Zhao Shan rushed back all the way, paying attention to the local situation along the way and inspecting the place.
He likes private visits incognito.
If the investigation is arranged by the imperial court, the streets may be cleaned in advance, and the people may be arranged in advance. What you see are the people, but not the people you really want to see.
That's why Zhao Shancai needed to pay a private visit incognito. Now on his way back, he had this opportunity to look around and understand the real life of the people.
It's now November.
The weather is getting colder and colder, and it has snowed on many mountains. Fortunately, it has not snowed yet in Luoyang area, but it is relatively cold.
Zhao Shan visited the people in many places. The people he met were well-dressed. Although they were not splendid clothes, they could at least keep them warm and at least they would not be hungry at home.
The people have come out of the war and now have enough to eat.
To be able to eat well, at least to ensure that there is meat to eat every day, cannot be achieved in a day or two, and more time is needed.
Developing people's livelihood is not easy.
Because there are too many people.
If you want countless people to live a good life, it takes enough time and endless energy.
To go even further, it cannot be solved in the simple agricultural era. It must at least develop into the industrial era, with more production resources and higher efficiency, in order to achieve meat every meal.
This is the limitation of the times.
Zhao Shan can only try his best to achieve it step by step.
After Zhao Shan visited around, he was still very satisfied, because Zhuge Shang's current governance was generally good, and the people had food to eat and clothing to wear.
One thing that is not good enough at this stage is that it is too dependent on land.
This is going to change.
Zhao Shan walked and inspected all the way back to Luoyang.
After returning from this trip, the world has completely changed again, and the court's cohesion and influence have become stronger. When Zhao Shan returned to the court, he was greeted by countless people along the way, all cheering for Zhao Shan's return.
After the group returned to the court, Wei Fengqing, Zhou Huhou and others went to arrange their troops. Zhao Shan took Jiang Yuhuang, Ye Qingxuan and Kong Lingyue back to the palace.
Cao Mengchan had his own arrangements in the palace, and Zhao Shan didn't care about it.
There is Cao Mengchan in the harem, and Zhao Shan is at ease.
Zhao Shan directly summoned Zhuge Shang and Zhang Xun to learn about the affairs of the court and inquire about the main situations that occurred during this period. After listening to Zhuge Shang's report, he especially mentioned the envoys from Japan. Zhao Shan asked, "Does the court have any further understanding of the situation of Japan?"
"Not yet!"
Zhuge Shang said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the information Yan Xuanqing has found out so far is limited. After discussing with Zhang Shangshu, I believe that we can only consider the next step after the envoys from Japan arrive."
Zhao Shan asked: "How long is expected?"
Zhuge Shang replied: "Now the weather has turned cold, and it has snowed in some places, and many waterways have been stranded. The latest news is that the Japanese envoy has arrived in Jingzhou, and it is estimated that it will take about half a month."
Zhao Shan nodded and said, "How is things going in Yizhou?"
Zhang Xun took the words and took the initiative to express his position: "Reporting to your Majesty, I have arranged for people to spread the news in Yizhou, and some people have also taken action. If there is news, there should be a response soon. At the latest, we can see Yizhou by the beginning of next year. State situation.”
After Zhao Shan learned a lot more about the situation, he asked Zhuge Shang and Zhang Xun to retreat and return to the palace.
When Zhao Shanchu returned to the palace, his life was very busy.
While Zhao Shan was busy cultivating land and handing over public grain, he was far away in Shu County, Yizhou.
Chengdu County.
This is the administrative seat of Yizhou.
The current governor of Yizhou is named Deng Zhong, who was the former prefect of Shu County. Because he is the strongest, and Deng Zhong has a relationship with the Nanman in Yizhou, he even married the Nanman King's sister as his wife, and he has the support of the Nanman behind him.
It was precisely because of this that Deng Zhong was able to overthrow the former governor of Yizhou from the post of governor of Shu County and further control the entire Yizhou.
Deng Zhong has been in Yizhou for more than ten years.
Having been a Tu emperor for more than ten years, he has enjoyed an endlessly luxurious life.
Deng Zhong is now nearly fifty years old. He still has white hair and has gained weight. He is not as graceful as he was when he was young.
In the governor's house.
Deng Zhong looked at the latest battle report in his hand, his face extremely solemn.
He looked at Du Mi, the chief minister sitting next to him, and said: "Chang Shi Du, now the four states of Qing, Xu, Yan, and Henan have been captured, and the power of the imperial court has been unprecedentedly powerful. It can be said that , there is no one who can resist the emperor. What should we do?"
Du Mi also frowned deeply.
Once upon a time, Daqian was torn into pieces, with bandits taking over the place, vassals and generals dividing their empires.
There are also vassal kings in Yizhou.
However, Deng Zhong eliminated the vassal king in Yizhou and took control of the power himself. Even if Deng Zhong never betrayed Daqian or became self-reliant from beginning to end, the fact of separatism was still there.
Just so, Du Mi was also worried.
Du Mi thought carefully and decided to persuade Deng Zhong to surrender because the situation had changed. However, Du Mi didn't know what Deng Zhong was really thinking. What if he touched the edge of the knife?
Du Mi tentatively said: "Sir, we occupy the chokepoint and have the natural dangers of Yizhou. Even if a large army comes to kill us, we can still resist it. How about we resist for a while longer?"
Deng Zhong sighed.
Du Mi took advantage of the situation and asked, "What do you mean, sir?"
Deng Zhong explained: "Being a local emperor is naturally the best. Who wouldn't want to? The problem is that those who resisted Zhao Shan were killed one after another. Zhao Rui, Zhao Gou, and now Liu Fuquan, Zhao Yue and others were killed one after another. Killed. If we fight to the end, we will definitely die after being defeated by Zhao Shan."
Du Mi further probed: "My lord, you want to seize the opportunity and test Zhao Shan's attitude first. Can you submit to the imperial court?"
Deng Zhong's expression changed again.
He didn't want to surrender.
But there is no way.
Deng Zhong let out a long sigh and said, "That's what I mean. If Zhao Shan offers sufficiently favorable conditions, I am willing to give up Yizhou and lead Yizhou to submit to the imperial court."
Du Mi felt relieved in his heart and said proactively: "Sir, once you surrender, I'm afraid you will have to move to Luoyang and live there, and you will lose your freedom."
Deng Zhong said: "At least you still have freedom and life. If you lose your life, you won't be able to enjoy anything."
Du Mi took the initiative and said: "Your Excellency, I am willing to go to Luoyang in person to serve as your envoy."
Deng Zhong nodded and said: "Du Changshi, go back quickly. I'm waiting for your news."
Du Mi assured: "Please rest assured, sir, no matter what, I will definitely return to Yizhou and advance and retreat with you."
After saying that, he bowed and left, hurriedly left Chengdu and headed north to Guanzhong.
