Who would not envy the splendor and splendor of the banquets held year after year? ------Tang Cui Hao's "Handan Palace People's Resentment"
It is said that Chen Long returned to the court victorious, triumphant in the spring breeze, singing and laughing all the way, drinking in the pond and meat forest, and the scene was played out to the fullest. But in the big tent late at night, Chen Long and Zhou Buyi were thinking a lot, not knowing how to escape from the whirlpool of the fight between the eunuchs and their relatives. Fortunately, Guo Jia was aware of Chen Long's current predicament and rushed over to wake up the dreamer with a few words.
Chen Long thought carefully about how to naturally fall into the arms of Lord Wuyang and Queen He. Zhou Buyi's crooked mind came up again, and he joked: "My lord, since ancient times, beauties have loved heroes. As long as you use a little trick to beautify a man, you can easily capture him." Chen Long raised his foot and kicked him in vain.
Turning to look at Guo Jia, this kid was also nodding frequently. Chen Long said angrily: "You two boys, your hair hasn't even grown yet, and your brains are already twisted. Think of other ways."
Guo Jia analyzed: "I expect that after your lord returns to Luoyang, the emperor will hold a court meeting to discuss what kind of official position to reward you. Due to the struggle between the eunuch group and the relatives group, no matter who first proposes that you be the governor of Jingzhou, there will be The people on the other side objected and believed that the lord belonged to the other side, so the appointment of the governor of Jingzhou would be delayed, and even his own safety would be very dangerous. Therefore, after the lord returns to Luoyang, he should find Queen He before the court meeting and let him know. Queen He has proposed that you be the governor of Jingzhou. You can visit He Miao first, prepare some gold, pearls and jade articles, and then say that you want to find Queen He's relationship through Wuyang Jun and seek the appointment of the governor, so you can get on the line."
Chen Long listened to Guo Jia's analysis and continued: "I understand. The two major groups were probably caught off guard by the appointment proposed by Queen He, and they were confused whether they should object or not. The rest depends on how the emperor responds. Queen He’s suggestion.”
Zhou Busuo said: "Although the beauty trap I just mentioned was a joke, how do you want to impress Queen He?"
Chen Long said: "Wu Yangjun is greedy for small profits, so Zhang Rang, Duan Gui and other regular servants have the opportunity to bribe him with money, so that Wuyang Jun can speak to Queen He and maintain his position. Let's follow the prescription and use Wuyang. Your influence on Queen He is enough."
Everyone had made a plan and waited until dawn. Chen Long planned to set off secretly before the large group of people and visit He Miao as soon as possible. Guo Jia and Zhou Buyi would still set off with the group. They only said to the outside world that Chen Long was visiting old friends and would be back soon. Then Zuo Feng got the bribe and was drunk all day long, so how could he care about Chen Long's actions?
Chen Long, dressed in casual clothes, took Lu Chang with him and galloped all the way. In the evening, he followed the road guide and entered Luoyang. Chen Long ordered Lu Chang to carefully avoid the surveillance spies and go to Zhao Da to collect some gold, pearls and jade articles. After agreeing on a meeting place, he went straight to He Miao's general's mansion. He Miao's general's mansion was brightly lit, and Chen Long asked people to announce him in. After a while, the servants were invited into a quiet study.
He Miao hurried over and saw Chen Long standing under the lamp, holding his hands, and asked curiously: "Wen Long, you didn't come back with the army, how come you came here alone all night? What happened?" After saying that, he nodded to Chen Long. Take a seat.
Chen Long pretended to be helpless and said: "General He, it's not because I want to get the position of Jingzhou governor that I rush to you to ask for advice."
When He Miao heard this, his expression relaxed and he said: "Wenlong, don't worry about this. Zhao Changshi will give you a blow in front of the emperor every day. You have made such great achievements. I don't think you can be the governor of Jingzhou." Son, we are inseparable from each other."
