Zhao Shan smiled slightly and said: "Of course I have heard of Duan Jiao's name. Although I am in Luoyang, I have arranged for people from Dongchang to keep an eye on the situation in Qingzhou."
"I know that the bandits in Qingzhou can be stabilized and don't wreak havoc on the people. It's all thanks to you, Duan Jiao."
"There is Huo Dan in Yanzhou and Duan Jiao in Qingzhou. Huo and Duan carry up humanity, so that the local people will not be as humble as dogs and human lives are like grass."
"So, I remember you."
"Remember those of you who still have a conscience."
"You are capable, ambitious and conscientious, but the previous court failed to select talents and make you stand out. It is not your fault, it is the fault of the court and the fault of the emperor."
Zhao Shan expressed his sincere attitude: "So wherever I go, I will pay attention. I hope that more talents will emerge, and I hope to find more people like you."
Duan Jiao's heart trembled when he heard Zhao Shan's words.
For a moment, my heart was moved.
If Zhao Shan was not the Holy Master, the person who turned the tide, and was not the person who purged the atmosphere of the great cadres and reshaped the moral code, Duan Jiao would not believe these things and would only think that Zhao Shan was a liar.
But after Zhao Shan ascended the throne, he loved the virtuous and distanced himself from the villain, suppressed the aristocratic families, appeased the people, and expanded the territory. This was what Zhao Shan had been practicing.
Ji Nanfeng, a hermit from Jingzhou, became an official.
Yangzhou hermit Yan Xuanqing became an official.
These great Confucians in each place have become officials from their original seclusion, and they have begun to display their talents.
Therefore, Duan Jiao believed in Zhao Shan and felt that Daqian was really different.
And because Zhao Shan valued him and praised him unstintingly, Duan Jiao was moved that a scholar would die for his confidant. He followed Kong Shentong because Kong Shentong gave him a chance and was kind to him.
Just to repay the favor, nothing else.
However, Zhao Shan understood him.
This is the essential difference.
Duan Jiao was so moved that he burst into tears. He knelt on the ground with a plop, knelt on the ground with his head, and said excitedly: "Your Majesty, why didn't you show up earlier? The world has been waiting for Your Majesty for too long, and all the people in Qingzhou have been waiting for Your Majesty for too long. Thousands of people have been waiting for you for too long."
Zhao Shan looked at Duan Jiao's excited expression and felt solemn in his heart.
This is the older generation of scholars.
This is a scholar who has perseverance.
Even if you are in adversity, even if you are among thieves, you have not given up your conscience and perseverance. Unlike some scholars in Jingzhou and Yangzhou who only know how to obey and talk, they never practice what they say.
Zhao Shan stood up and came to Duan Jiao, bent down to lift Duan Jiao up, and said with a smile: "Mr. Duan, it's not too late now, it's just right."
Duan Jiao was moved and said: "Your Majesty is finally here."
Zhao Shan patted Duan Jiao's hand and asked Duan Jiao to sit down. Then he returned to the seat and said, "Mr. Duan is here on behalf of Kong Shentong. What can I do?"
Duan Jiao said without hesitation: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Kong Shentong arranged for me to come to see Your Majesty and express his willingness to submit. However, Kong Shentong has conditions."
Zhao Shan asked: "What are the conditions?"
Duan Jiao replied: "Kong Shentong said that he does not want a dukedom, let alone an imperial title. He does not care about power, but he is worried about Kong Lingyue's marriage."
"If His Majesty accepts Kong Lingyue as your concubine, Kong Shentong will surrender. In addition, after Liu Fuquan escaped from Yanzhou, he went to Qingzhou, hoping to use Kong Shentong's power to make a comeback, but Kong Shentong captured him."
Zhao Shan's eyes suddenly brightened.
Married Kong Lingyue?
He had no objection. After all, Kong Lingyue gave him a very good impression. She was good at fighting and had a brain. She was a very good woman.
Kong Lingyue could also serve as an official in the court.
There are women like Jiang Yuhuang, Wei Fengqing, Ye Qingxuan, and Kong Lingyue who are not weaker than men. If these people can enter the court and serve as officials, it will be beneficial to break the current situation.
There cannot be only one faction in the court.
This is absolutely dangerous.
