In the evening, Peng Shiyu took Li Yuan and his party into Xizhou City and headed straight to the Xizhou Governor's Mansion. Peng Shiyu was extremely excited when he learned that Li Yuan came to Xizhou to announce an edict and that Han Xizai was the court angel. Then Han Xizai formally promulgated the imperial edict given to Peng Shiyu by His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty in the main hall of Xizhou Governor's Mansion.
Emperor Li Jing gave Peng Shiyu enough face. The imperial edict greatly praised Peng Shiyu, saying that he was "loyal, courageous, upright, upright, honest and filial", but he avoided mentioning the previous rebellion and war in Xizhou. At first glance, I thought that the Peng family had always been loyal ministers of the Tang Dynasty.
The imperial edict not only approved Li Yuan's previous recommendation, but also named Peng Shiyu the governor of Xizhou and the imperial master of the school. The most important thing was that the late Peng Shiyu's father, Peng Shichou, was posthumously named Peng Guogong. , add the rank of Taiwei. Due to Peng Shichou's death, Peng Shiyu, as the eldest son, naturally inherited the title of Peng Guogong.
Since the founding of the Southern Tang Dynasty, there have been many high-ranking officials and well-paid people, but those who have been granted the title of Duke are basically the founding ministers or in-laws of the royal family, or those who have made great contributions, such as Song Qiqiu, the first civil servant of the Southern Tang Dynasty. The emperor's intention to confer the title was self-evident this time. Doing so was tantamount to telling Peng Shiyu that he valued Peng Shiyu's importance, so he issued the favor.
In addition, although the title of Inspector Grand Master was just a casual official with a similar honorary title due to the word "Inspection", he also enjoyed the treatment of a first-class official in the Southern Tang Dynasty. It was a supreme honor, and often It is only awarded to important officials in the central government or to high officials in the border areas.
Peng Shiyu was extremely satisfied, and hurriedly thanked him for accepting the decree and took over the seal and ribbon of the governor. Then Han Xizai solemnly awarded Peng Guogong a purple robe, big seal, mast flag and other seals representing his noble status in sequence, and ordered someone to move a piece of paper given by the imperial court. On the large plaque were the four characters "Peng Guo Gongfu" engraved based on the Emperor Long Feifengwu's handwriting. Peng Shiyu burst into tears of gratitude on the spot and hurriedly thanked him. Li Yuan and Han Xizai naturally congratulated him repeatedly, so this official gift was considered a success.
However, Peng Shiyu still needs to go to Jinling to express his gratitude in person, because according to the court practice, after receiving the title of Peng Guogong, he must go through this process, and this is also a gesture. After all, Peng Shiyu has just surrendered to the court. If he does not dare to go, Obviously, he still had thoughts in his mind, which would arouse the suspicion of the court, so Peng Shiyu had to go.
After completing these tedious tasks, Li Yuan cheered and congratulated: "Congratulations to Duke Peng. From now on, Duke Peng will be the pillar of our Tang Dynasty! From now on, Duke Peng will serve your Majesty and the Tang Dynasty wholeheartedly, and work with this governor." Let’s protect Chuland’s peace together!”
Peng Shiyu was a little frightened, and hurriedly raised his hands and said: "The governor's words are serious! With you, a world-famous general who is so powerful in the world, how dare I call myself the pillar of the country? No matter what, from now on, this Xizhou will be under the rule of Wu Ping, and the governor will have his fate in the future. , I, Dongxi, will not disobey anyone!"
Li Yuan showed a faint smile and replied: "In the past, we swore an oath to heaven. We were brothers. Now we are one master. We just help each other."
Peng Shiyu nodded and smiled, and then saluted Li Yuan and Han Xizai respectively.
The night was getting late, and Peng Shiyu immediately held a banquet at the Governor's Mansion in Xizhou to welcome Li Yuan and Han Xizai. Then he eagerly took Li Yuan's hand to the table. A banquet was held in the main hall of the Governor's Mansion, and Dongxi's unique delicacies were served. Sweet fruit wine, delicious mountain delicacies, attentive host, melodious silk and bamboo, and whirling dancing girls.
The hall soon became a sea of joy. Li Yuan, Han Xizai and Peng Shiyu drank happily, talked and laughed, and were extremely happy.
"I have been waiting for the imperial court to come and announce the decree for a long time. The three states of Dongxi will resume state governance in accordance with the laws of the Tang Dynasty. I have made plans for this matter, but it is a pity that it cannot be implemented. Now, we can finally do something! The Governor of the Well, I’ll never forget it!”
"Mr. Peng Guo, we are brothers. We need to say more polite words! If I really want to thank you, you should thank Your Majesty." Li Yuan waved his hand and smiled, and then glanced at Han Xizai, who was drinking and enjoying himself.
