Liu Chengyou's question was a bit sharp, and even pointed out that he had betrayed his master.
Facing Liu Chengyou's slightly cold and scrutinizing gaze, Gao Fang did not dodge, but a solemn expression appeared on his face. He took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Zhang Cong'en was kind to me. He was kind to me. In order to repay this kind of kindness, the lower officials should serve them wholeheartedly. However, personal kindness comes down to trivial matters. Zhang Congen gave up the righteousness of his family and country and would rather submit to the Khitan Hu bandits as a state town. I beg to differ!”
"The envoy to Zhang Cong'en was able to fulfill his duties as a minister. Even if he only guarded the pass and protected the people, he would continue to serve as his subordinates, following him around and serving him wholeheartedly. However, the day Zhang Cong'en abandoned the state and left, it was the time when the two of us broke up. !”
At the end of the sentence, Gao Fang's voice was passionate and his face showed some emotion.
"Ten years of kindness is not as good as the righteousness of the family and the country!" After hearing his explanation, Liu Chengyou's eyes calmed down, he muttered one sentence, and then he handed over to him: "The high judge has high righteousness!"
"I just want to have a clear conscience!" Gao Fang's expression gradually calmed down and he said in a deep voice.
Gao Fang's words are indeed righteous words and show his high integrity. This may be his true inner thoughts, or there may be other reasons. But Liu Chengyou had already concluded in his heart that this person was indeed worth winning over.
Putting aside the slightly "heavy" topic, Liu Chengyou turned to ask: "Shicai, what does the high judge think of Wang Shou'en's request?"
Gao Fang didn't seem to be completely free from his emotions. When he heard this question, he was stunned for a moment, but he also heard the dissatisfaction with Wang Shouen in Liu Chengyou's tone. He lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said vaguely: "Inspector Wang, It should be the lieutenant general of Gu Nianjun, so I will sacrifice my skin and ask for his life..."
"I have heard about what happened in Jiedu's mansion this morning, and I also heard about his official duties. According to common sense, Judge Gao and Wang Shou'en did not have a close friendship at first. After the dispute, the relationship should be very discordant. That's right!" Looking at Gao Fang, Liu Chengyou's eyes were full of doubts: "However, from the city to the banquet, and now, listening to you speak, there is a faint intention to protect Wang Shouen. Why is this?"
After listening to Liu Chengyou's question, Gao Fang was silent for a while, and then sighed: "Although Wang Xunjian is greedy for money, arrogant and despicable, his official position, qualifications and prestige are all the best in Luzhou's civil and military affairs. This time to punish Zhao is also his initiative . The lower official knows that he has a perverse personality, but he cannot bear to see his domineering behavior, which may anger His Highness and lead to disaster..."
Hearing what Gao Fang said, Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows slightly. He thought of Xiang Xun's words that as an official, Gao Fang had suffered for others without any excuse, just to save people's lives. Thinking back to this moment, defending Wang Shou'en, this person is indeed admirable for his gentleness, but in Liu Chengyou's view, he seems a bit pedantic.
After thinking about it, Liu Chengyou asked Gao Fang quietly: "Judge Gao's words have a vague intention of admonishing me. Is it because he is afraid of me and cannot tolerate the king's kindness?"
"I don't dare!" Hearing this, Gao Fang shook his head and denied it.
Liu Chengyou sat upright, his expression turned cold, and he stared at Gao Fang: "To be honest, Judge Gao, I am really dissatisfied with Wang Shou'en. People like this, no matter where they are officials, must focus on gathering, and they are not common people." I want to kill him and eliminate a harm to the world. As for Luzhou, I will report it to Jinyang and ask the high judge to judge it. What do you think?"
Liu Chengyou's calm tone was filled with killing intent, but Gao Fang was horrified. He looked at Liu Chengyou in astonishment, with no joy on his face. Instead, he said urgently: "Your Highness, you must not do this!"
Seeing his excited reaction, Liu Chengyou's expression returned to normal: "Why?"