It is said that there are no factions in the government, and there are all kinds of strange things. If there are no factions, then it is just a monster. That is also impossible and does not conform to the rules of human nature.
If there are people in the DPRK, they will inevitably gather together to seize power and move forward for their own interests and goals.
When Zhao Shan introduces women, there is one more faction.
Zhao Shan nodded and said: "I can marry Kong Lingyue, but I will also give Kong Shentong the imperial title."
Duan Jiao cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, your Majesty! After you married Kong Lingyue, your Majesty will have an additional helper with Kong Lingyue's ability. Especially Kong Shentong's powerful martial arts, he can be said to be an enemy of ten thousand people, and he is a peerless tiger general on the battlefield. ."
"Zhao Yue has been trying to win over Kong Shentong for a long time, hoping that the two parties will marry each other to promote the relationship with Kong Shentong."
"It's just that Kong Shentong refused, and Kong Lingyue looked down on Zhao Yue's son."
Duan Jiao said seriously: "Your Majesty, by marrying Kong Lingyue, you will kill two birds with one stone."
Zhao Shan also nodded slightly.
The news from Dongchang also said that Kong Shen was invincible and a general on the battlefield. People who once served in the imperial court once attacked Kong Shentong, but were killed by Kong Shentong on the spot, causing the army to collapse.
Zhao Shan is naturally willing to accept such a person.
Zhao Shan changed the subject and asked: "Mr. Duan, how is the situation in Qingzhou now?"
Duan Jiao's face became serious and he said solemnly: "Reporting to your majesty, Qingzhou is still not good enough and the local people are in trouble. Even if the thieves under Kong Shentong's command are restrained, the actual binding force is limited."
"Besides Kong Shentong's sphere of influence, many thieves and bandits are also entrenched in the county and collecting various taxes. Although there is no large-scale war and there are not countless people involved in the war, there are frictions from time to time."
"People's lives are very difficult."
"In addition, the big local families are also exploiting the people. It can only be said that the people at the bottom are suffering."
Duan Jiao said in a deep voice: "The current Qingzhou people's livelihood can be said to be in decline. Of course, due to the continuous chaos, many people died in the past few years, resulting in a vast area with sparsely populated areas and a small population, but a lot of land was deserted. "
Zhao Shan said in a deep voice: "So, governing Yanzhou is not easy!"
Duan Jiao said: "It is very difficult, but now that your Majesty is here, there will be blue sky in Qingzhou, and the people will have hope."
Zhao Shan couldn't help laughing.
Duan Jiao is really good at talking. No wonder this person can gain a foothold next to Kong Shentong in Qingzhou. He not only has the ability to govern the place, but also adapts to changes.
Zhao Shan changed the topic and asked: "Mr. Duan, I need a governor of Qingzhou. Are you sure that he can clear up the chaos in Qingzhou? Do you dare to take on this important task?"
"able!"
Duan Jiao answered without hesitation.
He was also excited in his heart, because with his background and appearance, it was simply impossible for him to serve as the governor of a state.
Now, Zhao Shan has given him a chance.
Duan Jiao promised: "Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will definitely eradicate the cancer in Qingzhou. Whether it is the domineering aristocratic families, corrupt officials and local bandits, no one can escape, and they will all be solved. "
Zhao Shan nodded and said, "I'll wait and see."
Duan Jiao began to look forward to it, and took the initiative to say: "Since your Majesty has agreed to the marriage, I will return to Linzi, Qingzhou immediately, and arrange the follow-up matters immediately."
Zhao Shan waved his hand and said: "Don't worry, I once told Ling Yue to tell Kong Shentong that she was planning to plot against Zhao Yue. Did you give her an answer?"
Duan Jiao shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, Kong Shentong said that he will wait for His Majesty's reply before considering the next step. He is also willing to cooperate with Zhao Yue's plot."
Zhao Shan nodded and said: "That's okay. Next, I will attack Xuzhou and contain Zhao Yue's troops. You inform Kong Shentong and ask him to go south from Qingzhou and enter Xuzhou."
Duan Jiao replied: "I will bear in mind your Majesty's instructions."
He took the initiative again and said: "Your Majesty, I will set off back to Qingzhou immediately."
Zhao Shan said: "No matter how anxious you are, there is no need to rush now. Now that you are here, take a breather, especially at noon, it is time to have lunch. It is not too late to feed your stomach first before setting off to go back."