Peng Shiyu immediately understood, picked up the wine cup, strode to Han Xizai, and bowed respectfully to thank Han Xizai. Han Xizai was drinking happily when he saw the famous Lord of the Dongxi barbarians, who was now Peng Guogong, paying his respects to him. After saluting, they hurriedly stood up and returned the salute as if they were flattered. The two looked at each other and drank down the wine cups in their hands. Everyone present was delighted when they saw this.
After sitting down, Han Xizai couldn't help but glance at Li Yuan, who was sitting on the main seat. This handsome face was in sharp contrast to the rugged Kong Wu of his subordinate Peng Shiyu, who was only 21 years old. But Peng Shiyu In front of Li Yuan, Han Xizai could not help but secretly sigh...
Li Yuan raised his glass and said: "Peng Guogong, now you, as the Lord of Xizhou, can finally live up to your name. From now on, the affairs of Xizhou and Jinzhou will be fully entrusted to you. The governor thinks that your father's method is good, and it is better to deal with the barbarian and Han tribes." Let’s live in peace and respect each other. I need peace in Dongxi so that I can concentrate on dealing with the Han Kingdom in the south.”
Peng Shiyu thought about it carefully. Li Yuan only mentioned Xizhou and Jinzhou, but left out Chenzhou. Everyone knew the implication. From now on, they would be Dongxizhou. He felt a little sick in his heart, but Then I thought about it, I had promised in Langzhou that after regaining control of Dongxi, I would cede Jinzhou and Chenzhou to Li Yuan. What's more, after all, these three states were all under the rule of Wu Ping and were already owned by Li Yuan. What’s the harm in one state?
So Peng Shiyu nodded hurriedly and said: "I will bear in mind the instructions of the Grand Governor. In fact, this is also my idea."
After drinking several jars of fruit wine, Li Yuan still felt drunk even though the wine in Dongxi was a bit sweet and not very alcoholic. Among the melodious silk and bamboo in front of the banquet, a barbarian dancer in a colorful dress danced gracefully in a long skirt. Li Yuan, drunkenly, picked up two bamboo sticks and quickly followed the music, tapping the jade plate comically, seeming to be beating the rhythm. , dozens of graceful and graceful dancers rose and fell, every form and form were extremely beautiful, and they danced charmingly in front of the table, which was simply beautiful.
But seeing the group of dancing women in front of him, Li Yuan suddenly had a beautiful silhouette of a lake appear in his mind. He couldn't help but look around and frowned slightly.
It's really strange that I haven't seen Peng Qingying's shadow all day long. Logically speaking, as Peng Shiyu's sister, she should accompany her to tonight's banquet on such an important and festive day. At the very least, he should show his face, at least he and she would be considered acquaintances.
Thinking back to the last time he met Peng Qingying at his own house, Peng Qingying was injured while protecting Wang Jingyao. When Li Yuan went to visit, the two of them chatted for a few words under the moonlight. Then Li Yuan mentioned that the guide from the Peng clan had arrived, and Peng Qingying The girl then went to look for her tribe members, and finally followed them back to Xizhou. However, she did not say goodbye to Li Yuan, but only sent someone to inform her in a hurry...
Could it be that this girl Peng Qingying has a problem with her and doesn't intend to meet her at all? But why have I ever offended her?
Thinking of this, Li Yuan couldn't hide his curiosity and said to Peng Shiyu who was blushing from drinking: "Peng Guogong, how come you haven't seen your sister Qingying? Only then did you realize that you haven't seen her all day today."
Peng Shiyu was stunned for a moment, then he covered his mouth and coughed lightly for a moment, rolled his eyes and sighed: "Well, well, actually, my little sister, alas, is not easy to mention... The Governor, Let’s not mention this matter.”
How do you say something? It's okay to say the wrong thing, but the worst thing is to say it half-way.
Li Yuan was the same, and he hurriedly asked in surprise: "What does this mean? Did something happen to your sister?"
Peng Shiyu picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. He looked at Li Yuan and said with doubts: "Grand Governor, do you really don't know? How could you not know about Qingying?"
Li Yuan was confused and spread his hands inexplicably: "Where do you start talking about this? How do I know about your sister?"
Peng Shiyu frowned and stared at Li Yuan for a long time, then sighed and said: "It seems that the Governor really doesn't know. Now my little sister does not live in Xizhou City. She lives in a riverside hut on Wushan Mountain in the north of the city. Alas, this is so big The yard of the little girl in the governor's mansion has been empty for a long time, and she just refuses to come back to live there, preferring to live in the mountains and suffer."
Li Yuan asked in confusion: "Why is that?"
Peng Shiyu swallowed, smacked his lips and said, "Isn't it because of the Governor?"
Li Yuan was stunned, pointing at his nose and wondering whether to laugh or cry: "Because of me?"
