"Father." Zhao Kuangzan stepped forward and squatted in front of the couch.
"I'm back." Zhao Yanshou looked weak, and his body relaxed obviously when he saw his beloved son.
Stretching out his hand towards him, Zhao Kuangzan took it and took it. Zhao Yanshou's hand felt a little cold and he asked with concern: "Your body..."
"Zhang Mengchen is gone!" Zhao Yanshou shook his head with a look of sadness in his eyes. His weak tone was filled with emotion and a hint of sadness: "He couldn't survive this summer after all!"
Zhao Yanshou's words were sentimental for Zhang Li, but also for himself. He said with emotion: "I don't know how many days I have left to live as a father!"
Hearing what he said, Zhao Kuangzan felt something in his heart, and the worry on his face became more intense, but he still tried to calm down his emotions and comforted him: "Father, as long as he takes a good rest, he will be able to live a long and happy life!"
"My body, I know it!" Zhao Yanshou's breath was a little hot, and he said slowly: "Zhang Mengchen is a talented person. If he had helped you, he would have saved you a lot of trouble. It's a pity that he walked in What lies ahead of me."
Zhao Kuangzan was silent.
After closing his eyes slightly and taking a few deep breaths, Zhao Yanshou asked, "What are the movements of the Khitan people?"
"The Xi people rebelled in western Liaoning. The Khitan cavalry should be used to suppress the rebellion. There should be no intention of invading the south for the time being." Mentioning this, Zhao Kuangzan immediately responded to reassure his father.
Over the past year, Khitan has not been at peace internally, and rebellions have continued. These are all the consequences of the defeat of the Southern Kingdom last year and the replacement of the throne. Although Yelu Ruan succeeded in ascending to the throne with the support of a group of nobles, the situation he faced was not much better than that of Liu Chengyou, except that he had stronger strength.
Under such circumstances, Yelu Ruan continued to suppress the aristocratic ministers and tribes of Taizong Yelu Deguang's line, and promoted private individuals, which divided the core of the Liao Kingdom's rule. Many nobles were dissatisfied. Coupled with the different governing concepts, Khitan rebelled. Continuously.
Coupled with the collapse of the domestic economy and widespread famines, the tribes that had surrendered to the Khitan were increasingly unstable, including the Bohai homeland, which was subject to unrest from time to time. If the Hu people are talking about rebellion, they are no less generous than the vassal towns in China today.
In the Han Dynasty, Liu Chengyou was like a tinker, sealing leaks and making up for the vacancies, and the same could be said for Emperor Yelu Ruan of the Liao Dynasty in the north. However, under the decades of management of two generations of Yelu Abaoji and his son, even though it suffered a heavy blow last year, the foundation is still there. Yelu Ruan still has strong strength in his hands, which allows him to gradually eliminate those troubles with confidence, and he still has the remaining power to attack Youzhou.
That is to say, under the circumstances of internal power struggles and constant constraints, the Yan army can take a breather.
However, Zhao Yanshou's expression did not look relaxed at all, and he was still worried: "We are not afraid of summer, but we are worried about autumn!"
Zhao Kuangzan understood what his father meant. If the Hu people mobilized troops, it would be the time when autumn was high and the horses were fat. At that time, Youyan was in the midst of the busy autumn harvest. Just like the imperial court, Youzhou's military and political affairs were not in a hurry for farming. However, in a remote and despicable place, they were always faced with harassment by barbarians, which made farming even more difficult.
"I have ordered the garrison in the north to closely monitor the movements of the Khitans to prevent them from taking advantage of them!" Zhao Kuangzan said.
Although Zhao Yanshou was ill, his mind was obviously still clear, and he hinted: "Although the external troubles are serious, they will wait for him, and the urgent internal troubles can be seen before our eyes. You Yan is also in a troubled time!"
"Father, have you heard about it?" Zhao Kuangzan asked.
"Help me up!" After giving the order, Zhao Yanshou sat up and said: "The people's morale is unstable, the military's morale is fluctuating, and public opinion is turbulent. How can I have peace on my father's bed?"
"People's hearts are already in disarray." Zhao Kuang sighed, his handsome face showing some bitterness: "Recently, rumors have been spreading in the army. Although I have ordered to suppress them, they have had little effect. If nothing is done to correct them, things may change. !”
"Those people can't stand it any longer!" Zhao Yanshou's voice was clear, full of contempt: "They are despicable, short-sighted, and ignorant of the general situation. The current situation is difficult, and it is inevitable that dissent will arise!"