Gao Fang replied without hesitation: "Wang Shouen's contribution to this act of justice cannot be erased after all. Without his great help, Luzhou would not have been able to conquer the whole state so easily. If he had led the troops of Luzhou and fought with Zhao Xing If we move together to wait for the Khitan army and horses, the situation in Luzhou will soon deteriorate!"
Speaking of the emergency, Gao Fang already called Wang Shou'en by name: "A Wang Shou'en is nothing. His Highness kills people like killing chickens, but if he kills them for no reason, how will the world view His Highness and Jinyang? Now today the world , the Khitan is still powerful. Although Liu Gong founded Jinyang, he only really controls the ten states east of Hedong. It is time to unite with the towns in the Central Plains and Hebei to attack the Khitan."
"As soon as we take the prefectures and counties, we kill the heroes. Not only will the generals in Luzhou feel cold, but if the generals are spread out, it will make the world have doubts. This is really harmful to the great cause of fighting the Khitan. Your Highness, please think twice!"
The words "high defense" may sound reasonable, but in reality it is not that exaggerated. The life of a mere Wang Shouen is not qualified to influence the world situation and affect the great cause of "chasing Liao".
However, Liu Chengyou believed at this time that Gao Fang really wanted to save Wang Shouen's life. It was for the sake of the overall situation and a little kindness.
The corner of his mouth curled up slightly, and Liu Chengyou sighed lightly: "Although Judge Gao and I have just met, I didn't expect to hear your heartfelt words."
Paying attention to Liu Chengyou's expression, which looked like he was about to be convinced, Gao Fang changed his mind and said, "Has your Highness ever heard the story of buying bones for a thousand gold?"
"Of course." Liu Chengyou glanced at him, and he roughly guessed what he would do next, and said directly: "If you think about it carefully, this Wang Shou'en is really like a bone, a withered bone in the grave!"
"That's it, Gu, this time I will accept the advice of the high judge and learn from the king Guo Wei said, and come to 'the market of dry bones'..."
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Gao Fang was still calm. This change seemed a bit fast. He calmed down, but looking at Liu Chengyou's calm face, he subconsciously asked: "Your Highness, do you have no intention of killing Wang Shou'en?"
"As you said, the life and death of a Wang Shouen is nothing. He was greedy for money, arrogant and domineering, but he did not die in the end. This time he did have merit. Killing him rashly has nothing to do with me other than venting my dissatisfaction. The advantage is that it is easy to get the reputation of destroying bridges across rivers, killing donkeys by unloading mills!" Liu Chengyou said calmly: "As for the future..."
As for what will happen in the future, Liu Chengyou did not say any more, but Gao Fang already bowed respectfully to Liu Chengyou: "Your Highness is wise!"
After exhaling, Liu Chengyou continued: "Not only will I not kill him, I will also report to Jinyang and appoint Wang Shou'en as the military governor of Zhaoyi (Luzhou) to make use of his merits!"
"As for Judge Gao, I would like to recommend you as the patrol envoy of Luzhou to lead the military affairs of Luzhou! This time, you will definitely not refuse..."
Looking at Liu Chengyou, Gao Fang did not dare to look down upon this young man who was two years younger than him. He took a deep breath, bowed and bowed: "Thank you, Your Highness."
"No gift. I have heard about your talents for a long time. We talked freely tonight and I was not disappointed!" Liu Chengyou's expression completely returned to his natural state, and he began to talk about winning people's hearts again: "The accounts are written, and the treasury has tens of millions of money. However, As far as I'm concerned, it's better to have a treasury of tens of millions than to have one person to guard against!"
Hearing this, even though his high defense experience would not make him so moved that he bowed his head, he still felt a little emotional in his heart, and solemnly saluted Liu Chengyou: "Thank you for your attention, Your Highness. I am ashamed of my humble position!"
After chatting with Gao Fang for a few more words, Liu Chengyou let him take his leave. When he left, he lightly reminded him: "The conversation between you and me tonight, um... don't talk to anyone else!"
"yes!"