Chen Long smiled bitterly and said: "General He, having said that, this is what I am worried about. If Zhao Changshi or Marshal Jian Shuo recommends me, it will inevitably arouse your elder brother's suspicion. I, as the governor of Jingzhou, may not be able to be the governor."
He Miao pondered slightly. He accepted a bribe of 10,000 taels of silver from Chen Long and could not refuse it casually. He asked, "You and I are brothers. We have something to talk about. What do you want to do?"
Chen Long pretended to be grateful and said: "I knew General He would help me. General, there is something I don't know whether to say or not."
He Miao's eyes became suspicious and he said, "But there's no harm in talking."
Chen Long bowed and said, "I heard that you and the general are half-brothers. Is this true?"
He Miao seemed to have his acupuncture points tapped, and was stunned for a moment before saying: "Exactly. So what?"
Chen Long continued: "I also heard that although General He Jin is the elder brother, he is a concubine; although General He Miao is young, he is a direct descendant. Is this true?"
Chen Long's words suddenly hit He Miao's pain point. Although He Miao and He Jin were brothers on the surface, he actually looked down upon his brother who had been a butcher. Later, he had been close to Lord Wuyang and stood on the eunuch's side. He even secretly longed to torture He Jin to death; but no one had ever pierced the pustule.
He Miao stood up and said through gritted teeth, "Chen Long, are you trying to sow discord?"
Chen Long didn't take it seriously at all, and said with a smile on his face: "From the first day I entered Luoyang, I couldn't stand He Jin's behavior. With his little ability, he wanted to threaten me and sent someone to monitor me. The retainer in Luoyang sent Xu You to investigate my life experience. Later I learned about your life background, and I feel sorry for you. I came here just to get the word out. If you agree, I am willing to help you get it. I only need the governor of Jingzhou for the position of general, and I only need the governor of Jingzhou. From now on, if there are any generals inside and I, Chen Long, outside, why worry about the world not being our brothers’?"
He Miao was greatly moved when he heard this, and pretended to be cool: "Wenlong, although what you said is reasonable, if this matter is leaked, I am afraid that both you and I will lose our lives. Besides, I don't have the ability now to let anyone know. You are sure to become the governor of Jingzhou."
Chen Long said calmly: "So, General He is willing to cooperate with me? Let me just say, you are a hundred times stronger than that He Jin, and you are the best at judging the situation. To be honest, I can come and go in Luoyang City at my own will. Killing a mere He Jin is just a piece of cake for me. Although you can't do it for me to be the governor of Jingzhou, can't your sister do it? You just need to introduce me to Lord Wuyang."
He Miao was stunned when he heard this, and then realized that Chen Long wanted to help his sister Queen He get through the back door. After thinking about it for a long time, He Jinbu died, and he would never get ahead. Maybe this Chen Long could really succeed. He gritted his teeth and said, "This matter is easy to handle. Tomorrow morning, you will wait for me at the gate of the house and take my carriage there."
Chen Long was frightened and finally let He Miao fall into his trap. But He Miao's intention to kill his brother was recorded in official history, so Chen Long was so confident that He Miao would be trapped. After meeting Lu Chang, the two found an inn to rest. Before Chen Long went to sleep, he pulled out the Qinglong dagger that had not been used for a long time and gently rubbed it. He wondered if this dagger would really be stained with He Jin's blood.
After a night of silence, Chen Long got into He Miao's carriage early the next morning, closed the curtains, and went straight to Wuyang Jun's residence. Queen He was very filial to her mother. Lord Wuyang's residence was adjacent to the palace wall of the North Palace. There was a palace door that could lead directly to it, making it convenient for Queen He to visit.
Queen He was originally a noble person. Because she gave birth to the eldest prince Liu Bian, her mother regarded her son as noble, so she was made queen. Both inside and outside the palace, it was said that Queen He was as beautiful as a flower, gentle and courteous to others, and extremely filial to her mother. She praised her half-brother He Jin and her other brothers and sisters in every possible way, eventually becoming General He Jin. His official position is simply inferior to one person and superior to ten thousand people. If He Jin is arrogant, the Queen will always remind him of it.