What Zhao Yanshou was referring to was naturally some of the generals in the Yan army. Most of them were military bureaucrats and landlords who had risen since the "Jie Yan" period. They were a powerful force. Previously, the Khitan people mostly relied on them to rule the land of Youyan.
Last year, the current situation changed drastically, and the conflict between Hu and Han broke out. Forced by the general trend, the other generation joined the anti-Liao cause "in a daze". In the early days, especially from the looting of the Youzhou Hu people, they made a lot of profits.
But in the nearly one year of confrontation with the Liao army, life was difficult. There were casualties, the land was deserted, and the tenants fled. It can be said that the losses were heavy. Compared with the previous days under the rule of the Khitans, the gap was only a tiny bit.
In addition, the people's livelihood in Youzhou was in decline and the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous. However, the other people knew how powerful the Khitan people were, so their grudges accumulated and gradually showed signs of exploding. National interests, national justice, and conflicts between Hu and Han are no longer big issues in the eyes of other people...
"They also don't think about it, can such a blood feud be eliminated in a short time? The Chinese people from western Liaoning and eastern Liaoning who have not yet evacuated are now like cattle and horses serving the barbarians. If the Khitans capture Youzhou again, what will happen to them? What will be the outcome? I see, I'm afraid they might not be as good as the savages in the deep mountains and harsh waters!" Zhao Yanshou's tone was filled with anger.
"There are so many mediocre people in the world, and there are even more mean men in the army and generals. The world is unpredictable. How many people can see the current situation clearly and get a glimpse of the future." Zhao Yanshou sighed, feeling a little sad.
After gasping for breath for several times, Zhao Yanshou slowly calmed down, suddenly looked at his son, and said solemnly to him in a serious tone: "Kuang Zan, it's still the same sentence, that person is uneasy, you must Be firm and don't allow yourself to be disturbed and do the opposite. The Khitan people deeply hate my father and son. If Youyan is dead, they may become slaves, but my Zhao family will only end up dead."
This scene is a bit funny. When he went north, Zhao Yanshou held both sides and had both sides, but now he uses this to educate his son.
"My son knows."
"The Khitan has been eliminated, and it is necessary to rely on the Han court. Although the Han Dynasty is not very stable, I see that although the emperor is young, he is not a creature in the pond. He defeated the Khitan and plotted against Youyan. Since he succeeded to the throne, he has also shown his prowess. The posture of the Lord.”
"He wants to use my Zhao family to control Youyan to fight against the Khitan and avoid the danger from the north. He will definitely support and win over us."
"There's one more thing you should keep in mind. Youyan lost the northern danger, and the Hu cavalry came in and out at will. Although the city is large and strong, it will be difficult to resist the Khitan for a long time. If its army comes out and the Han court is unable to go north, Youzhou can defend it. , we must not give up the rules and lead the troops and civilians to withdraw southward, we must have the army in our hands."
"If the emperor of the Han Dynasty can successfully revitalize the court, strengthen the country, and inspire soldiers, he will definitely have the intention to advance northward in the future, and he will definitely rely on the Zhao family and the Yan army. If he lacks talent and virtue, or if there are major changes in the Central Plains, then he can still borrow Youyan's army and civilians are trying to find another career..."
This conversation felt like explaining the aftermath. Seeing his old father supporting his sick body and speaking earnestly, Zhao Kuangzan's nose couldn't help but feel sore. He understood and advised: "Father, it is better to take a good rest. I will handle matters in Youzhou on my own."
Under Zhao Kuangzan's service, Zhao Yanshou lay down again, calmed down, looked at Zhao Kuangzan, and ordered: "Zhang Mengchen's funeral cannot be ambiguous. You go to the Zhang Mansion in person to help with the preparations to show respect."
Zhao Kuangzan was slightly stunned. Although Zhang Li's reputation was high, he was dead after all. With the current tense situation in Youzhou, at this important moment, he should win over people's hearts, stabilize the situation, and grasp the military and political power.
Apparently understanding Zhao Kuangzan's suspicions, Zhao Yanshou added: "Pass my order, all military commanders and generals above will go to the Zhang Mansion to express condolences and see Judge Zhang off. Later, I will go to mourn Zhang Mengchen in person!"
"But your body... As long as this matter is settled!" Zhao Kuangzan said subconsciously, but soon, a deep thought appeared on his face, and he looked at his father with a fixed gaze: "Does father have other plans?"
Seeing his alertness, Zhao Yanshou comforted him and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. He said in a solemn tone: "Yan Jun can't be in chaos, and Youzhou can't be in chaos either. We have to take advantage of the situation to be peaceful. I still have one breath to clean it up for you." Some trouble."
