After talking with Liu Bei, Chen Chong was in no hurry to rush to the Eastern Capital. In addition to the previous conversations about major events with Liu Bei, Liu Bei also entrusted Chen Chong with a task before leaving: to tour Bashu on his behalf.
Liu Bei's original intention was to tour the country before his death to appease all parties. Although Qingxu, Hebei, Shanxi, and Guanzhong had already traveled, his health no longer allowed him to continue traveling far away, which forced him to shelve his plan to go to Long and then to Shu, and then hurried to Henan.
But Liu Bei was still thinking about this matter. Longyou has been attached to Longyou for many years. In fact, it won't have much impact if he doesn't leave. However, Bashu has only been attached for two years, so it has to be taken seriously. After all, Liu Fan was still struggling in Jiangzhou. Although Nanzhong Pang Tong used both suppression and appeasement to barely suppress the rebellion, he failed to eradicate the rebels. If the news of his death spreads, Liu Bei is worried that another chaos will occur. Therefore, before they parted, he asked Chen Chong to tour the south on his behalf. After all, in the eyes of the world, the two of them had long been indistinguishable from each other.
Chen Chong knew that this was his last meeting with Liu Bei, and he felt very sad for a moment. But he didn't say much. Unlike young people who faced death fiercely, he had been on the line between life and death too many times and had accepted the fate of death in his heart. So when they were saying goodbye, he said to Liu Bei: "Don't worry." If there is no friend in the road ahead, no one in the world will know you."
In the following days, he first contacted several students in Luoyang and arranged accommodation for his family. Then he entered Baoxie Road with more than a hundred guards and informed the counties in Bashu that he would be the governor on behalf of the emperor. During the cold dew season, Chen Chong arrived in Nanzheng. Han Ji, the prefect of Hanzhong, came to greet him. The two parties exchanged pleasantries. Then Han Ji asked Chen Chong about Liu Bei's condition in a vague way. Chen Chong was shocked and said calmly: "The prince has gone to take care of your majesty. Yes, most of the state affairs in the past two years have been decided by the prince. With him by your majesty’s side, there must be no major events.” Han Ji immediately said yes.
In the following days, Chen Chong secretly observed the public sentiment in Hanzhong incognito. It was found that although Zhang Lu left, the folk rice trade was still prosperous. Although the county officials could collect taxes, they could not mobilize the people at all. On the contrary, people were offering wine and teaching teachings continuously, and from time to time people could be seen building roads in accordance with the law, fasting and praying quietly. Although the number of charity houses set up by Zhang Lu had been reduced, the scale was still considerable. Seeing this scene, Chen Chong sighed to his entourage: "The country's blessings are not deep, and it is still unable to win the hearts of the people in Hanzhong."
Then he led his troops southward and followed the Jinniu Road through Zitong to Mianzhu. It was already late September. When Ma Chao and other generals in the Xifu heard that the Prime Minister was coming from afar, they all came to greet Chen Chong. Chen Chong saw that they were still the same as before, and he was heartbroken. It's also fun. At the same time, he summoned all ethnic groups in Shu that responded the year before last and had a long talk with them about the local customs. He also invited children of all ethnic groups to study at Taixue, and many young people responded. For example, Qiao Zhou in Brazil and Zhang Jun in Chengdu planned to go to Luoyang together when Chen Chong returned to Beijing.
In mid-October, news of Liu Bei's death finally reached Chen Chong's ears. At that time, he was making tea in the backyard of the state capital. The messenger who came to inform him hurriedly informed him, left a letter and newspaper, and went to Ningzhou in the south. All the officials were shocked, but Chen Chong was extremely calm. After all, when he came, he had known that such a day would come.
