Immediately, Zhao Liangsi and Guo Yaoshi set out from Xiongzhou, passing through Chanzhou and Damingfu, heading south to Bianjing. When arriving at Daming Mansion, Zhao Liangsi ordered people to go to the capital first, to the residence of Prime Minister Wang Fu, and verbally informed Wang Fu. Guo Pharmacist accompanied him to the capital to see the Holy One, and asked Wang Fu to report to the Holy One in advance so that the Holy One could make arrangements.
Wang Fu received the news reported in advance by Zhao Liangsi, so he went to the palace and reported to Emperor Huizong the situation of Pharmacist Guo accompanying Zhao Liangsi to the capital to see the Holy Emperor. Emperor Huizong didn't know what was going on when Zhao Liangsi returned from the Kingdom of Jin, but he was overjoyed when he heard that Medicine Master Guo had returned to the capital together.
Emperor Huizong knew that Guo Yaoshi led the victorious army to surrender, followed Tong in the Northern Expedition, risked his life to sneak into Youzhou, and almost recovered Youzhou. Therefore, Emperor Huizong regarded Guo Yaoshi very highly, thinking that it was the imperial court's recovery of Youyan. The greatest opportunities lie in our homeland. At that time, Emperor Huizong heard that Pharmacist Guo would return to the capital together with Zhao Liangsi. He was overjoyed and asked Wang Fu, "What is the purpose of Secretary Zhao Zhao and Adjutant Guo Xianfeng returning to the capital?"
Wang Fu really didn't know this, because the people sent by Zhao Liangsi didn't tell him the specific situation.
There was a reason why Zhao Liangsi did not tell Wang Fu the specific situation.
Zhao Liangsi was appointed by Huizong Zhao Ji as an envoy to the Kingdom of Jin. His mission was to contact the Kingdom of Jin and ask the Kingdom of Jin to assist the court in recovering Youzhou. Before Zhao Liangsi left for the Kingdom of Jin, Huizong Zhao Ji specifically told him that the Kingdom of Jin would only play a containment role and would not capture Youzhou. Now, the imperial troops have not captured Youzhou, but the Jin troops have captured it. This matter has become extremely complicated. The merits can only be reported to Emperor Huizong in person. If the message is spread among people, there will be many twists and turns. .
Zhao Liangsi wanted to report the matter to Emperor Huizong in person, but he was also afraid that others would not be able to explain the matter clearly and would complicate the matter. Therefore, when he reported the situation to Wang Fu, he only told him that Yaoshi Guo had returned to Beijing with him to meet with the emperor. The situation of Youzhou City being occupied by the Jin Kingdom was not reported.
Now, when Wang Fu heard that Emperor Huizong asked, "What is the purpose of Secretary-General Zhao and Adjutant Guo Xianfeng returning to Beijing?" He was stunned for a moment, and then replied: "Your Majesty. Secretary-General Zhao only said that Deputy Ambassador Guo Xianfeng was with him. We returned to the capital together and had an audience with the Holy One, but did not report any other circumstances. In my opinion, the reason why Secretary Zhao informed the situation of Medicine Master Guo's return to the capital in advance was to let me inform the Holy One so that the Holy One can arrange an interview."
Seeing this, Huizong nodded and said, "Secretary Zhao is very thoughtful. He informed the situation in advance, which is basically what he meant."
Wang Fu bent down and replied: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Huizong Zhao Ji pondered for a moment and said to Wang Fu: "Guo Pharmacist was an important minister of the Liao Kingdom. He served as the commander of the ever-victorious army. He knew the two states of Zhuo and Yi. He was able to assess the situation, abandon the dark and turn to the bright, and offer the city to surrender. His contribution is not insignificant; it should be said that it is not insignificant. The commendation was that Yaoshi Guo accompanied Privy Tong and Liu Xianfeng to attack Youzhou, went through fire and water, personally led the troops, and sneaked into Youzhou without avoiding the sword. He was very brave. If Liu Yanqing had not responded in time, Youzhou City would have been recovered. When Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng comes to Beijing this time, the imperial court must make a statement so that the surrendered ministers can feel the imperial court's attention, so as to win more Liao ministers to surrender."
