The wind blows from the east of Luoyang, and the fragrance blows from the west of Luoyang. ------Tang Cao Ye's "Four Watchtowers"
When Father Guo spoke, Chen Long was speechless. He thought to himself that this uncle had bundled Chen Qun and Guo Jia into a deal, buy one and get one free. This task of convincing the old patriarch Chen Shi became a task that he had to overcome. obstacle. Chen Qun was about to say more, but Chen Long tugged on his sleeve, cupped his hands and said to Guo's father: "I understand how Uncle Shi feels. Fengxiao is not only Changwen's younger brother, but also my younger brother. I will go see him tomorrow. Patriarch, just ask him for instructions face to face."
Before leaving, Guo Jiafei wanted to leave Zhou Buyi at home overnight and asked Yuan Zhi to draw him military maps of various places. Chen Long thought about it and agreed, and only told Zhou Buji to gather at the inn at noon tomorrow. After returning to the inn, Chen Qun said goodbye. Chen Long made an appointment with him to visit the old patriarch at Chen's house early tomorrow morning. Chen Qun fully agreed and would not mention the arrangements since he returned to Chen's house.
Chen Long returned to the guest room and opened the back window. The breeze from Yingshui slowly blew into the window lattice, which was refreshing. Chen Long looked at the Guo family's mansion on the other side, thinking about how to persuade Chen Shi tomorrow. There has been some progress in the recruitment of Guo Jia, and the current results are still gratifying. I hope Zhou Buyi can seize the opportunity and become friends with Feng Xiao, one of the best counselors in the world. Chen Long felt slightly proud when he thought about having two prodigies by his side when he was fighting for world hegemony.
Guang listed Chen Shi's materials in detail in his mind. Chen Long read them carefully and slowly made up his mind. At night, I drank and talked with Chen Yong, which was not lonely at all. When Chen Yong talked about the Xun family in Yingchuan, Chen Long shook his head slightly. Although Xun Yu and Xun You were good, they were die-hard loyalists of the Han Dynasty. He was really not sure and had no time to recruit them now. Chen Long asked Xi Zhicai again, but Chen Yong was at a loss. Chen Long knew that Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu were good friends. It seemed that Xi Zhicai had no luck with this trip to Luoyang.
Very early the next day, Chen Long took his ancestors alone, took off his brocade robes, put on Confucian clothes, and rode to the door of the Chen family. The doorman's servant had been notified by Chen Qun early and asked Chen Long to wait in the Xuan Hall. As soon as Chen Long sat down, Chen Qun had already hurried over, with a hint of worry between his brows. Chen Long inquired, and Chen Qun said: "When I came back yesterday, my father and I told the old patriarch that Wen Long wanted to invite someone to serve as an official. The old patriarch was firmly opposed, and his father told his grandfather about Wen Long's benevolent political ideas and political consultation. Speaking in detail, after hearing this, my grandfather also felt very fresh and had a slight change of heart. In the end, he only said that he would talk about it after meeting Chen Long today." After hearing this, Chen Long was also worried, not knowing what he was doing for the people. Whether the words of seeking fortune can impress the old patriarch.
The two of them waited patiently, as the red sun slowly turned from east to south, and the weather gradually became hotter. Finally, a servant reported: "The master and the master are here." Chen Long and Chen Qun stood up quickly, bowed and waited. After a moment, I saw Chen Ji supporting an old man slowly entering the hall. The old man had chicken skin and white hair. He was tall and tall, with snow-white eyebrows. His face was full of righteousness, his demeanor was calm, his eyes were majestic, he was leaning on a cane and wearing a Wearing a gray Confucian robe, he walked tremblingly in front of the two of them, his spirit was very strong. The two of them quickly bowed to the ground to say hello.
Chen Shi looked Chen Long up and down, and saw that Chen Long had a long body, a handsome face, straight eyes and brows, and a calm demeanor. He actually nodded. It seemed that his first impression was good. Chen Ji helped the old man sit down. The old man's back was straight, not leaning on the back of the chair, and he was leaning on a crutch with his right hand. He was sitting upright, as the saying goes, and nodded and said: "Wenlong has come from afar, but I have not come far to greet him. If I am disrespectful, I still look at Haihan. Sit down and talk."
Chen Long didn't dare to sit down, so he stood in front of the hall with Chen Qun. The old man cleared his throat and said, "I heard yesterday that Wen Long is now the prefect of Lingling and wants to recruit my grandson to serve. We will implement benevolent government and show consideration for the people. I'm very relieved. However, our clan has always been self-centered and has never been an official. I'm afraid Wenlong will be disappointed."
