On November 6, Liu Yu returned to the capital. He first went to the place where Emperor An's body was laid to rest, and then went to Liu Mu's house to cry and offer sacrifices to comfort his family.
When Sima Dewen learned that Liu Yu had returned to Beijing, he had trouble sleeping and eating, and even wanted to claim that he was ill and not go to court. Zeng An, who was promoted to the throne, admonished him: "Your Majesty is a king. As long as he sits on the throne, all the people in the world will bow their heads and obey him. Even the Duke of Song will not be rude to your Majesty."
On November 10, Sima Dewen came to the court, and Song Gong and Prime Minister Liu Yu led the civil and military officials to pay homage. Looking at Liu Yu, who was wearing a gun hat and red shoes, Sima Dewen felt as if he was sitting on pins and needles. He leaned over and said, "Song Gong has worked hard and accomplished a lot, so I will give him a seat."
Now that Jiuxi has joined Liu Yu's body, Liu Yu's thoughts are known to everyone, and they are no longer concealed in the court.
An attendant moved to Xiulongdun, Liu Yu sat down safely, raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the left servant of the minister, Liu Mu, passed away, the right servant of the minister, Yuan Zhan, was ill, and there was no one in charge of the minister's desk. I am here to invite you. The leading general Kong Jing was promoted to Shangshu Ling."
"Accurate performance."
"Liu Daolian, the governor of Jingzhou, was promoted to General of Hussars; Liu Huaishen, the governor of Northern Jizhou, was promoted to the rank of Zhong Lingjun; Wang Hong, the Shangshu of the Fifth Army, succeeded Zuopushe, the Shangshu Zuopushe; Zheng Xianzhi (great-grandson of Zheng Hun), the right commander, took over as the Shangshu of the Fifth Empress; Fu Liang, the Zhongzhong Lang, was promoted to the rank of Shizhong ; Cai Kuo, the minister of the ancestral temple, also serves as the minister; Xie Hui, the middle minister, is promoted to the right guard general; Yin Jingren, who joins the army, is promoted to the secretary general..."
A series of names were reported from Liu Yu's mouth, and Sima Dewen felt miserable. These people were all Liu Yu's cronies, and the entire court was occupied by Liu Yu's gang members.
Moreover, Liu Yu took the opportunity of the imperial examination to place a large number of candidates from poor families as small officials in the yamen in central Beijing. These candidates from poor backgrounds were able to enter the official career. They were grateful and loyal to Liu Yu, and everything in Beijing was firmly regarded. Liu Yu takes control.
After Liu Yu finished reading, Sima Dewen said feebly, "It's accurate." …
On November 25, the Jin Dynasty envoy He Lang came to Pingcheng again. Unfortunately, Wei Emperor Tuoba Si went to Daning (now Huai'an County, Hebei) and Changchuan (now Xinghe County, Inner Mongolia) to patrol the border.
The person who received He Lang was Ji Ba, the Marquis of Rencheng City of Wei. Both parties were acquaintances. He Lang knew that the Wei Emperor spent half of the year on patrol or hunting, and his return date was uncertain. He explained his intention to Ji Ba and expressed his condolences to the Wei State to deepen the cooperation between the two countries. . xь.
The news of Jin Emperor Sima Dezong's death was already known to Wei State. The monarchs and ministers of Wei State knew that Sima Dezong's death was inseparable from Liu Yu. He Lang came to pay his respects, simply because he wanted to seek Wei State's support to jointly fight against Yang Anxuan. .
In February of this year, Ji Ba met Liu Yu in Pengcheng to discuss the exchange of saltpeter for horses. With the naval navy's defeat at Shuilingshan Island, the maritime trade channel was blocked by the Yong army, and military supplies such as saltpeter and war horses could not be used at all. For land trade, one can only take the risk of taking a long detour by sea to reach Goguryeo, and then transfer from Goguryeo to Wei State, avoiding the sea area of North Qingzhou.
Regarding He Lang's request for the Wei army to send troops, Ji Ba was noncommittal and said with a smile: "Your envoy has come a long way and will rest at the post for a few days. The servant will tell your Majesty the news. Your Majesty will make the decision on sending troops."
Five days later, Tuoba Si received Ji Ba's memorial and summoned the accompanying Shanyang Gong Xijin, Beixin Hou Andong and Bozi Jijiu Cui Hao to discuss it.
In March of this year, Tuoba Si abolished the Shangshu Province and established the six ministers of heaven, earth, east, south, west and north to govern the country and handle the government affairs. The six ministers have high authority. Xijin was promoted from Shanyanghou to Shanyanggong for his ability to attack Rouran, and Tuoba Si granted him the title of Lord of Tianbu.