Wang Fu replied: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Huizong continued: "Two days later, Secretary-Cheng Zhao and Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng arrived in the capital. You can inquire about the situation at any time. When Secretary-Cheng Zhao and Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng arrive in the capital, in order to show that the court attaches great importance to Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng When receiving the commendation, you will personally lead hundreds of civil and military officials to wait outside the north gate; in addition, prepare a temporary residence for Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng in the capital, and arrange the daily life of Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng to show the benevolence and righteousness of the imperial court."
Wang Fu replied: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey the imperial edict." But he was thinking in his heart, is it too much? He, Pharmacist Guo, was just a subordinated general. If the imperial court valued him too seriously and treated him too well, it might cause Pharmacist Guo to have undesirable expectations and become dissatisfied with the ministers and generals of the DPRK. However, in front of Huizong, Wang Fu had always been submissive and obedient. He never dared to go against any of Emperor Huizong's orders. Therefore, Emperor Huizong ordered him to greet Pharmacist Guo outside the north gate. The pharmacist was not worthy, and he himself was unwilling to go to the north gate to greet the pharmacist Guo, but he did not dare to show any reluctance in front of Emperor Huizong.
Emperor Huizong was a very smart man. Of course, Emperor Huizong knew Wang Fu's little thoughts. After Wang Fu answered yes, Huizong said to Wang Fu: "You are my minister. In front of me, no minister is more important than you. It is indeed a bit too much for me to ask you to go to the north gate to greet deputy envoy Guo Xianfeng." I have promoted Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng; however, it is now the time for the imperial court to appoint people, so we still have to do what we should do, so please do not have any unkind grudges."
When Wang Fu heard this, he hurriedly bowed to Emperor Huizong and replied loudly: "I am going to report to you, Your Majesty. How dare I?! The affairs of the court are my affairs, and the wishes of my Majesty are my wishes. It is difficult for me to repay you for being a bull or a horse." How can I dare to abandon my private life for the sake of public service because of the kindness of my Majesty? I am reporting to your Majesty that I will keep an eye on Secretary Cheng Zhao and Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng at all times. When they arrive in Beijing, I will personally lead hundreds of civil and military officials to welcome them outside the north gate. .”
Huizong nodded and said: "Very good! Very good! It's really difficult for the Qing family."
"It's not difficult, it's not difficult, Your Majesty, this is what I should do."
Huizong smiled and nodded, and then said to Wang Fu: "After Secretary Zhao and Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng arrive in Beijing, you will settle down Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng, and then you and Secretary Zhao can enter the palace. You really want to know more about Youzhou." specific circumstances.”
"Yes! Your Majesty."
Wang Fu bent down and replied. Immediately, Wang Fu said goodbye to Emperor Huizong and left the palace.
After leaving the palace, Wang Fu did not go back to his own mansion, but went directly to Cai Jing's mansion.
When Cai Jing heard that Wang Fu had come to pay his respects, he hurriedly welcomed Wang Fu to the hall.
Wang Fu told Cai Jing about his meeting with Emperor Huizong. Wang Fu finally said: "Thank you for your kindness. Guo Yaoshi is a surrendered general. He came to the capital to see the Holy One, but the Holy One ordered me to lead all the civil and military officials to greet him outside the north gate. Is it too much? In this case, Guo Isn’t the pharmacist above all officials and enjoying the same treatment as a saint? Isn’t this a taboo act?”
Cai Jingjian said, his old body trembling, smiling and saying nothing.
Wang Fu said: "Please give me some advice from the old master."
Cai Jingsui said: "The Holy Spirit's move was to influence Yaoshi Guo and make him wholeheartedly contribute to the court. When Song Jiang returned in triumph from the expedition to Fangla, didn't I, you and other officials also wait outside the south gate? ! At the banquet to welcome Song Jiang, didn’t the Holy One also ask me and all the officials to congratulate Song Jiang! This is the Holy One’s strategy to control people. As I expected, the Holy One will treat Medicine Master Guo even more favorably in the next period of time. , bestowing generous salaries on high officials, all for the sake of Youyan’s homeland.”
Wang Fu said: "After all, we have to rely on the imperial court's hundreds of thousands of troops to recapture Youyan. How capable can a reduced general like Yaoshi Guo be?"
Cai Jing smiled and said: "As for ability, it is probably immeasurable. The key depends on where it is used."
Wang Fu heard the words and had some understanding.
