When Guo Xin came out of the military camp, the sun had just set and the surrounding light was gradually dimming, but it was not yet time to light the lamps.
Guo Xin took Guo Pu along the Bian River to his home in the inner city. There are still a lot of people on the streets on both sides of the Bianhe River, and the hustle and bustle of the day has not yet completely come to an end. There are many teahouses and restaurants on the long street, and occasionally people wearing official uniforms and military uniforms come and go.
As the evening breeze blew, Guo Xin suddenly remembered whether the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", known as a national treasure in later generations, depicts the style of the Bianhe River in front of him?
Guo Xin recalled it carefully, but he couldn't remember many details. However, he rarely recalls the events of later generations now, not only because those memories have become very distant, but also because he has a new life now, and many things in front of him are enough to drain his energy.
He thought about what happened this morning again. Why did the soldier dare to speak rudely in the crowd when he first arrived? However, the military man looked very young, so he should be close to his own age. Young people are bound to make mistakes, but if the soldier doesn't have a good father, he will inevitably end up causing such misfortunes on his own.
You always have to speak responsibly. Guo Xin didn't think there was anything wrong with what he did. At least it could leave a deep impression on other soldiers from the beginning.
It was already completely dark when we crossed the bridge. It was almost the end of the month and it was a day when there was little moonlight. Lanterns were gradually hung up in the shops and restaurants along the street, and the lights of the market were reflected on the Bianhe River. The river was still flowing, the moored merchant ships were swaying slightly, and the lights on the water were also swaying.
As Guo Xin was thinking, suddenly the sky above his head flashed, and then there was a rumble of thunder.
Guo Xin looked up at the sky. It was so dark that he couldn't see anything clearly, but he could feel some kind of deep power brewing.
Guo Xin said silently: "It looks like it's going to rain tonight."
"Thunder in August, thieves everywhere." Guo Pu behind him muttered.
…
In the Privy Council.
When the first thunder sounded in the sky, Guo Weigang had just finished handling the food and fodder allocation for Weizhou's camp, when he suddenly received an urgent message, summoning him to go to the palace immediately to wait for an audience with your majesty.
This was no longer an ordinary time to be summoned, but Guo Wei followed the young eunuch to the inner court without hesitation.
The offices of the Privy Council, Zhongshu, and Menxia Province were in the palace city. After a while, he came to the Zide Hall where officials usually stayed.
The imperial guard on duty saw Guo Wei being brought in, and gently opened the small door on the side of the palace for him, allowing Guo Wei to enter.
When Guo Wei entered the hall, he first felt that the atmosphere in the hall was a bit stuffy. There are several animal-shaped copper furnaces placed in the hall. Silver carbon is burning in the copper furnaces, which is the source of the sweltering heat in the hall.
It was still August, and the autumn rain had not yet fallen. Logically speaking, it was not yet a cold day. But Guo Wei was not surprised by the strange scene in the palace. As an important minister who was favored by Liu Zhiyuan, he naturally knew many inside stories that outsiders did not know.
Liu Zhiyuan has been fighting on the battlefield for many years and has long suffered from hidden diseases. This wet and cold season is the most unbearable for him, and the beast furnaces are placed here precisely for this reason.
As for whether the beast furnace can really remove the yin energy, Guo Wei didn't know, but he could vaguely draw a conclusion from Liu Zhiyuan's clenched teeth at that time that made him feel complicated: the official family was old.
The eunuch who delivered the order led Guo Wei to the imperial court and sang in a low voice: "Guo Wei, the deputy privy envoy, has arrived."
Liu Zhiyuan in front of the case just said in a low voice: "Just stand down."
The young eunuch quickly left the palace, and Guo Wei bowed slightly in the palace: "I have met your Majesty."
Guo Wei and Liu Zhiyuan have known each other for decades, and they know that there are no outsiders at this time, and if they are too careful about etiquette, the relationship between the monarch and his ministers will appear unfamiliar.
Liu Zhiyuan's tone was still low: "Sit down, Mr. Guo."
Guo Wei turned around and saw that seats had been set up in the hall. He immediately knew that he was not the only one who had been summoned.
But he was a little surprised, because at this time, Liu Zhiyuan would only summon himself and Yang Bin from the Privy Council, the two prime ministers Su Fengji and Su Yugui, and the third envoy Wang Zhang to be present.
But today there are six seats.
Guo Wei hesitated for a moment, as if seeing his doubts, Liu Zhiyuan clapped his hands, and a person walked out from behind the screen - it turned out to be Liu Chengxun, the eldest son of the emperor.
Liu Chengxun bowed to Guo Wei and said, "Privilege Guo."
Guo Wei returned the favor and couldn't help but glance at Liu Zhiyuan who was sitting behind the court case.
Liu Zhiyuan: "Whatever you do while standing, sit down."
Guo Wei sat down in the middle seat on the right - the first place on the right was reserved for his colleague, Privy Councilor Yang Bin.