Xi Jin, who had the highest official position, was the first to speak: "The Jin Kingdom has a vast territory, rich products, and advanced skills. The sharp blades, gunpowder, and warships it developed are far superior to ours. Last year, Nanping Gong and Shouguang Hou both suffered setbacks at the hands of Yong's army, which shows that Yong's army is strong. .”
"Liu Yu, the Duke of Jin and Song dynasties, was extremely brave and fought against Huan Xuan. He captured Murong Chao in the north and Lu Xun in the south. He was invincible. He and Yang Anxuan were rivals of each other. Our country should sit back and watch the Song and Yong Dynasties fight each other, and first concentrate on destroying Yan. Kingdom, conquer Weiwei, and then take advantage of the time when Song and Yong were weak from fighting each other and go south, we should be able to aspire to conquer the Central Plains and unify the rivers and mountains."
Tuoba Si nodded and looked at An Tong. An Tong said concisely and concisely: "I have the same views as Duke Shanyang."
Seeing Tuoba Si looking at him, Cui Hao cupped his hands and said, "Shan Yang Gong Lao Cheng seeks the country, what he said is true."
"However, according to detailed investigation, Song Yong was at a disadvantage in the battle with Liu Yu, so he couldn't wait to send envoys to ask for help."
Cui Hao said calmly: "If Yang Anxuan defeats Liu Yu and unifies Jin in a short period of time, his strength will definitely increase greatly, which will be detrimental to our country."
Tuoba Si smiled and said, "I understand what Cui Qing means. He wants to help Liu Yu and make both him and Yang Anxuan suffer."
Cui Hao bowed and said, "Liu Yu wants to help our country, so naturally he has to get some benefits from him. Our country's weak Danhuo, forging, shipbuilding and other technologies, we might as well ask Liu Yu for them."
Tuoba Si said happily: "Cui Qing is right. You will return to the capital tomorrow and join Ji Ba to negotiate with the Jin envoy to get more benefits."
An Tong shook his cotton clothes and said, "The Jin State cultivates cotton vigorously. This material is warmer than sheep's fur, and it is close to the body. It will not affect the men's riding and shooting arrows. Let the Jin people send more."
Tuoba Si was wearing a fox fur coat and said with a smile: "I covered myself with a quilt at night and it was really warm. I have ordered people to buy cotton seeds in Jianghuai and prepare to sow them in the territory next year."
Cui Haodao: "This product originated from the Western Regions. In the early years, merchants from the Western Regions brought cotton fabrics to China for sale. The price was several times that of silk. I didn't expect that this product could be directly incorporated into clothes to keep warm. I wonder if your Majesty has ever sent it to China. People have asked how to grow this thing? What is the yield per acre? It would be best to call in some cotton farmers who are familiar with growing cotton."
Tuoba Si said: "We will discuss this matter in detail after we return to Pingcheng."
Xi Jin said: "If cotton-padded clothes can withstand the severe cold as Beixinhou said, your majesty might as well order people to farm more, so that the soldiers can go out in winter next year, wipe out the Yan Kingdom in one fell swoop, and drive them away."...
A snowstorm ushered in the capital of the Western Qin State, Pohan City. Qifu Chipansan stood behind him on a high platform to enjoy the snow. His attendants knew that he was in a bad mood and stood far away.
During the court meeting, Qifu Chipan received news that Murong Ajiao (1) succeeded Tuyuhun Khan and formed an alliance with Yang Anxuan. Yang Anxuan gave him many sharp weapons in return.
With these weapons, Murong A'jack conquered the east and west, and many Qiang and Di tribes were incorporated into his account. Tuyuhun's strength greatly increased. Last month, Qifu Muyigan attacked Bailan Mountain, but was defeated by Murong A'jack's army. , losing more than 3,000 soldiers.
General Qifu Pida of the left guard attacked Peng Lihe's tribe, and Peng Lihe led more than ten thousand people to defect to Kuai'en, the governor of Yongqin Prefecture.
Qifu Chipan's original plan to seize Tuyuhun and (Northern) Liang failed. Although (Northern) Liang was at odds with (Western) Liang and the two countries continued to attack, Juqu Mengxun was very guarded against him and the border was heavily guarded. There is a large army guarding you to protect yourself.
Now the Qin State is surrounded by Yong's army in the east, Liang's soldiers in the north, and Tuyuhun in the southwest. It is surrounded by Qin. If you are not careful, you will be in danger of losing the country.
According to detailed reports, Kuai En was gathering and training soldiers and horses in Ji County. The Yong army had more than 20,000 troops stationed in Tianshui County. Meng Longfu in Northern Yongzhou gathered various tribes and nearly 50,000 Qingqi. They may invade Nan'an County at any time.
