Zhang Xichong's death was indeed untimely.
As mentioned before, Pei Yuan is actually a lonely minister now.
The civil and military officials in the Central Plains, whether from Henan, Hebei or Hedong, believed that Pei Yuan had followed Zhang Zhi as early as when he returned to the east, and that he should have belonged to the Yongliang Xunchen faction.
In fact, Pei Yuan had been in Shuofang for a long time and had not led many troops to fight. Therefore, among the Yongliang Xunchen faction, whether they were the Yuancong faction, the Donggui faction or the Lianglan Liugu faction, they did not regard him as one of their own.
Therefore, although Pei Yuan was very close to the emperor, he had no foundation in the court.
Lone ministers have the advantage of being lone ministers. They tend to gain more trust from the emperor and are more willing to go out of their way to get things done.
But there is also a disadvantage, that is, when the lonely minister is asked to do what Pei Yuan is going to do now, he often faces the embarrassment of having no one available.
Many times, if an isolated minister wants to get things done, he can only use ruthless means and rely on the emperor's power to promote it. However, this will lead to the rebellious psychology of other ministers, making it difficult to really get things done.
Zhang Xichong originally wanted Zhang Xichong to use his lofty prestige and good relationship with Pei Yuan to come to Pei Yuan to block some wind and rain and do some reconciliation. As a result, as soon as he left, Pei Yuan lost the most important help.
Moreover, when Zhang Xian concentrated a lot of power in Zhongshu Province, the outer court could still have considerable power and authority, which largely relied on Zhang Xichong's strength in front of Zhang Xian.
Master Zhang got angry and stiffened his neck, and even Zhang Chang often had to give in.
But Zhang Xichong was not here, and none of the people from outside the court, such as He Ning, Zhao Ying, Wei Renpu, etc., had such ability and courage.
Not to mention Privy Councilor Guo Tiance, he was Zhang Yan's personal secretary, and even if he had a hundred courages, he would not dare to challenge Zhang Yan.
In this way, in order to maintain the balance between the inner and outer dynasties, Zhang Yan had to strengthen the authority of the outer dynasty, otherwise the outer dynasty would become a vassal of the inner dynasty, which would not be good for Zhang Yan.
After thinking about it, there is only one way now, and that is to push Feng Dao first and let Feng Dao take Zhang Xichong's position.
Although this famous roly-poly man in history was not highly used in Zhang Xi's dynasty, relatively speaking, the Minister of Rites was also a very important link for Zhang Xi who was trying to restore Zhou rites.
More importantly, although Feng Dao's political achievements were not obvious at this time, he had a great advantage, that is, he was not jealous and could support the virtuous.
It is said in history that all the people of the world, whether wise or foolish, both inside and outside the court, looked up to Dao as the elder and were happy to praise him.
In other words, at this time, Feng Dao, in the Song and Ming Dynasties, was the leader of the scholarly community, so Pei Yuan said that he had world renown.
It is the best way to put this person who can reconcile yin and yang and can support talented people in the position of Prime Minister.
At the same time, Zhang Zhang also planned to send Liu Tao, the minister of Zhongshu, to serve as the counselor of political affairs and the minister of rites vacated by Feng Dao.
Liu Tao was the first official of the Later Jin Dynasty to follow Zhang Xi, and he was even willing to take risks to serve as Zhang Xi's thorn in Tokyo. Zhang Xi trusted him even more than Pei Yuan and Privy Councilor Guo Tiance.
Letting such people out to serve as political advisors and ministers of rites can enhance the voice of foreign dynasties.
The second disguise is to show that Liu Tao's status is still lower than Feng Dao, giving the outer court another shot in the arm.
The third thing was to transfer Wei Renpu, who was the Councilor for Political Affairs and Minister of the Ministry of War, to the Zhongshu Province to assume the post of Minister of Zhongshu left by Liu Tao.
This can give another signal to the outer dynasty, that is, the fluidity between the inner and outer dynasties naturally exists. The inner dynasty's Zhongshu Sheng and the outer dynasty's Shangshu, Menxia Sheng, and Privy Council have not become two sets of teams.