He Miao was the biological brother of Queen He. He was the closest to this sister when he was a child, so he always visited Wuyang Jun. Because Wuyang Jun and Zhang Rang were very close, they had long been inclined to the eunuch group. Coupled with his ambition to replace He Jin, subconsciously, he had already had murderous intentions towards He Jin.
It is this intricate background that gives Chen Long hope of surviving in the cracks between the two major groups. Wuyang Jun is about fifty years old, well-maintained, fair complexion, black bun, and not bloated. Although Xu Niang is old, her charm is still there. When she saw this handsome man Chen Long, her eyes lit up. I couldn't help but ask. Chen Long first presented a large bag of gold, pearls and jade articles, and Lord Wuyang put a smile on his face and said: "How dare I accept such a generous gift from General Chen. I heard that you are He Miao's brother. If you have anything to say, just say it." "
He Miao didn't wait for Chen Long to speak, but already called his mother and said: "Wenlong is a versatile man in both civil and military affairs. His talent is outstanding. He is also the great hero in annihilating Zhang Jue this time. He cut off Zhang Jue's head with his own hands. Zhang Changshi and Zhao The constant servants spoke for him in front of the emperor and wanted to give Wenlong the position of governor of Jingzhou, but it was because he was afraid of his elder brother's opposition that Wenlong came to ask his mother."
When Lord Wuyang heard about it, there was a trace of dissatisfaction on his face and he said: "Your eldest brother keeps shouting to kill my eunuch friends every day, and I don't know what evil is behind him. Zhang Changshi and the others are just the emperor's companions, what big trouble can they cause? Together with the text I can't bear to have Long suffer the consequences." After saying that, He Miao started to cough. He Miao hurriedly went around to the back and gently beat her mother's back. While doing so, she said, "Mother, please see if you can tell the Queen and let her talk to the Emperor. Tell me about Chen Long?"
Wu Yangjun said repeatedly: "It needs to be said, it needs to be said. If a great talent like Wen Long doesn't have a suitable position, is there any place for reason in the world?"
When Chen Long saw that He Miao said a few words and asked Wuyang Jun to express his stance like this, he quickly bowed down and said, "Thank you so much, madam!"
Wuyang Junyue looked at Chen Long more and more, and comforted him: "Wenlong, I will find an opportunity to talk to the Queen's daughter about you. From now on, you don't have to let He Miao lead the way. You should come to see me often and chat with me."
Chen Long immediately broke out in a sweat, nodded in agreement, and talked about the household chores for a while. He Miao led Chen Long to leave, and left the mansion under Wuyang Jun's reluctant eyes. He Miao said happily on the carriage: "The matter is settled. ! When you get the position of governor of Jingzhou, don’t forget to formulate a strategy for killing He Jin and show it to me!”
On the same day, when Chen Long saw that the matter was done, he hurried back to the army with Lu Chang, and happened to encounter Zuo Feng's thousand-man team halfway. Zuo Feng, who was riding on a pony, saw Chen Long rushing back and stopped him and said: "General Chen, you are finally back. Let me tell you some good news. I sent someone back to the court yesterday to report the news, and they will arrive in the imperial capital early tomorrow morning. . I just received a reply. The emperor will personally meet you outside the east city gate of Luoyang tomorrow morning! You are prosperous, so don’t forget your little brother!"
Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty really spent a lot of money this time and held a grand welcome ceremony for Chen Long outside the east gate of Luoyang. Chen Long led his troops and arrived early to wait under the high platform set up outside the east gate. He saw thousands of imperial guardsmen, with flags fluttering and swords and guns sharp, already on guard at the high platform. The city gate suddenly opened, and one could see the rows of palaces in the distance. The officials separated their civil and military officials, and walked neatly out of the city along both sides of the central avenue. They walked to the high platform and stood bowed, not daring to whisper to each other.
Behind them are the emperor's honor guards that stretch for miles. They slowly move along the bronze camel street that is tens of meters wide. Rows of chariots, horses, cattle and sheep, music piles, and military staffs come in droves. People on both sides kneel down and worship. The scene is very shocking. .
