"Go down." Wu Nian looked at her pitiful appearance and thought of the time they spent together day and night. He felt very pity in his heart and did not want her to lose face. He waved his hand to the maid on the side.
"yes."
The maids responded with a low eyebrow, stood up and left.
Wu Nian bent down and put his hands on her shoulders, helping her up. Said: "The national law is difficult. I cannot spare your father's life."
"But I will treat you well, so you don't have to be afraid."
After a pause, Wu Nian continued: "I will make you a worthy concubine and let your mother and brother stay in the capital so that they can have enough food and clothing."
Cao Duan's life must never be spared.
The Cao family's money must also be spit out.
The Han Dynasty was not the Chu State.
All merchants and country gentry who had colluded with foreign enemies were dealt with severely.
But Wu Nian felt very guilty about Cao Miao'e and made compensation as appropriate.
She was promoted to a virtuous concubine in order to prevent the eunuchs and maids in the palace from despising her.
She is a concubine and has a mother and brothers. This lineage remained in the capital, giving her some solace.
"Your Majesty. Your Majesty." Cao Miao'e just cried, crying fiercely, her tears falling like a fountain.
Wu Nian shook his head, took out his handkerchief, and wiped her face clean. Said: "Don't expect more."
After that, Wu Nian called the eunuch in and told the eunuch the promise he had just made to Cao Miao'e. Let the eunuch prepare the manpower to send Cao Miao'e to the capital and hand it over to the queen.
Cao Miao'e turned her head three times with one step, crying. Wu Nian, however, hardened his heart and watched her being taken away by the eunuch.
"What a headache." Wu Young sighed, sat on the bed, stretched out his hand and rubbed his temples.
Although it's a bit confusing when it comes to family matters. But in state affairs, Wu Nian was the all-powerful one.
soon. Cao Hua quickly returned, and Zhu Zhongguo surrendered to Kaicheng.
Wu Nian was very cautious and did not enter the city. He first sent generals into Taiyuan City. While taking control of the city, he drove Zhu Zhongguo's troops to camp outside the city.
After everything was done, Wu Nian led his ministers into Taiyuan City.
General's Mansion, outside the gate.
Zhu Zhongguo was dressed in white clothes without an official hat. He looked "guilty" and bowed his head. After seeing Wu Nian getting off Luan Yu, Zhu Zhongguo knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty."
"General, not guilty." Wu Nian smiled, stepped forward to help Zhu Zhongguo up, and said firmly: "When facing a person like Cao Duan, the general can empathize with him and will not stop until he kills him."
"The general is not only innocent, but also meritorious."
"I don't dare." Zhu Zhongguo said in fear. He was really relieved inside. Cao Duan died, and his goal was achieved.
But he didn't handle this well.
I don’t know if he will be jealous of the emperor.
Now we have entered the Han Dynasty.
If the king wants his minister to die, he must die.
He was very worried that he and Cao Duan would die together.
it's good now.
After Wu Nian said a few words to Zhu Zhongguo outside the door, he entered the general's mansion with everyone and sat down in the main room.
Wu Nian raised his head and said to Zhu Zhongguo: "The general is a famous general in Shanxi and has guarded Taiyuan for many years. The promise I made before is still valid. I make the general a county prince, and the title is hereditary. I worship him as a general and lead thousands of households."
"The general can command the troops and horses and set up camp along the river. Reinforce the Yellow River defense line."
Zhu Zhongguo stood up and walked to Wu Nian, then knelt down and shook his head and said, "Your Majesty. Your Majesty has shown me a mountain of kindness, and I am very grateful."
"But my name is Zhongguo, and I grew up in Chu. I cannot bear to lead troops to fight against Chu. Your Majesty, please forgive me for being willful. Please resign your title and official position and return to your hometown."
Wu Nian frowned slightly. Zhu Zhongguo had good abilities and good character.
It would be a pity to give up such talent.
but.
The twisted melon is not sweet either. Moreover, Zhu Zhongguo had feelings for Chu State. It was indeed cruel to force Zhu Zhongguo to lead troops to fight against Chu.
After Wu Nian thought for a while, he nodded and said: "Everyone has his own ambitions. I don't force it. The general is allowed to return to his hometown."
"However, the general's dedication to the city has been meritorious, and I cannot break my promise. I will still make you the Duke of the county. Please don't refuse, general."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhu Zhongguo put his hands on the ground, his head close to the stone slab, and said with great gratitude.
Wu Nian nodded, called the Ouchi guards to come in, and took Zhu Zhongguo away.
"Xiong Wuwo. Zhu Zhongguo and others. The loyal ministers of Chu are like fish in a river, there are countless. It's a pity that they are all buried."
Cao Hua sighed.
"That's right. Since ancient times, when countries were destroyed, there were always loyal ministers. It's just that the king didn't trust them."
"Although there is a saying: learn from history. But what the kings of subjugated countries are best at is not learning lessons."
Wu Nian was very touched and nodded slightly.
Immediately, he cheered up and said happily: "No matter what, Zhu Zhongguo has surrendered. Taiyuan City was captured by a few soldiers without blood."
"The entire Shanxi. No. The entire land north of the Yellow River is owned by a few people."
"The loopholes in the Yellow River defense line have also been filled."
He turned to look at Cao Hua and said: "Cao Qing, you choose your men and go to all the cities, passes, and military camps in Shanxi that are still resisting. Let them surrender immediately. Those who obey me will prosper, and those who go against me will perish."
"Yes." Cao Hua responded in agreement.
"Clan politics. You organize the officials of the Ministry of War. Record the place of origin and names of the surrendered soldiers, and then provide them with money to send them back to their hometowns. Take back weapons, armor and other military supplies."
"Yes." Hojo Umasaichi cupped his hands.
Wu Nian thought about whether there was anything he had missed, but found nothing. Then he raised his head with a smile and said, "My lords, you have worked hard on this journey."
"Everyone, go down and rest."
"yes."
The civil and military personnel stood up, bowed to Wu Nian, lined up in two lines in an orderly manner, turned around and walked out of the main room.
"Although the process has been tortuous, I am still firmly convinced of Hebei's power. The next step is to consolidate Hebei and accumulate strength, first from the south to the north."
"Sweep the sea."
Wu Nian's eyes were shining brightly, and his brows were full of ambition. After a while, the light faded. Wu Nian got up and took the eunuch to his bedroom to rest.
It's just that he has been dating Cao Miao'e these days, and now that he has sent Cao Miao'e to the capital, he is not used to it.
Although there were many beautiful maids serving him, he was not interested.
Zhu Zhongguo surrendered and Taiyuan City fell.
The news swept across Shanxi like a storm. Most of those who were still resisting gave up.
A small number of those who resisted were also wiped out by the Han army.
Wu Nian personally took charge of Taiyuan.
Shanxi Governor Shi Xian used his skills to stabilize the entire Shanxi Province in just one month.
Regardless of whether the officials or the people are willing or not. They all took the Jianwu reign title and became subjects of the Han Dynasty.
Same as the capital.
After Shanxi became stable, Shi Xian vigorously promoted Wu Nian's policies.
Rectify officialdom and crack down on corrupt and incompetent officials.
The wind of the Han Dynasty was pervasive. It blew to every corner of Hebei.
