The exchange with Chen Tuan was quite tiring for Liu Chengyou, although the scene seemed quite relaxed and harmonious. Regarding Chen Tuan, Liu Chengyou's original plan was to keep him as an official in the court, as a worshiper, or even directly named a national teacher, in order to achieve the purpose of respecting and promoting religion.
However, after some exchanges, listening to his words and observing his behavior, Liu Chengyou had almost figured out that this old man was really indifferent to fame and fortune, so he gave up his thoughts. I'm just a little disappointed. It is said that even at the age of fifty or sixty, I took the scientific examination, but failed. After that, I completely indulged in the mountains and rivers and practiced Taoism.
However, favor is still unavoidable, and Liu Chengyou plans to add fuel to the fire and create a wave of "sleeping fairy" momentum among the people.
"The official family, Shujishi Wang Pu and the Yong'an Army Jiedu envoy followed Ruan Zheng and were waiting for an audience outside the palace."
"Xuan!"
Liu Chengyou was much more interested in receiving Zhe Congruan than he was with the old Taoist. After all, he had military power, but his demeanor was majestic and much more solemn.
"As early as in Jinyang, I heard about Zhe Gong's name, and I can see his face in the sun. He is truly worthy of his reputation!" After the ceremony, Liu Chengyou complimented while looking at Zhe Congruan's gentle and courteous demeanor.
"Your Majesty is a man of heaven, and I respect him as well." The veteran general gave Liu Chengyou face.
"Have Qing Zhe rested well and satisfactorily in the post? Is there anything wrong with the reception?" Liu Chengyou asked him to sit down and ordered tea to be served, Liu Chengyou said casually.
Zhe Cong Ruan responded: "Everything is perfect!"
"I heard that Zhe Qing has not yet set up a residence in Tokyo!" Liu Chengyou asked in a sure tone.
Zhe Congruan responded subconsciously: "Yes!"
Immediately afterwards, Liu Chengyou ordered Zhang Dejun who was waiting at the side: "Go and inform the uncle (Li Ye) and ask him to find a mansion in the inner city to give Zhe Qing a place to stay!"
"Yes!" The chamberlain agreed simply and went directly.
Although Zhe Congruan was surprised by this sudden reward, he quickly reacted and said hurriedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
There was nothing to refuse. The emperor had rewarded him, and besides, he had already planned to buy a mansion, so this would save him a lot of money. However, from these short exchanges, Zhe Congruan intuitively felt the emperor's strong style of doing things.
"Since the Tang Dynasty, Zheqing has been in charge of Fuzhou for more than 20 years. Shi Jingtang ceded territory to the Khitan, so that our northern prefecture and county fell into the hands of the barbarians. Fuzhou was hanging on the border, facing the threat of the Khitan, and it was possible to protect the territory without losing it. , the livelihood of the people is all thanks to your sacrifice." Liu Chengyou spoke with emotion in his tone, and raised a cup of tea: "I feel the hardships and hardships during this period, so I would like to offer you a cup of tea instead of wine!"
Liu Chengyou directly affirmed his contribution to Fuzhou, and Zhe Congruan did not act coyly and raised his glass in response.
After drinking the royal tea in the palace, Zhe Congruan had no intention of tasting what was special about the taste. He said passionately: "To protect the prefecture, it is not the result of one person. There are also thousands of soldiers and civilians who work together to protect the prefecture." Wei Xiangzi!"
"A snake cannot move without a head, and an army cannot move without a general. If it were not for Zhe Qing, the land of Mansion and Lin would have been lost long ago!"
After once again emphasizing the importance of Zhe Congruan in guarding the borders of Fuzhou, Liu Chengyou just asked about the affairs of Fuzhou and the army: "I wonder how many people and soldiers the Yong'an army has now?"
He glanced at Liu Chengyou for a moment, seeming hesitant, but after thinking about it, Liu Chengyou said: "The land of Fuzhou is barren and the people are poor, and the people are despicable. They have been repeatedly invaded by the Khitan. I have worked hard to support it, but the number of people is only 11,300." There are more households, with a population of nearly 80,000. The Yong'an army has more than 5,000 soldiers under its command, including Ya soldiers, town garrison soldiers and rural soldiers. It can be said that the whole people are soldiers, including 1,200 horse soldiers..."
From what he said, this small population, this small army, compared with more than 20 years of operation, is really shabby. Liu Chengyou subconsciously didn't believe it, but considering the years of war and the environment in the prefecture, and comparing the population of the prefectures and counties he knew, he felt it was reliable.
"It's really not easy to defeat Qing!" he sighed.
