No matter how much he is a gentleman, no matter how much he values filial piety and brotherhood, Liu Chengxun is not a saint after all. In front of the throne, facing the imminent threat of Liu Chengyou, how can one truly remain calm and indifferent.
Over the years, Liu Chengxun has subconsciously regarded himself as a 100% candidate for heir due to his age, status, talents and virtues, but he has never considered the threat of his two younger brothers. Liu Chengyou's sudden rise is afraid that Liu Chengxun was still a little uncomfortable.
After everyone calmed down, Yang Bin looked at Liu Chengxun and said, "Your Highness, no matter what happens to the second prince, you must be prepared. The army, especially the forbidden troops, is the top priority. In this regard, the second prince has The Longqi Army has taken the advantage."
Yang Bin began to make plans for Liu Chengxun: "However, too much is not enough. The second prince is young and energetic and does not know how to restrain himself. Although the Battle of Luancheng made him famous all over the world, it also made him arrogant without knowing it, which angered the officials and civil and military officials. Fear. It is said that the officials have temporarily seized his military power and suppressed it. This time, Shi Hongzhao is used to organize the imperial army. This is your opportunity. You can contact Shi Hongzhao and take the opportunity to place some generals and control part of the army. , and at the same time suppress the Longqi Army. Shi Hongzhao is not a big-hearted person, and he underestimated the second prince when he was in Jinyang. I think he is willing to get closer to your highness..."
A flush suddenly appeared on his face. Yang Bin's words seemed to make Liu Chengxun a little embarrassed. However, he did not refute this time, but his handsome eyebrows furrowed tightly: "Shi Hongzhao!"
Just as Liu Chengyou didn't like Shi Hongzhao, Liu Chengxun also disliked him very much. He said with some fear: "Shi Hongzhao is tyrannical, rude, arrogant and violent, don't try to conspire with him!"
"Your Highness must not act emotionally." Yang Bin said: "Although Shi Hongzhao despises the ministers, he would never dare to despise His Highness. He is vulgar and unpopular. If he is criticized by the court, he can be easily restrained in the future. At present, he can be More cooperation.”
Yang Bin's expression couldn't help but show disgust.
Speaking of the people who hated Shi Hongzhao in the Han Dynasty at this time, Yang Bin was definitely the most influential one. Shi Hongzhao was really hated by gods and ghosts. In addition to his disgusting personality, he especially despised civil servants. After entering Bian, Shi Hongzhao had publicized more than once that civil servants were useless and meritorious and were not worthy of being ranked alongside them. Even in front of Yang Bin several times, he was prevented from coming to the stage.
Liu Chengxun breathed a sigh of relief, and the doubts between his brows disappeared, but he did not continue to delve into this topic. Instead, he made a deliberate change. He stood up and picked up a document on the desk and handed it to Yang Bin: "Ms. Gong, about Gyeonggi Province As a refugee, I have drafted a statement and am preparing to submit it, please help me read the details."
Yang Bin was stunned for a moment, his eyes fell from Liu Chengxun to the document, he sighed slightly, took it and read it. As he watched, his expression gradually became condensed.
Most of the items listed by Liu Chengxun are nothing new. They are nothing more than allocating land, distributing grain seeds, leasing cattle, farm tools, etc. Looking at the details, it is obvious that Liu Chengyou's handling method in Zhending was taken as a reference.
Looking up, Yang Bin noticed Liu Chengxun's expectant eyes and shook his head: "His Highness's idea is good, but it is not easy to realize it."
"Why?" Liu Chengxun asked urgently.
"The money is empty and the state is not enough to support it!" Yang Bin said simply.
Liu Chengxun was obviously prepared, and immediately said: "I checked, and there is still money and grain in the treasury. The summer grain is in the treasury, plus the wealth and livestock taken back from the Khitan, it is enough to support it!"
"Your Highness, there are still hundreds of thousands of officials, soldiers, and civilians in Tokyo who need to be supported." Yang Bin explained: "What's more, the national treasury also needs to retain enough money and food to prepare for emergencies!"
"Isn't it necessary to relieve refugees, give people rest, and rebuild gardens and fences?"
Liu Chengxun's vision is obviously limited to the Gyeonggi area. With an educational attitude, Yang Bin said to him: "Now that the country has been settled, the various states will come and go, but in the end it is only a nominal affiliation. The Han Dynasty was first established, and although it was to be gentle, the court would definitely have some control over key points. The adjustments were made especially to Du Chongwei of Yedu. A slight failure to achieve his intentions could lead to his rebellion. In the Guanzhong area, the situation was chaotic and the chaos had lasted for half a year. Although Hou Yi of Fengxiang and Zhang Yanchao of Jingzhao showed their sincerity, they still Just wait and see with suspicion. There are also Shu troops watching and watching. Even the Gao family in Jingnan and the Li family in Southern Tang have to guard against these!"
