That night, Zhang Xiu summoned Meng Huo and his family in the palace.
Today's Yizhou is the grain warehouse of Jingguo. Every year, a steady stream of grain is transported from Yizhou and sent to all parts of the country to support this year's all-out war. The people of Yizhou are indispensable. Bu Zhi is the governor of Yizhou. He has worked hard in Yizhou in the past few years. In order to fight against the gentry in Yizhou and implement national policies, he truly dedicated himself to death.
With Lu Xun guarding Yizhou, Zhang Xiu was relieved. However, Nanzhong was a place with high mountains and dense forests, making it difficult to control. People in this place would be incited to rebel if they were not careful. Meng Huo in history started to rebel because he listened to the instigation of others. Therefore, Zhang Xiu felt that building roads was necessary.
He upholds a saying: If you want to be rich, build roads first.
In the era of the late Han Dynasty, building roads was not only for the sake of prosperity, but also for convenient control of places, so that they would not be able to resist rebellion by relying on the high mountains, dense forests, and dangerous terrain.
He originally thought that Meng Huo was a rough and tumble man, but it was only when he saw Zhang Xiu that he realized that he had been wrong.
Meng Huo's height was close to that of later generations, around 189, with a strong physique but not exaggeratedly burly, and a rather handsome face. However, the beard and detailed appearance on his face reminded others that he was from a foreign race.
Today's Meng Huo is still young, almost 27 or 28 years old.
Meng Huo's strength can be considered a first-rate existence among generals, but not too high. At least it is at the middle or end level of the first-rate. Otherwise, he would not be able to dominate Nanzhong. The reason why he was able to be captured and manipulated seven times by Zhuge Liang is not Because his strength is not enough, but the mystery of the art of war, he can be said to be completely illiterate. If there had been a counselor assisting Meng Huo back then, Zhuge Liang would not have taken him down so easily.
But in the hands of this embroidery, it can be transformed and transformed by him.
Look at Mrs. Zhu Rong again.
Mrs. Zhu Rong in the records of later generations can be regarded as one of the beauties with some reputation. She is also a woman who has actually been on the battlefield in historical records. She is good at using flying knives and has 100% accuracy. Zhang Xiu looked carefully and saw that Mrs. Zhu Rong had a slender figure, wheat-colored skin, a really handsome face, big and shining eyes, and a different kind of charm.
Zhang Xiu nodded: "She is indeed a famous beauty!"
"The last general, Nanzhong Meng Huo, and his wife, Mrs. Zhu Rong, are here to greet the emperor!" Meng Huo saw the figure sitting high on the dragon chair from a distance, but he couldn't see it personally. He knew who it was, so he took Mrs. Zhu Rong and knelt down to worship him.
Meng Huo is the link between Nanzhong's stable development, so Zhang Xiu naturally wants to treat him with courtesy. Not only must he be treated with courtesy, but he must also be properly reformed. Zhang Xiu stood up with a loud smile and walked slowly: "I I heard that Meng Huo is the overlord of Nanzhong. He is not only brave but also talented and moral. When I saw it today, I feel that this statement is true. Come on, come on! Please get up quickly!" With that, he helped Meng Huo and he up with his own hands. Mrs. Zhu Rong.
Continue to ask: "How is it? After arriving in Chang'an, did you go around and take a look?"
Meng Huo grinned and said: "The prosperity of Chang'an is really unimaginable for us. After we arrived, we couldn't wait to take a look around with my wife. Not only was the city prosperous, but the environment was also very good. It was really lovely. "
Zhang Xiu laughed heartily, "As long as you like it, I will give you a mansion tomorrow, so you can live there as long as you want. Come!" Zhang Xiu pointed to the table and stools that had been prepared beside him, "Enter the play. , let me test your drinking capacity."
Meng Huo said humbly: "Who doesn't know the emperor's vast power, how dare the general do so!"
"Hey!" Zhang Xiu said, "I've also heard that you have a good drinking capacity, so there's no need to be modest. I have a rule for hosting banquets in the palace. You don't have to follow many tortuous rules. Be more casual. Above the banquet, I No blame.”
Meng Huo also only heard that Emperor Dajing was excellent in martial arts and kind to others. When he saw Zhang Xiu in person, Meng Huo felt that it was more than that. There is something attractive about Zhang Xiu's conversation and actions, as if a focused light is always shining on him, making people feel close to him or wanting to get closer.
Meng Huo liked this atmosphere and feeling very much, and put aside his grudges and said: "Since the emperor said so, then the general can be unrestrained. Compared with his drinking capacity, the general Nan Zhong is a rare opponent."
"Okay!" Zhang Xiu applauded and said to Su Jin next to him: "Su Jin, go and bring out the 'Jianlong' wine that the queen personally brewed for me. I want to have a good drink with General Meng."
This Jianlong wine was the fine wine used when conquering Pound.
If this wine is sold, it will definitely fetch a good price. But Zhang Xiu had no intention of selling it. After all, his wife brewed it for him personally, and he couldn't bear to part with it. Of course, who would have a grudge against money?
Zhang Xiu used his later patents to brew a special wine for sale. It is still in the brewing stage and will be sold when everything is ready.
When Meng Huo heard that the empress brewed it herself, he was a little surprised and a little moved.
After entering the table, Zhang Xiu drank wine.
Under his introduction, Meng Huo and his wife Zhu Rong toasted to the officials of the imperial court one by one, especially the first- and second-grade officials, who toasted more enthusiastically. This is an officialdom as well as a wine shop, so you have to be more cautious.
When they paid homage to Zhuge Liang, the two chatted enthusiastically for a while.
After a round of wine toasts, Meng Huo's cheeks burned red and he spoke frankly about the wonderfulness of the wine.
Zhang Xiu asked: "General Meng, the southern and central areas are mostly populated by foreigners and have high mountains and dense forests. How do you think they should be managed?"
Meng Huo said: "Your Majesty is aware that the mountains in the south are high and densely forested, and there is a lack of land for planting. The people live in poverty and rely on the mountains and water to feed themselves. I will eventually hear that the Emperor has a way of seeking common ground while reserving differences with foreigners. I beg the Emperor to treat us in the same way." ." While saying this, Meng Huo took Mrs. Zhu Rong and knelt down.
Zhang Xiu said: "This is for sure. You don't need to tell me. I will do the same. Please get up."
After they stood up, Zhang Xiu continued: "But Nanzhong Mountain is high and dangerous, and it is extremely difficult to build roads. We need the help of local people. Of course, the court will pay corresponding wages. What do you think?"
Meng Huo: "I obey the order."
Zhang Xiu nodded, this Meng Huo was still very wise.
Huh! Zhang Xiu suddenly thought of Sima Fu.
Didn't Sima Yi want to make his brother an official? Well, let’s go to Nanzhong! Give him the task of building roads. If he does it well, it shows that the Sima family really has talents. If he doesn't do it well, then don't blame him.
