It was already cold in Jiankang in October. Jiankang ordered Uncle Shen to take an ox cart straight to the forbidden area early in the morning.
Since Yiguan moved south, Emperor Sima Rui of the Yuan Dynasty made Jiankang the capital. This city has become the largest city in the world, with more than 300,000 households, and the only city with a population of more than one million.
Jiankang City was not only the political center of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, but also the economic center of Jiangzuo.
Since the Northern Expedition, Jiankang City has become more and more prosperous in the past two years. The streets are crowded with people, including Han people, barbarians, southern indigenous peoples, and even blond Byzantines. There are many shops on both sides, with constant hawking, and it is a lively scene. .
Shen Shuren was sitting in the bullock cart, thinking a lot. A letter from Xu Zongwen sent home from Luoyang was delivered to him by Mrs. Xu. From those few words, Shen Shuren learned about the ruins of the north, the desolation for thousands of miles, and the rare inhabited people. That and Jiankang What a world of difference!
No wonder these princes, nobles, and gentry spent their days fighting among themselves, chatting, and drinking and partying. Although their slogan was the Northern Expedition to restore the Jin Dynasty, they still took no action.
Whenever someone mentions it, all the princes in power in the imperial court will always stroke their long beards in unison, look up to the sky and sigh: "The time has not come yet." No one knows when the time will be ripe.
In fact, most of these famous officials in the government and the public have a good idea of the scenery in the north. They are not willing to take the risk of going to the muddy waters in the north. They are only willing to stay on the left side of the river alone and enjoy peace and wealth.
But that has finally become a thing of the past. Today, the Jin Dynasty has completely recovered the two capitals and regained the Central Plains. Today, only the southwestern corner of the Jin Dynasty, the land of Liangzhou and Hebei and Liaodong are left. The Jin army has recovered successively since the Battle of Feishui and the Northern Expedition. The country covers nearly two thousand miles!
"Master Shen, please!" Hua Fuzi of Zhonghuangmen was waiting outside the Taiji Hall early in the morning, leading Uncle Shen into the palace to pay homage to Queen Mother Chen.
"You are a noble man!" Looking at the steps below the stage, Shen Shuren was filled with emotion. He walked through the glorious Tai Chi Hall and followed Hua Fuzi into the forbidden harem.
Although the Wuxing Shen clan was also an indigenous noble clan in the Wu region, they were involved in the Wang Dun Rebellion and the Su Jun Rebellion and were suppressed by both the noble clan and the royal family. Their strength was no longer what it used to be, and they were reduced to second-class noble clans several times.
Now, relying on his relationship with Xu Zongwen, Shen Shuren has become the Jiankang Order of Kyoto, and has the power to directly remonstrate with the emperor!
I really agree with the saying that there are people in the court who are good at becoming officials!
"My lord, Jiankang ordered Shen Shuren to pay homage to the Queen Mother!" Unknowingly, Shen Shuren traveled several times to the Qingshu Palace where the Chen family lived.
"Without courtesy, I will give you a seat."
Queen Mother Chen's voice is mesmerizing, magnetic, and steady, giving people a sense of peace and solidity.
Ms. Chen sat firmly within the emerald green curtain, and her voice soon came out: "Shen Shuren, I heard that you have something urgent to ask me to see you. I wonder what kind of event could make you enter the palace in such a hurry. Could it be the war in the north - —”
After Uncle Shen took his seat, he heard the worry in Chen's words and hurriedly replied: "It is indeed related to the Northern Expedition. The military report of the Northern Expedition has just been sent to Jiankang. I received the good news while inspecting Zhuqueheng, so I came here specially." Dedicated to the Queen Mother.”
With that said, Shen Shuren took out the good news from his large sleeve robe and handed it to Hua Fuzi, presenting it to Chen for personal inspection.
As the rustling sound of friction came out, Hua Fuzi carefully opened a corner of the green curtain. Chen's green catkins tightly grasped the edge of the skirt beside her. She thought that the Xiaoqi Army was defeated and suffered serious losses...
When she heard that it was a good news, Chen finally let go of her nervousness. She let go and took the military newspaper with the good news written on it, and opened it on the spot to read it carefully.
"In September, the Xiaoqi Army and Tian Luo and Zheng Lue's troops broke through Tongguan, and Zhuge Kan's troops conquered Wuguan... On the fourth day of October, Chang'an was recaptured!" Chen's trembling hands failed to catch the news, and she held it excitedly. Double fist.
Since the fall of the two capitals and the southern crossing of Yongjia, only the Grand Sima Huanwen of the Jin Dynasty briefly recovered the old capital of Luoyang. Now that the two capitals have been recovered, the Central Plains have been restored, and the revival of the Jin Dynasty is imminent, the Chen family is a woman, and it happens to be a rare opportunity in this century. How could she not be extremely excited about this grand event?