The fourth preparation is to transfer He Fujin back from Taiyuan to take over Wei Renpu's two posts of Councilor for Political Affairs and Minister of War.
The military generals still need to be appeased. Zhang Zhou's court is now basically filled with scribes as prime ministers and assistants, which has made many military officers uneasy. This will bring He Fujin back to calm their minds.
After this operation, Zhang Hao felt dizzy, but this was a skill that an emperor must have, and it was not over yet.
Liu Tao, as the Vice Minister of Zhongshu, suddenly went to another court to serve as Councilor for Political Affairs and Minister of Rites. His status was obviously lowered. In this regard, Liu Tao must be appeased.
Second, he must cleverly show to the outside world that Liu Tao has not lost the emperor's favor, but is the emperor's absolute confidant, so he is willing to sacrifice for the emperor.
If this is not done well, those with red tops and white tops will make Liu Tao, who is not very capable, unable to carry out his work and even have an explosive mentality.
Secondly, when Pei Yuan went to Tokyo to reform Buddhism, Zhang Gao wanted to give him full power and greatly improve his political status and official position.
But Pei Yuan did not make many meritorious deeds. Even if Zhang Yan were the emperor, it would not be possible to suddenly elevate him out of thin air. He would still have to find a way to get some credit.
At the same time, the same goes for Feng Dao. From the less-reputed political advisor and minister of the Ministry of Rites to the minister of Ling and Tong Zhongshu, he still needs a little credit to be justified.
Just at this time, Yin Zhengqi, the son of Yin Yao, sent a memorial from Chengdu Mansion. Zhang Yan's worries were indeed fermented.
Since Zhang Gao did not give Yin Yaozi full authority and Jieyue when he entered Shu, he had to report the merits and rewards after the war first, and could not reward meritorious soldiers without authorization.
After the soldiers entered Chengdu Mansion, many of them were so stimulated by the great achievement of destroying the country that they became a little dizzy.
Although they are not like the Song army who directly 'plowed grass' in the middle of Shu, they still look down on the Shu people, take credit for themselves, accept bribes from the rich and powerful businessmen in Shu, and even wait and see. Even the military law officers of the Military Law Department have arrested dozens of people. Soldiers who extort money.
Zhang Gao thought for a while, isn't it the time to give Pei Yuan and Feng Dao some military merit?
So Zhang Gao first summoned Liu Tao to comfort him and got through Liu Tao's work. Then he called Wei Renpu to accompany him and let him familiarize himself with the work of the middle school minister.
This is actually not difficult, because most of the time, Zhang Yan's assistant minister, Zhongshu, is a yes man. That's what Liu Tao does. Wei Renpu doesn't seem to have a bad temper, so he should be able to adapt.
Finally, Zhang Gao summoned Pei Yuan and Feng Dao. In addition to asking them to serve as angels to assist Yin Zhengqi, the Yin Yaozi, in handling affairs, Zhang Gao also planned to let them go to Songzhou and Fuzhou in northwest Sichuan.
This is probably the area around Songpan, Huanglong and Aba prefectures in Sichuan in later generations.
The reason why I went here was because I was recommended by the Zhangbo Mi family, a powerful Tubo family in Huangshui Prefecture, and the Wenbu family in Taozhou, who were already preparing for Sinicization.
The Shuchang and Misang tribes in the three prefectures of Song, Fu and Wei first formed alliances with the Tubo and Qiang tribes and prepared to surrender to Zhang Gao. The people can benefit from the blessings of the supreme heaven.
If we want to say who Zhang Yan's Hexi Six Methods Sect had the greatest influence on, Handi in the Central Plains only felt a little sense of crisis.
But for the already disintegrated Zamps on the plateau and the local primitive beliefs, it was a painful experience.
As the ascetics and Rinpoche from Hexi continued to enter Qingtang, and with Zhang Zhi's huge reputation and strength, the above two were defeated.
In the fight for the two most critical resources, subjects and believers, Zhang Gao sent almost no troops.
In addition to the monks of the Liufa Sect, it was completely dependent on the spontaneous actions of the Tubo and Qiang people who accepted Chineseization in Huangshui Prefecture (Shanzhou), Hezhou, Taozhou and other places.
