The army was on its way back. The messenger from Chang'an also brought the emperor's order, asking General Zhou Yafu to return to Chang'an as soon as possible. His Majesty the Emperor was very worried about him.
Changle Palace.
The moment Liu Che saw the battle report, he was frightened and couldn't help but said: "This battle is really too difficult and dangerous. I thought that even a small defeat would not affect the overall situation, but who would have thought that the general would be seriously ill and almost... As a result, our army is leaderless.
If Duke Zhao hadn't gone to the grassland, at least half of the army would have suffered casualties, or even all of them would have perished on the grassland. Dong'ahou, thank you for going to Zhaocheng. I would like to express my gratitude to you as a soldier of the Han Dynasty. "
Luo Jing's hair was already gray, and he was also frightened. The connection between the Dong'a lineage and the Han Dynasty was very close. After hearing the emperor's words, he said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhao is an unprecedented figure in the Luo family. Now He is very old. If this happens again next time, I am afraid no one will be able to save the army from disaster, so we should be cautious in the future."
Liu Che asked with some curiosity: "The great king Zhaogong has contributed to the creation of nature, and the emperor Su Wang has shown his favor, can't he still live in the world forever?"
Luo Jing was stunned when he heard this, and said without hesitation: "Of course there is no longevity in this world, at least the Luo family doesn't know that Lord Zhaogong is a rare longevity person among the Luo family, and most of the Luo family's lifespans are as long as ordinary people. Almost, not as good as those who live longer."
Liu Che's eyes flashed with a look of joy and disappointment. He was happy that Luo Shi was still a mortal, but disappointed that Luo Shi might not really have a way to live forever.
"Your Majesty, the general is back."
The attendant hurriedly walked into the palace. After hearing this, Liu Che immediately said: "Please invite the general in immediately."
The three people in the palace waited quietly, and then the princes personally carried Zhou Yafu in. From time to time, someone made a cry of sadness. Zhou Yafu was placed on the seat and said weakly: "Your Majesty, I have failed to live up to your expectations. I failed. Defeat the Huns."
Hearing this, Liu Che waved his hand and said: "The general attacked for the first time, and without knowing anything about the Xiongnu, he defeated the Xiongnu Zuoxian King's tribe and captured more than 8,000 Xiongnu heads. Isn't this considered a great achievement?
Later, it was just due to a sudden serious illness. This was a disaster sent by God. Besides, it did not cause any big losses. How can I blame you, General?
You are already very old, and it is my fault that I still let you go on an expedition. I should reward all the soldiers heavily.
In addition to the merits of military merit, I will give all the soldiers who went out on this expedition a rank of knighthood, reward them with rice grains and goods, exempt them from corvee service for three years, and exempt them from taxes for one year.
Prime Minister, please record everything and promulgate it after you return. At the same time, urge each county to give rewards and report the follow-up results to me. I will personally review it. If any county fails to implement it, I will seriously punish it. ground punishment.
For the princes who go on this expedition, the general will add five hundred households, and the other ministers will add two hundred households. This is what I can do. "
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Almost all the princes in the palace knelt on one knee, with tears in their eyes, and thanked the emperor for his grace.
When everyone left the room and only Zhou Yafu and Liu Che were left, Liu Che asked: "General, who do you think should take over the position of general after you?"
The general is an important minister after the prime minister. He ranks second among the three ministers: the prime minister, the general, and the imperial censor. The selection is extremely important.
Zhou Yafu muttered: "If it were the time of Emperor Xiaowen, there would be many people who could serve as generals. But your Majesty must want to fight with the Huns, so you have to find someone who is familiar with the Huns. Your Majesty may be able to temporarily let the Marquis of Huaiyin serve as the general. Find a suitable candidate and then replace him. Marquis Huaiyin is a person who is not obsessed with power and position, so he will not cause any trouble.
Your Majesty, I am a general, and I have the position of Jianghou given by Emperor Gao. It is my responsibility to recommend to the country. This time when I went to the grassland, I got a fierce general named Wei Qing. He personally killed Zuo. The deputy king of the wise king, as well as Qianhu, Baihu and other people who killed the Huns, are the people with the highest merit this time.
I talked with him on the way back to Chang'an and found that this man was brave and decisive. He had guarded the border for a long time. He was very familiar with the war methods of the Xiongnu grassland. I also gained a lot. He was also from a lowly background. If your majesty used him, he would definitely die to retaliate. Of.
I heard that brave generals come from among the soldiers, so I recommend him to you. "
Liu Che did not expect that Zhou Yafu would not recommend his old in-laws, but at this time he would recommend the Marquis of Huaiyin, a relatively unknown prince, and a nobody, which surprised him.
Zhou Yafu knew that the emperor must be confused, and sighed with emotion: "I was favored by the late emperor and was able to serve as a general. I went to the grassland to repay the kindness of the late emperor and you, but now I have only completed half of it.
My relatives and friends are already extremely prosperous and wealthy. The royal family's grace is higher than Mount Tai and deeper than the East China Sea. It is detrimental to the country to seize high positions without the ability.