Just think about it, it seems that it is not easy for a poor place like Fuzhou to maintain its land and raise a population of 80,000. It is estimated that a large number of them went there because of Zhe Cong Ruan's reputation.
Seeing his honesty, Liu Chengyou felt even more favorable. Because of the same question, he had also asked the various Jiedu who came to Beijing first before. As a result, except for Beizhou Jiedu Li Yin and Cangzhou Jiedu Wang Jing, the rest of the people basically couldn't answer. Either they don't know the people, or they don't know the government, and some don't even know how many soldiers there are.
For example, Liu Chengyou's old minister Zhang Yanwei, who helped a lot during the process of Qianlong's command of the army, could be said to be ignorant of all questions. It's not that he didn't know anything at all. It was just difficult for him to give an exact number.
However, Zhang Yanwei guarded Hengzhou for a year and a half, but he was able to keep the territory barely at peace, with no major gains or losses. He also responded appropriately to the Khitan invasion the previous time. Just because this person has self-awareness and is supported by Li Hubu, who was promoted to Jiedu judge by Liu Chengyou, and other generals. Li Hub was a prime minister, and he gave full play to his talents in Ji.
"Zhe Qing is in Fuzhou, facing the Khitan. How is the border defense prepared now?" Liu Chengyou asked again.
Regarding this, Zhe Cong Ruan Ze no longer had any need to hide anything, and he told Liu Chengyou openly: "The reason why I can protect the prefecture is not only the unity of the soldiers and the people under my rule, but also the danger of the Yellow River and the Great Wall." Over the past few years, I have worked diligently to lay down walls and oars, and built extensive towns and fortresses, which are easily accessible to non-Khitan people."
Seeing that Zhe Congruan was so confident, Liu Chengyou stroked his hand and said, "Qing Zhe's heroic words can bring peace of mind to the soldiers and people of Fuzhou."
"Have there been any changes among the Khitans in the north of the mansion?" Liu Chengyou asked again.
"In the past few years, the Khitan people were arrogant and uncontrollable. Whenever autumn came, they would go south to plunder. However, since last year, they have restrained themselves a lot. I also sent a detailed investigation to the Yunshuo area, and many of their troops and horses have shrunk. In my opinion, this is the result of the heavy setbacks suffered by the Khitans in our Central Plains, especially the decline in national strength after the Battle of Luancheng, which was inflicted by Your Majesty. In addition, the mountains and highlands in Bingzhou are dangerous, which is not conducive to Khitan cavalry operations, so this situation exists. ..." Zhe Congruan thought about what was in his mind, brought up the old matter again, and complimented Liu Chengyou.
Liu Chengyou thought carefully, and felt that what he said made sense, so he kept nodding.
Immediately, he looked at him with a keen eye: "Shi Jingtang from the Yanyun Prefectures donated the land of our ancestors to the Khitan. How can we abandon it lightly? I will take it back one day. Is Zhe Qing willing to help me?"
Hearing this, Zhe Congruan couldn't help but frown. Shi Chonggui had also said such big words at the beginning, and he was ordered to attack Shuozhou from the north.
The hesitation in my heart did not affect my official position. Zhe Congruan said solemnly: "I have been fighting a lifelong war with the Khitan. It can be said that the hatred is as deep as the sea. If your Majesty wants to make an expedition to the north, I will lead the army and people of the prefecture to support the grand event. "
Liu Chengyou smiled and waved his hand: "However, I have to wait a few more years..."
From Liu Chengyou's face, Zhe Congruan could clearly see a bit of scheming, but from this, his evaluation of the emperor was even higher.
"They are both in the Hetao area, and Fu, Lin and Dingnan Army are adjacent to each other. I wonder what Zhe Qing thinks of the Dingnan Army?" Liu Chengyou's mind turned to the Xia Sui area.
Hearing this question, Zhe Congruan's expression became solemn, and without any hesitation, he said to Liu Chengyou very solemnly: "Your Majesty, please be careful..."
"..."
Liu Chengyou, who was with Ruan, had been chatting about side affairs for half an hour. Liu Chengyou was in high spirits and still full of ideas. If it weren't for the veteran's fatigue, he wouldn't want to let him go.
When Zhe resigned from the palace from Ruan Gao, he was filled with emotion. Hearing a hundred things is better than seeing him. After some exchanges with Liu Chengyou, he was even more impressed by the young emperor.
Wise, wise, courageous, strong, ambitious, strategic, far-sighted...
In short, don't take it lightly.
As a result, he strengthened his attitude and gained more confidence in the Han Dynasty. Just for today's meeting, this visit to Beijing was not in vain. In fact, only if you have personal contact with someone like him can your heart really settle down.