Chen Long thought to himself, no wonder everyone wants to be the emperor. This absolute authority and unlimited power can really make everyone's blood boil. That's why when Liu Bang and Xiang Yu saw the First Emperor's ceremonial guard, they sighed, "This is what a man should do" and "He can take his place." In the end, Liu Bang really did it.
In the center of the ceremony, there is a huge jade chariot with a magnificent round cover. There are four pieces of jade decoration around it. It is surrounded by engraved gold hanging clouds, and the lower end is painted with broken leaves like golden clouds. The heavy pleats under the round cover are embroidered with golden dragons flying in the clouds and mist, and there are four thin belts made of yellow velvet tied to the four corners of the seat. Under the round cover, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty and Queen He, dressed in rich attire, sit on the Yunlong throne, happily accepting the worship of the people on the roadside. The Yunlong throne has a bronze tripod on the left and a sword on the right. The giant chariot was lifted up by thirty-six strong men and stabilized under the high platform. The ministers and imperial guards all fell to their knees suddenly, and the roar of "Long live the Holy Lord" went straight into the sky.
Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty stood up in the jade chariot, laughed heartily and opened his arms to the sky, feeling extremely proud. This idea was given to him by Empress He, who asked him to perform a ceremony for Chen Long to show the importance he attached to meritorious ministers. As expected, he stole the show in front of the ministers and shouted: "All the ministers are equal!" .
Chen Long stood up and raised his eyes slightly, and happened to see Queen He standing up gracefully on the giant chariot. She was wearing a golden cloud satin woven flower brocade dress, with red treasures on the collar, and her slender waist was tied with a bright red brocade. Standing up, the brocade is embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns with gold thread, and she is wearing a gold-threaded gauze skirt with a phoenix pattern embroidered with gold thread on the skirt, showing off her tall and graceful figure. She has thin long eyebrows drawn to the temples, a pair of big black and white eyes, a beautiful nose, beautiful lips, and deep dimples. She is really beautiful. The skin on her face is crystal clear and fair, and her black hair is pulled into a fan-shaped high bun. The golden phoenix crown around her head sparkles in the morning sun, and the crown is inlaid with various gems, making it even more noble. On her slender and white neck, she wears a holy emerald pearl necklace, on her ears are pure black crystal pendants, and on her middle finger is a crystal clear white jade ring. She is so majestic as a queen, as the saying goes, a mother embodies the world.
Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty and Queen He slowly climbed up to the high platform with the support of the eunuchs, and sat down on the dragon chairs set up in the middle of the high platform. Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty stood up and said some words of commendation to the frontline soldiers who fought bravely. He signaled to Zhao Zhong amidst the cheers of the crowd. Zhao Zhong understood and declared: "Declaring a fight against the rebellious general, Chen Long, who is waiting in the south, will come forward to see you!"
Chen Long stepped forward, knelt down and shouted "Long Live Long Live" again, followed by "Mother, Thousand Lives". Queen He's pair of wonderful eyes finally fell on Chen Long. Suddenly her eyes lit up and a hint of surprise flashed through her eyes. She thought to herself that no wonder her mother kept praising this Chen Long. He was indeed a very talented person among men.
Chen Long did not dare to raise his head. He only heard the voice of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, praising Chen Long for his achievements and rewarding him with how much money, population and horses he had made, but he did not mention the matter of the governor of Jingzhou. After Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty finished speaking, Chen Long knelt down and was about to kowtow to express his gratitude. Suddenly, Queen He stood up slowly, walked to the emperor with her phoenix skirt in hand, and said in a beautiful and clear voice: "Your Majesty, I just listened to your Majesty's concubine. As he said, General Chen’s hard work and meritorious service in wiping out the Yellow Turban Zhangjiao is truly a talent for the resurgence of the Han Dynasty. He is comparable to the twenty-eight senior generals of the late Emperor Yuntai. Why not reward him with the position of Jingzhou Governor?"
