Chen Chong and his party left Luoyang and crossed the Qinling Mountains along the Gushui River. They passed the majestic Hangu Pass and saw the twists and turns of the steep slopes of Mount Xiao. They couldn't help but sigh at the siege of Tianlao. One hundred and fifty years ago, it was here that Feng Yi wiped out the remnants of the Red Eyebrows and laid the foundation for the unification of the Han Dynasty. At this time, future generations are paying tribute, but only the dilapidated mountains and rivers are waiting to be revitalized.
Then he entered Shaanxi County, crossed the Yellow River with Maojin, and arrived in Dayang. In order to shorten the time and take office as soon as possible, Chen Chong abandoned the westbound road that detoured to Puban, and led the convoy directly down Yangcheng, across Wushan Mountain to Anyi. There was a steep slope before Wushan, and it really lived up to its name. The convoy almost ran away on the slope, so Fu Gan and the others had to get out of the car and walk with the convoy.
After Wushan, it was a smooth journey, which meant that Chen Chong and others had left Guanzhong and entered the Shanxi Yuncheng Basin. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, there were only two places where Shanxi was famous, one in Taiyuan and the other in Hedong. As Hedong was the capital, it was less disturbed by thieves and barbarians, and its cultural relics and features were far above Taiyuan.
It's just that along the way Chen Chong walked, the further away from Luoyang, the more desolate he saw. When I arrived in Anyi, things were slightly better, but there were still refugees all over the place. There were countless people in ragged clothes begging along the road. Chen Chong rode Qingkui, walking and looking all the way, and soon arrived at the destination of the trip - the Hedong Prefect's Mansion.
The gatekeeper couldn't help but be puzzled when he saw that Chen Chong and his party were very popular, but there was no gray-haired servant girl beside them. But after all, he knew how to read. When he saw that the name of the previous doctor was offering wine to the new governor of Xihe, he suddenly realized that he had apologized and hurriedly reported it to the palace.
After waiting for a while, a middle-aged Confucian scholar came out to greet him with several officials. This man has a long beard and thick eyebrows, a kind appearance, and majestic eyes. Everyone behind him has a lot of admiration for him. This is Wang Yi, the current governor of Hedong. Wang Yi paid homage to Chen Chong: "While Wang Yi was burying his head in the case, he was feeling depressed. Unexpectedly, Chen Chenjun came from afar. Yi was tired and served the dragon head. If there is anything wrong, I hope Chen Jun will forgive me. ah."
Chen Chong helped him up and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is ten years older than me, but he still treats you politely. I, Chen Chong, are already flattered. How can I be so disrespectful? What's more, Chong came here this time because I have something to ask for, and I want to return the favor." I hope the king will not refuse to blame me."
The two of them exchanged polite greetings, and then took their seats with their entourage. Wang Yi arranged some wine and food. The two of them laughed and chatted about the past and interesting stories about the capital. Wei Yan and others listened quietly.
It turned out that Wang Yi was a disciple of the late Taiwei Liu Kuan. Liu Kuan was a gentle and well-educated poet. As a member of the clan of the Han Dynasty, he was able to serve as Nanyang prefect and minister. In the same day, Liu Kuan was appointed as Taiwei twice. , can be said to be one of the few famous officials in the imperial court who are respected by the world under the supervision of the party.
Because of Liu Kuan, Wang Yi was expropriated as a township by the local government. Later, due to his good management, he was appointed as the chief of Lishi. Lishi is the current seat of Xihe County. Two years ago, he entered the court as an official and served as the chief historian of the Sikong Prefecture. As a disciple of Liu Kuan, Wang Yi also visited Taixue several times to teach and lecture, and he met Chen Chong several times. In March of this year, I just took office as the governor of Hedong County. Counting on my fingers, it has only been half a year.
The topic finally got to the point. Wang Yi put down the wine cup in his hand and asked: "Since Chen Jun has been appointed as the governor of Xihe, he came to visit me specially. He must have taught me something. Although he is not talented, he still has the heart to serve the country." If you can help the state, I will never refuse!"