Chen Long cupped his hands and said: "I already know the words of my ancestors. I dare to ask my ancestors, maybe you can tell me the reason why you don't want the children of your family to become officials?" Chen Shi said: "My young man is an official. If you hear about it, you will be happy, and if you accept it, you will be recommended. His meritorious service was admired by the world. In his middle age, he focused on cultivating people morally and being quiet and inactive, so that the people could live and work in peace and contentment. However, he was suddenly imprisoned by the party and became a prisoner of the rank and file. Although he was pardoned, he was unexpectedly imprisoned by the party again and his family was implicated. So he retired. Living in seclusion in the countryside, keeping a calm mind on things, teaching and studying, he is a master from far and near. As for fame, he is not seeking it, and the same is true for his children."
Chen Long smiled and cupped his hands and said: "The virtues of our ancestors are well-known in the world, and they are enough to protect themselves in troubled times. I heard that the gentleman in Liang Shang can change his evil ways and become good because of his ancestors' teachings. But why did the disaster of the party's imprisonment arise? Why are the troubled people born? Why are the slanderous and sycophant people favored? Why are the treacherous and despicable people promoted? These people occupy high positions, causing the people to be displaced, so there is today's chaos in the Yellow Turbans. I am lucky to be in a high position, not For the sake of the court, I want to kill the sycophants, punish the villains, and bring order to the chaos. Jin Changwen's ambition is the same as mine. He has both ability and political integrity, and he is young and powerful. It is natural for me to help him."
Chen Long paused for a moment and saw that Chen Shi was silent, seeming to be recalling his life of being bullied by eunuchs and villains. He continued: "Everyone who is virtuous in the world today knows the suffering of the people who are displaced. Our ancestors are virtuous and respected by everyone. The reputation has spread in the countryside, and the people are living hard without hope. They are looking forward to seeing people like the ancestors. However, the ancestors are in the fields and the villain is in charge. Who can save them? Now I am the Lord of Lingling and I implement benevolent government. The people of Lingling have already If you gain blessings, given time, you will definitely become the best in the world. However, the poor people in the world are not limited to Lingling County." After saying this, he bowed to the ground and looked up at Chen Shi.
Chen Shi was silent for a long time, and then said: "What Wen Long said is absolutely correct. However, I heard that you have the concept of political consultation, but do you want to rebel against the Han Dynasty?" Chen Long said: "The emperor loses his morality, and the villain is in power. The eunuchs and relatives control the emperor, preventing wise ministers from advising, benevolent government cannot be implemented, and the people have no way to survive. I want to conquer the world, not to rebel against the emperor, but to oppose the eunuchs and relatives to do politics. In political consultations, the people of the world will choose those who are like their ancestors. As representatives, we can jointly study the internal affairs program and replace the emperor's one-man government, which can benefit the people."
Chen Shidao: "Political consultation has also touched me deeply. If you think about it carefully, it is very meaningful. Even so, the emperor is the king of a country. My family, Chen, has been blessed by heaven and has been loyal from generation to generation. My children must not have any objections. The big man may help you usurp the throne. Now I want to ask Wenlong, if you succeed and kill all the traitors, will you depose the emperor or protect the emperor? If you depose the emperor, you will not be able to go. If you protect the emperor, I promise to go with you. Make him loyal to you."
When Chen Long heard this, he felt unhappy. However, these big families in the late Eastern Han Dynasty were all royalists. In the official history, Xun Yu died in depression. Isn't it because he couldn't stand Cao Cao's domineering behavior and his failure to protect the imperial power of the Han Dynasty? Chen Long pondered for a long time and remembered Japan's policy towards the emperor. In name, retaining the symbol of imperial power was a way out. So he saluted again and said: "I have never had the intention to usurp the throne, and the sun can prove it. Today in front of my ancestors, I would like to make a solemn oath. If I become emperor in the future, I am willing to be struck by five thunders and die. However, the emperor can retain his power. The Han Dynasty can retain the title, but the power must be returned to the Political Consultative Conference, and the people of the world will rule the world. Does the ancestor think so?"
When Chen Shi heard the words, he nodded slightly, and a smile appeared on his originally serious face: "In that case, the long article has its owner! Don't waste it!" Chen Long and Chen Qun were overjoyed, and they both knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Thank you for your sympathy, ancestor!"
The ancestor smiled brightly, with a chrysanthemum blooming on his face. He stood up tall and propped up his crutches, and said to Chen Jida: "From now on, Wenlong's affairs are our affairs. I intend to spend 500,000 taels of the family's materials. Bringing Wenlong back to Lingling is also a blessing to the people of the world." After that, he stood up and drifted away.