Chen Chong picked up the book and newspaper and read it carefully, and learned that Liu Bei passed away on the Double Ninth Festival. Now the prince had ascended the throne in Luoyang, and mourned in Chongde Hall. At the same time, he respected Liu Jia as the empress dowager, and ordered that the former emperor Liu Bei be honored as Liezu, and the temple title was Liezu. Xin Chou was buried in October. The burial location has been chosen, just ten miles east of Heyang River Bridge. The place is flat and open, with high terrain. Folks have already dug large pits with rooms in the middle. The coffin and funerary objects were buried in the pit, covered with loess tomb, and trees such as pines and cypresses were transplanted around and on top, making it look like a hill from a distance. He also ordered Wang Can and others to make an epitaph for Zhaowu of the Han Dynasty and erect a monument in front of it.
Liu Bei also left a posthumous edict before his death, naming Chen Chong, Guan Yu, Zhong Yao, Liu Bao, and Xun You as assistant ministers, and Chen Chong was still the head of the hundred officials. Everyone in Xifu heard this and congratulated Chen Chong, but Chen Chong remembered his last conversation with Liu Bei and the scene when Chang'an first met Liu Xie. Time has passed, and I have once again come to the position of the minister who cares about life. But this time, can I escape unscathed? Of course, it was difficult for him to say these words, and no one would understand them.
Soon after, I heard news from the court that the new emperor had ascended the throne and announced a general amnesty for the world. There was also an edict saying: "I am a young man who flatters the holy cause. I am in fear day and night and dare not live in peace. The late emperor was promoted by fate and was virtuous. The King of Emperors, harmonizes all nations, acts as a guide for superiors and inferiors, is gentle to all gods, and benefits widows and widowers. I inherit the great fortune, inherit the body and keep the text, do not know the hardships of farming, and fear of failure. The holy grace and precepts, care for the world, and use the Yuan Dynasty The Yuan Dynasty is the leader. How can the ministers and officials assist me if I don't catch it? He gives the world's male nobility, the second level; the three elders, the filial brothers, and the Litian people are the third level; if the nobility is higher than the public chariot, they can be transferred to the son. There are also countless people who want to take possession of themselves, including widowers, widows, orphans, and Dufangsu, who are worth ten hu. The punishments imposed on them and the disciples of the county were committed before the pardon in April of the fourth year of Zhangwu. Those who are later arrested and tied will be exempted from punishment. Also, some people from the border area are in trouble and become the wives of people from the inner county. Before Ji Mao pardons them, all of them will be sent back to the border area and they can do as they please."
This was an edict to benevolent to the world. After reading it, Chen Chong was very surprised. After all, with Liu Xie's arrogant temperament, he would use such modest words in the document, which he had never thought about. This also made Chen Chong feel a little more relieved. He couldn't help but think that after Gong Lin had handled political affairs for several years, he could learn to win over people's hearts. With his talents, there was probably nothing he couldn't do.
That night, Chen Chong began to pack his luggage and prepare to return to Beijing. Although he originally planned to continue his southern tour to Ningzhou, he also had a few words with Pang Tong about taming the barbarians. But now that I think about it, with his sensitive status, it is not appropriate to stay there for too long. Liu Bei may not care. Judging from Chen Chong's understanding of Liu Xie, I am afraid that the edict to recall him is already on the way.
Sure enough, two days later, an envoy came to see Chen Chong urgently. It was already early winter, but when the messenger dismounted, his head was steaming, his face was flushed, and his boots and clothes were full of mud. It seemed that he had been traveling day and night without rest. Chen Chong hurriedly welcomed him in. Before the envoy could sit still, he drank two sips of water, still breathing heavily, and said to Chen Chong: "Prime Minister, Your Majesty has an edict to return to the capital." Take out the edict.
After Chen Chong took it, he read it for a while and found that there was no real content except polite words, so he asked the envoy: "Your Majesty, can you tell me what it is about?"
There was a troubled expression on the envoy's face, and he was obviously not clear about it. He said to Nuonuo: "Of course I have important matters to discuss with the Prime Minister."