After saying that, Zhao Shan ordered people to serve wine, meat and delicacies.
Zhao Shan invited Duan Jiao to have a meal with him, and Duan Jiao was even moved to tears.
Duan Jiao, who is nearly fifty years old, has seen the prosperous times of Daqian. When he was a child, Daqian had not completely collapsed. Even if there were problems with the frontier, at least Daqian still maintained its semblance of prosperity.
As Duan Jiao grew up, the world changed suddenly, and things got worse year by year. Even if he succeeded in his studies, he had no chance to become an official.
Now, I met the Holy Lord Emperor.
He even dined with the emperor.
This is a supreme honor, and it is an honor that lasts a lifetime.
Duan Jiao was so moved that he burst into tears. He finished his meal while being moved, and then he personally saw Duan Jiao off.
Gao Yuan also followed Zhao Shan. He followed Zhao Shan back to the palace and said, "Your Majesty showed some tricks, and Duan Jiao followed him wholeheartedly. Your Majesty is really powerful, and I admire him."
Zhao Shan's eyes were deep and he said slowly: "To deal with certain people, you need to use methods."
"But when you meet people like Duan Jiao, Yan Xuanqing, and Ji Nanfeng, you can't use any tricks. You just need to be more sincere."
"Give them enough courtesy and that's enough. All they need is respect."
"Using means against them is an insult to them, and I don't despise it."
Zhao Shan said in a deep voice: "Gao Yuan, Duan Jiao will also clear up the chaos in Qingzhou. You are also by Duan Jiao's side, arranging people from Dongchang to protect him secretly to ensure Duan Jiao's safety in the future."
"The arrangement in this aspect is exactly the same as that of Huo Dan."
Gao Yuan replied: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will make arrangements soon. Speaking of which, during this period, there were indeed many people with ill intentions around Huo Dan. Many people secretly wanted to assassinate Huo Dan, but they were all killed by people from Dongchang. Stopped."
Zhao Shan asked: "Have you caught the person behind it?"
Gao Yuan replied: "We have not closed the net for the time being, but we are just getting more information bit by bit. Because Huo Dan targeted the big family and also dealt with a large number of thieves in Yanzhou, which led to these people secretly gathering together to resist Huo Dan. "
Zhao Shan nodded and said: "Let Huo Dan handle the matters on the surface by himself. If there is a secret assassination or underhanded tactics, just deal with it."
Gao Yuan nodded and said, "I understand."
After the matter was reported, Gao Yuan left and arranged the follow-up matters on his own.
About two-quarters of an hour later, Gao Yuan came back in a hurry. He saw Zhao Shan, saluted and reported: "Your Majesty, I have just received news from General Li Buyi. General Li said that Empress Wei's troops were blocked, but after he led people to rush for reinforcements, he defeated the enemy."
"But in Yuzhou, there was a sudden heavy rain. It is still raining heavily, so much so that it stopped in Yingchuan. Fortunately, Yanling County, which captured Yingchuan County, temporarily gained a foothold, but it was unable to advance."
Boom! !
At this moment, thunder also sounded in the sky.
Thunder is rolling and dark clouds are gathering.
Zhao Shan stood up and walked out of the hall, looked at the gathering dark clouds, and said loudly: "Gao Yuan, Li Buyi has been informed to make the final decision regarding the war in Yuzhou. I will not interfere, I only care about the final result."
"You prepare two carriages, raincoats, bamboo hats, etc., and I will chase Duan Jiao immediately and deliver them to him. A heavy rainstorm is coming, and he has not prepared anything. I am afraid he will be soaked in water. This is my future governor of Qingzhou, and we can't have it. accident."
Gao Yuan said: "Your Majesty, I will make arrangements for you. You don't need to leave the city. There is a heavy rain and thunder and lightning. It is too dangerous outside."
Zhao Shan scolded: "Go and make arrangements."
"Slave takes orders!"
Gao Yuan couldn't persuade him, so he bowed and hurried to make arrangements.
In a short time, Gao Yuan was ready. Zhao Shan got into a carriage with his coir raincoat and bamboo hat, and asked someone to drive another carriage. The two carriages drove at the same time, heading east to find the man who had been away for a long time. Duan Jiao.