Yang Bin's words made Liu Chengxun feel a little uncomfortable, as if he was holding something back. Liu Chengxun was really puzzled as to why the situation faced by the Han Dynasty had never been better. After entering the Central Plains and occupying Hebei, it went from bad to worse.
After a while of silence, he said somewhat depressedly: "Is the imperial court going to do nothing all the time?"
"Everything has to be done." Yang Yan was quite calm and a bit cold: "For the sake of the country, we can only give up our small family!"
However, Liu Chengxun said firmly: "After coming to Tokyo from the south, I just felt that the big man was on top of the oven. Good governance was not flourishing, and people's resentment was boiling. It must be changed. This policy of reassuring the people must be carried out without hesitation." !”
Liu Chengxun was so righteous, Yang Bin didn't say anything more this time, and bowed to him.
...
Also on this autumn night, a family banquet was held in the Guo Mansion to welcome the adopted son. The Guo family was also considered to be prosperous, and they all moved to Kaifeng with others. Guo Wei has a lot of children under his knees, and they are still young and have nothing to worry about. The whole family is happy and harmonious when they get together.
It was late at night, and after the family banquet broke up, Guo Weifang called Guo Rong to the study and asked him alone.
"How do you feel about this experience?" Guo Wei has always been satisfied with Guo Rong, and he is also extremely gentle during chats.
Guo Rong pondered for a while before replying: "After the Khitan Rebellion and the suffering of the people, the people's livelihood everywhere is in ruins and bandits are everywhere. If we don't think of good strategies to calm down the place, in order to save lives and rest with the people, Sooner or later, there will be great disaster. And although Han Zuo is prosperous, it is actually troubled by internal and external troubles. If the north is lost, there is Khitan, and the south is empty, then the countries will be separated and all will be in great trouble. Internally, the ills of the vassal towns will be deep, and the court will be in trouble. superior......"
Speaking of this, Guo Rong glanced at Guo Wei, but said nothing further.
"You have seen it clearly. As for the chaos of the government, there is nothing that cannot be said frankly. In the previous period, two Sus were in charge, but these two acted as the domineering minister and assistant, and suddenly became the prime minister and assistant. They were beyond their capabilities and caused chaos in the government. Yang Bin and Wang Zhang are capable and capable, and their purge has been effective in bringing order out of chaos recently, but the disputes in the court will be difficult to calm down in a short time." Guo Wei basically followed Guo Rong's words.
"Why is the government so chaotic?" Even Guo Rong was confused.
"This cannot be explained clearly in a few words. Now that you have come to the court and stayed for a few more days, you will understand." Guo Wei sighed, paused, looked at Guo Rong, and asked in a calm voice: "What are you doing with the Second Prince?" He has been under my command for such a long time, how do you rate him?"
Guo Rong was a little surprised, but under Guo Wei's serious eyes, he still thought about it and replied with a little caution: "Mingrui and decisive, magnificent in power, ambitious and strategic, capable of conquering, talented in helping the world, and peaceful in the people." wisdom......"
If Liu Chengyou knew that Guo Rong had such a high opinion of himself, he would probably laugh. Obviously, Guo Wei also believed in his adopted son's vision. After considering his own perception and judgment, he shook his head: "The second prince has such a talent. It is still unclear whether it is a blessing or a curse for the country."
Guo Rong was a little doubtful. Seeing this, Guo Wei stood up and dug out a thick official document from his desk and handed it to Guo Rong: "My father and Shi Hongzhao were ordered to rectify the armies in the capital and reorganize the Forbidden Army. This is a preliminary plan led by Shi Hongzhao. plan......"
With doubts in mind, Guo Rong read it over and read it carefully. It had been written in detail which old armies were abolished, how many new armies were established, how they were organized, who the generals and commanders belonged to... Obviously, the entire army I have already prepared for it.
Soon, Guo Rong exclaimed in shock: "Are you going to split up the Longqi Army? How dare Shi Hongzhao do this? Are you trying to completely offend the second prince?"
"The current combat power of the Longqi Army is already the strongest among all the armies. If it is dispersed and replenished among the armies, it will be conducive to improving the combat power of the entire Forbidden Army." Guo Wei explained, I am afraid that this kind of rhetoric cannot even deceive himself. After sitting down, he added: "How could Shi Hongzhao dare to do this without the official's instructions?"
Although Guo Rong is serious and taciturn, he shows off his inner skills. He is a very smart person. He immediately realized: "The emperor wants to suppress the second prince?"
"Yes, otherwise why would there be so much violent public opinion against him in Kaifeng last time?" Guo Wei said: "The situation of the Han Dynasty today is very similar to that during the Wude period of the Tang Dynasty. But the dangerous situation facing the country is several times that of the early Tang Dynasty. .”
"Emperor, will you be afraid of your own son?" Guo Rong asked.