Chen Chong did not embarrass him when he saw this, but asked him: "What is your name? What is your official position?"
The envoy hurriedly replied: "My subordinate is the new secretary Lang Liu Fang. He was born in Fangcheng, Zhuojun County, and is the queen of Xixiang Marquis."
Hearing that he was from Hebei, Chen Chong became interested. He said "Oh" first, and then asked: "Did you come to the court last year?"
Liu Fang did not dare to be negligent and answered cautiously: "Yes, I was lucky enough to be the most talented person in the pseudo-dynasty in the tenth year of Xiayanxing, and served successively as the county magistrate of Jinan and Dong'an. Last year, when I returned to the imperial court, the late emperor gave me an examination, and then He asked me to be the chief registrar of the Sili school, and this year I was promoted to secretary-general by His Majesty."
Chen Chong learned that Liu Fang had also served as Kong Ming's subordinate, so he couldn't help but get closer and asked him about the situation in Hebei. Liu Fang was naturally very moved when he saw that he was so concerned about people's livelihood. However, the situation in Hebei was so bad that words could not describe it. He just said a few words in a hurry, made an appointment with Chen Chong to return to Beijing the following day, and then resigned and rested. .
Chen Chong could not sleep. When he thought about returning to Luoyang, he still had an unreal feeling. Although I have been there a few years ago, Luoyang was barely renovated at that time, and ruins can still be seen everywhere. But now it has returned to the political heart of the country. Going back this time, Chen Chong couldn't help but think of the first time he went to Luoyang when he was young. It was not a beautiful experience, but for Chen Chong now, it is difficult to say whether this journey will be memorable.
After a night's rest, Chen Chong sent a letter to all the officials in Mianzhu, informing him of his upcoming return to the capital. He especially advised Ma Chao's generals to perform their respective duties, and hinted to them: "Today, your majesty is sharper in wisdom and stricter in law than the late emperor. You must Don't take any chances and take Jiangzhou as soon as possible." The generals were suddenly awe-inspiring.
The next day, Chen Chong and Liu Fang Qingqi set out on the road. It was early winter at this time, but the heavy goose-feather snow did not hinder the journey. It seemed as if the sky was overwhelming. The mountains, trees, and rivers were all covered with a layer of snow-white that was as deep as the legs, and even the sounds of all things were muffled. Fortunately, Chen Chong walked quickly and crossed the plank road overnight. On the second day after arriving in Xi County, he heard that a wooden bridge in the middle of the plank road had collapsed due to snow, and everyone was blocked, so he had to turn around and take the Luogu Road instead. .
Chen Chong continued walking eastward and entered Guanzhong. The road was much easier to walk. After all, there were people clearing snow on the official road. And when he was running quickly, he was still thinking about the current situation in his mind. Unknowingly, the mountains and rivers were gradually left behind him. When he came to a dangerous place, he seemed to feel familiar and asked the talent. Come to think of it, this is Dianjizaka!
The past events were vivid in his mind, and memories came flooding back. Chen Chong smiled to Liu Fang and said: "It was from here that I entered Hedong, visited Wang Yi, who was the governor of Hedong at the time, and formed a partnership with him to help quell the Baibo Xiongnu rebellion. "
But when he talked about Hedong, Chen Chong immediately remembered a hermit at the banquet in Hedong. He seemed to be named Jiao Chu. He said that he had lived up to his reputation and was a fish that swallowed boats. He made an appointment to meet again in thirty years. Now, It has been twenty years, should I go see him? Is he still alive? Chen Chong thought for a while and then laughed. Since we have made an appointment for thirty years, let's find out when the time comes!
So Chen Chong crossed Tongguan and Hangu Pass. In mid-November, Chen Chong finally arrived at Luoyang, the capital of Jihan at this time. Speaking of which, since Chen Chong was promoted to prime minister, not only has he never been to Luoyang, but he has also not seen his current emperor Liu Xie for about three years.