At this time, Liu Zhiyuan spoke again: "Chengxun is getting older. I want him to be more involved in the affairs of the imperial court, so that he can share my worries earlier."
Liu Chengxun was sitting in the first place on the left. Seeing Guo Wei looking at him, he just gave him a friendly smile.
Guo Wei thought that Liu Zhiyuan especially loved the eldest son Liu Chengxun among his three sons. After thinking about it, he praised him: "The eldest prince is kind, gentle and smart, and he will definitely achieve great success in the future."
Liu Zhiyuan laughed: "In the future, this son will still need Privy Guo to assist him."
Guo Wei still responded appropriately: "I will respond with all my strength."
Liu Zhiyuan nodded slightly as if satisfied, and quickly continued: "Without further talk, before the others come, there is something I want to hear Privy Guo's opinion on."
Guo Wei asked: "I wonder what your Majesty is asking about?"
The roar of thunder outside had not stopped yet. Liu Zhiyuan asked in a tone that was as intimate as a family conversation: "Privy Secretary Guo is in charge of the food and fodder supply for the camp in Weizhou these days. Should he have heard about the two people there?"
At this time, the commanders of the Han army who were conquering Du Chongwei in Weizhou were Gao Xingzhou and Murong Yanchao. Gao Xingzhou advocated not attacking the city of Weizhou to avoid the consequences, but Murong Yanchao insisted on using troops to attack quickly. Both of them were in the army. They argued so much and refused to give in that Guo Wei was often heard in the Privy Council.
So Guo Wei replied: "I did hear about this in the Privy Council. It is said that the two generals were unable to decide whether to attack the city, so there was some discord in the army."
Liu Zhiyuan: "What does Privy Council Guo think about this matter?"
Guo Wei lowered his head, feeling that it was difficult to answer this question.
Logically speaking, Gao Xingzhou is the recruiting envoy for the camp, and Murong Yanchao is the deputy recruiting envoy. In this situation, the opinion of the coach should be the main one, but this matter cannot be judged according to the rank of the two. Because Murong Yanchao was the half-brother of the official Liu Zhiyuan, and Gao Xingzhou was just a former official who had just returned, it was hard to say who was controlling who.
But from the perspective of the war itself, Weizhou is an important town with a high city and a deep pool. There are Khitan reinforcements in the city. The only difficulty is the lack of food and grass in the city. Guo Wei is naturally more inclined to the idea of surrounding the city in Gaohang.
But now Guo Wei was in front of the emperor asking questions, and such questions could not be answered so simply. No matter how he answered, he showed his position, and Guo Wei could not see Liu Zhiyuan's tendency, so he naturally needed to think carefully before he could answer.
He thought that Murong Yanchao had been promoted to Zhenning Jiedushi when Liu Zhiyuan first came to the Central Plains. He was obviously very close and valued by Liu Zhiyuan. He also thought that Murong Yanchao had recently spread rumors that Gao Xingzhouyou and Du Chongwei were related by marriage. Therefore, Cherish the thief but not attack... Thinking of this, Guo Wei has already made a choice.
"I believe that the Du thieves are treacherous and cunning, and the Khitan civil war in the north has been resolved. If Weizhou is not eliminated for a long time, there will be trouble." Although Guo Wei sided with Murong Yanchao, he did not give up on war considerations and did not forget He reminded Liu Zhiyuan: "It's just that Weizhou is difficult and dangerous, and it will not be easy to capture it with only two generals."
Liu Zhiyuan really laughed and said: "What Privy Guo said is very consistent with my heart."
Guo Wei breathed a sigh of relief and secretly thought that he had been with Liu Zhiyuan for a long time, so he could still guess the official family's thoughts.
At this time, the sound of crackling and falling suddenly came from outside the hall. Apparently, the dark clouds that had been brewing for a long time finally came to the cathartic moment, and it seemed that the rain was not light.
Liu Zhiyuan looked at the palace door and pondered slightly: "After hearing what Privy Guo said, I have made up my mind about Weizhou. There is no need for the others to come. Privy Guo should go back early."
Guo Wei stood up and bowed respectfully: "I take my leave."
After Guo Wei left, the hall suddenly became very empty.
Liu Zhiyuan asked Liu Chengxun, who had been unknown until now, "What does Chengxun think of this Guo Que'er?"
Liu Chengxun: "Privy Guo is very knowledgeable and can be regarded as the minister of my father."
Liu Zhiyuan nodded: "My son, remember, Guo Que'er is very talented. If you can conquer his heart, it can be a sharp sword if you use it well."
But then he suddenly stopped smiling: "But if you don't use him well in the future, you should get rid of him as soon as possible. Don't really think that he is a bird, but treat him as a hawk. If one is not careful, he will be killed." The eagle will peck you."
Liu Chengxun's face tightened, and he quickly said solemnly: "What the father said, I will definitely remember it in my heart."
Liu Zhiyuan seemed to be lost in thought: "Su Fengji alone cannot control him and Yang Bin's Privy Council. Dou Zhen has been with me for a long time, so he should show some mercy..."