Their enthusiasm is so high that they have almost helped Zhang Hao win most of Qinghai and most of northern Sichuan. I have to say, this is strength!
But there seems to be a side effect. It is said that the Tibetan and tribal leaders on the Qingtang Plateau, who originally had their pig brains beaten into dog brains, are already communicating with each other everywhere, as if they are preparing to give Liufa Sect a hard blow.
Then now is the time for Pei Yuan and Feng Dao to take a trip. One is to expand the territory and appease the frontier fortresses. You must know that even in the Tang Dynasty, they did not have complete control over these three states.
Secondly, let them see if there are really opposition forces gathering on the Qingtang Plateau.
. . . .
On the third day of June, before Mrs. Huarui arrived in Chang'an, Zhang Gao took Pei Yuan and Feng Dao as his angels, and with Zhang Gao's will, started to go to Chengdu Mansion to help Yin Zhengqi pacify the army.
Both Pei Yuan and Feng Dao knew that they had a heavy responsibility and that time was tight. Under the escort of a hundred fine cavalry from Hanshan City, they rushed to Chengdu Mansion day and night with only a simple salute.
When they arrived in Hanzhou (Guanghan), Yin Yaozi Yin Zhengqi, the army commander who controlled the situation for Zhang Gao, even left Chengdu in person to come to Hanzhou to greet him, which shows that he was in an urgent mood.
After meeting, Yin Zhengqi directly put two issues on the table without exchanging pleasantries.
First, the reward was not yet clear, and the military lieutenants and generals were keen on the wealth in Shu, so most of them were ready to make a move, to the point where even Yin Zhengqi was a little worried.
So I hope to get Pei Yuan's help as soon as possible to rectify military discipline. After all, as a general, he still needs the emperor's prestige.
Moreover, the people under his command were all cows, ghosts and snake gods transferred to him by Zhang Zhan from the South China Sea and the North, and their ingredients were extremely complex.
When everyone wanted to accomplish the great feat of destroying the country, Yin Zhengqi was almost able to direct them. But now that the great achievement was achieved, each department began to let themselves go, and it became a bit difficult to control.
The second is the handling of Meng Chang, the leader of Shu, the retention of civil servants and generals in Shu, and the decision between Yin Zhengqi and Ma Zhaoyuan as to who will be in charge of Shu, and Zhang Yan needs to personally make the allocation.
Seeing that the situation was urgent, Pei Yuan did not hesitate and immediately followed Yin Zhengqi into the city. Even Meng Chang, the Lord of Shu, did not deal with it. Instead, he first summoned the military academy of Yuhou and above, a general who was still in Chengdu, at Mo Ke Po.
As the emperor's confidant, he was also the great contributor to the emperor's ability to enter Liangzhou and lay the foundation for Zhang Zhou, and he was also an angel of integrity. With multiple BUFFs, no one dared to be domineering in front of Pei Yuan.
Pei Yuan first announced the emperor's reward for the army that entered Shu.
Cai Guogong Yin Zhengqi, the commander of the army that conquered Shu, was granted the title of Duke of Qi in the Jin Dynasty. He was granted an additional 1,000 households in the city, making the actual number 50.
The State of Cai was a small country in the Spring and Autumn Period, but the State of Qi was one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Seven Heroes of the Warring States Period. Their prestige was beyond the comparison of the State of Cai.
Therefore, Yin Zhengqi was promoted from Cai Guogong to Qi Guogong. Although the title level did not change, the title was actually improved.
In addition, Ma Zhaoyuan, the commander-in-chief of the Pingshu army, was awarded the title of Chen Guogong by the Duke of Jiuquan County.
Er Zhujing, Jiao Jixun, Li Rong, and Wang Tongtong were among the four people who made the greatest contributions to Hanzhong.
Er Zhu Jingjin was granted the title of Duke of Jincheng County, Jiao Jixun and Li Rong also received the coveted titles, Jiao Jixun was granted the title of Marquis of Chenggu, and Li Rongjin was granted the title of Marquis of Xixiang. Wang Tongtong was granted the title of Duke of Xingyuan County by Wucheng Hou Jin.