Chen Chong pondered for a moment, then tapped the bamboo chopsticks in his hand and asked, "Does the king know that the imperial court wants to order the Xiongnu to go to Liang?"
Wang Yi shook his head and then said seriously: "I haven't heard of it yet, but if the court can act like this, it will be a clever strategy. Using barbarians to control barbarians can alleviate Liangzhou's urgent situation, and can also temporarily reduce the power of the Xiongnu. It kills two birds with one stone. It is impossible to say that Baibo is a bandit. The army was also frightened by the power of Wang Shi and dispersed without attacking."
Chen Chong said "Oh" and then asked: "Why is the king so confident in the Xiongnu recruitment? If the Xiongnu resists the order, what should be done if the imperial edict is not given?"
Wang Yi suddenly realized, then he shook his head and said with a smile: "It turns out that Chen Jun came to ask for advice from the city for this purpose, and the city knew about it. Since Chen Jun has served as the governor of Xihe, and now he has no protection for the Xiongnu Zhonglang General, the recruitment matters all depend on your cooperation. It is the proper duty for Zhang, the governor, to be strict with his information. But from what I can see in the city, the Xiongnu should act in accordance with the edict and will not cause other troubles."
The confidence was beyond words, and Chen Chong couldn't help but be a little surprised, so he asked: "I am really worried about the Huns, but I don't know the reason according to the king's words, so I would like to ask the king for advice."
Wang Yi recalled the past with a nostalgic look on his face: "Yi served as the chief of Lishi ten years ago. At that time, the court also had a Zhonglang general to protect the Xiongnu. I accompanied the Zhonglang general Zhang Xiu to meet the current Xiongnu Qiangqu several times. Chanyu. The Chanyu of Qiangqu was originally the right virtuous king of the Xiongnu. Just because the original Huzheng Chanyu was at odds with Zhang Xiu, Master Zhang secretly killed the Chanyu of Huzheng and established the Chanyu of Qiangqu. Master Zhang did this and was punished. The imperial court was imprisoned and died. This was a major case that shocked the government and the public at that time. I think Mr. Chen should remember it."
Chen Chong smiled bitterly and said: "It is true. Changing the king of a subject country is already a national event, let alone establishing another Xiongnu Chanyu? Although the imperial court abolished the position of Zhonglang General who protects the Xiongnu in order to appease the Xiongnu, the gap has been established. After this, the Xiongnu How can you still obey the imperial edict if you change?"
"Otherwise" Wang Yi categorically objected: "Although there is a gap between the Huns, Qiangqu's position as a Chanyu today depends entirely on the imperial court. If he relied on himself, he would never be able to convince the crowd and secure his position as a Chanyu. Therefore, the imperial court ordered, Even if he is dissatisfied, he will definitely comply. I know Qiangqu’s nature well, so I ask Mr. Chen to be at ease.”
Chen Chong sighed: "Your Majesty, how could I not think of this level? What I am worried about is not that the Shanyu disobeys orders, but that the Shanyu is unable to convince the crowd and reproduces the chaos of the past when the pseudo-Chanyu Fenghou!"
The pseudo-Chan Yu Fenghou's rebellion mentioned by Chen Chong was a major chaos during the Yongyuan period. More than 200,000 people from the 15 newly surrendered Xiongnu tribes were dissatisfied with the Shan Yu's treatment. They supported Feng Hou as a Chan Yu and rebelled collectively. Feng Hou and his people fled to the desert. north. After years of fighting, it was not until twenty years later that Fenghou was defeated by Xianbei, and he fled back to Shuofang and surrendered to the imperial court.
Wang Yi was shocked and turned pale, then hesitantly said: "Chen Jun said seriously, the Xiongnu chanyu was killed by the court, and it has not caused such a disaster. Now it is just recruiting people, why is it like this!"