Some time ago, merchants brought news that Yong's army defeated Wei's army on the bank of the Yellow River. Recently, news came that Liu Yu's army was also frustrated at the hands of Yang Anxuan. , Stealing the chicken will end up losing the rice, and he has a grudge with Yang Anxuan. If he waits for Yang Anxuan to free his hands, he will definitely send troops to attack. XiuShu.com
As a last resort, Qifu Chipan sent envoys to the Wei and Jin dynasties to ask for vassal status. He also broke off with the (Northern) Liang and Tuyuhun troops to prepare for the upcoming Yong army.
Heavy snowfall soon accumulated on Qifu Chipan's fur, and there was a sound of footsteps behind him, as the bald queen arrived.
Looking at the majestic figure of Qifu Chipan, the bald queen had a complicated expression. Since their marriage, Qifu Chipan had treated her very favorably, and the couple had a loving relationship.
But it was this man who was so ungrateful that he poisoned his father who accepted him and occupied his own country. How could he not avenge the death of his father by destroying his country?
Suppressing the hatred in her heart, the bald queen smiled, came to Qifu Chipan and said softly: "Your Majesty, why are you standing alone in the snow in the cold weather? Be careful of getting cold. I ordered people to prepare wine and food. , drink and enjoy the snow with the king."
Seeing his wife's smiling face, Qifu Chipan put down his thoughts, held the bald queen's little hand, and said with a smile: "I was just greedy for the snow scene, and I have kept you waiting for a long time. I will go back to the palace now."...
In Yiyang, Lu Xin received an official document from the Yonggong Mansion, ordering Yiyang Cotton Store to donate 40,000 pieces of cotton clothes. He beat the mat with his hands and complained: "It's terrible, this cotton store should be closed as soon as possible."
"
Ye Ping, Guo Bai and others were doing accounts with him. Hearing Lu Xin complain, Ye Ping asked, "What is Yong Gong's order?"
Lu Xin handed the official document to Ye Ping and said: "The Duke of Song Dynasty asked for 40,000 sets of cotton-padded clothes in Xunyang. Now Yonggong wants another 40,000 sets. By donating these 80,000 sets of cotton-padded clothes, our cotton shop can do nothing but close its doors as soon as possible." do what."
Ye Ping looked at it and smiled bitterly: "Yu said back then that even if he offended Song Gong and returned to Yiyang, he would never donate those 40,000 sets of cotton-padded clothes. You must have been fooled by Yu's words. Yong Gong must have thought that we were collaborating with the enemy and asked him to donate 40,000 sets of cotton-padded clothes. Tens of thousands of cotton-padded clothes are relatively light, but if you don’t wear them well, your home may be ransacked and your family wiped out.”
Guo Bai winced and said, "Everyone, we can't do business in this cotton shop. Let's calculate the accounts clearly and disperse."
Zhou Fang looked at the panicked people with disdain and said, "Gentlemen, don't forget, there is someone behind our cotton shop. If something happens, we need a tall man to help. Otherwise, what are you going to do with the dry stock?"
Lu Xin slapped his forehead and said, "Ning Bai is right, you all should go with Yu to see Governor Yang."
At the Yiyang government office, Yang Anshen listened to the complaints of Lu Xin and others, and asked him to intercede with Yong Gong and exempt him from the donation of 40,000 sets of cotton-padded clothes. Otherwise, the cotton bank would not only have no income this year but would also have to spend money on it.
When he first established the cotton bank, Lu Xin promised Yang Anshen to give him 10% of the profit and let him take care of the cotton bank behind the scenes. Yang Anshen estimated that the cotton shop would earn at least one thousand jin per year, so he readily agreed.
Last year, Yang An received a bonus of one hundred and thirty taels. He added two new shops to his family and took in two beautiful concubines. He lived a happy life. He calculated that this year the cotton shop would plant hundreds of hectares of cotton fields. This bonus It's going to double.
The official document from Yonggong's Mansion was delivered to him first. Of course Yang Anshen knew that his third brother asked the cotton bank to donate 40,000 sets of cotton clothes. The cost of processing the 40,000 sets of cotton clothes would cost at least 500 taels of gold, plus what Liu Yu asked for , more than a thousand taels of gold were wasted, and this year they lost money and cried out. No wonder Lu Xin and others were crying.
Although he vaguely guessed that the third brother was using cotton to deal with Liu Yu, the yellow gold was really pleasing to the eye. Yang Anshen put the teacup on the table and said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, sir. Yu will send someone to Xiangyang to let Wu My sister came forward to complain."
Lu Xin and others vaguely heard Yang Anshen say that matters related to the cotton business must be decided by his fifth sister Yang Qiu. Duke Yong loves his younger sister. If Yang Qiu intercedes, they may be able to get fewer of the 40,000 sets of cotton clothes.
"Note (1): Before his death, Murong Ajiao asked his twenty sons to take an arrow and break it, and then asked them to put the twenty arrows together so that the sons could not break them. This is the origin of the story of breaking arrows to teach his sons. Temujin I don’t know whether it’s a different approach or a descendant’s imitation.”