Among the troops who entered Shu from Kuimen to attack Shu, Guo Rong was granted the title of Xinzhou Bo, Zhao Kuangyin was granted the title of Zhongzhou Bo, and Du Lun was granted the title of Lintao Marquis in Chixin Jin Dynasty.
The remaining soldiers and generals each received rewards, and more than two hundred were given to military officers alone.
Zhang Gao also specially awarded the title of meritorious officer to the generals of the army, Yuhou and above, and he was the one who made the most of the military achievements in pacifying Shu.
Although it was only a two-character title of meritorious official, it benefited a wide range of people, which led to cheers from the military academy present.
There is no lumi or other special treatment for the title of meritorious official, but it can be used during roll calls at banquets. These words can be engraved on portraits and tombstones. It can also be solemnized in local county annals, biographies of famous people, and when compiling genealogies. Make a note.
The special merit, first-class merit, etc. in later republics evolved from this.
For example, in an ordinary military academy, if you go to a roll call banquet and praise a famous official, you can sing a song about a certain official who has made great achievements in military affairs. In an instant, everyone will pay attention and your worth will double.
But after the reward was given, Pei Yuan immediately became less talkative. He ordered people to bring non-imperial fish bags the size of goldfish bags to all the military schools present.
There are two wooden beads, one square and one round, in the fish bag. If someone has violated military law, keep the square bead and take away the round bead. If there is no violation of military law, keep the round bead and take away the square bead.
If Fang Zhu is left behind and voluntarily admits to committing the crime, the Imperial Military Judge will come to verify it.
If the stolen property is returned or turned in, a lighter punishment may be imposed. If someone is found out again without leaving the square beads, he will be severely punished.
All the military academies present knew that Pei Yuan was trying to save face for them. Whether you keep square beads or round beads is in the fish bag, and others will not know and will be given a lighter punishment.
But some people let themselves go too far and immediately started making noises in the crowd. Even the pro-army and forbidden troops from Longyou, Hexi Province were inevitably affected by the temperament of the Central Plains warriors.
This is an era when warriors can go to heaven, not to mention that in these military academies, there are many imperial guards, tooth soldiers, etc. from the Central Plains who have switched over.
However, after a while, at the banquet hall in Mo Kechi, the noise became louder and louder, and there were more and more noises. Some people shouted in the crowd that Pei Yuan could not deal with them at will, such as the heroes of Pingshu.
Pei Yuan, on the other hand, was unhurried and just waved two young men wearing silver-white armor with silver-white hair and gold rimmed foreheads to come forward to intimidate them.
Within a dozen seconds, the noisy military academy fell silent, because these two young generals were none other than the emperor's eldest son, Zhang Xiancun, the Marquis of Shanshan, and his second son, Zhang Xianyu, the Marquis of Shicheng.
Now there is no prince in Zhang Zhou. Zhang Xiancun and Zhang Xianyu are the princes with the highest rank. In the eyes of most people, the one who is most likely to be the prince is one of these two people.
Now the two of them personally serve as the imperial envoys, angels, military judges, and military judges Yuhou. Who dares to stab him?
At this time, getting a thorn will not only affect you, but your children and grandchildren.
The noise was like an occasional strong wind, it went away as quickly as it came. As soon as Zhang Xiancun and Zhang Xianyu came out, everyone in the military academy behaved themselves.
At this time, the officers of the various guards and armies also entered the scene. These military academies who were soaring to the sky in Shu finally remembered the strictness of military law again, and some were even frightened and began to confess their crimes on the spot.
Pei Yuan and Yin Zhengqi looked at each other and both breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, there was no fighting.
It is much easier to deal with these middle and lower-level officers now, and then let them deal with their soldiers.
After the military discipline is completed, some outstanding officers will be found and dealt with severely, and then the rewards for the soldiers will be announced.
Give them a sweet date with a stick, and their freed hearts should be able to calm down, become the emperor's claws again, and deeply understand the majesty of military law.
(End of chapter)
