It was still early, but the sky was already dark and deep. The howling wind beat the door tirelessly, as if it wanted to break through it. The further north we go, the colder the weather becomes and unbearable.
This winter of the second year of Qianyou was indeed a bit too cold. Liu Chengyou can be considered a relatively cold-tolerant person, but this time he went north, he also found the cold unbearable.
As the emperor, even though he always advocates simplicity, he enjoys a lot of thermal insulation measures. Even so, his skin feels cold. Looking at ourselves and others, how difficult it is for the common people in Guizhou who lack the means and materials to keep out the cold.
During this northern inspection, Liu Chengyou not only patrolled the border and inspected the army, but also paid close attention to people's livelihood, expressed condolences to the affected counties and counties, and surrendered to the emperor. In essence, this trip north is still a large-scale political show.
Taking into account the severe cold climate, and recalling that since the Northern Patrol, many mountains, forests, rivers and swamps have been closed, and people are prohibited from hunting. When he temporarily stayed in Jizhou, Liu Chengyou lowered the order and issued an order to the prefectures and counties in Hebei Province to lift the ban. Forests were opened to allow people from all over the country to cut trees for warmth, and officials and soldiers at all levels were allowed to actively help poor and weak families.
Regardless of the effect, the emperor's benevolence and kindness must be spread, and the emperor's glorious image must be established. Liu Chengyou has done this kind of thing more than once, and he is very familiar with it.
However, compared to the enthusiasm of measuring mountains and rivers with feet and wheels, the cold and fierce wind in the north is nothing.
Inside, Liu Chengyou sat cross-legged on the couch, wrapped himself in a quilt, and stared expressionlessly at an album on the small table on the couch. This is a military map. His calm and solemn gaze fell on the land of Yan called Youzhou.
It was obviously the hinterland of Sainan, bordering Seoul, and the Xuanxuan Han Banner was erected in the square wall, but as far as the Liu Han court was concerned, it was always hanging outside, alone in the north.
According to Liu Chengyou's original plan, the land of Youyan was an important defense against the Khitan's invasion. But so far, the results have been achieved, but Liu Chengyou is always a little unreliable.
Pointing his finger at the map, Liu Chengyou felt a little excited and wanted to send his troops northward to return the vast land of Youyan, which had been separated from China for more than ten years, to Han Dynasty. Why don't men take Wu Gou and collect the fourteen states in Guanshan? This is the ambition here. Although Liu Chengyou has always been deep, he is not without any passion.
However, it was just that little impulse, nothing more than a thought.
"Guardian, let's have some hot soup!" Zhang Dejun held a small bowl of soup and walked to the couch to serve it respectfully.
Liu Chengyou glanced at it, and saw that the small porcelain bowl was filled with soup water, steaming, and the delicious fragrance was appetizing. However, the color was different from the regular food in the Han Palace, so he couldn't help but ask.
Zhang Dejun replied in a low voice: "This is the hu soup made by the Concubine Xian, who cooked it herself. It is said to have the effect of dispelling cold and protecting the body. For this reason, the lady even burned her hand."
"How are you feeling?" Liu Chengyou asked warmly, smelling the aroma that hooked his nose, and was a little surprised by the lady's skills. No wonder she didn't serve the soup herself.
"I asked, it's not serious." Zhang Dejun said.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately raised his hand and gave instructions: "Go and see the imperial doctor in Xingying, prepare some ointment, and tell your wife that I will go see her later!"
"yes......"
Although it was the soup sent by Mrs. Zhe, it also entered Liu Chengyou's mouth after tasting it. It has a quite Fuzhou-style flavor, but it has a different experience.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Prince Pu!" As a close minister, Wang Pu came to the king after many rounds of inspections. The further north you go, the stronger the security around Liu Chengyou becomes. It seems to be due to the "false alarm" in Xingzhou that day.
After looking at the stack of official documents in Wang Pu's hand, Liu Chengyou said: "No courtesy!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Pu raised his hand and said expressionlessly: "These are some of the last official documents that Prime Minister Yang handled. Thirteen instructions were not sent out yet."
On the Northern Patrol Road, Prime Minister Yang Bin's "sudden disappearance" has become a secret matter, but as a confidant of the emperor, Wang Pu still knew some of the reasons.
"What's there?" Liu Chengyou became interested and asked.
"I have seen it, they are all common affairs of the officials and the imperial court." Wang Pu responded.
"Are there any secular things above the temple?" Liu Chengyou immediately shook his head and asked.
Seeing this, Wang Pu's breath twitched, the corners of his mouth trembled in pain, and he hurriedly said: "I made a mistake!"
Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou said: "Let me take a look!"
Liu Chengyou flipped through the letters one by one, taking in everything at a glance. Compared with those important military and political matters involving important matters, these official documents can be called "common matters."
Liu Chengyou's focus was of course on Yang Bin's instructions. After nearly two years of being emperor, his political ability had also made great progress.
From Liu Chengyou's point of view, Yang Bin's handling of these general affairs can indeed be said to be experienced. After all, he has been a veteran in managing politics for many years, from the local to the central government. If I really want to find something wrong, I can only say that it is too harsh, harsh, and leaves no room for anything, which is full of his personal style, Mr. Yang.
Thoughts flashed through his dark eyes. After pondering for a while, Liu Chengyou ordered: "These ten or so matters will be dealt with according to Yang Bin's instructions without any changes. They will be sent to Tokyo for processing accordingly. Although it is a little late. , it can be regarded as giving him an end!"
Without waiting for Wang Pu to respond, Liu Chengyou took out another one and added: "As for Zhang Yisu, the doctor, who violated the law, he should be punished. However, considering his first offense, he was demoted and fined, and there was no need for him to leave the capital and go to the border. , demote him to the capital and become a county magistrate!"
Wang Pu's eyes couldn't help but have some unexpected colors. He had been serving the emperor for a long time. He knew that Liu Chengyou had always advocated "the rule of law". This was the first time that he had said such favoritism seriously from the mouth of the emperor. .
However, if you think about Zhang Yisu's identity for a moment, Wang Pu can understand. Yang Bin's downfall is not as understated as it was in Xingzhou. It will definitely cause an uproar. The news has not spread completely yet, but it is certain that as long as it reaches Tokyo and the uproar breaks out, I am afraid that it will happen since the Qianyou Dynasty. The most violent storm in the temple.
Yang Bin and Wang Zhang, the two prime ministers, were once the pillars of the imperial court at the beginning of the founding of the country. If Yang Bin's side falls, there can't be any problems with Wang Zhang. As Wang Zhang's only son-in-law, Zhang Yisu must give him some face.
Noticing Wang Pu's expression, Liu Chengyou knew that he had guessed his intention. He didn't take it seriously, and when he saw that he was lingering, he calmly asked: "What else is there?"
After hearing the question, Wang Pu clasped his hands, took out another album, and presented it: "Chengde Jiedu Envoy Zhang sent a message to the Prime Minister. I heard that the emperor came north to ask for the Yongqing Face Saint!"
"This time I recruited the envoys from several prefectures and towns in the northern border to Yongqing without mentioning their names. Zhang Yanwei must be uneasy!" Liu Chengyou commented playfully.
Without commenting on the emperor's words, Wang Pu just asked for instructions: "Your Majesty, how can Ambassador Zhang respond?"
Liu Chengyou thought for a while and then ordered: "Draft a letter to reply to him, use more cordial words, and tell Zhang Yanwei that the end of my northern tour is Hengzhou. The weather is so cold that he does not need to travel hundreds of miles. Here comes the pilgrimage!”
"yes!"