Afterwards, Wang Fu chatted with Cai Jing for a while. They just said that it was a bit outrageous that he, a prime minister of the dynasty, would go to greet a surrendered general outside the city gate at a reduced price. Cai Jing advised Wang Fu to be flexible and flexible. He should know that a prime minister is always a prime minister and a general is always a general. They will not change just because of temporary favors. Finally, Cai Jing did not forget to tease Wang Fu: "How can the prime minister support a boat in his belly?"
Before this, because Cai Jing was not enthusiastic about joining the Jin Dynasty to destroy the Liao Dynasty, Emperor Huizong dismissed Cai Jing from his position as prime minister and appointed Wang Fu to replace Cai Jing. This is why Cai Jing made fun of him.
Wang Fu knew it and smiled awkwardly.
After chatting, Wang Fu took his leave and went back to his mansion.
On the third day, Wang Fu sent people to find out where Zhao Liangsi and Guo Yaoshi had gone. At the same time, he summoned all officials and told them that he was going to greet Zhao Liangsi and Guo Yaoshi outside the north gate. After hearing this, all the officials were extremely surprised. The prime minister led hundreds of officials to greet a surrendered general. This was something that had never happened in the court for more than 160 years.
The ministers talked a lot.
Wang Fu said: "This is the decree of the Holy One, and all colleagues must not have any resistance. When Secretary Zhao and Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng arrive in the northern suburbs, I will inform you, and you will go with me to the north gate to welcome Secretary Zhao. and Deputy Envoy Guo Xianfeng."
After making these arrangements, all the ministers left the Prime Minister's Mansion and returned to their respective yamen.
Another day later, Zhao Liangsi and Guo Yaoshi arrived at a place less than thirty miles away from Bianjing. When Wang Fu heard the report, he quickly led his officials to go outside the north gate, waiting for the arrival of Zhao Liangsi and Guo Yaoshi.
Not long after, Zhao Liangsi and Guo Yaoshi, escorted by hundreds of soldiers, arrived outside the north gate.
Wang Fu led hundreds of officials to greet him.
When Zhao Liangsi saw this, he rolled his saddle and dismounted. Pharmacist Guo immediately rolled his saddle and dismounted.
Zhao Liangsi bowed to Wang Fu and all the officials who were coming towards him. Wang Fu said with a smile on his face: "Your Majesty learned that Secretary Zhao was returning to Beijing with envoy Guo Xianfeng, so he sent me and other officials to greet him outside the north gate."
Originally, Pharmacist Guo returned to Beijing with Zhao Liangsi. Now, when Wang Fu met with Zhao Liangsi, he said that Pharmacist Guo returned to Beijing with Pharmacist Guo, which was equivalent to putting Pharmacist Guo in front of Zhao Liangsi, making it appear that Pharmacist Guo was superior to Zhao Liangsi. Good heirs are more important.
Zhao Liangsi is such a smart man. When has the imperial court ever had a prime minister command a hundred officials to welcome a local official? This time the imperial court was so aggressive that it was obviously for Pharmacist Guo, and definitely not for Zhao Liangsi.
Zhao Liangsi hurriedly met with Wang Fu and all the officials again, then stepped aside and introduced: "This is General Guo, the pioneer deputy envoy of the imperial court's Northern Expedition."
Wang Fu clasped his hands in his fists, bowed to Pharmacist Guo, and said, "Nice to meet you! Nice to meet you!"
Seeing this, Pharmacist Guo knelt on the ground, looked at Wang Fu and all the officials, and said with tears in his eyes: "Pharmacist is a surrendered general, how could he be so virtuous and capable as to show his kindness to all the officials to welcome him?" Pharmacist is really a great person! I can’t afford it.”
Wang Fu bent down to support Pharmacist Guo, and said: "The Holy One was very pleased to hear that the general returned to the capital, and sent me and hundreds of officials to greet him. General Guo, please get up quickly and enter the city with me. General Guo's residence has been arranged. Alright, General Guo will rest for the night, and tomorrow the Japanese Prime Minister will accompany General Guo to the palace to have an audience with His Majesty."
For Pharmacist Guo, this was such a great encounter. He was moved to tears and went south to worship, muttering: "Long live, long live, long live my Lord!"
Immediately, Wang Fu and hundreds of officials surrounded Zhao Liangsi and Guo Yaoshi and entered Tokyo City.