"Immediately spread the news of the victory of the heroic cavalry army to the people of the world, so that the soldiers and people of the world can enjoy the joy of victory together!"
"Immediately summon Wang Lingjun, Huan Zhongshu and other ministers to the Taiji Hall."
"According to my orders, Xu Xiao, the general of the Northern Army, will be promoted to the rank of Grand Sima, and five hundred additional households will be enfeoffed. The remaining generals of the Xiaoqi army will report their military exploits, and each will be promoted and rewarded..."
"promise!"
Previously, as a condition for joining forces, Xu Zongwen had publicly stated that the emperor was young and ignorant and supported the Chen family in listening to politics behind the curtain.
Although Chen did not do this, she still personally reviewed the government affairs of the three provinces. Even in the Qingshu Palace, the civil and military officials no longer dared to look down upon her, the mother of the current emperor.
And relying on the great achievements of the Northern Expedition, the timing of naming Xu Zongwen, a hero of the Northern Expedition, was just right for her to use the opportunity to strengthen her momentum and make her first appearance in front of the world!
It has to be said that Mrs. Chen does have some strategy, but it is a pity that the emperor she gave birth to did not inherit any of this. Even now, at the age of nearly four years, she can't even call her "aunt"...
Da Sima!
Uncle Shen was shocked. The post of Chief Sima was given to Xu Zongwen. Now Xu Zongwen truly became the number one person in the Jin court. With the appointment of one of the eight princes, even Wang Xun, the minister, had to meet Xu Zongwen. I can only call myself a lower official!
You must know that Xu Zongwen is only twenty-one years old now!
The 21-year-old Da Sima also serves as the governor of several local states. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, only princes and clans have received this treatment!
When the Xiaoqi Army regains Liangzhou, Hebei, and Liaodong in the future, won't they be granted the title of Prime Minister?
Uncle Shen was worried about the future of Xu Zongwen, his brother-in-law. He ascended to a high position at a young age, and even if he is as good as the forest wind, he will be destroyed!
Compared with Shen Shuren's sad face, the people of Jiankang City who gathered outside Da Sima Gate learned the news that the Xiaoqi Army had conquered Guanzhong and recovered Chang'an. They rushed to tell each other and celebrated with each other!
How many years has it been since there was no news of such a big victory?
Today, who dares to say that the sons of the Han family are not as good as Hu'er!
At this moment, the pride and superiority in the hearts of the Han people are once again rekindled!
Xu Zongwen's name once again spread throughout Jiankang City with the victory of Chang'an...
Above the ancient loess road, the iron-gray sky completely enveloped the gray earth. On the top of the high mountain on the south bank of Zhangshui River, Xu Zongwen, Zhu Chen, Xi Hui, and Xu Wen were looking eastward intently.
From a distance, you can see the water of the river splitting through the mountains, surging from the depths of the dark clouds, flowing southward in a lush cascade, and impacting the Hebei plain from west to east.
The rolling and surging river water, with the richness of the Yellow River and the greenness of the Taihang Mountains, passed through the city like a shining and transparent ribbon under the gradually darkening sky, which was very magnificent.
"General, that is Yecheng." Zhu Chen pointed to the other side of the river.
Yecheng is located in the heart of the Central Plains, with Taihang Mountains to the west and Qilu Land to the east. It is known as the backbone of the world and the silent throat of the Central Plains.
It was a crisp autumn day, and from a distance, one could vaguely see the dazzling red flags and gray castle on the hilltop on the east bank of the river.
Xu Zongwen knew that it was Yecheng, the local base where the Yan army relied.
Yecheng is surrounded by the Zhang River here. The river is narrow, the water is deep and fast, and a large stone bridge on the river leads directly from the north to the south.
Cao Wei expanded the old city on the basis of the old city. It is seven miles from east to west and five miles from north to south. It is adjacent to Zhangshui in the north. There are Bingjing Terrace, Tongque Terrace and Jinhu Terrace in the northwest corner of the city from north to south. The stone bridge is the only transportation between the north and south cities. .
In terms of location, Yecheng is a hundred miles north of Handan, right at the intersection of Jin, Yan, and Zhai Liao, and naturally becomes the barrier and foundation for the southern part of Yan.
"Yecheng is a sharp sword hanging over the head of the Jin Dynasty." Xi Hui said.
"Capture Yecheng and put this sharp sword on the neck of Yan State." Xu Zongwen vowed, and everyone was inspired by his heroic words, and everyone stared at Yecheng at the foot of the mountain.
"Is Zhai Liao here?"
"He received a personal letter from the general and led five thousand people from the Ding Ling tribe to come overnight and is on the way."
"Very good. He who knows the current affairs is a hero."