When Chen Chong saw that Wang Yi was still unwilling to agree with his point of view, he secretly sighed that this was all he could say. Privately killing the Xiongnu Chanyu and establishing another one, but killing one person and establishing another, what harm would it do to the Xiongnu people? Coupled with the fact that the Han Dynasty usually accumulated prestige, there would naturally be no major chaos. It's just a matter of mobilizing Xiongnu troops to quell the rebellion in Liangzhou, but it affects every Xiongnu people. How long will it take? How many possessions are used? How many people died? If someone raises his arms and calls out, naturally everyone will respond to his call. Although Wang Yi is a moral gentleman, he still does not know that the people are more valuable than the king.
"That's fine, that's fine." Chen Chong waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I rushed to your residence not only for the imperial court's recruitment of Xiongnu, but also for something else that I want to make more plans with you."
Wang Yi asked curiously: "Is there anything else? Mr. Chen, please tell me."
Chen Chong asked Xu Shu to bring a map of Hedong and Xihe counties. The book was hung in the hall. He pointed to the junction of the two counties and said to Wang Yi: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing, and it is here."
Wang Yi looked closely and saw that where Yanshui merged into the river, there were three characters "Baibo Valley" written in official script next to it. Seeing the word Bai Bo, Wang Yi replied solemnly: "What Chen Jun said is Bai Bo's thief?"
Chen Chong nodded in response, and he told the plan: "I heard that Xing Shijun and Zhang Jishi have repeatedly attacked Baibo Huangjin, but the Xihe River is surrounded by mountains and ravines, and the natural dangers are high. Zhang Jishi has sent troops to merge with the state several times before, but they have not been able to do so. The success came back. Occasionally, after a small victory, the White Wave Yellow Turbans followed the river south to Hedong. Governor Zhang did not dare to cross the border to attack the thieves. The White Wave Yellow Turbans immediately revived. Now, after three years, they have more than 100,000 supporters, spanning the West River and Hedong. , the three counties of Shangjun. Your Majesty, are you willing to join me in the north-south campaign and fight against thieves across the border?"
Wang Yi was hesitant: "Crossing the border to attack thieves violates the court's laws. Mr. Chen, if you and I are asked to do this, won't we be punished by the court?"
When Wei Yan next to him heard this, his anger surged directly into his heart, and he couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, if you want to do good governance for the people, it is your duty to attack thieves and appease the people. I am afraid of this, and I am afraid of that. How can I do that?" What have they done? Wait until the Baibo thieves have another year to break through Lishi and fight all the way to Anyi, then the imperial court will not blame them!"
This was said without any regard for dignity. Several officials from Wang Yi's prefecture looked at him angrily. Chen Chong could only apologize for him: "Your Majesty, I'm sorry. Wen Chang is my student. I haven't taught him how to do it." I apologize for any offence." Wei Yan knew at a glance that Wang Yi was not yet at his prime age, so he would not lower his status to be angry with the younger generation, so he waved his hand to show that it didn't matter.
Chen Chong then continued: "Your Majesty, when I am fully prepared in Xihe, I will know about you again. I hope you can understand Chen Chong's painstaking efforts. Hedong is the great defense in the north of the capital, and Xihe is the barrier in the northeast of the river. If the lips are dead and the teeth are cold, if there is a loss in the west river and Bai Bo crosses the east river and joins forces with the Han Sui Kingdom and others, then Guanxi will not be protected!"
Even so, Chen Chong also knew that Wang Yi would not send troops again, so he retreated and said: "If the king really does not want to send troops, Chong is not willing to force others to make things difficult. But Chen Chong is in Xihe, and he is indeed in many difficulties. I hope Wang Jun can do it. I support you. Once there is trouble in Xihe, the king can make a military expedition and announce widely that he will send troops to Xihe, and Chong will be grateful."
Such a request can be said to be extremely sincere, but the words and deeds are inconsistent, which may have an impact on his reputation in the military. Wang Yi hesitated for a moment, then finally made up his mind, raised his glass and said, "Even if it's what Chen Jun wants, how dare Wang not disobey it?"
Chen Chong's high-spirited heart dropped at this moment, and his tense nerves relaxed. He couldn't help but secretly sigh in his heart: Although this trip is not perfect, but with Hedong as support, he can finally make a difference in the West River matter.
