had seen such people before, mostly in the circles of scholars.
During entertainment, they were the center of attention of ladies and gentlemen.
When talking, they make others fall to their wits' end.
When they were in politics, they were resourceful and wise, and they were promoted step by step.
Shao Xun has a bit of that meaning.
His confidence and ambition come from his conquest of women and power. Zhou Fu was a little curious. He already knew Shao Xun's abilities in the military, but what kind of woman could such a family background conquer? Could it be that his mistress Pei introduced him to some daughter from aristocratic family?
"Come here today..." Shao Xun muttered.
"No need to say more, everything is said without words." Zhou Fu interrupted Shao Xun's words with a smile, and said: "The emperor talks about you from time to time, and the queen also praises you highly."
When Zhou Fu said this, he was already very sincere.
Of course the emperor has a good impression of Shao Xun, but he will not take the initiative to win over Shao Xun. He cannot do such a complicated thing.
Then, the matter is very simple. It was actually the Queen's idea to invite him to the banquet today.
This Yang Xianrong, how did she know my whereabouts? Could it be that someone is sent to monitor me all day long?
Shao Xun wanted to make her scream.
In addition, he also thought about something: Is Yang Xianrong an agent of the Tianjia now?
Based on his superficial understanding of Yang Xianrong, the queen didn't seem to care much about the Jin Dynasty, and even had a hint of malice.
All she cares about is herself.
If the Jin Dynasty could bring benefits to her and allow her to live more safely, she would help the Jin Dynasty.
If one day brings only bad things to her, she will definitely kick them over without hesitation.
This woman seems to be broken.
Judging from the current situation, Sikong has been "living" in the East China Sea without coming to Luoyang, so don't blame him for losing control of the court.
Sima Ying was so powerful that he could not control the situation in Yecheng Bafu, let alone Sima Yue who relied on his brothers to win.
Do you really think that the local forces in Luoyang do not exist?
Most of the members of this power group are not from Luoyang. To be precise, they are the senior gentry bureaucratic group and the Forbidden Army Group (which have been destroyed) rooted in Luoyang.
You, Sima Yue, are in Luoyang, and you may be able to influence this group, just like you organized their Northern Expedition to Yecheng.
But without you, your influence will diminish. Over time, people will introduce a new candidate, just like Sima Yue was introduced to deal with Sima Yi and Sima Ying.
In the six months since Sima Yue lost his throne, Wang Yan has formed his own faction with many party members.
Zhou Fu's group seems to have a close relationship with the Tian family and can be considered a royalist faction.
The Forbidden Army that is about to be rebuilt will also be joined by some of the Northern Expedition soldiers who escaped, and will form a new Forbidden Army group together with the East China Sea Kingdom Army - to be honest, the current East China Sea Kingdom Army has more than 10,000 people, and more than 90% are not from the East China Sea, and they are only mid-level and high-level soldiers. Due to historical issues, the officers were originally from Donghai.
If Sima Yue continues to delay his return to the capital, the situation will become even more subtle - now someone is wooing Shao Xun, and in the future they will woo Mi Huang, and they are even doing it already.
Even military advisor Cao Fu would gradually develop a rift with Sima Yue, and their distrust would intensify.
Everything is the same thing again.
"If Duke Zhou has anything to say, you might as well say it directly." Shao Xun said.
Zhou Fu smiled mysteriously and said, "Why do you say this? Chen Yougen, the supervisor who used to drive for the emperor, has been elected by the imperial court, and the emperor personally awarded him the position of 'Deputy General' (ninth grade). If Lang Jun doesn't shirk it, This person is already a qualified officer and general, and has other wonderful features."
Shao Xun didn't want to ask what the "wonderful thing" was. He wasn't familiar with this group of people, and he didn't want to join them.
Zhou Fu waited for a while, but when Shao Xun didn't speak, he could only take the initiative to ask: "Is the young man not married yet?"
"No."
"If you want to go up, you need someone to support you." Zhou Fu smiled and said, "Why don't you let me be the matchmaker..."
"No need." Shao Xun waved his hand, stood up and said, "I am satisfied with getting to know Zhu Junyan today. It's time to say goodbye."
Zhou Fu sighed regretfully and stood up to see them off.
After a while, he returned to the back hall.
"How is it?" Liu Dun, the captain of Sili School, came over and asked.
"Be more cautious." Zhou Fu said.
"However, it's not like there's no chance, right?" Liu Tun said with a smile.
It was the queen's wish to win over the palace general Shao Xun, and they were just executing it. She was not very optimistic at first, because this person worked hard for Sima Yue and did a lot of dirty things, so he was considered a confidant, but the queen was very sure that this person was ambitious and could be won over.
Now it seems that, as the Queen said, Shao Xun can be won over, just like other officials who once took refuge in Yue Mansion.
"Is there any news from Shi Yan?" Zhou Fu asked again.
"I replied, 'Jinguyuan is an ominous place, you can make your own decision.'" Liu Tun said.
"He is quite free and easy." Zhou Fu said with a smile.
Since Shi Yan doesn't want Jinguyuan and has offered the land deed, things will be easier to handle.
Go to the palace tomorrow, inform the queen, and send a servant to deliver the land deed to Shao Mansion.
When giving gifts, you have to give them what they like and give them something they can't refuse.