Your Majesty asked me to recommend you. I have no selfish motives. I hope to recommend talents to Your Majesty. If I can defeat the Huns one day, I can ask the commander-in-chief of the Han Dynasty to inform me in front of my tomb. "
Hearing this, Liu Che said emotionally: "You are really a great minister of my great Han Dynasty. I should treat your family well and let them be rich and noble for a long time until the end of the great Han Dynasty."
Zhou Yafu said with a smile: "I always remember that as long as I am loyal to Your Majesty, the more prosperous the Han Dynasty is, the more prosperous the Jianghou Kingdom will be."
Liu Che heard this and praised: "General, you said it well. You understand this truth. This is probably the reason why Jianghou country is rich."
The monarch and his ministers communicated for a long time. Zhou Yafu told Liu Che in detail what he had seen and heard on the grassland. Liu Che said with cold sweat: "The general is indeed a general who trusted the late emperor. It is so dangerous." We can still have a slight advantage, but if we weren't suddenly seriously ill, the Huns would definitely have been defeated."
Zhou Yafu was a little sad when he heard this. He had already prepared a strategy for the Huns to lure the enemy deeper, but an accident turned everything upside down and he almost died on the grassland.
…
After Zhou Yafu received a large number of rewards, he was like Liu Che begging for his bones. Liu Che removed him from the position of general and let Zhou Yafu rest. However, Zhou Yafu's health continued to deteriorate, and anyone with a discerning eye knew that he was really dying.
At this time, Marquis Huaiyin received the order from the court and entered the palace. After the ceremony, Liu Che said straight to the point: "Marquis Jiang is seriously ill. I want to appoint you as a general and as the commander-in-chief of the Han Dynasty."
The Marquis of Huaiyin was shocked when he heard this, his face full of doubts. He didn't understand why the emperor appointed him, so he said in surprise: "Your Majesty, I once heard that people should do what they are good at in order to get good results. Although I was born in a general family, my family The art of war has survived, but I am not good at leading troops in battle. If I were to lead an army, I would still be able to serve your Majesty. If I were to serve as a general, I would only worry about delaying your majesty's great cause, so please consider it."
Hearing this, Liu Che smiled and said, "You don't have to be like this, I won't let you lead an army to go on an expedition."
The Marquis of Huaiyin understood. It was precisely because he did not want to be a general that the emperor asked him to take the position first and wait until a suitable candidate was available before replacing him. Moreover, the relationship with the Marquis of Huaiyin was still strong, so there would be no obstacles for him to become a general. So many, this is considered the royal family's trust in the Huaiyin Marquis Mansion, so they directly bowed down and said: "Your Majesty has great trust, and I will die in service."
Wei Qing, who followed Zhou Yafu to Chang'an, soon learned that Zhou Yafu recommended himself to the emperor in the palace. He killed King Zuo Xian's deputy king and the beheadings were all great achievements.
Liu Che generously rewarded all the soldiers, and all the soldiers shouted that the emperor was wise, not to mention Wei Qing, who had already made great contributions and was recommended, directly entered the Forbidden Army.
He also built a small house in Chang'an, and the deputy king's head can be said to have helped him turn over.
This is today's big man. As long as he has military exploits, he can become the master in an instant. If another noble recommends him, it will only be a matter of time before he becomes a master.
For example, today's Wei Qing, if everything goes well, can gradually accumulate military merit and qualifications, and if he has similar achievements as now, he can be granted the title of a marquis. After becoming a marquis, he can serve as a high-ranking official like the Three Gongs and Nine Ministers, or even become a general. This time can be as short as ten years, and I don't know how long it is. After all, a certain well-known general was never able to become a marquis in his lifetime.
One month after Zhou Yafu returned to Chang'an, the obituary from Jianghou Mansion finally spread to all directions. This general who did not die well in real history ushered in the end of his life amidst endless sorrow and glory.
When Liu Che received the news, even though he had been mentally prepared for it, he still sighed slightly and said, "I will leave the court for three days as a token of condolences, and please all the important officials to discuss a posthumous title for the general."
Zhou Yafu's posthumous title was quickly decided, and he was called "Jiang Zhongyihou" because "threatening one's life and the country is called Zhong, and killing the enemy is called Yi".
Many people went to the Jianghou Mansion to pay homage, and Liu Che also sent people to express condolences. Zhou Yafu was different for Liu Che. When Liu Che first came to the throne, he did not like those ministers of the late emperor because these people exerted power over him. It's a hindrance.
Zhou Yafu's words before his death shocked Liu Che greatly and made him understand that these ministers of the late emperor could also be loyal to him. This change even made Liu Che lower his guard against other ministers of the late emperor. .
Zhou Yafu is Wei Qing's lord, and of course Wei Qing will come to express his condolences. This is a grand scene that Wei Qing has never seen in his previous master's house. It can only be said that there are also gaps among powerful people. Jianghou, who has been famous since the time of Emperor Gao, The famous family is really different.
Luo Jing did not come to express condolences, but sent one of his sons to go to Zhaocheng again. This time it was Luo Ling who summoned everyone. He had already sensed his end.
(End of chapter)