In Chen Long's heart, deep admiration for the old man's integrity surged up. Recalling that Mi Zhu spent all his family wealth to support Liu Bei and Wei Zi devoted all his efforts to support Cao Cao, Chen Shi may have taken a fancy to his own political potential by providing money. While he was deep in thought, Chen Qun said happily from the side: "Your Majesty, Chen Qun is polite." Chen Long put his arms around Chen Qun's broad shoulders and said, "Brother, you want to make fun of me too. Don't forget, when you leave, Take my little Guo Jia with you!"
Chen Long wrote another letter and asked Chen Qun to bring it to Huang Gai, appointing Chen Qun as chief secretary, Huang Anqian as assistant to the county governor, Guo Jia as left military adviser, and Zhou Buyi as right military adviser. They all reported directly to Chen Long and Lead the team to report on its work. Chen Qun wanted to follow Chen Long to Luoyang, but Chen Long refused and left Zulang to guard Chen Qun. When Chen Qun was ready, he could directly return to Lingling to resume his life.
After saying goodbye to Chen's mansion, Chen Long hurried back to the inn, met up with Zhou Buyi, and drove the carriage straight to Luoyang. We were passing by Songshan Mountain at night, and it was so dark that we couldn't see the mountain scenery. Chen Long and others stayed in the car. The next morning, I saw a large mountain forest in the south of the road, with a towering peak behind it, which was Songshan Mountain.
Luoyang is surrounded by mountains and eight clear waters, making it a fortified city in the world. To the east are the plains and the Songshan Mountains, with Hulao Pass blocking the Yellow Turban Army in Hebei; to the south are the Funiu Mountains, the remnant of the Qinling Mountains; to the north are the Mang Mountains between Luoyang and the Yellow River; and further north are the famous Taihang Mountains. To the west is the endless Qinling Mountains, with the famous Tongguan and Hangu Pass blocking the soldiers and horses in the direction of Xiliang. Along the way, Zhou Buyi, a young painter, continued to make local maps, and Chen Long's optical brain also recorded the scenery along the way one by one.
Chen Long and others walked and rested, and saw a big river in front of them. After asking the locals, they found out that it was Yishui. Crossing the Yishui River and climbing over some rolling hills, we came to another big river, which was the Luoshui River. Going north along the Luoshui River, a tall city wall slowly comes into view, with the two characters "Luoyang" on the top of the city wall. When we arrived at the city wall, we saw that the upper and lower walls of the outer city wall reached forty meters. The wide and deep Luo River outside the city wall changed its direction from east to west and became a natural moat. It is indeed a strong city in the world, easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Chen Long and others escorted the carriages and horses, crossed the long Tianjin Bridge on the Luoshui River, and entered the heavily guarded Pingcheng Gate by the road guide. When we entered the city, we saw another scene. From a distance, we could see the towering red walls of the palace city. There were huge mansions along the avenues, and the entrances were heavily guarded. They were obviously the homes of nobles and officials of the imperial court. The main street was crowded with people. Chen Long was about to ask Zhou Buyi for the address of his contact in Luoyang. Suddenly, a man stood up in a small teahouse on the side of the road and ran over to greet him. When he looked carefully, it was Lu Chang.
Lu Chang bowed and saluted: "Master, I am here to welcome you. Please come with me." Chen Long followed Lu Chang and walked deeper along the avenue. When he arrived at a small market, he suddenly saw a crowd of people surrounding him. A big wall, whispering. Lu Chang said: "Master, this is exactly what you are worried about." Chen Long felt panic in his heart. He walked over and separated everyone. He saw a piece of yellow paper stuck on the wall. When he looked carefully, he was shocked and saw that it was written in red pen. Said: "I found out that Ma Yuanyi, a merchant from Chenliu, was actually a yellow scarf bandit in the city. His servants deeply remembered the emperor's favor and were loyal to the Han Dynasty. They took out this giant bandit and killed him, which shows the people's hearts. We decided to split the giant bandit's car in three days." In the busy city, we serve as a warning to others." Below is a big red official seal.
Chen Long was so flustered that he grabbed Lv Chang by the collar on the street and glared at Lv Chang, wanting to question him. The people noticed something was wrong and came to watch one after another. Lu Chang hugged Chen Long and shouted: "Master, master, I don't dare anymore!" Chen Long just woke up to the suspicious looks of the people around him and shouted He pulled Lu Chang into the carriage and hurried towards the destination.