Guo Wei was silent. It was inconvenient for him to comment on this statement. After a long time, he sighed: "We can't guess how the officials will consider it. But the battle for the reserve position is probably unavoidable."
Guo Rong lowered his head slightly. He was a little surprised when he was suddenly exposed to such a core issue. However, after the surprise, he began to think about the purpose of Guo Wei discussing this matter with him tonight. After thinking for a while, he looked at Guo Wei with clear eyes and asked curiously in a low voice: "Father, you are an important minister of the Han Dynasty. You have power in the Privy Council and are in charge of the military. It will inevitably be affected. Since the battle for the reserve is inevitable, which side do you plan to stand on. "
Hearing this question, Guo Wei raised his finger in the air and tapped Guo Rong twice. He seemed to be asked, but instead of answering directly, he asked: "What do you think?"
Guo Rong looked solemn, but replied firmly: "Yi'er's idea naturally supports the second prince!"
Feeling Guo Rong's affirmative tone, Guo Wei was slightly surprised. He knew that his adopted son was a very independent person, but he did not expect to be so decisive on such a sensitive matter, so he still asked: "Why?"
"I am not familiar with the eldest prince, but I am familiar with the second prince. He has the qualifications to be a master, so there is no reason to recognize the stranger but not the familiar one. Furthermore, although the eldest prince has a reputation, he is too weak. Without establishing a reputation for martial arts, if he were to govern the world with the dignity of his eldest son, it would be difficult for the two princes to compete with him. However, in these troubled times, no one who is not a hero can survive and preserve the country. In the past few decades, from the Liang and Tang Dynasties to the Jin and Han Dynasties, all That’s the truth!” Guo Rong spoke eloquently.
"I know the situation of the Longqi Army very well. Most of the generals are brave and strategist, and most of them are served by the second prince, like Ma Quanyi, Xiang Xun, and even Sun Li. He also has a life-and-death relationship. There are also arrangements in the north. Murong Yanzhao and Luo Yanxuan, these people have all received his kindness and can be used by him no matter where they are. Soldiers believe in the strong, and although His Highness is young, he already has the appearance of a strong man!"
After hearing what he said, Guo Wei suddenly asked: "Do the generals you mentioned include you?"
Guo Rong seemed to have answered the question incorrectly: "I admire His Highness's ability to recognize people and his wisdom in employing them!"
Guo Wei nodded and seemed to understand. He stood up and walked several steps in the study with his hands behind his back. He looked through the window at the cool night outside and sighed: "Son of Emperor, those who have strong soldiers and horses should be the ones who have the talent." ! What An Chongrong said back then was thought-provoking, but it also sent chills down the spine!"
Guo Rong then stood up, stood behind Guo Wei, and said, "This is also the source of chaos in the world. If the imperial power is not flourishing, the monarch's power is weak, the soldiers cannot be owned by the state, and if the generals keep it private, the world will be in chaos!"
Seeing that the topic had gone astray, Guo Wei coughed twice and reminded Guo Rong: "Our conversation tonight must not be leaked."
Guo Rong smiled faintly: "Of course not."
After pondering for a moment, Guo Wei couldn't help but sigh: "Even if the second prince is strong, I'm afraid it won't be that easy for him to successfully become the prince. People like Shi Hongzhao and Yang Bin are a hurdle that is difficult to overcome, especially Yang Bin, with his planning and support, the eldest prince still has a great advantage. More importantly, if the father wants to suppress him, how should he respond as a son and minister? "
Regarding this question, neither Mr. Guo nor his son had the intention to continue digging. In fact, both of them had more or less answers in their minds.
"Well, these things can be changed without us talking about it." Guo Wei waved his hand and quickly calmed down and asked Guo Rong: "What are your plans next?"
Guo Rong looked at his father with some confusion.
Seeing this, Guo Wei immediately spoke more clearly: "The Forbidden Army is reorganizing. Do you want to continue serving in the army, or are you seeking to be released?"
"What do you think?" Guo Rong asked Guo Wei for his opinion.
"It depends on yourself!" Guo Wei replied.
After frowning and thinking for a while, Guo Rong replied: "There is probably no place for young people like me in Beijing. If I can go out to a state to show my skills, I am willing to go!"
"Where do you want to go?"
"Guanzhong or Hebei!" Guo Rong answered simply.
Guo Wei showed a smile and said: "Go to Chanzhou. In a few days, I will recommend you as the defense envoy of Chanzhou. With your achievements this time and my face, it will not be difficult!"
When it came to Chanzhou, Guo Rong immediately reacted: "Is the imperial court going to take action against Du Chongwei?"
Guo Wei was very satisfied with Guo Rong's agility and said calmly: "It's not that the court wants to take action against him, but if he makes any changes, the court needs to be on guard!"
Guo Rong was thoughtful, and Guo Wei thought about it briefly, and then told him: "Explain the matter to the second prince in person about the release."
"yes!"
